Decatur County, Indiana - Chapter 6: He City of Greensburg, 1915

Chapter 6: He City of Greensburg

If I could write a poem like Jim Riley ust to write, If I could ketch his rhymiii' scheme in which the words unite With a movin' kind o' music that'll start your sluggish blood - I would sing a song of Greensburg where we didn't have no flood. The scen'ry 'long ole Gas Creek don't compare with Brandywine, And we're glad the bloomin' Wabash and Ohio, broad and fine, And the other ragin' rivers are miles and miles away - Ruther be an "inland town" - kind o' like it thataway.

The original plat of Greensburg was located on the southeast quarter of section 2, township 10 north, range 9 east. This tract was entered by Thomas Hendricks on October 27, 1820, and there is little doubt but), that this shrewd Yankee selected this particular tract because he thought it would be near the center of a county, which would be organized within the the next few years. At that time the territory now within Decatur county was a part of Delaware county, then unorganized. Franklin county had civil and criminal jurisdiction over this part of Delaware county, and all marriage licenses and town plats are found recorded in the court house at Brookville up until Decatur county was organized, in the spring of 1822.

Greensburg was laid out on August 26, 1822, by John B. Potter, and, so tradition says, was named, at the request of Mrs. Thomas Hendricks, in honor of her old home town in Pennsylvania. An interesting story is told regarding the naming of the town. Mrs. Hendricks had four charming daughters, all unmarried, and the question of the selection of the name for the new town was left to a vote of the men of the town, most of whom were unmarried. Seventeen of these men were young unmarried fellows and the desire to stand in the good graces of the four handsome daughters was the decisive factor in the selection of the name of Greensburg.

The act providing for the organization of the county made provision for a commission of five men to locate the county seat, and this commission reported on June 14, 1822, that they had selected Greensburg as the seat of justice. Thus the hopes of Hendricks were realized and the first settler had the satisfaction of knowing that he had been fortunate enough to enter the tract on which the future county seat was to be located. Unfortunately, records are not available which will disclose the early history of the town. It takes no stretch of the imagination to picture the log cabins which clustered around the public square. In fact, it was not until i860 that the last log house on the public square was razed. It stood on the west side of the square, north of the alley, and had been occupied for many years by W. T. Green as a chair factory. The lot is now occupied by the meat market of McCormick & Richey.

It is interesting to note the prices paid for the first lots sold in the embryonic city. On July 28, 1822, the county board of justices appointed John D. Potter "to proceed immediately to laying off the town of Greenslaurg, to-wit : Public square in the center and lots extending two squares north, two squares east and two squares west." He laid off sixty-four lots, eighty by one hundred and sixty feet. He was ordered to have thirty-five acres grubbed, although the persons doing this work had to agree to wait one year for their pay. The sale of lots took place on the first Monday' of September, 1822, and on that date thirty-six lots were sold, most of them being around the public square, although a few were sold on Broadway, Franklin and North streets. The highest price paid for a single lot was the one now occupied by the DeArmond hotel, the drug store of Joseph Moss and Eubanks' grocery. Thomas Hendricks bought this lot for one hundred and twenty-one dollars. The cheapest lot brought twelve dollars and forty-six cents and is now occupied by Dr. J. H. Alexander on East North street. The lot on which Col. Thomas Green's home stands brought twenty-four dollars, thirty-seven and one-fourth cents. The lot occupied by Wirt Woodfill's store, the Kessler bakery, the Habig real estate office and the Knights of Pythias block was sold to Barlow Aldrich for eighty and a half dollars. However, he repented of this rash act in bidding so liberally and refused to give a note for the same. This lot was later sold at a private sale. The thirty-six lots sold on this first day brought one thousand, five huntlred and seventy-two dollars and eight}--one and one-fourth cents. The records disclose the fact that not one of the lots is in the hands of any of the heirs of the man who bought it at this sale. It was not until the May term, 1823, of the county board that Thomas Hendricks received the residue of the thirty dollars, forty and one- fourth cents which he charged the board for surveying the town and for whiskey which he furnished the agents on the days of the sale of the lots.

Early Growth

The town had a steady growth from the beginning, and, on February 4, 1837, fifteen years after it was laid out, it was incorporated by an act of the Legislature. James Blair, Caleb Luther, Isaac House, John Thomson, James Freeman, James Lusk and William B. Ewing were appointed to serve as trustees until January, 1838. The legislative act further pro\ided that tippling- houses should not be licensed for less than three nor more than ten dollars a year.

From a local paper of 1844, it has been ascertained that the most prominent business concerns of Greensburg at that time were as follow: D. Stewart & Sons, drugs and groceries ; A. G. Stout & Company, general store ; W. P. & J. F. Stevens, dry goods; Henry Sefton, plow maker; Lathrop & Cooley, hat factory; J. & W. W. Freeman, general merchants; Bryan & Hueston, Forsyth & Gilham, Hall & Callen, tailors; John Mackey, saddler; Belmont & Ricketts, cabinet makers; Robinson & Houser, carriage builders; I. T. Gibson, grocery: J. S. Scobey, J. & S. W. Robinson and S. Overturf, attorneys. A gazeteer of 1845 credits Greensburg with a^ population of twelve hundred and says that the flourishing town had seven blacksmith shops, employing a total of seventeen men; four wagon shops, employing ten men ; four shoe shops, with eight men ; two cabinet shops ; two tan yards and two carding machines.

