USA > Indiana > The Indiana centennial, 1916; a record of the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of Indiana's admission to statehood > Part 9
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And from their toil, your peaceful homes arise.
You well may feel the Southern Hoosier's pride In this Centennial. -
You live upon historic ground. These falls Have borne the Empire builders' craft. These hills Have flashed the signal fires of savage men. And here from Vevay to Vincennes extend The neighbor counties that first made the State. Within the circle of these trees shall pass A pageant of the early days. Come back Awhile, and tread with us the forest's paths, Feel the explorer's thrill, the settler's hope, And may there come to you a deeper pride That you are sons of this great Commonwealth.
The hour-glass turns, the sands now backward run, Approach ye spirits of the place-the pageant has begun.
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The pageant proper consisted of eight short episodes or scenes, as follows:
1. The Indians and the Coming of LaSalle.
2. George Rogers Clark at Corn Island.
3. The Coming of the Pioneers.
4. The Wedding. 4
5. The Passing of the Settlers.
6. The Indian Attack.
7. The Circuit Rider.
8. The Governor's Ball.
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The Masque, "The Spirit of the West," was the unique feature of the New Albany Pageant and as beautiful as unique.
The Spirit of the West attended by Opportunity, Courage, Endur- ance and Freedom comes upon the stage. The Spirit of the West speaks
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of the wonderful resources waiting to be used by the pioneer. Turning to the Hill Spirits and River Spirits, he asks of them what they will give to the one who comes. They tell of their offerings. Opportunity tells what he will give, as also does Courage, Endurance and Freedom.
Then into the beautiful land of the West come Puritan and Cavalier, who each tell their reason for coming to this part of the country. The Spirit of the West welcomes them and calls attention to the coming of Indiana.
Upon the stage come the Flowers, preceding Indiana, who is ac- companied by symbolic figures, the Law, the Church, the School and the Home. Following these come various industries, representing the increased civilization. Indiana then calls upon the Herald to proclaim the mission of herself and party, which is that Justice may prevail, Order may be maintained, Liberty may rule, Knowledge may be spread- such being the blessings that statehood brings.
Upon this peaceful scene comes the discordant note of the Spirits of War, who rush in upon the scene and attempt to annihilate all the good things that Statehood brings. Indiana bows her head with fcar, but Law and Freedom step forward to protect her. Freedom strikes the sword of war from the leader Spirit, and disperses the hosts of battle. Then troop in the Evil Spirits-Poverty, Disease, Ignorance, Folly, In- dolence and Unlawfulness. For a time they run wild before the throne of Indiana, striving to overcome her protectors, but following them come the Bringers of the Light, and when the Light comes the Evil Spirits must depart.
The Bringers of the Light, representing the higher civilization, are naturally followed by the Arts, Letters, Commerce, etc., who cach tell of their work. Then Fame takes the center of the stage and from her scroll reads the names of those natives of Indiana who have made their names honored the world over.
From the hills and the woods joyfully come several groups of dancers. First the Harvest girls, of fair complexion and dressed in maize colored costumes with wheat in their hair and sickles in their hands; then the Spirits of Fruits. A group of boys representing the Spirits of Mines and the Spirits of Industries follow. After these, a picture of the prosperous years to come is depicted by the Spirits of the Future in the closing dance, a joyous dance of hope and inspiration. The entire group in a spectacular finale joins in chorus and sings the Hymn to Indiana. The Spirits of the Hills and the Spirits of the River come from the background, form a straight line across the stage and throwing their arms up, with their scarfs form a curtain and signify that the Masque is over.
This impressive and beautiful presentation of the history of the Commonwealth was expressive of the high spirit with which Floyd County observed the anniversary and for which the representatives of the State Commission present voiced the highest praise.
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THE INDIANA CENTENNIAL
The county was well represented on County Day at In- dianapolis, by Miss Mary Lucile Hackett in the Cavalcade and by a large number of its citizens in the parade which followed.
FOUNTAIN
The Centennial observance in Fountain County was educa- tional rather than celebrational. Wheeler McMillan, editor of the Covington Republican, was county chairman, and di- rected his efforts wholly to arousing among the school chil- dren an interest in state and local history. To this end his committee was made up largely of teachers and township trus- tees.
In March, Troy township held an all-day observance in the Covington High School, with basket dinner at noon. The opening address was given by Mr. McMillan, who presided. Other addresses were made by J. Wesley Whicker of Attica, Miss Charity Dye of the State Commission, and Captain Schuyler La Tourette. A display was made of pioneer relics.
