Madison County, Indiana - Chapter 51, 1897

Chapter 51

The handsome and substantial wooden covered bridge spanning White river at Anderson, where the present magnificent iron bridge stands, near the cemetery on North Main street, was, on the morning of November 23, 1883, swept away by a terrific flood, the effect of a week's heavy rain. The crashing and falling timber arrested the attention of people in the vicinity and all eyes were turned toward the bridge just in time to see that old landmark break in two and sink into the angrv waters. The water had undermined the middle pier until the weight caused it to tilt over to the west. Two large sycamore trees standing near the west end prevented it from being carried away entirely by the current.

This old bridge was one of the landmarks in the history and prosperity of Madison county. It was built in the years 1863 and 1864, upon the Buckingham truss plan, and was constructed by the County Commissioners, who made an appropriation out of the county funds for that purpose. A large number of tax payers of the county also subscribed to the fund, giving their notes, some of ^vhich were never redeemed and are yet on file as mementos in the office of the County Auditor. Mr. William Crim was superintendent of the work and Benjamin Thomas, contractor for the masonry and G. W. Webster, of Grant county, for building the superstructure. It cost $20,000 and was in its day the best bridge within a radius of fifty miles.

Immediately upon the washing away of this bridge the Auditor of Madison county convened the Board of Commissioners in special session and steps were taken to erect an iron structure in its place. They advertised for sealed proposals, and after examining the same tlie contract for building the new bridge was awarded to the firm of McCormack & Sweeney, who were then engaged in building the court house. These gentlemen secured the contract for the stone work, and the contract for the superstructure was awarded to the Massillon Bridge Co. The new bridge was completed in 1884. Some interesting reminiscences relative to the old bridge will be found in another part of this volume.

The First Gas Light In Anderson

Prior to the year 1S65 Anderson was but a small unimportant country town, and existed only as an ordinary town corporation. In the spring of that year it began to show signs of improvement and an increase of population, and the citizens concluded that Anderson could best subserve the interests of the taxpayers and the people by throwing off its town garb and assuming the proportions of a city. Accordingly at a meeting held at the court house, it was resolved to take on city airs, and Milton M. Harriman was appointed to take a census in order to ascertain the population, and see if the town possessed a sufficient number of people to entitle it to a city charter, the required number under the statute being 2,000. It is said that Mr. Harriman in taking the enumeration, not only copied the names on the hotel register, but also visited the cities of the dead, and secured names from the tombstones, in order to get the required number. Be this as it may, a sufficiency was obtained, and in the spring of that vear Anderson obtained a charter and became a city. R. N. Williams, Esq., was elected Mayor to serve until the next general election ; Milton M. Harriman was chosen marshal, and Calvin D. Thompson, Esq., elected city clerk, and Joseph Fulton treasurer, who all held their offices until the general election in the spring of 1866. During Harriman's incumbency as marshal he agitated the subject of lighting the streets. He and John P. Barnes, who was then a member of the city council, contracted for and erected iron posts around the business part of the city, which were lighted with coal-oil lamps. These contrivances served to furnish light until 1875. In the spring of that year the agitation for more light became so general among the tax-payers that the city council contracted with Mr. P. F. Good, of Ashtabula, Ohio, and H. C. Bardwell, of New York, and gave them a franchise of the streets of the city for a term of twenty years. These gentlemen immediately %vent to work to erect a gas plant for the purpose of furnishing light to private consumers, as well as for lighting the streets of the citj'. On the 2d of July, 1875, the work of putting in the plant was completed and accepted by the council, and on the evening of the 3d of July, for the first time in her history, Anderson was lighted by gas. On that evening the streets, stores and residences provided with gas facilities were beautifully illuminated. The city began to assume something of a metropolitan character. The great superiority of illuminating gas for artificial light over the usual methods of coal-oil lamps was very forcibly illustrated. Stores that had heretofore been provided with a multitude of lamps, and but dimly lighted at that, now almost shone with the brightness of noonday. People who had lighted their dwellings were happy to find a flood of soft light illuminating their rooms, a thing which they had never dreamed was possible.

