USA > Alabama > Madison County > Huntsville > Early history of Huntsville, Alabama 1804 to 1870 > Part 7
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Legislative sanction having been obtained, pursuant to the mandates of the charter, on March 30, 1821, notice was given in the (Huntsville) Alabama Republican that, "The Indian Creek Navigation Company will sell stock at the Planters' & Merchants' Bank."
(Signed) Leroy Pope, Thos. Fearn, S. S. Ewing, Henry Cook, Sam Hazard, Commissioners.
The matter of financing the enterprise, appears to have re- solved itself into the mere detail of offering the investing public an opportunity of subscribing for stock, as a meeting was held on Wednesday, the 16th day of April, 1821, at which directors of the company were elected.42
Work of Construction was commenced without delay, and pressed with all due haste. Promising indeed, must have seemed the future, and general was the satisfaction when it became known that the "work of the Indian Creek Navigation Company is progressing rapidly and the canal will be ready for use next season."43 The company reckoned without its host, for during the next year public announcement was made that "Dr. Thomas Fearn, President, is receiving bids for the unfin- ished half."44 The work of completing the canal extended over
42 (Huntsville) Alabama Republican, April 27, 1821.
43 (Huntsville) Alabama Republican, August 31, 1821.
44 Ib. April 26, 1822.
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Early History of Huntsville, Ala.
a period of time to the limits of which the public concern and enthusiasm could not endure.
During the next few years the doubtful success of the plan, even ultimately, is reflected in the general lack of interest in the progress of the work. From all accounts it seems to have been deserted by all its friends, except Thomas and George Fearn, who remained steadfast in their fidelity to the original purpose until their efforts were crowned with a laudable suc- cess.
Five years later, in 1827, though not perfected, freight was being transported through the canal, as appears from the fol- lowing advertisement in the (Huntsville) Southern Advocate, of January 27, 1827 :
"The Indian Creek Navigation Company is prepared to ship cotton to the Tennessee river. It is not completely finished, but will admit the passage of boats."
It is not unlikely that further development of the project would have been suspended at this point, but for the fact that a strong public sentiment favored the plan now being urged, to render the Tennessee navigable for large steamers, and all signs of the times seemed to insure success for the undertaking. At all events, work on the canal, which had by now come to be known as "Fearn's Canal," was continued by slow stages unto its complete and final perfection in 1831. Great was the cele- bration of this consummation so devoutly to be wished. On Tuesday, the 5th of April, 1831, intense excitement prevailed throughout the community. This epoch-marking event, greeted by assembled hosts, was embellished by the picturesque exhibi- tion of two keel boats gliding up the canal and landing at the wharfs by the head of the Big Spring, where the cargo of supplies was discharged from one of them which had come from the river. These boats had a capacity of eighty to one hundred bales of cotton and fifty passengers. Loaded to "the guards," one of these pioneers proceeded on its return trip to the Tennessee, passing all locks, both coming and going, safely.45
Public approval of the industry of the Fearns was unstinted ; their energies were rewarded and their success applauded by the general demand for an even more elaborate canal.
The feasibility of making navigable the Spring branch, hav- ing been demonstrated beyond conjecture, the public concern
45 (Huntsville) Southern Advocate, April 9, 1831.
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Early History of Huntsville, Ala.
1
now interested itself in a plan to provide for the passage of
large river steamers through the canal. Frequent and lengthy were the newspaper discussions of this form of waterway. Again, the Fearns were neither timid nor tardy in action, and the (Huntsville) Southern Advocate of July 7th, 1835, car- ries the following notice :
"On the 20th of July books will be opened by the Huntsville Canal; to render the stream navigable for large boats, at a cost of $150,000.00. Thos. and George Fearn."
What the success of this venture was, the author is unable to state, due to a total lack of information, which diligent effort did not render available. However, the tradition, that, this effort was not a success is no doubt well founded. For it would seem evident that so pretentious a canal as contemplated would have left enduring signs of its accomplishment. None exist, even in the memory of the "oldest inhabitant."
