Delaware County, Indiana - Chapter 18: Chamber of Commerce and Industrial, 1924

Chapter 18: Chamber of Commerce and Industrial

For more than twenty years the commercial club activities of Muncie have been carried on in a highly organized and systematic manner in the substantial building erected by the old Commercial Club at the northeast corner of Main and Jefferson streets in 1901, where ample offices are provided for the present Chamber of Commerce and club quarters for the members that offer all that could be desired along that line. The Muncie Chamber of Commerce is a member of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America and of the Indiana State Chamber of Commerce and its affairs are administered in accordance with accepted and up-to-date methods, the present (1923) officiary of the organization being as follows: President, John W. Dragoo; vice president, Joseph T. Meredith; second vice president, Will H. Denney; treasurer, Moses E. Black; secretary-manager, S. N. Vaughn, and assistant secretary-manager, G. A. Frazee, the directors being E. B. Ball, Frank Bernard, Moses Black, Will H. Denney, John W. Dragoo, Charles O. Grafton, Joseph T. Meredith and J. Cooper Props.

The present effective organization of this chamber has been a matter of gradual development since the days when the discovery of natural gas in this field nearly forty years ago pointed the way to a common "get-together" movement on the part of the commercial and industrial interests of the old county seat town and led to the promotion of the movement which evolved "Magic Muncie" and which in the orderly processes of the years since then has brought about the present "Greater Muncie," the slogan "Muncie Offers More" and the commercial and industrial war cry "Muncie 75,000 in 19380!"

As has been pointed out in the story relating to the development of the interests arising out of the natural gas "boom" here back in the late '80s of the past century, the first commercial organization or "get-together" movement here was the Muncie Board of Trade, whose articles of incorporation are set out there together with the names of the incorporators, who were thus banded together for "the promotion of any and all undertakings calculated to advance the interests, improvement and general welfare of the city of Muncie," etc. The first name on this list of incorporators, as will be noted, was that of James Boyce, whose flax mill and handle factory at Muncie then was the largest single employer of labor in the town, the Boyce mill then having had about one hundred persons on the pay roll. This initial Board of Trade was incorporated on February 24, 1887, and its first officers were as follows: President, Joseph A. Goddard; vice presidents, S. F. Wilson, T. F. Rose and J. R. McMahan; treasurer, W. M. Marsh. This organization was the outcome of a called meeting of business men on February 1 of that year, at which meeting: the initiative was taken and James Boyce, S. M. Highlands, J. N. Templer, George Kirby and A. L. Johnson were appointed as a committee to make a canvass for members and perfect the details of organization.

Early Reorganization Became Necessary

Like many an organization of that period this old Board of Trade started out with excellent intentions, but for some reason interest gradually flagged and two years later it became apparent that some sort of reorganization should have to be effected. And thus was born the Muncie Commercial Club, which was incorporated on March 6, 1889, "for the purpose of fostering and promoting the general prosperity of the city of Muncie by establishing and perpetually maintaining, on the co-operative plan, a society or association having for its object social and commercial intercourse." The initial directors of this association were James Boyce, John W. Little, S. C. Goshorn, J. H. Smith and George L. Lennon. It may be said that this organization has been more or less "perpetually" maintained since that time, although there have been periods in its history when the flame of life has flickered low and reorganizations from time to time have been required to keep it going.

This organization was supplemented, or perhaps overridden, three years later by another "boom" organization, the one time influential Citizens Enterprise Company of Muncie, which was organized on August 14, 1891, at the very height of the gas "boom," for the purpose of promoting the industrial interests of the city by the procurement of additional factories. This company, a mutual stock concern, carried on for something more than five years, or until its dissolution in 1897, and during the early period of its existence did a really valuable work in offering inducements to some considerable manufacturing interests to locate in the city. When the panic of 1893 came on a set back was given this organization from which it never fully recovered; some embarrassing litigation followed when dissensions among the stockholders arose, some of these having brought suit unsuccesfully in court to have the charter of the company annuled, and when the files finally were closed on this enterprise a somewhat unhappy local incident was regarded as having been closed with them. James Boyce also was president of this company and George F. McCulloch was secretary during the period of its greatest activity. The initial directors of the company were George Kirby, George L. Lennon, Orlando J. Lotz, Frank Leon, James Boyce, Joseph A Goddard, A. L. Johnson, W. M. Marsh and C. H. Church and there was besides an "advisory" committee or board made up of A. L. Kerwood, George W. Spilker, J. R. Sprinkle, J. A. Heinsohn, J. H. Wysor and J. F. Darnall.