The gas was generally considered to be good and gave the utmost satisfaction. The mains were then limited to the following territory : Main street, from the Bee Line depot to the Pan-Handle railway ; Meridian street, from the Bee Line railway to Hanna street ; Jackson street, from Lane to Anderson ; William street, from Main to the Catholic church ; Bolivar street, from Jackson to Delaware ; Anderson street, from Main to the Fair Grounds ; East Washington street, from Meridian to Water street; Lane street, from Jackson to Brown street; Hamilton street, from Meridian west to its terminus; Hanna street, from Meridian to its western terminus.

P. F. Good & Co. operated the plant for about one year under the superintendency of J. C. Lord, who is now in charge of a similar institution at Fort Worth, Texas. Mr. N. C. McCullough, late President of the Citizens' Bank of Anderson, investigate'd the profits of this enterprise and became satisfied that it was a financial success and purchased the entire stock of the original owners and operated it successfully until 1887, when the finding of natural gas in Anderson destroyed its usefulness. The old building and tank that now stand at the foot of Eighth street on the line of the Pan- Handle Railway are silent monuments to what was once considered one of the best paying " bits '" of property within the city limits and are now slowly going to decay.

Free Mail Delivery In Anderson

On the 3rd of June, 1890, the free mail delivery was inaugurated under an order from the post-office department. Postmaster H. J. Daniels appointed Charles .Stewart, Jacob Bravy, Joseph Morrey and Kinkaid to be letter carriers.

which appointments were confirmed by the government. Charles Stewart was allowed a horse, beiiiir the first mail-carrier in Anderson to deliver mail in that manner. Each carrier was required to give a bond of $1,000 to be approved by the Postmaster General for the faithful performance of his duty. Each carrier was to receive as a compensation for his services $600 for the first year's work and $8QP for the second. There were distributed through the difTerent portions of the city 30 mail boxes for the collection of mail matter. These boxes were located under the direction of Postmaster Daniels. The mail-carriers were required to make four trips a day for the delivery and collection of mail. After the adoption of the free delivery system, dropped letters were required to have a two-cent postage stamp, whereas before that time they only required a one cent stamp. Parker Short and Charles Tyre were appointed as substitutes, their duty being to take the place of the regular carriers when any of them were sick or taking their vacation. This was a great event in the history of Anderson and marked a new era in the city's progress. We speak of this matter in order that hereafter the residents of Anderson, when it becomes a metropolitan city, may look back to the establishment of the first free mail delivery here, and note the changes that have taken place.

First Natural Gas Accident

During the laying of the mains for the Citizens' Natural Gas Company of Anderson, in September, 1887, a bad accident occurred, by which John Clancy, a laborer, was severely injured and rendered a cripple for life. His leg was broken, his shoulder dislocated, and he was otherwise severely bruised. The men were working at the time on West Eleventh street near the corner of School, when the accident took place. It wascustomarv in putting down pipe to test the strength of it after the connection had been made by turning on a full pressure of gas from the wells. This had been done in this instance, and the pipe proving to be of sufficient strength, the men at the well were signalled to turn off the gas, the plug was removed from the end of the main, when almost instantly the gas was turned on again from some cause, and came rushing through the pipe with dreadful force. The last joint that had been attached to the line bursted with a terrific noise, being heard for several squares, and a section of pipe 20 feet long was torn, loose from its fastening and whirled against the fence on the opposite side of the street. The air was filled with the black, escaping gas, which coupled with the noise it produced caused great consternation among the working men and the people in that vicinity. Several parties were slightly bruised, but John Clancy was the worst injured. He was standing close to the pipe when the accident occurred. He was struck by the flying mass of iron> and his left leg broken and badly mangled. The bone protruded through the flesh and was severely mutilated. The left shoulder was also dislocated and other bodily bruises were inflicted. Clancy was immediately taken to his home and Drs. H. E. Jones and Geo. F. Chittenden were called to his relief. It was at first thought that amputation of the limb would be necessary, but to this Mr. Clancy strenuously objected. By the wonderful skill displayed by the physicians his limb was saved and a permanent cure was effected, although to some extent Clancy -was rendered a cripple.

