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 62
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The peril of the flood caused the management of the Allen County Orphans' Home to seek a plan to convey the inmates to a place of safety. While a boat filled with children was being rowed from the home, the craft capsized and four young girls were drowned. One man, assisting in the work of rescuing mem- bers of families who were penned in by the flood, was drowned, and the death of another citizen resulted from shock during the perilous experience.
A distress call sent to Chicago brought Captain Wallace and a crew from the government life-saving station, who landed safely the remaining inmates of the orphans' home.
It is estimated that 15,000 persons were made temporarily home- less during the period of about one week. During this time the city water service was cut off, and only a part of the electric light- ing service was in use. A relief organization, brought into existence early in the period of the flood, gave assistance to 11,187 persons.
The rapidity with which the flood came upon the people is suggested by the fact that on March 23 the stage of the river was 6.7 feet. On the morning of the 24th the water had risen to a height of 19.6; the crest of the flood came at 11 o'clock on the night of March 26, when the gauge registered 26.1 feet. A total of 4.75 inches of rain fell between 7:25 of the morning of March 23 and 9:45 on the night of March 25.
EARLIER FLOODS.
From the most authentic sources the following record of dates and water stages have been gathered: On the 28th of January, 1828, the rivers rose to a height which broke all earlier records. Jesse L. Williams, chief engineer of the Wabash and Erie canal, writing in 1876, said of this flood: "The water marks of this highest of all floods were of use in guiding the location of public works in the Scioto valley, then in progress. Four years afterward, on reaching Fort Wayne, an axe mark made at the highest stage of the same flood on a walnut sapling standing near the pickets of the old fort was shown to me. This, as in Ohio, served as a guide in determining the necessary heights of banks and bridges on these rivers. The bed of the St. Mary's aqueduct [of the Wabash and Erie canal] was fixed by it."
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THE PICTORIAL HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE
Records of floods up to 1892, as kept by R. Morgan French and A. R. Henderson, show the most destructive floods to have occurred in January, 1828; July, 1844; January, 1848; June, 1858 (9.75 feet) ; February, 1859 (10 feet) ; June, 1859 (17 feet) ; April, 1860 (12 feet) ; April, 1861 (13 feet) ; February, 1867 (18 feet) ; May, 1867 (15 feet); March, 1868 (18 feet) ; March, 1869; February, 1875; February, 1883 (20.34 feet) ; March, 1883 (19 feet) ; February, 1884 (20 feet) ; February, 1887 (20.34 feet) ; April, 1892 (14 feet). The records kept by the government weather bureau beginning with December, 1907, show the follow- ing figures : December 30, 1907 (18.8 feet) ; February 16, 1908 (18.4 feet) ; March 8, 1908 (22.5 feet) ; February 25, 1909 (19.7 feet) ; January 22, 1910 (16.3 feet) ; March 4, 1910 (17.5 feet) ; March 20, 1912 (19.2 feet) ; April 2, 1912 (21 feet) ; January 22, 1913 (19.1 feet) ; March 6, 1913 (26.1 feet) ; May 13, 1914 (18.7 feet) ; Feb- ruary 13, 1915 (16 feet) ; January 6, 1916 (20.6 feet) ; February 2, 1916 (20.2 feet) ; March 30, 1916 (18.3 feet).
THE FORT WAYNE ROTARY CLUB.
On the 15th of January, 1915, the Fort Wayne Rotary club was organized with the following officers: President, Martin H. Luecke; vice-presidents, Fred H. McCulloch and Dr. E. W. Dodez; secretary, Frank E. Bohn; treasurer, George Waldschmidt; ser- geant-at-arms, Van B. Perrine; statistician, Frank J. Rahe. The second year's president was Frank E. Bohn (succeeded in 1917 by Robert Koerber). The club has entered actively into movements for the upbuilding of the community. Its slogan is "He Profits Most Who Serves Best."
THE PALACE THEATRE.
During the greater portion of the year 1914 construction work on the Palace theatre, erected by Frank E. Stouder and B. H. Bar- nett, was in progress. The splendid edifice was dedicated on the evening of January 25, 1915, on which occasion Governor Samuel M. Ralston was the guest of honor. Addresses were made by Gov- ernor Ralston, Mayor William J. Hosey and others. The Palace theatre is one of the finest buildings of the kind in America. It cost $200,000, has a seating capacity of 2,000 and is of fireproof construction.
