USA > Indiana > The Indiana gazetteer, or topographical dictionary of the State of Indiana, 1849 > Part 11
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Gov. Noble was, in many respects, the most remark- able man the State has ever produced. Self-taught, almost, he readily acquired a capacity for managing all kinds of important business; with a very feeble consti- tution, he could endure almost any fatigue, and so much of an invalid as seldom to be free from pain, and always
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GENERAL VIEW OF THE STATE.
living on the diet of a hermit, he was never otherwise than cheerful, and few persons ever did so much to pro- mote good feelings in the society in which he lived. His benevolence was not manifested merely by professions, but his kind looks and kinder words were always attend- ed by the most substantial aid, whenever distress or dif- ficulty appealed to his sympathy. As a public officer he was far above all merely party or selfish considerations; yet it must be admitted that, like every other Governor, he too often pardoned criminals and remitted fines, and the highest honor the State could bestow was as nothing unless a seat in the Senate of the United States could follow. Gov. Noble, too, was unfortunate in being, if not the father, at least the most efficient promoter of the system of Internal Improvements, from which the State has suffered so much both in character and resources. Messrs. Burr and Evans, the former a Canal Commis- sioner and the latter the Speaker of the House of Rep- resentatives, were next, after the Governor, the most effi- cient advocates of the system; but, in a short time, the whole community, with but few exceptions, appeared to be, for a time, nearly deranged on the subject.
In 1834, the net revenue of the State was $45,945, of which less than one per cent. was unpaid at the treasury when it became due.
At the session of the Legislature this year, the State Bank of Indiana was chartered, of which many of the branches have, up to this time, performed most of their appropriate duties to public satisfaction. A good cur- rency has been furnished to the State, as uniform as the financial convulsions of the neighboring States would permit, and it has done much to promote general indus- try and enterprise. Were it to be chartered anew, but few amendments would be required to render it as per- fect as such institutions can be made. Among these, probably, it would be well to prohibit the managers from being borrowers, to any considerable extent, to forbid large discounts, that tend to monopoly in business, to require long loans, to be for the time considered as so
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INDIANA GAZETTEER.
much withdrawal of capital, and more carefully to guard against all usurious evasions.
The history of the State from 1837 to this time, is so much within the memory of its citizens, that even a brief sketch is scarcely desirable on their account, and the effects and results of many measures are as yet unde- veloped, so that it is premature, at present, to decide upon them. Party spirit is still so warm in relation to some subjects, that it will hardly be profitable to discuss them. The facts connected with the system of Internal Improvements, are mostly set forth under that head in the General View of the State, and they need not be repeated here.
At the election for Governor in 1837, a strong effort was made by Mr. Dumont, the Anti-Improvement can- didate, to limit the public works, or, at least, impose some barrier to their ruinous extension; but he was defeated by Gov. Wallace, the advocate of the more liberal policy, as it was called, by a majority of over nine thousand votes. Both the candidates were whigs, for up to this time, national politics did not exercise much control over the local elections of the State.
When it was fully ascertained, in 1838-9, that the public works could no longer be carried on, they should have ceased at once, provision having been made that the Contractors should be compensated as soon as possi- ble for their dues, and also for such damages as they ought to receive for relinquishing their contracts. From the indecision of the State authorities, no arrangements of the kind were made, and large sums were afterwards paid in the Treasury Notes of the State for work done after there was not the slightest prospect that it would be of any public advantage.
At the election of 1840, Judge Bigger was elected Governor by a majority of 8,000 votes over Gen. How- ard. This was the first time at which national poli- tics had exercised a controlling influence in the election of Governor. Each party, however, could, with pro- priety, boast, that no better or abler man was to be
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GENERAL VIEW OF THE STATE.
found in its ranks to advocate its cause and sustain its principles.
The population of the State in 1840, amounted to 685,866, of whom 148,S06 were engaged in agriculture, 20,590 in trades and manufactures, 3,076 in commerce, 949 in mining and navigation, and 2,257 in the learned professions, including engineering. There were 48,189 scholars in the primary and common schools, and 38,100 persons over twenty-one years of age, unable to read and write.
