100 Years Ago This Week: March 18-24

From The Indianapolis Star, Wednesday, March 22: City librarian Miss Eliza G. Browning announced the program for ceremonies accompanying the laying of the cornerstone of the new Central Library building on Friday afternoon. Seven hundred school children, under the direction of Edward B. Birge, will sing “The Messiah of Nations,” composed by John Philip Sousa. The words of this beautiful composition were written by Hoosier poet James Whitcomb Riley whose gift of land to the city made the new library building possible. Edmund H. Eitel, Riley’s nephew, will represent the poet and direct the sealing of a steel box containing a varied assortment of documents. The box will then be placed in the corner stone and sealed with cement by Mr. Eitel. The principal address will be given by author Meredith Nicholson. More than 500 invitations have been sent out.