TERRE HAUTE —
1892, like 2012, was a presidential election year and Vigo County was deeply involved.
Incumbent President Benjamin Harrison, an Indiana Republican, was a close friend of William Riley McKeen, whose country estate at Edgewood Farm, now Edgewood Grove, was Harrison’s “Camp David.”
Moreover, the president’s only son, Russell B. Harrison, moved to Terre Haute in 1892 to transform the Terre Haute Street Railway into the Terre Haute Electric Railway Co., residing with his wife Mary and daughter Marthena at the Terre Haute House until acquiring 333 S. Fifth St. Son William Henry Harrison was born there on Aug. 10, 1896.
The year began on an ominous note. On Jan. 1, 1892, Terre Haute Mayor James Allen died. Allen was a lawyer and former Superior Court judge.
The city council met on Jan. 5 and elected Henry Griswold, one of its members, to fill the vacancy until the mayoral election in May. Carpenter George Watson was chosen to succeed Griswold on the council.
In January, at separate conventions, James M. Hoskins was elected chairman of the Eighth District Democratic Committee and Nicholas Filbeck was chosen chairman of the District Republican Committee.
Both men were esteemed businessmen with impressive military records. Raised on a farm in Lost Creek Township, Hoskins was a veteran of the Mexican War and co-owned a successful Brazil dry goods store with his brother-in-law.
Filbeck was a member of the 32nd Indiana Infantry, August Willich’s celebrated “First German Regiment,” during the Civil War. He also was a hotel proprietor and a two-term postmaster. Permanently crippled by wounds received during the battle of Stones River, the dynamic Filbeck displayed a perpetual reminder of his valor.
President Harrison spoke Jan. 21 to the district convention in Terre Haute.
Republicans convened in Brazil on March 3 to elect delegates to attend the party’s convention at Minneapolis in June, choosing Gen. Lew Wallace and Riley McKeen. They urged Frank P. Sargent, Eugene Debs’ successor as Grand Master of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen, to be their candidate for Congress but he refused.
Elijah Voorhees Brookshire of Montgomery County was the incumbent Democratic congressman. On April 9, Democrats held a mass meeting at the Naylor Opera House, featuring addresses by Debs, Col. William E. McLean, who became the nominee for state senator, and former Indiana secretary of state John G. Shanklin.
At the Democrat’s city convention on April 12, delegates chose justice-of-the-peace Joseph M. Wildy as its mayoral candidate. Two days later, the Republicans nominated realtor Fred A. Ross.
Ross won the May 3 election by 105 votes. Each party captured seven of 14 council seats at stake. Peter M.Foley was appointed city attorney; Asa B. Fitch was named city engineer; John Kennedy was designated fire chief; and James Coordes was chosen street commissioner.
Grover Cleveland, president of the U.S. from 1885 to 1889, was the Democratic candidate chosen at the Chicago convention. U.S. Sen. Daniel W. Voorhees and Judge Cyrus McNutt of Terre Haute, among others, addressed the national conclave.
Harrison seemingly suffered a setback when popular secretary of state James G. Blaine resigned but was selected by Republicans on the first ballot in Minneapolis.
Before the Republican County Committee met July 23 to select candidates, discord surfaced between Dr. Albert J. Thompson, the committee chairman, and Filbeck. The precise complaints were not publicized though it was suggested that Filbeck was unhappy with Thompson’s use of campaign funds.
Thompson exacerbated the divide by naming Charles H. Washington, an African-American, as the party’s candidate for state legislature. According to the Terre Haute Gazette, Filbeck, David C. Greiner and a number of other white Republicans were livid.
One reason for their anger was “a thoughtless resolution” introduced at the convention by Dr. John H. Washington, editor of The Afro-American Journal, a local newspaper, urging the repeal of laws affecting the civil rights of black citizens. On July 29, a letter to the Vigo County committee and signed by C.H. Washington was published, thanking the committee for the honor of being the first of his race from Vigo County to be nominated for the state legislature but requesting his name be withdrawn since campaigning would force him to quit his post office job.
