Vanderburgh County, Indiana - Military History, 1897

Military History

The Civil War - Capt. Walker and His Company - Some Protninetit Institutions - Home of the Friendless - Orphans'" Asylum - Insane Hospital - Postoffice - Railroads - B. M. A. History and Splendid Building - River Transportation .

In wai- there is ahvay.s a personal risk, dangerous and thrilling. Principles may be at the bottom of bloody battles and populated war cemeteries, but the delight, "after the war," to repeat the individual adventures and perilous situations of the narrator entirely submerges the causes that led up to the awful carnage.

The pioneer struggles of the first settlers with the wily redskins of the forest have already been faithfully chronicled in this history, and it is now the purpose to consider the martial doings of our patriotic people in the wars of the nation in after times.

The settlers did yeoman service in the war of 1812 with Great Britian. The articles of peace did not mention the chief cause of the war, which was impressment of American seamen into British service on the high seas, and this, too, was before Vanderburgh county had been organized as a civil division. Some of these early, hearty pioneers, putting aside their business of hunting and trapping, joined the army of General Harrison, and on the celebrated battleground of Tippecanoe rendered distinguished service. Others went with the Kentucky riflemen to New Orleans, and were at the unparalleled victory of " Old Hickory " Jackson over the flower of the British army under General Pakenham. After the war they walked all the way back home, sleeping' in the woods during the long, dangerous journey, and subsisting principally on game. Their report of the great^battle at the Crescent City was the first news the settlers at home had of it.

Under the laws of the state regulating militia companies, these military organizations did some active service in the Indian wars. On "training days," when men were exempt from arrest, they had a general jollification. Musters were held at i-egular periods through- out the year, and usually at the county seat. Many, I am sure, have heard of the cane-guu. It was cut from the cane brakes, plugged up at both ends, loaded with whiskey, and every time the, company brought their guns to a fire, these men, armed wrth the eaue-guns, fired down their throats. The brigade in this section of the state was commanded at different times by Gen. Robert M. Evans, Gen. ^¥. A. Twigg, of New Harmony, and Gen. James P. Drake, at that time a resident of Posey county.

The Creek war of 1836 and the Seminole war of the same time had no particular effect on the citizens of Evansville and Vanderburgh county, as none of our citizens engaged in these struggles.

With the admission of Texas into the union there came into this neighborhood rumblings of war - as early as August, 1845. The first company, consisting of 100 men, for the Mexican war left for New Albany, the place of rendezvous, June 7, 1846. This was Captain William Walker's company, a full roster of which is given elsewhere herein, as well as an authentic biography of Captain Walker himself. Joseph Lane left his seat in the state senate and drilled under Captain Walker, and subsequently was appointed brigadier general by the president. After leaving New Albany the three Indiana regiments - the quota required - pitched their tents at New Orleans, then crossed the gulf, and tented on the scene of war. More than half of company K, commanded by Captain Tucker, was made up of meu from Evansville. The second Indiana regiment, led by General Lane, entered the fight at Buena Vista, and met with a loss of 135 men. It was there that Captain Walker fell. The regiment was mustered out of service at New Orleans, July 1, 1847. The Mexican veteraus formed an association in this city September 20, 1887, with a list of fifleen persons.

It is not the intention to write here the military history of Evansville and Vanderlmrgh county", for that has already been written by others, but this history would not be complete without some statements in passing, regarding the part my fellow citizens took in the terrible, bloody carnage of 1861-65 - the great civil war. The twenty-fourth Indiana, the fourteenth, the eleventh, first-battery light artillery, twenty-fifth, first cavalry or twenty -eighth, thirty-second, thirty-fiflh, sixth battery light artillery, forty -second, sixtieth, eighth battery light artillery, sixty-fifth, fourth cavalry or seventy-seventh, ninety-first, one hundred and twentieth, tenth cavalry or one hundred and twentyfifth, one hundred and thirty-sixth, one hundred and forty-third regiuKMitsall contained A'^anderburgh countv men. Some meu and oflicers who could not get into these military organizations enlisted in other regiments, so that they were distributed through twenty-six different regiments The Indiana legion did good service for its country. Many colored men enlisted from this city, and their soldiery qualities were not excelled even by the white troops.

The fii'st man to offer his services for his country from this city was Capt. Chas. H. Myerhoff. His enlistment was in the Fourteenth Indiana, in Captain Wiliard's company. Captain Myerhoff is now a successful business man of our city. Many men from here rose to ranks of distinction, and some even to national reputation. And we honor such names as Gen. James M. Shackleford, Gen. John W. Foster, Gen. Courad Baker, Colonel Rheinlander, Colonel Denby, Colonel Shanklin, Colonel Hornbrook.

The author was trustee of Pigeon township iu 1864-5, and at the same time quartermaster of the Second Indiana Legion. These two positions necessarily put into his charge the refugees and fugitives from the farther south, who were escaping from the country so completely overrun by the forces of the two contending armies. They arrived at the wharf by boat loads, and a camp had to be established for their protection and accommodation. The camp was pitched in Blackford's Grove. It was very wet and sloppy there, but no better place could be secured at that season of the year. There were as many as two hundred and fifty men, women and children on an average encamped there at one time, but the citizens took an active part in furnishing provisions and clothes, and every effort was made to see that none suffered for the necessaries of life. But living in tents in the midst of winter was not a pleasant way of living, and the exposure brought on sickness aud caused several deaths. They were at length taken to much better quarters at the fair grounds in Knight township. There they were cared for till the smile of springtime afforded them pleasant weather for journeying farther on.

