The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-08
A sEauENCE OF EVENTS.

A SEQUENCE OF EVENTS.
curious illustration of the sequence and
succession of events is found in those which
led to the establishment of the technical
school and the military post at this point.
Investigation shows that for these two
great achievements of the day the city is
primarily indebted to Oliver P. Morton. The
steps by which Governor Morton secured
the establishment of the United States ar
senaI at this point are sufficiently interest
ing to be recalled.
At the beginning of the civil war ammuni-
ton was so scarce and the government had
such difficulty In supplying IL to troops that
Governor Morton determined to manufac-
ture enough for the Indiana three months
regiments. On his own responsibility he
employed experts and the work was begun
in less than two weeks after the first call
for troops. 1t was conducted a small
scale. but 1t resulted in supplying Indiana
regiments with good ammunition more
promptly than it could have been done by
the national government. AS the scarcity
of ammunition continued Governor Morton
ordered the erection of some cheap and
temporary buildings and continued the
work of manufacturing it. From $50 to 500
persons were employed in making fixed am
munition. which was found to be better and
cheaper than that furnished by the govern
ment. In the fall of 1861 Governor Morton
proposed to the War Department to take
the work off his hands. General Cameron,
secretary of war, and General Thomas.
then adjutant general of the army, came
here, and after investigating the operations
of the arsenal assured the Governor that
the State should be reimbursed for its ex-
penditures and compensated for future is
sues of ammunition. Other army officials
attempted to defeat this plan but did not
succeed. Upon an understanding with the
War Department the manufacture of am
munition continued on a larger scale and
the States bills were presented and paid
monthly. The manufacture of ammunition
on the States account continued until
April IS. 1864, when. the necessity having
ceased, 1t was suspended.
The success of this undertaking led to
the location of national arsenal at this
city. This was first proposed by Governor
Morton early in 1862 and was ably seconded
by Hon. Robert Dale Owen. then state
agent for the purchase of arms. and by the
Indiana delegation In Congress. The act of
Congress locating the arsenal here, passed
July II, 1862. provided that it should be "for
the deposit and repair of arms and other
munitions of war" No provision was made
for the manufacture of ammunition. which
was then going on by the State arsenal.
Congress appropriated 100000 to carry the
act into effect and the government pur-
chased the seventy-five acres which now
constitute the arsenal grounds. The build
ings were begun in 1868 and completed early
in 1864.
There were many interesting facts con-
nected with the States manufacture of am
munition. and the final location of the gov
eminent arsenal here, besides those above
stated, but these are sufficient to show that
the idea of manufacturing ammunition at
this point originated with Governor Morton,
as did also the idea of locating national
arsenal here, and that 1t was largely due to
the success of the arsenal established by
him and to his personal influence that the
national arsenal was located here. But for
the location of the arsenal the ground
which it occupies would long since have
been laid out and built upon. Its preserva-
ton I'm one tract made an ideal location for
the technical school. and the determination
of the government to sell ii furnished just
the opportunity the promoters of the school
desired. Opportunity at this juncture came
the adoption of Secretary Roots plan for
the establishment of large military post
| somewhere in the central West, and the
| fact that the government owned property
here which was about to be disposed of
drew attention to this point. Investigation
| showed that it was the most suitable site
| of all and its selection followed. The latter
| steps could not have been accomplished
| without the efficient cooperation OF our
senator's and representative in Congress,
hut all must admit that the movement
| which has eliminated auspiciously had
it's first beginning in the action of Governor
| Morton.