Suffice it to say that progress, if any there was, with the plan for this "Huntsville Canal," was made between the years of 1837-1844; for after this date no mention whatever of the same is to be found in the local papers. The history of this project, as recorded by contemporaneous narrators, must needs remain unwritten, as there is a break in the files of the local papers of this time from the year 1837 to 1844. It is a per- plexing inquiry, just why these contemporaneous sources of information should be missing; for it is said the same hiatus exists in a measure throughout Alabama. Another cogent bit of reasoning sustaining the belief that this canal never mate- rialized, is, that during the year 1834, agitation of railroads as a means of transportation had become general and earnest in the local papers ; and a respectable concern was manifest in a plan to build a railroad from Huntsville to Whitesburg. This no doubt would have scarcely received consideration had there been in operation an adequate canal to Triana.
Though "Fearn's Canal" is the only one which rendered service and achieved prominence, another such scheme to render Flint river navigable was undertaken, and a charter obtained from the Legislature. On December 20, 1820, one day before the Indian Creek Navigation Company was formed, it was provided by enactment "That Fleming Jordan, George Taylor, James McCortney, John Sprowl, Stephen Pond, John P. Brown, John Grayson, Dial Perry, David Walker, Ebenezer Bryan, Stephen McBroom, William Derrick and David Cobb, and such other persons as shall be associated with them, are
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Early History of Huntsville, Ala.
hereby constituted and declared a body corporate, under the name and style of 'The Flint River Navigation Company,' for the improvement of navigation of Flint river, in Madison county, from Captain Scott's Mills (now Brownsboro), to the Tennessee river."46
A chronicle of the times vouches for the statement that this company received liberal appropriations from the General Gov- ernment, to aid its works; but ill fate attended the first efforts put forth so that the plan never matured.
Large trees grew in profusion on the banks of this stream. It was thought advisable to remove all growth and timber from near the water's edge; thereby preventing any possible hin- drance to navigation, resulting from the falling of these trees into the water. So, accordingly, the company set about clear- ing the banks; felling those trees into the stream, with the fal- lacious hope that the force of the spring freshets would wash them out of the channel into the Tennessee. It was fortune's bitter irony, however, that these spring freshets which were considered by the company to be inadequate to the task of clearing the stream of fallen trees after navigation had begun, were commensurately inadequate to this same task, before navigation was begun. So it was that the first work done was that of destruction rather than construction. History records the projected accomplishment of the Flint River Navigation Company's efforts with the ugly, yet appropriate, term "fail- ure," spelled with a capital "F."
RAILROADS
History of primeval man records that after the stone age came the iron age. In parity with this evolution of the human race, by ages, has the development of transportation pro- gressed. Only in degree of intensity have they differed. The latter, when we exclude the application of steam as a motive power for crafts, not having improved over the age-old medium of intercourse, navigation of inland waters and the high seas, until the early part of the nineteenth century when the advent of railroads revolutionized the commerce of the world.
Huntsville, founded as she was, at the very threshold of this nineteenth century, has lived partly in the two distinguishing eras of advancement in methods of transportation; in the last
46 Toulmin's Digest of Alabama Laws, page 709. Edition of 1823.
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Early History of Huntsville, Ala.
years of the supremacy of inland waterways and canals, and in the dawn of the supremacy of steam railroads.
Having traced, in some detail, under canal building, condi- tions as they existed at Huntsville during the close of that period which might be termed the navigation age, we come to consider, with some interest, and, the author regrets, less enlightenment, the steam railroad age.
The advantages to be derived from proximity to a line of this new medium of intercourse destined to broaden the horizon of life and actions of individuals and communities provoked much acrid discussion, academic in its scope, through the news and editorial columns of the local press.47
At Huntsville, public interest began to manifest itself when work of construction on the Decatur-Tuscumbia Railroad was begun; and became intense after the passage of the first train over its tracks, about December 30th, 1834.48 Almost imme- diately, arrangements were made to take advantage of the nearness of this road. To that end a stage line was estab- lished from Huntsville to the Tennessee river at Decatur, as before mentioned.
The public thought was first concerned about the proposed construction of ten miles of railroad from Huntsville to Ditto's Landing-Whitesburg. Though the distance to be covered is inconsiderable, such adequate transportation facilites as thus afforded, would have served the enlarged purpose of placing Huntsville on the river, as it were. However, not until 1851, was a railroad constructed through Madison county.
During this year, work of building the Huntsville and Mem- phis division of the Memphis & Charleston Railway was com- pleted, having been financed by local capital. This line con- nected at the river with the Decatur-Tuscumbia Railroad.