Queer Regulations

Some ludicrous ordinances have been gleaned from the old records of Greensburg. In 1857, an ordinance was passed limiting- the speed of all vehicles to four miles an hour, and it appears to have been more rigorously enforced than the speed laws of today. The records disclose one citizen who drew a fine of one dollar for venturing to drive at a perilous speed of more than four miles an hour down the main street. This ordinance soon disappeared, however, and the citizens were free to travel on the streets at a more rapid pace. In 1861 an ordinance forbade owners of hogs to permit them to run at large unless they had rings in their snouts. Old residents tell how the pigs of the citizens around the public square rooted for grub worms in the court house yard. Convenient mud holes were provided on the streets around the public square for the pleasure of the hogs. In 1862, Marshal Eudaily took up some hogs belonging to G. B. Roszell for not wearing the required rings in their snouts and advertised the ringless porkers for sale. Before the day of the sale, however, the owner slipped the hogs out of town, and for a time the city meditated bringing suit.

The corporation has grown steadily from year to year since that time and fully merits the title of city. As its railroad facilities have improved, factories of various kinds have been located in the city, and today thousands of dollars are paid out weekly to workmen in a score or more establishments. The seven thousand people who claim Greensburg as their home are justly proud of its industrial position, of its schools and churches, its well-managed ]ni])lic utilities, its enterprising merchants and the general high standard of citizenship which prevails.

The Greensburg- fire department was organized in 1874, with Arthur Hutchison serving as the first chief. This was a vokinteer company, made up of three hundred men, who served without any remuneration for their services. A hand-power engine and one thousand feet of leather hose were purchased for six thousand dollars. Later, each volunteer fireman who was a property holder was exempt from taxes to the value of seven dollars and fifty cents, but non-property holders received nothing for their services.

Some years later a horse was purchased to pull the hose reel, but the hook-and-ladder was still pulled by hand. After the city waterworks was installed in 1889, the engine was disbanded and a new wagon and hose were purchased.

The fire chiefs who have served since ]\Ir. Hutchison are as follow : D. C. Elder, Ralph Buckley, W. I. Johnson, W. S. Harvey, James Randall, W. L Johnson and the present incumbent, Joseph Kelly. Tom Morgan drove the first team and he was followed by Dick Morgan, William Weathers. Bill Dwire drove the hose reel wagon and was followed by Bud Alyea, Bud Short and Link Beeson. The present drivers are James Robbins, driver of the hook-and-ladder wagon, and Robert Alexander, driver of the hose wagon. These men stay in the fire-engine house and receive sixty dollars per month. Mr. Isaacs was the first engineer and was followed by Mat Jackson, Billy Tussey and William Kirkpatrick, who served until the waterworks was put in.

The present volunteer fire department consists of the chief, assistant chief and sixteen members of the squad. The chief receives one hundred and twnty-five dollars per year for his services, the assistant chief receives seventy-five dollars and the members of the squad receive sixty dollars. A complete list of the fires is kept. From 1882 until 1902, there were two hundred and forty fires. The year 1893 had the greatest number in any single year. There were twenty-four in that year, seven of which came in August, two on the loth and two on the nth.

Police Department

The police department in Greensburg began with one marshal, who, alone, kept the quiet and peace of the town for a number of years. Later, another man was added to the force and two men served in the capacity until 1904. George Dickey was the first chief, with four men under his charge. He began his term as chief in 1906, and served for four years, although he was on the force for eight years. W. I. Johnson, the present chief, was appointed by the mayor in 1910. John Louden is the day pohceman, who assists the chief. James Underwood and Harry Lacey serve as night men at the present time. The headquarters of the poHce force are located in the city hall.

The Greensburg waterworks was organized in 1889, and the plant was completed in 1890. The Greensburg waterworks is a private corporation, with the following officers : David A. Meyer, president ; Harry Emmert, vicepresident and general manager; J. B. Kitchin, secretary and treasurer; Will H. Robbins and W. W. Woodfill, who complete the board of directors.

The water is taken from thirty wells, which are the property of this company. The entire cost of the plant is placed at two hundred thousand dollars. Two large reservoirs, with a capacity of one million gallons, are provided in case of fire and also to insure a surplus supply. There are eighteen miles of mains, which cover the entire town and furnish water for private use and also for factories, railroads, etc. A direct-pumping system is used and two pressure pumps, with one and one-half million gallons capacity per day, respectively, have been installed. This company furnishes its patrons with water at a flat rate or by meter.

Street Paving

The first street paving in Greensburg was done in 1909, when Main street was paved with brick throughout its entire length of one and oneeighth miles. An interesting fact concerning the paving of this street relates to that part traversed by the interurban traction line. The track had been laid several years previously, Init there seems to have been nothing in the franchise which they got from the city of Greensburg to compel them to pave their own tracks. Neither was the traction company compelled to do any repairing along their right of way. In 1913. Broadway, Franklin and part of North streets were paved with tarvia. The other streets of the city are well graded and macadamized.

City Hall

The Greensburg city hall is located on the west side of South Broadway, in tiie first block off the public square. It is a brick structure and was erected in 1874 at a cost of eight thousand dollars. It is two stories in height, the first floor being devoted to the fire department and the second floor to various city offices. The mayor, chief of police and city clerk have private rooms, while there are bedrooms for the dri\'ers of the fire-trucks. The largest room is the council chamber, which also serves as a city court room.

