The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-02
FAMOUS COLUMBIA CLUB.
An Eastern Magazines Description of
the Institution.
L,eslie,s Weeklv.

East and West, the North and South, to
become aware Of what the inland Hoosier
State has done, not only for her sisters, but
for all the world at large. For out Of this
Judea have come prophets to all people.
Statesmen, poets, novelists and artists. song
and story, and men to sit in the highest
place of honor, have been sent out to the
world from Indiana; and nowhere in the
West. is there a people more athirst for
knowledge and beauty than in the flourish
ing western capital, Indianapolis. Out of
this have grown clubs and clubs for the
propagation of all interests-sociaL artistic,
studious and political
The Columbia Club of Indianapolis is an
organization which has grown out of these
conditions. The features and functions of
this club are so unique as to call attention
to it all over the country. In all its acts
and influences it fosters the principles of
Republicanisn, and yet is never dominated
by extreme partisanship.
Through the extended influence of the
many strong men who are among its mem
bers, it is a potent factor in all public ques-
tons Of Indiana, and often in the politics of
the country. There is probably no club in
this country which is more widely known
on account Of events when have taken place
within its walls affecting large national
political interests. It's membership is in no
sense local, although it has more than 500
members in Indianapolis Outside of In
dianapolis its members are chosen by in
vitation, from every county, important town
and community of the State. Men who are
so hOnored must be Republicans and repre-
sentative in some distinguished manner of
the community in which they reside. AS a
business mans club, it represents eminently
large portion Of the leading men of af-
fairs IN Indiana. 1t is the foremost social
club of Indianapolis and of the State, and
the only social state club in this country.
me club building is situated on Monument
place, occupying a central position in the
State, as we'll as being the active business
center Of indianapolis. 1t fronts the SOL
which has cost Indiana half million of
dollars and is the greatest monument that
has ever been erected to the private soldier
and sailor in any part of the world.
THE NEW BUILDING.
The clubs new building will be one of the
most attractive and noticeable architectural
ornaments of the city. No comfort will be
lacking. A principal provision TO this end
will be living rooms luxuriously furnished.
There will be spacious reception rooms with
public and private dining rooms, and special
rooms, most beautifully appointed, for
ladies' In addition there will be an assem-
bly, room large enough to seat several hun
dred. 1t will have balcony and stage with
completest accessories. A novelty is to be
the roof garden. In addition to the cafe
rooms there are to be rooms specially fitted
in old English and Dutch designs for a grill
and kneipe, bowling alleys, gymnasium,
Turkish bath and swimming pool.
Among the members VINO give life and
color to the club are men whose names are
familiar TO all Americans. First must be
Whitcomb Riley and Gen. Lew Wallace are
names loved wherever the English language
is spoken. Among the names suggesting DIS
ungulshed service for the government and
State are Gen. John G. New, eX-Attorney
ker, Hon. d. NJ Ransdell, Hon. r. J. Trace
well, Rear Admiral George Brown, Gen.
George f. McGinnis. Gen. J. n. Walker, eX-
commander-in-chief of the G. A r.; Hon.
julius A Lemeke Hugh h Hanna presi-
dent of the monetary commission: Henry c.
Adams, the clever raconteur and story-teller,
Martindale, Hon. Justus c. Adams Hon.
Charles l. Jewett, judge advocate general
of our army in Manila Frank w Morrison,
capt. Harry ) New, United States Judges
William A. Woods and John II. Baker, Con-
candidate for the United States Senate; Hon.
Jesse Overstreet, Congressman from Indian
apolis; Judge Robert S: Taylor. of the Mis-
sissippi River Commission. also a prominent
candidate for the United States Senate: and
Elliott, r. W. Mcbride, William A. Ketch-
Smiley n: Chambers. Maj. Charles L. Hol-
stein. Addison c. Harris and Ferdinand
SGished With the presidency of the club are
Chaplin G. Foster, the first, A p. Hendrick-
son Irving S. Gordon, Hon. r. o. Hawkins,
Chalmers Brown, DR.. Henry Jameson, Hon.
Moses g. McLain and DR.. Thomas S.
The president of the Columbia Club DR..
FRANKLIN w. Hays, is a prominent and pop
ular young physician and occupies a chair
in the medical department of the University
or indianapolis. His cleyerness and energy,
culture and attractive personality make him
q strong force. 1t is not usual to find pro-
Iesslonal ability as a physician united with
qlpIomacy and sagacity as man of affairs.
1t is to DR.. Hayss planning and persistency
IN executing the plans that the club owes
much OF It's prosperity, and, in a large meas
ure the new club building. He showed an
active appreciation Of the possibilities of the
club in the wider fields which have been
lately opened to it. Not only was he able to
convince others that the apparently impossi-
bic, was possible, but to prove it practically
into cooperation the advice and support of
such members as were peculiarly fitted to
realize the highest aims of the institution.
me brlll1ant success of the undertaking
naturally gives unusual opportunities to DR..
Hays for political preferment but he pre-
1ers 10 follow out the lines of his professional
work.
MR.. HAWKINS'S ABILITY.
Whenever there is anything to do relative
to the interest of the Republican party Ros-
coe o. Hawkins is called into the inner cir
Gle. He is no less able as a politician than
as a lawyer. While for years he has had
much to do with his party's affairs in the
State and beyond it, he has rarely sought
office. He is now in the state Senate and
is there a leader. A great deal of the good
work of the last Legislature is due to his
Watchfulness and advice. Mr. Hawkins is
a charter member of the Columbia Club and
was one of its ablest presidents. He was a |
strong factor IN 1T when the club was only a
marching campaign organization OF General
EarflSonS first presidential candidacy. when
the club contributed SO greatly to his nomi-
nation MIR. hawkins is of the class OF poll
uclanS who do lot of thinking first and
AFTER measuring conditions mature plans 10
sdlt them. In carrying out these plans he
dOes great amount of hard work. He is
the repository OF all important political
secrets, and is as tmpenetrable as the
SphlnX. he is difficult with his opponents,
frank with his friends and devoted to them
ana generous with able advice
One of the most active and forceful men
IN Indiana is Jonn Is. Cockrum. He came TO
the clty OF Indianapolis some twelve years
ago 10 serve IN the position of deputy United
States district attorney. He has great abil-
lty ana force of character, and is one of the
noted trlal lawyers of the West. He is
aggressive, slilIful and resourceful His
successes are numerous, and as general at
torney Tor the Lake Erie q Western Rail
rodd, as Wen as all corporations controlled
py them, ne has achieved almost a national
reputation. lie has the honor of being the
chet tribune OF the Grand Tribunal of the
hhlghtS or PyJhiaS of Indiana, and in 1886
was appointed grand marshal of the Sow
efelSn Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows of the
WorId, Which is the highest appointive posi-
ton IN the order. Mr. Cockrum is one of
the most ardent and influential Republicans
IN the State and is a member of the a6-
VlSOry committee OF the Republican state