USA > Indiana > Allen County > Fort Wayne > The pictorial history of Fort Wayne, Indiana : a review of two centuries of occupation of the region about the head of the Maumee River, Vol. I > Part 59
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AN EARLY EFFORT.
An interesting incident, preceding the appearance of the "trol- ley" cars in Fort Wayne, was the trial of the Slattery storage bat- tery in the operation of street cars. On the 11th of November, 1891, the battery designed by M. M. M. Slattery was tested on the Fort Wayne lines at night, after the horse cars were withdrawn. With forty-six persons on board, the car, in charge of W. R. Kimball, Mr. Slattery's assistant, and Superintendent L. D. McNutt of the street railway company, made the circuit of the "belt" line, a distance of about four miles, in twenty-eight and one-half minutes. This car later was used on the West Jefferson street "short line," but the 524
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experience failed to demonstrate the feasibility of the storage bat- tery in the operation of street cars ..
WAYNE KNITTING MILLS.
The Wayne Knitting Mills, now famed throughout America for their production of "Wayne Knit" hosiery, were established in 1891, with the following officers: President, Henry C. Paul; vice- president, C. S. Bash; treasurer, William H. Dreier; secretary and manager, Theodore Thieme. Other stockholders were William A. Bohn and G. C. Thieme. The original company, which leased the three-story building at the northeast corner of Clinton and Main streets, was capitalized at $30,000. The Wayne Knitting Mills were established through the enterprise of Theodore F. Thieme, who vis- ited Germany and made a study of the possibilities of the project and then employed his energy in the development of the idea of an American-made line of fine hosiery. This important manufactory maintains a large dormitory and clubhouse for the use of its hun- dreds of employes.
CITY BUILDING.
The late Judge Samuel Hanna donated to the city of Fort Wayne a large part of the site of the present city building, at the southeast corner of Barr and East Berry streets. In 1892 C. A. Zollinger, Herman Michael, George W. Ely, Ferd Boltz and Peter Eggeman were appointed a committee to look after the preliminary details of the construction of the present building, and municipal bonds were sold to raise the necessary building fund. The structure was designed by J. F. Wing and M. S. Mahurin. To Christian Bos- eker was awarded the building contract. The structure, completed in 1893, cost, with its furnishings, $69,256. On the occasion of the dedication addresses were made by Mayor C. A. Zollinger, Herman Michael, C. F. Muhler, O. P. Morgan, J. B. White, Judge Edward O'Rourke, Colonel D. N. Foster and Colonel C. B. Oakley.
ALLEN COUNTY ORPHANS' HOME.
In 1892 a committee composed of Thomas E. Ellison (chairman), J. D. Bond, J. F. W. Meyer, Matthew A. Ferguson, George H. Wil- son and George W. Brackenridge took the initial steps toward the establishment of the present Allen County Orphans' home, with Mrs. Ida M. Overmeyer as matron. The buildings now occupy spacious grounds just outside the southwestern limits of the municipality.
To assist in the support of this splendid institution Allen county pays thirty-five cents per day for each child, but extensive donations from public-spirited citizens are required for its maintenance.
WHITE NATIONAL BANK.
The White National bank was organized in 1892, with John W. White president, Thomas B. Hedekin vice-president, and H. A. Kep- linger cashier. After a successful career of thirteen years this bank was merged with the First National bank in August, 1905.
STRIKE OF THE STREET RAILWAY MEN.
The first labor difficulty experienced by the street railway com- pany developed on Memorial Day, 1893, when the motormen and
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conductors refused to continue their services unless their wages of thirteen and one-half cents per hour were increased to fifteen cents.
Throughout the period of riotous proceedings of the next two days the strikers remained quietly in the Knights of Labor head- quarters, and the regrettable lawless demonstrations were due to the acts of their unwise sympathizers. Substitute car men were pelted with decayed eggs and other missiles; at the transfer corner one car was thrown from the tracks and in other portions of the city the movement of cars was prevented by the placing of obstruc- tions on the rails. A number of arrests were made.
