1900-1909 Life In Columbus/Bartholomew County

[David Sechrest]

This Thread is set aside for historic information relating to Columbus throughout the period from 1900 to 1909.

Thank you...

[David Sechrest]

From The Evening Republican, date believed to be sometime in January, 1900:

A Gang Of School Boys

have a den in Crump's Brick Yard near the river, where they smoke, swear, and play cards.

A gang of about one dozen boys have erected a brick house at Crump's old brickyard, west of the Mooney Tannery and they "play hookey" from school occasionally and congregate at their improvised home. A man investigated their premises the other day and found about eight boys present, all smoking, swearing, and playing cards, a big roaring fire burning in one corner of their house. They are reported to steal food, etc. away from home and take it to this place and cook it. The boys are the sons of respectable parents and it is believed that the visit of the truant officer to their den would break up this social enterprise of theirs.

[David Sechrest]

From The Evening Republican, dated January 23, 1900:

Three Cases Of Smallpox

have appeared in Reddington, a town about 15 miles from Columbus

Smallpox seems to be coming toward Bartholomew County. Three cases made themselves manifest in the family of George Baker, one-half mile west of Reddington in Jackson country yesterday. Mr. Baker, his wife and hired girl are down with the disease. They were reported smallpox but the people refused to believe it as true until Dr. Hunter confirmed this report yesterday evening.
Reddington is only about 3 miles from the Bartholomew County line on the Southern Indiana Railroad. It is not over a fifteen mile drive from Columbus to Reddington. From this it is seen that this dreaded plague is coming too close to be comfortable. Too much care to prevent the appearance of this disease cannot be exercised.

[David Sechrest]

We've been discussing the 1903-04 Bartholomew County Directory in the 1800's Thread (see the first post on Page 34). The Directory has been digitized by Google books and you'll find a link to the directory at the page mentioned.

If you pick up any of the City Directories from the 1950's, 1960's, etc., not only does the directory provide an alphabetical listing of names, but also a listing of businesses and residences by street. That's a nice feature that wasn't incorporated into the early directories.

Here's a partial listing of businesses on Washington Street from the 1903-04 directory (note that the "1/2" addressees are upstairs):


225 Washington St. Lyle & Prather (J. D. Lyle & R. W. Prather), hardwood lumber & crossties
229 Washington St. The Herald (Daily & Weekly) Dipboye & Locke publishers
303 Washington St. Irwin's Bank
306 Washington St. George W. Adamson, Dealer In Sewing Machines
321-325 Washington St. George Kitzinger & Sons, Bakers & Confectioners
324 Washington St. Clarence W. Adams Drugs
325-321 Washington St. George Kitzinger & Sons, Bakers & Confectioners
325 Washington St. First National Bank, F. T. Crump, Pres., H. Griffith, vice pres., Frank Griffith, cashier
328 Washington St. Fred Volland hardware
329 1/2 Washington St. Hacker & Spaugh, attorney at law
331 Washington St. H. M. Holmes, Druggist
331 1/2 Washington St. Everroad & Cooper, Cassius Cooper, attorney at law
401 Washington St. Hauser & Parker, Pharmacists
402 Washington St. Theo E. Otto, prescription druggist
407 Washington St. James L. Henry, prop., Saloon
408 Washington St. McSweeney (The only store in Columbus that does not carry shoddy shoes)
412 Washington St. E. Sergeant & Co., dry goods notions and dress goods
422 Washington St. White House, Joseph V. Hilger, prop.
424 1/2 Washington St. John M. Hickey, insurance fire & life, office room 4, Lucas Block
433 Washington St. Henry Brothers, barbers
519 Washington St. Hilger Brothers (John C. & Henry H.), merchant tailors & furnishers
527 Washington St. City Steam Laundry, Lowe Brothers, Props.
531-533 Washington St. G. I. Winans
533-531 Washington St. G. I. Winans
544 Washington St. W. A. Cheatham, Bicycles & Sewing Machines
601-603 Washington St. Davidson & Henderson
603-601 Washington St. Davidson & Henderson
607 1/2 Washington St. Citizens Telepone, M. F. Hosea, mgr.
619 Washington St. R. H. Gardner & Co. Plumbers, Gas, Steam Fitters
621 Washington St. Columbus Monument Co., Calvin D. Brewer & Belle McLeod, props.
625 Washington St. Hammond's Café, *Elijah Hammonds (Artie), prop., (*Ernest James, waiter)
629 Washington St. George T. McCoy, M. D. physician
1230 Washington St. Columbus Osteopathic Sanitarium, Dr. E. S. Morrow, Physician

[RER]

Complete Directory of Bartholomew County, Indiana, 1903-1904

Comment: Because of the date relationship and interest in this digital book, I am repeating this under the appropriate time frame at this tread. It is also posted in the 1800s decade tread because many names and businesses were actually established during the 1800s.

