The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-13

center of the town and makes the main ,
street, which may be regarded as contin-
uation Of Washington street in IDdianapo-
lis. Throughout the central portion Of Main
street business houses line both sides, but
as one gets nearer the outskirts of the town
these gradually disappear and residences
take their place At the western edge of
town the view of the surrounding country
that can be had is very pretty. especially
that along White Lick creek. Up 10 few
years ago this stream was crossed by a
covered bridge, such as was used all along
the National road The enc at this place
was, however, built of walnut, and when
IL was torn down was in practically as good
condition when built and sold for $50. In
the place OF the old walnut bridge a new
iron one was built few years ago. The
view which can be obtained from this
bridge is very fine. Looking to the north
one sees the most rugged scenery, in the
form of high bluffs, while to the south
view is had of the Indiana Boys School.
The contrast of the well-kept grounds OF
the institute and the rough natural scenery
Plainfeld is Quaker or Friends town.
All of the older inhabitants are members of
this church, and the younger ones. If they
are not directly connected with IL, snow
quite plainly spirit of Quakerism bred in
them. This place was laid out in 1885, and
the ground on which the town lies was
originally owned by David Carter who was
not Quaker, but came from that stock.
1t cannot be said that the Quakers were
the first settlers of this place, but they
came into it at such an early date that
the oldest inhabitants cannot tell when this
was 1t did not take the people of this
church long to compose the majority of
citizens, and soon they were in control of
the town, which they have possessed ever
since. There is large meeting house near
the center of the town surrounded by
large park which built by the QuakerS
a number of years ago and was where the
Yearly Meetings were held. When these
were in progress the members or the
church would gather from all the surround
ing States and enormous crowds would be
present. The church, however, divided
some years ago into two factions, the pro-
gressive Quakers and the Quakers of the
old stock. The first-named body took the
old meeting house, and those who wished to
adhere to the forms of the religion that
were used in Benjamin Franklins days
built them church at the southern edge
of town, where they continue to worship
at the present time.
To see one of these "Old school, meetings
in progress takes one back to the days of
his ancestors. The women all dress in the
characteristic style of the Quakers; that is,
wear the bonnets with strings that tie un-
der their chins, and the rest of their cloth
ing extremely plain. They are all good,
MISUNDERSTANDING women and are very dem
ocratic in their ways. The men Tor the
most part wear the low-crOwned, broad
brimmed soft hats that are always associat-
ed with them. They all have a keen sense OF
dry humOr and treat stranger royalty.
The Quakers of this church still worship
for the most part by meditation, while the
progressive Quakers do not. The scene pre-
sented on entering the little Quaker church
during of the meetings is extremely
impressive There sits the congregation,
every one in deep study. Not sound is
heard nor a word spoken. This silence con-
tinues until some one feels an impulse to
speak, when he arises and delivers his
sermon. which, as a general thing, is not
very long. Then meditation is again en-
tered into for short time, after which the
members shake hands with each other and
leave for home. The man who could go to
one Of these quaint meetings and not come
away feeling the better for it would have
something lacking in his makeup. To get
the spirit of the services one has thorough
ly to enter into them and not look upon
them from critical point of view. AS one
of the old Quakers said: Whenever l take
stranger to our church 1 always tell him
TO think of all the good things his mother