USA > Indiana > The Indiana centennial, 1916; a record of the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of Indiana's admission to statehood > Part 8
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On Thursday, September 21, occurred the dedication of the Freeman line markers and monument, with addresses by Geo. R. Wilson. The film "Indiana" was shown, and a compre- hensive exhibit made of pioneer relics. Early in the season a clean-up and beautification campaign and contest was launched, the prizes in which were now awarded.
On Friday forenoon occurred one of the most extensive and impressive historical and industrial parades seen in southern Indiana or even in the whole State. It was most ably managed by the Acirema Club, led by its president, F. A. Stinson. The parade, two miles in length, moved on the minute and without a hitch.
And then the pageant! Miss Williams wrote it herself and directed it in person. The faithfulness with which the work was done may be inferred from the following statement made by Geo. R. Wilson, the county historian :
It was a source of most exquisite pleasure to me to witness the Cen- tennial Celebration at Huntingburg last Friday. It would be so to al- most any man who knows the history of his State and county, and saw it so beautifully presented within the oval at the fair grounds. The entire celebration from the first bugle call in the morning until the finale is worthy of the most unlimited praise. The military precision with which the entire affair was conducted showed the hand of a master and the obedience of a soldier.
The little dynamo behind the flags in the band stand and her corps of efficient assistants were equal to every emergency. The one great feature was the historical accuracy of the pageant. History was fol- lowed to the smallest detail. On this one point it surpassed any pageant I have ever seen, or any moving picture of one, even when pro- duced by expert pageant masters.
The affair demonstrated this one thing: know your subject, get the spirit of the episode and the production will be natural. Another
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thought, the audience must know what is intended by the act before it can appreciate it.
Dubois County is full of important historical incidents. It was the pioneer cradle of Indiana and all its pioneers, forests, rivers and trails contributed in the making of Indiana. To know your county's history is an asset when you attend a county pageant, so let all get ready for Jasper's celebration in 1917.
The parade was a credit and an honor to Huntingburg and the county at large. The thanks of the entire county are due to each and every one from Columbia to the tiniest fairy that participated in the day's program.
Miss Williams and her local corps of efficient assistants are entitled to a vote of thanks from the city of Huntingburg and a resolution to that effect should be passed by the city council and made a matter of official record. The entire program was an honor to Southern Indiana. There is glory enough in it for everybody.
Dr. James A. Woodburn and Mr. Lew M. O'Bannon of the State Commission were in attendance. The latter was amply justified in his "I told you so," while the former wrote in to the office as follows :
Miss Williams' pageant was a decided success, perhaps 1,000 in the cast. I enjoyed all of it (with Mr. O'Bannon) and we pronounced it a great credit to the county of Dubois. I sat by Mr. Wilson the his- torian of Dubois, and he says it represented the county history true to life. The finale was a splendid scene. I am to see Miss Williams scon and I shall tell her of the universal approval with which her efforts have been received. They say there were ten thousand people on the pageant grounds. All were greatly pleased.
Miss Williams herself was particularly generous in her praise of the realistic and impressive manner in which Jasper handled the Civil War scene, maintaining that this almost universally included episode was not better done in any pageant in the State.
OUTLINE OF THE PAGEANT
INTRODUCTION
Interpretive dances by children, representing manifestations of nature-wood nymphs (young ladies for water sprites), flowers, fairies, gnomes, insects, butterflies. They usher in the spirit of Nature, attended by her handmaidens-Earth, Air, Fire, and Water.
EPISODE I
The Indians and French at Vincennes.
Scene 1. Granting of Indian Tract to French (Patoka Tribe of Red Men and Daughters of Pocahontas representing the Indians, and the Y. M. I. taking the part of the French.)
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Scene 2. Father Gibault raises first American flag on Indiana soil at Vincennes. (By the Red Men, Daughters of Pocahontas on the one side, and the Y. M. I. and men of the Epworth League on the other.)
EPISODE II
The Pioneer in Dubois County.
Scene 1. The McDonald settlement on the "Buffalo Trace." McDonald adopted by Red Men. (Boone and Madison Township people and Patoka Tribe of Red Men.)
Scene 2. Social gathering at Ft. McDonald. (Same townships to furn- ish cast.)
Scene 3. (1) George Rogers Clark and American Soldiers go over Trace from Louisville to Vincennes. (By people from all parts of the county.) (2) William Henry Harrison repairs Trace and leaves Rangers and Guides. Same Cast. (3)
The Early Surveyors-Freeman, Buckingham, Rictor.