As an instance of the liberal-hearted citizens of the county, on agreement the farmers brought in^o the city in one long procession two hundred loads of wood for the needy wives and mothers of the soldiers who were at the front. The wood aud coal thus donated was stored at Seventh street park. The ladies, appreciating the patriotic sentiment that actuated these generous farmers, banquetted them that night at Mozart hall.

were passing through this city on their way to Indianapolis, to be discharged from service, the citizens very fittingly erected an arch at Main and Third streets, and a civic escort conducted the gallant veterans under it with the spirit of the old Roman triumph in the march. The warm word "Welcome" was upon the arch. There was a mighty sense of softwinged peace in the bosom of every one as the battle-scarred, servicestained old heroes proudly rode under the arch. The war was ended. Evansville during the civil strife was on the border of the scene, in a measure, and troops rendezvoused here for a time: Others passed through on their way to the front. War-boats, armed with cannon and mortars, steamed by in the Ohio river. During a part of the time temporary hospitals were established here, and after the battle of Shiloh the wounded of both sides were brought here and cared for. Many persons in the city quietly left and went into the enemy's country. The people of this city learned well their lesson of moderation and charity from the mighty clash of arms, and they have always held out a friendly hand to a magnanimous but conquered enemy. Many will i-emember the reunion of the "blue and gray," held in this city in 1883, and the friendly greetings that were exchanged by those who had been deadly enemies.

Captain Walker And His Company

This narrative' has special reference to Capt. Wm. Walker, M'ho figured extensively, as history shows, in the war of 1812, and there was, until a recent date, a tree which was known as the "Walker Tree" in Salem, New Jersej-. At this place, tradition says, there was some desperate fighting done. But the first I knew of Capt. Wm. Walker was on my arrival in Evansville in February, 1837. He was then a citizen of Evansville, having been one of the early settlers of 1835. His family consisted of his wife, Catharine Walker, and children, James T. Walker, Dr. George B., William H., Oscar and Dr. John T.; his daughters were Mary, afterwards Mrs. Barter ;. Hannah, afterwards Mrs. Welborn, who died recently in this city. This was an active, stirring family. They engaged in all the enterprises in a business way, and helped to lay the foundation of this city.

Captain Walker had no regular business. He contracted for earthwork and improvement of streets, and would sometimes undertake to build houses. He was never idle, and was an active, useful man. At the time of the Mexican War in 1846, he was an efficient court official. He was an ardent Democrat, and fully approved of waging war against

Mexico, and as he had been an active participant in the war of 1812, he suddenly made up his mind that he would I'aise a company to help prosecute the war in Mexico, although he was at that time sixty-five years old. His appearance showed that he was at least that old, although he was as active and vigorous as a man of forty. So Gen. Joseph Lane, Dr. Daniel Lane, John T. Walker and many of the leading citizens here took an active part in assisting to raise a company which was accomplished in one week, and within another week or two they were ordered to rendezvous at New Albany. General Lane, Dr. Lane, Dr. John T. Walker, with the following made up the company, to-wit :

As it is seen from the above roll, the company lacked twenty men of being complete, but the remainder were added at New Orleans or on the way to that city, and were mustered in, making one hundred strong. They were then ordered up the Rio Grande, and joining Gen. Taylor they marched through the country, fighting several small battles and skirmishes, and finally reached Buena Vista. This company was a part of the Second Regiment Indiana Volunteers, which was commanded by Colonel Bowles, who showed the white feather at the~ battle of Buena Vista, thus causin}>- the death of a great number of the regiment, at which time and place a large number of Captain Walker's company was killed.

Captain Walker was killed while supjiortiug a battery that was lieing planted by Gen. Joseph Lane, who was severely wounded and carried from the field. As is known the Mexicans were finally repulsed, and the next morning after the battle, the dead body of Captain Walker and those brave men who fell around him, numbering fourteen, were brought into camp. Captain Walker's remains were shipped home and placed in their long-resting place at Oak Hill Cemetery; and upon his monument are inscribed the names of those who fell around him. The captain was found with several pistols belted around him, every cartridge discharged. He had evidently done deadly work in the ivlexican ranks.

Dr. John T. Walker, his son, M'as assistant surgeon of the regiment, and remained with the regiment until the war was over, when he I'eturned home to his family. In the late war of the Rebellion in 1860, he enlisted as assistant surgeon in the 25th regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. His son, William. Walker, also went with the same regiment, and participated in the battles of Ft. Donaldson and Shiloh as lieutnenant colonel, but he broke down in health and came home, where he died suddenly from the effects of camp-life exposure. Another son, Jesse W. Walker, became major in the same regiment.

