Gibson County, Indiana - Geography, Agricultural, 1884

Tion. Facilities

IBSON County lies principally son the 30th parallel of latitude, and is situ- in the southwest corner of the state of Indiana, in what is familiarly known as "the pocket." It is bounded on th north by the Wabash River, Knox and Pike Counties (the White River sepurates it from Knox County), on the gast by Pike and Warrick, south by Warrick, Vanderburg and Posey Counties, west by Posey County, Wabash River and Knox County. Its greatest length from east to west is forty-eight and one-half miles, and from north to south in its greatest breadth a fraction over 'twenty-four miles.

Porotation. - The population of ing to the census of 1890, was 22, pally composed of persons of Englin German aud French extraction, with quite a of colored persons.

the capital of the county, is situated in Township 2 S, Range 10, and Township 2 8, Range 11. It is principally in Section 7 of the fint named township, and a small portion of the town located in Section 12 of the latter township. Its locntion is a little north of the center of the county, o the lines of the Evansville & Terre Haute Railroad, and. the Louisville, Evansville & St. Louis Railroad. It ix 114 miles west of Louisville, and 153 miles cust of St. Louis, eighty-two miles south of Terre Haute, and twenty-seven miles north of Evansville.

Lax» Sunract. - The land surface is considerably diversified with hills and valleys, cleared and heavily timbered woodlands; the greater part being originally 'covered with a luxuriant growth of timber, a lange tion of which has, ero this, given way before the axe of the pioneer and old settler. 'The surface in different localities is rather undulating. There are occasionally small hills or bluffs adjacent to the streams, which lend a picturesque appearance to the landscape.

are in fact the leading employments of the people, and the rich returns which it brings to those engaged in them promise to attract strangers, and reward all who devote their labor to it. Gibson County is located within the wheat belt. The leading staple products are wheat, Indian corn, oats, potatoes, hay, tobacco and sorghum. The productions are so varied as to warrant the assertion that no year or season can occur in which the prudent husbandman will be completely disappointed in his hopes. Another branch of industry is stock raising. In this county may be found a few farmers engaged in breeding blooded sheep, cattle, horses, swine and poultry. This is an indastry which 'ought to receive more attention from the farmers generally, Almost every desirable fruit, every useful grain, every nutritive grass, is found here growing to perfection. Industry may grow rich by the proper use of its resources, and domestic comfort, and oven luxury, may find ample opportunities to gratify every reasonable desire,

Cumarz. - It is drained by several large streams, The Wabash River forms a large portion of the western boundary and is the largest stream, and by ita tributaries drains the greatest aree of the county. In fact, from the numerous water-sheds of the county, with tbe many affluents running into the Patoka and White Rivers, it will be seen that all the surplus surface water eventually is lost in the placid bosom of the Wabash. The longest stream in the county is the Patoka River. It takes its rise in the billy districts of the southeast corner of Orange County, Ind., and it meanders in au almost westerly direction through the counties of Orange, Du Bois, Pike and Gibson, and empties ita waters into the Wabash Carmel, drain the northern portions of Washington and White River Townships. Among the other streams are Pigeon Creek, Smith's, Maumee, Richland, Keg and Buck Crooks, with their tributaries. There is also a tributary of Black River in the southern part of the county.

which are Crane, Mauck, Burnett, Riley, Goose and Fish Ponds. In many portions of the county water is afforded by copious springs and small 'The surface of the county in some respects is higher north of the contre. The high grounds are the watermedium between the extremes of heat and cold.

Dramo is being introduced, in parta at some distance from the water courses, and in time, when the system of draining becomes better understood, and 'generally applies, it will result in great good to the agricultural interesa of the county. There are many small, and several large, ponds and lakes in the county, some of which cover several acres each, 'which might in thig way bo drained and the land zedeemed and cultivated. As the benefits resulting from ile draining become more appreciated, and ite importsuce more fully realized by the farming community generally, it will be still more extensively used, and millions of wealth thereby added to the agricultural interests of the state.

Pourricat Divistoss. - Gibson County is divided into nine municipal townships, viz: Barton, Columbia, Center, Washington, White River, Patoka, Johnson, Montgomery and Wabash.

Taunsronrarion Facumes. - The first means employed for transportation of the surplus products of this part of the country were rafto and rudely-constructed fat bosta on the Wabash, along the western boundary of Gibson County, and for the northern por; tion on the White and Patoka Rivers. The first bost that navigated the Wabash as far north as Terre Haute was the "Commerce," in about 1819, It came from Cincinnati, and was commanded by Jacob Strader. Only now and then did steamers navigate the Wabash 'until 1882, when steamboating on the river was conducted with much regularity. Prior to this, one bout during the year was about the extent of steam navigation. From 1882 until 1856 the river trafic was quite active, but as soon as the railroads commenced operations the business fell off, the railroads having almost the entire monopoly as common carriers, though even to this day regular packets run on the Wabash and White Rivers,

'Canat. - Undeer the improvement system of the state, inaugurated in 1887, the canal from Evansville to Fi. Wayne and La Porte was commenced and finished during the year 1889-40, at a cost of several millions of dollars. It extended through the eastern portion of Gibson County and furnished a highway for the trans. portation of much of the producta of the county. For a of years a rogular passenger boat plied between Evansville and La Porte. This was the most important improvement made in the state up to that period, but on the advent of the railroads, the canal boat and stage coach had to give way to the speedier and better 'means of travel.

