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Clung, a New Light, probably the first preacher to settle in Indianapolis; a brief speech followed the reading of the Declaration of Independence by Judge Wick; Washington’s Inaugural Address, by Squire Obed Foote; Washington’s Farewell Address, by John Hawkins, and a prayer and benediction by the Rev. Robert Brenton.
Toasts, fourteen in number, by Calvin Fletcher finished the programme. I quote the last one: “Indianapolis, may it not prove itself unworthy the honor the state has conferred upon it by making it the capital.”
It is now almost a hundred years since this toast was given at the first Fourth of July celebration held in the new capital. The centennial of the capital in the wilderness approaches. Without delay we should begin our preparations for its observance. Let there be much deliberation by those charged with this important matter before the form of celebration is decided upon.
Let us commemorate the founding of the town with a memorial of lasting value, with a memorial that shall prove beyond question that Indianapolis is worthy of the honor conferred upon it one hundred years ago, when it was made the capital of the state.
As a fitting ending to the first Fourth of July celebration, the settlers held a ball at Jacob R. Crumbaugh’s house (Crumbaugh was a justice of the peace), situated at the corner of Missouri and Market streets. There were no social dividing lines, no caste distinctions at this time, we may be sure, for the carpenter danced with the postmaster’s wife and the judge lead out the butcher’s lady on this occasion. Until 1828 military and civic organizations celebrated the Fourth with firing of salutes, parades, speeches, dinners, etc.; from that time, however, for a quarter of a century, a new order of observance prevailed. The Sabbath school procession became