A Long Guess On Gas Supply

The Citizens Enterprise Company raised something more than $200,000 as a promotion fund to induce factories to locate at Muncie and by the expenditure of this fund secured additional industrial interests of large value to the town, some of which became permanent institutions. An interesting souvenir of this company's activities is preserved in the form of a little "boom book," quite typical of the period, which was published apparently in 1892 (though the title page does not so state) by a Springfield, Ohio, printing house under the engaging title of "Muncie; Past, Present and Future."' From the text of this little booklet it is apparent that its publication was given some sort of sponsorship by the Citizens Enterprise Company, though that also is not stated. The booklet opens with a map showing Muncie to be the center of the territory within the natural gas belt and the Citizens Enterprise Company is referred to as "regularly organized, incorporated and equipped with an energetic force of officers, looks carefully after the general welfare and prosperity, and with a fund of $200,000 subscribed by progressive and enterprising citizens, has within the last five months located factories employing over 2,600 operatives, and their good work has only just commenced." The booklet is profusely illustrated with etched pictures of public buildings, street scenes and commercial and industrial concerns in Muncie and is now regarded as a valuable historical souvenir of the period.

It is interesting to note that the "guessers" of that time on the subject of natural gas were on the job in all earnestness. Working it out as a "mathematical deduction," this booklet soberly stated that "the continuance of this [natural gas] supply would be at least : seven hundred years," and that "it is only necessary to make an intelligent investigation to be convinced that the estimate in this report is very conservative." Another bit of prophecy in this connection had it that the class of factories secured for Muncie by the Citizens Enterprise Company "has been of the best and most permanent kind, such as any city might well be proud of; 2,600 factory hands added in six months, this means an increase of 9,000 people. In view of all these facts it is not an idle prophecy to state that before five years Muncie will be a city of 50,000 people." That was thirty years and more ago. The enraptured publicity man certainly was trying to earn his pay. Reviews of this sort are valuable to show that prophecy ought not to be indulged in without the saving clauses of caution and reserve.

About ten years after the liquidation of the Citizens Enterprise Company another similar organization entered the field here and rendered in its day a good work. This was the Muncie Industrial Association, which was organized and incorporated on April 29, 1908, with the following officers; President, T. F. Rose; vice president, T. F, Hart; secretary, Fred Leslie; treasurer, G. A. Ball, and directors, T. F. Rose, G. A. Ball, W. A. McNaughton, Eugene Vatet, R. C. Griffith, T. F. Hart, C. E. Whitehill, W. H. Tobin and Fred Leslie. The purpose of this organization was to promote the industrial and commercial welfare and growth of the city. A considerable fund was created in this behalf, several new factories were secured by the judicious apportionment of this fund and when the association presently closed up its affairs the balance of this fund was turned into the treasury of the Commercial Club. Before leaving the subject of these industrial associations, mention ought to be made of what perhaps was the very first effort along this line made in Muncie. This was the organization in 1885, two years prior to the organization of the original commercial club or "board of trade" and before the discovery of natural gas here, of the Muncie Business and Manufacturing Association, whose object was the promotion of the manufacturing interests of the town and the encouragement of the erection of buildings for factory purposes. This association was organized on June 3 of that year, with J. H. Smith, James Boyce, A. F. Patterson, T. M. Neely and J. M. Kirby as directors, and thus probably served as a