(4)
Material for "Western Sun," first paper at Vincennes carried over Trace. (5) First United States Mail carried on foot. (6) The Lincoln family moves to Illinois.
EPISODE III
Captain Dubois Episode.
Scene 1. Capt. Dubois receives patent for land in Dubois County.
Scene 2. Council at Vincennes between Harrison and Tecumseh. (Pa- toka Tribe of Red Men).
Scene 3. Indians steal horses from the McDonalds.
Scene 4. Battle of Tippecanoe. (Patoka Tribe of Red Men and Wood- men of the World.)
Scene 5. Dubois leaves Vincennes on business trip. (It was on this trip that Dubois was drowned in the Little Wabash.)
EPISODE IV Events in Early History of County.
Scene 1. Formation of County.
Scene 2. Father Kundeck's Works at Jasper; his arrival from Vin- cennes, and his work at Ferdinand; and the arrival of Bene- dictine Sisters from Covington, Ky. (By citizens of Jasper and Ferdinand.)
EPISODE V Civil War Episode.
Leaving of Company K from Jasper to join the 27th regiment at Indianapolis. Dinner and presentation of Flag by ladies. (Jasper citizens.)
FINALE
Tableaux of "Columbia and Uncle Sam," of the "Famous North- west Territory Group," and five or six others.
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The whole celebration was in harmony with the ideals of the Commission which were also those of the County Chair- man. It was educational, historical and patriotic, with noth- ing to detract from the real Centennial spirit.
Dubois county took a worthy part on County Day of the State Celebration. Mrs. H. C. Knapp of Huntingburg rode a black charger in the Cavalcade, while in the procession which followed, Dubois was represented by an immense American Flag, carried flat by two score men. It was the property of the Knights of Columbus of Jasper and had appeared in the Dubois County parade.
But occupying a seat of honor among the county Chair- men, close behind Ex-President Taft and Governor Ralston, rode the little woman who more than all was the embodiment of the Indiana Centennial.
ELKHART
Twenty years ago the Elkhart County Historical Society was organized. In the two decades it has gathered and placed in its archives much material on local history and has made - a collection of historical relics which it claims to be one of the finest in the State. One of the organizers of the Society, its secretary for four years and its president the remaining years of its existence, H. S. K. Bartholomew, was appointed Centen- nial Chairman for the county.
If any county had a right to be discouraged and disheart- ened by a succession of untoward events, Elkhart county could well lay claim to it, as a brief chronicle of its Centennial efforts will demonstrate. Yet to the credit of the chairman and his indefatigable assistants, the plans were not aban- doned, and while the celebration was not all that had been hoped for, it was, nevertheless, in spite of obstacles, human and superhuman.
In the first place it was planned to hold a celebration in connection with the county commencement at Goshen on June 3, with Governor Samuel M. Ralston as the speaker. It was learned, however, that the Governor could not be present at that time, but could speak at Goshen on August 5. The latter date was accordingly advertised as that of the county observ- ance. One week before that time however, the committee re- ceived word that owing to a conflict of dates, Gov. Ralston
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could not fill his engagement. The celebration was therefore indefinitely postponed.
In the meantime, the center of interest, or of publicity at least, had shifted to the city of Elkhart, from which suddenly emanated in the forepart of July, glowing and fulsome stories of a week's celebration and pageant to be given there in the last week of September. After a few weeks of celebration- in the newspapers-the mayor, who had taken the lead in the enterprise, issued a statement calling off the project on account of general lack of interest. Thus, exit Elkhart.
The County Committee however had never entirely given up the idea of having a pageant, and in this idea persevered. Mrs. George B. Slate wrote a pageant, dedicated to "All Good Hoosiers," portraying state history; several committees were appointed to arrange the details, and the Misses Grace Galen- tine and Luella Barlow, together with the author, undertook its direction. October 19 was the date set for the presenta- tion, the first day of the fall festival. It was to be given at Rogers Bend Park, capable of accommodating several thou- said people. And-"it rained all day." This was the un- garnished report of the Chairman, virtuous in its stoic repression.
Did the Elkhart County Centennial enthusiasts yield to the elements? Not they. Two days later, on Saturday forenoon, the pageant was presented in the theatre, with such changes as were necessary. The house was packed and hundreds were turned away. Elkhart county celebrated, and the indomi- table spirit shown was the stuff of which the pioneers it hon- ored were made.