Now, you can view the whole digital book and much more at the address that is below. There are almost 300 pages to slowly read and analyze. What is also interesting are the commercial advertisements on most of the pages. Many of these names, business were there in the late 1800s. The pages show names, trades, locations, townships, towns and pictures top and bottom within the pages.

Enjoy this website and go here:

books.google.com/books?id=5J1uAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA33&lpg=PA33&dq=Isham%20Keith%20COLUMBUS%20INDIANA&source=bl&ots=4vDKwTQTaX&sig=hcg0oG83oJNWE6KdKxj6JOAC9Uk&hl=en&ei=zWKwSv3gE6Cntge1gNWXCA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7#v=onepage&q=&f=false

Note: When you call-up the site it doesn't start on the 1st page, so scroll the right bar backwards (or up), too start at the beginning.
I have posted this in the 1800s thread because so many businesses, citizen names and locations are listed. This may assist in reviewing David Sechrest's wonderful recent maps, among other things.
_______________________________

Final Note: This book and information was entered according to the Act of Congress in the year 1903 by George Pence of the Library of Congress, Washington D.C.

[RER]

Fraternities In Bartholomew County During The 1800s and Early 1900s
"Horse Thief Detective Associations"

Now, think back to the days as a younger person when you were reading about the old west or settler days in books and history. There were horse thieves when the horse was the primary method of transportation.

After, reviewing all the pages of the 1903 to 1904 Bartholomew County Directory, it popped into my eyes; the horse thief organized fraternities in the county. Here is the list of names, location and number of members listed in the book:

Centennial Horse Thief Detective Association
Chartered members: 29

Clay Township Horse Thief Detective Association
Chartered members: 11

Clifty Township Horse Thief Detective Association
Chartered members: 11

German Township Horse Thief Detective Association
Chartered members: 11

Hawpatch Horse Thief Detective Association
Membership: 25

Hope Horse Thief Detective Association
Membership: 10

An interesting organization of the past settler days. It doesn't list the by-laws, but you can assume they were a lookout for horse thiefs. If you want to review the citizens names that were members of each location above go to pages 52 and 53 of this book:

books.google.com/books?id=5J1uAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA33&lpg=PA33&dq=Isham%20Keith%20COLUMBUS%20INDIANA&source=bl&ots=4vDKwTQTaX&sig=hcg0oG83oJNWE6KdKxj6JOAC9Uk&hl=en&ei=zWKwSv3gE6Cntge1gNWXCA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7#v=onepage&q=&f=false

[RER]

The Elks Carnival During 1902
Looking Down Washington Street North
Columbus, Indiana

Brief: It appears the carriage is laced with flowers, two ladies and a flowered umbrella.

[David Sechrest]

From here: ingenweb.org/inbartholomew/news_of_the_past.htm

Ft. Wayne Sentinel, (Indiana) May 15, 1907

ONCE RICH; DIES A PAUPER

Man who spent $5,000 in one week expires at Poor Asylum.

Columbus, Ind., May 15 - Joseph Anthony, 75 years, died yesterday at the Bartholomew County Poor Farm and his body was buried in the afternoon in a lot which his wife, who left him thirteen years ago, purchased recently. Anthony owned one of the finest farms in the county twenty years ago, but drank incessantly, and when intoxicated gave money to any one to whom he took a fancy. When his wife brought suit for divorce, he sold his land and gave her twenty-two acres. His farm alone was worth $10,000 and for years he drank in excess. The last of his money was spent six years ago when he went to Matoon, Ill. and wasted every cent of it in a week. He returned to this city a penniless man, and has been at the county home twice. Five weeks ago he was readmitted and died of Bright's disease. He had four children, who did not attend his funeral, though his wife paid him that respect. There were no service at the grave or at the county institution.

[RER]

What Did 5th Street Look Like During 1900 ?

Notice: Where the Rio Theater was located on the left during the 1940s and 1950 is a different theater name. Also, not pictured very well on the right is the first fire department that utilized horses to haul the water trailers and ladders.

At the corner of 5th & Franklin is the old City Hall of the past; built during the late 1880s.

Also, the First Christian Church wasn't built until 1942. However, there was a public park on that real estate during this picture shot. Bricks are laying in the street for some reason. Could be that the corner building at 5th and Washington was under construction.



The next picture is a front view of the theater area. Please notice the men's barber pole in both pictures. The theater was renamed before the Rio Theater to American Theater. So, it appears it has had at least 3 names. This postcard picture was dated around year 1910.

]

The next two pictures is a comparison of the American Theater during 1910 and the Rio Theater that was closed at the time during 2010.

Rio

[David Sechrest]

That is a wonderful picture of Fifth Street, Bob. Is that from a postcard?

Hopefully, some day, we can piece together a time frame of the Theaters at that Fifth Street location.

