The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-02
THE NORTHEAST PARKS
A COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO KEEP
UP THE AGITATION.
Over Fifty Citizens Attended the Mass
Meeting ON Old Clifford Ave-
nue. Last Night.

iliS ptOpie OI the northeastern portion OF
the city are not losing their interest in the
demand for "A park along Pogues run just
because winter is approaching. They intend
to keep up the agitation in season and out
until they get the park. They are not going
en- the theory of antagonizing parks in tn
er sections, but believe they should not be
left out of the count. over fifty of the in
tuential citizens and taxpayers of that sec
ton of the city met last evening at Van
Sickle's Hall, at old Clifford and Brookside
avenues, made speeches on the subject,
adopted resolutions, appointed committee
and made a general display of enthusiasm.
]. b. Wells was chosen chairman of the
meeting, and A. H. Kemper, of Brightwood,
was made secretary. In calling the meeting
to order, Mr.. Wells made brief talk, de-
claring that there was no need to explain
the purpose of the meeting as all under
stood it and were familiar with the situa-
ton. What they wanted to do now was to
determine the best plan to pursue in the
effort to get a park for their part of the
city.
G. E. Thornton declared that there was
better chance to get the park under the
Board of Public Works than there lad
been under the Park Board. Since the latter
much of a chance as any other part of the
city. He spoke at some length of the beau
ties of the land lying along Pogues run
and its adaptablIity to park purposes. The
main thing was to keep up the fire and
arouse the enthusiasm of that section of the
city. He offered the following resolutions,
which were adopted unanimously and with
a will:
Whereas, The city officials of Indianapo-
lis have made sale of bonds and have OBJ
tanned therefrom the sum of $3.50 900, which
is now lying in the city treasury to be used
for the purchase OF lands Tor park pur-
poses; and, whereas, at former conferences
of committees from the northeast section
of the city with the mayor, controller and
Board of Park Commissioners as 1t then
existed assurances were given that the
lands along Pogue's run and adjacent
thereto would be given most favorable con-
sideration when the park sites should be
finally purchased, and such purchases
would undoubtedly have been made before
this time, except for the decision of the SUI
preme Court declaring that the law consti-
tuting the Board of Park Commissioners
was unconstitutional, thus making null and
void everything that has been done up to
this time in establishing park system;
therefore, be it
Resolved, BY the citizens of the north
east section and Brightwood, in mass meet
irg assembled. that we are now more
than ever convinced that it will be great
mistake and most unfortunate for the best
interests of the entire city If the city OIL
sition of the park funds shall fail to in
clude in the proposed park system the beau
tiful and picturesque lands lying along
Pogue's run. Be it further
Resolved, That. in our Judgment, there
are no lands in or near the city so cheap.
SO accessible to such large number OF
working people or so well adapted by ma
ture for an ideal park as the lands which
are described below, and all of which we
most respectfully urge the Board Of Public
IO1nr0VpnapnfQ n
poses at the earliest expedient moment,
while they may yet be purchased at so rea-
sonable price. In a state of nature, with
fine forest trees, with fine water course,
fed by constantly flowing springs, with
fine variety of level plain and upland it is
a park already, and the very least we can
say is that it would be a mistake that could
never be rectified If this tract is not ac-
quired now. The lands we desire and ask
ming at Newman street, the Spades tract,
of about twelve acres, and the Roberts
tract, of about 1913 acres; the VaJen tract,
of something like twenty acres; also, forty
acres of the YandeS tract, and also the John
Hancock tract, comprising forty acres"
A. D. Shaw suggested that a committee
be appointed to keep the agitation going.
He thought this committee ought to be a
large and representative one in order that
it might have weight with the board. AL
bert Thayer favored a committee, but
thought a committee of five would be bet
ter. Mr.. Afford thought committee would
be useless, as the matter would again come
before the Supreme Court and he did not
believe the board would take any steps until
the matter had been finally determined in
the courts.
J. j. Valdenaire favored a committee and
a big one 1t could do no harm. Albert Mill
Ter made very warm speech, in which he
paid his compliments to the defunct Park
Board and some others. Councilmen Rauch,
Won SDreckelSOn and Smith were present,
and all pledged themselves to do all they
could to obtain the park, and advised that
the effort would be more likely to succeed
If public opinion were strongly aroused.
The motion to appoint a committee was
adopted and the following gentlemen were
appointed: G. E. Thornton, DR.. w. HI. john
son, Philip Kley, A. d. Shaw, A. H. Kemp
er, S. f. Field, III. Morris, Albert Thayer,
j. A. Riley, o. N. Wilmington, w. Schwerg-
man, John Winenow William Messerslnith,
J. j. Valdenaire, Calvin Bush, 3. II. Cole,
Il IIa,raaI,aa1 M s Hiey i w Cow