Henderson County, Kentucky - Chapter 23, 1887 (part 2 of 9)

At a meeting of the Trustees held June 4, we find another ditch and pond order : "Nathaniel F. Ruggles and Wiatt H. Ingram, who were appointed commissioners to view and examine the ditch by the Market House and report how it might be drained, having performed that duty, Report, That the best practicable mode of draining the same is to cut a ditch down Main Street, about twelve feet from the line of the lots on the west side of said street, from' the Market House to the lower end of the town, which being approved, it is ordered that a ditch be opened accordingly."

For that purpose, therefore, the order required Mrs. Shackelford and John Spidel, who were most deeply interested in the pond near the Court House, to furnish one hand each for the space of two months, and Mr. Ruggles appointed to purchase, in the name of the Trustees, six spades. This ditch accounts for the great ravines along the river front. If it be doubted, however, the following order is reproduced to show the origin of the ravine on fourth lower cross street.

March 8 : " Whereas, a subscription has been raised for the purpose of draining the pond near the Court House by opening the ditch from the Market House down Main Street. It is ordered that John Green be and he is appointed a commissioner to superintend the opening of said ditch, and he is authorized and directed to cut the said ditch at right angles, from the main street to the river, along fourth cross street, below the Public Square, fifteen feet from the line of lots on the north side of said cross street."

After having paid out hundreds of dollars of public and private funds in ditching and draining ponds and bridging ditches, the Trustees fixed the salary of the Town Assessor at eight dollars for the year. The Spidel House, on the corner of Main and First Streets - now the Barret House - which had been begun in 1827, was completed this year and thrown open to the local and traveling public. It was originally only two stories, with the front of the second story one room, used for a dining-room and public hall. The frame ell was built a short time after the completion of the brick.

In 1855 and 1856 Martin S. Hancock, who had become the owner, unroofed the old Spidel - then known as the Taylor - House and reconstructed it by adding a third story and brick elL Nimrod Grisby, a contracting carpenter, then living in Henderson, built the frame addition, and one of his most expert manipulators of the oldfashioned whip-saw, was our now much-beloved fellow-citizen, Judge Philo H. Hillyer. Aside from the hewed timbers in this building, the studding, weather-boarding and flooring were sawed by hand with the whip-saw.

It is said General Zachariah Taylor spent a great part of this year in the town and clerked for one of the firms doing business on Main Street*at that time.

The farming interest had grown to greater importance, and for those times a considerable amount of country produce found its way to market. Wiatt H. Ingram, then one of the most progressive merchants of the town, became a heavy purchaser and shipper, and boats being scarce he would go with a company of men and whipsaws to Green River, and there get out lumber and build him boats of sufficient capacity to hold his purchases. When completed he would float down to Henderson, load with produce and then go to New Orleans, where he would sell both produce and boats.

The law firm of Morris & Dixon was the only one advertised this year. Drs. Glass and Gaither and W. H. Allen, practicing physi cians, and J. B. Pollitt & Co., James Gobin, merchants, advertised extensively. Orrin Fay was the largest advertiser, and had, perhaps, the most complete and extensive stock of any merchant in the town. He was a liberal trader and proposed to sell his goods either for cash or feathers.

On the first day of January of this year, fifty letters were advertised as remaining in the Postcffice uncalled for. The following notice to steamboat pilots was published :

" Notice. - A series of piles, occupying an extent of about 400 yards, has been firmly set in the bed of the river at Henderson Island as indicated by several poles rising eight feet from the tops of the piles. Boats may pass them in safety by running within 300 yards of the island near its lower extremity.

It was determined this year to build a permanent wharf, and for that purpose an act of the Legislature of 1828-29 was passed, vesting full and ample powers in the Trustees to raise a loan within the limits of $2,000, for the purpose of grading and paving Steam Mill Landing, to be redeemed out of the taxes by annual installments. George Atkinson and Nathaniel F. Ruggles were appointed commissioners for the purpose of taking subscriptions for stock, founded on the pledge of the taxes annually for its redemption, bearing interest at the rate of 6 per cent, per annum, and said commissioners were authorized to cause the said landing to be graded and paved in a substantial manner and to report when completed. On the fourteenth day of September, 1831, the Commissioners reported, and laid before the Board a statement of account of the amount expended, and the same was approved. The first paid wharf was then received, and the Treasurer authorized and directed to issue scrip to the several parties entitled thereto for the sums subscribed.

An order was passed at the June meeting, making it a penalty for any slave to offer for sale any article whatever, without the consent of his or her master or mistress.

Only one meeting of the Board of Trustees was held this year. During the year the old market house fell down and the Collector was directed to sell the roof and brick, and pay over the proceeds to the Treasurer.

December 15, Edmund H. Hopkins and Will D. Allison were appointed a committee to examine all of the laws in relation to the town, and report. Only two meetings of the Board were held this year.

It was ordered that the pond near the jail and Court House, which had been an interminable source of annoyance and expense, be drained by digging a ditch in First Street to Main, down Main to First Street below the Square, and with that street to the head of the ravine, which at that time was making up into the street. This was done, and many citizens of the town now living remember the result of that foolish order.

James Rouse, Town Assessor, returned his book May 3 and the same was approved, and thereupon the following rate and amount of tax to be collected was fixed by the Board : " It is ordained by the Board that the Collector for the year 1834 collect from each person subject to pay taxes, the sum of twenty five cents on every one hundred dollars valuation of property, and one dollar from each and every free male inhabitant over the age of twenty years."

Great complaint was made by the merchants of the town at the order of the Board fixing the rate and amount of taxation, whereupon the following order was passed at the October meeting : " It appearing to the satisfaction of the Board that a tax of twenty five cents on each one hundred dollars value of merchandise, is unequal and oppressive upon the merchants, it is therefore ordained, that all merchandise and groceries in the town be taxed in the following manner, to-wit : Hugh Kerr & Co. and George Atkinson & Co. each pay a tax of ten dollars annually, and that Samuel Stites, Wiatt H. Ingram, Marshall & Rankin, Dixon & Smith, Bayless Chamblin and Mr. Halstead pay each a tax, of seven dollars and fifty cents, that is to say seven dollars and fifty cents for each house; and that Thompson & Johnson, William Hart, Holmes & Beall, Joshua Mullin, Robert G. & Paschal Rouse and Fountain Cunningham, each pay a tax of five dollars annually, and that David H. Hillyer & Bro. pay a tax of three dollars annually on merchandise."

At the same meeting an order was passed appointing John D. Anderson, Joseph Cowan, John Green and Edmund H. Hopkins a committee to contract for filling up, stopping and securing the ravine making from the river to the Public Square on first cross street below the Square. One hundred and fifty dollars was appropriated for the purpose, and every dollar of it spent, but how, no one now knows.

The first case of small-pox of which anything is known made its appearance in Joshua Mullin's* tavern in February. If the citizens were frightened, or the least uneasy about it, that fact was not manifested in the special meeting of the Board, held February 27, The town had no hospital for the sick, but its Trustees had an abundance of fellow-feeling, as will be seen from the following order : " It is ordered that Joshua Mullin be authorized to employ nurses and physicians for the sick man, at his, the sick man's expense, if able to pay, if not, at the expense of the Trustees. It having been further represented to the Trustees that said Mullin intends, or threatens exposing said man to the inclemency of the weather, by turning him out of doors, the Trustees respectfully advise said Mullin to abandon all such intentions, as they are of opinion that his, said Mullin's, person and property would be in imminent danger from such a proceeding so abhorent to the feelings of humanity."

In addition to the amount set apart to be expended in stopping the ravine on Lower First Street, the County Court appropriated two hundred dollars to be expended by E. L. Starling and Thomas Towles, Magistrates, in the same direction. These gentlemen caused a fill to be made across the ravine twenty feet wide, not only stopping the ravages of high water, but furnishing ample passage way for vehicles and footmen passing up and down Main Street. This fill remained intact until the ravine was filled to the line of Main Street in 1855 and 1856.

John Spidel died this year, and his tavern was sold to Cornelius Fellows, of Louisville, for three thousand six hundred and one dollars. In 1838 Fellows sold the same to Livingston Taylor for five thousand one hundred and thirty-one dollars. On the twelfth of March, 1846, Taylor sold to Martin S. Hancock for eight thousand dollars cash.

The town tax for 1835 was fixed at twenty-five cents on each one hundred dollars valuation, and a head tax of one dollar upon each male citizen residing in the town over the age of twenty-one years. In lieu of all other taxes on merchandise a graded specific tax ranging from live to ten dollars was levied.

The new Steam Mill wharf needed repairs, and for that purpose the Town Treasurer was directed to issue and sell $500 worth of scrip, redeemable one year after date. The ravine in the Public Square, from hard rams, continued to wash and cave.

James E. Rankin and James Alves were requested to solicit subscriptions for the purpose of arresting tiie caving of the ravine. The first order looking to a permanent improvement was made at the August meeting this year. It was ordained that Main or Market Street, as then known, from First to Third Street and Mill or Second Street, from Water to Elm Street be paved with brick or stone eisfht feet wide, to be completed by September 1, 1837, and to be done at the expense of persons owning the lots fronting on the streets. It was further ordained that anyone owning a workshop, found guilty of throwing shavings into the streets, should be fined.

