By Anna Burden
In March of 1917, New Castle, Indiana had a population of 15,000 and was known as the "city of roses" or “rose city” because of how many greenhouses populated the town. New Castle archives report that New Castle's "Rose City" roots and reputation were verified by a special 1910 magazine edition of the New Castle Daily Times. "New Castle, the Rose City,” The name has spread over the country and the name Rose City has become almost as firmly attached to New Castle as has the Windy City to Chicago and the Golden Gate City to San Francisco,"[1] the 1910 edition said.
In March of 1917, New Castle, Indiana had a population of 15,000 and was known as the "city of roses" or “rose city” because of how many greenhouses populated the town. New Castle archives report that New Castle's "Rose City" roots and reputation were verified by a special 1910 magazine edition of the New Castle Daily Times. "New Castle, the Rose City,” The name has spread over the country and the name Rose City has become almost as firmly attached to New Castle as has the Windy City to Chicago and the Golden Gate City to San Francisco,"[1] the 1910 edition said.
These roses were once sold for $36 a dozen in places like Chicago which was a steep purchase at this time. In today's current economic challenges, it may be hard for some to believe that the roses grown in New Castle actually became a mark of wealth alongside things like diamonds. An article quoted Mrs. Carl Irwin who was a town resident as she proclaimed the status that came along with theses homegrown beauties. Mrs. Irwin wrote, "lucky indeed was the girl who could stand at her graduation or wedding with American Beauty Roses in her arms."[2] New Castle found fame and fortune in their ever growing flower power.
The New Castle archives also reported that A 1910 story in The New Castle Democrat stated that, "thousands [roses] are sent out every day during the season but even then the demand is greater than the supply.”[3] The story also reported that, "It seems strange that in mid-winter New Castle roses should be sent to Memphis, Mobile and New Orleans and other southern cities where flowers grow the year round but such is a fact." According to local historians, Herbert and Myer Heller were looked at for founding and planting the success that now riddled the town with beauty. "American Beauties were their specialty and they took one prize after another at all the great flower shows in the country, until it became evident that the best roses in America were grown in New Castle,"[4] a 1903 New Castle Democrat article found in the New Castle archive stated. Roses ignited celebration across town. It was even reported by Mrs. Irwin that when the New Castle roses won the Kansas City contest, the town erupted. A local newspaper found in the New Castle archives reported that Mrs. Irwin saw, "Strangers grab each other on the streets and local people who had once thought the greenhouse men an odd breed greeted them as brothers," she exclaimed. "Someone grabbed a fiddle and they put on a celebration the town was long to remember."[5]
Giant red roses meant lots of green and a lot of pride and joy for New Castle. There were as many as 100 greenhouses growing and nurturing special kinds of roses which were in turn helping New Castle grow and blossom as a community. New Castle, Indiana was famous for its vast number of greenhouses but on March 11, 1917, this town became famous for something far less beautiful.
On a stormy afternoon at 3:02 p.m. on Sunday, March 11, 1917, many of New Castle’s resident’s lives were changed forever. An article reported that in just a few terrifying minutes, “22 people were killed, hundreds were injured, 500 homes were damaged or destroyed and many of the city's triumphant greenhouses were leveled in what would be part of $1 million suffered in property damage.”[6] A massive tornado had swept over central eastern Indiana and southern Ohio.
The tragedy dominated headlines not only in New Castle but across the state proclaiming headlines such as, "Rose City In Ruins." As well as lives lost, many of the greenhouses were in the tornado's path of destruction. "The frail construction of the glass-covered buildings fell easy prey to the wind," one newspaper reported. A well-known greenhouse at this time run by the Heller Brothers recounted that they, "never again reached the peak of earlier days."[7]
Local newspaper reports were incredibly tragic as they reported the horrific misfortunes of that day. "Men, women and children are seen on every hand with arms in slings, bandages around heads and liberal patches on faces," a New Castle paper read. "The two morgues were filled with a never-ending stream of visitors from daylight until late in the evening. It was estimated that 10,000 or more viewed the remains of victims in the disaster.”[8]
Richmond, Indiana, a neighboring town, and Cincinnati, Ohio were also in the dangerous path of this storm. The New York Times reported alarming news from these towns. The article read that, “two children of Ernest Graves were killed. The children were in a brick house which was demolished. Ora Smith, a farmer of that neighborhood, living in a shanty near the new home he was building, was picked up by the wind, carried 100 feet, and dripped into a pond. His back was broken and he probably will die.” The damage in the county is estimated at several thousand dollars. “In Cincinnati, Ohio, seven houses are lying in ruins on Grace and on Greist Avenues. The greatest damage was done at the home of Mathew McCarthy on Greist Avenue near Delta Avenue. Here the three year-old son of Mr. McCarthy was blown out of the house. His bruised body was found a dozen yards away. Mr. McCarthy and two nephews were so badly injured that they probably will die”[9] the article reported.