Two of the descendants of Dr. John T. Walker are still living, Mrs. Cave J. Morris, who resides in Evansville, and Capt. George B. Walker, who is in the U. S. service, stationed at Ft. Thomas.

Home For The Friendless

the Friendless is, in a great degree, the outgrowth of the faithful work of Miss Eleanor E. Johnson. Through her earnest labors the importance of this charitable institution became apparent At first it was maintained by private charity.

It was founded in 1869 under the name of " Christian Home." Its purpose is, as stated in the constitution, "to provide and maintain a home for friendless women, such as may be in circumstances of peculiar temptation, and for the purpose of affording to such, as may have wandered from the paths of virtue, encouragement and assistance to reformation "

In 1870 Mr "Willard Carpenter donated a house and lot to be used by this organization, and later he gave two and a half acres of land in the lower part of the city. In 1873 the name was changed to " Home for the Friendless " In April, 1882, after moving into the new home on Fulton avenue, the work was not confined to the one field, but was broad and catholic in its character - sheltering strangers, admitting old ladies, children and foundlings. The Home is doing a noble work and is everything that its charter claims for it - a home for the friendless - open to all regardless of faith, creed or nationality.

During the past twenty-seven years nearly sixteen hundred people have found shelter under its roof. The sick and friendless have been cared for, sometimes for years, and a home given them when they had no other. Some of these deserving ones are yet inmates of the home. Mrs J. C Wade, the matron, has served in that capacity for fourteen years or more.

The present number of inmates is fifty, eight of these are old ladies. On the board of managers are : Mrs S. E. DeBruler, president; Mrs. Louise Casselberry, vice-president ; Mrs Margaret McLean, treasurer ; Mrs. James B Rucker, secretary. The trustees are : Capt. John Gilbert, Capt Lee Howell, H. M Lindley, B. Parsons, C. A. DeBruler, Philip Decker, R. K. Dunkerson and J. H. Cutler.

Orphan Asylum

A benevolent institution is the product of Christian civilization, an exercise of altruism as opposed to heathenish selfism. The Orphan Asylum is a lasting memorial to the kind hearted, considerate women of Evansville - the finding of a mother for parentless children. What will not a mother do for orphans! The story has often been told of how Mrs. Elizabeth Sinzich found two homeless, ill-clad little orphan - children at the wharf one cheerless?, cold winter morning in 1866j and how she afterward secured good homes for ttiem - a circumstance tliat led this benevolent lady to advocate an asylum for orphans. She brought tiie matter to the attention of the Daughters of Rebecca, Colfax Lodge No. 34, I. O. O. F;, and they at once very properly and to their lasting honor gave it their serious attention. They secured aid from the city, and solicited funds from the individual citizens. The first home was founded at the residence of Misses Seeley and Hahn, on Mulberry street, near the old cemetery, on April 1, 1866. The institution opened with eleven homeless children, who had neither father nor mother. The noble sisters of Colfax lodge had found and rescued them. The county commissioners purchased a home on the corner of Mary and Illinois sti'eets in September, 1866, and removed the asylum thei'e. Mrs. Stewart was the first matron. She was followed by Mrs. Eleanor Johnson, Mrs. Kearney, Mrs. Coleman, Mrs. Julia Brashear, Mrs. J. A. Eoyster, Mrs. Sarah Main, Miss E. Martin, Miss Maggie Burt, Mrs. R. S. Kearney. Mrs. J. A. Royster, who has held the olSce in all ten years; Mrs. P. Knauth, who has served since August, 1886. The institution was re-organized and chartered by the legislature March 23, 1871. The incorporators were Sarah Lowry, Jane Morgan, Elizabeth Sinzich, Mary A. Archer, Sinai Harrington, Margaret Urie, M. A. Semonin, Fannie Nisbet, Mrs. Charles Schrenk, Mrs. William Baker, Mrs. Christian Kratz, and Mrs. Charles Keller, who were the board of managers at the time. A new home was purchased on West Indiana street for $16,000. This building, which is now the home ot the children, was formally dedicated October 27, 1872. A colored orphan asylum is on the same twenty-acre plat of ground, and both asylums are under the same management. On January 1, 1897, there were forty-eight children being cared for by the white asylum. The officers and managers at present are Mrs. H. M. Lindley, president; Mrs. William Caldwell, vice-pi'esident; Mrs. Samuel Bayard, corresponding secretary; Mrs. A. G. Torian, recording secretary; Mrs. M. L. Nexsen, superintendent; Miss Gist, Mrs. Alvah Johnson, Mrs. H. E. Blemker, Mrs. George L. Dixon. Mrs. Sue M. Barton, Mrs. Nancy Casselberry, and Mrs. D. S. Ragon. The trustees are: Capt. John Gilbert, president; A. W.Emery, secretary; S. P. Gillett, treasurer; Wm. Caldwell, Alex, (iilchrist and David A. Nisbet.