Mayor Charles A. Zollinger, on the 1st of June, issued a proc- lamation of warning against further disturbance of the peace, but the lawless acts were continued until the night of June 2, when an open-air mass meeting attended by probably 3,000 persons was held in the courthouse yard. Here addresses were made by C. L. Drummond, president of the Trades and Labor council, and others, all counseling observance of law and order.
James M. Barrett, attorney for the traction company, appealed for an enlarged police force to protect the company's property, after Sheriff E. F. Clausmeier had offered the service of his office to assist the city authorities. The sheriff then appointed a large force of deputy sheriffs, the list including the following well-known cit- izens : Charles McCulloch, S. C. Lumbard, Henry C. Berghoff, D. N. Foster, Henry C. Paul, Charles S. Bash, George H. Wilson, Charles B. Woodworth, George W. Ely, Harry Friend, Isador Mautner, E. J. Golden, Louis Wolf, Val Gutermuth, O. B. Fitch, A. J. You, Rob- ert Dreibelbiss, Charles E. Read, Henry Rothschild, Solomon Roth- schild, A. Oppenheim, Henry P. Scherer, Charles Meyer, John Dal- man, Emanuel Bush, Moses Lamley, Frank Alderman, E. Moritz, William Meyer, Jr., and Charles O. Essig. Among those who ad- dressed the meeting which was called to consider measures to end the strike were Samuel M. Foster, Henry Colerick, Henry C. Berg- hoff, Charles McCulloch, H. C. Paul, A. J. You and S. M. Hench.
The speedy settlement of the difficulty followed the activity of a committee of arbitration chosen from among the men named as deputy sheriffs. The company conceded the demands of the men, whose increase of wages dated from June 15th. The company insisted, however, on the retention of the men who had remained loyal during the trouble.
THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The first actual results of a movement of 1878 to establish a public library in Fort Wayne bore fruit in 1893, when the Woman's Club league secured the favorable action of the city council to use for library purposes a room in the city building and to impose a tax for the development and maintenance of the institution.
The signers of the petition to the council were Mrs. Charles Dryer, Mrs. G. E. Bursley, Mrs. D. L. Harding, Mrs. R. S. Taylor, Mrs. C. M. Dawson, Mrs. D. N. Foster, Mrs. W. H. Myers, Mrs. S. C. Hoffman, Mrs. M. V. B. Spencer, Miss Agnes Hamilton, Miss Lottie Lowry and Miss Lizzie Chapin.
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The agitation for the establishment of a public library had its beginning in 1878, when Colonel D. N. Foster and Colonel R. S. Robertson drafted and presented a bill to the state legislature providing for the establishment and maintenance of a public library for Fort Wayne. The bill met with defeat, but it was made a law by the legislature of 1881. The discouraging attitude of the city council prevented the authorization of a tax levy at that time. Meanwhile, in 1887, a free reading room was established by Mrs. Emerine J. Hamilton and her daughters, Mrs. Mary Hamilton Wil- liams, Mrs. Ellen Hamilton Wagenhals and Miss Margaret V. Ham- ilton, on the south side of West Wayne street between Calhoun and Harrison streets. After the death of Mrs. Hamilton it was given the name of the Emerine J. Hamilton reading room. Early libra- rians were Mrs. S. C. Hoffman, Miss Laura Goshorn (Mrs. A. J. Detzer), Miss Nannie McLachlin and Miss Tracy Guild (Mrs. Oscar L. Pond). The institution grew in importance and usefulness until the establishment of the public library, when most of the books were donated to the library of the Young Women's Christian asso- ciation.
After the favorable action of the city council in 1893, rapidly moving events enabled the promoters to open the library in one room of the city building in 1894. Mrs. S. C. Hoffman served as the first librarian. In 1895, the library was removed to the residence of Sol D. Bayless, southwest corner of Wayne and Clinton streets, site of the present Strand theatre. Miss Clara Fowler was appointed librarian in 1896, and, upon the death of Miss Fowler, in 1898, Miss Margaret M. Colerick succeeded to the position. In 1898, the library was removed to the Brackenridge residence, southwest corner of Wayne and Webster streets. During the period of the building of the present library on this latter site, temporary quar- ters in the Lincoln Life (then the Elektron) building were occupied.
