USA > Illinois > White County > History of White County Illinois > Part 35
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S. M. Woodrow's Saw-mill and Lumber yard .- This mill was built by Wm. Gravett, J. P. Gravett and Edward Johnson, in 1877, under the firm name of Gravett & Johnson. In February, 1881, Mr. S. M. Woodrow purchased one-fourth interest; and April 12, 1882, purchased the entire mill. This mill has two engines of 120 horse-power, and manufactures all kinds rough and dressed lumber. The mill is being fitted up in first-class order, with all latest improved machinery. The mill and yard give direct em- ployment to forty men and eight teams. The lumber yard is the largest in the county, and one of the leading manufactures of Carmi; it does a business of $40,000 to $50,000 a year. They deal in soft lumber, doors, sash, shingles, lath, and all kinds of build- ing material, mixed paints, builders' hardware, etc.
Stevens & Reed are proprietors and owners of the two saw- mills and lumber yard in Carmi, one mill on each side of the river. Mr. Reed, in partnership with Parvin and Harter, purchased the east-side mill in 1878. In 1879 Mr. Reed purchased his partner's interest and took into partnership G. A. Stevens, and that same year they built the east-side mill. Each mill has a large circular saw and band saw, and they are fitted up in the most modern manner with all the latest-improved machinery.
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Each mill has a forty horse-power engine. These mills give direct employment to thirty-five or forty men. They do a business of $35,000 or $40,000 a year. The two mills have a capacity of cutting 20,000 feet of lumber per day.
Parvins Bros'. Foundry and Machine Shop was established in May, 1878, in the brick building formerly used for a district school- house. The building is 85 x 35 feet. It is fitted up on the most modern plan with foundry and machine shops, and gives direct employment to ten men. Foundry and machines are new, and are prepared to do all kinds of work. This is the only foundry in Carmi. The Parvin brothers are natives of Illinois.
Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway Car and Machine Shops. -These were built by the Cairo & Vincennes Railway Company in 1873. The first master mechanic was Richard Williams; the second was Edward Louaty; the third, O. H. Cory. The present master mechanic is Mr. A. Van Tuyal, who was appointed in July, 1878. The Cairo & Vincennes Road was purchased by the W. St. L. & P. Ry. in October, 1881. The Wabash shops employ 140 men in Carmi with a monthly pay roll of $7,233.37, $6,500 of which is spent in Carmi. The foreman of the car department is William Davis; the general foreman is William Brahm; the master mechanic, Mr. A. Van Tuyal, has charge of thirty-two freight and passenger engines as well as of the entire shops. He is a graduate of the Philadelphia High School and learned his trade in Dayton, Ohio. He is of Dutch and Welsh descent.
The Louisville & Nashville Railroad Depot .- This depot was built by the St. Louis & Southeastern Railway Company, and be- came the property of the Nashville & Chattanooga Railway. They held possession until 1880, when the Louisville & Nashville Road took possession. This depot was struck by lightning three years ago. A man standing by the stove was stunned by the shock. The building has been remodeled by the company. The present agent is Guy C. Silliman, who was appointed Aug. 14, 1882. He is a native of White County, and is a son of Robert A. Silliman, deceased. He is both telegraph operator and agent.
Storms's Warehouse and Elevator .- This is now in process of erection, and when complete will cost about $6,000. It is located on the south side of the railroad track, about half-way between the depot and the river. Its storage capacity is 50 x 240 feet, or about 75,000 bushels. Its general architectural form is that of a pyramidal tower with porches, etc., and is the most imposing
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structure of the kind in Southern Illinois. The elevator is run by steam power. Grain and produce of all kinds are received here for storage and shipment.
DAMRON HOUSE.
The original structure now forming a portion of this hotel was erected probably about 1849. In 1866 Mr. J. M. Damron came here from Evansville, with no capital, and leased this building for a hotel, contemplating its enlargement by additions, etc. He exhib- ited such a spirit of enterprise and honesty of purpose that he found friends and credit, and Dec. 22, 1866, he opened the hotel with a big dinner. His success as a hotel-keeper was so great that he soon paid all his first indebtedness, and then he proceeded from time to time to make other improvements, paying for them in due time from the proceeds of his business. In 1871 he was able to purchase the property outright, and since then he has maintained such a reputation as to keep all competition out of the city. The house has now thirty well-furnished rooms.
Mr. Damron was born in New Albany, Ind., in July, 1833, where he lived most of the time until about the close of the war, when he took charge of the Crescent City Springs, at Evansville, for two years, and then came to Carmi as above stated.