THE NEW COUNTY FARM.
In 1915 the county commissioners purchased for use as a county farm 797 acres of land known as the Fleming, Geller, German and White farms, located eight miles north of the city on the lines of the Fort Wayne and Northwestern Traction Company and the Grand Rapids and Indiana railroad. The first step in the use of the property was the establishment of "Fort Recovery," an anti- tuberculosis camp under the auspices of the Allen County Anti- Tuberculosis society. In 1916 the county council appropriated the funds needed to establish winter quarters for the patients, and the good work of the summer of 1916 has been continued through all seasons.
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"INDIANA'S SECOND CITY"-FLOOD OF 1913
1909 1915
THE LINCOLN HIGHWAY CELEBRATION.
One of the most successful and significant public demonstrations ever held in Fort Wayne was the monster celebration of June 21, 1915, which marked the dedication of the Fort Wayne section of the great Lincoln Highway, which extends from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans. A decorated automobile parade miles in length passed over the city streets and to the town of New Haven and return. A car decorated by James B. Crankshaw was awarded the first honors for artistic beauty.
ACTIVITIES OF 1909.
Charles B. Fitch was elected president of the Commercial club.
The Ideal Auto Company, manufacturer of automobile trucks, was founded. Jesse Macbeth succeeded James H. Fry (resigned) as a member of the school board. The Indi- ana Bankers' association met in Fort Wayne in June. The Centlivre hotel was erected by a company headed by Charles F. Centlivre. The American Steel Dredge Company was founded.
ACTIVITIES OF 1910.
William J. Hess succeeded Edward L. Craw, deputy postmaster.
The Indiana State Medical association met in Fort Wayne in October. The state convention of the Woman's Chris- tian Temperance Union was held in Fort Wayne in November. The government census gave Fort Wayne a population of 63,933, as compared with 45,115 in 1900. The school enumeration showed a total of 16,658. The Holman Street Playgrounds
were established. The Crescent Avenue Evangelical church was founded, with Rev. C. A. Hirschman pastor, succeeded by Rev. Clyde E. Boyer. St. Andrew's Catholic church, with Rev. George H. Horstman pastor, was organized. . St. Hyacinth's
Catholic church (Polish) was organized by Rev. Samuel J. Wrobel; Rev. Michael Swiatkowski served as the first pastor. The Central Catholic High School, with Rev. A. E. Lafontaine in charge, was established. Governor Thomas R. Marshall appointed George A. Bittler a member of the state accounting board.
Perry A. Randall was elected president of the Commercial club.
The present city market was erected on Barr street at a cost of $20,000. The Anthony Wayne club and the Commercial club were consolidated. With Samuel M. Foster president, Theodore Wentz first vice-president, Maurice C. Niezer second vice- president, Robert Millard third vice-president and Henry W. Lepper secretary, the German-American Trust Company was organized. The south branch was opened in 1911.
ACTIVITIES OF 1911.
The South Side Baptist church, with Rev. Charles E. Ehle, pastor, was organized; Rev. M. C. Tunison succeeded Mr. Ehle. . Following the destruction of its plant by fire, the Mayflower ยท
flouring mills purchased the Volland Mills. The present plant was
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THE PICTORIAL HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE
erected in 1912 Captain William F. Ranke was elected state president of the Spanish War Veterans. With ap- propriate ceremonies, a beautiful tablet, designed by Josef Korbel, sculptor, was dedicated at Thieme park to commemorate the gift of Theodore F. Thieme and his practical demonstration of the beauti- fication of river banks. The government postal savings bank was established. James H. Fry was appointed state
oil inspector. A number of persons lost their lives as the result of the wrecking of a fast Pennsylvania railroad train which left the rails at Swinney park. Dr. George W. Gillie was appointed to serve as Fort Wayne's first meat and dairy inspector.
The Guldlin playgrounds and the Bowser playgrounds were established.
ACTIVITIES OF 1912.
