Madison County, Indiana - Chapter 34, 1897

City Civil Engineers

From 1805-OiS the city had no civil engineer, but in tiie spring of the latter j'ear, W. G. Ethell was selected by the council for that position and he performed its duties for a period of ten years, or until 1878, when he was succeeded by A. D. Williams, since wliich the position has been held by the following persons: Henry Rawie, C. S. Slayback, E. M. Culp, Harry Rogers.

City School Board

The following are the names of those who liave served as trustee of Anderson township from 1859 to the present time. Previous to that time the office was not in existence. The first trustee elected was Daniel Gundcr. Then followed in their order, Alfred Rulon, E. J. Walden, R. D. Traster, Samuel Myers, S. M. Hodson, E. J. Walden, B. B. Campbell, Thomas P. Kelly. Mr Kelly served as trustee for seven years, and was succeeded in 1896 by the present incumbent, Mr. George W. Shreeve.

Anderson Postofkice

The first postoffice was establisiied at Anderson in 1881, and the first postmaster was Robert N. Williams, who being both Auditor and Clerk of the county at that time, kept the office in the Clerk's office. There was but one mail route through the township. This route extended from Indianapolis to Noblesville, and from that place to Perkinsville, thence to Anderson, New Castle and Richmond. Among the first mail carriers was Martin L. Bundy, who is still living and enjoying not only the comforts of a happy home at New Castle, Indiana, but the respect of those who know him everywhere. There were no stage or mail coaches in this part of the State at that time, and the mail was carried on horseback, two trips a week being made by the mail carrier. Mr. Williams was succeeded as postmaster by Col. Ninevah Berry in 1889. Col. Berry is entitled to the credit of introducing the free delivery system in Indiana, as it is said that he carried his office around in his hat, and whenever a letter came for a citizen of the town all that was necessary to get the same was to hunt up the Colonel who would produce the letter from his hat.

Richard Lake was the next postmaster, and for a while kept the postoffice in the building occupied by Adam Reed, on the south side of the square, which was burned in the conflagration of 1851. With the change of the national administration, Townsend Sharp succeeded to the office. He in turn was succeeded by George W. Bowen, and he by John II. Davis, who served but a short time, when owing to the sale of a store by Davis to Colonel Berrj', the latter became postmaster again. Joseph Fulton followed Colonel Berry, and held the office for a period of eight years, or during the administrations of Franklin Pierce and James Buchanan, with the exception of a few months, during which time a Mr. McCallister had charge. With the election of Mr. Lincoln to the presidencj-, W. II. II. Lewis, editor of the Madison County Republican, was appointed postmaster and served four years, when H. J. Brown, who was also an editor and formerly proprietor of a paper called T/ie Loyal American, was appointed to the office. Brown ^vent into office in April, 1865, and retired in July, 1878, Stephen Metcalf, editor and proprietor of the Anderson Herald, having been appointed to succeed him. Mr. Metcalf was the first postmaster to introduce lock boxes for the benefit of patrons of the office. They were placed in the office December, 1878. Mr. Metcalf retired from the office in Tuly, 1885, having served seven years. He was succeeded by John W. Pence, who was appointed by Grover Cleveland. Mr. Pence served a little over three years, when, owing to a long-cherished desire to make an extended visit to Europe and the Holy Land, he retired before his commission expired, and H. J. Daniels was appointed by President Harrison to administer the affairs of the office. The impetus given to business following the discovery of natural gas increased the labors of the office proportionately, and in September, 1890, the free delivery system of letters was established. Postmaster Daniels appointed Charles Stewart, J. J. Bravy, R. P. Falknor and J. R. Morey letter-carriers for the four districts into which the citj' was divided.