Hay & Webb's Bank .- This necessity to the business interests of Carmi and vicinity has been long in existence, in the old and well-known building between the bridge and the public square. Its reputation is sufficiently established with banking houses in the principal cities of the United States, so that any party can transact business through them with the same facility as in any city. The proprietors are Frank E. Hay and John R. Webb.
SCHOOLS.
Previous to 1855 the schools of Carmi, like those of the country generally, were provided. by private subscription. There was a school fund, arising from the sale of the school lands, namely the sixteenth section of each township. The schools of Carmi in early day were therefore irregular and meagerly supported, and they were held in various places. A frame school-house was built in 1841, and a brick school-house in 1856, which was as soon as prac- ticable after the free-school law was adopted. The latter cost $4,000 or $5,000, and the building stands near where the depot is now. At present it is used as a machine shop.
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Carmi is waking up to the importance of popular education. There are now three brick school-houses, including the Normal, and two frame; one of the latter is for a Catholic school, and the other for a colored school. Nine teachers are employed, besides the two who are soon to be employed in the Catholic school. The two brick school-houses, for the education of children of all grades, were both erected during the Centennial year, 1876, by David Negley, contractor, and are alike in dimensions, plan and costs. They are 30 x 70 feet, having two large rooms below with a fourteen- foot hall between them, and ante-rooms.
One of these buildings is situated on the south side of Main street, and two squares west of Church street, and the other on block 4, north of the railroad, and are distinguished as the South Side and the North Side school-houses, the one being south of the railroad and the other north. The cost of these, with grounds, was about $16,000.
The frame school-house for colored children was built in 1874, on lot 53, in East Carmi, two squares north of Main and one square east of the river, at a cost of about $1,000. The Catholic school is described in connection with St. Polycarp's Church.
In the city there are nine departments-two primary, two first and two second intermediate, two grammar, and one ungraded, the latter the colored school. At the North Side school-house the Principal of the grammar department is M. F. Carr; the teacher in the second intermediate, A. C. Hunter; first intermediate, Fannie_ Hunsinger; primary, Bertha Holland. The number of pupils en rolled in Mr. Carr's school for the year ending in June, 1882, is sixty-twenty-six boys and thirty-four girls; average daily attend- ance, thirty; in the second intermediate, fifty-eight-twenty-five boys and thirty-three girls, with an average daily attendance of thirty-three; first intermediate, seventy-four-thirty-fiv m a es and thirty-nine females, and average daily attendance of thirty-five; primary, 118-forty-four boys and seventy-four girls, with an average daily attendance of fifty-two. In the South Side school, S. S. Henderson is Principal of the grammar department. Enroll- ment, sixty-three-twenty-five male and thirty-eight female; aver- age attendance, thirty-six. Second intermediate, Lizzie Graham, teacher; enrollment, sixty-six-twenty-six boys and forty girls; average attendance, forty-seven. First intermediate, C. Belle Fos- ter, teacher; enrollment, seventy-eight-thirty boys and forty-eight girls; daily attendance, forty-eight. Primary, Mrs. Ida M. Thomas
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teacher; enrolled, 107-thirty-six boys and seventy-one girls; aver- age daily attendance, sixty-nine.
Of the colored school, Hattie Butler is teacher. Number of pupils enrolled, seventy-two-thirty-nine boys and twenty-three girls.
There are 1,242 persons in Carmi district between four and twenty-one years of age, of whom 696 are enrolled in the schools, with an average daily attendance of 328. Thirty-one between twelve and twenty-one are unable to read and write.
On the completion of the buildings in 1876, the district owed $16,575, of which over $6,000 have been paid. During the last school year, 1881-'2, there were paid, for teachers' salaries, $3,- 581.21; for janitors' wages, $144; interest on bonds, $1,030; bonds redeemed, $300; incidental expenses, $745; total, $6,350.21. Schools were in session 182 days, at a cost of nearly $35 a day. Seating capacity of the present school-houses, about 500, which is not quite half the possible enrollment. Present School Board- Geo. Williams, President; M. Hunsinger, H. E. Craver, Thomas K. Wilson, Alexander Boyer, George Ziegler; Daniel Berry, Sec- retary.
Curmi Academy .- An act of the Legislature was approved Jan. 16, 1836, declaring Frederick Wilmans, Thomas Shannon, Will- iam Wilson, E. B. Webb, John M. Robinson, Josiah Stewart, Daniel Hay and James Ratcliff and their successors a body corpo- rate, to be known as the "Trustees of the Carmi Academy," whose object should be the promotion of the general interests of educa- tion, their academy to be open to all denominations of Christians. Nothing, however, was ever done toward the erection of any building, and the school was never established.
