The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-26


The second volume of Mr.. w. II. Smith
History of Indiana opens with a history of
schools and colleges in the State, the work,
as previously stated, being arranged In
topical form. This is one of the most in
teresting, as well as one of the most i'm
portant, chapters of the book outlining, as
it does, the great educational system which
has done SO much to give distinction to In
diana. A sketch is given of each Of the
colleges and Of the men who had most to do
with their endowment. The next chapter
treats of Laws and Courts beginning
with the old French laws. Following is an
account of the banking business as con-
Quoted from the time of the establishment
of the first banks at Vincennes and Madl-
son. The benevolent, and penal and re-
formatory institutions subjects next
considered; then the history of transporta-
ton from the time of travel by canoes to
the building of railroads. The history OF
farming begins with the work of the French
in planting orchards and vineyards, ana
closes with q suggestion of the possibilities
of Sugar-beet growing The subject OF
natural wealth" includes accounts of coal
supplies, building stone, natural gas, oil ana
clays The author says of the kaollns or
Lawrence, Martin and Owen counties;
Thousands of tons of this purest of clayS
are visible in the mines which have been
opened near Huron, Lawrence county. Inc
stratum thickenS as progress is made tur-
Their back into the hills. The deposit is not
a local one, covering few rods or acres,
but square miles, as evidenced by out
crops which are known. There is enough IN
sight in the mines at this one deposit 10
last an average factory for full century,
and not a thousandth part has been exposed
to view. There it lies, great mineral re-
source of untold value, unworked, I'M
utilized, awaiting the coming of energy and
capital to make it up into many kinds or
products which are now brought into In
diana from distant lands" This chapter is
manufactures of the State. A good deal of
space is necessarily given up to the history
of the civil administrations from the time
of the territorial government down to the
present. An outline is given of the events
occurring during the term of each Gov
ernor short chapter is very properly de-
voted to an account of the founding and
development of New Harmony, that utopia
which though unsuccessful, made such an
impress on the States history. The last
biographical, being occupied by sketches of
leading statesmen and politicians, noted
authors, men of science and women in pup
lie life. very useful appendix contains
variety of statistical information, including
a list of United States senators and repre-
sentatives from Indiana, list of the major
generals and brigadier generals appointed
from the State during the civil war, a list
of battles in which Indiana troops partici-
pated and a map of the State. The Consti-
tuition of Indiana is given in full. The
illustrations, which include portraits of
noted men and pictures of public institu-
tons, are numerous and for the most part
good. The volume completes a work which
has long been needed. and will be found
useful in public and private libraries but of
schools of the State The books are sold by
subscription. IN