A neat little pageant book was issued, giving the setting of the scenes, and the names of the people involved therein. The arrangement was unique in this, in that instead of nam- ing the episode, each was suggested by appropriate quotations, as follows :
EPISODE I
Nature here Wantoned as in her prime, and played at will Her virgin fancies .- Milton.
There followed a series of symbolic dances by the wood nymphs and spirits of nature, interrupted by the Indians. A note quoted this justification of interpretive dancing: as
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"sauce piquante of a human festival, relieving the grave his- torical groundwork of a community pageant, like a delicate pattern of embroidery upon the edge of a garment."
EPISODE II
Lo, the poor Indian! Whose untutor'd mind
Sees God in clouds, or hears Him in the wind .- Pope.
An impressive and sympathetic treatment of the Indians- their lives and misfortunes.
EPISODE III
When dames wore hoops and powdered hair, And very strict was etiquette, When men were brave and ladies fair, They danced the minuet.
Minuet in Miniature by children.
EPISODE IV
A star for every state, and a state for every star .- R. C. Winthrop.
Symbolic representation of admission of Indiana into the Union.
EPISODE V
I want plain facts, and I want plain words, Of the good old-fashioned ways,
When speech was free as the song of birds, 'Way back in the airly days .- J. Whitcomb Riley. 1
Pioneer life of 1840, characters and recreations.
EPISODE VI
He finds his fellow guilty of a skin, Not colour'd like his own, and having power T' enforce the wrong, for such a worthy cause Dooms and devotes him as his lawful prey .- Cowper.
Underground Railroad incident.
EPISODE VII
Onward they marched, embattled, to the sound Of martial harmony, fifes, cornets, drums, That rouse the sleepy soul to arms, and bold Heroic deeds .- Somerville.
Civil War enlistment scene.
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EPISODE VIII
Bring the good old bugle, boys, we'll sing another song. Sing it with a spirit that will start the world along, Sing it as we used to sing it fifty thousand strong While we were marching through Georgia.
G. A. R. Reunion and reminiscences.
EPISODE IX
My country, 'tis of thee Sweet land of liberty, Of thee I sing .- S. F. Smith.
Finale: Uncle Sam, Indiana and the Nations.
Apart from this formal celebration, the schools of the county took some notice of the Centennial. On May 12, the Emma R. Chandler school of Goshen gave a Centennial entertain- ment in pageant form, "Scenes from Indiana History." Spe- cial Centennial programs were given before teachers and guests at the Elkhart City Teachers' Institute in March and April. Subjects treated were "Early Indiana History," cen- tering in Corydon, M. G. Davis; "Reminiscences from the Early Practice of Medicine in Indiana," Dr. J. A. Work; "Early Arms and Weapons of Pioneers," Dr. A. L. Fisher; "Circuit Riders in Law and Ministry," Rev. F. A. Dressel; "New Harmony Community," Miss Clara Van Nuys; "Early Methods of Transportation," J. S. Fischer; "The Underground Railroad in Indiana," Miss Margaret Wilson; "Early Educa- tional Facilities in Elkhart County," Miss Rosemary Wilker- son ; "Plans for Indiana Centennial Celebration," J. W. Hold- erman. Old-time popular airs were sung, such as "The Last Rose of Summer," "Ben Bolt," "Kathleen Mavourneen," and a couple of jubilee melodies to the accompaniment of an ac- cordeon. No organized, thoroughgoing work in the schools of the county is reported.
It is the hope of the faithful Centennial Committee that an interest has been awakened in things historical that will bring to success the movement which has been started for se- curing a permanent home for the Elkhart County Historical Society. If the committee perseveres in the latter enterprise as it did in its celebration, there is no doubt of its fruition.
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FAYETTE
One of the early counties in the State to effect Centennial organization and perfect its plans, was Fayette. This came partly from having a thorough business man as leader in E. . P. Hawkins, president of the Connersville Commercial Club, and a dominant figure in city and county affairs. Supported by a corps of enthusiastic workers, he had the work well out- lined and preparations under way before the first of the year.
The fact that Fayette is a comparatively small county, and that, having no other towns, it centers peculiarly in Con- nersville, had much to do in shaping the organization and plan of celebration. Mr. Hawkins extended his organization to the townships, but none of the latter held separate celebra- tions with the exception of Orange, which had a worthy high school celebration on the evening of Admission Day. The whole county observance was centralized in the county seat. In this the townships participated actively to some extent, largely in the Centennial parade. In the main however, it may be said that the Fayette celebration was put on at Con- nersville by Connersville people.