On August 17 an Old Settlers gathering was held at Yeddo and was largely attended. The address of welcome was given by Miss Lucile Wilkey in costume of 1840. Scores appeared in old-time costume. James E. Watson delivered all historical address.
Some of the schools, including those of Attica, observed Admission Day.
The Fountain observance appears to have been rather sporadic and not sufficiently thoroughgoing to have reached the citizenship of the county as a whole.
FRANKLIN
A good example of the business man who is not too busy to be public spirited and patriotic, is found in Franklin County's chairman, John C. Shirk, the Brookville banker. He was one of the first, if not the very first, of the county chairmen to accept the post of Centennial leadership. As early as September in 1915 he had fixed the date of the Franklin County celebration, and the latter was carried out practically as planned, in June of the following year. Mr. Shirk is president of the local historical society which was organized nine years ago.
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With beautiful, historic Brookville as its center, Franklin County was almost foreordained to have a good celebra- tion. In 1898 the town had a home coming and in 1908 cele- brated its own Centennial and went in determined to outdo both in the observance of 1916. The county has history enough and to spare to "go around" for an indefinite num- ber of celebrations. On its roll of honor of those who were born or who made their home within its limits it claims : Among educators, R. B. Abbott, President Albert Lea Uni- versity ; E. D. Barbour, President Kansas University ; W. M. Daily, President Indiana University; C. W. Hargitt, Presi- dent Syracuse University ; J. P. D. John, President De Pauw University ; L. D. Potter, President Glendale College; Charles N. Sims, Chancellor Syracuse University. Among states- men, U. S. Senators, Robert Hanna, John Henderson, Missis- sippi, Jesse B. Thomas, Illinois, author of the Missouri Com- promise, James Noble and Oliver H. Smith, Governors James B. Ray, Abram Hammond, Noah Noble, David Wallace, Stephen Harding, Utah, and John P. St. John, Kansas. Among jurists, Supreme Judges Isaac Blackford, W. F. Mc- Kinney and Stephen C. Stephens. Among artists and littera- teurs, Louisa M. Chitwood, poet, Ida Husted Harper, author and lecturer, Hiram Powers, sculptor, Maurice Thompson, author, and Lew Wallace, author. Among the military, Gen- eral P. A. Hackleman, Rear Admiral Oliver S. Glisson, Cap- tains W. H. Hernden, and James Noble, Jr., and others. Among government and state officials, James N. Tyner, Post- master-General, Edwin Terrell, Minister to Belgium, George E. Downey, Comptroller U. S. Treasury, James S. Clarkson, Assistant Postmaster-General, and Amos W. Butler, Secre- tary Indiana State Board of Charities. At large, James B. Eads. Few counties can point to such a galaxy of notables.
The schools observed a Centennial Day, and some atten- tion was given to Indiana and its history in class work. The clubs likewise gave some attention to the anniversary. Rose- dale celebrated Admission Day with a program in the town hall on December 11. For the most part, however, Frank- lin County's activity centered in its celebration, which took place June 1-4. On Thursday afternoon, June 1, the cele- bration was opened at the court house. After an address of welcome by Mr. Shirk, speeches of a reminiscent nature
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were made by home comers, including Chas. F. Jones of Washington, D. C., and Amos W. Butler, Dr. Frank B. Wynn, and Rev. J. W. Duncan of Indianapolis. A public reception to visitors followed.
The principal event of Friday was to have been the county pageant, which a sudden summer shower unceremoniously postponed until the next day. The pageant was prepared by Prof. Charlton Andrews of New York and directed by Mr. D. O. Slyter of Chicago. The landscape setting of the pageant, nestled in the hollow of the beautiful and winding Whitewater, was picturesque beyond compare. A brief out- line will suggest the nature of the production, which was really a series of historic scenes in pantomime.
Prelude-America-Star Spangled Banner-The Sun Worshipers. Centennial Chorus, S. E. Secoy, conductor.
Prologue-Leona Margaret Morstatter.
EPISODES I AND II
Indian Scene-Arrival of Whites-First Treaty Signed-Peace Pipe Smoked.
EPISODE III
Coming of Other Pioneers-Benj. McCarty, Amos Butler, Joseph and Robert Hanna, Robert Templeton, Samuel Goodwin, John Vincent, Samuel Shirk.