Hope you are doing fine!

If I could offer a suggestion, could you also post that in the Rio Theater folder?

[RER]

Insight History of 5th Street Corner & Union Street

 Yellow Dot:  Old 502 Union St. House (now parking), Red:  Cummins 1st Plant after Cerealine Bldg, Black:  !st Cummins home office

Research Found This:

Mr. Millard F. & (Mary A.) Orrill lived in our old house at 502 Union Street during year 1903 and before. This was the first house I remember living in with my family. The 502 Union Street address is across from Cummins old plant which was the original Cummins main office area. Today, that house has been torn down for many years; and today is a parking lot for Cummins.

Mr. Orrill had a carriage Blacksmith business at 331 Franklin Street in Columbus during the late 1800s and early 1900s.. During the 1950s that address was mostly a chicken hatchery owned and operated by Carter's Hatchery, then later the Hungate Hatchery.

Source (go here):

books.google.com/books?id=5J1uAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA33&lpg=PA33&dq=Isham%20Keith%20COLUMBUS%20INDIANA&source=bl&ots=4vDKwTQTaX&sig=hcg0oG83oJNWE6KdKxj6JOAC9Uk&hl=en&ei=zWKwSv3gE6Cntge1gNWXCA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7#v=snippet&q=carriage&f=false

Today, 331 Franklin Street (that old Blacksmith/carriage shop where Mr. Orrill worked) is the address for Healthy Families and Title Center of Indiana, LLC, Ste A1 (real estate).

Millard (1857-1918): www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=58728583

Mary(1859-1924): www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=58728591


Comment:

As very young boys my brother and I knew this two story Union Street house was getting old, even in the 1940s. But to trace its history back that far is interesting. The house at some point was purchased by Cummins Engine Company; and our family rented it until 1950; then our parents bought a house on 15th Street. Our father started working for Cummins during 1940, worked for Cummins 38 years. I suspect the Union Street house was built in the late 1800s. Only, county courthouse documents would know. Additionally, Mr. Orrill and his family lived in that house well before my parents were born.

Historical Comment:

I have posted this information in case decedents/family members of the Millard & Mary Orrill family might be interested in their root paths in Columbus. The house on Union Street had electricity but lacked city water. The house had two manual pump wells located on the back porch, and kitchen sink. The original house structure had no toilet area, but an outdoor outhouse (half-moon). An indoor toilet was built by Cummins during the 1940s. The house was heated by a wood & coal stove. The kitchen stove was operated by wood. A hoosier cabinet was in the kitchen. A stairway with a door lead to an under the house cellar for canned goods storage in mason jars. Also, an non-electric ice box was available. Blocks of ice were delivered for the ice box. The second floor had the master bedroom and my brother's and my bedroom. Brother and I slept on a super large feather bed. When we moved to 15th Street that feather bed was gifted to someone else in the family. A large pear tree that produced large amounts of pears yearly was in the backyard. Also, a capped water well was in the backyard. If a person sat on the front porch; then you were directly across the street from the Cummins only corporate administration offices.

Cummins Engine Company Moves Summarized:

As we know, Clessie Cummins and William G. Irwin started Cummins history from the Irwin Gardens garage prior to 1919. Then because of needed expansion they moved the total operation to the empty Cerealine building at Jackson Street. Then during 1926 they moved the operation (upon construction completion) to the end of 5th Street and Union Street. The picture below is from the backyard of the house lot at 502 Union Street. The Cummins plant to the right is the original building. To the left of the building was the main Cummins Office. Cummins had several rental houses in this area for employees during those years.



Note: In the picture was our play Red Wagon and just left of it was the capped water well.


References: My memory,
and Complete Directory of Bartholomew County, Indiana, 1903-1904

[David Sechrest]

From the Evening Republican, July 4, 1905:

Nine miles southeast of Nashville, in Brown county, is situated what is probably the most famous feature of the "Adirondacks of Indiana," with the exception of Weed Patch Hill. Reference is made to Stone Head, known far and wide and annually visited by scores of sight-seers. This interesting piece of stone, which has been carved to represent the head of a man, is the work of Henry Cross, a Brown County stone cutter and farmer of the first half of the last century. He lived about two miles north of the place now known as Stone Head, where he owned a farm. Then as now, farmers were required to work out a part of their tax in improving the roads, but Cross was rather averse to this and the supervisor, George Summa, told him that if he wished to do so, he might carve out of sandstone a head to be placed at the crossing of the Indianapolis and Sparksville, and Columbus and Bedford pikes.

Cross accepted the proposition and in the year 1851 the head was complete and placed in a yard located on the corner of where the pikes met. There it stood until about 12 or 13 years ago, when it was moved from the yard and placed under a large tree standing at the meeting place of the roads, a distance of about 40 feet from its original position.