Southern Illinois Normal School and Commercial College .- This new and rising institution had its inception in the mind of Prof. S. E. Thomas, of Little York, Ind., who came to Carmi in the summer of 1879, and, in company with Profs. J. H. Magill, of Crawford County, Ill., and J. E. Payne, of South Boston, Ind., conducted a short normal in the South-Side public school building, opening with thirty-five pupils and continuing four weeks. In the autumn following they removed to Berry's Hall, and afterward into the Brocket building. Its marked success continued until the morning of the 2d of January, when the entire city was shocked with the cries of "Fire!" "Fire!" The Normal School was found to be one of the sufferers. The school was held in the second
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story of a business block, and the rooms having caught below there was no chance to check the consuming terror. The destruction was a total loss to the Normal. Library, cabinet and many other valuable things were gone. " Will the school continue ?" was often asked by young, earnest and anxious students. Though the condition of the school was hopeless, yet no earthly power can de- stroy an institution that has been built on a true normal basis. The school was reorganized with very unfavorable accommodations and it was impossible to hold its previous progress. But not a day was lost and not a moment was trifled. Other schools in the sur. rounding country thought they would be benefited by the failure, but they are sinking, and some have sunk "to rise no more." Though the second year was one of trial, yet over 300 pupils were enrolled, thus making a growth unequaled by any other normal school in the land.
Limited building accommodations retarded the otherwise rapid natural growth of the school, which, indeed, enrolled 200 the first year, and the teachers began to cast abont for a large and commo- dious structure specially adapted to the wants of the school. Ac- cordingly a joint-stock company was organized, to raise capital in $25 shares. Aug. 12, 1880, is the date of the certificate incorpo- rating the company, comprising John M. Crebs, James R. Will- iams and James I. Mcclintock, who were to go forward with the good cause. At a meeting of the stockholders Sept. 6, following, J. M. Crebs, B. L. Patrick, T. K. Wilson, Matthias Hunsinger, F. E. Hay, J. I. Mcclintock, John R. Jones, J. W. McHenry and Jolin W. Clark were elected Directors. This being in 1880, when a Presidential camp .ign was on hand, progress was slow. Mean- while the school opened its second year under similar circumstances as the first; yet as many as 100 students were in attendance.
A lot was finally obtained on the south side of Main street, at the southwestern corner of the city. The ground is 300 feet front by 486 deep. The first 268 feet of this, estimated at about a $1,000, was donated to the institution by T. M. Kerney and his sister, Mrs. Mary J. Morris, both of Carmi.
The building contract was let to Floyd & Wheatcroft and Jacob Bruder, who completed it in the fall of 1881. It is about 40 x 80 feet, and two stories in height. A beautiful tower sur- mounted the front elevation, but was afterward blown off by a high wind.
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CHURCHES.
The First Presbyterian Church of Carmi is one of the oldest religious societies in Southern Illinois. It was organized Nov. 25, 1827, at the house of Richard Graham, in the town of Carmi, and was declared to be "Christ's church, under the direction and care of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian church of the Uni- ted States of America." The persons present at this meeting were: Rev. Benjamin F. Spilman, the organizer of the society; Benja- min Spilman, Richard Graham, Sarah Graham, Josiah Stuart, John M. Robinson, Abner Flanders, James Ratcliff, Margaret Ratcliff, Daniel Hay, Robert H. Morris, Lucinda Ready and Robert Summer s. These did not all join, and several not present at that meeting deserve the title of " first members. " The following were the first members : Benjamin Spilman, Richard Graham, Sarah Graham, Josiah Stuart, Nancy Stuart, Nancy Blue, Robert H. Morris, Phoebe Morris, Joseph Pomroy, Elinor Pomroy, Mary Wilson, Margaret Wilson, Samuel T. Boyd and Eliza Ann Boyd.
Rev. Benjamin F. Spilman, who organized the church, was chosen the first pastor, and he officiated occasionally for twelve years following. Benjamin Spilman and Richard Graham were made Elders. During the first twelve years after the organization of the church, there were added twenty-eight members. During this same period Rev. B. F. Spilman often supplied the church. To fill an appointment on one occasion, he walked from Shawnectown to Carmi, thirty miles, when the roads were not passable for a horse. Arriving late, on another occasion, a dance had com- menced. But the company presently seated themselves, and Mr. Spilman preached. Rev. Isaac Bennett labored here to some ex- tent in 1829, and also in 1833-'4. Rev. William Hamilton was here in 1832. Rev. Andrew M. Hershey was supply pastor in 1840, and continued for about two years. Rev. R. H. Lilly was supply pastor in 1842-'3. Rev. John L. Hawkins commenced labor here in 1845, and continued until 1849. Of his work here he says : "When I commenced my ministerial labor in White County, the church at Carini was entirely disorganized, with few members remaining, although the name of the church was retained on the roll of the Presbytery. After some time, a Mr. Thompson was chosen Elder. The choice proved unfortunate, and in a short time the church was again without an officer. Rev. Hillery Pat- rick preached here occasionally, between 1849 and 1855. Rev.