In the early part of this year, it was found that the funds provided were insufficient to complete this link and an election was ordered held by the sheriff of Madison county on April 2nd, to ascertain the sentiment of the public relative to raising additional funds.49
This election was not held in April, being deferred till the first week in August, for some reason. The results were in favor of providing the necessary funds. It will be remembered, that, at this election there was also submitted the question of
47 (Huntsville) Southern Advocate, October, 1834.
48 (Huntsville) Southern Advocate, December 30, 1834.
49 (Huntsville) Southern Advocate, April 2, 1851.
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Early History of Huntsville, Ala.
whether or not "Secessionists, abolitionists and dictators" were endorsed or denounced. On this proposition public opinion was little divided, and the returns declared for "denunciation of all three" in unmistakable terms.
The directors of the Memphis and Charleston Railway at Huntsville were, J. W. Otey, D. E. Kelly, J. Robinson, F. Jordan and J. Pickens.50
From the editorials in the local press of that day, the infer- ence is gleaned that one of the chief benefits likely to be derived from railroads, was the destruction of class distinction. All social barriers would be relaxed by the indiscriminate inter- mingling of the masses and the classes in traveling. A curious desire to see one of the trains appears to have been general and loath to await the auspicious event.
The author hazards this suggestion ; that the curiosity of the public in 1851, to see a train, would not surpass the curiosity of the public of this day, to see that individual about whom this account appeared in the (Huntsville) Southern Advocate of November 14, 1851 :
"He was peaceably proceeding along the road, when the train, unexpectedly, came into view and blew its whistle where at 'he tried to fly like a bird,' and in this futile attempt to remove himself from the path of this demon-like engine (of destruction) as he thought, fell prone across the track. After much effort he succeeded in reaching the side of the roadway, where he seized a tree with a vise-like grip and clung to it as grim death, to the entire amusement of the passengers. So great and fundamental was "the mental pain and anguish suf- fered by this man, as a proximate consequence of his severe fright," that this indulgence of his curious desire-though unwittingly timed-to see a train, came near entailing serious, if not permanent and fatal results."
Though a railroad had actually been constructed through the county, some conflict between this method of transportation and that offered by canal, yet lingered in the public mind. This appears from the earnestness exhibited in the local press, proclaiming the advantages of the former over the latter. In an evident effort to keep the public attention fastened on the steam railroad question, the upper left-hand corner of the front page of all papers was decorated with the cut of a clumsy
50 (Huntsville) Southern Advocate, August 6, 1851.
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Early History of Huntsville, Ala.
balloon topped, wood-burning locomotive, belching forth great clouds of smoke. A doubtful advocacy of a worthy scheme.
Construction of the Huntsville-Charleston division of this road proceeded with gratifying speed, having been completed some years prior to secession, and in use.
CIVIC AND PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS
Read by the light of other days, life in Huntsville,-as with the old South-was almost incredibly grand. In the then present there was little lacking to give it completeness. Those things which make for well proportioned and admirable socio- logical conditions in a community were abundant in Hunts- ville.
Things which we now term "modern conveniences" were not unknown to those times ; even ice could be had throughout the year.51 The price of this commodity now, as compared with then, amounts to little less than a "modern inconveni- ence." So soon as 1823, there was a water works system. The reservoir was attached to the end of the court house. It would appear, from a reading of the newspapers of that day, that human nature, in Huntsville, at least in so far as the use of hydrants not muzzled by meters is concerned, was the same as it is today. Frequent notices are to be found in the local papers, calling attention to the constant lack of water in the reservoir, due to the fact that people who had no hydrants used those of their neighbors.52 This system seems to have been somewhat inefficient, and entirely inadequate, for by 1827, the question of a new plant was actively agitated. In an attack upon the old system, which had come into pretty general disrepute, the editor of the Southern Advocate, in its issue of May 18, 1827, delves into the secrets of the past and reveals to us some ancient history, more interesting than edifying, which leads to the conclusion that, honesty of that uncertain kind, which sometimes attends municipal contracting in our day, is not the product of this age alone. We are informed in that editorial that the people of Huntsville were dreadfully cheated by the first contract; and furthermore, the contract was never completed to supply the town, and was under the control of a plotting, scheming, company, and lastly, the people paid too much for the contract. But there is one thing with
51 (Huntsville) Southern Advocate, June 16, 1826.