The municipal asphalt plant, for street repair, was placed in operation in September. Dr. H. A. Duemling succeeded Dr. A. P. Buchman (resigned) as a member of the board of health. Oscar W. Tresselt and Joseph M. Singmaster, members of the board of park commissioners, were succeeded by E. F. Yar- nelle and Louis Fox. The national meeting of the Luther
League was held in Fort Wayne in July. Allen county cast 8,659 votes for Woodrow Wilson, democrat, for president ; 3,415 for Taft, republican; 4,246 for Roosevelt, progressive, and 1,512 for Debs, socialist.1 Cyrus Cline, democrat, was elected to congress, over Charles R. Lane, republican. George A. Bittler, of Fort Wayne, was elected state treasurer of Indiana. Theodore F. Thieme was elected president of the Com- The Empress (Strand) theatre was opened in mercial club.
the fall. A free employment bureau, established by legisla- tive action, was opened, with John Wessel, Jr., in charge.
The Aqueduct club, composed of men who, as boys, "went swim- ming" in the old Wabash and Erie canal aqueduct, which spanned the St. Mary's river, was organized. Thomas A. Wilkinson succeeded Wesley I. Work as truancy officer. Mr. Work became county probation officer. The Indiana Federation of Wom- en's Clubs met in Fort Wayne in October.
ACTIVITIES OF 1913.
The "Safety First" movement had its first demonstration in Fort Wayne in 1913, when rules and regulations were promulgated by the Fort Wayne and Northern Indiana Traction Company. William M. Griffin was elected president of the Commercial club. The state convention of the Travelers' Protective Association was held in May. A homing pigeon, owned by Oscar W. Anderson, broke the world's one thousand-mile flight record in one day, eleven hours and thirty minutes. The bird flew from Abilene, Texas, to Fort Wayne. Miss Fannie Winch was appointed to serve as Fort Wayne's first police matron; her services commenced in November. St. Joseph's Catholic church (Italian) was established, with Rev. Anthony Petrilli, as pastor. . . Following a spirited municipal campaign, William J. Hosey, democrat, who served as mayor from 1906 to 1909, again
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"INDIANA'S SECOND CITY"-FLOOD OF 1913
1909 1915
was elected to the office. He polled 5,540 votes while his opponents, Charles H. Buck, non-partisan, received 4,340; William H. LaTour- ette, republican, 1,015, and W. H. Bolinger, socialist, 1,288.8
ACTIVITIES OF 1914.
Under the direction of Miss Flora Wilber, principal of the Fort Wayne Normal, assisted by the instructors of the school, the chil- dren on October 22 presented a pageant in Lakeside park, illustra- tive of the history of Fort Wayne. Westfield Presbyterian church (formerly Grace chapel) was organized in June, with Rev. T. P. Potts pastor. W. M. Wardrop was elected president of the Railroad Young Men's Christian Association. The Indiana state conference of the Daughters of the American Revo- lution was held in Fort Wayne in October. . E. A. Schott succeeded Dr. George W. Gillie as city meat and milk inspector. The municipal electric lighting plant showed earnings of $84,161.87 during 1914, an increase of $45,000 over 1913. A total of $85,000 was expended for buildings and equipment.
ACTIVITIES OF 1915.
In January, those portions of St. Joseph, Washington and Adams townships within the corporate limits of Fort Wayne were annexed to the city, and the county commissioners added these portions to Wayne township. This placed the city of Fort Wayne within Wayne township. The rivers reached a flood stage of 16.8 feet on the 14th of February. The congregation of Shaare Zedek, Jewish, was formed, with Rabbi E. B. Goldberg, pastor. The first meetings were held in Dehm's hall. Van B. Perrine was elected president of the Commercial club.
Edward C. Miller was named by President Woodrow Wilson to serve as postmaster of Fort Wayne. On the 6th of July, 50,000 persons gave a glad reception to the Liberty Bell, which was being taken from Philadelphia to the Panama-Pacific exposition at San Francisco. The bell was mounted on a flat car which was drawn along a Pennsylvania railway side-track on Murray street.
The summer of 1915 was notable for its many severe rainstorms and generally cool weather. According to the report of W. A. Kelsey, of the Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company, damages to the amount of $250,000 were wrought by storms during the year.
