Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-27
TRAVELS IN PHILADELPHIA
By Christopher Morley

years ago to commemorate the last Indian
''powwow" held in Philadelphia and also that
II Is supposed to have been a starting place
for the New York stage coaches. However
that may be, at any rate the original pole
was replaced repaired In 1885, and at that
time a sheet Of lead (now kept by the His
torical Society was placed at the top of the
pole bearing the names of those who had
been instrumental in the restoration. The
work was done at the expense of the United
States Fire Engine Company, that being the
day of the old volunteer fire departments.
APPARENTLY the Indian Pole became
"A kind of rallying point for rival fire en-
gine companies, and there was much jealous
competition. when steam fire apparatus was
introduced, to which company could first
project stream of water the top of
the staff. This rivalry was often accompa-
MED by serious brawls. for Mr. Renner tells
me that when the Indian figure was repaired
recently it was found to be riddled with bull
let holes. This neighborhood has been the
scene of some dangerous fighting, for st.
Augustine's Church, which was destroyed in
the riots of 1914, stands only few yards
away down Fourth street
TN 1894 the pole again became dangerous
not as a brawling point. but on account Of
age. 1t was removed by the city. but at the
instance of Mr.. Howard b. French. Of Sam
ufacturers on Callowhl' street, the Indian
figure and the ball on which it revolved were
kept and new pole was erected by Mr.
French and four other merchants of the
neighborhood. T. Morris Perot Edward II.
Ogden, John c. Croxton and William Rem
ner (the father of the present Mr.. Renner)
That pole, which is still standing Is eighty
five feet from ground to truck. The Indian
figure Is nine and one-half feet high: 1t
stretches nine feet from the rear end Of the
IN q ha he
ball beneath II is sixteen inches In diameter
Mr.. Renner says the figure is of wood. sew
era inches thick. and sheathed In iron. He
thinks that the hand alone would weigh 150
pounds He thinks it quite remarkable that
though many church steeples In the neigh
borhood have been struck by lightning the
Indian has been unscathed. On holidays Mr..
Renner runs up large flag on the pole,
twenty-one by thirty-six feet.
WHEN remarked that this was a pretty
w big flag touched MIR. Renner in a ten
| der spot. Probably there is no man who
| knows more about big flags than he. for he
| told me that in 1911 he had made In his
| workroom on Vine street a Stars and Stripes
| which is supposed to be the largest flag ever
made, 1t measured seventy-fve by $50 feet.
1t was flown in Chestnut Hill Park that sum-
mer and the next year was hung in park
In Bridgeport, Conn. 1t was hung a wire
| cable between two masts. each 125 feet high
and $50 feet apart Mr.. Renner was to have
| taken 1t to Panama to be exhibited there
| when the canal was opened, but unfortu-
nately it WAS damaged In fire in Bridge
| port. What has become Of II since ne does
not know The flag was made of standard
wool bunting and weighed half a ton. 1t was
sold for 32500
| yXTE ARE not thought to be very senti-
| w mental about our nag. but Mr.. Renner
tells me that few years ago. when he was
hosting very large flag at Chestnut Hill
| Park. he had an amusing experience which
| sounds more Partisan than Philadelphian.
| He had been sitting In "bosun's chair at
| the top OF the staff while the flag was pulled
up and his face was black with SCOT from the
smoke of the nearby scenic railway. De-
| scending from the pole he was leaning
against pavilion looking up at the flag
| when old lady who had been watching
rushed up. threw her arms round his neck
| and embraced him. Mr.. Renner still bushes
modestly when he recalls the ordeal.
| TT is pleasant thing for any community
i to have some relic or trophy of it's own
that fosters local pride. Those who live in
the neighborhood Of Fourth and Callowhill
streets are proud Of the Indian Pole, which
the city once consigned TO the dump heap
4 but which thsy rescued and have cherished
- en- interesting landmark And there arc
\ esher mast>Fe (hereehot9 y izttts ipsgtnp'