1837. The total debt of the town at the beginning of this year was five hundred and thirty-three dollars and eighty-one cents for borrowed money, officers' fees, etc. Upon an investigation it was found that the Collectors had not settled for the past three or four years, and stringent orders were issued to bring them to time.

The Board of Trustees elected for this year were evidently determined to keep step with the progress of the times. New officers were elected and positive orders passed looking to a speedy settlement of delinquent taxes and with delinquent Collectors. The Treasurer was ordered to effect a settlement at all hazzards, with all persons indebted to the town. After having given attention to all matters financial, they then turned their attention to the pond and ravine difficulties. A committee was appointed to report the best and most practicable method of draining the pond at the corner of First and Elm Streets, and of securing the ravines from further washing. No source of annoyance has ever so successfully baffled the skill of early time intellects as the ponds and general drainage of the little town of Henderson.

This was a year of compliments and none was more highlv appreciated than that paid Thomas Towles, Jr., Town Assessor, for the year. On the twenty second day of May Mr. Towles was appointed Assessor, and on the fourteenth day of July returned his book, which was received and highly approved by resolution. In consideration of his most excellent work he was allowed twenty dollars, ten dollars more than had ever been allowed before.

At the August meeting an ordinance was passed fixing the license upon all public exhibitions for which money was demanded, the sum of three dollars for the* first day and two dollars for each day subsequent.

For some reason, which the records of 1838 failed to explain, the Trustees became alarmed concerning the carrying or concealing of unlawful weapons by the colored population. They, therefore, at their October meeting, ordered " That James Rouse, W. P. Smith, Fountain Cunningham, William R. Abbott, James W. Clay, Henry L. Taylor, James Williams, William F. Quinn, James H. Green, William H. Cunningham, Robert J. Rouse, Thomas Towles, Jr., Joseph D. Gobin be appointed to search all suspected negro premises for unlawful weapons or stolen property, and that they have power to enter and search all suspected places, that they arrest and bring before the Board all negroes having unlawful weapons, and that they seize the weapons, etc."

For clerical reasons it was ordered that Rev. Thomas Evens be released from the future payment of town tax.^ There were two wharfboats lying at Henderson this year upon which a specific tax of five dollars each was assessed.

For many years prior to 1840, indeed from the earliest recollection of Henderson, several of the streets and roads of the town were used for horse racing. It was the custom in early times, during the three days' elections, tor sporting men of the county (and there were many of them) to meet in the town and test the speed of their horses, and then by appointment to test the superiority of their own pugilistic qualities. Horse racing and ring-fighting were attractions calculated to draw great crowds, and great crowds did attend.

One of the favorite tracks for racing was on Elm Street from Upper Fifth to the foot of the hill, near the present residence of Hon. P. B. Matthews. This source of mascu'ine and animal punishment, as well as amusement, had become notorious. It was degrading, certainly demoralizing, and as a general thing the chief actors were ignorant men whose sole ambition was to be regarded as the " best man " or the owner of the best " nag." The best people became disgusted and tired of it, and at the July meeting it was ordained by the Trustees, ** That any person or persons guilty of running or rac- ing any horse or horses or of causing the same to be done by any other person or persons, the party thus offenchng should be punished by a fine of three dollars."

The Trustees directed the Collector to collect this year, in addition to the tax levied upon each and every white male over the age of twenty-one years, one dollar from each and every free colored male over the age of sixteen years as a poll-tax. A specific tax was also levied upon the owners and proprietors of grocery stores, farmers' produce and boat stores, varying from $5 to $15.

Owing to the growth of the town and the multiplied duties of officials most of the salaries were raised. The clerk was raised from fifteen to forty dollars, the Assessor from fifteen to thirty, and so on.

Owing to the increase of grog shops and the manifest determination of that class of dealers to reap a monied harvest, even though contrary to law and good morals, and also the trouble and annoyance experienced by the owners of slaves on that account, at the December meeting the Board of Trustees unanimously passed the following ordinance offered by Lazarus W. Powell :

"That it shall be, and is hereby made, the duty of the Town Sergeant, or either of his assistants, to punish, with any number of lashes not exceeding ten, all or any negro slave or slaves who may be found in any grog shop, grocery, or other place where spirituous liquors are retailed in said town, or who may be found on the streets of said town after ten o'clock at night, unless it shall appear to the said Town Sergeant, or assistant, that said negro slave or slaves, are acting under the orders of his, her, or their master or mistress ; and it shall further be the duty of the Town Sergeant, or either of his assistants, to enter into any grog shop, grocery, or other place where spirituous liquors are retailed, in said town, whenever he shall be informed that any such negro slave or slaves are collected therein. Provided, said Town Sergeant, or assistant, can enter the same peaceably and without force."

At the June meeting it was ordered that Mill, or Second Street, between Main and Elm, be graded, and that the depth of grade be fixed by the Commissioners appointed for that purpose. It was also ordered that Main, between First and Third, be graded in the same way. It was also ordered that sidewalks, ten feet in width, be laid down.

by the Council the past ten years. The town pump stood in the intersection of Main and Second, or Mill Street, and its frequent use kept the ground wet and sloppy. For this reason, then, the hogs congregated at that spot, and several times came near rootmg the pump out of its position. To prevent this, a special meeting of the Board was called, and a committee appointed to go and examine the public well, and character of hogs thereat, and report, instanier, the best plan of preventing the nuisance or the destruction of the pump. It was a-reed to fill around with broken brick, and in front of the spout to'place a large flat rock, at a cost of several dollars, and to let the hogs continue to run and root.

Deli-hted the town with the first theatrical troupe ever seen in the place This troupe played in the second story of the Court House a medium sized room seated with ordinary plank benches, withou't backs, and capable of holding from one hundred and fifty to two hundred persons. The troupe was largely patronized and played for a week or more, at the urgent solicitation of the people. As usual the manager complained of the town tax assessed upon them and petitioned the Trustees for a reduction, and, as an evidence of how delighted the people were, the Trustees, after consideration of the petition, passed the following order :

" // is ordered that the said petitioners he and they are hereby exempted and exoneratedfrom paying any town tax for the time they have performed

There were in Henderson this year four tobacco stemmeries - George Atkinson, A. B. Barrett, David R. Burbank and Hugh Kerr. A motion was made for the first time to tax the stemmeries, and a vote being taken upon the propriety of such tax being assessed, it was decided in the affirmative and the Collector directed to collect with other specific taxes, ten dollars from each of the stemmeries

From the following order, passed August 14, 1841, it is inferred that the Trustees of the town were of a Uberal turn of mind. The Public Square needed ornamentation, and as it had been donated to public uses, the Trustees determined that it should be. It was therefore "Ordered that four Horse Racks be erCcted at such places on the Public Square as a committee appointed for that purpose may direct ; each rack must be twenty feet long, and supported by three posts well set in the ground, and of good, sound, lasting wood ; there

George Chapman, father of the renowned Chapman Sisters, prayed the Trustees to exhibit his theatrical performances free of tax. This was refused, but a very liberal reduction was made him.

Isaac Gayle, a slave of George Gayle, was the leading town contractor at this time. His work in repairing the wharf and grading Main street was received and pronounced well done.

Edmund H. Hopkins, President of the Board of Trustees, at the December meeting presented his letter of resignation. It is a very lengthy paper, gracefully written, and full of that fine sense for which this great chancery lawyer was so noted. He presented a full review of the town's troubles, and suggested many ideas of value, which were afterwards adopted and resulted to the great benefit of the struggling town.

On January 1, the Treasurer's report showed credit $2,478.86 ; amount of debts, $2,453.12; balance, cash in the Treasurey, $25.74. A general system of ordinances had been adopted, covering every important point, and the clerk directed to record them in a well bound book, and to have three hundred copies of the general ordinances printed in pamphlet form. The charter had been amended, so as to confer upon the Board all needful authority. The town was now out of debt, and nothing was necessary but for the Trustees to exercise good judgment, and a liberal spirit of progress. The Trustees at this time were progressive men, but a majority of the people were still plodding along in the old fogy rut in which they had floundered for years. A memorial was sent to the Senators and Representatives at Frankfort, praying an alteration or amendment of the charter. The amendment as sent up was passed, and approved by the Governor February 24. The first order of a sanitary nature by the Board of Trustees since Henderson was established as a Town, was passed on motion of Alexander D. Barrett, a member of the Board at their meeting June 25. It was as follows: "Ordered, that for the better preservation of the health of the town, the lot owners and tenants of lots be required to cut down all noxious weeds within their lots or inclosures, and also in and to the middle of the street, and in case of failure to do so within the next ten days, all persons so defaulting shall be subject to a fine of ten dollars."

three-fourth cents on the one hundred dollars, and fixed the poll tax at the same it had been for several years previous. The following specific taxes were levied :

Commission Stores

James Rouse, $5.00. At a special meeting called August 25, for the purpose of considering a supposed case of small-pox, all of the physicians of the town, to-wit .-"Drs. Glass, Maddox, Allen, Newland, Read and Thornton, were notified and requested to visit the said case instanta, and report to the Board, whether the case was really smallpox. The physicians attended in a body, and returned the gratifying report that it was not small-pox,

On motion of A. B. Barrett, he was authorized to contract with Isaiah S. Keen for inclosing the cemetary, corner Elm and Fourth Streets, at a price not to exceed one hundred and thirty-five dollars, and Joseph D. Gobin was allowed twelve and one-half cents for removing one dead cat from a ditch below the Taylor House.