Ten thousand persons attended the ceremony of dedicating the new Harmar school on the 23d of October. The Fort Wayne Morris Plan Company opened its place of business during the year. Immanuel Baptist church was organized, with Rev. John Walton, pastor, succeeded by Rev. J. B. Bair. The Indiana Real Estate Association met in Fort Wayne in October. . . A strike of street railway men, opening in September, extended through a period of several months, the men demanding the rein- statement of members of their union who had been discharged. The company secured substitute conductors and motormen and kept the lines in operation until, during the earlier part of 1916, the differ- ences between employees and employers were satisfactorily adjusted. Mrs. Clark Fairbank was elected president of the Indiana Federation of Women's Clubs at the annual session held at Indian-
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THE PICTORIAL HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE
apolis. The Lawton Home Monument Association, organ- ized to take the necessary steps to erect a memorial to the late Major-General Henry W. Lawton; D. N. Foster was elected presi- dent, T. W. Blair, secretary, and S. S. Kelker, treasurer.
NOTES ON CHAPTER XLVIII.
(1) Other city officers elected and appointed in 1909 were: Judge of the city court, J. Frank Mungovan; clerk, William T. Jefferies; attorney, Harry G. Hogan; comptroller, W. Sherman Cutshall; secretary of waterworks board, Martin Detzer; city engineer, Frank M. Randall; police chief, W. F. Borgman (succeeded by B. H. Elliott and Dayton F. Abbott); board of pub- lic works, F. T. Benoy (succeeded by George H. Loesch), Henry Hilgeman (succeeded by Henry Schwegman) and Edward J. Lennon; board of public safety, J. C. Hutzell, W. D. Henderson and Marion B. Johnson; board of park commissioners, Ferdinand Meier, Jo- seph M. Singmaster, D. N. Foster and Oscar W. Tresselt; board of health, Drs. Eric A. Crull, A. P. Buchman and H. O. Bruggeman; councilmen, Allen Hamilton, Gust F. Rogge, Charles E. Welch, John J. Bauer, Charles H. Buck, Gottlieb Haller, Charles W. Dittoe, Paul P. Kinder, Dr. Budd VanSwerin- gen, L. S. C. Schroeder, Harry G. Pfle- ger, Edward A. Wagner, B. F. Sarver, Peter M. Braun, Harry G. Pinniger and Henry W. Felger.
(2) County officers elected in 1912 were: Judge of the circuit court, John W. Eggeman; prosecuting attorney, H. H. Hilgemann; joint senator, Stephen B. Fleming; representatives, Clifford J. Moran, W. H. F. Moellering and Chas. W. Koenig; treasurer, J. Herman Bue- ter; recorder, Allen Hursh; sheriff, A. C. Gladieux; coroner, Dr. E. H. Kruse; surveyor, R. W. Guenther; commission- ers, A. J. Black, J. D. Butt and William C. Schwier.
County officers elected in 1914 were: Judge of the superior court, Carl Ya- ple; state senator, Ochmig Bird; pros- ecuting attorney, F. A. Emrick; repre- sentatives, Michael Kinder, John B. Wyss and Joseph Tonkel; clerk, David C. Stout; auditor, Will Johnson; treas- urer, W. F. Ranke; sheriff, A. C. Glad- ieux; coroner, Dr. J. E. McArdle; sur- veyor, R. W. Guenther; assessor, Wil- liam Eggeman; commissioners, W. C. Schwier, A. J. Black and Henry Wet- zel.
(3) The following minor officers were elected in 1913: Judge of the city court, H. Waveland Kerr; clerk, Gustav W. Boerger; councilmen, G. F. Rogge, William A. Bayer, Charles E. Welch, Paul F. Kinder, Jacob Hart- man, Jacob Agne, Frank Schlebecker, Charles O. Lepper, Eugene B. Smith, Peter Ofenloch, Albert H. Keller, Peter A. Deitschel, Herman J. Korte, Robert Johns and J. B. Mills. Mayor Hosey made the following appointments: Comptroller, Louis Schmoe (succeeded by William C. Baade); attorney, Guy Colerick; engineer, Frank M. Randall; board of public works, Frank E. Sin- grey, Robert E. Kelly and Henry Hil- gemann; board of public safety, George Hermann, James J. Hayes and Calvin K. Rieman; board of health, Drs. J. H. Gilpin, H. A. Duemling and H. O. Bruggeman; chief of police, Charles Lenz; secretary of waterworks board, Charles A. Beuret. The board of park commissioners was composed of D. N. Foster, Abe Ackerman and Louis W. Dorn.