EPISODE IV
Home Scene, Early Days-Old Fashioned Party-Husking Bee.
EPISODES V AND VI
States of the Union-Organization of Franklin County-Appearance of "Columbia"-Reception of Indiana Into the Union.
EPISODES VII AND VIII
The Land Office-Arrival of Pioneers-Filing Land Claims-Arrival of Stage Coach-Mail Distributed-Opening of Canal.
EPISODES IX AND X
Brookville College-Students-Fiddlers-Party Event-Messenger Announces Rumor of War-Fall of Ft. Sumter-Call for Volunteers- Students Depart to Enlist.
Interlude-Weber's Band.
Return of Soldiers-Northern and Southern Home Scenes-Re- united Nation.
Interlude-Weber's Band.
EPISODE XI
Coming of the Railroad-Progress Since Civil War.
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On Saturday morning the historical parade passed in re- view before Governor and Mrs. Samuel M. Ralston, represen- tatives of the Indiana Historical Commission, and other guests of honor. The past century of the county's history, institu- tional and industrial, was vividly shown. In the afternoon, addresses were delivered by Governor Ralston, Miss Charity Dye and Father John Cavanaugh, all of the Commission. Union Centennial religious services were held Sunday after- noon.
As might have been expected in such a historic center, a very fine exhibit of pioneer relics was made at the high school, which attracted much interest.
The celebration was featured with good music by a local chorus and by the John C. Weber band of Cincinnati.
Chairman Shirk and his Committee persevered in their determination to put on a dignified, patriotic observance, worthy of the State and the community, and their efforts were crowned with success. The largest crowds in the history of Brookville were reported.
Miss Jean Case represented Franklin County in the Cen- tennial Cavalcade at Indianapolis on October 6th.
FULTON
Dean L. Barnhart, editor of the Rochester Sentinel, under- took the Centennial leadership in Fulton County. He mani- fested an active interest in the work, which his paper loyally supported. Circumstances arose which compelled him to re- sign the chairmanship, but before doing so, he secured a suc- cessor in the person of Dr. Wm. A. Smith. So far as the Commission could determine, the latter took no steps what- ever toward a Centennial observance and no county celebra- tion was held.
In May the Rochester school prepared a pageant in cele- bration of the year. Some other schools in the county gave appropriate programs, but little systematic work was done.
GIBSON
As a county, Gibson was one of the drones in the Cen- tennial hive. The Commission attempted perseveringly to get an organization launched, but without avail. After those who might most naturally be expected to take initiative in
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THE INDIANA CENTENNIAL
such a movement had declined, C. G. Bradley, Secretary of the Princeton Chamber of Commerce, accepted the chairman- ship rather than see the county unrepresented. Soon after, he moved to another part of the State and repeated appeals failed to uncover anyone else in Princeton who seemed to care sufficiently whether or not the county played a creditable part in the patriotic movement. Vale Princeton !
Be it said, however, to their everlasting credit, that there were two towns in the county that did care, and that took their place with honor in the Centennial procession. The first of these was Owensville. The local Domestic Science Club first felt the concern and was joined by the other clubs in naming J. A. Yager, superintendent of the city schools, as Chairman of the organization for arranging an Owens- ville Centennial celebration. The result was a most worthy two-day celebration on June 7th and 8th.
The distinctive feature of the first day was a pioneer school reunion, the central figure in which was Thomas Mar- vel, aged 82, who had taught school in that community as early as the 50's and who had "lived practically his whole life in the neighborhood, where in 1838 he went to his first school and where sixteen years later he first wielded the schoolmaster's birch."
Committees from the various schools in which he had taught perfected the arrangements for the reunion of all the living members. An interesting program was presented with Mr. Marvel presiding.
The Marvel school took a place of honor in the industrial and historical parade which immediately followed the reunion. During the two days of the observance, visitors thronged the museum of pioneer relics, gathered by C. E. Kimball.
But the really ambitious undertaking of those patriotic Owensville folk was their community pageant, written by Mrs. A. W. Thompson, Mrs. Florence Leonard, J. Roy Strick- land, and J. A. Yager and directed by Frank W. Boren. It was held at night in an open meadow, where 300 people pre- sented important phases of state and local history before an audience of 2,500 spectators.
EPISODE I The Prologue-A nature phantasy anterior to the com- ing of man.
EPISODE II The Indians (localized).
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EPISODE III First White Settlers (localized) .