The election in 1843 terminated in the defeat of Gov. Bigger, the incumbent, by James Whitcomb, Esq., on party grounds, by a majority of 2,000 votes. In 1845, the Judges of the Supreme Court were nominated in refer- ence to the political divisions of the country, contrary to the wishes of some of the dominant party. If the old Judges had been re-appointed, there can be no doubt their confir- mation by the Senate would have been unanimous, or near- ly so. How this subject will be viewed hereafter, it is, of course, impossible at present to determine ; but it is very apparent that numbers of both parties do not wish to give up the common objects of their pride and patronage.
THE STATE INSTITUTIONS,
That require particular notice, are the following, viz: The State Prison,
The State Bank,
The Asylum for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb,
The Hospital for the Insane,
The Institute for the Education of the Blind; and The State Library.
THE INDIANA STATE PRISON
Is beautifully situated just below the City of Jeffersonville, within sight of the Falls of the Ohio, and opposite the City of Louisville. Its outer wall, which is of brick, thirty inches in thickness and twenty-eight feet high, covers an area of about four acres, gently undulating to the north. In the centre of the front, being the south side of the pris- on, is a large and beautiful three story brick building, fifty
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feet square, called the "Guard House," from its being used for the guards and officers of the prison. ,
The entrance to the prison is through a hall in the centre of the Guard house, to an iron grated door which opens to the Cell house. This building is 150 feet long, and contains 184 cells, each seven feet long, four wide, and seven feet high, and the whole building is fire proof. On the west line is a Cooper's shop, 150 feet long, forty wide and one story high, and a Warehouse 100 feet by forty, and one and a half stories high. The north angle of the buildings is composed of a store house forty by twenty-two feet, and one story high, and a Hospital 137 feet by forty, two stories high. On the east range is a brick building, erected for a hackling house, but now used for a dry house. There is also, in this quarter, a two story work shop, 396 by 43 feet, in which wagon making is carried on, and the dressing of Coopers' stuff, and turning lathes, and a grist mill, are in operation, all moved by a large engine; and other extensive machinery is also in the process of erection. Upon the wall, at the north-east and south-west angles, are watch towers, where sentinels are placed, during the day, to give the alarm in case of danger.
There were in the Prison, on the 30th November last, 140 convicts, of which sixty-two were admitted the pre- vious year. They are lodged in separate cells at night, each cell being provided with a straw tick, pillow and covering suitable to the season, and also with a night tub and bucket of fresh water every evening. The food is plain, but substantial; constant work, except during meal times and on the Sabbath, is required in the day time, and perfect silence is maintained, the prisoners manifesting all their wants by signs. A Chaplain at- tends the Prison, and preaches to the convicts once a week, on the Sabbath. The average term for which the prisoners are adjudged to be confined, is about three years. Of the 140 convicts, twenty-seven had no edu- cation, twenty could read only, eighty-six could read and write, six had a good English and one a classical educa-
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STATE BANK INDIANAPOLIS.
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GENERAL VIEW OF THE STATE.
tion; fifty had been intemperate, forty had been mode- rate drinkers, and fifty temperate; 124 were whites, and sixteen blacks and mulattoes; eighteen were natives of Indiana, forty-seven from other western and south-west- ern States, thirty-two from the Middle States, twenty- six from the southern States, six from New England, and eleven were foreigners. There were seven deaths among the prisoners during the year ending November 30, 1848. From 1824 to 1830, the average number of prisoners was thirty-five; from 1830 to 1840, it was sixty-two; since that time it has averaged 124.
When the State Prison was located at Jeffersonville, in 1822, it was then supposed that the labor of the con- victs could be beneficially employed in constructing a canal round the Falls of the Ohio, on the Indiana side of the river, and that object had much influence in determining the selection. William Lee is Warden, W. F. Collum, Physi- cian, and Charles H. Page Chaplain of the State Prison.
THE STATE BANK OF INDIANA,
Was chartered in 1834, and commenced business in No- vember of that year. Its charter will expire in 1859.
At the last Annual Report, December 9, 1848, the capital owned by the State in the Bank amounted to - $982,404 27
Capital owned by Individuals, -
1,100,506 30
Total capital, -
$2,082,910 57
The specie on hand was
1,273,895 54
Notes and bills discounted,
-
3,438,944 47
Suspended Debt, State Bonds, and Treasury Notes,
754,706 91
Bank Paper, Bank Balances, &c., -
- 1,148,313 68
Real Estate, Banking Houses, &c.,
382,076 71
Making a total of means, -
$6,997,937 31
The amount of dues were, circulation, .