Running Story Of The Commercial Club

The minutes of the original Muncie Board of Trade, organized in 1887, and of some of the successive organizations of like character apparently have been lost or mislaid, for the records of the present Chamber of Commerce open with the minutes of the then newly incorporated Commercial Club in January, 1902, following the erection of the Commercial Club building. This initial record book opens with a prefatory notation, as follows: 'The Commercial Club of Muncie, Indiana, is a reorganization of the old Muncie Commercial Club that had its quarters in the Patterson block, corner of Main and Walnut streets, and had a large membership back in the '80s. Some of the old presidents were Charles M. Turner, Major John F. Wildman, George F. McCulloch, John H. Smith, Arthur W. Brady, James Boyce, John C. Johnson, John J. Hartley, T. F. Rose and Clay Haymond. During these years John W. Little was treasurer and Frank J. Claypool secretary of the club." It is apparent that this notation, probably based on memory, tells only part of the story, for a review of the record beginning in February, 1894, preserves the names of earlier officers as follows: 1894 - Preliminary meeting, chairman, Capt. H. Hilligoss; secretary, E. M. Smith; president, C. M. Turner; secretary, Frank J. Claypool, the latter of whom continued until in 1900, when he was succeeded by Frank D. Haimbaugh, who was retained as secretary until 1910. Other presidents of the body were T. F. Rose, Arthur W. Brady, J. F. Wildman, George F. McCulloch, C. M. Kimbrough, James Boyce and J. C. Johnson, the latter of whom was serving when the reorganization was effected in 1902.

The articles of association of the Commercial Club, as of January 4, 1902, point out that the object of the organization "shall be the promotion of the commercial and manufacturing interests and the general welfare of the city of Muncie and vicinity." The capital stock of the club was fixed at $25,000 in 1,000 shares of $25 each. These articles of association were signed by the following initial subscribers to the same: Robert Scott, Charles M. Kimbrough, F. C. Ball, Leopold Herrmann, E. B. Ball, Charles W. Sherritt, James Boyce, C. H. Church, John C. Johnson, Charles L. Bender, John W. Little, Abbott L. Johnson, Henry J. Keller, Jesse R. Long and James Benjamin. The succeeding register of charter membership reveals the signatures of the following (in addition to those names given above) : Frank D. Haimbaugh, James A. Daly, Ph. A. Deterling, John A. Keener, Edward M. White, W. A. McNaughton, Fred Klopfer, L. P. Bannister, W. R. Moore, L. L. Ball, Joseph Hummel Sr., Jacob Vogt, John F. Wildman, T. J. Ault, D. C. Mitchell, J. E. O. Howe, Leopold M. Ambaugh, J. Frank Mock, W. C. Oakley, Charles A. Schick, George P, Fulkerson, Harvey L. Baker, George A. O'Neil, Edward M. Cramer, Charles C. Brown, George J. Brooker, Ed F. Noland, G. W. H. Kemper, W. W. Wadsworth, Quince Walling, Charles Gass, O. W. Crabbs, H. L. Dungan, H. C. Adams, W. H. Gordon, H. H. Rayle, Albert Canfield, Jacob Stiffler, J. D. Mock, E. J. Lewis, K. G. Sample, W. E. Silverburg, W. B. Esty, H. C. Kimbrough, Vic C. Palmer, J. C. O'Harra, C. L. Warner, U. Frank Fudge, L. W. Cates, Charles B. Fudge, Samuel Cashmere, John F. Meredith, Louis J. Schlesinger, Edward W. Bishop, Oscar E. Childs, Thomas H. Barton, Thomas E. Bracken, C. E. Whitehill, W. E. Hitchcock, V. E. Silverburg, L. A. Clark, Frank J. Claypool, H. C. Haymond, C. W. Sherritt, Harold Hobbs, Harry C. Smeltzer, Philip M. Markley and C. W. Throop. At the initial meeting of this new organization, January 14, 1902, called to order by J. C. Johnson, president of the retiring club, a motion "that the old Commercial Club do now adjourn sine die" was carried and new officers were elected as follows: President, J. C. Johnson; vice presidents, Charles W. Sherritt and Jesse R. Long; secretary, Frank D. Haimbaugh, and treasurer, John W. Little.

