The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-05-13

Since 1910 company has Deen or
ganized to carry on the work Of dam
ming up the east fork of the White
water river at the foot of North Sew
enteeth street, about three-quarters OF
a mile north of Main street, and situ-
ated beyond the residence and fac
tory district in a wooded vale, which
formerly constituted part of the big
Hawkins and Marmon estate.
Where now lies forty-acre body OF
water, held back by a concrete dam,
pronounced by experts to be strong
enough to hold back twice the body OF
water behind it, was q narrow stream.
almost a small creek, the valley Of
which was overgrown with reeds and
shrubbery, and containing some of
the biggest trees in Wayne township.
The park itself contains 120 acres,
most of which is wooded or partially
so, assuring splendid shade and COM
fort during the hot camping season.
Soon this place will be dotted with
cottages, which Richmond's leading
citizens have planned to build. There
will be roads of concrete and mac
adam within a few weeks, and con-
crete and brick highways will sur
round the park on all sides.
Rush Car Extension.
Through the influence of some of
the men prominent in the organiza-
ton of the Richmond Lake and Park
company, a concrete and brick high
way connects the park with any part
Of Richmond. AS soon as the con-
tractors have completed q certain part
of their work, the Traction company
will rush a gang of men to the ground
and lay a street car line extension
which will run into the park grounds.
Good car service Is assured, as the
Terre Haute, Indiana and Eastern
Traction company holds twenty shares
of stock, valued at $1,000, in the COM
pany.
Contracts for the laying of sewer
systems have been let. Electric light
companies will have their wires in the
park within two weeks. Although city
water will be there for service, some
Of the best springs in the county, in
cluding the we'll Known Hawkins
springs with three basins. are located
within easy access Of all cottages.
Although water has not been in the
basin Of the lake six months, flocks
of ducks, game birds which are almost
unknown in Wayne county, have at
numerous times made the lake their
IcSlluS Pl0So IOI DAuS "hiSh
naturally are drawn by water. have
come to the park in flocks, and there
are hundred of red-winged blackbirds
and sandpipers. Later. orthonologists
say, there will be herons and other
water birds uncommon in this part
of the state because of the absence
of a body of water.
Men Saw Opportunity.
The natural advantages Of the land
in the river bottom were seen by a
group of men who are members Of
the Richmond Commercial club, sew
eral of whom represented the largest
capitalists of the city. The company
they organized was not formed for the
purpose of making money on the park.
but to provide a summer resort Of per-
manent value for the city and . prob
able future location for Chautauquas,
conventions, picnics and similar gath
ering.
1t is expected that when the park
opens June IL, several thousand out
of-town people will be attracted to
Richmond, where a lake similar to
those visited at a high cost and after
a long railroad journey, can be found
within easy access. Half Of the popu-
lation Of the city is expected to at
tend the big park opening, which will
be Richmond's banner day for 1914,
as merchants will close their stores,
and factoris will shut down for the
afternoon.
The credit for the park is due a
small number Of men who have put
their time in the undertaking without
remuneration and with no hope of fu-
ture profit to them except as 1t bene-
fits the entire city.
Whore Credit Belongs.
The original committee which start
ed the project was composed Of S. S.
Strattan. Jr., J. A. Carr, Henry Cen
nett, John F. Mccarthy. H. A. Dill, E.
Guerney Hill, Richard Sedgwick. S. E.
Swayne, Sharon E. Jones, DR.. T. Hen
ry Davis, Adam H. Bartel. H. r. Rob-
inson, chairman; Harry Gennett, Will
Campbell and E. NJ. Haas.
Since that time the committees have
changed, and the company was finally
organized with a $50.000 stock issue.
Ray Robinson was elected president
and Charles W. Jordan, secretary. The
company has its full quota Of officers
and a board of directors of twelve
members.
AS the stock was issued on the part
payment plan, it was a matter of diff
ficulty to finance the purchasing of
the land and the building of the dam.
This stage has now completely passed
and the success of the park is as
sured.
The land in the first place cost
$4,000, an exceedingly high price,
some thought, for the river bottom.
In addition to the cost of the land.
came the heavy expense Of building
the dam.
Dam Cost $4,000.
The dam was designed and planned
by dam experts, including John Muel-
ler, Of New Castle, and others. 1t was
to have cost about $4,000. but the
company decided to reinforce certain
parts in order to make 1t safe. Finally
the cost swelled to $4,000.
To add to the company's difficulty
some OF the factories In the river bot
tom south Of the park. objected to the
dam and threatened to sue for IN in
junction against its construction. Fl
nally, after q controversy between the
companies and the city against the
park company, and agreement was
entered into by which the construc-
ton Of tAo dam would be permitted II