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John S. Howell labored here a portion of his time for eight years, or from 1854 to 1862. Rev. R. Lewis McCune was supply from June, 1862, to March 1, 1865. During this time twelve persons were added to the church. Rev. John Huston served this church from November, 1865, to May, 1868. Rev. Benjamin C. Swan commenced his labors here Aug. 1, 1868. The churches of En- field and Sharon were united with it in one charge until March , 1871. From that time until the close of his pastorate, October, 1877, he gave his entire time to Carmi. The next pastor was Rev. William S. Wilson, who preached until June, 1881, and was fol- lowed by Mr. Frank A. Stoltz. The place of public worship, to about 1851, was the court-house, " which was somewhat better than no place at all." Sometimes, however, preaching was held at private houses. About 1851, a house of worship was erected by the Methodists. It is the building at present occupied as a store- room by Mr. George Williams. In this they were assisted by the Presbyterian church, and here the congregation met on alternate Sabbaths. The present house of worship was erected in 1866. The present pastor of the church, who succeeded Mr. Frank A. Stoltz, October, 1881, is Rev. Jonathan E. Spilman, a brother of the Mr. Spilman who founded the church fifty-five years ago.
The following is the list of Elders of the society from the be- ginning: Benjamin Spilman, Richard Graham, James E. Willis, William B. Thompson, Josiah Stewart, William A. St. John, John G. Powell, Chauncey S. Conger and Everton J. Conger. The present incumbents are Chauncey S. Conger, chosen April 12, 1874, and Everton J. Conger, chosen Dec. 19, 1875. During Mr. Swan's ministry fifty-five persons were added to the church, and there was a steady increase in the attendance upon public worship. From January to March, 1870, the church enjoyed an interesting revival. The benevolent enterprises were systematized, and the amounts given steadily increased. The church edifice was reno- vated within and without. Other revivals have been held since, of which the most successful was a series of meetings begun Jan. 28 and ended Feb. 10, 1882. These were conducted by Rev. Mr. Spilman and Rev. C. S. Armstrong, and resulted in the admission of twenty-one persons to membership.
The Sabbath-school has been steadily maintained since about 1834, though it was not thoroughly and permanently organized until March 3, 1867. On that date, which was Sunday, the mem- bers of the congregation who desired to assist in organizing a
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Sabbath-school met at the church and proceeded to effect an organ- ization by electing William A. St. John, Superintendent; James I. McClintock, Assistant Superintendent; North Storme, Librarian, and Chauncey S. Conger, Secretary. There were twelve teachers and fifty-four scholars present, making a total number present on that day of seventy. This was the first school exclusively Presby- terian in. Carmi, the school previously maintained being really a union school. For many years after 1867, too, the Presbyterian and Methodist Episcopal schools were held at different hours, 80 that teachers and scholars might attend both schools. The present Superintendent is Charles P. Berry.
The Carmi Methodist Episcopal Church was organized as a re- ligious society at a house owned by A. S. Staley, on Main street, Ang. 5, 1850. The first members were A. S. Staley, R. S. Graham and wife, James M. Stewart, Mrs. Sebra Wilcox and one other. Of these Mr. Graham is the only one still living. The first Class- Leader was A. S. Staley. The preacher in charge was Rev. James A. Read, services being held at Carmi but once a month for the first three or four years. Mr. Read was followed by Rev. John II. Hill, who preached one year, and was then succeeded by Rev. Mr. Miller. The following year the pulpit was supplied by Rev. John Shepherd, who remained two years, and then came Rev. John- Gillam for one year. Rev. John Leaper preached the next year. He in turn gave way to Rev. A. Ransom, who served two years. and he to Rev. R. B. Pierce, who served two or three years. The next to fill the pulpit was Rev. J. M. Green, who remained one year and then left, followed in the Carmi charge by Rev. Mr. Til. Jeron for two years. Mr. Tilleron was followed by Rev. Mr. Waller for one year, and he by Rev. Mr. White for two years. Rev. C. P. Wilson was next assigned to Carmi, and remained with the charge two years, when Rev. Mr. Evers, the present pastor, assumed charge of the work. Carmi was made a station in the Southern Illinois Conference during the pastorate of Mr. Pierce. The first church was built of brick in 1852, and was used until about 1870, when the present edifice on Main street was erected. The society is now in a very prosperous condition.