Mr. Clancy is yet living in Anderson, and after his recovery served for several years as janitor of one of the public school buildings. H. J. Bronnenberg was at the time of the accident superintendent of the Citizens' Gas Company and had charge of laying the mains. He gave it as his opinion that the cause of the accident was due to the disobedience of his order in the turning on and off the gas at the well.

The gas company realizing that there might be a chance for litigation and damages went to work to effect a compromise with Mr. Clancy which they consummated by paying him handsomely, and attending to him during his confinement at his home. They paid all his doctor bills and other expenses in consideration of which he gave tlie company a receipt in full and a release from any suit for damages.

On the 20th of August, 1890, Anderson was visited by some of the most learned and distinguished educators and scientists in the United States. They were chaperoned by Hon. Charles W. Fairbanks, of Indianapolis. They visited this locality for the purpose of investigating the natural gas field. It had been announced for a day or two prior to their arrival that the gentlemen would at first go to Indianapolis and then come to Anderson. The Board of Trade at Anderson held an impromptu meeting and appointed a reception committee to welcome the visitors and show them about the city. The committee consisted of ISIajor Dixon C. Williams, Hon. Charles L. Henry, Hon. W. T. Diirbin, John L. Forkner, John H. Terhune, George Nichol and Stephen Metcalf. They \vere met at the train by Hon. Chas. L. Henry and IMajor Dixon C. Williams, who gave each of the distinguished persons a beautiful souvenir, and a meal ticket at the Hotel Doxey, and also tickets for passage on the street cars. Carriages were also in \vaiting, which, together with the street railway, were at the disposal of the visitors to convey them to the hotel and places of public interest. After a substantial meal had been served they were conducted to the beautiful Riverside Park, where an exhibition, the like of which they had never before seen, was given them. Old " Vesuvius," the monster gas well on the river bank, \vas turned loose into the river \vith about sixty feet of pipe extending into the water, and the gas was ignited, thus affording the visitors one of the grandest sights upon which the human eye ever rested. These learned gentlemen, accustomed to ferreting out the secrets locked up in the subterranean chambers of Mother Earth, looked upon the sight with amazement, mingled with awe, and were unable to realize that what they had witnessed was a factor of nature subserved to the use of man.

After this exhibition the visitors were conducted to the Doxey Opera House, where they were entertained with speechmaking and fraternal greetings. Hon. Charles L. Henry came forward and delivered the following address :

" Ladies and Gentlemen and Members of the American Association for the Advancement of Science : I am heartily glad to have you among us. I regret that we have been obliged to lay aside some of our plans for entertaining you. We had hoped to have you here a few hours in the day-time, so that we could ha^-e shown you our pleasant little city. We hope you have had a pleasant tour through the town, and we welcome you because we are glad to have 3'ou with us."

" I don't think I ever met with such a hearty welcome as you have given us. Before reaching your city I was handed a street-car ticket, and when I alighted at the station I stepped into the car to go to the hotel. I was immediately notified to get out of the car, and being obedient, I was transferred to a carriage that was driven by Judge ^1. A. Chip- man, which I found was a good change from the rear of a street car. Say, you are the only people I ever saw ^vho set a river on fire.'' Professor Mason also expressed the hope that Anderson would have a happy and prosperous future.

Short addresses were also made by Hon. C. W. Fairbanks, Professor Goodale, of Harvard; Ellery Avery, of Cleveland : Professor Coulter, of A\'abash College ; Mayor Sullivan of Indianapolis; Hon. John Jiiy, of London, England; Professor Mill, of Alabama, and H. X. Brown, of the Indianapo lis A^ezvs, who responded to a toa'.t pioposed to the press in a happy manner, and elicited loud applause. The opera house this occasion \vas packed to its fullest capacity- by the citizens of Anderson, \vho listened with delight to the eloquent and instructive addresses that were made. This was one of the happiest meetings that ever took place in the city of Anderson. It sowed broadcast, not only in the United States, but in the countries across the Atlantic, the great advantages that Madison county possessed, and was one of the chief sources of adding to Anderson's prosperity, and was the means of bringing to her borders manufacturing and commercial industries. Perhaps never in the history of Anderson she again be honored with so many wise heads at one meeting as were assembled on this occasion.