Sewerage System

Greensburg began the installation of a sewerage system several years ago and has added to it as the corporation limits were extended and the population increased. Owing to the fact that the city is not on a waterway, it has been compelled to provide an artificial means for the disposal of its sewerage. This is done in what is known as a disposal plant, which was installed in 1906-7, at a cost of eighteen thousand dollars, and has proven very satisfactory. The disposal plant takes care of the sewerage by automatic syphons, and for this reason the plant does not need the constant attention of an attendant. The street commissioner, who has general charge of the plant, makes daily trips to it in order to see that it is working properly.

Gas Companies - Citizens Gas and Supply Company, Greensburg Gas and Electric Company, Muddy Fork Gas Company, Sand Creek Gas and Oil Company.

Insurance Agencies - Albert Morgan, Mrs. C. C. Lowe, A. Habig, A. L. Howard, Miller & Ryan, J. H. Parker, Charles Zoller, Patrons of Husbandr\-, Mutual Fire and Lightning Insurance Company, ]\Iendenhall & Grant.

The first attempt in Decatur county to secure local telephone service was made in June, 1900, when two hundred leading citizens of Greensburg and farmers of the vicinity, at a mass meeting, organized the Decatur Telephone Company, and made provision for the sale of stock, erection of lines and the installation of a switchboard at Greensburg. Since its beginning, the concern has had its share of ups and downs, but now is in a very comfortable financial condition, with more than two thousand subscribers.

Stock was sold at twenty-five dollars a share and the company was capitalized at thirty thousand dollars. At the beginning, there were about one hundred subscribers. The first officers of the company were: S. L. Jackson, president; Morgan Miers, vice-president; Charles Zoller, Jr., secretary, and J. H. Christian, treasurer. These officers, with C. P. Miller, formed the board of directors.

In 1902 the telephone companies at Westport and Letts Corners sold out to the organization, and by this deal three hundred additional subscribers were added to the Greensburg exchange. Some time later the Newpoint Telephone Company and the Alert Telephone Company arranged to lease the privilege of the Greensburg exchange and the one hundred patrons of these two companies are now served free.

H. C. Stockman, then county treasurer, had the honor of introducing the first telephone used in Greensburg and Decatur county. In November, 1877, he opened a private line between his office, in the court house, and his grain elevator, six squares away on Monfort street. It was a great curiosity and many Greensburg residents heard their first "hello" over this line.

The Greensburg switchboard is of the highest type now in use and is designed for both speed and secrecy. It is know as the North automanual system and is a combination of the automatic and the old-style switchboard

Recently the company has been making an annual profit of eight per cent., which is given to stockholders in the form of reduced rates. Stockholders are limited in voting to four shares and all business of the company is transacted at an annual stockholders' meeting, which is always largely attended. There are now about one thousand stockholders. The present officers of the company are: C. P. Miller, president; W. V. Pleak, vicepresident; J. H. Christian, secretary and treasurer, and F. S. Chapman, general manager.

Mileage And Valuation The Greensburg Improvement Association

The Greensburg Improvement Association had its birth in 1892, when the Baxter Carriage Company, of Cincinnati, hunting another location, sought to secure a manufacturing plant in Greensburg. There were a number of concerns manufacturing cheap buggies in the Queen City, and the town had fallen into disrepute from the carriage manufacturer's standpoint. A number of prominent citizens of Greensburg pledged themselves to provide the necessary funds to build a plant, and arrangements were made to move the plant here.

- Then some difficulties arose between the company and the Greensburg people, and the latter, for self-protection, incorporated the Greensburg Improvement Association. The first officers were Marshall Grover, president; W. B. Hamilton, vice-president, and D. A. Myers, secretary. Other members of the board of directors were Louis E. Lathrop and Henry Christian.

The difficulties were amicaljly adjusted and the association purchased one hundred and ten acres adjoining the city on the northwest, known as the Meek farm, which it spHt into town lots and sold, netting a profit of about thirty thousand dollars, which was applied to the erection of a suitable plant.

The company operated for a few years, but could not breast the hard times of 1896, and went into a receivership". When its affairs were wound up, the plant was sold to the Lincoln Carriage Company, headed by W. B. and Edward Austead, of Connersville. This company operated the plant successfully until 1905, when it was wiped out by fire, the entire brick building being destroyed, with a loss of one hundred thousand dollars.

The plant was partially rebuilt and a hay bailer company, organized to commercialize a new invention, was launched, but this concern was unsuccessful and the building is now occupied by the Ivelly Manufacturing Company.

At least one growing concern had its inception and start in Greensburg. This was the Greensburg chair factory, which is now located at Anderson, Indiana. The company outgrew its space here and received an oiTer of a free factory site in Anderson. Local stockholders were bought out and the factory moved. It has grown to be one of the best manufacturing enterprises of Anderson.

The Greensburg Improvement Association now owns the Kelly plant and a number of lots which were parceled from the original plat and never sold. These plats contain five acres each and are suitable for improvement as suburban homes.

Greensburg Commercial Club

Recognizing the fact that no city grows and accumulates wealth, save under wise direction and careful safeguarding of its interests by its own citizens, leading business and professional men of Greensburg took steps, in 1906, for the organization of a commercial body, which would afford these essentials for the future welfare of their municipality.