Marine Hospital

The United States government completed the Marine hospital in October, 1856, at a cost of $73,078.56. The ground was broken in the fall of 1853. The building was 110x90 feet, brick and sandstone, three stories, with ample capacity for a hundred patients. It occupies the block between Ohio and Vermont streets and between Wabash and Tenth avenues. After the war the government sold it, and later it was obtaioed^by the Sisters of Charity for a hospital, which they named St. Mary's. They also took the marine patients, under contract, till 1876. In 1888 the government purchased ten acres near the western limits of the city, and erected new buildings at a cost of $100,000. There were 1,117 patients - office and hospital cases for 1895. The physician in charge of the hospital is Surgeou P. M. Carrington. The first medical officer was Dr. M. J. Bray, who served from October, 1856, to June 30, 1861. Dr. J. P. DeBruler succeeded him and served to March 1, 1862. Dr. E. J. Ehrman served to June 30, 1862. Dr. F. W. Sawyer served, not as a regularly appointed surgeou, but he treated patients under contract, from that date to June 30, 1865. Dr. E. J. Ehrman then served to June 30, 1866, the same way. Again Dr. Sawyer was in attendance the next year. Then Dr. J. B. Johnson served up to June 30, 1870. Dr. W. G. Ralston attended the patients, under similar contract, to July 30, 1874. The faculty of the medical college of Evansville served after Dr. Ralston up to March 1876. Dr. H. W. Austin to December 3, 1878; Dr. J. H. O'Reilly to March 26, 1880; Dr. F. J. O'Connor to December 31, 1881 ; Dr. R. P. M. Ames to January 26, 1884 ; Dr. S. D. Brooks to July 5, 1887 ; Dr. B. F. Beebe to August 5, 1887; Dr. R. B. Watkins to February 15, 1888; Dr. Seaton Norman to December 7, 1888; Dr. F. M. Urquhart to December 24, 1888 (died); Dr. J. O. Cobb to January 4, 1889 ; Dr. Seaton Norman to October 31, 1889 ; Dr. G. T. Vaughan to February 5, 1892; Dr. P. M. Carrington to April 10, 1893 ; Assistant Surgeon Seaton Norman to August 15, 1894 - Past Assistant Surgeou P. M. Carrington from that date to the present time, June, 1897.

Hospital For Insane

It had become apparent to public-spirited men that the accommodations which the state and counties had provided for the insane were inadequate to the needs of these unfortunate beings, and therefore an appeal was made to the legislature for a state hosjjital in the southern part of the commonwealth. Through the senators and representatives of this part of the country, the legislature made an appropriation for a brick asylum at or near Evansville. The old Howard farm, consisting of 160 acres, on the Newburgh road, three miles from the city, was secured as a location at a cost of about $20,000. A handsome building was begun in the year 1886. It was opened for occupancy by proclamation of Governor A. P. Hovey, on the first day of July, 1890. On April 16, 1890, the board of trustees chose A. J. Thomas, A. M., M. D., LL. D., as medical superintendent of this hospital and ex-officio secretary of the board of trustees. The medical director so chosen entered upon his duties July 7, 1890. He made his first biennial report to the governor October 31, 1890. According to that report the estimated value of the real estate and personal property of the hospital at that time was slightly over $457,000, and the maximum capacity of the hospital was 400.

The building when first occupied had three extensive wings, radiating from the central dome, and each one is three stories high, with a basement. Early in 1896, a new building was added to the original one, so as to accommodate the patients presenting themselves for admittance to the hospital. It is an oblong structure, three stories high, 54x158 feet; and its interior arrangement is a duplicate of the wings of the original building.

From the biennial report ending October 31, 1896, it is learned that there were 435 patients in the institution at that time. The total number of patients admitted since the opening of the hospital in 1890 is 936 - 490 men and 446 women More farmers and housekeepers enter the asylum than from any other occupation, and more married people than single. More cases of hereditary in.sanity are admitted than from any other cause. The expenditures for maintenance and repairs tor the year ending October 31, 1896, were nearly $76,500.

From the opening of the hospital to the present time, Dr. Tliomas has conducted the institution on careful, economical principles and has surrounded liimself with the best medical assistance. The patients have been treated along the highest humane methods. He has demonstrated his ability and efficiency for the place he occupies, and his faithfulness and carefulness cannot be questioned. In admitting patients to the hospital he has exercised excellent judgment. It has been the rule of his admini.stration that all be treated with kindness and consideration.

Custom House

The postoffice used to make regular moves from place to place with the advent of almost every uew postmaster, until the erection of the present custom house gave it a permanent habitation. This building was completed in 1879, under the supervision of Mr. James H. McNeely, whom the government appointed superintendent of construction. The building is located on Second street and occupies the space between Sycamore and Vine streets. The government appropriated $350,000 for the work. In the custom house are located the postmaster, thesurveyorofcustoms,deputycollector of internal revenue, deputy clerk of the United States court. United States inspectors of steamboats, deputy United States marshal, assistant surgeon of .Marine hospital, and all other government officers in this city.