This initial record book or journal carries the minutes of the club to June 11, 1910, when Frank D. Haimbaugh, retiring secretary, writes "'finis'" after a service of ten years as secretary of the club. This was the annual meeting and new officers were elected as follows: President, H. C. Haymond; secretary, P. K. Morrison, and treasurer, Hardin Roads. At this time the membership totaled 279, "but of this number some are somewhat back in the payment of dues." Succeeding presidents of the organization during this period, following Johnson, were C. W. Sherritt, George A. Ball, J. R. Long, H. C. R. Wall, Ralph W. Ross, T. F. Rose, Robe Carl White, H. C. Haymond, W. W. Marple, F. D. Haimbaugh (two terms), H. L. Kitselman (two terms), A. E. Boyce (two terms) and Charles W. Galliher.

Beginning Of The Chamber Of Commerce

In September, 1919, Muncie, by reason of annexations, became elevated to the rank of a city of the second class and the Commercial Club responded to certain new ambitions assumed at that time, taking then the name of the Chamber of Commerce, which it since has borne. J. Lloyd Kimbrough at that time was president of the club and W. A. Milne, secretary. It was about this time that the Commercial Club building was remodeled and the rooms renovated in up-to-date fashion, and a "housewarming" was held on the evening of September 31 (1919), which was referred to by the Star as "one of the largest gatherings of men ever entertained in the Commercial Club." In connection with its new activities a reorganization of procedure was effected whereby the activities of the club were divided into five working departments, Production, Industry, Business, Transportation and Civics, and the membership was apportioned respectively to these several departments.

It was on October 4, 1919, that the city of Muncie did honor to Delaware county's returning soldiers of the World war in a "welcome home" day celebration and the Chamber of Commerce did its part in promoting the same, the normal business activities of the city being suspended for the occasion. By the last of December of that year the rolls of the club, or chamber, showed a membership of more than 1,000. At the annual meeting in January, 1920, Karl A. Oesterle was elected president and W. A. Milne was continued as secretary. At the end of the year Mr. Milne resigned to accept a business connection in Cincinnati and Charles O. Grafton was elected president and W. P. Stevens was engaged as temporary secretary pending the club's selection of a permanent secretary. A month later Eugene H. Hyman, of Evansville, was installed as secretary-manager of the club.

In the April following (1920), under the head "Our Community Center," the Muncie Star published an editorial in which it was pointed out that 'a visit to the Chamber of Commerce rooms almost any day of the week would convince anyone that the Chamber of Commerce of Muncie is becoming a real community center. For years an atmosphere hung about the Chamber of Commerce that took from it all the appearance of a community center. It was looked upon as a meeting place for members and it was seldom that a meeting took place more than once or twice a week. Things have changed in the last few years, however, and now the Chamber of Commerce is being looked upon and used as a meeting place for all the people of Muncie and Delaware county. The rural resident of the county is learning that the business man of Muncie is his friend. They are both learning that their interests are practically the same and this has been brought about to a great extent through their association together in meetings of the Chamber of Commerce. . . . The opening of the Chamber of Commerce building as a community center is answering a long felt need in Muncie and whenever it ceases to meet that need it probably would be just as well to lock the doors and throw the key away."

In June, 1921, the Chamber of Commerce began the publication of Dynamo, "a direct current from Muncie, a high-tension town," a periodical magazine and official mouthpiece of the organization, which since has been maintained as a very effective medium for the communication of the chamber's plans and aspirations to the public. At the annual meeting in January, 1922, John W. Dragoo was elected president. Eugene H. Hyman was continued as secretary-manager until in the following summer, when he was succeeded by S. N. Vaughn, of Indianapolis, the present secretary-manager. In October of that year a membership "drive" was begun on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce, under the plan of the American City Bureau, and Many new members were secured. At the following annual meeting (1923) Mr. Dragoo was re-elected president. Upon the reorganization of the Commercial Club on January 1, 1909, as a basis for opening accounts, an inventory was secured of the real estate and chattels of the organization. At a conservative estimate the club's building at the northeast corner of Main and Jefferson streets was put in at $50,000; furniture, $3,070.85; treasury stock, $5,125, or a total of $58,195.35. In the normal course of the advance of real estate values in Muncie since that time, and with the improvements that have been made to the plant of the Chamber of Commerce since then, this property is regarded as of much more value than its appraisement for that inventory.