At the July meeting of the Trustees it was "Ordered that a brick tunnel of sufficient capacity for carrying off the water from Mill and Water Streets, be built from the top of the bank at the foot of Mill Street, such distance down the bank as the committee should think proper. Also, that a paved wharf thirty-six feet wide, not less than one foot deep, of concave form, with a gutter in the middle, be built."

The Wharfmaster's fees for freight received upon his wharfboat were fixed as follows: "For one ton or more in same lot, twenty cents per ton ; for less than one ton, and over five hundred pounds, at the rate of twenty-five cents per ton ; for five hundred pounds and under, at the rate of forty cents per ton ; for a single package, ten cents,

In 1842-3, the town was the owner of a fire engine, but where it came from, or what was the cost of it, no one knows. The probability is the Uttle concern was a failure, for at the March meeting 1844, an order was entered of record directing the Town Sergeant to sell the engine, either at public or private sale upon a credit of three months. August 12, it was "Ordered that the Town Sergeant suppress all negro preaching and negro meetings within the limits of the town, of nights in the future."

During this year, a determined effort was made by the Trustees to prevent further washing of the river front, and to fill up several ravines already encroaching upon the town. A citizens' fund was raised - two hundred dollars appropriated by the Trustees, and three hundred dollars by the Countv Court. With this a wide fill was made across the ravine at First Street below the square, a twenty-foot fill made around the corner of lot No. 1, corner First and Water Streets, and an embankment along Water Street, from Third to Seventh, with four four-foot plank tunnels or outlets to the river. Notwithstanding the efforts of the Trustees, and the large amount of money expended, it is a fact that where each one of the four tunnels were placed there occurred a break in the bank, and fearful washing away of the front, carrying with it the plank tunnels. It would have been better had the Trustees let matters take its course, but it was commendable at least, to know that they endeavored to do the best that could be done in their judgment. At this time a general impro\ement of the principal streets and pavements was being made, new merchants were coming in, and a brighter outlook hovered over the town.

1845. At the March meeting it was determined to erect a market house on pitlars, one-story high, with a calaboose at one end for the use of the town. Upon petition of Strangers' Rest Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, permission was given them to build a second story, thirty feet long, eight feet high, to be used as a Lodge room. This building was erected on Main Street, opposite the Hancock, now Barrett House, and in 1852 it was burned, supposed to have been the act of an incendary.

A novel way of preventmg the spread of small-pox appears of record at the meeting of the Trustees November 7. A Mr. Ashby, a merchant from Madisonville, had landed in the town with small-pox, and was placed in a house opposite the old cemetery. The attention of the Trustees having been called to this, it was ordered tiiat a high jence be built across Elm Street at each corner of the cemetery lot, to prevent the spread of the disejise. The street was fenced across in two places, and no one permitted to pass until Ashby recovered, when the street was again opened.

On the thirtieth day of July a stringent order was passed by the Board of Trustees, concerning night walkers, and under this order the Town Sergeant was directed to ring the Court House bell every night at nine o'clock, and that all slaves, night walkers and disorderly persons found strolling about in the night fifteen minutes after that time, should be arrested and dealt with according to law. At the ringing of the bell, but few persons were to be seen on the streets, and those who were out made haste to avoid the town watch. On the twentyfifth day of August, an ordinance was passed directing the lot holders, whether citizens of the town or otherwise, on both sides of Mill Street, between Elm and Back, now Green Street ; the north side of Water, between First and Second, the south side of First, between Water and Elm, both sides of Main lying between Third and Fourth, the northeast side of Elm, between first cross and Mill or second cross streets, to grade and pave sidewalks as may be in front of their respective lots. The grade was to be furnished by the Trustees, by marked posts. The sidewalks were to be ten feet wide, except Water Street, where eight feet was only required. The sidewalks to be constructed of brick, the curbing to be stone or sound white oak, post oak, or black locust, timber sawed or hewed on all four sides, and not less than four inches thick and nine inches wide. Many persons were permitted to use public or river gravel in making their walks in place of brick. This was the second order passed by the Trustees looking to the permanent improvement of the sidewalks of the town. Another appropriation was asked of the County Court, to be spent on the ravine on Lower First Street, and that body with becoming liberality, donated another three hundred dollars to be washed into the Ohio River. The town was laid ofif into four working districts, and for the better protection and improvement of the streets, a supervisor of each district was appointed, and directed to call upon the citizens of his district, whenever necessary, to turn out with working tools and repair or improve the streets. Be it said to their credit, the citizens did, whenever necessary, respond to the supervisor's notice with commendable zeal, and by this means the streets were kept in sufficient repair at no expense to the Town Treasury, G. A. Mayor, who carried on the gunsmithing business on Mill or Second Street, asked to be relieved from the penalties of the ordinance against firing guns in the town. His petition was granted upon condition he would build a good and substantial battery of wood, back of his house, the same to be examined and approved by Joseph D. Gobin, one of the Trustees.

1847. The old hospital on the river front, between Eleventh and Twelfth Upper Streets was built this year. Many years afterwards, it was occupied by old Jack Shingler, the noted fisherman, who died in it neglected and almost forgotten. By an order of the Board of Trustees, the negroes were allowed the privilege of holding a meeting for religious worship every Friday night until ten o'clock, and every Sunday afternoon until sundown.

July 27, the Trustees repealed this order, and passed in lieu thereof, an order prohibiting slaves from preaching or assembling for religious worship at night, but granting them the privilege of holding Sunday afternoon meeting.

Owing, perhaps, to past stringent orders concerning negro worship, the citizens became anxious and interested in their spiritual welfare ; they, therefore, at the February meeting of the Board of Trustees presented a plan of worship, embodied in a petition, which they asked to be adopted. The following is the order of the Board : " Mr. F. Cunningham presented the petition of sundry citizens with regard to instructing the negroes in the way of salvation. Mr. Samuel N. Langley moved to lay said petition on the table. Carried unanimously and so the said petition was laid on the table."

It was the custom of old-time Trustees to deal summarily with all matters of public concern coming before them. It had bpen represented that Messrs. Lyne & Terry, who owned a wharf-boat at the foot of Mill Street, were charging exorbitant prices for freight passing over their boat. To remedy this, they were ordered to immediately remove their boat from the Public Landing, and, upon failure, the Wharfmaster was directed to carry out the order.

The old Trustees, also, were not merely local politicians, but manifested a lively interest in foreign affairs, as will be evidenced by the following, passed by them on motion of R. G. Beverly :

**\Vnr<:RKAs, The members of this Board have heard with great pride and pleasure ot the Revokitions in Europe, and of the downfall of despotism more practically in Fiance ; therefore,

^ Resolved s That we tender tlie sympathies of this Board, and of our Republican constituents, to the peop'e of France, and other parts of Europe, in their efforts to throw oft Monarchy. And we earnestly hope they will succeed in establishing a Democratic Republican form of Government, in which the principle that ' the people arethe source of all political power,'' may be established "

During this year it was determined that the three offices of Town Sergeant, Collector and Wharfmaster should be consolidated into one, and that the duties of the three be performed by one person. It was further required of said officer to furnish, for the use and benefit of the town during his term of office, one horse and cart and two able-bodied laborers. Also to superintend the said hands, and to see that they and the said horse and cart were employed under the direction of the Board of Trustees. This new officer was to be known as Town Sergeant, and to receive a salary of eight hundred dollars, and such commissions as was then allowed by law. James Taylor (better known as Two Horse) was unanimously appointed to perform the duties of the new office.

January 22, an act of the Legislature was approved, authorizing the Justices of the town to sell upon such terms, and in such parcels, as they might deem best, the Public Square, vesting them with power to convey the same to the purchaser by deed of conveyance or otherwise. The Square was not sold under this act, but was, under a subsequent one, as will be seen further on.

In the early part of February, a company was organized composed of James Alves, Samuel Stites, L. W. Powell, Fount Cunningham, William H. Cunningham, Edmund H. Hopkins, and others, under the name of the " Henderson Cemetery Co."

On the nineteenth day of February, an act of incorporation was passed, authorizing them to purchase and hold for burial purposes, not exceeding thirty acres of land. On May 13, 1853, eighteen and five-eighths acres of land, lying on the Madisonville road, about one mile from the Court House, was conveyed to William Rankin and others. Trustees of the " Henderson Cemetery," for the sum of one thousand three hundred and ninety-six dollars and seventy-six cents, and soon thereafter a transfer was made to the city, and the same established as the public burial ground. Lots were sold and the place gradually improved, until now this beautiful and sacred spot, known as '' Fermvood,'' is one of the prettiest burial grounds in the State.