The First Singing Teacher In Anderson

The old-timers learned to sing as well as the present gen- -eration, and when they worshiped God it was not done by a brass band and pipe organ, but by preaching without money and without price, and by singing psalms by the word of mouth.

The first instructor in vocal music in Anderson was Joseph Shannon, the father of Thomas Shannon, who now^ resides in this city. He taught the pioneers the beauties of the "scale" and how to do-ra-me-do, in 1832. James Hollingsworth and many others yet living were under his tutorship.

During the j-ear 1883, Dr. Horace E. Jones, who is a prominent member of the order of Odd Fellows, organized a military company, which afterwards proved to be one of the best disciplined and most thoroughly drilled companies in the United States. They were members of the Independent of Odd Fellows, and, under a dispensation granted by the Grand Master, assumed the name of "Uniformed Patriarchs." They had a splendid cornet band, composed of members of the organization, under the superb leadership of Dallas K. Elliott, who w^as the acknowledged champion of the western country as a cornet player. This company, after being thoroughly drilled by Captain Jones, set out to capture every prize that was offered at the competitive drills in different cities throughout the countrj-. One of their contests was at Indianapolis, in the month of May, 1884, when they drilled upon the State Fair grounds against several of the leading organizations in the State, the judges being Colonel Nicholas R. Ruckle, Major J. R. Ross and Major J. R. Carnahan. The}- performed their evolutions with remarkable celerity and exactness, so much so that the committee promptly awarded them the first prize.

Upon their return to Anderson they were given a grand ovation by the people, and a banquet was spread at the Doxey House in their honor. At Chicago, in 1883, they contested with several companies, prominent among which \vas one commanded by Colonel Eddy, of New York, who had promulgated the original tactics used by these organizations. The Anderson company was at a disadvantage on the grounds where the drill took place, as thej' ^vere at quite a distance from the judges' stand, and had it not been for this thej' would have received the first prize ; as it was, they carried off the second. Later on, at Columbus, Ohio, in the contest of all the leading Patriarchs of the United States, they were easily the winners of the first prize. The band on this occasion was also the recipient of a handsome medal. At Lake Minnetonka, near St. Paul, Minn., in 1886, this company took first prize against all competitors.

The Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows, however, from some cause unknown to the writer, took exception to the military features of this organization and placed a "damper" upon it by ordering it to disband. Since this time Anderson has hot enjoved the privilege of beholding the military bearing and recounting the achievements of such a military organization.

Dr. H. E. Jones is undoubtedly one of the best drillmasters in the United States, having had a thorough military education in the United States navy and is besides naturally of a military turn of mind. He, as well as the entire population of Anderson, was very proud of this organization and was very sorry to see it disband.

The most gorgeous and dazzling aggregation of burnt cork artists ever organized by a home talent company, was the result of the young men of Anderson getting the " minstrel fever " in the spring of 1867. The company bore the name of " Susette & Clifton's Plantation ^Minstrels, combined with O'Neil & jMunson's Burlesque Opera."

It was headed by William E. Cook, who was at one time the editor of the Ajidci%oii Slandai-d and later the founder of the Plaiiidcalcr, the immediate predecessor of the Anderson Democrat.

With him were associated many of the young men of Anderson, some of whom have become successful business men. Daniel F. Mustard, the banker, was one of the musicians who belonged to the band that accompanied the show, consisting of twenty-four pieces. David A. Ranck, a prominent business man of Chicago, was also a member of the party.

Thomas H. O'Neil afterwards a famous newspaper correspondent, and at one time the train dispatcher for a railroad company, was one of the "stars" on the stage, and did some clever work.