The first meeting was held in the office of the mayor, March 5, 1906, when a committee was named to draw up plans -for organization and draft a constitution and by-laws. This committee was composed of George E. Erdmann, Harry Lathrop, Charles M. Woodfill, Dan S. Perry, C. D. Tillson, Oscar G. Miller and James E. Caskey. At a later meeting, the constitution prepared was adopted and Walter W. Bonner became the first president.

The entei-prise was made a stockholding concern and six thousand and forty dollars was subscribed. A tract of land was bought and sold in town lots, netting the club a profit of three thousand, five hundred dollars, which was made the nucleus of a factory fund. A hay-bailer factory and a shoe factory were brought to Greensburg, but both discontinued operations after a short time. A large number of factories which sought sites in Greensburg were, after careful investigation, refused financial assistance, and many thousands of dollars thereby saved local investors.

Since its organization, the club has always maintained a very substantial balance. The latest report of the treasurer places the assets of the organization at four thousand, nine hundred and thirteen dollars. Most of it is invested in short-time securities, so that it can be made available at any time needed.

When the automobile manufacturing fever was at its height, and mushroom plants were springing up in all parts of the state, a company was organized in Greensburg for the manufacture of a six-cylinder car, to be called the Hamiltonian. The sum of fifty thousand dollars was raised and the company was incorporated. Some steps were taken toward opening a factory, and then the entire matter was dropped. Officers of this company were : W. W. Bonner, president ; Harry Woodfill, vice-president ; C. P. Corbett, secretary and treasurer, and Harry Hamilton and D. A. Myers, directors. Although this company had the endorsement of the commercial club, it was in no sense an organization undertaking.

Stockholders in the club authorized the directors to sell the Skeen building, which the organization owned, to George Montgomery. Af r. Montgomery had recently lost his place of business through fire. The building was sold to him at a price somewhat less than its estimated worth, as it is the desire of the organization to foster any enterprise which tends to build up the city.

At a later meeting, that year, Edwards Doles applied to the board for a loan at less than the usual rate. His spoke and rim factory had been burned and he wished to rebuild. The Commercial club responded to his

In 1914, J. F. Russel, James E. Caskey, Roy C. Kanouse and E. G. Schultz, directors, whose terms expired that year, were re-elected. Georg E. Erdmann was elected to membership on the directorate, taking the place made vacant by the removal of Locke Bracken. John H. Batterton was elected president, the other officers remaining unchanged.

In 1914, the club pledged fifteen hundred dollars to secure the A. L. Lewis plant, located at Marion, Indiana, for Greensburg. The offer was accepted by the Marion company, which is now a permanent fixture, with bright prospects of becoming a large manufacturing plant. Old directors and officers were re-elected in 191 5.

Since its formation in 1906, the present Commercial Club has accomplished a great deal for the city of Greensburg and the citizens thereof. The worth of a commercial club is not always to be measured by the number of manufacturing plants it secures for a city, but more often by its success in sifting out the good from the many fraudulent schemes offered to gain the public confidence. A commercial club is a guide post, or financial advisor to a city, to clear the wa_v to safe investment, and the Greensburg Commercial Club has ever been on the alert, truly active in behalf of the best interests of the city.

Co-operation is the watchword of modern business. Lawyers and physicians, recognizing the value of mutual helpfulness, long ago, organized county, state and national organizations and used these bodies for the purpose of furthering their professional work through more efficient ser\-ice. Followers of tha other professions were not slow to fall in line.

The retail merchant has, in almost e\'ery instance, been the last to avail himself of the advantages of co-operation. The keen competition of presentday business life has in a measure been responsible for this condition, ^^'hile retailers realized that there was a great economic waste through purely independent business methods, for a long time they felt themselves jjowerless to change conditions.

If John Smith, deadbeat. beat a hardware store out of a hill, the owner of the grocery, who had previously lost through extending credit to Smith, laughed in his sleeve at the owner of the hardware store. It was amusing to learn that some other unfortunate had run counter to the bill-beating

After a while, Smith made the rounds of all the places where credit was obtainable and then found but two courses open to him - either he must pay his bills as he contracted them or move out of town. Now, the merchants of his town knew that he would not pay his bills, but they had paid high for their knowledge.

This sort of thing went on for years. Perhaps Smith left town, but others of his kind, under the same or other names, came in his place and the economic loss continued, a heav)' drain not only upon the merchants, but also upon honest customers who were saddled with a goodly portion of the merchants' losses.

At last, the retailers roused themselves. They were confronted with the knowledge that if credit was to be e.xtended at all, in fairness to the man who paid cash, it must be extended wisely. Accordingly, various merchants arranged for exchange of confidential credit information. In a short time every merchant in town was attracted by the idea and an organization was perfected.

Four times the business men of Greensburg have attempted such an organization and three failures have resulted. They relied largely upon word-of-mouth information and transacted what little business they had through officials chosen from the standpoint of popularity rather than from any unusual ability in organization work of this nature. Consequently, each of these three organizations, started under most auspicious circumstances, worked energetically for a time, lost efficiency, lingered for a time and then passed out of existence so cjuietly that even the professional dead-beats scarcely knew the exact hour of their passing.