Edward D. McBride and John H. Lambert named as trustees. For a number of years this church flourished, but, from some unknown cause, was permitted to cease its existence, and for a long time since has been without a minister or congregation. In 1884 it was revived again, and now holds regular services.

A system of sidewalks was adopted this year which proved to be at that time, not only inexpensive, but of great comfort and convenience to the citizens generally. From Main street, or from the terminal points of sidewalks already built, flatboat gunnels, or gunwales, were laid down, and while it is true that in no instance were these timbers over two feet wide, and parties moving in opposite directions who happened to meet on one of them necessarily had to decide by lot which of the two should take the mud, they were yet so much better than the limitless mud tracks traveled prior to that time, no complaint was urged, but general satisfaction seemed to govern the entire

April 15, a contract was made with William B. Vanzandt to grade and pave one hundred feet of Mill Street landing, as an additional wharf, at and for the sum of seventeen hundred dollars.

Up to this time the town had never owned a prison house, and finding one to be indispensibly necessary, it was ordered, June 10, " That John H. Lambert and James Rouse be authorized to contract for the erection of a small calaboose house, or lock-up." This miserable little affair was buil', as directed, at one end of the Market House, and, of course, no arrangement made for keeping it warm during the cold winter days and nights. As a speculation, or precautionary movement, it proved a sad investment both to the town and the Odd Fellows. Tradition has it that a wild Irishman was caged in it one bitter cold winter night, and that but for the continued exercise of his body he would have frozen to death ; that when he was released therefrom, he remarked to the officer that that room needed warming, and he was the very fellow to do the work » Sure enough, a short time afterwards, the Calaboose, Market House, Town Hall and Odd Fellows Lodge, with all of their books, papers and Lodge effects, were burned to the ground.

The tax levy for this year was the same as for many years previous, to wit : Twenty-five cents on the one hundred dollars valuation, one dollar on each white male over the age of twenty-one years, and one dollar on each free black over the age of sixteen years, and a specific tax as follows :

This was the first year, it appears, that Robert Clark and William Soaper had transacted the stemming business in their own name in the town. George Atkinson gave up the stemming business at the close of 1849, and sold his house to Robert Clark.

William D. Allison, Town Clerk, was allowed the sum of forty dollars for his services as clerk this year. Philo H. Hillyer, Treasurer, was allowed twenty-five dollars, and considering the bond these two officials were require^ to make and the multiplied duties heaped upon them, it is safe to say that men in those days served the public more for glory than for the pay.

The contract made with W. B. Vanzandt for grading and paving Mill Street wharf during the year 1849, was changed by consent of parties and a new one made. More paving was required, a tunnel was ordered to be built from the top of the bank of brick to the foot of the landing. This wharf and tunnel was completed in December, and at the January meeting of the Trustees, 1851, was received and three thousand seven hundred dollars allowed the contractor, to be paid out of the revenues of 1850-51 and 1852.

In June of this year a general ordinance directing the laying of brick, plank and gravel sidewalks on first, second, third and fourth cross streets and on parts of Water, Main, Elm and Back or Green Streets, was passed.

May 6, Henry J. Eastin was employed to resurvey the town and directed to plant iron pins at the corner of each square. This survey was made, and afterwards by a hotly contested and bitter election ratified by a vote of the people, and to this day is recognized as the correct survey of the city.

A general ihiprovement of the town was inaugurated this year, several brick tunnels leading to the river were ordered to be built, principally the one at First and Second Streets. First Street was ordered graded and filled from Main to Green.

Rev. Joel Lambert, President of the Henderson & Nashville Railroad, at the June 2 meeting was granted the right to construct a tram road over Fourth Street from the depot to the river bank, on the following conditions : The grade of the road to correspond with the grade of Main and Water Stret ts, the track to be located in the center of the street so as not to interfere with a good carriage way on either side of the track. The company to have the right to convey along said road all the property of the company, but with animal power, and not to move at a speed exceeding four miles an hour, and at no time to obstruct the crossings.

On the seventeenth day of June a majority of the property owners fronting on both sides of Main Street, from First to Upper Third Street, and on Mill from Water to Main, petitioned the Trustees of the town to grade, gravel, gutter and otherwise improve the streets, and obliging themselves to pay for one-half of the streets lying in front of their respective property. Immediately upon receipt of the petition, an ordinance was passed directing said improvement to be made. It specified that a carriage way be graded and paved, the dirt to be thrown up in the middle and a stone gutter constructed on each side of said carriage way and on the outside of the sidewalks, the gutters to be five feet wide and laid with stone not less than two inches in depth, the carriage way paved with gravel not less than ten inches thick.

It further directed the building of a landing fifty feet wide at the foot of First Street, to be paved with gravel and a stone gutter sixteen feet wide, and annulled the previous order directing a brick tunnel. This wharf, it was charged, was built in the interest of property owners near by, one or two of whom were members of the Board of Trustees at the time. It proved an expensive failure, washed away and came near destroying all of the adjoining property and has twice since been tunneled.

This, however, was the first order or ordinance ever passed looking to the permanent improvement of any of the streets of the town, and, of course was hailed with delight by the citizens generally.

for excavation, twelve cents per cubic yard for embankment, $2.75 per perch for paving the gutter with limestone, 1Q}4 cubic feet to the perch, and seventy-five cents per cubic yard for all gravel put on ten inches thick. This wharf cost $4,152.37>^. The President of the Board was directed to contract for the improvement of the intersections of the streets and also to have stepping stones put at all important crossings.

On November 5 many of the citizens petitioned the Board to be allowed to make sidewalks in front of their respective lots fifteen feet, instead of twelve feet wide. The prayer of the petition was granted, and from that time all of the principal sidewalks of the town were ordained to be built fifteen feet wide.

On the eighteenth day of February an act of the Legislature was approved investing Henderson with all the general powers of municipal corporations. Under this act the town became a city and was divided into two wards. The First Ward included all that territory lying above Mill Street, and the Second Ward all that territory lying below Mill Street. Each ward was entitled to three Councilmen, and at the first election directed by this charter, it was provided that a poll be opened in each ward for the election of a Mayor, three Councilmen, a City Judge, an Assessor, Marshal and Treasurer. John H. Lambert, James Rouse, William Brewster, L. F. Danforth, Elijah W* Worsham and James E. Rankin were appointed commissioners to superintend the organization of the city government under the charter.

On the first day of May an election was held and the following named persons elected : William B. Vanzandt, Mayor ; James W. Clay, George M. Priest and Jacob H. Fulwiler, Councilmen First Ward ; John H. Lambert, Barak Brashear, David H. Unselt, Coun cilmen Second Ward ; Worden P. Churchill, City Judge ; Solomon Nestler, Marshal ; Henry Lyne, Treasurer ; Young E. Allison, Assessor.

The eastern survey of the town was submitted at this election and ratified by a large majority of those voting. The last minute ot the clerk of the Board of Trustees is as follows : ^^ F/ie Mayor and Councilmen having been sworn into office^ and the archives and property of the town of Henderson having been delivered up to them, the Trustees adjourned forever and a day.^' present. Y. E. Allison was elected clerk. It was ordained that all ordinances in force at the time of the change from a town to a city government, should remain in full force until repealed, modified or amended by the Council. An ordinance establishing rules for the government of the Council was passed, and two night policemen employed as assistants to the Marshal.

It was ordered that the regular meetings of the Board be held on the first Tuesday in every month, at three o'clock P. M. At this time it was determined to change the grade of Main Street, from Second to sixth upper cross street. From Second to Third Street had been improved according to the grade established by D. N. VValden, engineer, but the Council became dissatisfied with it and passed, at their meeting held on the twenty-seventh, the following ordinanc - :

' Be it ordained by the Common Council of the City of Henderson, that the grade of Main Street from the intersection of Main and Second Streets, to the intersection of Main and Sixth Streets, shall be a regular inclined plain from the surface at said Second to the surface at said sixth cross street."

This ordinance necessitated the taking up of the gravel, curb stones and guttering already laid down between Second and Third Streets, a new grade and the relaying of the gravel, and rebuilding of the gutters, etc. On the thirtieth day of May a contract was entered into by and between the city and Moses Ross, to do the work at the following prices, and to be paid as follows: For removing 80 perches of stone, ^40; for removing 261 feet of curb stone, S25 ; for removing and replacing gravel already on the street, $150, and fifteen cents per yard for all excavations. The property holders on both sides of the street to pay for all excavations, and all other expenses to be paid for by the city.

The officers of the election, to be held in the following August, were requested to open a column in their poll book in which to take the sense of the citizen voters of the city as to the propriety of subscribing twenty-five thousand dollars to aid in building the " Henderson & Nashville Railroad."