Andrew Carnegie gave $90,000 toward the erection of the pres- ent library building, which was dedicated June 7, 1904. Judge R. S. Taylor was the principal speaker on this occasion. The entire cost was $110,700. This splendid institution is maintained by a tax of five cents on each $100 of assessed property valuation. Samuel M. Fos- ter, former treasurer of the school board, gave to the board a check for $4,118 to apply on the payment for the Brackenridge property, on which the library was erected. Says the Sentinel of July 27, 1898: "Mr. Foster was a pioneer in the advocacy of the proposition to use the interest of the school fund for the purpose of building a public library, and he is the first man to accept the opportunity to so apply it." The library is operated under the direction of the board of trustees of the public schools.
NEW CITY CHARTER.
The state legislature of 1893 conferred upon the city of Fort Wayne a new charter which provided for the choice of a mayor and a city council composed of two members from each ward, and a board of public works, a board of public safety, and the depart- ments of law, finance and health, the heads of departments to be chosen by the mayor, with the approval of the council. Provision
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was also made for a waterworks board of three members, to be chosen by popular election. The charter became effective in May, 1894.
CHAUNCEY B. OAKLEY MAYOR.
Upon the death of Col. C. A. Zollinger, while an incumbent of the mayor's chair, the city council in 1894 appointed Henry P. Scherer to serve until the voters at the subsequent election could select a successor. Then came the memorable contest in which all factions fought warmly for preference, resulting in the choice of Chauncey B. Oakley, independent, for mayor, over William H. Sham- baugh, democrat. Mayor Oakley was known as the "Reform" can- didate and his administration is remembered because of the rigid enforcement of the laws.
Mr. Scherer was elected to the office of mayor in 1897, and served two terms.
YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.
Miss Rena B. Nelson, Miss Agnes Hamilton and Mrs. Minnie Moon were the leaders of the movement in 1894 to organize a Young Women's Christian association, of which the first officers were: President, Miss Agnes Hamilton; vice president, Mrs. Peter D. Smyser; recording secretary, Miss Rena B. Nelson; corresponding secretary, Mrs. W. E. Mossman ; treasurer, Mrs. A. L. Griebel. The charter membership numbered one hundred and thirty-five.
The first rooms were located at No. 27 West Wayne street, the site of the Ozaki studio. In 1896, the association removed to No. 130 Washington boulevard west; two years later, it took the quarters on West Berry street which were occupied until the present splendid association building was completed in 1913.
THE SOLDIERS' MONUMENT.
The dedication of the monument erected to the memory of the Allen county men who died in defense of the union was the occasion of a memorable military and civic demonstration in 1894. Following a parade which ended at the North Side (now Lawton) park, Anthony Kelker, one of the original promoters of the plan to erect the monument, made a presentation address, to which a response was spoken by Mayor C. B. Oakley. On behalf of the donors- Louis A. Centlivre, Charles F. Centlivre, John B. Reuss and others- R. C. Bell presented the monument to the veterans of Allen county. Among other speakers was Col. I. N. Walker, of Indianapolis.
The pedestal of the monument is inscribed with the words : "A Tribute from Patriotic Citizens to the Heroic Sons of Allen County Who Fell in Defence of the Union, 1861-1865. Vicksburg, Chickamauga, Gettysburg. In bronze, surmounting the pedestal, is the figure of Columbia placing a laurel wreath upon the brow of the common soldier. The figures are life-size.
ACTIVITIES OF 1891.
The city election of 1891 resulted in the return of Charles A. Zollinger as mayor. He had been absent from the mayoralty chair for one term after having served five terms at earlier periods. His
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opponent, D. L. Harding, lost the election by 97 votes.1
At a mass meeting of Bloomingdale citizens held at Hake's hall, in November, in response to a call issued by a faction of citizens who desired the change of the name of the suburb to "North Wayne" or "North Side," the chairman, A. H. Bittenger, retired amidst con- fusion and the assembly, placing A. R. McCurdy in the chair, voted to retain the time-honored name of Bloomingdale. The
Monday Morning Times, established early in 1891 by Gart Shober, was made a daily in May under the name of the Morning Times- Post. The paper supported the cause of free silver. Among the well known newspaper men and others connected with the publica- tion before its existence closed in 1896, were Charles S. Bliss, Louis A. Centlivre, Dr. A. J. Boswell, George F. Felts, Charles J. Meegan, Harry M. Williams and Charles L. ("Sandy") Drummond.
