From The Indianapolis Star, Friday, April 29, 1921: “Spite fences” are not legally recognized in Indianapolis or authorized by Indiana law said superior court Judge Theophilus Moll who ruled yesterday in favor of Dr. Lucius Merriwether, a colored dentist residing at 2255 N. Capitol Ave., who had sued his next door neighbors, Gabriel and Goldie Slutzky and Mary Grooms, for damages. The defendants were ordered to remove, “by noon tomorrow,” the wooden “spite fence,” parts which extended more than six feet above the ground dividing the Merriwether property from the adjacent properties. The court awarded Merriwether damages in the sums of $150 (2020: $2,220) from Mrs. Grooms and $350 (2020: $5,156) from the Slutskys. The case arose last summer when the Capitol Avenue Protective Association sought to prevent colored people from moving up Capitol Ave. into the white residential section.
-
Other News This Week
- Teach Your Children Well
- Christian Park Dedicated as 2026 NCAA’s Legacy Project
- Decorator’s Show House & Gardens Open Through May 10
- “Come From Away” at the IRT
- That Guy
- Plans to Improve Rural and Mass Ave. Infrastructure
- “Singin’ in the Rain” at Beef & Boards Through May 23
- IMPD Launches Rideshare Pick-up and Drop-off Zones
- Two Pacers Bikeshare Stations Open on Eastside
- Applause!: April 17-23
Search Site for Articles