CHAPTER XLIX-1916-1917.
Indiana's Centennial-Coliseum-Y. M. C. A .- Troops to the "Border."
Fort Wayne celebrates the one-hundredth anniversary of the admission of Indiana to statehood-The committees-The Industrial Exposition-The parades-William H. Taft guest of honor-Harmar's Ford "marker"- The great Historical Pageant, "The Glorious Gateway of the West"- Donald Robertson and Wallace Rice-The six great scenes of the pag- eant-The Centennial Hymn-The Fort Wayne flag -- Two companies of troops sent to the Mexican border-The Anthony Wayne monument-The Municipal Coliseum-Young Men's Christian Association building-His- tory of the organization-Fort Wayne Anti-Tuberculosis League-"Fort Recovery," tuberculosis camp-Perry Randall fresh-air school-Erie-Mich- igan barge canal-Monument to Perry A. Randall-The "Johnnie Apple- seed" tablet-The Vocational Public Schools-Infantile paralysis epi- demic-The Presidential election-Strike of street railway employes- The Boy Scouts-Civic health parade-News-Rotary swimming pool- Nearly one hundred miles of paving-St. Joe river dam and park.
W E HAVE chosen to reserve for the closing chapter of the Pictorial History of Fort Wayne the story of the city's patriotic answer to the nation's call to war, and to confine the scope of Chapter XLIX to those notable developments of the years 1916 and 1917 which properly may be separated from the story of the war. Yet the reader must know that through it all the terrible struggle on the European battlefields influenced all thought in growing measure even from the time of its beginning in 1914.
The most glorious achievement of the year 1916 was the cele- bration, in June, of the one-hundredth anniversary of the admission of Indiana to statehood. This notable demonstration, of an entire week's duration, even with the handicap of almost continuous cold, rainy weather, stands forth as the most auspicious celebration ever held in the city of Fort Wayne.
A preliminary mass meeting, held at the Commercial Club October 6, 1915, over which J. Ross McCulloch presided, was ad- dressed by Samuel M. Foster, of Fort Wayne, a member of the Indiana Historical Commission, and others. In December of the same year a corporation known as Fort Wayne's Indiana Centennial Association was formed, with Edward C. Miller, postmaster, as general chairman. Mr. Miller selected as the chairmen of standing committees the following citizens : Pageant, Frank E. Stouder (Harry W. Muller, secretary) ; publicity, Martin H. Luecke; ar- rangements, E. W. Puckett; legal, Harry G. Hogan; public safety, William H. Shambaugh; ticket sale, Sam Wolf; speakers, Samuel M. Foster; municipal, William J. Hosey; homecoming, William H. Scheiman; entertainment of distinguished visitors, B. Paul Moss- man ; contests, James L. Shields ; illuminations and decorating, J. B. Crankshaw; programs and souvenirs, Byron H. Somers; concessions, 555
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THE PICTORIAL HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE
Samuel E. Mulholland; county, Edward G. Hoffman; finance, Louis F. Curdes; music, Ross Franklin; Captain George L. Byroade, com- manding Concordia cadets.
The celebration, broad in the scope of its general plan, contem- plated a demonstration of the greatness of the modern city of Fort Wayne through the medium of a comprehensive Industrial Expo-
sition, as well as a magnificent historical pageant.
The week's festivities were opened on the afternoon of Sunday,
June 4, with a monster union service of music at the pageant grounds in Reservoir Park, when a chorus choir of six hundred
word
OLD FORT WAYNE. DRAWN AFTER THE MODEL OF ISAAC BUSH.