In August, 1854, the Common Council purchased the interest of the stockholders, to wit : Edmund L. Starling, William Rankin, VV. B. Vandzandt, Samuel Stites, James E. Rankin, L. G. Taylor, A. B, Barrett, William E. Lambert, John N. Lambert, L. W. Powell, Joel Lambert, Solomon Nestler, F. Cunningham, Will D. Allison, George M. Priest, James Alves, George Atkinson, Francis Millet, Peter Semo-

"' The Council agree to issue scrip^to each stockholder in the compariy for the amount of his stock, bearing interest from the first day to May, 1853, and to be made payable out of the city revenues to be collected in 1855, and the Council assumes all the liabilities of said company, and are entitled to all its revenues of every kind and benefits of its charter and privileges.

James W. Clay

"Be it ordained, etc.: That all persons are hereby prohibited from burying deceased persons in what is known as the old grave yard, or anywhere else within the city limits on and after this date. Further, that the Mayor have the old grave yard fence repaired and closed forthwith. "

The amount of revenue to be collected for this year, as reported by the Collector's books, was $6,653.00, and upon this information Solomon Nestler, City Marshal, was directed and required to give additional security apon his bond. The Marshal was present when this order was made, and then and there refused to comply with the order and left the Council Chamber. At the following meeting, August nineteenth, Mayor Vandzant preferred articles of impeachment against Marshal Nestler, as follows :

"I charge him with improperly threatening the Council and saying he would give them trouble when he got the tax books, I charge him with refusing to obey and execute the ordinances of the city according to the true spirit and obvious import of the same. I charge him with interfering with the Council, in endeavoring to initiate business, in trying to get ordinancrs passed in such shape as would suit his own views I charge him with insubordinate conduct toward the Council, in his insolent and unbecoming refusal to give additional security to his bond when required to do so by order of the Council."

Upon the filing of the Mayor's charges, Nestler was summoned to appear before the Council on some day to hear the decision of that body. On the thirty-first day of August he appeared and was put upon his trial, and after a patient hearing of the testimony, and arguments of the Council both for and against, he was removed from his office by a unanimous vote. Thereupon an election was ordained to be held on September 12 to fill the vacancy, and, strange as it may appear, it is nevertheless true, the people refused to sustain the action of their Council by re-electing Nestler, and thereupon the Mr.yor and three or more of the Council resigned their offices. In November of this year, two landings were made, one at the foot of upper eighth cross street, and one at second lower cross street. They cost a large amount of money, and both washed into the river in a very few years after their completion. An exhibit of the amount of money squandered in pretending to protect the river front between the years 1823 and 1867 would astound the oldest inhabitant. In November the Courier Co??ipany were elected the first city printers of the town, having been awarded the contract on the first ballot over the Reporter. During the latter part of this year, the Ionian Debating Society was organized, and composed of a number of the most promising youths of the city, many of whom have made brilliant lights in both commercial and political circles. This society was governed upon the strictest rules adopted by parlimentarians, and was the means no doubt, of bringing into active life, the untrained powers of strong native intellects. Among its members who have distinguished themselves in life I am pleased to notice Hon. James F. Clay, ex-member of Congress, from this Congressional District, a man of great native and acquired ability, Hon. J. Henry Powell, a litery lecturer of national fame, and now the unsurpassed attorney for the Commonwealth in this judicial district. Judge L. W. Trafton, now deceased, but who during life represented this county in the Legislature, and served his county as Judge, a strong lawyer and able reasoner, Josephus Cheaney, the renowned temperance lecturer, William S. Johnson, John H. and James R. Barret, whose splendid business achievements have made them the pier of any in the land, and Stephen K. Sneed, cashier of the Henderson Natioiial Bank, whose reputation for ability throughout the banking circles of the county is recognized and acknowledged. These gentlemen, with many others, look with pride to the days of this society, and love to revel in the old memories which yet cluster around its most interesting life.

In the early part of 1854, James Alves additions to the city commonly known as ^'' Fultyle^^ and ^' Hardscrabble^^^ were by act of the Legislature made a part of the city. These were then clover fields ; they are to-day compactly built. This was the year the young city, not only stood alone for the first time, but commenced walking with ease. The Mayor notified the County Court that she was amply able to take care of her own paupers and streets, and asked to be released from county poll tax. He asked that the apron strings hith rto binding her, be now unloosed, and she turned loose upon the world to work her way to rank with other cities of the country. The order was granted, and from 1854, then a small place, she has gradually grown, until to-day she presents a bold front, and a growth absolutely commanding the attention of capital from all parts of this great land.

1855. The Assessors books for 1855 showed a total valuation of prop, erty $1,191,210 and a total of polls three hundred and eleven. The tax levy was fixed at one dollar and fifty cents on each and every white male over twenty one years of age, each free colored above the age of sixteen, and fift}' cents on each and every one hundred dollars worth of property listed to the Assessor. The following specific taxes were levied :

Commission Merchants Boarding Houses

At the instance of Robert G. Beverley, a contract was entered into by and between the City Council, and William B. Vandzandr, at and for the sum of one thousand and seventy dollars, to fill the pond or ravine, which had engulfed the whole of the intersection at Lower First and Main crossing, and fully one-fifth of the northwest corner of the Public Square. This contract was made on the third day of July, and soon thereafter work was begun. An idea may be formed of the immense amount of earth necessary to fill up this great hole, when the reader is reminded that it required all of the dirt, then in the hill extending from Lower First Street to the center of the square, and that in the hill, which extended across First Street, near the corner of

Green, running at a rapid decline across the street from the summit of Mrs. Burbank's property, corner Washington and Green Streets to the ground level of St. Paul's Episcopal Church lot. During the month of July, a contract was made with W. B. Vandzandt, to exhume all unknown graves, to be found in the old cemetary, on the corner of Fourth and Elm Streets, and remove what remains there were to be found, to the new burial ground on the Madisonville road, now known as "Fern wood." Mr. Vandzandt was actively engaged at this work, but it was deemed best for the public health, to defer further removals until the fall of the year, at which time the contract was completed. This sacred square of ground lot No. 58, now belongs to the city, and if the writer is not mistaken, the title to the old Cumberland Church should be vested likewise.

The great floating Palace^ with her chime of bells, and magnificent circus, a new feature in the show business, delighted the citizens of Henderson on the afternoon and evening of the sixth day of July.

The low land and pond around the intersection of First Upper and and Elm streets was filled up by order of the Common Council during the months of July, August and September. This fill included the lot back of the Court House, upon which is situated the City Building, First Street and lots bordering thereon, particularly the Quinn corner, now Robert Dixon's, and the Lawrey corner, now occupied by the storehouse diagonally across from Dixon's. The fill on First Street was made from three to three and one half feet above the pavements laid down at that time. Robert S. Eastin did this work under the direction of Henry J. Eastin, City Engineer. This pond, from the earliest recollection of the town, had proved an eye sore and nuisance, as well as an interminable expense. As before stated concerning the river front and its tunnels, so in this case, an exhibit of the amount of money expended in draining this pond, would astound the oldest inhabitant. It claimed the attention of several Boards of Trustees, to the exclusion of almost every other subject. The outbreak of cholera along First Street during 1863, was attributed to the low, wet and filthy condition of the street and lots. There were several fatal cases on the square, between Elm and Green. Robert Lawrey, a very promising young son of David Lawrey, who lived on the corner directly opposite the market house on Elm Street, being one of the number.

During the summer of this year, the " Henderson Coal Company" sunk a coal shaft near Upper Twelfth and Water Streets. This company bored a large hole with a small and dissatisfied auger, struck coal at last, commenced business with bright hopes, and finally a few years thereafter, wound up with the largest suit perhaps ever filed in the Circuit ClerU's office. The experience and end of this company however, did not keep others fjpm undertaking a similar enterprise as will be seen as this work progresses.

The city prison, built under the market house, having been burned and a great necessity for another experienced, a calaboose thirty feet long was ordered built, and was built upon the spot of ground now occupied by the City Council Building. Mention has heretofore been made of the difficulties pending between the city and James Alves and others, concerning the title to that portion of the Public Square, deeded away by the citizens in 1824. The city gained the river front and suit was pending concerning the square. In September, a committee of citizens approached the Council with an offer of compromise. The Council appointed a committee to confer in regard to such settlement. October 2, the committee on the part of the property holders came before the Council and submitted a proposition in writing offering one thousand dollars, as a compromise to adjust the difficulties in the suit. This proposition was rejected, and then the Council submitted a proposition to accept fifteen hundred dollars, and to perfect the title so far as it was in their power to the property. This proposition was accepted by Robert H. Alves and William Brewster, and that, to all intent and purposes, was an end of the Public Square suit.

On the sixth day of November, an order was passed permitting Messrs. Schraeder and Clore to build a saw mill on the river front below seventh upper cross street.

On the thirteenth day of November, an ordinance was passed directing the grading, graveling, guttering, curbing and paving of second and third upper cross streets from Water to Green, according to the plan of improvement established by Henry J. Eastin, Engineer. This work was all completed, save the graveling of the square between Elm and Green on Second Street. In compliance with a petition of the property owners, the Council at a meeting held on the fourth day of December, ordered a street forty feet wide to be made on the river front, from First above the Public Square to Sec. ond below. To do this it necessitated a fill on Water or Front Street across the ravine landing in First Street below the square. This fill was made, and that improvement has ever since been known as Water Street, and has proven a blessing to the city.