Members of the Fort Wayne Trades and Labor Council, with F. E. Lanterman and Edward ("Peg") Miller as business and editorial managers, established the Labor Herald. After encountering finan- cial difficulties, the paper came under the control of Walter F. Austin and O. H. Ballard, who continued it as a populist organ in support of General James B. Weaver, for president. In December, 1893, the publication was discontinued, but the name, combined with that of the former Monday Morning Times, was revived in 1896, when Gart Shober established the Labor Times-Herald. The latter publication ceased its appearance in 1914. Sol K. Blair succeeded C. D. Gorham as superintendent of the Nickel Plate railroad. Grace Evangelical Lutheran church was organ- ized, with Rev. Theodore Stellhorn, pastor. Succeeding pastors were J. F. Miller, A. O. Swinehart, B. F. Brandt and Armin P. Meyer.
ACTIVITIES OF 1892.
Allen county polled 10,010 votes for Grover Cleveland, demo- crat; 5,486 for Benjamin Harrison, republican; 176 for Bidwell, pro- hibitionist, and 449 for Weaver, populist.2 The city pur- chased from John Orff a piece of ground on the east bank of the St. Mary's river for the re-location of West Main street when the present iron bridge was built. This ground, and the triangular piece which was given the name of Orff park, was valued at $5,550. Beaver Chapel (Baptist) was established at the corner of Home and Cottage avenues. Fred J. Hayden was ap- pointed by Governor Hovey as a member of the Indiana World's Fair commission ; he served as treasurer of the body. The state encampment of the Indiana department of the Grand Army of the Republic, held in Fort Wayne, was marked by the largest parade ever held at a state meeting of the veterans. The central body, composed of the leading clubs and other progressive organizations of Fort Wayne, known as the Woman's Club League, was formed in 1892, with Mrs. Alice P. Dryer, president, and Mrs. Ellen R. Bursley, secretary. Five thousand visitors were attracted to Fort Wayne on the occasion of the republican state convention, which nominated Ira P. Chase for governor and Theo- dore Shockney for lieutenant governor. John K. Gowdy officiated as temporary chairman and Charles W. Fairbanks as permanent chairman of the convention. : Flavius J. Young succeeded
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George F. Felts, resigned, as superintendent of the county schools.
Christ Lutheran church was organized in 1892. The pas- tors of the church from the beginning have been J. S. Nelson, A. A. Hundley, L. J. Motschman, W. H. Schrock, P. J. Alberthus and H. C. Hadley. The present church building was erected in 1916 and 1917, at a cost of $60,000.
ACTIVITIES OF 1893.
The Wayne club was organized in 1893, with R. J. Fisher, presi- dent; R. T. McDonald, H. C. Paul, S. C. Lumbard and Benjamin Rothschild, vice presidents; Louis Fox, treasurer, and James H. Fry, secretary ; S. M. Foster, William Beck, W. P. Breen, W. W. Atterbury, C. G. Guild and S. R. Alden, directors. Upon the death of Bishop Joseph Dwenger, Rev. Joseph Rademacher was appointed bishop of the Catholic diocese of Fort Wayne. . In 1893, the city entered into contract with the heirs of the late Thomas W. Swinney, whereby the city secured immediate possession of Swinney park by paying a rental of $600 per year and taxes. President Cleveland appointed W. W. Rockhill postmaster of Fort Wayne. In December, Company G. Third regiment, Indiana National Guard, was organized, with John B. Fonner, captain. . During the period of financial depression, S. M. Foster served as general chairman of a movement for the relief of the needy; many unemployed were kept busy laying water mains in the new suburb of Lakeside. Alexander Johnson, later of nation-wide prominence as an authority on charities and correc- tion, was chosen superintendent of the Indiana School for Feeble Minded Youth. The Teutonia Building and Loan asso- ciation was organized, with Paul Richter, president, and Carl Weber, secretary. The Fort Wayne Rifles and a part of the mem- bership of the Zollinger Battery were summoned to Roby, Indiana, to assist in preventing the staging of a prize fight. The Fort Wayne Trust Company was organized, with Henry C. Paul, president, and Charles A. Wilding, secretary. The English Lutheran Church of the Redeemer was organized, with Rev. M. J. F. Albrecht as pastor pro tem. Rev. C. F. W. Meyer was the first regular pastor, succeeded by Theodore F. Hahn and J. R. Graebner. Trinity Evangelical Lutheran church was founded, with Rev. Joseph Bohn, pastor, succeeded by Paul Stoeppelwerth and Gustave Doege. The present church structure was erected in 1916. 1
ACTIVITIES OF 1894.
