The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-17
Ex-Mayor John Caven II II ~
II II ~ a Notable Character
Indianapolis Owes Much Of Its
Present Prosperity to the Enter
prise and Public Spirit of This
Honored Citizen

with PROMISES of more Even biscuit. crack
ers and cookies were drawn upon, and when
Mr. Caven emerged from the shop, not
soul was in sight except Mr.. Davies Greene,
who had accompanied him on this pilgrim
age Of mercy. But the next morning he had
the satisfaction OF seeing as many as three
hundred men at work on 1.-THE Belt"
In July of the same year came the great
railroad strike, and here, again, Mr. Caven
so gained control of the situation that not
one act of violence was committed. He
stood steadfastly opposed TO certain prOmi
nent citizens. including Benjamin Harrison,
who were in favor of using force, but kept
Arsenal. Again this dauntless man walked
unafraid into the jaws Of a mob spoke
kindly but firmly, laying the blame upon
the leaders each one of whom he said was
known by sight and would be picked off UNI
erringly if it became necessary to fire on
the crowd He said that If anyone was
killed. they would each one be guilty of
murder, and wound up by enlisting $50 of
the strikers as special police, under his own
command, to guard the public safety.
THE PITTSBURG MAYOR
An incident occurred a little while after
this Of which Mr.. Caven tells with good
deal of amusement. The great railroad
strike at Pittsburg. similar to our own was
just over 1t had been put down after
twenty-five people had been killed and at a
cost of five or six millions dollars and the
people were complaining loudly. Mayor Nc
Carly, of Pittshurg, a most profane man,
came all the way from that city to learn
from Mr.. Caven how he managed TO Quell
riots with no blOOdshed and at so little eX-
pense. Mr.. Caven told him the story in
detail. The recital took several hours. At
its close, McCarty brought his fist down on
the table with oath.
81 never could a thought of all that" he
said; land If had, never could a done
it, The people wouldn't have let me-"
Mr.. Caven, in telling of the occurrence,
expressed the belief that mayor in times
of danger should be autocrat-a dictator
for the time being-and should have all the
resources of the city at his command.
Mr.. Caven has always been a Republic
an, but his popularity with all parties was
shown at an indignation meeting held by
the heavy taxpayers of the city, over the
Stockyards scheme. 1t was composed of
men more solicitous for their own ends
than for the final public good. They
were the same kind OF men who had OPP
posed the building of the Belt Railroad
and later. in 1881, the introduction of cleo
trio lighting into Indianapolis which would
have made 1t the first city in the world to
be lighted by electricity, if the proposition
had been Immediately taken up. Mr.. Caven
learned of it. Members of his own party
shook their fists in his face and declared
that he should never again be elected
mayor to saddle heavy debts upon the
community.
Yes he will" shouted a Democrat; eff
the Republicans don't elect him we will"
IN THE STATE SENATE.
In 1868 Mr.. Caven was elected to the
State senate for four years and in the ses-
sion of 1869 was chairman of the judiciary
committee. He stood for the famous fif-
teenth amendment, and in II was success
full in getting Mr.. Shortridge's bill for the
high school and city library passed.
1t was during the last day or two of the
session that Mr.. Shortridge brought his