EPISODE IV Part 1-Underground Railway. Part 2-Civil War. EPISODE V Prosperity and Progress.
This is the barest outline of a community effort of which most enthusiastic reports were given. It was well conceived and ably executed. In reporting on the whole celebration, Chairman Yager said, "it was such a success that every one felt that Owensville can do anything!"
The other Centennial town in Gibson County was Oakland City, the home of the historian, W. M. Cockrum, author of "A Pioneer History of Indiana" and "The Underground Rail- way." A two night pageant was given June 14 and 15, on the Oakland City College campus, when incidents recited in Colonel Cockrum's books were presented. The pageant was written by Ella C. Wheatley and directed by Grover W. Sims, both of the college faculty. It opened with a firefly dance by sixty girls, "a display of beauty, youth, purity and graceful- ness that held the audience in rapt attention." The history presented in the first performance dealt with Indian life and customs, followed by a portrayal of the life of the early pioneer period, closing with the council between General Har- rison and Tecumseh and the battle of Tippecanoe.
The second evening's performance presented a very vivid portrayal of the institutional life of the mid-century period and of its development into modern life; for example, the passing of the vehicles from pioneer times to the present- the ox team, mules, road cart, horse and buggy, auto buggy and an up-to-the-minute six cylinder.
The pageant was at once an inspiration and a call to patri- otism which, as a local report averred, will leave its lesson in the minds of those who saw it for years to come.
Admission Day exercises were held by the schools of Hazel- ton and Princeton and in the evening the Woman's Clubs of the latter town united in a Centennial banquet.
GRANT
James O. Batchelor, Mayor of Marion, who served as County Chairman, succeeded in forming a Centennial organi- zation well representative of the county as a whole. The townships showed considerable interest in cooperating in pre- senting a pageant to be given at a county celebration which was first set for August.
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THE INDIANA CENTENNIAL
Later, the Centennial project was hooked up with Mar- ion's annual industrial exposition and, as usual in such a mesalliance, became an adjunct to a commercial enterprise. A professional promoter was secured, along with the usual "free acts" associated with the alluring word "hippodrome," thus lowering the standard of what had been initiated as a real community observance and contribution to the patriotic tributes of the year.
The county pageant was given, however, in whole or in part, each evening of the exposition, which was held October 2 to 7, various townships presenting different episodes. Eugene McGillan was the author and introduced much local history. The outline follows :
THE PRELUDE The Landing of the Pilgrims.
EPISODE I
The Spirit of Civilization.
The Organization of Grant County.
The First Marriage Ceremony.
Interlude 1. The Dance of the Spirits of Agriculture.
EPISODE II
Scene 1. The Gathering of the Tribes.
Scene 2. The Decree of the White Man.
EPISODE III
The Naming of Marion.
EPISODE IV
Evolution of the United States Mail System.
EPISODE V
Scene 1. The arrival of the Indian Traders.
Scene 2. The Abduction of Frances Slocum. Interlude 2. The Dance of the States-War.
EPISODE VI
Scene 1. Patriotism of Grant County Citizens.
Scene 2. The Underground Railway.
Scene 3. The Emancipation Proclamation.
Scene 4. Surrender of Robert E. Lee to General U. S. Grant. The End of the War.
EPISODE VII
Scene 1. The Battle of the Mississinewa.
Scene 2. Peace.
FINALE
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COUNTY CELEBRATIONS
During the week a collection of pioneer relics was on ex- hibit under the direction of R. L. Whitson, promoter of the well known Grant County Octogenarian Club. The annual meeting of the latter organization, held at Matter Park on August 15 was made a Centennial observance, with a fitting program of old-time music and readings and an address by Daisy Douglas Barr.
On Sunday, October 8, the Friends churches of Marion and Fairmount conducted all-day Centennial services in which was reviewed the history of Quakerism in Indiana and its contri- bution to the progress of the Commonwealth.
A few local celebrations were held in the county. Sway- zee made a Centennial observance of its Fourth of July cele- bration, with a parade including historical features, an exhibit of relics of pioneer life and an address by the Rev. Joshua Stansfield. Celebrations are also reported at Upland and Jalapa.
In the way of permanent memorials, the county chairman reports the Grant County Hospital; a monument on the court house plaza to Martin Boots, founder of the city of Marion; likewise a marker in his memory by the local D. A. R.
A day is reported as having been set aside in the schools for Centennial observance, but no special school celebrations were held.
