USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > Evansville > A Century of history of the Walnut Street Presbyterian Church of Evansville, Indiana : with sketches of it's [sic] pastors, officers, and prominent members and reminiscences of early times > Part 8
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There, from the music round about me stealing, I fain would learn the new and holy song, And find, at last, beneath Thy trees of healing, The life for which I long."
MARY FRENCH REILLY.
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History of the Walnut Street Presbyterian Church
PART II.
DEDICATION
To the children and young people of the church of today this volume is dedicated, with the hope, that, inspired by its story of faith and good works they may be able to do greater things than these in the years to come.
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THE PILGRIM CHURCH.
(Hymn quoted by Rev. W. H. McCarer in his last sermon in the old Church, Sunday, February 26th, 1860.)
"Far down the ages now, Much of her journey done, The Pilgrim Church pursues her way Until her crown be won.
The story of the Past Comes up before her view, How well it seems to suit her still, Old and yet ever new.
It is the oft-told tale Of sin and weariness, Of grace and love yet flowing down, To pardon and to bless.
No wider is the gate, No broader is the way, No smoother is the ancient path That leads to Life and day.
No sweeter is the cup, Nor less our lot of ill, 'Twas tribulation ages since, 'Tis tribulation still.
No slacker grows the fight, No feebler is the foe, Nor less the need of armor tried Of shield and spear and bow.
Thus onward yet we press Thro' evil and through good, Thro' pain and poverty and want, Thro' perils and through blood.
Still faithful to our God, And to our Captain true, We follow where He leads the way, The Kingdom in our view."
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CONTENTS-PART II.
1. Introduction.
2. In Memoriam-Mary F. Reilly.
3. The Evolution of a Soul.
4. Men's Organizations- Session, Trustees, Brotherhood.
5. Women's Organizations- Missionary Society, Ladies' Aid.
6. Young People's Organizations- Sabbath School, Y. P. S. C. E., Girls' Circles and Boys' Clubs.
7. The Choir.
8. Rev. Otis A. Smith, D. D .- 1891.
9. Rev. Samuel N. Wilson, D. D .- 1896.
10. Rev. Charles Nickerson, D. D .- 1901.
11. Rev. John Kennedy, D. D .- 1907.
12. Rev. Leslie Whitcomb-1919.
13. Some Prominent Members.
14. War Record.
15. Centennial Celebration.
16. The Future.
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CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION. By George S. Clifford.
PIONEER DAYS.
Accustomed to the comforts and luxuries of the twen- tieth century, we, who are in 1921 celebrating the establish- ment of the first Presbyterian church in Evansville one hundred years ago, may better appreciate the event by re- calling the conditions of that time and the difficulties the founders had to overcome.
For many years after Kentucky had been admitted into the Union of States the Ohio river protected the savage red men from farther encroachment by their white foes. Gradually, however, the more venturesome pioneers pushed their way across the wide river and little settlements were established in the great Northwest territory.
The battle for the necessities of life and against sick- ness and the many foes of the forest left the early settlers little time for the higher things of life.
In 1804, the government by treaty, acquired from the Indian tribes this land in Southwestern Indiana and opened it for settlers at two dollars per acre-one quarter cash ; but so poor were the people that many were unable to make the deferred payments so, following the great business de- pression of 1819, the government in 1821 reduced the price to one dollar and a quarter per acre.
In 1822, many western banks failed and there was no longer any circulating medium. Coon skins became the basis for financial transactions of a limited nature.
The years 1820-21-22 were years of hard times at- tended by a great amount of sickness and many deaths.
In 1824, the entire assessed value of the village of Evansville was little more than twenty-seven thousand dol- lars.
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There was little attention given to maintaining civil government. For almost three years, 1825-28, there is no record of any meeting of the town trustees and Evansville practically ceased to exist as a civil corporation.
The year 1832 was noted for the cold weather, the flood and the cholera. There was no thermometer in the village, but the river was frozen over to a thickness of twenty inches and the weather was described as "cold, cold, bitter cold." When the spring flood came the water backed up from Pig- eon Creek through the ravine which ran along where our court house now stands, until it lacked only six inches of meeting the waters which ran down the ravines from the southeast of the village.
In September came the cholera which carried off twenty-five or thirty of the population of about two hundred and twenty-five.
Such was the little settlement in which the first Pres- byterian church was organized in 1821, for which the first church building was erected in 1832.