The congressional election of 1894 resulted in the choice of J. D. Leighty, of St. Joe, over William H. McNagny, of Columbia City. Bethany Presbyterian church, succeeding a society known as the West Side Mission, was organized with Rev. George E. Davies, pastor. The present church building, Boone and Fry streets, was erected in 1896. Succeeding pastors of Bethany Presbyterian church were William A. Bodell, John C. Breckenridge, Dubois H. Loux, James W. Campbell, J. A. Daly and C. O. Shirey. A local society of the Sons of the American Revolution was organized with Seneca B. Brown, president. "General" Randall's army of "Commonwealers" was fed by the city while encamped in
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Centlivre park. The "army" was passing from the west to the national capital. . During the great strike of the American Railway Union against the Pullman Car company, a large force of deputy marshals and police guarded valuble railroad property in Fort Wayne. Governor Claude Matthews summoned the Fort Wayne Rifles (Captain Charles Reese), Zollinger Battery (Captain W. F. Ranke), and the Fort Wayne True Blues (Captain J. B. Fonner) to assist in the protection of railroad property at Hammond, Indiana, during the progress of the strike.
NOTES ON CHAPTER XLV
(1) Other city officials elected and appointed in 1891 were: Clerk, Rudolph C. Reinewald; treasurer, Charles J. Sosenheimer; marshal, Henry C. Franke; attorney, William H. Sham- baugh; street commissioner, John J. Mungen; city engineer, Frank M. Ran- dall; chief of police, Frank Wilkinson; waterworks trustees, Charles McCul- loch, Christian Boseker and William Bittler; secretary to the board of health, Dr. Louis T. Sturgis; council- men, W. D. Mayer, Morris Cody, Peter Eggeman, Anthony Kelker, Charles Buck, Louis Fox, Philip Keintz, H. P. Scherer, Louis Hazzard and F. Charles Meyer.
The following members of the city council were elected in 1892: Robert B. Hanna, H. Michael, William Meyer, Jr., B. W. Skelton, Chauncey B. Oakley, W. L. Pettit, P. J. Scheid, Paul E. Wolf, W. H. McClelland and Thomas De- Vilbiss.
City officials elected and appointed in 1894 were: Clerk, William T. Jef- fries; treasurer, L. C. Hunter; comp- troller, J. H. Simonson; attorney, B. F. Ninde; marshal, Henry C. Franke; street commissioner, John J. Mungen; superintendent of police, James Lig- gett; fire chief, Henry Hilbrecht, Jr .; engineer, Frank M. Randall; council- men, R. J. Fisher, E. H. McDonald, Charles Waltemath, John Mohr, Jr., Charles Griebel, W. H. Tigar, H. G. Somers, G. H. Loesch, Anthony Kelker, Henry Hild, W. M. Glenn, Peter J. Scheid, Paul E. Wolf, J. F. Young and B. Borkenstein; board of health, Wil- liam Meyer, W. L. Pettit, W. H. Mc- Clelland, Dr. S. C. Metcalf, secretary; police commissioners, H. Michael, Louis Hazzard, Charles Buck and An- thony Kelker; board of public safety, Charles S. Bash, D. N. Foster and R. B. Rossington, A. J. You, secretary; board of public works, Thomas D. De- Vilbiss, Levi Griffith and Willis Hat- tersley, A. J. You, secretary; board of waterworks trustees, William Bittler, Charles McCulloch and Henry Graffe, P. J. McDonald, secretary; board of school trustees, O. P. Morgan, John M. Moritz and A. E. Hoffman, John S. Irwin, superintendent.