Three days earlier Washington accepted the nomination and attended a reception and parade in his honor sponsored by the local Republican Harrison and Reid Club.
The Colored Republican Club insisted that Washington’s place on the ballot be filled by “another acceptable African-American.” On Aug. 2, club members met at the courthouse to protest the way Washington was treated. Barber Simon Daniels, Dr. Washington, attorney Fred Smith, and educator Alfred E. Meyzeek addressed the group.
Attorney Smith prepared a resolution acknowledging that a convention resolution introduced by Dr. Washington’s was unnecessary since the legislature had passed “An Act to Protect Citizens in the Enjoyment of their Civil Rights” in 1885.
The Republicans’ “comedy of errors” included the nomination of Charles H. Bentley as Vigo County Treasurer. After the convention, it was discovered that the wrong Bentley had been nominated. He agreed to withdraw his name. Meanwhile, Dr. Thompson and Frank E. Benjamin, committeeman from the Fourth Ward, resigned.
Democratic vice presidential candidate Adlai Stevenson spoke here on Sept. 10.
On Oct. 25, two weeks before the election, Caroline Harrison, wife of the president, died following an extended illness in Washington, D.C. at age 60. Thomas H. Carter, Republican National Committee chairman, issued a memo requesting the suspension of all parades and political demonstrations out of respect for the deceased.
Having already enlisted Ohio Gov. William McKinley and 1,700 marchers for an Oct. 26 parade, Filbeck ignored the appeal. Democrats responded Oct. 31 with 5,000 participants including Indiana Gov. Isaac Gray and former Kentucky congressman James McKenzie.
In the Nov. 8 general election, the Democrats won Vigo County by a landslide and, capturing Indiana’s 15 electoral votes, Cleveland defeated Harrison for president.
History
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: A look at Vigo County politics 120 years ago
- History
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Historical Treasure: The 1947 Terre Haute Phillies and the history of baseball in America’s Crossroads
As another spring blossoms, it is time for another season of baseball to descend upon the city of Terre Haute.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: George Lance dominates intercity golf rivalry in 1927
What was expected to be a close match between two Terre Haute golfers for the 1927 Indiana Amateur Golf championship turned out to be a cakewalk.
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GENEALOGY: Follow ‘Tips on Caring for Documents and Photographs’
I recently read an article called “Tips on Caring for Documents and Photographs,” by Tamara Hemmerlein, Hoosier Heritage Alliance Coordinator for the Indiana Historical Society
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LOOKING BACK: 1988: Teachers issued rubber gloves to use in management of blood, other body fluids
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
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Historical Perspective: Wabash Valley is home to prominent comedy opera stars
Comic opera, a genre consisting of light hearted musicals, was introduced in Europe during the 17th century.
In the 19th century, several female vocalists from the Wabash Valley, earned national celebrity by using that art form to excel. -
Looking back: In 2003, Storm rips off half of Honey Creek Fire Department’s roof
A Saturday morning storm ripped off half of the Honey Creek Fire Department’s roof and caused heavy damage in Allendale. Wind gusts topping 60 miles an hour brought down power lines and trees throughout the county. Hail almost an inch thick and 1.5 inches of rain fell in less than an hour.
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Abundance of shoe stores existed downtown
Spring to me means putting away heavy winter sweaters and bringing out fun lighter sundresses. It also means the possibility of shopping for a new dress or even new shoes.
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Genalogy: Handwriting in 1700s-1800s Copperplate or English Round Hand
The primary style of old handwriting in the mid 1700s through the 1800s is sometimes called Copperplate or English Round Hand. This style of writing is much more recognizable and readable than the older Secretary Hand style discussed last week, and it is much less ornate as well.
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The death of Irish Kate Preston
The lifeless body of Catherine Preston, commonly referred to as “Irish Kate,” was found Saturday morning, Oct. 5, 1895, on a sandbar at the western edge of the Wabash River wagon bridge.
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Looking back: 2003: Sherertz sets nine-hole school record
Terre Haute North Vigo High School’s nine-hole record at Hulman Links was broken by golf team member Matt Sherertz who shot a 4-under-par 32 in a team-record win over Northview.