The company gave an exhibition in the old Union Hall to a crowded house after which it went by wagons to Marion, Ind., there being no railroad from Anderson to that place, where they showed one night.

On returning to Anderson for a few nights' rehearsal they went to Logansport, and made a one-night stand to a moderate house. From Logansport they went to Delphi where the company disbanded from the lack of patronage and by reason of the treasurer "taking a walk" with the cash he took in at the door, leaving the boys, some of whom had to walk out of town. Samuel D. Makepeace was musical director, and got possession of the band instruments and tramped out of the place with several brass horns and a bass drum strapped around his body, and did not return to Anderson for several years thereafter. Mr. IMakepeace is yet living, and is engaged in the profession of instructor in band music in which he is quite proficient.

The writer was not a member of this company, although he had a small contribution of money in it, and a handsome base ball uniform upon which he fondly doted, that went up in the wreck.

History Ok Madison Coitntv, Indiana

Tliomus H. O'Neil sang a soni;; entitled, '- Hark, I Hear an Angel Sing,'' with much pathos and brought fortii loud applause. He also made a burlesque " stump speech" that was simply superb, and filled the house with laughter. It was full of local hits that all enjoyed.

After the boys all strolled back to their homes they each settled down to quiet lives fully satisfied with their brief stage experience. William .Snelson, who is now a prominent physician in Iowa, took the company to Marion in two large farm wagons to fill their engagement there, and brought them back to Anderson.

At Marion the performance did not come up to the standard of the amusement going people's ideas, and serious trouble was averted by Mr. William Neal, a prominent citizen of the place, quieting the disturbing element.

Among the most prominent members of this party, were Capt. Henry Vineyard and Capt. Leroy Anderson. They were the business managers and "did" the financial " act'' for the company.

Wm. E. Cook, the originator, afterwards drifted to San Francisco, California, where he was engaged in the job printing business when Gen. Grant made his famous trip around the world, and printed the souvenir cards for the menu at the banquet given in honor of the distinguished guest when in that city. Cook finally went to Honolulu and it is said died there several years since.

In Anderson's early history such a thing as a Labor Day demonstration would never have been thought of, as but a few factories were located here, and but few people earned their livelihood by working at difi'erent trades in these industries. The first Labor Day demonstration held in Anderson took place on the 7th of September, 1891. It was one of the grandest parades that ever occurred in the city. Bands of music and banners were in the procession and thousands of people in line, and the parade moved with a precision and regularity as though it was conscious of the impression it made upon those who witnessed the scene. Everv store and business place was closed, and farmers, laborers, lawyers and clerks mingled in one iiappy mass to celebrate this event. It was estimated that fully twenty thousand people took part principal streets of the city the march was taken up to the park of the Madison County Trotting Association, in North Anderson, where a meeting was held, being addressed by Moses Hull, of Chicago, C. A. Robinson and J. A. Allen. Jeremiah O'Sullivan acted as grand marshal of the procession. The Anderson Fire Department turned out with two hose wagons and the hook and ladder trucks. The wheels of their apparatuses were decorated with the American flags and presented a very beautiful appearance. Many of the merchants turned out with their wagons trimmed with bunting and laden with merchandise of different kinds, adding splendor to the occasion. As this was the first demonstration of this kind in Madison county, it made a deep impression upon the people and brought forcibly to their minds the importance of the laboring classes to the community. The final climax to the day took place at Music Hall, in the evening, where a merry dance and other ceremonies took place.

Since this memorable occasion Anderson has always observed Labor Day and it has become one of the holidays that is looked forward to witii pleasure by the people at large.

