The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-01
GIVEN TO THE CITY.
The Virginia-Avenue Fountain Unveiled in
the Presence of 1000 SouthsiderS.

An immense throng of people gathered at the
terminus of Virginia avenue last night to wit
ness the unwilling of the beautiful, new drinking
fountain, and to attend the celebration connected
Herewith. The part of the city in the imme
date vicinity was brilliantly lighted up with
Chinese lanterns, and the buildings and resi-
dences about were decorated with flags Music
was furnished by the When band, aided by the
German Macnnerchor, Liederkranz and Lyra
singing societies. During the evening there was
also grand display of fireworks. The crowd
present was estimated in round numbers to be
about 1000.
The fountain itself was made at the iron works
of J. L. Mott, of New York city. tits of bronzed
iron casting, beautifully ornamented by figures
in relief. From base to summit it is twenty
feet high, and is surmounted by large statue,
representing a female figure with cup and
ever in hand On. either side are beautiful
lamps, and beneath, near the base, are six
drinking fonts-two for the use of men, two
for horses and two for smaller animals.
The base measures seven feet across.
The casting, lamps, architecture freight stone,
ano labor cost in all about 81, 200 The total
weight is upwards of 1000 pounds. The foun-
tain was purchased and erected out of funds
raised by subscription, and collected by com
mittee known as the fountain committee"
Some Indebtedness yet remains for the structure,
but it is understood that William Mohs will stand
responsible for the payment of that part which
cannot be collected. 1t is due to the efforts of
Mr.. Mohs mainly, that the fountain has been
erected; it is his enterprise, and he deserves
public credit for engineering the project through
to its completion 1t is understood that the gas
company has kindly donated the use of gas for
one year, and the water company water for the
same period
The meeting was presided over by Councilman
W. F. Bernhamer, who introduced Mr.. Charles
K. Haley, who presented the fountain to the
mayor and city. The speaker dwelt on the i'm
portance of improving the city and identifying
it in every way possible. He said the people Of
the Southside were striving to make theirs the
best part of Indianapolis, and that they were to
be commended for leading the public in new
departure of public Improvement.
Mayor McMaster next spoke, and received in
very felicitous speech the part of the city at
large, the accepted fountain from the donors He
wondered where the great crowd present came
from, and congratulated the Southside on its
enterprising public spirit The Mayor dwet
upon the advantages of the city as a railroad and
commercial center and claimed that the beauty
of its homes and public buildings were unpar-
alleled in any place of its size He said that as
all roads once led to Rome, so all railroads now
as natural center. The speaker
hoped that the example set by the Southside in
identifying the public walks, would be conta-
gious, and inducelothers to do likewise. Els
pecially he recommended that the parks and gar
dens of the city be ornamented by statues and
fountains, for that would add to the comfort of
the citizens, and advertise the city over the
whole country.
Hon. John Caven was next introduced, and
spoke on the growth Of Southside. He said the
building of the fountain meant that spirit of
public enterprise was being awakened He also
alluded to Indianapolis railroad center, and
spoke at length OF the great
manufacturing interests of the city.
He spoke also of the great incon-
venience which the Southsde suffered from the
railroad crossings, which separated it from the
center of the city. These he main tanned, would
have to be bridged in time, so as to render
safety to life and limb, and make property
the Southside more valuable than at present
Fully % per cent of the population is thus cut
off from the main part of the city by these dan
gerous crossings Mr. Caven claimed that the
healthiest portion of the city was the South
side, and that property is there rapidly advanc
ing in price. He concluded with the statement