$3,552,210 00
Deposits,
452,624 73
Due to Banks, and on other claims,
382,342 67
4,387,227 40
$2,610,709 91 Leaving a balance of -
Which will pay back to the stockholders their stock, and leave for further profits, if all the Bank debts and claims are good, $527,799 34. The dividends of profits the
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INDIANA GAZETTEER. .
last year were 9} per cent. The office of the State Bank is kept at Indianapolis, from which all the notes of the Bank are delivered for issuing, signed by the Presi- dent of the State Bank, and to be signed by the Cashier of the proper Branch. This Bank has ever maintained a firm and deserved credit, and it is justly deemed one of the best banking institutions in the Union. The control of the concern is vested in the Directors of the State Bank, which consists of a President and four Directors, chosen by the Legislature, and one Director chosen by each Branch, thirteen in all. This body meets quarterly, makes the dividends, and provides for regular examina- tions of the Branches, and limits their business, and may suspend them altogether whenever they violate the char- ter, or their management is otherwise unsafe either to the public or the other branches.
All the discounting of bills and notes, redemption of circulation, and other financial business, is done at the Branches. The Branches are responsible for each other, and yet do not share each other's profits. In case of the failure of any Branch, the individual stock in the Branch is first absorbed before the State stock is touched. The individual stockholders of each Branch elect all but three of their Directors, and these three are appointed by that part of the State Board which is chosen by the Legisla- ture. The President of the Bank is James Morrison, the Cashier, James M. Ray. The Branches are located at Indianapolis, Richmond, Lawrenceburgh, Madison, New Albany, Evansville, Vincennes, Bedford, Terre Haute, Lafayette, Fort Wayne, South Bend and Michi- gan City.
ASYLUM FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB.
The buildings for this Institution, of which an engrav- ing, in part, is annexed, are located a mile east of In- dianapolis, in a direct line with Washington street, and as the main front, when completed, will be presented to the west, it will afford a commanding view of the great thoroughfare of the city. The situation is a fine one, in
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DEAF 8 DUMB ASYLUM NEAR INDIANAPOLIS.
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GENERAL VIEW OF THE STATE.
a magnificent grove of native forest trees, and the whole, when finished, will appear to much advantage. The ex- terior of the building is to be beautifully stuccoed with hydraulic cement, and its internal arrangements are not . surpassed by any similar Asylum in the United States. The whole length of the main building, including the wings, is 256 feet, and there is a building in the rear con- taining school rooms for eight classes, and a chapel.
The incipient step towards the commencement of this, the pioneer of the Indiana Benevolent Institutions, was taken at the session of the Legislature of 1842-3, by laying a " tax of two mills on each one hundred dollars worth of property in the State, for the purpose of sup- porting a Deaf and Dumb Asylum." At the same session, an appropriation of $200 was made to James McLean, who had been for fifteen months instructing a small school in Parke county. In the spring of 1843, William Willard, a former mute teacher in the Ohio Asylum, though for some time previous out of employment, learn- ing of the tax which had been assessed, came to this State with a view of commencing a school. This went into operation at Indianapolis in October, 1844; and during the year had sixteen pupils in attendance. At the commencement of its second session, in 1844, it became a State Institution. The greatest attendance at any one time, this year, was seventeen. On June 2, 1845, the present Superintendent, Mr. James S. Brown, was ap- pointed and took charge of the Asylum in October fol- lowing. During the session of 1845-6, the attendance reached thirty-five. During 1846-7, the pupils num- bered sixty-five; in 1847-S, eighty-two; and in IS48-9, ninety-nine. For the last four years, the increase of pupils has been unprecedented; and for two years past, the Legislature and people of Indiana have enjoyed the satisfaction of sustaining an Institution educating a greater number of mutes, in proportion to the popula- tion, than that of any other State in the Union.
This school has been made entirely free, so far as board and tuition are concerned, to the Deaf and Dumb in the
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INDIANA GAZETTEER.