At an election held in the city on the ^seventeenth day of November, to take the sense of the qualified voters as to the propriety of the city issuing her bonds in the sum of $50,000, for the purpose of aiding in building the Henderson & Nashville Railroad. One hundred and seventv-two votes were polled for the proposition, and this being a large majority, it was ordered by the Council that the subscription be made upon condition the railroad company would obligate themselves that " Henderson " should be and remain the northern terminus of the road.

Up to the year 1856 none of the cross streets, running out from the river, extended beyond Green or Back Streets, From Center up to the Third Street, out to the line of James Alves' " Pultyte " En. largement or addition, was owned by Mrs. Jane Ingram and the heirs of Wiatt H. Ingram, deceased. The addition made by Mr. Alves necessitated an outlet through the Ingram field, which was at that time fenced up in one body, and to secure this the Mayor of the town was directed to call on Mrs. Jane C. Ingram and request her to open Second Street through her grounds to the corporation lines, and in case of her failure or refusal, to take the necessary legal steps for opening and extending the street as required. The Mayor called upon Mrs. Ingram, and she, without hesitation, positively refused to open the street, unless compelled to do so by law. Suit was then instituted, and the street condemned and opened one hundred feet wide. During the same year First Street was ordered to be graded, graveled, guttered and paved from Water to Green.

In December a liberal lease was made to D. R. Burbank for a portion of the river front near his coal mine and salt wells. Mr. Burbank commenced boring an artesian salt well, and, in 1857, succeeded at a depth of over 1,600 feet, in striking a four to six inch stream of salt water. This stream flows out of the surface, and can, it is said, be carried to the highest part of the city in pipes. The strength of the water is said to be eighty gallons to the bushel. At the depth of one hundred and sixty feet below the surface is a rock sixty-three feet through, which it is said would afford the whole country an abundance of the best of fresh water. At the depth of two hundred feet a stratum of porcelain clay was passed, pronounced by some to be the finest yet discovered in the United States.

*' Dear Sir - The approximate examination which I made in Lexington, in Dr. Peters' labratorj, of the sample of salt you handed me. obtained by boiling down in a hasty and rude way from brine obtained in your borings for salt in Henderson, gave the following comparative result with salt of commerce, supposed to be Kanawhgi :

** This shows it is a very pure salt since this examination must inevitably show a larger amount of impurity in your salt than could be in the salt of commerce prepared by crystalization ; it is in fact purer than the Kanawha salt. D. D. OWENS, Geologist of Kentucky."

Shortly after the discovery of this vien of water Mr. Burbank expended a large amount of money in the purchase of machinery and building of vats for the purpose of making salt, but, owing to some defect in the apparatus for boiling and evaporating,or else some opposite quantity in the water,the enterprise was soon abandoned. From that day to this the well has continued to flow ad libitum, furnishing during the spring, summer and early fall months the most health-giving bathing to be found anywhere in the country.

During this summer (1883) Mrs. Burbank has caused to be erected a swimming pool near the well, where the citizens go in great numbers to enjoy the health-giving qualities of the water. It is undoubtedly a superior water for invalids of all kinds, and is said to be a dead shot to chills and fevers, many wonderful cures having been efTected by the use of it.

Prior to the boring made by Mr. Burbank, a similar artesian well had been bored by Mr. John G. Holloway on his farm, some five miles out from the city. Ii was the object of Mr. Holloway, at the beginning, to secure, if possible, a flowing stream of fresh water, but he, too, struck a vein of strong salt, and in endeavoring to go further, got one of his augers fastened in the tube, and abandoned the enterprise. The water was permitted to flow through the farm. Sixty or more sheep were killed from drinking it and the well was plugged up. At an elevation of 155 feet above low water and to the depth of 1,024>^ feet his borings developed ten beds of coal : at 60 feet, one of 10 inches ; at 136)^ feet, over 3 feet of block shale, with some coal ; at 160 >^ feet, a vein of 4}^ feet ; at 262 feet, one of 2>^ feet ; at 447 feet, one of 1^ feet; at 467 feet, one of 5>^ feet; at 572 feet, one of 20 inches, and at 861 feet, one of 6>^ feet.

The coal shaft sunk by Mr. Burbank was intended more for his own convenience than for the public supply. He had expected to operate his gait works, but when that enterprise exploded, he then turned his attention to raising coal for public sale. He continued to work his mines up to 1862, when, in the month of November, he leased them to Mr. A. H. Talbott. This gentleman operated the mines for one or two years, when they were again delivered up to the original owner.

Mr. Burbank was heavily engaged in tobacco stemming and farming, besides other important enterprises, attracting a good portion of his time and attention, and for this reason he abandoned the shaft and thus permitted it to fill up.

On the second of January a contract was entered into for the permanent improvement, by grading, graveling, guttering, curbing and improving Main Street from Third to Upper Sixth Street. This contract was made with Stapp & Ackerly at the following prices : For excavations, 22 cents per cubic yard ; embankment, 12^ cents per cubic yard; guttering, $3.50 per perch of 25 feet; $1 per cubic yard for paving with gravel ; sandstone curbing, 25 cents per foot; limestone curbing, 50 cents per foot, lineal measure ; paving sidewalk with good hard brick, $1.10 per foot, lineal measure. Upon all of the streets order ed to be improved, it was stipulated that the gravel used should be taken from the conglomerate mine above the city. The value of this gravel as a lasting roadbed will be appreciated when it is considered that all of the principal streets of the city were laid over twenty-seven years ago, and have never been relaid except in spots as necessity demanded.

On the third day of May, on motion of C. W. Hutchen, a contract was entered into with B. Brashear to grade and fence the Public Square, pi ant in it 270 trees and sow it down in blue grass, for the sum of eight hundred dollars.

On July 22 the Mayor preferred charges against Henry Clay Bard, who had recently be'en elected City Judge, for mal and misfeasance in office. On the twenty-eighth day of August the charges were tried and resulted in a resolution requesting or rather idvising Judge Bard to resign.

During the summer and fall of this year Messrs. Paul F. Semonin and Robert G. Rouse, Jr., built the steamboat Governor Powell. She was 125 feet long and carrying capacity of 400 tons. She was a neat little craft, but, from some cause, never succeeded in making a fortune for her owners, but, on the contrary, at the June term, 1859, of the Henderson Circuit Court, in the case of Peter Semonin & Co., a decree was rejidered directing the sale of the boat to satisfy numerous debts and claims against her.

On the evening of the twenty-fourth of March, 1856, the renowned reader and actress, Mrs. McCready, accompanied by M'lle Camille Urso, a little prodigy of musical science, at that time only sixteen years of age, delighted a large audience of Henderson people, using the dining-room of the Hancock House, because there was no public hall in the city. M'lle Urso, then a wonder, is yet living and enjoying a reputation as a violinist equal to that of Ole Bull. This charming little performer was assisted by Prof. C. F. Artes, the great musician, lately deceased.

On Sunday morning, October 12, the large pork house of Woodrufif & Funk, located in the lower end of the city near the ste m mill, was set fire to bv an incendiary and burned to the ground. The loss was a heavy one to the firm and a serious blow to the commercial interest of the county.

The lease for a part of the river front, petitioned for by Messrs. Shrader & Clore, for the purpose of building a steam saw mill, was executed May 2 for a term of thirty years. The mill was built and has been for a number of years operated by Joseph Clore. On the first day of January, 1884, the firm name was changed to that of Joseph Clore & Sons, and is one of the largest and most successfully managed mills in the State.

In July a terrific wind storm passed over the city, unroofing many houses and rasing to the ground a magnificent five-story brick, two hundred feet in length, the property of D. R. Burbank, fronting on third upper cross, between Main and Water Streets. This house was rebuilt upon the same foundation, but only four stories high. In its crushing fall it demolished an adjoining brick stable, the property of William S. Holloway, and killed forever and anon, *'01d Bally," one of the finest specimens of equine flesh ever owned in this place.

The Hancock House was given a thorough overhauling, among other things plastered on the outside with a rough coat in imitation of stone, Henderson improved rapidly this year.

The Reporter oi September 17 said : '* We have never witnessed a more healthy and vigorous manifestation of the spirit of improvement than now prevails throughout this city. Business and dwelling houses are in process of erection in almost every direction. Streets are being graded, pavements laid and all other species of improvements are going ahead with rapid strides. There is more work than the present force of mechanics can manage."