The church owes its birth to the missionary zeal of the presbyterians of Kentucky.
That the church organization could be preserved thru years of such discouragements and a house of worship built in a year of such hard times and suffering, should cause us to rejoice and give thanks for the unyielding Christian char- acter of our sturdy forefathers.
PRESBYTERIAL AFFILIATIONS.
All that part of the Northwestern Territory which now forms the State of Indiana, was originally in the Transyl- vania Presbytery, Synod of Kentucky, which presbytery in the early years of the nineteenth century sent missionaries into the Territory of Indiana to preach and establish Presby- terian churches.
In 1815 this territory was made a part of the Presby- tery of Miami, Synod of Ohio. In 1817, all that part of In- diana west of a line drawn due north from the mouth of Kentucky river was attached to the Presbytery of Louisville.
In 1823 that part of the Presbytery of Louisville which was in Indiana was constituted Salem Presbytery, Synod of Kentucky.
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In 1824, that part of Indiana lying south and west of a line from the mouth of Green river due north twenty miles and thence northwest to the mouth of White River, was attached to the Presbytery of Muhlenburg, where it re- mained until 1827, when it was returned to Salem Presby- tery, and then in 1829 became a part of Wabash Presbytery, when the lines between these two were changed.
The Synod of Indiana was organized in 1826, the first meeting being held in the Court House at Vincennes in Oc- tober of that year.
In 1830 the name of Wabash Presbytery was changed to Vincennes Presbytery.
When in 1838 the division occurred throughout the church into Old School and New School branches, Evansville, with four other churches in this neighborhood, transferred to Salem Presbytery, which with the Presbyteries of Madison, Crawfordsville and Logansport, constituted the Synod of In- diana, N. S.
In 1846, Evansville Presbytery was organized, but it existed only three years when it was dissolved and the Ev- ansville church returned to Salem Presbytery.
Upon the reunion of the two branches in 1870, the presbyteries of Indiana were reconstructed and the Evans- ville church became a member of the reformed Vincennes Presbytery.
The name Vincennes Presbytery was changed to In- diana Presbytery when the Cumberland Presbyterian church united with the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., in 1906.
This gives the presbyterial connections during the first century.
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CHAPTER II.
FOREWORD.
In taking up the History of the last thirty years of Walnut Street Presbyterian Church, it seems to me emin- ently fitting, first, to pay tribute to Mrs. Mary F. Reilly, the author of the delightful memories of the past, narrated in Part 1.
An editorial, published at the time of her death, brings her vividly before us.
A NOBLE LIFE.
"Every community has a few distinctive characters who serve as links connecting the present and the past. They adapt themselves well enough to the custom of today and look with a kindly tolerance upon the changed conditions since they were young, but they love the long ago with its myriad memories, its tender and heroic associations, when men and women too, practiced kindnesses toward each other more than they do now and were capable of self-denial and even hardship, if necessary, as tributes to friendship. As one by one they pass away the interest and attachment not only of contemporaries but of those who have come later upon the stage grow stronger for the ones who are left, es- pecially when patriarchal years are but the crown of a per- sonality rich in every endowment of nature from whatever point of view it may be considered.
"Mary French Reilly, who died yesterday, has been a striking figure in the life of Evansville for considerably more than a half century. Only her early girlhood was spent in New England where she was born of Puritan stock, be- ing a lineal descendant of William Bradford, one of the pil- grims of the Mayflower. Among her later ancestry was Bezaleel Howe, who was an own brother of her grand- mother, Edith Howe. His name will be found in history and in the army record of the country as an officer of Washing- ton's army. Others of her immediate kindred were in all of the battles around Boston including the one at Concord where the first shot of the revolution was fired, "the shot," as Emerson said, "that was heard around the world." To hear her recount incidents of the struggle for independence which had come down as a part of direct family tradition gave those who listened a vivid realization of the sublime battle for liberty.
