A TRIP IN THE WAYBACK MACHINE

Have you ever wondered what it was like in Muncie 125 years ago? Well, Muncie may have been a lot of things, but it wasn’t a sleepy little town. Let’s take a look. How about joining me in the Wayback Machine.

It’s Sunday June 14, 1896.

Look at all these people! It’s a good thing that the weather is clear today because this was being promoted as the greatest labor demonstration ever held in the state of Indiana.

Starting at 9 A.M., a meeting was held for glass union delegates at the Labor Union Hall. After two hours, apparently the only concrete action taken was the selection of a date for the next meeting. Some things never change. It was fortunate that we didn’t choose to attend. I don’t know about you, but I’m here for the parade – a showcase for the unions of East Central Indiana.

Workers in a window glass factory

They were expecting thousands of people here today in a show of support for unionism, but some of the railroads failed to cooperate. The special excursion train from Marion arrived around 11 A.M. It would have been a thrill to see almost 1,000 people step off the train. Unfortunately, other trains were cancelled, leaving people from Anderson, Dunkirk, Elwood, Redkey and other towns with no way to get here except by horse and buggy.

Word is out that the units are forming up, so we’d better find a place to stand. The parade starts at 1:30 and will travel east on Adams from Walnut to Elm, north to Main, west to Walnut, then south to Willard, east to Hackley and south to Heekin Park. Did you notice how patriotic the downtown and parade route look? All decked out in red, white and blue.

Intersection of Walnut and Main Streets in downtown Muncie ca. 1893

This spot on Walnut Street isn’t perfect, but it should give us a good view of the parade, especially if I can nudge this obnoxious gentleman over a bit. We’re just in time. Here they come! Three mounted officers, Chief of Police Forteur and patrolmen Ball and Alstadt, are in the lead, followed by Grand Marshal James G. Berry and his aides.

After the energetic 18-piece Marion brass band marches past, we are treated to the sight of almost 400 Marion flint and green glass workers. Marching behind them are about 50 union men from Gas City and 40 from Fairmount. Members of the Muncie Typographical Union No. 332 and union representatives from the Marion Morning News bring up the rear of the first section.

Next in line is the Midland Steel Workers’ Band. Right behind them are 400 members of Midland’s Lodge No. 23 of the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers. Yep, you can tell these men are iron workers. Big, big muscles. Right on their heels are 200 members of Indiana Iron Works Lodge No. 20.

Indiana Iron Company band, Muncie, Indiana

Just look at the colorful banners these men are carrying. Brick Layers and Masons International Union No 9 – there must be 50 of them. And members of the Hod Carriers Union. (Mental note:  look up hod carrier.) Here come members of Bakers Union No. 130 and Muncie’s Barbers Union No. 28. Next are 26 members of the Cigar Makers Union No. 208, followed by 50 members of Retail Clerks’ Union No. 66. And last but not least, 30 members of Building Laborer’s International Union No. 3.

My hands are wearing out; maybe a wave would be as good as applause. Here’s the Indiana Iron Works’ Band. Don’t they look great in their blue uniforms? Following close behind are 125 union members from Maring, Hart & Company and C. H. Over & Company, representing the Window Glass Workers Association.

Next, we have members from the American Flint Glass Workers Union, including men from the Hemingray Glass Factory and Ball Brothers. Wow, they’re a lot of them, six to a row, all marching in step. And here comes a group of boys! There must be over a 150 of them from Ball Brothers. They seem to be having a better time than any other group in the parade. If that wasn’t impressive enough, here come almost 400 Ball Brothers employees, members of the Green Glass Workers’ Union.

The three carriages bringing up the rear are transporting honored guests to Heekin Park. They include Mayor George Cromer of Muncie, various union leaders and parade officials.

George Washington Cromer, mayor of Muncie from 1894-1898

It’s too bad that the parade is over, but now it’s time to head for the big meeting in the park. After a brisk walk, we are met by a huge crowd of well over 5,000 people. While some people find places near the speaker’s stand and others are stroll through the park, the Indiana Iron Works’ Band continues to provide music. After a brief invocation, Mayor Cromer welcomes everyone. Reverend Father Weichman of Gas City will be next, followed by three labor union leaders.

I don’t know about you but long-winded speakers make my eyes cross. Heekin Park is lovely and the shade is much appreciated, but I think it’s time to go. I hope you enjoyed your trip back in time. 125 years can make a world of difference.