The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-09-24

erfully did this organization build
and so vast was the number OF pre-
cinct workers that the Jewett Re-
publican organization, regarded as
almost omnipotent, was crushed by
Shank in the primary of 1921 and
the inimitable Lew once more was
candidate for mayor.
"Me and Sarah"
More resourceful and colorful
than the average politician, Shank
won many votes in that campaign
with his slogan, ME and Sarah"
Sarah was the first Mrs. Shank. She
took an active part in both Mr..
Shank's business and politics. Mr..
Shank frankly announced that II he
was elected mayor, Sarah would be
as much the head of the city as he.
Mr.. Shank naively announced that
the public utilities had controlled
him in his first term, but that he
had learned something about such
business in that first term and no
utility was going to run him the sec
ond time.
Despite one Of the most bitter,
vituperative campaigns ever waged
against a candidate in Indianapolis,
some leaders of his own party de-
serting him and openly supporting
the Democrat, Boyd M. Ralston, Mr.
Shank was elected mayor by the
largest majority ever rolled UP In
indianapolis.
He went into Office surrounded by
Alieutenants carefully picked, with
the idea of preventing mistakes
which marred his first administra-
ton. He rode through his four
years without indictments and with
few serious charges being made
against his administration.
Right Side Up
While now and then indulging in
flights of municipal fancy in after
dinner speeches, Mr.. Shank, aided
by his lieutenants, pursued In gen.
eral a n't-rock- -the-boat" policy
and came through right side up.
One of the few spectacular
stunts of his second administration
as compared with the vivid out
breaks of the first, was Shanks
fight with the public service COM
mission over Indianapolis telephone
rates.
He led a parade of about 5000 per-
sons from city hall to State House,
where about 10000 persons gathered
and made a speech from the steps
demanding tilaJ the Governor oust
the commission.
The Governor calmly refused, the
crowd dispersed, and Mr.. Shank
went back to city hall the man of
the hour. This one stunt led to
such a Statewide publicity for Mr..
Shank that he became formidable
candidate for the Republican nomi-
nation for Governor in 1924. He
campaigned vigorously and ran sec
ond to Ed Jackson, present Cover
nor.
Succeeded by Duvall
Mr.. Shank went out of office Jan.
4, 1925, turning over the city hall
to John l.. Duvall. Since then he
has appeared infrequently in pub
lie, chiefly as an after dinner
speaker, here and in cities through
out the Middle West.
Mr.. Shank was born at 3709 E.
Washington ST., Feb. %, 1872. the
son of Mr.. and Mrs. Samuel Shank.
The parents were tollgate keepers
on the old National Rd.
When Samuel Lewis Shank was
IA years old the family moved to
the 1900 block on Ashland Ave-, then
the, edge of the city and known as
Ash ST. His father died soon after
ward.
Married in 1905
Mr.. Shank lived with his mother
at the Ashland Ave. address until
1905, when he married Miss Sarah
E. Robbins of North Salem, Ind.
They started housekeeping on Capt.
toI Ave, and later bought a large
residence at Brookville Rd. and E.
Washington st.
After Mrs. Shank's death, Feb. /,
1924, Mr.. Shank lived at the Indian
apolis Athletic Club until his second
marriage the day before Thanksgiv-
ing that year. He was married to
Mrs. Eva Finley of Kendallville, Ind.
/