The Greensburg Business Men's Association, the Greensburg merchants' fourth co-operative venture, was organized May 6, 1914. It differed from its predecessors in that it had a central office, with a paid secretary to do the work of the organization and look after details which had formerly been neglected by volunteer workers.

The first officers of this organization, who still manage its affairs, were Samuel Bonner, president: George Parish, vice-president; D. A. Betterton, treasurer, and Harry Lathrop, secretary. These officials are assisted in the management of organization matters by the following men, who, with them, comprise the directorate of the association: Clyde L. Meek, W. W. Bonner, Walter W. Crisler, Lemuel Dobyns, Roy C. Kanouse, Mort Richey, E. G.

Besides guarding its members against losses through unwise credit extensions, through its confidential exchange file, the association also protects them against loss at the hands of promoters of \'alueless advertising schemes and itinerant peddlers. Members of the association agree to pay out no money to solicitors of any kind unless they ha\-e recei\-ed the sanction of a special committee.

This committee is composed of three men, whose identity is unknown to the general membership and to one another. They report upon each applicant to the president and if two approve his project he receives the committee's sanction before he begins his canvass. During the first year of its existence, this committee passed upon twenty proposed advertising schemes and declined to sanction all but four. The estimated saving to the merchants of Greensburg through protection from the unworthy sixteen was placed at four thousand dollars.

Membership dues in the association were one dollar a month, and Greensburg merchants found its assistance so valuable that all but eight business men in the city had identified themselves with it before the end of its first year. At the end of its first year the organization had one hundred and ten members, eleven of whom li\'ed in Adams, St. Paul, Letts, Sandusky, Newpoint and other parts of the county.

As a result of this co-operati\e venture, a better feeling grew among business men of Greensburg and the organization aimed at larger undertakings. Membership meetings are held each month and are well attended. During the summer a "Big Wednesday" is held once a month and special entertainment features are offered to bring citizens of Decatur county to Greensburg. The association conducts an annual street fair, works for good roads, sanitary living conditions and is a twenty-four-hour-a-day booster for Greensburg and Decatur county.

The Greensburg Chautauqua

In the last decade, a large number of chautauqua programs have been offered in cities and towns through the Middle West. In some instances, the public has held aloof or, at best, taken but a mild interest in efforts made by public-spirited citizens to bring the best in music, in oratory and kindred arts to them at prices so low as to belie their real worth. In such locations, the Chautauqua was a failure from the start and was rarely repeated after the first attempt.

But in places where there is a genuine pubUc interest in matters of political importance, where there is a real appreciation of music, where people are alive to other things which make for sound knowledge and a more than veneered culture, the chautauqua has taken deep root and is accomplishing results which can be obtained in no other manner.

The success of the Greensburg Chautauciua Association, which offered its first program in 191 1 and has occupied the field ever since, speaks well for the citizenship of Greensburg and Decatur county. As was of necessity the case, the first chautauqua held in Greensburg was something of an experiment. No one knew whether the event would prove a splendid success or an ignominous failure. In order to make the experiment, it was necessary that some one should guarantee the promoters against loss. The merchants of the city readily agreed to become guarantors of the undertaking and the first program was announced. It was so popular and so successful from every standpoint, that it was repeated the following year without first securing a list of guarantors and has been so conducted ever since. For business reasons, the association was incorporated in 1914, under the laws of Indiana, as an organization to promote general culture, and not for profit.

Management of the Greensburg chautauqua is vested in the board of directors of the association, together with James L. Loar and James Shaw, of Bloomjngton, Illinois, who were largely responsible for the introduction of the chautauqua in Decatur county. These men had been engaged in the business in Illinois for some time, but made their first attempt to conduct a program away from home in Greensburg.

Although the association has, in several instances, made money from its programs, it has, in all cases, given its patrons the benefit, by spending it the following year upon better and more expensive numbers. Since the first year, all meetings have been held at West Academy. The program is given about the middle of August and usually lasts ten days.

The following celebrities, among others, have spoken from a Greensburg chautauqua platform : William Jennings Bryan, Richmond P. Hobson, Senator Thomas P. Gore, George W. Bain and Bishops Quayle, Hughes and McDowell. Innes' and Vatales' bands have given concerts and some highclass dramatic talent has added variety to the programs.

Officers and directors of the association are: J. W. Craig, president; Dr. C. R. Bird, vice-president; G. G. Welsh, treasurer; Will Ehrhardt, secretary; Dr. P. C. Bentle, E. C. Jerman, Judge Hugh Wickens, R. C. Kanouse, Bert Morgan, Mrs. J. F. Goddard, Mrs. Alex. Porter and Miss Edith Patten. Mr. Ehrhardt is platform manager. Although the chautauqua grounds are