During the month of October, a society of young men known as the "Thespian Society," a dramatic literary association, was organized, and during the fall and, winter of 1858 gave entertainments in " Woodruff Hall " to large and delighted audiences. This society undertook such pieces as " Ingomar," " Lady of Lyons," "Still Water Runs Deep," " Faint Heart Never Won Fair Lady," and others of a difficult and popular cast, and, contrary to the predictions of the most sanguine friends of the players, the several renditions were not only creditable but positively meritorious. L. W. Danforth, a most humorous young man, possessed a happy and peculiar faculty of fun and wit, proved himself the equal in his line of comedy and farce of any trained actor who had preceded him on a Henderson

On the fifteenth day of July a compromise of the suit of the city vs. Robert Clark & Co. and John B. Burke, for that part of the river front lying between First and Second Upper Streets, was filed and ordered to be made a part of the decree to be rendered in the Circuit Court. This compromise stipulated that Clark & Co. and Burke be permitted to remain in peaceable possession of the ground during the remainder of the unexpired term of the lease from the town to Audubon & Bakewell, made by the Trustees of the town on the sixteenth day of March, 1816, and to run ninety-nine years from that date, upon the said Clark & Co. and Burke executing and accepting a lease from the city for the unexpired term of said lease, to-wit : the fifteenth day of March, 1915, and paying such annual taxes upon said property as may from year to year be assessed against it by the city authorities.

tant still, all owners of property encroaching upon the line of the streets as established by the Henry J. Eastin survey and ratified by a majority xote of the people, ^¥-ere notified to draw in their fences and thus conform to' the survey. In many instances this was done, but in no instance where the ground was held by right of possession was the order obeyed. Be it said to the credit of the Council, in many very important cases and equally unimportant ones, this timely step was taken.

On the sixth day of April, Mrs. Betsy Sprinkle, relict of Michael Sprinkle, one of the pioneers, died. She was a devoted Christian woman. Once upon a time, her husband, in his old age, was approached upon the matter of religious preparation, when he replied in all earnestness : " My vi/e, Fefsy, has got it, Judge Knox has got it, and I am getting too old to enjoy it."

On the seventeenth day of February, an act to amend the city charter was approved. This act reinstated within the city limits all that territory lying between fourth and eighth lower cross streets, a portion of the same let out in 1825 under that remarkable trade between the citizens and James Ah'es and others.

1859. McBride's old Horse Mill, near the corner of Eighth and Main Streets, was torn away by order of the Council, passed March 24. This was one of the first mills built in the county, and for many years did the grinding for this entire section of country.

On the second day of May a poll was opened to take the sense of the qualified voters as to the propriety of the city paving the river front between uppe/ second and third cross streets, and authorizing the issue of $80,000 of her bonds, bearing six per cent, interest, to run twenty years, for the purpose of paying for said wharf. The vote resulted as follows : In the First Ward, for the bonds, 77 ; against the bonds, 1. In the Second Ward, for the bonds, 53 ; against the bonds, 2. These bonds were never issued.

On the seventeenth day of May, an ordinance was passed, authorizing the erection of works for the manufacture of illuminating gas, and giving the privilege of selling and suppling the same to the city for the term of fifty years.

On the sixteenth day of August, the old public well, in the intersection of Main and Second cross streets, was ordered filled up ami the pump removed. This old well had refreshed many of the inhabitants for years and years, and it may be, that its cooling waters, made poi- sonous by filth deposited therein by evil-disposed persons, had aided in sending others to untimely graves. It also had a history associated with the corrective influences of courts, and such like. It was a power,' it was a terror at times. As a corrector of morals and misdemeanors, it was frequently pointed to, and upon more than two occasions that old pump handle was made to ring out, as its rapid stream poured down upon the head and body of some penitent subject who had violated the laws of society and morals.

The $50,000 of bonds voted on the seventeenth day of Novem ber, 1855, to aid in completion of the Henderson & Nashville Railroad, were never issued, but by a compromise between the Council and the railroad officials, it was agreed that a proposition to subscribe $100,000, one-fourth payable when five miles of the track was laid, one-half when ten miles was completed, and so on till the whole amount had been paid, should be submitted at an election to be held on the seventeenth day of September, 1857. An ordinance was passed directing the election to be held and the vote taken as follows : " In favor of the subscription by the city of one thousand shares of one hundred dollars each of the capital stock in the Henderson & Nashville Railroad, and another column opposed to the subscription by the City of Henderson of one thousand shares of one hundred dollars each. Also another column in favor of a direct tax to be paid in three years in six semi-annual payments, to be made and levied of the taxable property of the city, to be appropriated to the payment of the subscription of stock. Also another column in favor of payinp- the subscription of stock by the issuance of bonds of the said city, payable to the railroad company at thirty years after date, bearing six per cent, interest, payable semi-annually."

The election was held and resulted as follows : Two hundred and twenty-nine votes in favor of the city subscribing one thousand shares of one hundred dollars each, and 229 votes in favor of a direct tax, payable semi-annually in six installments, to meet said subscription ; opposed to the subscription and tax, 6 votes ; in favor of the thirty year bonds, none.

Elm Street, from first upper cross street to a line between the property of Governor L. W. Powell and Thomas Evans below the Square, was ordered graded, guttered and paved according to the plan of general improvement of the streets. This work was completed early in I860.

treat at three performances of Cooper's celebrated opera troupe. Miss Annie Milner, the best English soprana heard in this country for sixteen or eighteen years, was tt.e leading artist, and was the more remarkable, as she had had but little stage experience. She exhibited many of the peculiar beauties of her instructress, the celebrated Mrs. Wood, particularly in the sweetness of her trills, the firmness of her sostenuto and the remarkable ease with which she attacked the notes in her upper register. Her entire rendition of Verdi's trying part of Leanorain ^' II Trovatore," was a perfect success and stamped her a great lyric artist. The singing of the entire troupe was warmly applauded, and it is safe to say no entertainment prior to that time or since has so captivated the city. The great Rudolfson, who is yet delighting the musical world, was one of this opera company, and will long be remembered by many who enjoyed the richness of his vocal powers.

June 19, Dr. A. J. Morrison suicided in the county jail. July 18, the young Americans of Henderson were surprised and diverted by five or six Indians in their peculiar uniforms. These savages were somewhat civilized and begged importunately. The males and females were each as ugly as it is said of a Ducth picture of the devil.

1860. February 25, an act, to amend an act, incorporating the City of Henderson was approved. This act restored the oli boundaries according to the original plat. The Mayor and Council were given general powers over streets, etc., and the city divided into two wards. Mill or Second Street being the dividing line.

On the seventeenth of March the new charter was submitted to a vote and ratified by the people. This charter brought in the additions made by James Alves.

In January the magnificent steamer Grey Eagle, built for the Louisville & Henderson Packet Line, made her first trip, and was received on rounding in at Henderson by the " Henderson Guards " with a royal salute from their handsome loud-mouthed six-pound brass

In the fall of 1859 John C. Stapp had buflded an immense ice house, which he filled during the winter with ice for the accommodation of the general public. In the sp.ing of 1860 he advertised as follows : *' Having erected and filled with superior ice, a mammoth ice house, I wish to furnish private families and others with that luxury the ensuing season, commencing May 15 and continuing until the first day of October at the following rates : For the season of four months, $12 for one-fourth bushel per day, $20 for one-half bushel per day, ^28 for three-fourths of a bushel per day, ari'l $35 for one bushel per day, oz. weight. In all cases of sickness where the parties are not able to buy ice I will supply them free of charge. "

March 5 William D. Allison, for thirty-eight years Circuit and County Clerk of Henderson County and decidedly the most popular man in the county, departed this life after a brief illness.

March 21, a miniature hurricane swept the river, sinking two coal barges and a boat containing a large number of sewing machines at the foot of the wharf.

June 10 the new Methodist Church was dedicated, and at the evening meeting $3,000 was raised by subscription to free the building from debt. Rev. Charles Booth Parsons conducted the services and preached a powerful sermon.

June 5, an agreement or covenant, was entered into between property lot holders, who held adverse possession, and the city, for the surrender upon certain conditions, ground encroaching upon the line of the street, as established by the Eastin survey. This agreement was signed by sixty-two lot holders and is recorded in city record book " A," page 260.

On the third day of July an ordinance was passed directing the permanent improvement of Elm Street, between first and fourth upper cross streets.

This interesting incident in the history of Henderson was attended and witnessed by a large concourse of people. Capt. Jas. W. Clay was accorded the honor of driving the first spike. The Mechanics' Brass Band made harmonious music,"while Colonel John W. Crockett and C. M. Pennell made glorious and enthusiastic speeches.

October 4 the first five miles of this road was completed and ready for the iron horse. This was the terminal of the railroad until two years after the war, to-wit : 1867.

At a meeting of the Common Council, held October 23, the eight'cross streets below the Public Square were appropriately named as follows : First, Washington; second, Powell; third. Clay; fourth, Dixon; fifth, Jefferson; sixth, Audubon; seventh, Jackson, and eighth, Hancock.

December 4 the city paid the first installment of $16,666.66 2-3 on her subscription of one hundred thousand dollars to the building of the Henderson & Nashville Railroad.

Clouds of war hanging over the country it was resolved by the Council that all improvements of streets and sidewalks that have not already been put under contract be and are hereby suspended indefinitely. At the next meeting uncompleted work was ordered to be stopped indefinitely.