Ranaosns. - Railroading is comparatively a new industry. Many centuries have added their contributions to science, yet during only about fifty years have railroads been known. Scientists of all ages hs grappled with the various problems of government and "political economy, social life and questions of demand 'and supply, and left the records of their labors for our instruction. The sccamalated wisdom of centuries furnishes much material from whence we can draw "such knowledge. But railroads are institutions of to-day; - this is the "Iron Age," wherein distance is virtually wiped out, and " push " has become the watchword of the nineteenth century. The first railway constructed in the Mississippi Valley was in 1887, and was known as the & St. Louis Railroad. It extended from

Pittsburg, to Eust St. Louis - a distance of about six miles. It was constructed with a wooden rail, and the cars were moved by horsepower. It was only made for conveying coal from the mines at Pittsburg to the $). Louis markets. A few months later a road was built from Meredosia to Naples, on the Illinois River.

In 1897, under the popularly so-called Internal Improvement Scheme of Illinois, grading was commenced from Mt. Carmel, in westward, simultaneously with like work from Alton, eastward, along the proposed line of the Ilinois Southern cross road, which recognized Alton and Mt. Carmel as its termini, by Messrs. Bonhim, Shannon, and' Goforth, who had the contract from Mt. Carmel to Albion. They employed in all nearly 499 hands weat from Albion. Like work was done under a contract let to Messrs, Hall & Kinner.

'The grading of noarly twenty miles of read was completed in 1889, and there the work was dropped. On the 3d of June, 1849, under act of the legislature of the prescding session, the roadway was sold to the highest bidder. Gen. William Pickering bought it for the small sum of $300. It was not until 1871 that the property again attracted attention, and became the route of the present Air Line. In February, 1872, the first train crossed the Little Wabe

This railrond extends across the county of Gibson nearly central from east to west. The principal stations are Princeton, Oakland City, and Francisco.

'The length of main track in the county is twenty-five and one-half miles, with two miles of side tracks. It is the consolidation of two divisions of road, known as the Indiana and Ilinois divisions. 'This was one of the first contemplated railroads in the State of Illinois, and first bore the name of the Alton, Mt. Carmel & New Albany Railroad Company. It first presented itself in 1837, and some of the swamp lands in Illinois along i Jine were appropriated ta aid in constructing the rond. About this time a portion of the road bed was made, but for lack of funds and co-operation, on the part of the company, the road was abandoned, and subs quently passed into the hands of Gen. Pickering, as stated above,

'The Indiana division was organized under the general laws of the state, Feb. 4, 1869, by the name of the New Albany & St. Lonis Air Line Railroad, and on the 1st of July, 1870, its name was changed to the Louis. ville, New Albany & Bt. Louis Air Line Railroad Company. 'The Illinois division was organized July 14, 1809, under a special act of the legislature, and known thé Bt. Louis, Mt, Carmel and New Albany Railroad Company. Said two companies were consolidated July 24, 1872, under the name of the Louisville, New Albany & St. Louis Railroad Company. Both divisione subsequently sold under foreclosure. They again the name of the Louisville, New Albany & St Louis Railroad Company. The Illinois division reorganized in January, 1878, by the namo of the St. Lou Carmel & New Albany Railroad Company, Aug. 15, 1878, these companies again consolidated under the name of the Louisville, New Albany & St. Louis Railway Company. At this writing it is called the Louisville, Evansville & St. Louis Railway Company, which name it assumed in November, 1881. It is, however, more familiarly known as the St. Louis Air Line Railway. 'The eastern terminus is Louisville and the 'western St, Louis, - with tho ceneral offices at the former place.

Equipment And Etc

'The road is laid with steel rails and a considerable portion of the road bed is ballasted with stone. It is well tied and the bridges are in good condition. The rolling stock in both the passenger und freight departments is new and complete. On all through night trains the Pullman car service is used. 'The employes of thi rond aro affable and attentive to passengers and patrons, which aids much in giving this line its well deserved popularity. The Air Lineis the shortest route between St. Louis and Louisville by fifty-six miles, and lam that as soon as the road bed thoroughly settled, that the passenger department will be able to save at least two hours' time over any other road between the two terminal points. All day and night trains run through from the Union Depot, Louisville, to St, Louis Union Depot, without change, which is the only road between the two cities which does that, thereby saving the passengers the annoyance and trouble of changing cars. 'The number of miles of the main line is 180}. From Mt. Vernon, IL, to St. Louis they have a traffic contract and ran ning arrangements with the L. & N. R. B. Co.