The Associated Charities Of Greensburg

The Associated Charities of Greensburg was organized in response to a definitely-felt need in November, 1906, and has been in active operation since 1907. Charities, public and private, had. of course, existed in the city previous to this date, but the board of directors, recognizing the necessity of placing the matter of relief upon the most sensible and most practicable working basis by bringing into co-operation all charitable agencies, so that they should not duplicate each other's work, such as keeping of records, friendly visiting among the poor and the organization of charitable effort so that it might be directed more effectively. Their first endeavor was to obtain a general secretary, who should organize and push forward the work. They were very fortunate in securing the ser\ices of Airs. Emma Sefton, who, for five years, discharged the duties with exceptional intelligence and devotion. Besides the general secretary, the chief agency of the work is the board of nine directors, representative men and women, who give their services gratuitously and have no other object in view than the proper care of the unfortunate. Monthly meetings are held and the general operation and policy of the association are under their direction. Four of the members of the board. Airs. F. P. Montfort. vice-president; C. ^^^ AVoodward, treasurer: Alargaret Drake, secretary, and Harry Lathrop, have served continuously since the organization of the society. George Erdmann, president; John F. Russel, I. Carl Alitchell, Airs. Emma Hamilton and Robert St. John have since been elected directors. Mrs. Carrie F. Meek, the present general secretary, has served in this capacity for almost three years and has, with a singleness of purpose, endeavored to increase the scope and usefulness of the society. Its methods ha\'e been worked out slowly by careful experiment. Many of its cherished ideals are as yet unrealized, but each year some new things are accomplished that had before been unattainable.

The Girls' Cooking School, the fifth session of which is now being held, is one of the most helpful and practical departments of the association's work. The thirty girls enrolled are taught to cook, wash dishes, set the table and to serve. The excellent quality of the food prepared by them and the neatness and skill displayed attest how effectively instruction is given. The linen loan department, maintained by the AVoman's Christian Temperance Union, contains almost everything needed in a sick room and has carried comfort and cheer into many homes. An employment bureau is maintained, at which a registration is made of both employers and men seeking work. This department has done some excellent work in relieving distressing situations by helping the heads of families to find employment. Each year a number of vacant lots are given out for gardening purposes to families that' need them. Complete records of over four hundred cases of persons applying for assistance are on file in the office of the association. These are not for public inspection, but are kept in order and up to date, that intelligent aid may be rendered.

Postoffice History

"The undersigned respectfully represent that a postofiice is much wanted at Greensburg, Indiana. This place is selected as the seat of justice for the county of Decatur, established and organized at the last session of the Legislature of this state; it is situated on the waters of Sand creek, forty-four miles southeastward of Indianapolis, and on the mail route leading from Lawrenceburg by way of Napoleon, to that place.

and request that the oflice papers may be directed to Madison, from which place they can be speedily transmitted to this. They further request that the mail route aforesaid be put into immediate operation."'

From the fact that no names are attached and no one is recommended for the office of postmaster, it is to be inferred that this was probably the first draft of the petition.

The first postofiice in Greensburg was established when the town was first laid out and Thomas Hendricks was the first postmaster. The next was Andrew Davison, Democrat, appointed by Andrew Jackson in 1829, who served until William Henry Harrison took office. Then, in 1841, Davison resigned, whether of his own volition or by request, is not known. I-Iis successor was Silas Stewart.

The Greensburg Repository for May, 1841, says: "Barton M. Harney, Esq., has been appointed postmaster at this place, in the place of Silas Stewart, resigned. We believe this appointment will give universal satisfaction. Bart is an uncompromising Locofoco, an honest man, a good tailor, a clever

Harney did make a good postmaster - for one day. When he recei\ed his commission, he removed the postoffice sign and the few mail pouches to his tailoring establishment. After conducting the office for one day he concluded that patrons of the office were damaging his stock. That same night he moved the "office" back to its old location and appointed John Stewart, a drug clerk, deputy postmaster.

John B. Covington, a Democratic editor, was appointed postmaster in 1854, and had the office on the north side of the square. Later, he sold his newspaper to \\'illiam \'an Horn, and the postmastership was transferred with it. The next postmaster was John Watson, during whose term the office was located near the railroad.

During the war the postmaster was John J. Hazelrigg. He was followed by James King. While King was postmaster the office was in the basement of the Presbyterian church. George H. Dunn, his successor, held the office for the longest period in its history. He was appointed by President Grant in 1869 and served until 1886. His deputies were Sam McGuire and George Dunn, Jr.

Henry E. Black served as postmaster from 1886 until i8go. His deputy was Miss Ida Black. The office was then located on South Franklin street. Thomas Hendricks was appointed to the office in 1890 and Stephen Rogers in 1894.

The next postmaster was James E. Caskey, during whose administration both urban and rural free delivery was established, and the business of the office correspondingly increased. While Caskey was postmaster, the safe was blown open and a small amount of money and stamps abstracted. A. M. Willoughby, editor of the Grcciisbiiry Rcz'icK'. was appointed postmaster in 1902, and served four years. He was followed in 1906 by L. D. Braden, editor of the Greensbnrg Standard.. Mr. Braden made way, in 1910, for Bert Morgan, v\-ho served until 1914, when the present incumbent, George E. Erdmann. was appointed ]>y President ^Vilson.

There are now thirteen rural routes radiating from the Greensbnrg office, supplying Decatur county farmers with daily papers and placing them in close touch with the city by means of the parcel post, which has shown a wonderful development during the past j'ear. Including messenger bo3's, twenty-five persons in all are now emploj-ed at the Greensburg office.

No county in the state surpasses Decatur for completeness of service, it is said. Patrons of the rural routes leading from Greensburg are peculiarly fortunate in their service, as they, in most instances, receive their mail in the forenoon. Carriers get away from the office and sometimes ha\'e their routes half covered, when carriers from other offices are still waiting for the morning mail train to arrive.