This view is a pen drawing of old Fort Wayne in the latter days of its existence, prepared from informa- tion gathered by the late Isaac Bush. Mr. Bush, as a boy, lived in one of the last remaining buildings of the old fort. Increasing interest in the historic structure grew with the passage of the years, and he gathered all available information from those who remembered the architectural form of the buildings which were standing in the early thirties when the construction of the Wabash and Erie canal necessitated the removal of a portion of the fort. This knowledge Mr. Bush put into definite form in the building of a model of the fort about the year 1870. At that time. he engaged the services of Frank Kincaid, a carpenter, and the latter constructed the model after the plans as prepared by Mr. Bush. "I remember this model very well," says
Mrs. E. K. Bush, daughter-in-law of Isaac Bush. "It was about twenty feet square, and hundreds of people came to see it when it was placed on exhibition near the Baker homestead on Delaware avenue. The model was preserved for many years and formed an interesting part of the exhibition at the Centennial celebration of 1895. I don't know what became of it." Four photographic views of the model were made. One of the original negatives is the property of the Parrot studio. The view which was used for reference in making the above drawing was loaned by Mrs. Martha B. Hanna.
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1916 1917 CENTENNIAL (1916)-COLISEUM-Y. M. C. A.
trained voices, representing all of the city churches, were joined in songs of praise. Among the selections was the Fort Wayne Centennial Hymn, sung for the first time. Donald Robertson, pag- eant master, delivered an address. The Industrial Exposition, which opened June 5, was held within an enclosure which included the league baseball park on Calhoun street, north of Superior street. Here were shown, in a long line of specially constructed booths, the various products of the Fort Wayne factories, as well as the lines of goods sold by the jobbing and retail interests. Daily aeroplane flights in connection with the exposition were given by Aviator Heth.
by Dr. Slocum.
to determine the location of the fort and the contour of the land of the region at the time of General Wayne. He was assisted materially by the late Colonel R. S. Robertson. whose assistance is gratefully acknowledged
Charles E. Slocum, of Toledo, Ohio. author of the History of the Maumee River Basin. It is here reproduced from that work by the consent of the author. Dr. Slocum spent much time in Fort Wayne making surveys
The drawing from which the above engraving was reproduced was prepared under the direction of Dr.
DR. SLOCUM'S CONCEPTION OF OLD FORT WAYNE AND SURROUNDINGS, 1794.
ST. JOSEPH
RIVER
MAUMEE RIVER
ST. MARY'S
RIVER
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THE PICTORIAL HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE
Tuesday, June 6, was known as "Fraternal Day," marked by a parade of members of many societies. Wednesday, "Homecomers' Day," was devoted largely to the reception of former residents, who were taken in automobile trips about the city. Thursday, "Woman's Day," was observed in the opening of the Women's building and a reception to thousands of visitors. The old high school building on East Wayne street served as the place of the women's displays. Here the committees, working under the general chairmanship of Mrs. August J. Detzer, provided many interesting displays. One room was devoted to a showing of native birds. Hundreds of treas- ured pieces of household furniture and wearing apparel of other days were of special interest to the members of the younger gener- ation. The Daughters of the American Revolution and other soci- eties were appropriately represented. Young ladies in the quaint costumes of the war period received the visitors. Former President William H. Taft, guest of honor for "Woman's Day," made several brief addresses, but the principal event scheduled for the afternoon at the pageant grounds-Reservoir Park-was transferred, because of rain, to the auditorium of the new Moose hall. A chorus choir of one thousand school children, directed by Prof. William Miles, sang patriotic songs from an amphitheatre on the courthouse square.
Mary Penrose Wayne Chapter of the Daughters of the Amer- ican Revolution contributed a permanent reminder of the Centennial celebration in the erection of a marker upon the park strip at the foot of Dearborn street in Lakeside, upon the bronze panel of which are these words: "To the memory of Major John Wyllys and his brave soldiers who were killed near this spot in the battle of Harmar's Ford October 22, 1790, with the Miami Indians, under Chief Little Turtle. Erected by the Mary Penrose Wayne Chapter, D. A. R., in the Centennial year, 1916." Robert B. Hanna was the orator of the occasion, and Former President Taft made a brief address. A chorus of school children, with accompaniment by the Elks' band, sang patriotic songs.
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