Also a victim to this tragedy was a man known locally as “Old Man Nelson.” He was age 90 and had made his home in a wagon. He, unfortunately, died in the storm as well. Fear of fire riddled the town as well. Several of the houses in the path of the tornado caught fire. Firemen and police were working in the burning ruins late tonight to rescue those thought to be trapped. Luckily, rain followed the tornado and just as Mother Nature had ripped apart this town, she helped to stop further destruction.[10]
Rose City would never quite come back from this disaster but still kindness and assistance seemed to come from all directions. Sugar, flour, meats, and potatoes were offered by The Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce to the residents in New Castle. The City of New Castle archives reported that, “more than $9,000 in donations poured in from all around the state. Cities from Ohio to Illinois to Texas contributed. The Maxwell Motor Co. in Dayton sent $2,000. Montgomery-Ward in Chicago sent another $1,000.”[11] According to several local newspaper reports, compassion overshadowed dismay. Many residents of New Castle found themselves without a home but were welcomed with compassion and a place to stay by their neighbors who were not so heavily impacted by the destruction of the storm.
The city was also under police and military control. The Indiana National Guard was patrolling the damaged districts. Under the order of Mayor L.J. Watkins, all saloons and factories were closed. Work of repairing the damage to the less injured buildings had begun as the sun was rising. One article wrote that, “Carpenters were hurrying along the devastated streets with their told wagonloads of lumbers were being hauled to various addresses. Daylight disclosed many pitiful sights. Many persons remained in the wreck of their homes last night. Several used blankets, quilts and bedding to stop up broken windows or holes in the roofs.”[12]
One newspaper read that, "Later reports of relief work show that nearly everyone in the city who can accommodate any of the storm sufferers are offering their homes to them," Clearing debris became an unimaginable task without the availability of cranes to do so. It is said that city officials called on farmers to bring herds of animals in to help clear the debilitating debris. "It is the belief of the people of New Castle and especially those directly in charge of relief work that scores of farmers will be glad to offer the use of their teams two or three days for this work. A hundred teams can be used and those willing to donate the same should call the relief committee"[13] a local newspaper accounted.
Economically, the town had trouble regaining its footing because almost all of the greenhouses had been destroyed as well as some factories. Physically, the town fell victim to the destruction of the tornado. For several hours the town was entirely cut off from outside communication. Practically every road leading into the city was blocked with fallen trees and debris. Socially, the town found refuge in each other’s homes and arms. The Mayor took action to assist in every way that he could and government agencies stepped up and intervened in this tragic time. Politically, it seems as if there was no change because this tragedy was of Mother Nature. Besides abandoning their homes, there was nothing that the residents could do. No one knows truly how bad a storm is going to be until it is at your door step so the community of New Castle has no one to blame besides good old Mother Nature. It’s not said whether preventative actions were taken but rebuilding happened almost immediately as crews began cleaning up the broken town. Although the town was physically in shambles, the community rose as one.
A combination of natural and man-made forces ultimately resulted in the downfall of New Castle's fame and money making industry of roses. The town never really came back from this natural disaster. Fortunately though, this tragedy brought the residents of New Castle together in a way that changed the town as a community. Although buildings were demolished, green houses turned to dust, and lives lost, the residents reached out to each other to help build their spirits once more. Help came from those who were trained to and from those who rose to the occasion. Among all the destruction, New Castle took steps to rebuild the community as a helping community rather than anything else. This was not a disaster to blame on anyone, rather a natural misfortune that forced the community to rise to the occasion and help their neighbors. New Castle did exactly that, they rose and they grew as beautifully as the American Beauty Roses once had.
[1] “When New Castle Became ‘Rose City’,” Courier Times, http://www.thecouriertimes.com/main.asp?SectionID=23&SubSectionID=45&ArticleID=279521
[2] “When New Castle Became ‘Rose City’”
[3] “When New Castle Became ‘Rose City’”
[4] “When New Castle Became ‘Rose City’”
[5] “When New Castle Became ‘Rose City’”
[6] “When New Castle Became ‘Rose City”
[7] “Newcastle, Indiana Tornado March 11, 1917,” GenDisasters: Events That Touched Our Ancestors’ Lives, http://www.gendisasters.com/data1/in/tornadoes/newcastle-tornado1917.htm
[8] “When Newcastle Became ‘Rose City”
[9] “Indiana Tornado Kills A Score,” New York Times, March 12, 1917, p. 1
[10] “Indiana Tornado Kills A Score”
[11] “When New Castle Became ‘Rose City’”
[12] “Newcastle, Indiana Tornado March 11, 1917”
[13] Darrel Radford, “From ‘Rose City’ to Ruins” The Henry County Historical Society, http://www.henrycountyhs.org/category/news/page/3/