State, between the ages of ten and thirty years. This was done because the receipts from pay pupils were at all times small, scarcely amounting, in value, to the ex- · tra trouble occasioned the parents of State pupils in ob- taining their certificates of poverty in behalf of their children; and from the fact that many worthy people kept their children from school rather than procure these certificates.
The objects of this Institution are to give to each of its pupils a sound education, comprising all those branches usually pursued in public schools; and also to furnish to those whose parents or themselves may desire it, some useful trade. There is also a farm attached to the estab- lishment, in the cultivation of which it is designed to impart to a portion of the male pupils a knowledge of scientific agriculture.
The revenue of the Asylum is derived from a tax of two and a quarter cents on the hundred dollars. Owing to a late change in the management, by committing the financial department to the Superintendent, such a saving has been made as to render an increase of taxation unne- cessary, though the buildings are in progress ; and, after their completion, a considerable reduction can be made in the present rate.
The annual session commences on the first Wednes- day of October and closes on the last Wednesday in July. Pupils are required to enter at the commencement of the session.
The following are the officers of the Institution.
Trustees.
Rev. PHINEAS D. GURLEY, President of the Board.
L. DUNLAP, M. D., Physician of the Asylum.
Rev. EDWARD R. AMES.
ALFRED HARRISON, Esq.
Rev. LOVE H. JAMESON, Secretary.
JAMES S. BROWN, A. M., Superintendent.
Instructors .- WILLIAM WILLARD, First Assistant.
CHARLES AXTELL, Second Assistant.
* Third Assistant.
Mrs. ELLEN BIGGER, Matron.
* A vacancy occasioned by the death of Wm. Breg, Jr., May 15, 1849.
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ASYLUM FOR THE BLIND INDIANAPOLIS.
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GENERAL VIEW OF THE STATE.
INDIANA INSTITUTE FOR THE EDUCATION OF THE BLIND.
This Institution is located at the capital of Indiana, occupying a commanding and salubrious site of eight acres, in the northern suburbs of the city.
It is under the fostering care of the State, and was founded by Legislative enactment in the year 1847.
The Institute has for its object the moral, intellectual, and physical training of blind youths of both sexes. The course of instruction pursued, embraces all the ordinary branches of an English education, to which are added Vocal and Instrumental Music, and the knowledge of some useful handicraft occupation.
The funds of the Institute are derived from a specific tax, levied for the purpose of its support; and, conse- quently, no charge is made for the boarding and tuition of its pupils, excepting where they are residents of other States.
The following is a brief history of its origin: In the spring of 1844, Mr. James M. Ray, of this city, being in attendance at the General Assembly of the Presbyte- rian Church, then in session in the City of Louisville, was invited, with the rest of that body, to witness an examina- tion of the pupils of the Kentucky Institution for the edu- cation of the Blind. Convinced, by this examination, of the practicability and importance of educating this hith- erto neglected class of his fellow beings, he naturally desired to see some efforts making in behalf of the Blind of his own State; and accordingly invited the Superin- tendent of the Kentucky Institution to visit Indianapolis, in company with some of his scholars, during the ses- sion of the next Legislature, for the purpose of exhibit- ing before them the progress they were making in their several branches of instruction. This invitation was accepted, and so satisfactory was the exhibition, that it induced the levying of a tax of two mills upon each one hundred dollars worth of taxable property, the revenue thus accruing to be applied to the maintenance of seve- ral blind pupils in each of the Institutions of Ohio and
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INDIANA GAZETTEER.
Kentucky, until such time as a school should be established in our own State. By the succeeding General Assembly, that of 1845-6, Messrs. James M. Ray and George W. Mears, together with the then Secretary, Auditor, and Treasurer of State, were appointed a Board of Trustees to superintend the application of this fund.