GREENE
Sufficient interest was not aroused to hold a county cele- bration in Greene County. At the County Products Show held at Bloomfield in October, relics of carly county life were shown.
Worthington gave a distinctively Centennial flavor to its Fourth of July celebration, holding a home coming and put- ting on a parade which emphasized the development of state and national life. In the city plaza features of pioneer social life were portrayed and a community sing was held in which old-time melodies were enjoyed.
Little attention was devoted to the Centennial by the schools of the county. Observance of Admission Day with fitting programs by the schools of Linton and Jasonville is reported.
Allen G. Pate, a Bloomfield attorney, was county chair- man.
Greene County was represented in the Centennial Caval- cade at Indianapolis by Miss Nevil Thompson.
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THE INDIANA CENTENNIAL
HAMILTON
"The Centennial of my State was celebrated and I was not there." This is the refrain which must be sung by Ham- ilton, along with some other close-in counties. On local recom- mendation, Justice Hugh Anthony Maker, of Noblesville, who knows the history of every foot of the county, was made its Centennial Chairman. Mr. Maker admits that he is a poet and prides himself on getting up at an unearthly morning hour to cultivate the Muse. However that may be, he could not get up early enough to get a Centennial celebration started in Hamilton County. Nor apparently could any one else, for following his efforts, Mrs. H. H. Thompson and Miss Lulu M. Meisse worked at the problem with self-sacrificing and patriotic fervor, but without avail. Apparently Hamil- ton County in general and Noblesville in particular, felt little interest in, and less concern for, an adequate observance of their State's Centennial. Noblesville put on a horse show while the State Centennial celebration was in progress twenty miles away !
While there was no concerted movement, a few churches in the county and several women's clubs gave Centennial pro- grams during the year, and some of the schools observed the anniversary in a limited way. In anticipation of Admission Day the County Teachers' Association met on December 9, when a special Indiana program was given.
HANCOCK
Few counties, from which much might have been expected, did so little in recognition of the Centennial as did Hancock. Responsibility for such lack of manifestation of public spirit must be divided between those who were supposed to lead in the movement, the press, which practically ignored the Cen- tennial, with the exception of the Fortville Tribune, and the citizenship generally. No county organization was effected and nothing whatever done looking toward an adequate ob- servance.
In the autumn of 1915, Attorney Will A. Hough of Green- field accepted the county chairmanship. The months passed and when, late in the spring, Mr. Hough, who had some ex- cellent ideas for a celebration, pleaded stress of professional duties, his resignation was accepted. No little effort was put
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forth to secure a successor, but without avail. Finally, Rus- sell H. Strickland, Secretary of the Greenfield Business Men's Association, addressed the Commission concerning the assum- ing by his organization the responsibility of a Centennial celebration. As a result, on July 6, the Director of the Com- mission met a representative committee in Mr. Strickland's office in Greenfield, and effected a reorganization, with John F. Mitchell, Jr., as county chairman. A tentative program of observance was suggested to the Committee, the distinctive feature of which was a Riley pageant to be presented on the banks of Brandywine. The Committee reacted enthusiastic- ally and, despite the late start, every prospect seemed to please.
Within a few weeks the Hoosier Poet died. Instead of giving impetus to the plans for the Riley pageant, the event seemed, strangely enough, to have the opposite effect. All attention was so zealously turned toward securing all that was mortal of the. departed poet, that the pageant idea, at least, found its last resting place in Greenfield-and a golden opportunity was lost. Nothing further was done concerning a celebration.
The Federated Clubs of Greenfield, determined not to let the anniversary pass without some recognition, placed a huge boulder in the yard of the city library as a Centennial memo- rial. A short program of dedication was given on October 18th.
Wilkinson, in the northeast corner of the county, must be credited with a manifestation of Centennial interest, due largely to the initiative and enthusiasm of Mrs. Martha J. Stubbs. Under her leadership a Centennial playlet was put on twice, from which sufficient proceeds were realized to in- sure the placing of markers on the sites of the first church, schoolhouse and cemetery in Brown township.
The schools in some parts of the county observed the Cen- tennial with patriotic programs, the placing of permanent memorials being reported by two-a Centennial stone with patriotic exercises, by Green township, and the planting of a Centennial Elm at Charlottesville. Several addresses of a Centennial nature were given in connection with graduating exercises, and all the schools included Indiana history in their work. Admission Day was generally observed.
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