The population of the city was increasing verj* rapidly at this time and shortly after these letter carriers were appointed it became necessary to appoint two more, and Theodore Zion and Albert Campbell were appointed. Mr. Daniels served until April 1st, 1893, when Dale J. Crittenberger, editor of the Anderson Daily and Weekly Democrat, took charge of the office under an appointment made by President Cleveland, he having succeeded Mr. Harrison to the presidency. Mr. Crittenberger was and is a stalwart Democrat who believes in the doctrine that "to the victors belong the spoils." He also believes that a man who holds a political office and is required to give bond for the discharge of its duties should be permitted to surround himself with assistants who not onlv hold the same political views that he does, but who are personally agreeable. The letter-carriers appointed by Postmaster Daniels, knowing that Mr. Crittenberger held these views and not being in sympathy with him, (excepting Albert Campbell) tendered their resignations soon after he took possession of the office. They were succeeded by the following force of carriers appointed by Postmaster Crittenberger: Clarence Richwine, John L. Fraley, W. E. Swann, John C. Cory, Charles D. Hunt, Timothy Carey, Edward R. Call, Edward Wells, Albert Campbell and Thomas Campbell, the latter a substitute. Mr. Crittenberger appointed Mr. ^^'alter Isanogle deputy postmaster.

The Population Of Anderson

The population of Anderson in 1830 was loO (estimated) ; in 1840, as shown by the census, 350; in 1850 it was 882; in 1860 it was 1,168 ; in 1870 it was 3,126 ; in 1880 it was 4,126 ; and in 1890 10,741. The estimated population at the present time, including North Anderson and Park Place, is £2,000. This estimate is based on the school enumeration, and is regarded as conservative. The growth of the city has been next to marvelous, yet none the less substantial in its character.

The Hotels Of Anderson

The tirst hotel, or ''tavern," in Anderson was conducted by John Berry, the founder of the town. His " tavern " was situated near the center of the west side of the square, and was constructed of hewed logs. It was a two-story building and afl'orded accommodations in the way of provender and beds that were the boast of the proprietor. The lawyers who the circuit'" in those days stopped at this " tavern " during their staj- in Anderson, and enjoyed its generous hospitality. Here, after court had adjourned for the dav, tlie judge, lawyers, and frequently the litigants, would assemble and " spin yarns '" until " bed time." An amusing incident is here appropriated from Hon. (). H. Smiths " Early Indiana Trials and Sketches "" concerning this tavern and its proprietor :

" The thousand and one amusing incidents that occurred on tiife circuit, with tiie bar, will never find tlieir wav to paper. I may be excused, however, on account of the parties, for rescuing one of them from the common fate. James Whitcomb, Calvin Fletcher, Harvey (iregg and Hiram I?rown, of the Indianapolis bar, ' put up," as we sav in the West, at the tavern of Captain John Berr}-, at Andersontown. Whitcomb was a perfect gentleman in his person and dress. He must shave every morning and put on a clean shirt ; but as it was difficult to get washing done on the circuit, he put several clean shirts in his portmanteau and carried a nigiit-shirt to sleep in, always changing as he went to bed. Mr. Fletcher was a great wag, continually annoying Mr. Whitcomb, and sometimes others, with innocent tricks.

Captain Berry prided himself upon his tavern, and would often boast that there might be better houses in New York, so far as the table was concerned, but as to his beds they could not be excelled in tiie United States ; tiiat he had been to the great Astor House, before he opened, to see how things were done. He had not been at the table a minute before they presented his bill, and an impudent waiter asked him if he would have tea or coffee, and when he told him he would take tea, he asked him what kind of tea ; he said 'store tea, to be sure.' The Captain had traveled the whole length of Broadway on Sunday, was invited into church while the organs were playing, but excused himself on the ground that he never danced, and if he did, he would not dance on Sunday. A single word against his tavern, his table or his lodging rooms, was taken by the Captain as a great insult, and immediately resented without regard to persons. Fletcher knew the Captain well. They were intimate friends. Taking the Captain to one side Fletcher said, 'Do you know, Capt. Berry, what Mr. Whitcomb is saving about your beds?' 'I do not - what did he say.-' 'If you will not mention my name, as vou are mv particular friend, I will tell you. "L'pon my honor I will never mention vour name - what did he say-' 'He said your sheets were so dirty that he had to pull off his shirt every night and put on a dirty shirt to sleep in.' 'I'll watch him to-night.' Bedtime came. Captain Berry was looking through the opening of the door when Mr. Whitcomb took his night shirt out of his portmanteau and began taking off his day shirt. Captain Berry pushed open the door, sprang upon Whitcomb and threw him upon tiie bed. The noise brought in Mr. Fletcher and the other lawyers, and after explanations and apologies on all sides the matter was settled. But Mr. Whitcomb, years afterwards, as he told me, found out what he suspected at the time, that Mr. Fletcher was at the bottom of the whole matter."'