Upon the election of Henry P Scherer mayor in 1896 the following
minor officers were elected and appoint- ed: Clerk, Henry P. Monning; comp- troller, Henry C. Berghoff; auditor, Clarence W. Edsall (died in office and was succeeded by Louis J. Bobilya) ; treasurer, L. C. Hunter; attorney, Wil- liam H. Shambaugh; engineer, F. M. Randall; superintendent of police, Ho- mer A. Gorsline; fire chief, Henry Hil- brecht, Jr .; custodian of parks, C. A. Doswell; street superintendent, Frank Weber; clerk of official boards, August M. Schmidt; water works trustees, Murray Hartnett, Emmett H. McDon- ald and William Bittler, P. J. McDon- ald, secretary; school trustees, Samuel M. Foster, O. P. Morgan (succeeded by William P. Cooper), and A. E. Hoffman,
John S. Irwin, superintendent; board of public works, Peter Eggeman, P. H. Kane and J. H. McCracken; board of public safety, Charles McCulloch, A. T. Friend (succeeded by C. H. Buck) and George H. Wilson; board of public health, Carl Schilling and James E. Miller, A. J. Kesler, secretary; council- men, R. J. Fisher (succeeded by Syl- vester McMahon). John Mohr, Jr., Charles Waltemath, Frank E. Purcell, William Meyer, Jr., W. H. Tigar, H. G. Sommers, H. G. Nierman, C. W. Weller, Charles Haag, William M. Glenn, Peter J. Scheid, C. H. Buhr, F. X. Schuhler and B. Borkenstein.
(2) County officers elected in 1892 were: Prosecuting attorney, Phil B. Colerick; joint senator, Ochmig Bird; representatives, John F. Rodabaugh, Charles Dalman and S. M. Hench; treas- urer, Edward Beckman; sheriff, Edward F. Clausmeier; coroner, Morse Harrod; surveyor, Charles W. Branstrator; as- sessor, Stephen Heath; commissioner, Jasper W. Jones.
County officers elected in 1894 were: State senator, Thomas E. Ellison; rep- resentatives, Louis J. Bobilya, George V. Kell and Charles Dalman; judge of the circuit court, Edward O'Rourke; prosecuting attorney, N. D. Doughman; clerk, Henry M. Metzgar; auditor, Clarence W. Edsall; recorder, W. A. Reichelderfer; treasurer, L. C. Hunter; sheriff, E. F. Clausmeier; coroner, Dr. Morse Harrod; surveyor, Charles. W. Branstrator; commissioners, S. F. Baker, M. A. Ferguson and J. H. Stell- horn.
CHAPTER XLVI-1895-1899.
Centennial Celebration of the Building of Wayne's Fort -The Fifth Courthouse-The First Automobile.
Fort Wayne celebrates the centennial anniversary of the establishment of General Wayne's fort-The central committee-Perry A. Randall general chairman-The parades and drills-The sham battle-Building of the fifth courthouse-Temporary quarters for county offices-The laying of the cornerstone-The first automobile-William D. Page postmaster- Troops for the Spanish-American war-Memorial to General Henry W. Lawton-Citizens Trust Company-The first rural mail delivery.
G ENERAL ANTHONY WAYNE built the original Fort Wayne in 1794. The people of the city of Fort Wayne, a century later, found themselves so thoroughly occupied with other matters that they did not awaken to a realization of the situation until it was too late to observe the occasion of the one hundredth anniversary year. They decided, however, not to allow the circumstance to pass unnoticed, so they immediately made prep- arations to hold an appropriate celebration in 1895. The one man whose untiring zeal and personal sacrifice made the event a great success was Perry A. Randall.
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