During this year, 1860, the Council exerted every energy to keep Henderson abreast of the times, all of the lots lying on First Street had by order of the Council been filled up and the street itself had been filled and improved. An immense amount of street improvements in other parts of the city had been completed and begun. Property had been reclaimed and in many instances a liberal compromise had been effected with those lot holders who held property encroaching upon some one or more of the streets of the town. The wor-v of this Council, as well as those preceding it four or five years, was immense and they deserve a more extended notice than time and space in this work will admit of, suffice it say, however, that their labors in a few more years would have culminated in securing Henderson a front position among the leading cities of the West, but for the coming of that cruel, cruel war. The war had dawned, and was now about to shine out in all its horrors, and anything of a bright future had begun to settle beneath its lowering cloud of death and desolation.

At a meeting of the City Council, held January 2, the committee appointed to compromise suits pending in the Henderson Circuit Court between the city and D. R. Burbank, reported the following agreement :

'-This article of agreement made and entered into this twenty-ninth day December, i86d, between the City of Henderson and D R. Burbank, witnesseth. That, whereas the city has instituted suits against said Burbank for certain streets situated on the property purchased by said Burbank of W. A. Towles and wife and John D. Anderson, also for portions of Green and Washington Streets, and the sidewalk on Elm and Third Streets, where tlie said Burbank now resides, all of which is inclosed and claimed by him adversely to the said city. Now, in consideration of the said Burbank relinquishing and giving up to the city the portions of Green and Washington Streets, and the sidewalk on Elm and Third Streets above named, the said city agrees to dismiss said suits as to the prttpert^j now in dispute. It is understood that Burbank is to retain possession of that portion of said Third Street on which his factory stands, until the same shall rot or burn down, or be pulled down or removed, then Burbank is to relinquish to the city the remainder of the sidewalk in his possession. Witness our hands, etc.

On the twentieth day of April the evidences of bloody war having become so unmistakably apparent, the Common Council determined to fight, or better, perhaps, to be captured full-handed. The following is a copy of the proceedings of the meeting held on that day :

" Mr. Matthews moved that an appropriation of one thousand dollars be made to purchase arms and ammunition for the protection of the city, which motion carried by the following vote : Ayes - Mayor Hall, Beverley, Ladd, Matthews and Tallbott Nayes - None."

"On motioii, R. G. Beverley is appointed a committee to purchase fifty kegs oi liowder, also to purchase (dl of the powder now in the city for the use of the city, which motion was carried by the same vote *'

The teaching of negro Sunday Schools was prohibited, and the meeting of that race in the city for public worship when conducted, controlled, or assisted by a slave, or free negro, was declared to be a nuisance. It was made the duty of the Marshal to disperse all such meetings, and to arrest the person or persons by whom the same was conducted, and if the preacher, speaker or exhorter be a slave he was to be punished with any number of lashes not less than ten, nor more than twenty, and if a free negro to be fined not less than twenty, nor more than fifty dollars.

Mr. Beverly reported on the twenty-sixth of April that he had purchased the powder directed in the order of the previous meeting, and thereupon amotion was made to furnish the " Henderson Guards," with such quantities as they may need for " protection purposes." This motion was unanimously carried. Upon motion of Mr. Beverly the City Council was then constituted a Committee of '' Public Safety," any two members to have power to act. The Mayor was then instructed to notify the colored preacher. Green, not to preach here any more. The city having been fortified with powder enough to blow up the enemy, and all other military precautions taken, the Council then cast a guardian circumspection once more over the streets, Market House, etc., until her pickets should be driven in or the approach of a flag of truce demanding a surrender.

On the seventh day of May the " Henderson Guards " are again remembered, this time handsomely. Councilman Dr. Lafayette Jones offered the following resolution, and the same was unanimously adopted :

*' Whereas, The officers and members of the Henderson Guards have expended a great deal of money, time and labor in effecting their organization, and whereas the said company has given in the way of a night guard its services re cently, and expresses a willingness to continue said service, and in as much as many of the members of said company are pecuniarly unable to furnish themselves with uniforms and bear the other necessary expenses entailed upon thein, therefore

^^ Be it resolv^d,By the Mayor and the Council that the sum of three hundred dollars be appropriated for the use and benefit of the '- Henderson Guards" and that said sum be placed in the hands of Captain E. G. Hall (Mayor) for the benefit of said company."

This trifling recognition was all right, and as the Home Guards were all wealthy men, individually and collectively, and were possessed of constitutions fully equal to the demand of night service made upon them, for weeks prior to that time, and for many weeks afterwards, they rejoiced at the luck of their comrades in arms. But a short time afterwards one Colonel Charles Cruft came to town from Indiana, and then there was no " Henderson Guards " to defend the Committee of Public Safety, or the fifty kegs of powder that had been hid for protection purposes.

On the fifth day of October the " Committee of Public Safety " caused the following order to be issued : " The Mayor and Marshal are authorized to sell all of the powder belonging to the city to the merchants or citizens thereof, according to their discretion, and at no less a price than ten dollars per keg."

The total valuation of property reported this year, including 37 stores and 141 slaves, amounted to $1,614,170. White males over 21 years, 431 ; free negroes over 16 years, 9, and 34 dogs, the head tax on all of which amounted to $8,803.35. There were 8 tobacco stemmeries, 15 groceries, 11 taverns and boarding houses, 3 produce and commission merchants, 1 lumber yard, 1 wagon yard and 1 wharf boat, upon all of which was assessed a specific tax of $867.50. During the winter of 1861 Hugh Kerr's tobacco factory, corner Water and Fourth streets, burned.

The pedestrians who had plodded in the mud and mire from early recollection, wanted more street conveniences. They had realized the comforts of a progressive age, and like the church parson, enthused by the eloquent exhortation of his co-worker, cried out aloud, "Go on, brother." They must now have stepping stones at each intersection, and in the middle of the Square. On the thirteenth day of May a contract was entered into to have such work done at all of the principal crossings. From that day to this, the citizen who had tramped the streets with his unblacke 1 conestogas drawn over the outside of his pants, has enjoyed the felicity of perambulating around the muddiest of streets in his blacked and shiny box-toed, high and dry above the scum of the earth, and so much for a progressive Council. The days of tlie " Committee of Public Safety " had now almost come to an end One Colonel John W. Foster, hailing from Evansville, in the State of Indiana, and holding in his pocket a Federal commission to reconstruct every man south of the Ohio River who should happen to come under his military supervision, stepped into the warlike arena and announced himself monarch whether the " Committe of Public Safety " liked it or not. This man, Foster, was a positively positive man, and thought to be as positively unscrupulous. If he was a failure in the military field, where the balls and shells flew the thickest, that was no reason why he should not sit in his comfortable room at the Hord House and rule with an iron will.

On the sixteenth day of August this distinguished Post Com. mandant, whose forte was bartering with guerrillas, and suspected sympathisers, and always beating them in the trade, issued his first bull and addressed it to the "Committee of Safety." That remarkable document reads as follows ;

'* Gentlemen - It has been brought to my notice that Mayor Hall has, contrary to the orders of the Secretary of War. absented himself from the city and trom his post of duty. He has done this tvithout reporting himself to ME. I am reliably informed that he has fled fr«m the city, either to avoid the contemplated draft or to join the rebel army. In either case he has forfeited his oflice, and incurred the penalties of the military authorities I desire that you should take prompt and decided action in the matter. Mayor Hall must return to his post of duty and purge himself from the suspicion that resting upon him, or you must declare his office vacant and order a new election. I desire that you would act upon the matter to- nighty and notify me of your actions. Very respectfully,

John W. Foster

The Council had been called in extra session, and about that time the mere thought of a prison cell was equally as alarming as the fact of having been locked in. This then being true, Councilman Beverly offered the following resolution, which was adopted unanimously without discussion :

*' Whereas, It appears /rom a communication of Lt. Col. John W. Foster, commanding Post Henderson, Ky , (in accordance to which the Council met) that His Honor, Mayor Hall, has absented himself irom his post of duty; therefore, be it

Resolved, That in accordance with said military order, and the provisions of the city charter, should the Mayor not appear within ten days of the publication of this notice, the Council will take the steps ordered hi/ the CHARTER to elect a Mayor to fill his place.

Gentlemen - I have received a copy of the proceedings of your Board of August 16th, by which you propose that 'Should (he Mayor not appear ivithin ten days of the publication of this notice, the Council will take the steps ordered by the Charter to elect a Mayor to fill his vacancy,^ I am not informed as to what you construe a ' publication of the notice.' I cannot learn that any other publication has been made other than spreading it upon the records of the Council and sending me a copy. If you deem that sufficient notice, the ten days began to run from the 16th inst. Mr. E. G. Ilall, the late Mavor of Henderson, has abandoned his post secretly, in the darkness of the night. fled from the city taking misguided youth with him. and has joined the rebel army in rebellion against the Government.

" No time should be lost in supplying the place which he has disgracefully and traitorously abandoned. I, therefore, require that you issue a proclamation to the citizens of Henderson, setting forth the fact that you are credibly informed that E. G Hall, late Mayor of Henderson, has secretly abandoned and made vacant the office of Mayor, and has joined himself with those in rebellion against the Government, and therefore, unless he should return on or before the 26th inst , and purge himself of the charge, there is ordered an election to be held to fill the vacancy occasioned by his action, on Wednesday, August the 27th, J 862.