It is so patent a fact as to be axiomatic that railroads are civjlizers, great disseminators of cosmopolitan traits and promoters of material wealth. Progress is noted all along the lines of transportation, and the centers of activity quiver with a new impetus injected into them by steel rails. They, in a sense, build cities, improve farms, enlarge plans, facilitate exchanges of products, deliver at our doors our mail, whirl us from one end of the country to the other in an incredibly short time when compared with the stage-coach method of conveyance in olden times. They place the edible products of every land upon our tables and adorn our homes with the best made furnishings that the market affords. Indeed, they have revolutionized the whole system of transportation, and inaugurated the era of " quick sales and small profits." With their coming the ease of the " fine old English gentlemen" fled, and nervous haste, tripping up its heels, came to occupy a prominent place in the afJairs of men. Railroads have had much to do with the culture, comfort and condition of man, and have no doubt changed in a measure the character and tenor of his ambitions and the promises he holds out to himself. The application of this general truth to particulars is not hard to make. The railroad brought with it a new order of things. The pursuits of men have multiplied, books and papers are more numerous than was ever before known in the world, comforts are secured with less money than ever before, and the young man just starting in life has been trained to indulge himself in limitless ambitions and to multiply star-eyed promises in the firmament of his early morning of life. The advantages of railroads to Evansville and Vanderburgh county have been legion. Before the advent of railroads the Ohio river was the great thoroughfare from New Orleans through to Pittsburgh, and the river was almost constantly marked by a line of low-hanging, smoke that had been coughed from the tall smokestacks of the river packets. Indeed, the keels of every sort of craft ve.\ed the surface of the Ohio - the beautiful.' But with the comiug of railroads which traversed along its banks, so to speak, cfossed it and penetrated into the very heart of the country, this great artery of commerce had to surrender a great part - the greater part in fact - of its carrying trade to its glittering railed rival.

The railroad, like a quick-moving, dapper little man, took the conveyance of farm and manufactured products away from it and delivered them at their destination far in advance of the time in which the river would have been able to do it. It was speed and the modern spirit of rush that deprived the river of so much of its business. But still, the Ohio is an indispensable means of transportaion for all the river towns and for conveyance of the products of the broad, fertile farms in the bottoms. Therefoi'e, the boat has not been hopelessly relegated to a past era. The whole of the business was not absorbed by this new common carrier - the railroad.

The old Wabash and Erie canal was opened for traffic in 1853, but its life was of short duration, for it was entirely abandoned in 1864, its business was killed by the swifter methods of the railroads. The first railroad into Evansville was mapped out in 1849, and was called the Evansville & Indianapolis railroad. The next year its construction was begun, and later its name was changed to the Evansville & Crawfordsville railroad. It was completed to Terre Haute in 1854. It is now known as the Evansville & Terre Haute railroad, and is a direct route to Chicago. The fortunate position of Evansville on the Ohio has made it a railroad center, and consequently a mart for a lai-ge portion of Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky. It is a direct line from Chicago through to the South and Southwest. It is a great supply point in many lines af industry for the rapidly developing South. It is the largest hard-wood lumber market in the world. These and many other essential features have brought many lines of railroad to Evansville.

The "Straight Line" railroad, as it is commonly called, was the second line leading out of Evansville. It was designed to reach Indianapolis. Right of way was granted at points as early as 1854. It met with difficulties in its constructiou. R. G. Hervey succeeded to the interests originally held by Willard Carpenter, but still the road was not completed, although its construction was well advanced. Mr. Hervey entirely disposed of his interests to Mr. D. J. Maekey. After many delays the road was at length completed on the bed of the old canal in 1886.

The Evansville, Cincinnati & Paducah railroad company was projected in 1870, and subsequently consolidated with the Evansville & Southern Illinois and the St. Louis and Southwestern railroad companies. These consolidated lines, in 1873, took the name of the St- Louis & Southwestern railroad company. The Evansville, Henderson & Nashville railroad company was also merged into this combination. In 1872 the western and southern divisions of the line were consolidated, and at last tell into the possession of the Louisville & Nashville railroad icompany. In 1885 a great steel bridge was built across the Ohio river at Henderson, Ky. The Lake Erie, Evansville & Southwestern railroad finally became the property of the Louisville, Evansville & St. Louis railroad company (" The Air Line.")

The many public highways leading into the city are macadamized and afford the farmers easy method of conveying their products to the city markets.

A branch line of the E. & T. H. extends from Fort Branch, passing through Owensville, New Harmony and Mt. Vernon, Indiana, and connecting with the western division of the L. & N. system.

Evansville owes a great deal to her many river transportation companies. There is no doubt that these companies have been great factors in securing discriminating freight rates in favor of this city. The nation has recognized the importance of sustaining her waterways by the expending of millions of dollars annually upon the improvement of the same. The reputation of the Tennessee and Ohio