The management is now bending its energies to building up and developing the resources and interests of the road, and by a liberal manner of dealing with its patrons to foster and encourage the growth of the cities and towns and the business interests of the country along its line. The road extends over one of the best coal fields in the West - fully 100 miles over the Indiana coal beds - and along its line are also found extensive quarries of the best quality of building stone. 'Timber of the best hard-wood varieties is also abun and passing, as it does, through the wheat belt of In ana and Ilinois - with all these advantages the road cannot fail to pay a handsome dividend for the capital invested.

Within the last eighteen months twenty new depots have been built. They are all commodious and sub. stantial structures having the latest improvements and being in the modern style of architecture. Several of 'them are very handsome and attractive. And the com-

Evansvinie Divistox. - This division of the Air seventy-one miles long, extending from Jasper, the county sext of Du Bois County, to Evansville, includ ing what is called the Rockport Branch, from Gentry ville to Rockport on the Ohio, sixteen miles.

Tue Evansville & Terre Haute Railroad

'The original charter for this road was granted Jan. 2, 1949, to the "Evansville & Illinois Railroad Company," to run from the Ohio River, at Evansville, to the Ohio & Miss Princeton and Mt. Carmel,

Tn accordance with sume, notice of which was pre ously published in the Princeton Clarion aud the Evan ville the company organized in the city of Evansville, Aug. 16, 1819,

Hon, Samuel Hall was chosen first president and served until the election of W. D. Griswold, in October, 1854. In was under the direction of these gentlemen ussistod by prominent. businoss men in oach of the counties through which the roul was constructed, that the building of the liue was completed in 1868, through |

Funds were not always plentiful, but the stock subseription of Vanderburgh, County and Evansville city, 100,000 euch, with what Was taken by various capitalints nnd ecncerus aloug the line, together with the placing of a first mortgage bond, finally pulled it through. Ta unmerons instances the personal credit of individual directora was necessry to secure funds for present use, Dut the modern method of voting su to Juve suggested itself

In November, 1849, Gibson County people, north of Patoka, petitioned to have the rond extended from Princeton to the Patoka River, at or near the town of Patoka, Which wus agreed npon, and in November, 1860, surveys

In May, 1851, the first half-mile of track layi contracted for from Evansville north, was celebrated ou the following Fourth of July in n big Jubileo, to which passengers were carried from Evans ville und return at twenty cents per hend, ench way. 'The road was completed to Princeton in April, 1852, the fure from Evansville being fixed by the Board of Direct ors at eighty cents, but subsequently advanced to $1,00.

The consolidation of the " Evansville & Illinois" and "Wabash" Railroads was effected in November, 1862, the new title vesting in the " Evansville & Ilinois Ruilrond Company." An immediate survey of the enpi Railway at Olney, via |

| tire line from Vincennes to Terre Haute was then ordered, and steps taken toward pushing the road through to Crawfordsville the name of the road being changed to the " Evansville & Crawfordsville Railroad Company," March, 1859, in March, 1877, was again changed to the present style, the "Evansville & Terre Haute Railroad Company.

'The construction of the Mt. Vernon Branch, thirtyseven miles in length, was completed in July, 1882. Montgomery Township voted $26,000 in aid of this ex-

'Tho present condition of the road bed is first-class In fact, the E. & T. H. is generally conceded to be one of the best graveled ronds in the country. Tho entire ine from Evansville to Terre Haute nnd seven miles of | the branch are laid in steel rails, with ties numbering

2,600 to the Bridges are in good order, fine iron | structures spanning the Patoka, in Gibson County, and | Pigeon Creok, in Vanderburg. There are only three or | | four grades of any consequence, and none of them heavy enough to impede the movement of large trains. The best engines haul from twenty-five to thirty loaded freight cars over any part of the line, utmost test, until with the experience of tho past and a | constant endeavor to meet the demands, they are now | prepared to handle all the business that can be safely | put upon a single-track railroad. Harmonious relations | are maintained with the best fast freight lines and with all connections, that unequaled facilities exist for i with groat dispatch all the leading markets in the country, north, south, east and west, Passenger uccommodations aud connections are equal to the be

Indianapolis And Evansville Railway

INDIANAPOLIS AND EVANSVILLE RAILWAY. is road was projected in 1964-"55, and considerable | grading was dono in '65-'50. It was then called Evansville, Indianapolis & Cleveland Straight Line R. R., aud it in now popularly known as the "Straight Line." It | in completed and in operation from Evaneville to Waah- | ington, Ind, where it crosses the O. & M. B. B., and for a new road, considering its age, is doing a fair busi- | ness, It crosses Boston and Columbia Townships, and the principal stations in this county are Oakland and Somerville.