The next tavern keeper" in Anderson was William, or " Uncle Billy,"' Myers, as he was affectionately called by those who knew him. His first -' tavern " was a two-story loghouse, situated on the south side of the square. This building, as we have noted elsewhere, was burned in 1851. The day upon which the " tavern "' burned, Mr. Myers purchased ,i building where the Columbia Hotel now stands, of John W. Thornton and converted it into a public hostelry. He remained here for a number of years, subsequently purchasing a two-story brick house on the east side of the square, of~Robert Wooster. This house stood where the Kaufman & Davis, or old Gruenewald building, now stands, and was known as the ''Myers House." He and his esteemed wife, "Aunt Julia" Myers, remained here until enfeebled by the weight of years, they disposed of their property and retired from business. In connection with the hotel business, Mr. Myers traded e.xtensively in furs, the forests in this part of the State at that time abounding in certain species of fur-bearing animals. It is related that on one occasion he bought a black coon-skin for which he paid an extra high price. He felt very proud of this rare pelt, and boasted of its possession to everybody he met. He had as boarders at the time a number of young men who enjoyed a joke, particularly of the practical kind, and they came to the conclusion that they would play a prank on the old gentleman in which his black coon-skin would cut an important figure. He kept his peltries in a small room just off the " bar-room," and the voung men waited an opportunity and purloined the valued pelt. Soon after a man appeared at the tavern and asked Mr. Myers if he was still buying furs, and upon being informed that he was, produced a black coon-skin. Mr. Myers soon came to terms with the man and the rest of the day was spent in expatiating upon the beauty of his two black coon-skins. In a day or two afterwards another man came along and offered a black coon-skin to Mr. Myers who was only too eager to buy it. This scheme was worked on the old gentleman a number of times and there is no telling how often he would have bought that coon-skin had it not been intimated to him that his boarders had been playing a trick upon him. He was very angry for awhile after discovering how he had been deceived, but finally got over it and acknowledged that it was a prett}- good joke even if he did get the worst of it.

Levi Antrim was another early " tavern-keeper," and was probably the first proprietor of the " tavern " on the east side of the square known subsequently as the Myers House, lie afterwards occupied a building that stood about where the residence erected by the late A. D. Williams on South Meridian street now stands. Mr. Antrim, like many other oldtime landlords, loved his toddy and frequently became intoxicated. A story is told by the old-timers to the effect that on one of these occasions he traded or sold a shot-gim to one of his boarders, who, it appears, was indebted to him for board. During the trade Antrim and his boarder had some sharp words concerning the unpaid bill, when the former, suddenly becoming confused as to who owed the bill, said to the boarder: "Well! d - d it, you take the gun and let it go on the debt if it is satisfactory to you!" As Antrim figured himself indebted to his boarder, his proposition was of course accepted. Mr. Antrim removed from Anderson a few years previous to the breaking out of the war of the rebellion.

erected in 1852 by Alfred Makepeace. The building was a three-story brick, located on the southwest corner of Ninth and Main streets, and in its day was one of the best known and most popular hotels in Central Indiana. The names of all the proprietors who dispensed good cheer in this hotel cannot be recalled, but among the number were Henry \'. Dehority, Henry W'hitmore, J. P. Crampton, A. W. Sullenberger, I'^rederick Cartwright and W. O. Terry.