River Transportation company extends all over the south and its influence in securing just and equital)le freight rates is felt by nearly every town in that broad land. Evansville, occupying as she does the position of gateway to this great southland, has by virtue of the equitable business method of this company, been able to control the rates charged on nearly all kinds of freight south of the Ohio river. This company is the successor to the old Evansville, Paducah and Cairo line, which operated boats on the Ohio river between this city and Cairo. The old company was organized early in the sixties with Capt. John Gilbert as president, and Capt. Joshua Throup as commander of the "Mayduke " and Capt. M. DeSouchet as clerk ; all of these gentlemen were stockholders. The boats operated were: the "Mayduke," "Armada," and "Charmer." A few years after organizing, a consolidation was made with the Dexter line, and the steamers "Charlie Bowen," "Courier," and "Superior," were added to the fleet. In 1870, the company divided up and the present company built the "Idlewild," placing Capt. Gus. Fowler in command. The success of this boat was phenomenal and had much to do with building the business of the company up to its present gigantic proportions. The boats have been operated at all times, according to regular scheduled time tables, high water or low water, and they have therefore built up an enviable reputation as carriers. The officers of the company are: Capt. John Gilbert, president; J. H. Fowler, superintendent; R. K. Dunkerson, treasurer; Saunders Fowler, general freight agent. They operate the "John S. Hopkins," 500 tons; "Joe Fowler," 450 tons ; "Gus Fowler," 350 tons, and "Dick Fowler," 350 tons. The boats make daily trips between Evansville, Paducah and Cairo. The "Dick Fowler," which was launched about four years ago, makes two trips daily from Paducah to Cairo, traveling a distance of about 200 miles a day. She is considered one of tlic fastest boats on the Ohio river.

This company has been of incalculable advantage to the people along the Ohio between here and Cairo, who up to a few years ago had no other means of reaching the market. During the low water they have chartered light draught boats to make the runs, considering neither trouble nor expense where the convenience of thier patrons was in the scale. No man is better known or more generally respected in Evansville than is Capt. John Gilbert, the president of the company. He has been connected with the river interests f(ir nearly half a centurv, and while he has largo mercantile and banking interests

For over forty years the people along the Ohio river have heard the whistles of his boats and his honesty and absolute integrity has endeared him to the thousands of people who have had business to do with his line, and now when the shadows have begun to fall toward the east John Gilbert can look back on a well spent life, studded with the jewels of friendship that his long and honorable career has called about him.

The Evansville & Terre Haute R R. Shops

In 1854 these shops consisted of one frame building, used as a blacksmith and general workshop, with John Kerlin in charge. A year or so later two more frame buildings were put up. One of which had four stalls for engines and a division at one end for tools and workmen. The other was erected for car and coach work, with Mr. Jewett in charge. The water supply for these buildings was furnished by a pump and came from the Wabash and Erie canal on Fifth street. These frame buildings continued in service until 1864, when fine new brick buildings were erected adjacent to the old ones. They comprised a machine shop 50x100 feet, car shop 50x100 feet, paint shop 30x150 feet, blacksmith shop 50x85 feet, a two-story office building and store-room 30x120 feet, and a round-house with sixteen stalls, and a turn-table. J. L. White was then master mechanic; A. Ancona, foreman ; Joseph Stiker, car foreman ; John Howden, blacksmith foreman ; Thomas Hopkins, boiler shop foreman.

The new buildings continued in use without additions until 1886, when a frame extension of 50x120 feet was made to the car-shop. In 1893 a two-story addition to the machine-shop was built, size 40x60 feet. It was used for an electric plant and pattern-room.

The present officers in charge of the shops are : John Torrance, superintendent of motive power and rolling stock ; W. J. McLeish, general foreman ; W. D. Andrews, foreman car department ; George Lindsay, foreman blacksmith shop ; B. F. Smith, foreman boiler shop; D. S. Cook, foreman round-house.

John Torrance

The man who has been longer connected with the machine shops of the Evansvilie & Terre Haute railroad company than any other one in his official capacity, is John Torrance, the present master mechanic. He was born January 28, 1836, near Glasgow, Scotland, at the village of the Monkland ironworks - which takes its name after the old castle located there. His first work as an apprentice was in the large machine-shops of that great ship-builder, Robert Napier, in Glasgow. An apprentice in those days had to work - was indentured to work - three years before he was entitled to a journeyman's wages. The road before young Torrance to anything like promotion was a long one, for his apprentice number was 133, that is to say, 132 young working lads were before him in the line and list of preferment In 1857 with a fleet of five steamships, to the Canadian government, he came to America as second engineer in the government inspection ship named Lady Head. He continued in this service two years, coming to the United States in 1859. For a short time he was employed in the shops of the New York Central railroad, Buffalo, New York. He came to Evansvilie in 1860, and engaged in the shops of the E. & T. H. R. R. The next year he went with Archie Thompson to Paducah, Ky., and began work in the shops of tho Memphis & Ohio railroad, now a part of the system of the Illinois Central. In the early spring of 1864, Gen. Forest, a Confederate cavalry raider, stirred up Paducah by a sudden foray, and Mr. Torrance, disliking the unhappy warlike situation, retui'ned at once to Evansvilie. He renewed his labors in the E. & T. H. shops without delay, and has been there ever since - during the entire span of a generation, thirty-three years. He worked first as machinist, then as general foreman, and now is master mechanic, a position he has occupied most efficiently for many years.

On the 15th of August, 1'885, the Henderson bridge was open for trains to pass over the Ohio river, arnd about that time there was a station located about one mile southwest from the corporate limits of Evansvilie, which had been named " Howell " by President M. H. Smith of the L. & N. R R. Co., as a compliment to our worthy fellow citizen Capt Lee Howell, general freight agent of the Evansvilie & St. Louis, and Evansvilie, Henderson & Nashville divisions of the L. & N. R. R. Co.