In the parlors of the Muncie Chamber of Commerce there is preserved an old clock as a memorial of "Uncle George" Elliott, who for nearly forty years was one of Muncie's best known citizens. George L. Elliott, an Ohioan, who had learned the jeweler's and clocksmith's trade at Anderson under the direction of his father, located in Muncie in 1855 and the remainder of his life was spent here, his death occurring in the spring of 1892. Though then but sixty-one years of age, he long had been lovingly known in the community as "Uncle George," the geniality of his manner having won for him a sort of avucular relation to the whole community. It is said his funeral cortege was one of the largest ever seen on the streets of Muncie. Mr. Elliott for nearly forty years had his jewelry store in a room at the southwest corner of Walnut and Main streets, in the old Opera House block, the corner now occupied by the Wysor building. This corner in his generation came familiarly to be known as the Elliott corner and is still so called by many of the "old-timers." Not long before his death "Uncle George" Elliott presented to the Gray Democratic Club, which then was an active local political organization, the clock above referred to. When this club went its final way, the way of many similar clubs, and its rooms were given up, the clock was presented to the old Commercial Club and when the present Commercial Club building was erected the clock was given a post of honor which it ever since has held, as a faithful memorial of the genial old jeweler, its donor.

Preserved in the office of the county recorder is an old commercial journal book carrying "Invoice of J. M. Davis's Stock of Goods," under date of January 9, 1847, which offers some exceedingly interesting information relating to prices current and the value of merchandise here seventy-five years and more ago. Davis was one of the leading merchants of that period in Muncie and his invoice shows that he carried a pretty extensive stock of goods covering about all lines needful in the community at that time.

The first item in this invoice is that of 6% packs of pins at 60 cents, $3.80. Then follow more than forty pages of inventory, the stock in this general store being scrupulously itemized. A few items are picked at random for comparative purposes: One box thimbles, 87 cents; 214, dozen blacking at 40 cents, 90 cents; 24 dozen wood combs, 50 cents; 11 lamps at 1214 cents, $1.38; 5 gross tin buttons at 814 cents, 42 cents; 12 watch keys, 50 cents; 344 dozen spools thread at 31 cents, $1.03; 2 palm hats at 1214 cents, 25 cents; 1 dozen razor straps, $3; artificial flowers, $2 a dozen; ribbon, 20 cents a yard; shaving glass, 12 cents; looking glasses, $1.50; glass jars at 37 cents; snuffers at 1834, cents; sad irons, 484 cents a pound; infants shoes, 16 cents; coffee mill, 25 cents; tobacco, 8 to 10 cents a pound; nails, 5

Included in this inventory are several invoices of goods bought from Cincinnati mercantile houses, the first of which, dated February 8, 1847, is in account with W. H. Smith & Co., Cincinnati, for one ream ruled foolscap paper, $2; 1 ream letter paper, $1.75; 2 dozen Sanders spellers, $2; 1 dozen elementary spellers, 90 cents; 2 dozen Sanders First Readers at 80 cents, $1.60; 1 dozen Sanders Second Readers at $1.60; 1 dozen Sanders Third Readers, $2.50. Another invoice lists Ray's Arithmetic at 25 cents. It will be recalled that these are wholesale prices. '"Almanacks'"' were listed at 3 cents; black fur hats were $2.75; white cocked hats, 88 cents; black silk gloves, 25 cents; riding gloves (buckskin), 50; men's black silk gloves, 75; shirt bosoms, 15 cents; collars, 15; ladies black collars, 22; dress handkerchiefs, $1; "artificials," $1; fish hooks, 50 cents a box; shaving brush, 6 cents; compasses, 8%; coffin screws, 6 cents a dozen; knives and forks, $1 a set; jeans, 40 cents a yard; "unmentionables," 121% cents; glass tumblers, 50 cents a dozen; brass clocks, $2.50; paper, 60 cents a ream; salt, 23 cents a bushel; steelyards, $3; ginseng, 25 cents a pound and feathers, 25 cents a pound.