Other phases than that of the formal celebration early and continuously occupied the attention of the Committee. Prom- inent among these was that of permanent memorials. There was considerable discussion as to the form the memorial should take, in which philanthropy and service won the day, the result being the erection of the Fayette County Memorial Hospital. The Clio Club furthermore presented the city with a public drinking fountain, the dedication of which was a part of the county celebration program. The literary clubs of the county gave Centennial programs along through the year.
The Fayette County Centennial Association appointed a committee on county history, the chairman of which, Miss Katherine Heron, prepared a history of Fayette County. The Association observed Indiana Products Day with a community dinner, at which Chairman Hawkins acted as toastmaster. Nothing was served except products grown or manufactured in the Hoosier State.
The schools of city and county were alive to Centennial interests. County Superintendent Claude Trusler reports one day set apart in the schools of Fayette in which exercises
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were held in accordance with suggestions made by the Com- mission. Also, that Indiana history was studied, in accord- ance with the course outlined and that every child read Heineman's "Indian Trail," of special local interest. At the Commencement exercises, a Centennial address, "One Hundred Years of Hoosier History," was delivered by the Rev. L. E. Brown. In Connersville a Centennial play was presented by the grade and high school pupils. Thorough work is reported by the chairman on the part of teachers and students in col- lecting data and facts of local history.
The county celebration was held July 2 to 5. The princi- pal events of the program as outlined, follow, particularly those of an cspecial Centennial nature:
July 2, Sunday Evening-Sacred Concert, followed by the Rev. L. E. Brown's Address, "One Hundred Years of Hoosier History."
July 3, Morning, Centennial parade. Afternoon, Children's Chorus; Address, Judge Marshall Williams. Evening, Address, Hon. James E. Watson.
July 4, Home Coming Day. Morning-Reception to Visitors and Re- union of Former Residents. Afternoon-Home Coming Addresses.
July 5, Morning, Presentation of Public Fountain to City by Clio Club. Afternoon, Centennial Address, Gov. Samuel M. Ralston .* Eve- ning, Pageant of Connersville and Fayette County.
Concerts were furnished throughout the celebration by the Indianapolis News Newsboys' Band. On every afternoon and evening the historical moving picture, "Indiana," was shown at a local theatre. One of the best features of the whole observance was the splendid display of all kinds of rel- ics in the show windows of the main street. Indeed there were many commendable features of the celebration. The parade-historical, civic, fraternal, industrial and automobile -was unprecedented in size and attractiveness. Local his- tory was graphically and truly portrayed in the pageant. The whole was a real community celebration.
However, one grave criticism must be made of the Fayette celebration. The management made the mistake of opening up the main streets to carnival attractions and concessions, the noisome confusion and tawdriness of which detracted very largely from the Centennial observance. The whole enter- prise was thus unavoidably cheapened and an otherwise al- most ideal celebration marred.
The Pageant, which closed the observance, was prepared
*For Governor Ralston's address in full, see Appendix p. 395.
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and directed by Miss Harriet Williams and dedicated by her to the school children of Connersville. It was presented at night before a very large audience. On a hillside appeared the interior of a cabin, wherein the settlers' scenes were made effective through the playing of flood and spot light. The mass scenes took place immediately before the audience on a large platform. While this made impossible the unity and freedom of movement essential to real pageantry, the his- torical scenes were given convincingly and impressively. The committee is to be commended for the publication of an at- tractive pageant book, containing, in addition to the text, the program of the whole celebration and the membership of the various Centennial Committees.
ORDER OF EVENTS IN THE PAGEANT EPISODE I
(1788)-Capture of John Conner by the Indians. Escape of Jonas Williams' Family.
EPISODE II
John Conner's Post in 1813. A plat of the Post. Arrival of Indian Traders. Coming of New Emigrants.
EPISODE III
Pioneer Life in 1820-Claypool's Inn.
A member of the New Capital Committee. The Pioneer Preacher arrives. The Masonic Lodge. Indian Captures and Murder of Den Davis. Fiddlers' Contest.
EPISODE IV
Wedding Scene in 1834. An Indianapolis-Connersville wedding. Twin McCormick Sisters married Twin Mart Brothers.
EPISODE V
A School of the Forties.