On the head is carved the distances to Sparksville, Indianapolis, Bedford, and Columbus, but weathering of the stone renders this letting hardly distinguishable. The head is about 18 inches in breadth at the base and one foot in thickness. Old inhabitants think it was the intention of the eccentric stone cutter to make the features resemble those of the supervisor, George Summa.

Cross was killed in 1864 by a tree falling on him while grubbing a stub. The tree had been charred from burning and gave way without even momentary notice. His body was found by John Hendricks, who had been to his home and finding him absent, went to the woods in search of him. George Summa, the supervisor, died a few years ago in Houston.

Thomas A. Hendricks, who occupies the house where the head originally stood and who had it moved from his yard to the tree, is a second cousin of the late Thomas A. Hendricks, who was Vice President of the United States. People who are fond of romance sometimes compare the head with the "Great Stone Face" of New Hampshire.



I originally posted this info on the Historic Columbus Indiana Facebook page, and received the following reply from Greg Long:

"George Summa is my great great great great grandfather. In the late 1960s the Stone Head was stolen. My grandfather's housekeeper went to a party in Indianapolis and the people who stole it were using it as a coat rack. The housekeeper told this to my grandmother and the police went and got it back. Not sure what happened to the people who stole it."

[David Sechrest]

Oct 3, 2012 12:24:43 GMT -5 RER said:

What Did 5th Street Look Like During 1900 ?

Notice: Where the Rio Theater was located on the left during the 1940s and 1950 is a different theater name. Also, not pictured very well on the right is the first fire department that utilized horses to haul the water trailers and ladders.

At the corner of 5th & Franklin is the old City Hall of the past; built during the late 1880s.

Also, the First Christian Church wasn't built until 1942. However, there was a public park on that real estate during this picture shot. Bricks are laying in the street for some reason. Could be that the corner building at 5th and Washington was under construction.



The next picture is a front view of the theater area. Please notice the men's barber pole in both pictures. The theater was renamed before the Rio Theater to American Theater. So, it appears it has had at least 3 names. This postcard picture was dated around year 1910.

]

The next two pictures is a comparison of the American Theater during 1910 and the Rio Theater that was closed at the time during 2010.

Rio

The Knights of Phythias building, also known as Castle Hall, was dedicated January 5, 1906. On September 3, 1906, O. H. Murray opened his Orpheum Theatre in what had been an auditorium at the rear of the K of P building. The Orpheum was Columbus, Indiana's first vaudeville house.

[David Sechrest]

I borrowed RER's postcard from an earlier post he made.

Knights of Pythias building, Columbus, Indiana

I spent some time at the Library yesterday in search of the date the East Columbus School, located at the northwest corner of State and Gladstone, was destroyed by fire. I had hoped that the news article would say when that school was built, but it didn't.

In my search, I ran across this:

From The Evening Republican, February 18, 1905: The trustees of the Knights of Phythias Lodge reported back to the lodge at the regular meeting Friday night concerning the new Castle Hall which will be erected this Spring. The architect, Elmer E. Dunlap, is not yet ready with the working plans, but these will be in shape in about two weeks. It will probably be another two weeks before the bids on the building are accepted, and the lodge now thinks that the work on the building ought to commence either about the middle of March of the first of April. From that time on, there will be no let-up in the work until the new Castle Hall stands completed.
There is no great change in the plans of the building over what were made for the hall when it was talked of last year. The structure will be a three story brick, with a pressed brick front. The old plans provided for a stone front. The first floor will include two store rooms, one large and one small. Between these two rooms is a wide corridor which leads to an amusement hall of spacious dimensions. This hall will be finished with a hardwood floor, and can be used for dances, basketball games or amateur theatrical performances. It will not be provided with permanent seats, but chairs can be arranged at any time.
The second floor will be devoted entirely to spacious office rooms with the exception of the rear part, which will make the balcony of the amusement hall. This balcony would come in very nicely in basketball games, as in that manner the floor is kept entirely clear of spectators, they having seats in the balcony which runs entirely around the hall.
The third floor will be fitted with lodge rooms. When the building is completed, the Knights of Pythias will have one of the finest lodge rooms in the city, and the plans show that every convenience will be made a part of the new headquarters.

In my book, Columbus, Indiana's Historic Crump Theatre, I included some information about Castle Hall. It was located at 416-420 Fifth Street, and opened January 5, 1906. Shortly after Castle Hall was opened, the Orpheum Theater took over the auditorium, and opened on September 3, 1906. The Orpheum was Columbus, Indiana's first vaudeville house. The building was demolished (1970s? 1980s?) and is a parking lot today.

This article gives a good idea of what the auditorium might have looked like. It's interesting that the balcony circled it, initially.

Another thing: I keep running across Elmer Dunlap's name. Both in Columbus and Indianapolis. I'm going to try and find out more about him.