Memory Bank: Duvall dinner

Republican John Duvall took office as Indianapolis’ 27th mayor on Jan. 4, 1926. A year later, he held his “first annual”—and what would be his last—Municipal Dinner Dance at the Columbia Club downtown, as shown in this photo. About 10 months later, on Oct. 27, 1927, Duvall resigned two years into his term at the insistence of the City Council after he was accused of trading jobs for votes during the election. Upon his resignation, his wife, Maude, was mayor for about 15 minutes, according to the Indiana Historical Society. Duvall was eventually convicted of violating the State Corrupt Practices Act; he was sentenced to 30 days in jail and fined $1,000.

Sources: Indiana Historical Society, Encyclopedia of Indianapolis

Credit: This photo is courtesy of the Indiana Historical Society and is part of the Indianapolis Bicentennial Collection. More images are available at images.indianahistory.org.