Page:Early Indianapolis.djvu/27

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nessed the performance referred to. He says Mrs. Smith, who was at least sixty years old, in addition to her part in the play, sang the “Star Spangled Banner” and danced a hornpipe, blindfolded, among eggs. In these days of soaring prices this act would certainly be a dangerous and costly performance.

But Madam Wick is still waiting on the flat boat to be introduced. She was the wife of William W. Wick, elected the first judge by the Legislature at Corydon in the winter of 1821–22.

The first session of the Circuit Court, at which Judge Wick presided, was held in a private house at Indianapolis, September 26, 1822. After the Judge, Associate Judges and other officers of the Court had presented their commissions and taken the oath of office, including the oath against duelling, which was very stringent, the following lawyers were admitted to practice: Calvin Fletcher, Hiram M. Curry, Obed Foote, Harvey Gregg, of Indianapolis, Daniel B. Wick, Oliver H. Smith, James Noble, James Rairiden, James Whitcomb and Lot Bloomfield, from the state.

The order of business was as follows: First, selection of grand jurors and appointment of prosecuting attorney; second, establishment of prison bounds for insolvent debtors; third, naturalization of Richard Good, “lately from Cork in the Kingdom of Ireland,” according to his own statement; fourth, granting a tavern license to John Hawkins, the first license granted for this purpose in Marion county. (Hawkins’ tavern was situated where the Lombard building stands.)

So ended the first day of court in the new settlement.

Calvin Fletcher, appointed first prosecuting attorney, reached here in the fall of 1821. He had a prominent part in the town’s advancement, laboring unceasingly with his friends, Ovid Butler, Caleb Mills, Bishop E. R. Ames and