The Pioneer Wagon Driver

It ought to be borne in mind that this was in the days before the railroad came and that the goods kept on sale here were brought up from Cincinnati or over from Dayton by wagon train, in either case a long and toilsome journey over roads that during the better part of the year were simply a succession of mudholes through which the patient horses wallowed, dragging the heavy wagons through the mire often hub deep. Happily, there recently was contributed to "The Hoosier Listening Post" in the Indianapolis Star a most interesting reminiscent article along this line that is worthy of preservation in this connection. This is a story of a pioneer Muncie wagon driver, contributed by his daughter, Mrs. Clara Warner, of Indianapolis. "I wonder," she writes, "if business men in these days of rapid transportation and quick delivery know just how merchants obtained their stocks of goods before railways were built, especially in towns not waterways.

"As I know something of one pioneer transportation concern, it may interest some of your readers to hear about it. Beginning about 1838 and on into the '40s, my father, Simon Conn, drove a transportation wagon between 'Muncietown' and Cincinnati, then the commercial center of the middle West. His team of six black horses and large covered wagon was said to be the only one of its kind in the state at that time. At settlements along the way his name was as well known as are railroads today. He was employed by the firm of Jack & Russey, owners of a flour mill at Muncietown, to haul grain and flour to Cincinnati, and on his return trip bring to the Muncie merchants their order of goods, groceries, dry goods, hardware, etc. His arrival in Muncie, after a trip to Cincinnati, was said to be the event of a month.

"The driving of a team over rough roads or through country where scarcely any roads existed was considered an achievement, and his arrival was witnessed by almost the entire population. Merchants turned out to receive goods anxiously awaited for weeks, and at Christmas time Simon Conn was indeed an important man, for gifts for all the children depended upon his safe arrival. He used several sets of loud, clear bells on his horses, of which he was very proud. These bells swung from bows or arches that stood up over the horses' shoulders. In clear weather they could be heard for several miles, so they heralded his coming. They also notified the tavern keepers along the way, who could tell their cooks to hurry and get up a good meal, for Conn and his men would soon arrive and would be hungry. There were usually one or two other teamsters along with smaller outfits, for it was often necessary to double teams to help each other over bad stretches of road where the wagons would sink in the mire to their hubs, especially in the spring of the year.

"My father did not sit on his wagon to drive, but always on his saddle horse, which was the rear one to the left. The front horse to the right was the 'lead' horse. He drove and guided the horses with a single line attached to the leader. There are probably few living today who ever saw this kind of driving. I did not see it myself, but have been told of it. He carried a big 'black snake whip,' usually around his neck, but was never known to strike his horses with it. He could make it crack, however, with a skill equal to that of a circus ringmaster. And he declared that he could pick a fly off his leader's ear with it from his saddle. His love and care for his horses was almost fatherly, and when at one time, while making a trip, his entire team was burned up in a hotel fire his grief for them was most touching.

"My father figured in Delaware county history as having hauled from Cincinnati the court house bell for the first court house in Muncie. The bell is still in the clock of the present court house. Upon giving up this work he moved to his farm north of Muncie, where he died in 1904, at the age of 87 years."

In the '70s the pork-packing industry in Muncie was a no inconsiderable one, and an outlet then was provided for the hogs raised in this county that was a valuable factor in the development of the farming community. A review of this industry carried in the Muncie News in January, 1877, said that "there is not a more extensive porkpacking establishment in eastern Indiana than the one located in our midst. Over 23,000 hogs gave up the ghost and went kicking and squealing into eternity (and pork barrels) from this establishment during the present season, their average weight being 265 pounds. The firm has had in its employ 150 men. It has expended $10,000 for labor here, while its expense reaches the sum of $500,000. The pork is shipped from here to New York and thence to foreign markets. There is none of it consumed in this country."

Another item in this issue of the News has it that "the Meeker brothers sold Baldwin, Botume & Co. 9,000 head of hogs this season," and another that "dressed hogs are bringing from 6 to 614 cents per pound;" also that "Muncie has undoubtedly shipped more produce, such as poultry, butter, eggs and potatoes during the past few months than any one or two towns on the Bee Line road." Butter then was quoted at 18 to 25 cents, chickens, 5 to 6. Corn was 40 cents and wheat, $1.20 to $1.30.