"It was in 1834 that Mary French Reilly first came to
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Evansville which was then a mere hamlet on the river bank. Two older sisters had preceded her, both of whom are long since dead. At the age of sixteen she returned to the East and became a pupil in one of the best schools in Albany, New York, living with an elder brother who was established in business there. After two years' study in this school and becoming proficient in music, she returned to Evansville, bringing with her the first piano ever brought to this part of Indiana. It was a gift of her brother and is still an inter- esting relic of the home she has just left. During all the vicissitudes of life in those early days, Mary Wilson, the educated New England girl, afterwards the wife of William Reilly, was an interesting figure. There are still living a few, only a very few, who remember her in those days and can recall how ever ready she was to add to the enjoyment of those of her own age, to assist those in distress, to sym- pathize with the bereaved. Old and young, rich and poor, the cultured and the illiterate-yes, even black as well as white-every one with a heavy cross to bear, whether sick- ness or sorrow or disappointment, always found her ready to give a part of her cheery nature toward brightening up the pathway before him, no matter how dark it was. The spirit of the true Samaritan was illustrated in her life. Her kindnesses were not marred by the cold calculations of duty but sprung from an impulse that she could not resist. These are not partial words. They will be repeated over and over again today by many of this community who have known how sweet it was to have her for a friend.''
The large window at the front of the church, inscribed, "In remembrance of the members of this church in early days-they rest from their labors and their works do fol- low them," was paid for partly from the profits on the sale of her book and is thus a true memorial of her and her in- valuable service in preserving for us the traditions of the past.
In fulfillment of a promise made to Mrs. Reilly years ago, and almost forgotten, I take up the task she laid down and shall endeavor to continue, in the same spirit, the rec- ord of the last thirty years to the present time; being of the third generation of those who worshipped in the "Little Church on the Hill."
Delving into the musty volumes of the records of ses- sion, trustees and sewing society, so faithfully kept by sec- retary and treasurer, many interesting things have come to light which are here also set down as a connected story of the faith and good works of a century.
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CHAPTER III.
THE EVOLUTION OF A SOUL.
With an inherited marble pulpit, family portraits and mahogany furniture, Walnut Street Church has come into possessions of marked spiritual characteristics of mind and heart, which endear her to her members. This evolution of soul has been wrought by men and women "of like passions with ourselves," who sought prayerfully and earnestly to follow the example of the ministering Christ. These fur- nishings of the Spirit, too, we must preserve and hand down to generations yet to come.
Records kept from the earliest times show the founda- tions to have been laid deep in faith and principle and broad in fellowship and charity.
She has had always an educated ministry.
The first ministers were home missionaries from the East, graduates of Theological Seminaries, fired with zeal for the salvation of the new states of the distant West. Their successors have always been men of broad college education and scholarly attainments, whose exposition of the scrip- tures and evangelical fervor have stirred both mind and heart.
In the three stages of Evansville's progress, education- ally, Walnut Street has played no mean part. Mrs. Jeremiah Barnes, wife of the minister, established a school for young ladies. Mr. W. Safford in his private Classical School, held in the Sunday School building adjoining the church, laid well the foundation of education for many of the lead- ing men and women of the last century. Mr. Horatio Q. Wheeler, founder of the public schools of Evansville, and Mr. Wm. Baker, one of the first trustees, added the super- structure of universal training and Mr. George S. Clifford has helped to build a capstone in Evansville College. All through the years, public school superintendents and teach- ers have been members of the session and congregation.
While firm in her faith, she has been broad in her fel- lowship.
She has welcomed to her pulpit men of all denomina- tions and has been active in every union effort of the vari- ous churches for evangelistic meetings or community wel- fare. Her lecture room has been used freely for all move- ments of social uplift.
In all misunderstandings with other Presbyterian churches, she has been conciliatory and "forbearing in love,"
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heeding the admonition, "As much as lieth in you, live peace- ably with all men.' '
Through all the years she has had a world vision. To pray and to give to missions has been her duty and delight. In the midst of her struggles with pioneer conditions, with pressing need at home and crippling debt ever at her door, she seldom failed to send monthly contributions to the vari- ous Boards of the Church. Usually a Sabbath Service and one prayer meeting a month has been set aside, by decree of the session, for the study of missions and for intercessory prayer.
On the other hand, she has always felt deeply her re- sponsibility for community service. Two mission churches, First Avenue and Parke Memorial, were established and maintained until self-supporting.
Just after the Civil War the session received and ap- proved a plan for the union with other churches in the sup- port of a city missionary. The trained community nurses, who replace the practical volunteers, have always her gen- erous support in money and supplies.
The Church has been foremost in every city movement for good. Its members have been active leaders and gen- erous donors to the Y. M. C. A., Temperance Reform and Y. W. C. A., Visiting Nurse and Babies' Milk Fund, Sewing Schools, forerunner of the vocational, Boy Scouts, Associ- ated Charity and Community Welfare. In one year $30,000 was given by Walnut Street to Y. M. C. A., Olivet and Wash- ington Avenue churches.