February 13, 1889, the town of Howell was laid out by Capt. Lee Howell, Maj. J. B. Cox, Judge Wm. J. Wood, Jacob Eichel,and Mr. J. G. Metcalfe, composing the Howell Land Co. Its streets running north and south are named % Barker avenue, Daisy avenue, Lilley avenue and Stinson street. Those running east and west are Engine, Electi'ic, Signal and Vulcan streets. On the 9th day of February, 1891, Rose's addition to Howell was laid out by Conrad Rose, the Howell Land Co. and Maj. J. B. Cox. On the 22d day of December, 1894, Cox's first addition to Howell was laid out by Maj. J. B. Cox. On the 11th day of May, 1895, Thompson's addition to Howell was laid out by James Thompson and Conrad Rose. On July 2, 1896, Cox's second addition was laid out by Maj. J. B. Cox. On September 5, 1896, Niebuler's addition was laid out by Henry Mebuler. On November 14, 1896, Strieble's addition was laid out. At the time Howell was laid out in 1885, there were but two houses inside the limits. The population now is about 1,300. The public buildings are two school houses, the General Baptist church, which was organized by Rev. Benoni Stinson and George Parker on the 5th day of October, 1823, and the Methodist Episcopal church. Among the better class of residences are those owned and occupied by Thomas "Walsh, master mechanic of the L. & N. R. R. shops, J. A. Messmer, Maj. J. B. Cox, Pat McCue, Mr. Murphy, E. J. Young, Pat J. Monighan, John Burns, Mrs. Rupert, and others The town of Howell has grown very rapidly and bids fair to become a city in the near future.

Howell Shops

In March, 1889, the Louisville & Nashville railroad company took charge of the Evansville & St. Louis and the Evansville & Nashville divisions, and at once secured a forty-five acre plat near what is now called Howell, and commenced to erect a round-house containing ten stalls and a large wrought iron turn-table of 100 tons capacity. Then the work of building shops was commenced. They erected a machine shop 125 feet wide and 133 feet long, and an engine and boiler house 72 feet long by 35 feet wide. The boiler shop and blacksmith shop, which is right opposite the machine shop, is 208 feet long by 92 feet wide. Between the two shops is a large transfer running 240 feet long and 60 feet wide for transferring engines, cars and coaches. The next building in line was the planing mill, which is 75 feet wide by 125 feet long, and two stories high, fully equipped with the latest im- proved machinery. Adjacent to this building is an engine and boilerroom 82 feet long by 35 feet wide, supplied with a 125 horse-power Corliss engine. The next building is a car-shop 125 feet wide by 150 feet long This contains six tracks running from one end to the other for repairing and rebuilding cars.

The next building is the store-room and office, a building three stories high. The lower story is fire-proof for heavy storage. The second story contains three offices and a store-room. The upper story contains offices, drawing-room and store department This building is equipped with two large tire-proof vaults The grounds are all fenced in, graded up, well drained, and a great part of the yard is cultivated, having lawns and flower gardens, being supplied with a hothouse 75 feet long and 20 feet wide.

The water supply consists of a large well 75 feet deep and 40 feet in diameter supplied from the river. The water from this well is raised by a large duplex pump into a large tank 40 feet above the ground, and above this is a second tank sixty feet from the ground. This upper tank furnishes a good pressure for fire purposes, and is connected with all the hydrants throughout the yard. The large duplex pump is so arranged that it can be directly connected with the mains, giving on a few minutes notiee 130 pounds pressure per square inch

All the buildings have stone foundations, and are of smooth pressed brick, with stone coping, and slate roofs. The very best workmanship and material were employed in their construction. These shops were completed and started up on the 24th day of December, 1889, with a working force of 240 men. Since then the force has been steadily increasing until at the present time there is a working force of over 600 men in the shops. The city adjoining the shops was laid out in 1885, and in 1889 when the shops fii-st started, there were not over half a dozen houses in it. At present there are about 275 houses and fully 75 per cent, of this property is owned by the employes of the shops. The shops have never been closed down since they started and have always worked a force of from 500 to 700 men. The average pay-roll for the shops is $20,000 to $2(5,000 per month.

The following are the officers in charge of the shops : Thomas Walsh, master mechanic; E. J. Young, foreman of machine shop; A. W. Patton, foreman of car department ; Moses Bagley, assistant foreman car department ; F. M. Van Winkle, foreman of planing mill ; A. E.Brown, foreman of boiler shop; Patrick McCue, foremau of blacksmith shop; (ins Carpenter, foreman of tin and coppersmith shop; Charles Robinson, foreman coach-work; A. J. Bruning, foreman of jJaint department, and J. B. Huff, foreman of engines and round-house.

The Business Men's Association of Evansville effected its permanent organization April 15, 1887. Its object was to promote the welfare and advancement of the city, to collect and diffuse information as to its commercial and industrial advantages, developed and undeveloped ; to invite and secure local and foreign capital and labor, and make known the opportunities for investment and employment.

The jJublic spirited men of Evansville discovered the necessity for a commercial, or busness men's organization. All important cities have their organizations through which the business voice is expressed and understood in its own community, as well as in others with which it is thus brought in correspondence. This element is enabled to speak, deliberate, plan and carry out ideas for the promotion of the general welfare.