The Muncie Foundry and Machine Works back in the '70s was one of the most important of the budding industries which in time led to the development of the present "Greater Muncie." D. T. Haines. was then president of this company, J. L. McClintock was the treas- urer and the directors were Jacob H. Wysor, W. Brotherton and A. F. Patterson. According to a published statement of this company in 1877, it had paid-up capital stock to the amount of $18,700; assets, $26,126.85 ; liabilities, $20,226.27, this giving it a net capital at that time of $5,900.58.

The Passing Of A Pioneer Landmark

The passing of the old flour mill along the river bank on the west side of Walnut street in 1918 to make room for the extension of the electric power plant removed a landmark that for many years had been conspicuous and familiar throughout this whole region. This flour mill was erected in 1854-55 as a measure of improvement over the old Gilbert mill, which stood a bit farther up the river, and was built by Jacob H. Wysor and William B. Kline, who began operation of the mill in the fall of 1855, operating under the firm name of Wysor & Kline, and so continued until in 1874, when Wallace Hibbits took an interest in the firm and the name was changed to Wysor, Kline & Co. In 1885 Kline retired from the firm and the name again was changed, becoming Wysor & Hibbits, and this firm style was continued until the death of Wysor in 1905, his interest then being taken over by the Hibbitts Mill Company, the surviving partner's sons becoming at that time interested with their father in the operation of the mill, and this firm style was maintained until the mill was sold to the power people and torn down, its operation having been discontinued on October 19, 1918. .

Mr. Hibbits, who is still living at his home, 300 North Walnut street, corner of Gilbert, almost directly across the street from the former site of the mill and erected by him when he went to housekeeping following his marriage in 1864, is the oldest continuous resident of Muncie. He was born in Greene county, Ohio, in 1839 and was thus but an infant when his mother moved to old Muncietown in 1840, occupying a house on the corner on which he still is living. The first school he attended was that conducted by Volney Willson in the upper room of a house which stood on the north side of the alley on the east side of Walnut street in the 200 block, a half square south of his present residence, and his recollection thus covers the whole of the period of Muncie's development since the early '40s. He well recalls the days when there was no bridge across the river at this point, ferry boats being used in times of high water and the ford, at the foot of High street, during the greater part of the year; and he has a distinct recollection of the erection of the first bridge, by Eleazar Coffeen, which years afterward was supplanted by the old covered bridge which about twenty-five years ago gave way to an iron bridge. Mr. Hibbits was milling here when the roller process of flour milling was inaugurated and he superintended the installation of a new roller equipment in the old mill, the second roller mill in Indiana. This mill first was operated by water power, in due time a steam plant was installed and for some years before it finally gave way to other demands had been operated by electrical power. Eleazar Coffeen, the bridge builder mentioned above, was a native of Vermont, born in 1799, and was a cousin of Goldsmith Coffeen Gilbert, the founder of Muncietown. In 1822 he became a resident of Ohio and in 1836 settled in Muncietown, where he became engaged in merchandising and milling. In the next year he was elected one of the associate judges for this circuit. In 1840 he served as representative in the Legislature from this district and was in many ways an active Pioneer. Judge Coffeen died in the summer of 1891 in his ninetysecond year.

Some Industries That Lost Their Hold

During the time of the natural gas "boom" along in the early '90s there were numerous industries established at Muncie which gave much promise for a time but which with the passing of the gas went out of business or were moved elsewhere. Several of these pertaining to the metal industries were absorbed by the "trusts"? which became so conspicuous a feature of industrial development about the beginning of the present century and were dismantled. Some others obviously were nothing but promotion schemes designed to draw such bonus as was awarded new factories and made little attempt to become permanent establishments. Of some of these latter not so much as the foundation stones remain. Some others could not face the financial and industrial depression that marked the middle '90s and quickly submitted to the inevitable, in not a few instances leaving unpleasant memories behind.