The Christian Church of Carmi was constituted June 4, 1851, with twelve members, as follows: Daniel Hay, Priscilla Hay, Mary B. D. Robinson, Sarah F. Kerney, Daniel G. Hay, Eliza- beth Hay, Samuel R. Hay, Mary C. Hay, Mary J. Test, Susan Ward, Nancy Gamble, and Mary Ann Mcknight. In July follow-
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ing the organization the names of seventeen persons were added to the rolls. Up to April 21, 1857, as shown by the original roll, ninety-two names were enrolled, of whom ten were dead, thirteen had been dismissed by letter or had taken membership elsewhere, and nine had been excluded, leaving an active membership of sixty. Samuel R. Hay seems to have been the first and only Elder of the church for some time after its organization.
The church was organized in the court-house, where the gospel had been preached for some time before by Brothers Dibbell, Good- win, Dumm and others. Soon after the organization, steps were taken toward the erection of a church building. The first church Trustees were Conrad Miller, Michael Schumacher, Thomas W. Hay, Robert H. Rice and William H. Johnson. Aug. 12, 1874, the name of the society was changed from "The Church of Jesus Christ at Carmi, Ill.," to "The Christian Church of Carmi, Ill."
The present membership of the society is 153-thirty-seven males and 116 females. The present Elders are W. H. Johnson, Israel Turner and John Lamp. The present Deacons are M. Schu- macher, W. G. Tarrant and J. P. Gravett. The pastor is Rev. William Gravett. Services are held every Lord's day. Sunday- school meets at 9:30 A. M. every Lord's day. W. H. Johnson is the Superintendent. Prayer-meetings are held every Wednesday evening.
Their first meeting-house was built in 1852, and cost $1,500. It served their purpose till 1867, when it was torn down and a better one erected in its stead, costing $2,500. Its present value is $2,000, and it has a seating capacity of 350 persons. The ministers who have labored for this church are Revs. E. K. Dibble, Moses Goodwin, Fenton Lumm, S. R. Hay, D. Bulkley, J. C. Ashley, Alfred Flower, S. V. Williams, Austin Council, J. C. Howell, W. H. Hardman, J. M. Berry, J. L. Thornberry, J. R. Frame, C. B. Black, J. W. Bradley, J. C. McReynolds and William Gravett.
Evangelical Association .- The first religious services in this county according to the customs of this denomination were held in 1856, by Presidin Elder Samuel Dickover, in the house of Mrs. Magdalena Miller, about four miles west of Carmi. In September of this year, Carmi and the surrounding country was taken up as a mission; in December a society was organized at Mrs. Miller's, and named " Zion Church," and in the summer ot 1857 a church building was erected about two miles northwest of Carini, a frame 32 x 54 feet, costing over $1,200. In 1873 the
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church of Carmi, a square and a half north of the depot, was erected, 34 x 56 feet in dimensions, with six feet additional for a steeple, at a total cost of $3,424. This was dedicated July 26, 1873, by Bishop Dubs.
In 1867 the mission became self-supporting, and was therefore made a " circuit," and in 1874 the Indiana Conference was divided, and this circuit was naturally thrown into the Southern Indiana Conference. In 1876 the parsonage was built, at a cost of about $900; it is the next building north of the church in Carmi. The present membership is ninety-two in Carmi and sixty-one in the country division. The former is divided into three " classes " and the latter into two. There is also a Sunday-school at each place,. with an attendance of about 100 in town and fifty in the country. This church, in both divisions, is in a thriving condition.
From the first to the present the preachers have been as follows, the first mentioned of each two being the " preacher-in-charge," or pastor: Joseph Fisher and Christian Wessling, 1856; John Fuchs and Conrad Kohlmeier, 1857; Christian Ude and Conrad Kohl- meier, 1858; William Wessler, 1859-'60; John Hoffmann and George Schmoll, 1861; Adolph Dassel, 1862, who died about the middle of this ecclesiastical year, then John Kaufman and Mathias Klaiber, 1863-'4; C. F. Matheis, 1865-'6; Jacob Miller, 1867; Fred. Dauner, 1868-'9; J. M. Kronmiller, 1870; Christian Wess- ling and Herman Sleucher, 1871-'2; Christian Wessling and C. Bohlander, 1873; J. M. Kronmiller and Jacob Mode, 1874-'5; Martin Speck and Christian Stier, 1876; Martin Speck, to March, 1878; C. F. Matheis and Fred. Dauner, 1878; M. Mayer, 1879- '80; Charles Stockhowe, 1881-'2.
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