The existence of such an organization as the B. M. A. serves as a nucleus around which the community can rally during times of public apprehension or danger. It is an efiective promoter of grand achievements for the upbuilding of the city and a potent factor in the development of its resources. It has a deterring influence on unfaithful officials, being to them a standing menace, while it is a tower of strength to faithful ones.

The B. M. A. is the only public body that has ever taken it upon itself to look after the welfare of the community, and assume important undertakings for the business interests of the city. It has been instrumental in bringing numerous plants to Evansville and has rendered valuable aid in securing the Marine hospital and the hospital for the insane. It made a heroic fight for the improvement of the streets and alleys that the city might have clean substantial thoroughfares. After a prolonged struggle continued from the one session of the legislature to another, it succeeded in obtaining the machinery by which muncipal reform is possible. The new charter of Evansville which was thus secured is modeled after that of Brooklyn. The efforts of the B. M. A. have frequently been resisted by those who misunderstood the motives of the association, and it has been assailed when doing work which was purely reformative of public abuses. It was never so severely criticised as it was during the fight it made to obtain the new city charter, which has really been the crowning work of its existence and greatly for the public good. Time has always vindicated the wisdom of its accomplishments, which confirms a truth found in history that the greatest minds, like tallest mountains, receive approaching light, absorb its beneficence, and reflect its splendor long before the valley awakens from nocturnal slumber.

During the first few years, while the organization was a novelty, it had great numerical strength. It took an active part in all public matters but in every achievement which it gained through aggressiveness it lost in the support of members who were disturbed by such successes.

Its great battle was one fought to prevent the city council from granting a street railway franchise that was regarded by the masses of the citizens as a one-sided contract, one in which the citizens were not receiving just compensation. In this fight the association lost a large number of its members. The B. M. A. organized the building association that erected the grand structure on the corner of Second and Sycamore streets. In the upper .story of this building a commodious hall and office rooms were secured for the association and its secretary, without rent, as long as it shall continue its organization. It also created the " Tri-state fair association " and infused into it the spirit which secured the fair grounds with its numerous buildings and fine race track.

Evausville has advanced and assumed metropolitan proportions and ajjpearances since the business men united and resolved to take some, direct action in public affairs. The value of such an organization cannot be estimated. Its work cannot be added up at the end of a month and a balance struck, as it has a negative, intangible quality more potent than its regular work. There is a conviction in the minds of those who are familar with its history that during good times prosjierity was made greater, and the rigors of hard times were softened in this city by the past work, and the continued existence, power and activity of the Business Men's Association.

Perhaps the most important work of the association - the magnum opus - was the construction of the B. M. A. building, situated at the corner of Second and Sycamore streets. In a sense, it may be said that Mr. Charles Viele, a liberal and public-spirited gentleman, is the -orner-stone of the building. He had obtained the lot from the Roman Catholic church for $50,000, and tor this sum he took stock in the new enterprise. He afterward increased his stock until the amount reached the magnificent figure of $65,000. Other liberal-minded, progressive men took stock in large sums, but none equalled Mr. Viele - More than five hundred leading, active citizens procured stock in the building. The idea of erecting a building of this character was first suggested at a meeting of the association on March 6, 1888. The capital stock was increased to such a figure that an act of the state legislature was necessary to authorize it. The building committee was composed of Messrs. Charles Schulte, M. J. Bray, Jr., and Samuel Vickery. Mr. Bray was entrusted with the actual superintendence of the work. The building of the magnificent edifice progressed rapfdly, and it was formally dedicated about November 1, 1889. Mr. John S. McCorkle had the contract for the erection of the entire building, both the office block and the theatre. It occupies a quarter of a square, that is, it is 150 feet each way, bounded by the lines of the adjacent streets and alleys. The style of architecture is Romanesque, affording the greatest amount of light and the combined qualities of strength and beauty. Jt consists of five stories and a basement. The first story is built entirely of red granite and brown stone, laid uj) ijitch or rough hewn face, with just enough dressed and carved work to give a pleasing effect. The fiicing materials above the first story are pressed brick, cojjper and terra cotta. The main entrance is in the center on the Second street front, through aA arch eighteen feet wide supported by polished granite columns. Over this, ornamenting each story and towering up above the roof lines, runs a central feature of projecting bay and round turrets. At the main corner a square tower rises one hundred feet above the street level. Within, the building is furnished for store-rooms, offices en suite, and a B. M. A. hall and chamber. The corner is occupied by a bank, and the various floors chiefly by railroad offices. The Grand theatre fronts on Sycamore street. The finish of this sjilendid amusement hall is scarcely excelled any where in the world by any similar structure. From the porte cochere and lobby to the foyer and wings, the detail of finish gives the eye the rare satisfaction there is in beauty, completeness and repose. The proscenium boxes, the auditorium, the soft carpeted floor, all give an air of elegance and ease that delights and soothes. As a concluding word, allow it to be said, that no building in the city gives such a view of substantiality and is so characterized by business activity as the B. M. A. building.