52 (Huntsville) Southern Advocate, December 9, 1825.
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Early History of Huntsville, Ala.
regard to these works, that must forthwith be attended to. That ill-shaped goose pen of a building attached to the end of the court house, called reservoir, is by the order of the com- missioners, to be torn down and removed. The new system is under the supervision of Mr. Sam D. Morgan. A dam, en- gine house and machinery are to be installed and a new reser- voir built, in the erection of which Mr .. Morgan will liberally assist. This new system was planned by Hunter Peel and Thomas Barclay. Wooden pipes about eight feet long, made by boring a hole through the center of red cedar logs were used. These pipes were tapered at one end and hollowed at the other. Joints or connections after being made were held in place by iron hoops or bands. Sections of these old pipes are not infrequently unearthed even yet, in excavating beneath old buildings about the square.
Though the author cannot be certain, the use of wooden con- duits in the second system would seem to justify the inference that such were also used with the first.
A water turbine and a nine-inch pump served to force the water into the reservoir, which had been constructed on Pope's Hill. This reservoir can yet be seen at the intersection of Williams and McClung streets.53 It is not unlikely that this system installed in 1827, remained in use till after the war, as it was rendering satisfactory service in 1859. Fire plugs, in con- nection with this water system, were also installed in all parts of the town.
Despite these facilities and the good efforts of the Huntsville Fire Engine Company, which we have seen was organized in 1822, a very disastrous fire visited the town in February, 1829, laying in ashes "Bank Row" (west side of square), except one small building.54
The following notice appearing in the Southern Advocate of January 13, 1826, suggests the manner in which the Fire Engine Company was sustained :
"CALLED MEETING.
Huntsville Fire Engine Company, to be held at the engine house. All fines and annual contributions must be paid at this meeting.
F. Collender, Secretary."
It can scarcely be doubted that Huntsville kept pace with the times, even abreast of the larger Eastern and Northern
53 Huntsville Directory, 1859, pages 12 and 18.
54 (Huntsville) Southern Advocate, February 6, 1829.
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Early History of Huntsville, Ala.
Cities. In 1856 the "Huntsville Gas Light Company" was organized with a capital of $7,325.00. A plant was erected immediately near the spring, where gas, for lighting purposes, was manufactured in circular retorts from rosin.55
HISTRIONIC
Life in this community, even during the first years of this period, was far from prosaic. The public were permitted the enjoyment of all forms of amusement and recreation, from balloon ascensions,56 to heavy tragedy, followed by comic farce. Approaching events were heralded in the local press, thus :
"SECOND NIGHT."
"Theatre .- The public is respectfully informed that on Sat- urday evening, November 4, 1820, will be presented the moral, instructive and effective Tragedy of the Gamester :
Beverly
Mr. Phillips. Concameon.
Stuckley
Mrs. Beverly
Mrs. Cummins.
After which a comic farce, in one act called Blue Devils. Admission one dollar.
Performance to commence at seven o'clock precisely.'56
Theatrical performances closing with a one-act comic farce. appear to have been the order of the day. This theatre, owned by Messrs. Sammoner & Weekly, was destroyed by fire on Saturday night, August 5, 1821. Though the local press expressed the belief that it would not be rebuilt "any time soon" about a year later shows were advertised to be held in the theatre.
Hotel facilities were adequate and in keeping with the needs of the times. As we have observed, as early as 1803, hotels were subjected to governmental regulation. This supervision was exercised for a number of years, even to the extent of establishing the charges to be made. The law required of all "tavern keepers" that they take out a license and to furnish good, clean, wholesome diet, and lodging for travelers, and stabling, pasturage and provender for horses, for and during the time of his license." The license cost $20.00 per year. The various county courts fixed the rates. These had to be posted conspicuously. Cards published according to these
55 Huntsville Directory 1859.
56 (Huntsville) Alabama Republican, November 3, 1820.
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Early History of Huntsville, Ala.
requirements, furnished information as to the charges to be met by the traveling public :
"A NEW TAVERN."
"At the sign of the Planters' Hotel.
My stables are large and commodious and well equipped with all the requirements ; rates :
Breakfast
371/2C
Dinner
50c
Supper
371/2C
Horse for night.
50c
Lodging for night.
121/2C
Boarding without lodging, per week.