She has endeavored to cultivate the grace of cordiality and sociability, her ideal, a true Christian Democracy, with no lines of caste or class. Ministers and members who move to other communities refer lovingly to their happy church home in Walnut Street. In the few disagreements, there has always been some wise leader to suggest a compromise or smooth the troubled waters. Friendly rivalry there has been, but no factions, intolerant of the rights of others.
All of these things have begotten a remarkable loyalty and devotion for the Church of our fathers, which has caused the members three times to refuse suggestions of union with other Presbyterian churches, theoretically desir- able but practically inadvisable.
May the soul evolved through a hundred years of "faith provoking works", still inspire to renewed effort for the Church and the Community.
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CHAPTER IV.
MEN'S ORGANIZATIONS-THE SESSION.
Presbyterianism, with its essential idea of representa- tive government came to Evansville as a home missionary impulse of the earlier and well-established town of Hender- son, Kentucky. Twelve men and women were gathered to- gether in 1821 by Rev. D. C. Banks, minister of the Presby. terian Church at that place, as the beginning of the Evans- ville Presbyterian Church. These names, form the first en- try in the musty volume of the Session, its pages yellow with age : Daniel Chute, James R. E. Goodlett, Wm. Olmsted, Abi- gail Fairchild, Julia Ann Harrison, Rebecca Wood, Mrs. Chandler, Mr. Butler, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Elizabeth Sher- wood, Eli Sherwood, Mrs. O. Warner.
Of this number, Daniel Chute, the schoolmaster, and J. R. E. Goodlett, were at once elected Elders, Judge Olmsted replacing J. R. E. Goodlett in a few years. In 1832, when the first church was built, there were twenty-three names on the roll, several husbands of loyal women being, how- ever, generous contributors. Several of these afterwards came into active membership.
There are several descendants of those who worshipped in the Little Church on the Hill before the building of this present church, now on the active membership roll : 1836-Mr. Samuel Orr, Elder; Mrs. Martha Orr.
Grandchildren-Mr. Samuel L. Orr, Mrs. Geo. S. Clifford.
Great-grandchildren-Samuel Orr, 3rd, George and James Clifford.
1837-Daniel Morgan, M. D., Trustee.
Daughter-Miss Julia Morgan.
Granddaughter-Miss Matilda Dixon.
1842-Mrs. McDonald (Farrell) . Daughter-Mrs. Robert Smith.
1850-Mrs. Cornelia Morris Garvin. Granddaughter-Mrs. J. Stuart Hopkins. Great-granddaughter-Susan Hopkins.
1850-Mr. James Swanson, Trustee. Grandson-Mr. Al Swanson.
1854-Mrs. Ann Davidson.
Daughters-Miss Mary Davidson, Mrs. Susan Brown, Miss Henrietta Davidson.
1856-Miss Lavinia Scantlin.
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1856-Mrs. Jane Scantlin. Daughter-Miss Ethel Scantlin.
1856-Mr. James H. Cutler, Trustee.
1857-Mrs. Lorain Cutler. Son-Mr. Will H. Cutler.
Granddaughters-Mrs. Adolph, Geiss, Miss Lorain Cutler.
1856-Mrs. Mary E. Babcock. Grandson-Mr. Henry Babcock Veatch.
1856-Miss Laura Moore (Mrs. Laura Linck) . Daughter-Mrs. John Owen.
Grandsons-John and Francis Owen.
1861-Mrs. Nancy McClain.
Granddaughter-Mrs. S. Bohrer.
Mrs. Lorain Cutler and Miss Lavinia Scantlin are the only living members of that original church. Mrs. Cutler celebrated her 91st birthday in the summer of 1921, and is still a regular attendant at the various services of the church. Mr. George Goodge was a member of the S. S .. He and Mrs. Goodge celebrated their golden wedding several years ago. Miss Annie Reilly, the daughter of Mrs. Mary F. Reilly is an active member today.
Of all the rest, who are but names to us, surely a book of remembrance has been written before the Lord, for them, who feared Him and that thought upon His name.
One of the traditions handed down by word of mouth is, that in those early days the Church on the Hill could only be approached in bad weather by crossing a deep mire at its base. It was, therefore, the custom to announce at morning service, that Bro. S. would wait at a distant corner with a lantern to illumine the path of those desiring to "ascend into the Hill of the Lord," for evening meeting. We can picture, in imagination, that procession of the faithful few, in high hats and long coats, voluminous long skirts and bonnets, in brooding darkness, following the single gleam of light to the place of worship.
