538 Douglass is a narrow frame house located four houses down from the corner of North and Douglass Streets. Built prior to 1887, the house was originally a one story shotgun; however, sometime between 1887 and 1898 a second story was added. After this addition, the basic frame of the house remained unchanged until at least 1975 when Indiana Landmarks photographed it. 

Mrs. Bertie Morris

According the Indianapolis City Directory, Bertie Morris lived in the house from 1939 to 1940. Originally from Arkansas, Bertie was born between 1898 and 1903 to Henry Fields and Emma Daniels. In 1928 she married Howard Morris but by 1939 the city directory listed her as a widow. While living at 538 Douglass, Bertie worked as a maid in a private home and supported her niece and nephew.

In 1941 Bertie moved into an apartment in Lockefield Gardens. Then, in 1947, Bertie married Boyd E Lyles, a laborer for Smith Agricultural Chemical Company. They rented a house at 722 North West Street. By 1952, Boyd had become a belt operator and they had moved into 766 Edgemont Avenue, the house Bertie would live in for the rest of her life. She died in 1971 at General Hospital. Her funeral was held at Beulah Baptist Church and she was buried in New Crown Cemetery.

Eugenia Bruce

During Mrs. Bertie Morris' short time at 538 Douglass, there was an incident involving a 27-year-old woman named Eugenia (Jean) Ivy Bruce. Also from Arkansas, Eugenia was living with Bertie in 1940 and was likely the niece listed as a dependent of Bertie in the 1940 census. According to the Indianapolis Recorder, while she was living with Bertie, Eugenia “was placed on a vagrancy charge suspected of the stabbing of William Hammock” following an argument at 538 Douglass. According to a record from the Indiana Digital Archives, Eugenia was charged with assault and battery, resisting an officer, and disorderly conduct. As a result, she was sentenced to 60 days in the women’s prison or a $70 fine.

Prior to her arrest, Eugenia was married to James Bruce and lived in Muncie, Indiana. While they were living in Muncie, on August 1, 1934, James was arrested to prevent him from harming Eugenia as he had apparently threatened to kill her after she filed for divorce. Following this incident, Eugenia moved to Indianapolis to start over. When she first got to the city she lived in a boardinghouse; however, by 1940 she was living with Bertie Morris at 538 Douglass Street.