The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-06-22

/ Ill ONS anu SHOoy anu do ICoJ
Not half a mile away, the present
site of the Abraham Lincoln School,
Ringgold ST., and Cottage Ave. is
another historical spot-where the
last campfires of Indians lighted
the future site of big city.
Early Events Recalled
| Indianapolis pioneers, when ap-
preached on the subject. recalled
childhood experiences under and near
the tree where they stripped for dives
into Pogues' Run. then clean. deep
and cold. There they planned that
| long hike out west to kill Injuns,' to
/ souse odd Zeke's" rooster in the paint
| bucket on Halloween; celebrated the
Fourth Of July and conducted the
other pastimes resOrted to by children
Of that period.
On July %, 1921, the ground sur
rounding the odd Landmark" as it
was called, was purchased from the
United States Government by James
F. Bradley. The tract contained
eighty acres. 1t now is called Metz.
gers Garfield Park addition.
Buildings Surround Tree
With the march of Time, the odd
Landmark" lost its popularity when
modern landmarks such as trading
posts, then stores, hotels, buildings,
railroads and the Soldiers and Sail
ors' Monument were built Until ten
years ago the odd Landmark" reigned
supreme over the ground containing
its roots.
Then the city closed in on the south
by cutting some Of its roots when
curbstones were laid. The same year
the tree was crowded on the east
when the foundation for the Barth Pl.
NJ. L. Church was laid. Soon after,
the church pastor built his home on
the west Of the tree.
Old Tree Goes
Two years ago It was decided that
the "Old Landmark" was needed no
longer. It was cut down to about
three feet from the ground The big
stump was all that remained to lead
the pioneers 70 their playhouse" to
help recall past experiences.
Now, when the Barth Place VI. f.
y,
even the old stump must go.
In the picture is shown Harrison
Watts. 50 years young, better known
as Daddy" Watts, 1746 Lockwood
St, who has lived here for more than
thirty-five years. nearing the compile
ton of his seIfimposed task.
-Four colored men contracted to re
move the stump to make way for the
addition TO the church several days
ago. Daddy Watts, an old-fash.
toned wood contractor, having fol
lowed that work for the greater part
OF his life, gave instructions. but was
not needed. The colored men at
tempted to split the stump by driv-
ing a wedge in the center. They abau-
doned their efforts soon afterwards
and Daddy Watts Showed his
stuff"
Shows Them How
He started with a pick-ax and dug
down to the roots. Then he burrowed
under the stump and not long after
it was ready TO be hauled out Of the
excavation.
Daddy" Watts started to work on
the stump last Saturday. but the heat
did not permit him TO work Ions.
Monday he resumed his task and
gained great Roadway. Wednesday
the stump was free from the earth
Daddy" Watts was born in Lump
kin County. Georgia The woods ever
lured him and proved profitable in
later years. A man of Daddy" Watts
age is seldom physically fit for such
arduous labor. but he explains his
remarkable condition something like
this:
Hard work keeps a fellow IN
shape. I've heard EN- say hard work
kills a person, but there's nothing
to it, Last year I cleared six acres Of
stumps up in Hancock County near
Noblesvillle. After the Civil War
worked building railroad, and that's
work. We had use wheelbarrows to
haul the material and dig deep holes.
for we had no dynamite.
I've dug cellars. streets, sewers
and have done all kinds Of hard work
all my life and I'm still in shape. This
year I dug a sewer connection eight
feet deep at the house where I live"