The chief rural free delivery center of the county is Greenshurg, which has thirteen routes leading from it. In addition, it supplies postoffices at Millhousen, Cliffy and Clarksburg. Rural routes are also operated from the Letts Corner, Westport, Newpoint, St. Paul and Burney postoffices.

The inception of the Greenshurg public library dates from the latter part of 1901, when A. J\I. Willoughby, then mayor of Greenshurg, opened correspondence with Andrew Carnegie regarding a donation for a library iu this city. Correspondence was continued with Mr. Carnegie, which resulted in his making a proposition to furnish fifteen thousand dollars for the erection of a building, providing the city would furnish a suitable site and agree to support the library. In May, 1902, a vote was taken at the regular city election on the cjuestion of taxing the city for the support of the library and the resulting vote was practically unanimous in favor of the imposition of the tax. On August i, 1902, the city council accepted Mr. Carnegie's gift formally and passed resolutions authorizing the levying of the library tax.

The next question was the location of the proposed building. The council ad\-ertised for property suitable for a library site and, after considering several locations, the site of the W. A. Watson foundry, on North Michigan avenue, was chosen. The council paid six thousand dollars for the lot, Mr. Watson donating one thousand to the city, which, with a donation of eighteen hundred dollars by citizens, reduced the amount paid by the city to thirty-two hundred dollars.

In October, 1902, a library board of seven members was appointed, as follows: By the judge of the Decatur circuit court, Hon. Will Cumback, Hugh D. Wickens and Mrs. Ida L. Ewing; by the common council, Mollie Zoller and Thomas E. Davidson; by the school board, Mrs. Anna C. Grover and M. D. Tackett. The board met at the house of Mrs. Grover on October 24 and organized by electing the following officers : Will Cumback, president; Hugh D. Wickens, vice-president; Mollie Zoller, secretary; Thomas E. Davidson, treasurer. Several architects submitted plans for a building and, after careful consideration, the firm of Harris & Shopbell were employed to furnish the plans and specifications. On April i6, 1909, Pulse & Porter, of Greensburg, were awarded the contract for the construction of the building, the contract calling for $10,725. This did not include the heating plant, which was awarded to Watson Sons, of Terre Haute, for $741.63, and the wiring and plumbing to Watson & Company, of Greensburg, for $450. This brought the total cost of the building up to $11,916.63, of which amount the architects were to receive four per cent. The remainder of the fifteen-thousand-dollar donation of Mr. Carnegie was applied to the furnishing and interior decoration of the building. The cornerstone was laid on August 21, 1903, and on January 24, 1905, the library board formally tendered the completed building to the citizens of Greensburg. On the following day the library was opened for the circulation of books and during the decade which has elapsed since that time the library has continually increased in usefulness to the community.

The present library board is composed of the following : Samuel Bonner, president ; Mrs. Kate Minear, vice-president ; Mrs. Ida L. Ewing, secretary ; j\Irs. Will Pulse, Charles PI. Ewing and Oscar G. Miller. Bessie Montfort was the first liljrarian and served in this capacity until her death, on September 17, 1905. Her father, I-'rank P. Mcjntfort, was then elected librarian, and still continues in that capacity. The library now has a total of eight thousand \-olumes on the shelves and a wide \-ariety of standard magazines. The records show that in June, 191 5. aljout eleven hundred persons were taking advantage of the library.

In 19 1 5 there was completed in Greensburg what is probably the finest Y. ]\I. C. \. building in the United States for a city of its size. Certainly there is no building in Indiana which approaches it in completeness. Another distinctive feature of this building is the fact that it is the gift of one man, and he not only gave the money for the site, the building and its equipment, but also an endowment fund for its perpetual maintenance. As far as is known, no other Young Men's Christian Association building in the world has been established under such conditions.

which would help the boys and young men of the town to improve their opportunities. It was not until, after careful investigation and long conferences with intimate friends, that he decided to build and endow a Young Men's Christian Association building for his native city.

On July 30, 1914, Mr. Mowrey made a donation of sixty thousand dollars for the purchase of a site and the erection and equipment of a Young Men's Christian Association building. But his beneficence did not stop here. Realizing the difficulty which a city of this size would have in maintaining a building of this size, he provided for a permanent endowment fund of forty thousand dollars, which was to be kept intact, only the interest to be used for maintenance. Since making this original gift of one hundred thousand dollars, Mr. Mowrey has made an additional donation of twelve thousand five hundred dollars in order that the building and grounds might have certain desirable improvements.

When Mr. Mowrey made his original donation he provided for a board of ten representative citizens of Greensburg (he being one of the number), and this board became the incorporators of the Young Men's Christian Association. These incorporators included himself and nine other citizens of the city, as follows : Dr. C. C. Morrison, D. A. Myers, E. C. Jerman, Robert Naegel, C. P. Corbett, George P. Shoemaker, Frank Bennet, R. C. Kanouse and Henry Hodges. Furthermore, Mr. Mowrey designated the first seven of the^e men as a board of directors. The directors at once, organized, with the following officers: Frank Bennet, president; D. A. Meyers, vice-president ; E. C. Jerman, secretary. Mr. Bennet resigned in November, 1914, to move to California, and Dr. C. C. Morrison was elected president to fill the vacancy. In order to keep the number of incorporators up to the local requirement, W. W. Bonner was selected to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Mr. Bennet. The board of trustees consists of D. A. Meyers, R. C. Kanouse and Henry Hodges.