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Historical perspectives: Railroads were models of innovation and growth in Haute
Railroads have played an important part in the building of our nation and in the history of Terre Haute. It is no small wonder that these amazing machines were turned into children’s toys, as well as models for the more mature train enthusiast.
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‘Foreign’ letters to confuse a genealogist
Any serious family researcher will at some time or another encounter old documents in an older handwriting style that need to be read and deciphered.
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1988: 700 teachers unite in protest
At least 700 teachers were absent from their Vigo County School Corp. schools as part of a job action to protest lack of progress in contract negotiations.
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Genealogy: Vigo County Gold Star Honor Roll
FamilySearch International recently announced “the release of significant new enhancements to its web services that allow visitors to collaboratively build their family tree online, preserve and share precious family photos and stories, and receive personal research assistance–all for free.”
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‘Far-sound’ rings in a new era
This week’s Historic Treasure is an invention that changed life, as we know it in a great way, the telephone.
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Historical perspective: Venard: soldier in the War of 1812
His name was Stephen Venard. For more than 50 years he resided in Terre Haute, without fanfare, with his wife and a daughter. Much of that time was spent in the 400 block on N. First St.
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Looking Back: 2003: Mark Cook brings blues home
Mark Cook returned to Terre Haute to play with fellow musicians in the Cook-N-Blues group at Brazil and Terre Haute.
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Historical perspective: Attempted carriage-jacking thwarted
Nineteenth century newspapers covered several topics that might astonish current readers. For example, the front page of the Terre Haute Weekly Gazette on Nov. 16, 1878 – 135 years ago – reported on the bold attempt by four “villains” to rob two women riding in a carriage immediately west of the fairgrounds at Brown and Wabash avenues:
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Genealogy: Dutchman seeks family of missing soldier
Query: I live in the Netherlands and recently I have adopted the name of American PFC Joseph P. Nelson at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten. He was killed in action on Dec. 5, 1944, and his name is on the Walls of the Missing.
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Sewing Society keeps hospital in linen, supplies
When Tracy Pruitt came across a small box of old ledgers and receipt books recently, his first impulse was to throw it away. But he decided to sit down and examine its contents. In doing so, he discovered a story.
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Looking Back: 1963: Officials prepare for disaster
City officials were studying survival plans in case of a natural disaster or attack by an enemy source. Gilbert Leonard was the director of Vigo County Defense.
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Genealogy: Gold Star Honor Roll: Vigo County
This week continues with the Gold Star Honor Roll (those who died in WW I) from the Wabash Valley. The Vigo County list is long and will be run in three parts.
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River boat models capture glory of former culture
In the River portion of the latest exhibit at the Vigo County Historical Society museum are two models of river paddle boats created by Alfred F. Nehf.
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Historical perspective: Babe Holland: advocate for equality
Wherever Terre Haute native William Sylvester Holland roamed, he made an impact.
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Historical Perspective: Terre Haute’s architectural heritage
Much more than is commonly recognized, Terre Haute has a rich and diverse legacy of landscapes designed by some of the nation’s most talented architects.
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Genealogy: A search for names from broken stones
This week there is a query about an old cemetery in Parke County, that is believed to have been destroyed:
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Hidden treasures: Laborers phased out by machines
Today’s historical treasure will intone to many people an early experience of practical labor. For others, this artifact might lack a contextual notion.
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Looking back: 2003: Two men rob Terre Haute First National Bank
Two men robbed Terre Haute First National Bank’s banking center at Southland Plaza, South Seventh Street and Margaret Avenue. It was the first bank robbery in Terre Haute since November 2000.
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Interurban makes city Crossroads of America
Electric transportation is not a new technology. With the arrival of the electric car we are reminded that electric technology has a long history in Terre Haute.
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The tale of the Wabash River
On March 14, 1913, the Indiana General Assembly adopted “On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away,” by Terre Haute native Paul Dresser, as Indiana’s state song.
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Historical Treasure: The 1947 Terre Haute Phillies and the history of baseball in America’s Crossroads
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