In these days of the assertion of individual rights and universal tolerance, certain incidents of the discipline of the Session of the early days narrated in the minutes, may be of interest. With the elders of those early days it was a duty not to be evaded, to be "overseers of the flock"-to ad- monish and discipline when necessary.
Mrs. Reilly hints at cases of discipline, but the minutes are very explicit :
"January 18, 1852.
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"Mr. G. B. cited to appear before Session and give rea- sons for his neglect of the means of grace as dispensed in this church and answer the inquiry as to his having been seen by the pastor under the influence of ardent spirits. At the meeting Mr. B. admitted having ab- sented himself from means of grace. He also admitted that he had drank liquor frequently and had been seen by the pastor of the church very much under its in- fluence. Reason given was that he thought it neces- sary for his health, though it did not appear so to the Session.
"It was finally resolved,
"That Mr. G. B. is hereby suspended from the commun- ion of the church until he shall give satisfactory evi- dence of repentance. Mr. B. was also apprised that the object of his suspension was to reclaim him to a chris- tian course and that it would be his duty to improve this action of the church, and that if he should be persisting in the course he had so long pursued-refuse to hear the church-then he must be wholly excommunicated from it."
The records show a number of cases brought before the Session on account of overindulgence in ardent spirits. Some years later when Evansville was beginning to be a city, there is the record of a case where a father and son were cited to appear before the Session. The father charged by common fame with intoxication and neglect of the worship and or- dinances of Gods' House; the son, with unchristian conduct in habitually attending the theatre and frequenting places of dissipated resort. The pastor reported that the son had con- fessed to him that he attended the theatre and that it had been reported to him by his father and mother, and mem- bers of the Session were able to affirm that they had seen him in doubtful company and hanging around places of evil resort, as billiard saloons, restaurants, etc.
All these things our fathers believed scandalized the good name of the church and they were not only very jealous of that good name, but they also wanted to reclaim the sin- ners-and adverse action was taken deliberately and prayer- fully and only after personal appeals had failed.
As late as 1894 an elder was appointed by the Session to wait upon a member "charged by common fame with un- christian conduct."
In 1908 the Session of Walnut Street Church issued in- vitations to the pastors and elders of all the Presbyterian Churches of the city to meet at Walnut Street and discuss
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the advisability of the organization of a Presbyterian Alli- ance, Mr. Kennedy, the pastor, having been a member of such an alliance in Detroit, Mich. Its object was a closer fellowship between the churches and concerted action in the establishment of mission churches. Mr. George Clifford of Walnut Street was elected its first president. It was in ex- istence only a few years. Instead of unity, today the Pres- byterian Churches are divided into two schools of theology with membership in opposing ministerial associations.
From 1870-1896, the membership varied from 227 to 485, the present roll about 300.
The present Communion Set was purchased in 1864 for use in the new church, the change to individual glasses being made in Dr. Nickerson's pastorate.
Two young men of the congregation have entered the ministry with the help and encouragement of the Session, both attending Wabash College:
Charles Perkins, 1871,
August Sonne, Class of '96.
There is still in use on the pulpit a large Bible, pub- lished in 1827, inscribed "Presented to the First Presby- terian Church by the Young Men of the Congregation."
Also preserved is a leather volume inscribed, "Prison Record" Walnut St. Presbyterian Church, 1870, which is calculated to arouse some curiosity. Turning its pages we find detailed records of prisoners in the County Jail ,visited by godly elders, ministering in the Masters' name and for His sake.
In 1882 the Session was enlarged and rotation of eld- ers inaugurated, the term being three years.
Mr. James L. Orr and Mr. Byron Parsons were among those elected at that time, and were re-elected until Mr. Orr had served 37 years at the time of his death. Mr. Parsons is still active, which makes his the longest term on record. Mr. Melvin H. Lockyear served as clerk of the Session 25 years, being elected to the eldership in 1891.
On the present Board today, are:
H. W. Little, Clerk M. H. Lockyear
Byron Parsons
J. M. Culver
Geo. S. Clifford
S. M. Rutherford
W. L. Sullivan
M. R. Kirk
W. E. Wilson
C. W. Clarke
H. J. Pfafflin
Fred Ruff
The chief concern of the elders and the principle sub-
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