As soon as the two boards were organized, steps were taken at once to select a site, to plan the building and equip it in such a way as to make it as good as any in the country. Many sites were suggested before the present location on North Broadway, a half block from the public square, was finally selected. This site, purchased from Doctors Kercheval and White, has a frontage of one hundred and twenty and a depth of one hundred and sixty feet. Several architects submitted plans, but those of Shattuck & Hussey, of Chicago, were finally selected. The contract for the building was let on February 15, 1915, to W. H. Isgigg & Son, of Greensburg, the same to be completed by the 15th of the following October.

The main building is seventy by one hundred feet, with annex extending thirt}-seven feet in the rear. It has a basement and two stories, with a total of thirty-eight rooms. The style of architecture is known as early English and the architects have succeeded in designing a building which combines beauty and utility.

The basement has three educational rooms, separated by accordion doors so that the rooms can be thrown together for banquet purposes. Two hundred people can easily be seated in the three rooms. A kitchen, completely equipped, adjoins these three rooms. It was the desire of Mr. Mowrey that the girls and women of the city might have accommodations in the building, and for this reason a ladies' rest room, cloak, locker and toilet rooms are provided in the basement for their use. An outside entrance is provided for the ladies. Furthermore, the basement is so arranged that they have access to the swimming pool and it is the intention to set aside certain days in each week when the girls and women may have the use of the pool. On the opposite side of the basement from the ladies' quarters, are found the lockers and toilet rooms for the boys and men. The distinctive feature of the basement is the swimming pool, which is twenty by sixty feet, with maximum depth of nine feet. The pool itself, as well as the room in which it is placed, is floored with tile and a wainscoting of the same material extends around the room. The pool extends back into the annex of thirty-seven feet, which has been previously mentioned, the whole of the annex being roofed by a skylight. The rest of the basement is taken up with the heating plant and coal room. It should be mentioned in this connection that it was thought desirable to have additional coal space and Mr. Mowrey A'ery generously provided for an outside underground bin, adjoining the boiler room, which has a capacity of two car loads. The basement, as originally planned, had a cement floor, but, at the suggestion of the board of directors, Mr. Mowrey made an additional donation for a terazzo floor. This flooring is used in all the basement except the pool room, which is of tile, and the boiler and coal rooms, which are of cement.

The first floor is reached by marble steps from the front of the building. The vestibule has two doors, the right door opening into the men's side and the left door into the boys' department. Between the two doors, facing the outside door, is a magnificent bronze plaque of Mr. JNIowrey in bas-relief. The rooms set aside for the men are provided with books and magazines and wholesome games of various kinds. The reading room faces the front- and is a large, airy room, with beautiful appointments. The boys' rooms, on the left, correspond in a general way to those of their elders on the right. The secretary's office is placed in such a manner that he can oversee not only the rooms of the men and boys, but also the gymnasium, which occupies the rear of the first and second stories. The gymnasium extends the full height of the first two stories and is surrounded with a gallery. In this room are found all the latest physical appliances, while the room is amply large enough for basket ball, hand hall and various other kinds of indoor sports. ,\ cork running track is also provided. The office of the physical director adjoins the gymnasium.

The second floor contains seventeen dormitories, which are to be rented to members of the association. This floor is provided with shower baths and toilet rooms. As has been said, the gymnasium extends through the first and second floors.

The building is heated with hot water and lighted by electricity. Nothing but the best of material was used in its construction and the board of directors have taken pride in making this building the equal, to say the least, of any building of its kind in the country. The grounds are surrounded with a nine-inch coping, which adds not a little to the general attractiveness of the building itself. A croquet ground is provided in the southwest corner of the grounds and a tennis court in the northwest corner. It was an afterthought of Mr. Mowrey to provide for the paving of the alleys, which are on the side and rear of the grounds.

Such, in brief, is a description of one of the most unique buildings which has ever been erected in the United States. Mr. Mowrey has taken an active interest in the building from the start and the board of directors have found in him a sympathetic assistant in their labors. To Dr. C. C. Morrison, as president of the board, should be given a large amount of credit. As the closest personal friend of Mr. Mowrey, he has tried to carry out his wishes in a faithful and conscientious manner and Mr. Mowrey is free to acknowledge the indebtedness which he owes to Doctor Morrison. The other members of the board have labored no less zealously to make this building what it is and the city of Greensburg owes a debt of gratitude, not only to the donor of this magnificent building, but to the men whom Mr. Mowrey chose to take general management of his gift. It is to be hoped that the boys and young men of Greensburg will properly appreciate this building and that it will mean a better citizenship and a better cit^^

Municipal Financial Statement

The finances of the city are in the hands of the clerk, who, at the end of each year, issues an annual statement showing the financial condition of the

Receipts City Officers

The present officers of the city of Greensburg are as follow : Mayor, James E. Alendenhall ; clerk, Cortez Patton; council. Wesley Lanius (first, ward), Harry Mount (second ward), Marion Allen ( third ward), Thomas Tumilty (fourth ward), and two-at-large, Frank Magee and I. B. Levy; chief of police. W. L Johnston; chief of the fire department, Joseph Kelley; health officer. Dr. B. S. White.