Among the once promising industries of which there now is not a trace to show where the plants once stood was the plant of the White River Iron Works on the Yorktown pike and of a rubber works in the west part of town. Another was the Midland Steel Works on South Walnut street, which was absorbed by the '"'trust,'"' and another was the once well known "Grasshopper" iron mill in the southeast part of town. The site now occupied by the school furniture and lawn mower plant once was occupied by the Janney mill, a promising engine works. The Darnell iron mills on Ohio avenue also went the way of unsuccessful enterprises. A promising wagon works on East Jackson street, across the river, was another of these bursted bubbles, as was a hollow-ware plant which was started at the point now occupied by the wire mill. A wheel works, long an important industry on Ohio avenue, gave up many years ago, as did a skewer factory which occupied the site now occupied by the Kirby-Wood mill. Where the Moore manufacturing plant now is located there was once a promising stove works. The Bolt glass works in the west part of town and the Maring-Hart glass works and the Over glass works in the Boyceton suburb did not survive changing conditions. And who of that generation will forget the plant which was erected on a part of the site now covered by McCulloch park back in the early '90s for the manufacture of reapers and mowers? Of flimsy wooden construction, set up on wooden piles, this factory made a noble blaze when it presently was destroyed by fire.

In the spring of 1895 the old Buck Creek flour mill, just southwest of town, was destroyed by fire. Two other fires in that same spring were those which destroyed the plant of the American Skewer Company in Hoyt avenue and the plant of the Architectural Iron Company. In that same spring was announced the failure of the Findlay Rolling Mill Company, which had been operating here the plant of the old Muncie nail works. Among the individual enterprises set up hereabout during gas days were two lamp-black works which were operated in the Eaton neighborhood for some time, the soot from burning gas being utilized. Another of the enterprises of that period was a strawboard works on the west side, Muncie, now occupied by the Ball paper mill. 'West Muncie," an ambitious manufacturing suburb just across the creek from Yorktown, was promising much early in 1898 and the Lake View hotel there, so called from its situation alongside a promised lake to be formed by the damming of the creek, was opened with a flourish of trumpets and a "reception and grand ball" by the Muncie lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. That was another industrial dream that did not materialize, as is set out elsewhere. All in all, there were many bursted industrial bubbles here during those strenuous times, the whole story of which would make a book in itself.

The Western Reserve Life Insurance Company

Among the notable institutions of Delaware county reference ought to be made to the Western Reserve Life Insurance Company of Muncie. This company was organized on July 23, 1906, as an association "for the purpose of organizing a mutual life insurance company to conduct its business on the stipulated premium or assessment plan." The initial subscribers to these articles of association were David P. Campbell, Charles Gough, John W. Dragoo, August A. Braun, Charles O. Prutzman, Carl Tuhey, Harry H. Orr, Marion A. Cunningham, Jacob D. Miltenberger, Arthur T. Wells, Lucius L. Ball, J. Harve Leffler, Milton H. Pierson, David W. Stewart, John L. Laur, William A. Groom, William McKenzie, David A. McLain, Albert Gough, Frank D. Haimbaugh and Eli Hoover. On July 2, 1907, this company was reorganized and reincorporated as a mutual legal reserve life insurance company, and then, in January, 1910, was reorganized and reincorporated on the basis of its present stock-company plan, with a capital stock of $100,000, divided into 10,000 shares of the par value of $10 each. In these reincorporation papers it was set out that "the general objects of this company shall be to make insurance upon the stock principle, upon the lives of individuals, and to make and issue every insurance appertaining thereto or connected therewith, including insurance against permanent mental or physical disability resulting from accident or disease, combined with a policy of life insurance, and to grant and purchase annuities."" On December 1, 1911, the capital stock of the company was increased to $150,000. About 1916 the company bought the Vatet building occupying the northeast corner of Jackson and High streets, one of the best office buildings in eastern Indiana, and has since had its headquarters there, now occupying a large part of the fourth floor of that building, where it has admirably arranged general offices.

The prudential affairs of the Western Reserve Life Insurance Company are vested in a board of directors now (19238) consisting of Dr. L. L. Ball, J. H. Leffler, John W. Dragoo, Eli Hoover, Frank D. Haimbaugh (late deceased), C. O. Prutzman, M. A. Cunningham, C. L. Kirk and C. K. Wallace. J. H. Leffler is president of the company, C. O. Prutzman is vice president, John W. Dragoo is secretary and L. E. Pogue is acting treasurer. The current annual report of this company shows capital stock paid up, $101,490; admitted assets, $618,085, and liabilities, $506,993.