A Haunted House In Anderson

At the corner of Meridian and Fifth streets in the city of Anderson, now occupied by tiie spacious dwelling of James Wellington, there stood a neat frame cottage. On the 8th day of June, 1877, it was whispered around from house to house that this dwelling was haunted. It was owned by James Wellington and occupied by Isaac Sharp and Frank Knight as tenants. These two families lived in the building for quite awhile, and nothing had ever occurred to disturb tlieir neighborly relations, or to vex the current of their domestic lives. They glided along life's gentle stream without a ripple. About 7 o'clock one evening a loud noise was heard at the front door, and it was answered simultaneously by both ladies going to their respective doors ; but on opening the front door they saw no one there. They were considerably startled. The mysterious noises were heard again at occasional intervals until 9 o'clock that evening, the ladies growing more and more disturbed with each repetition. The raps, as described, were very loud and clear; in fact, the neicrhbors living on opposite sides of the street could hear them distinctly, and, to use the description of one of these, it

The rapping was again heard that night, and when tlie ladies spoke of it to their husbands they only laughed at them. The next morning at it o'clock the sounds were again heard, and were kept up almost incessantly during the day. It began operations next morning an hour earlier than the preceding day. In tlie meantime it seemed to have passed the Rubicon and was knocking incessantly around the interior of the house, first at one point and then another, but showing a decided partiality for the hall, with an inclination to go upstairs. The raps no\v became quite loud and sounded like the knocks of a gun upon the floor.

The men of the house, however, were not favored with the visitation that so distinctly jarred upon the ladies. On the next evening, being Saturday, and the unmistakable evi- <lences being present that there was some supernatural agency at work, Mr. Isaac Sharp left his place of business at an earlier hour than usual and went home, and with his aricular organs waited and watched to the keenest point of curiosity, and was hoping that the mysterious agent would furnish him with some of its knocks to gratify him, even saj'ing he would give a hundred dollars to hear it just once, when rap, rap, rap, came through the stillness of the room, and Mr. Sharp was so disturbed and frightened that he at once got out of bed and lighted a lamp; then he went to watching and stayed up the remainder of the night. At 4 o'clock in the morning the rapping began again and continued until 9 o'clock, and was so loud and noisy that it attracted the attention of Mr. Lafe Burr, who at that time lived on the opposite corner.

The news spread through the city in relation to the haunted house and thousands of people from all quarters flocked to the scene of the strange phenomena. Mr. Wellington, the ovv'ner of the house, acting upon the advice of many credulous people, had the floor raised, expecting the cause to be discovered in loose boards or some natural reason. But the search was unsuccessful and nothing was discovered that might account for the mystery. A great many people who believed in ghosts and spirits became interested in the affair and declared it was nothing less than "spirit rappings." Accordingly mediums came from different directions within and without the city and demanded admission into the house to hold communion with the spirits, which was denied by the occupants of the liouse, and came near causing serious trouble. The whole population in Anderson and the surrounding country became wrought up over it. The newspapers in other cities sent reporters to the scene and asked for dispatches in relation to it. Some went so far as to have cuts made of the building and to print long accounts of the mysterious affair.

It was afterwards developed that the whole thing wa.*; only a trick of one of the lady occupants, who was a servant in one of the families in the house. She had invented the contrivance in the back part of the stairway, which she could manage by stepping on a certain board, or pulling a wire, unnoticed by the people, and cause the knocking. In this way she could at her will produce this unearthly noise.

This was a sad blow to those who had gone so far as to stake their existence, and who were willing to wager their earthly possessions, that it \vas spirits.

The affair in due time blew over but these two families separated and found homes in different parts of the city; and had no desire to again occupy the premises. This house still stands on the lots now owned by H. B. Reed, on North Delaware street, where it was removed to give way to Mr. Wellington's new home, that now occupies its former site.

A newspaper in Helena, Montana, had a picture of this house, and a three column, blood-curdling account of it, which was mailed to some friends in Anderson.

One old gentleman, who lives in Madison county, came from his home and demanded admittance and was finally allowed to go in. He proceeded to the corner where the noise had been coming from, and striking an attitude, he exclaimed : " If you are a spirit speak to me.'* This he repeated several times. At last when he was not looking for it, " bang, bang, bang " it went. It is said he flew out over chairs, tables and anything else that came in his way, and he " never came back."