Through strong competition, bad management and other causes perhaps, the property declined and after the death of Mr. Makepeace in 1^75 the building was torn down and the present business houses that occupy its site were erected.

The '- Burk Allen House" was also a popular hostelry in its day. The building occupied the present site of the Columbia Hotel and was the same that had been occupied by William Myers previous to his purchase of the famous old " Myers House," on the east side of the square. Mr. Allen changed the name of the hotel and provided entertainment for the traveling public for many years. A number of proprietors had charge of the property at different times, John Ross and Benjamin Sebrell being among the best known of the number. The property was finally bought by G. R. Griffith, who managed it with great success for a period of twenty years. In LSTT Mr. Griffith built a three-story brick addition to the frame building and in 1875* sold the frame to Miles Rozelle, who moved it to the south-east corner of Main and Eleventh streets, where it was used as a tenement house until the fall of 1895 when the old land-mark was torn down in order to give place to a brick business block. Mr. Griffith sold the brick hotel to Charles T. Doxey, who enlarged and improved the hotel and christened it the Columbia Hotel. Henry Perrett had charge of the property for a number of years, but conducted it more as a boarding house than a regular hotel. The property is now being successfully managed by Joseph Sharp.

The New Griffith House

This hotel is situated on the southeast corner of Meridian and Tenth streets, and was built by George R. Griffith in 1880. Mr. Griffith managed the property and business up to within a short time before his death, which occurred on January 1, 1895, liis son C. V. Griffith, succeeding him. This hotel is widely known and enjoys a large patronage. It is now being managed by Messrs. C. V. Griffith and C. M. Weklian. both of whom are acquainted by experience with the art of catering to the palate of the traveling public.

The Doxey House

This hotel is situated on the north-east corner of Main and Xinth streets, and was erected by Colonel T..X. Stilwell in 1869, at a cost of about !f8(),000. It was formally opened to the public as the " Stilwell House," in 1871, John Elliott being the first proprietor. lie managed the hotel for two years, at the expiration of which time Morrison & Petitt took charge of the property. They were succeeded by George R. Griffith, wiio occupied the property for four years with varying success. lie was followed by Thomas Baker, H. J. Brown and others.

The property was sold to N. C. McCullough on the 14th of April, 1875, by the administrator of the Stilwell estate, and in 187<i it was purchased by its present owner. Major C. T. Doxey.

The office of the hotel was originally on the second floor which was reached from the front entrance on Ninth street by a winding stairway, but in 1892 Major Doxey remodeled the building, and added all the modern improvements necessary to render its appearance not only attractive, but its accommodations first class. The property was then leased to William Leffler, who, after managing it with varying success for about a year, disposed of his interest to the present proprietors, W . II. Van Orinan & Sons.

This hotel back in the '70s was the scene of many of the most brilliant social events that have ever taken place in Anderson. Balls, receptions and social parties have been given here, that in point of elegance have never been surpassed in central Indiana.

This hotel was built in the year 1878, by Cal Lee. It i> situated on the north<vest corner of Meridian and Seventh streets, is three stories high and has thirty large well fmnished rooms for the accommodation of guests. Mr. Lee was the first proprietor, but only for a short time, as he leased the property to \V. O. Huston three months after it was thrown open to the public. The hotel has been under the manage-

The Iiotei, Anderson

Was erected in 1892, by Hon. J. W. Lovett and Dr. H. E. Jones. The building was not intended originally to be used for a hotel, but after it was completed its size and location, together witli other advantageous circumstances, induced its owners to change their plans with reference to its use, and it was converted into a place of entertainment for the traveling public. It is situateil on the west side of Meridian street, is three stories high with mansard roof, and architecturallv one of the handsomest buildings in the city. It has had several proprietors, the first being T. .S. Buckley. The present proprietor is Joseph Ilennings. Besides these hotels there are the Spencer House, the Florintine, Hiclvey House, Hotel Madison, and Harter House, all of which afford comforts and accommodations that recommend them to the public.