In obedience to the requirements of the act by which they were appointed, the Trustees advertised in many of the leading papers of the State, their readiness to recieve applications in behalf of any blind youths who might wish to avail themselves of, the opportunity to acquire a useful education, at the same time addressing a circular to the county officers and other public men throughout the State, soliciting their aid and influence in the fur- therance of the benevolent objects of the Legislature. Finding, however, like all others who have been instru- mental in the founding of similar Institutions, that the incredulity of the uninformed, and the reluctance of pa- rents to intrust their afflicted children to the care of strangers, could not be overcome by publications, they availed themselves of the proffered services of Wm. H. Churchman, who had recently resigned the charge of the Tennessee Institution for the Blind, and had also been engaged for several years as a teacher in the Ohio Insti- tution, acquiring in both of these Institutions much valu- able experience with the Blind. Mr. Churchman pro- posed to traverse a portion of the State as an agent of the Board, hoping, by public lectures and personal inter- views with the Blind and their friends, to remove the obstacles in the way of their being sent to enjoy the benefits of the fund which had been created for the pur- pose of their education.
The mission was crowned with more than anticipated success; and upon the report of their agent as to the number of Blind persons in the State, the Trustees were induced to recommend, in their report to the Legislature in 1846-7, the early establishment of an Institution in Indiana. This report was followed up by a lecture from Mr. Churchman before the General Assembly, accompa-
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INSANE HOSPITAL, NEAR INDIANAPOLIS.
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GENERAL VIEW OF THE STATE.
nied with an exhibition of the attainments of several pupils from the Ohio Institution; the result of all of which was the enactment of a law, which passed both branches of the Legislature without a dissenting voice, establishing an Institution to go into operation during the year 1847.
This act appointed Messrs. Calvin Fletcher, George W. Mears and James M. Ray, a Board of Trustees to direct the organization and management of the contem- plated Institute. Mr. Fletcher declining to serve, Mr. S. W. Norris became his successor by appointment of the Board.
An appropriation of five thousand dollars was made for the procuring of the necessary outfit of household furniture, school apparatus, etc., and for aiding in the purchase of a suitable site for the erection of permanent buildings.
For the current support of the Institute, and defraying in part the cost of buildings, the tax was increased from two mills to one cent.
The Institute was opened for the reception of pupils on the first day of October, 1817, and on the fourth of the same month, the school exercises commenced with nine pupils. During the first session, which closed on the last Wednesday in July, 1848, thirty' scholars were received, a larger number than has entered any other In- stitution for the Blind in the United States during the first year of its existence.
A rented building was necessarily occupied during the first year; but in the latter part of September, 1848, part of the permanent improvements having been con- structed, the Institute was removed to its present location.
INDIANA HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE.
On the 25th December, 1843, John Evans, M. D., then of Attica, and now of Chicago, delivered, before a com- mittee of the House of Representatives and the public, an address on Insanity, and the expediency of establish- ing a State Lunatic Asylum in Indiana.
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INDIANA GAZETTEER.
The Legislature thereupon took prompt measures to establish a State Hospital for the Insane.
This Institution is beautifully situated on a fine farm of 160 acres, near the National Road, and two miles west of Indianapolis. For the farm on which the buildings are erected, $5,45S have been paid, and there has been expended already, for the erection of buildings, $51,611, and the estimated cost for completing them is $15,000, making the entire cost of buildings, farm and improve- ments, when completed, $72,069.
The present edifice is designed to accommodate 200 patients, together with the officers and attendants neces- sary to take care of them. Nearly 100 rooms are al- ready completed and occupied.
As it is estimated that a large proportion of the recent cases of Insanity can be restored to health and returned to their friends, shortly after their arrival, and as others will be discharged who become incurable yet remain harmless, the Institution, when finished, it is hoped, will comfortably accommodate all the suitable cases that may apply for several years to come.
When applications are made for the admission of more cases than the Hospital can receive, a selection will be made as follows: Ist. Recent cases, where the disease has been less than one year's standing, shall have the preference over others in the county. 2d. Chronic cases presenting the most favorable prospect of recovery. 3d. Those for whom applications have been longest on file, other things being equal. 4th. Each county to have its just proportion, according to its population, though the Commissioners may exercise a sound discretion in giving a preference to recent cases of one county over chronic cases of another.
The tax established by law for the Insane will this year amount to about $20,000, which, it is supposed, will pay $14,000 towards the building, and $6,000 to support fifty patients, with the salaries of officers, attend- ants, &c.
The management of the Institution, so far, appears to
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GENERAL VIEW OF THE STATE.
be very creditable to all the parties concerned. The building is a noble one; the construction economical, and a number of patients, it is understood, have already been much benefited. Applications for admission must be made to the Superintendent.
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