$3.50
Boarding, including lodging, per week $4.50
Horse, per week .. $3.00
N. B. Posey."57
MILITIA
As has been mentioned, Huntsville sent four companies and Hazel Green one with General Andrew Jackson, to fight the Creek Indians, at Horse Shoe Bend. Two companies also went from here during the war of 1812. In 1819, Madison county had two regiments of infantry in her militia. These regiments held two musters a year. One commencing on the 8th of January, and the other on the 4th of July. After per- forming the military duties incident to the occasion, the balance of each day was devoted to recreation and sports. A chronicler of the times informs us that the greater portion of the time was consumed in political debate ; it being customary for can- didates to speak on these occasions, and to provide "free whiskey" for the crowd.
In 1821 "The Huntsville Light Infantry" Blues was organ- ized with J. K. Dunn, as its first lieutenant.58
The Huntsville Volunteer Artillery Company, under the command of Capt. J. G. Carrell, was organized in 1820.59
Towards the later part of this period, in 1855, a military company, the Madison Rifles, with Captain J. C. Coaltart, was mustered in.60
57 (Huntsville) Alabama Republican, November 17, 1820.
58 (Huntsville) Alabama Republican, March 16, 1821.
59 Ibid. September 29, 1820.
60 Huntsville Directory 1859.
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Early History of Huntsville, Ala.
Here was to be found a hospital, well equipped, under the management of Dr. L. Reimondie, established in 1851, as the "Madison Surgical and Medical Infirmary."61
RELIGIOUS AND EDUCATIONAL
The public thought was not wholly occupied with those things and institutions which produce material development, for commensurate consideration was manifest in the mainte- nance of those uplifting influences which make for "richness of life" in a community.
CHURCHES
Many of the first churches and religious societies of the State were organized here. Between the years 1818 and 1835 the Presbyterian, Methodist, Cumberland Presbyterian and Episco- pal congregations had erected houses of worship at Huntsville.
Those in the community, of the Presbyterian faith, met and organized some time in 1818; and on October 13, 1822, com- menced the erection of the first church of that denomination in the State. The present creditable structure, situated on the southeast corner at the intersection of Lincoln and Gates streets, was built in 1859, upon the site of the old one.ยช
The congregation of the First Methodist Church erected their first church building here in 1821, which was later re- placed by the handsome and commodious structure now in use. This building was dedicated by the Masons on August 7, 1867.
About the year 1821 the Madison Bible Society was organ- ized. Its membership was purposeful and energetic, and em- ployed itself about many worthy undertakings for a long num- ber of years. Not the least of which was its untiring efforts to ameliorate the condition of the Confederate soldiers and their dependent families in this county. The Episcopalians in the community were slow to perfect organization ; their first meet- ing for this purpose being June 15, 1830, in the Presbyterian Church, which was itself even then uncompleted.
This meeting was called to order by the temporary chairman, John Brahan, with John C. Coleman acting as Secretary. Mr. McClung offered the first resolution, which was passed.
61 (Huntsville) Southern Advocate, November 14, 1851.
a Annual Report 1906-7, Presbyterian Church at Huntsville, Ala.
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Early History of Huntsville, Ala.
"Resolved :
That it is expedient at this time to establish an Episcopal Church at Huntsville."
Following this, Leroy Pope moved that vestrymen and war- dens be elected. Samuel Cruse then nominated the following who were elected officers of the permanent organization :
Hunter Peel, Dr. Sam Breck, Capt. William Clark, General John Brahan, Leroy Pope, Jr., Ben S. Pope, Capt. William Atwood, Col. J. J. Pleasants, and Dr. R. G. Fearn.82 Work of erecting a house of worship was begun without delay and completed in due season, upon the site occupied by the present building, at the intersection of Green and Eustis streets, on the southwest corner. The present graceful structure, so unique and pleasing in interior arrangement, was erected in 1858.
The Missionary Baptists were probably the first to organize and build a church in the county; which was done as early as 1808, out in the neighborhood of Briar Fork of Flint. This church was named Enon. The greater portion of the congre- gation having moved to Huntsville during the first years of the war, this church was officially moved from the country to town. In 1861 a house of worship was erected upon the north- west corner at the intersection of West Clinton and Spring streets. This building has in later years been removed to give place to the present modern edifice. "Enon" was the first church established in the State by the Missionary Baptists.
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