EPISODE VI
The Singing School.
EPISODE VII
Life in the Forties and Fifties. Apple Peelings. Husking Bees. A Harrison-Tyler Parade.
EPISODE VIII
Civil War Period-Band Drill. Boys' Drill. Girls' Drill.
EPISODE IX A Centennial Committee Meeting in 1916.
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EPISODE X
A Memorial Party-Pageant of Old Fashioned Games. A Commercial Club Banquet.
Song-"Indiana."
As a feature of the closing scene, the banquet of the Com- mercial Club, a huge birthday cake was brought in, lighted with one hundred candles. The subjects of the toasts were: "Our Forefathers," "Our Schools and Churches," "Our Noted Men," "Our Industries," "Our Gifts," "Our Centennial," and "Our Flag." It was with much appropriateness, that in re- sponse to the last, D. W. McKee of Connersville, recited his well known poem, "Old Glory :"
TO THE FLAG (D. W. McKee.)
All hail to the flag of the brave and free Far famed in song and in story. It waves o'er the land, it floats o'er the sea, And no other banner ever can be So dear to us as "Old Glory."
Then hail to the flag, the red, blue and white, Its stars and stripes tell the story Of the fathers' fight for freedom and right Through seven long years of war's lurid night That gave to the world "Old Glory."
Though we have no turreted castles old With moss and with lichens hoary, We've a heritage richer far than gold "Tis a birthright which has never been sold, Our freedom under "Old Glory."
From the North and South, the East and the West, From fields of battle once gory, All strife now at rest, as one nation blest From the ocean's strand to the mountain's crest, We've only one flag, "Old Glory."
Then fresh garlands bring to our God and king, Tell millions unborn the story. Let loud anthems ring as His praise we sing And proudly to heaven our banners, fling, While over all floats "Old Glory."
CHORUS.
Then hark to the song as it rolls along, Its theme is our country's story, Cheer! Cheer! the old flag, till from hill and from crag The echoes ring back, "Old Glory."
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FLOYD
In 1913 New Albany celebrated its own Centennial anni- versary with an abandon of enthusiasm and public spirit that left little to be desired. Behind the celebration was a small group of men whose pride was in putting across any worthy enterprise attempted-and clear across. Floyd county was fortunate and the State Commission happy in securing one of these men, T. E. Crawford, to serve as county chairman in 1916. He rallied together the old 1913 group and the thing was already as good as done. From the time "Ed" Craw- ford said "yes" to the invitation offered him to assume the leadership in his county, there was never a doubt as to the course of events in historic little Floyd.
On February 25, under the direction of Glenn V. Scott, county superintendent, the Centennial was observed in the schools of the five townships of the county. At different times Chairman Crawford visited the townships in person, enlisting support in a county movement. In New Albany it- self frequent Centennial meetings were held at the Chamber of Commerce, when stirring talks were given by local speak- ers and by those brought from outside. The Centennial idea was thus promulgated throughout the county and kept well before the public.
The Floyd County celebration was packed into one day, September 21, and a full day it was. It began with a band concert in the City Plaza at nine o'clock, followed by a pa- rade. The Centennial spirit par excellence, however, hov- ered over beautiful Glenwood Park throughout the day. Shortly after noon addresses were delivered by U. Z. Wiley of Indianapolis, and Lew M. O'Bannon of Corydon, member of the State Commission. The speaking was followed by an old-time concert, given by fifty people, directed by Mrs. Bertha Schuler Van Pelt.
In very truth, however, the crowning event of the day was the Pageant and Masque of Indiana given in the evening, written and directed by Professor Chas. B. McLinn of the New Albany schools. It was presented on the banks of Silver Creek, and quoting from the Foreword, "upon a natural stage framed with trees, with a background of creek and steep banks beyond, covered with dense foliage. From the stage in gradual incline, slopes a natural ampitheatre where the
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audience is seated. The effect is that of a primeval forest." Seats had been provided for 8,500 which did not accommodate half the audience, estimated to have been one of the largest Centennial pageant audiences of the State.
The production opened with the following beautiful pro- logue :
The mists that hide the years dissolve tonight And from them rise the half forgotten deeds, The simple life and simple faith of those -
Who here on Southern Indiana soil Laid the beginning of a mighty State. Where purple hills and fertile valleys smile
Upon the Wabash and Ohio 1
A sturdy race was bred. They left to you -
A heritage of law and liberty,
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