USA > Indiana > A History of Indiana from its exploration to 1922 > Part 5
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY
ance to James W. Jones, and the cases were thus settled. The suits did not represent unnecessary friction, but were necessary on account of the dissolution of the partnership by death of one of the partners in each firm.
In many details which space does not permit to be fully stated Jones appears with Robert M. Evans, Elisha Harrison, Amos Clark, and Alanson Warner as the five leading men of the time. They were all men in the prime of life, all men of high standing, and financial ability, men who would at that time have ranked high in any commu- nity, and if living today would be leaders and men of prominence in the community.
Late in the thirties James W. Jones removed to Princeton where he died, but his sons, William T. T. Jones and James G. Jones, always lived in Evansville. William T. T. Jones died early in the forties when he was in the prime of life, and one of the leaders of the Evansville Bar. He was an active member of the legislature in 1836. He has been described as a man of great vigor and ability as a trial lawyer, and his pleadings which remain a part of the files, show him to have been a capable lawyer. His will shows that he was unmarried and left no descendants.
James G. Jones, the younger brother, was born April 3, 1814, and early became a man of prominence at the Evansville Bar, and in the community. He wrote the first charter of the city of Evansville, which it is said was a beautiful specimen of penmanship, and he became its first mayor. He was an able lawyer in his apprehension of legal prin- ciples, and the practical application of them in practice. and was a jury lawyer ranking as such always among the leaders of the Evansville Bar and among the leaders of the bar of Southwestern Indiana. He has been described to the writer by an ex-judge of one of the courts in the middle fifties when Jones was in his prime, in the trial of a case where an incident occurred as where sometimes happened at a time when the law did not permit parties to the suit to testify, and one of the parties brought in a' third party to testify as a witness to some con- versation between the parties to the suit, which, if true, would have de- feated Jones' clients. It was not unusual in those days when the par- ties were not permitted to testify, that corrupt methods were adopted to furnish testimony in this form, and in the case mentioned Jones was deeply impressed with the fact that the testimony was manufactured, a very difficult thing to establish, except by the circumstances of the case, but in dealing with those circumstances Jones was described as rising to the highest point of moral power such as to carry the jury to his conviction, and induce them to wholly disregard this testimony, which under ordinary circumstances would probably have defeated him.
In 1860 he was elected attorney general of Indiana, and resigned that position to enter the army, when he was appointed in September 1861 colonel of the 42nd Indiana Regiment of Infantry, composed of men from Vanderburgh County and southwestern Indiana, and in that capacity he served with credit in the army until his health failed, and he was detached to local military service at Evansville, which was
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY
a position of some importance, as Evansville was located on the border and in danger of raids from scattered Guerrilla bands in the Confer- erate service.
Although in ill health, he was appointed to fill a vacancy as judge of the Vanderburgh Circuit Court by his old friend Conrad Baker, then governor of the state. This position he filled until ill health com- pelled him to retire until his death, which occurred April 5, 1872.
Judge Jones left surviving him the following children : Mrs. Blythe Hynes, Mrs. Julia Wentz, who recently died in Atlanta, Geor- gia ; Mrs. Alice Van Riper, Mrs. Ora Taylor, a single daughter, and two sons, Mr. Maurice T. Jones and Percy V. Jones. None of his descendants live in the city of Evansville.
Confusion of the identity of James G. Jones of Evansville has been made with a man of the same name who lived for a while in Warrick County. As above stated, the former was born April 3, 1814. In that year James G. Jones was coroner of Warrick County, and acted as an election officer in Ohio Township. The deed records of Warrick County show that James G. Jones and Lucretia Jones, his wife, in September, 1817, were residing in Breckenridge County, Kentucky. Whether these two men were relatives is not known.
The employment of John Shanklin as an accountant to audit the accounts between the partners in the partnership in which James W. Jones was interested, resulted in his becoming familiar with their busi- ness, and Shanklin bought out the interests of the various parties him- self, and associated himself with one Moffett, and the firm of Shank- lin and Moffett began business in Evansville, also a store in New Har- mony, and one for a short time in Mt. Vernon. At the end of a few years Moffett took the New Harmony store, and Shanklin took the Evansville store, and continued it until after the Civil War, and as long as he remained in business.
ELISHA HARRISON
Elisha Harrison was a second cousin of William Henry Harrison, former territorial governor of Indiana, and later President of the United States. This fact is stated on the authority of Joseph P. Elli- ott, the historian, who came to Evansville in 1837, and soon afterward married one of the two daughters and only surviving children of Elisha Harrison. His wife lived only about a year. The other daughter of Harrison married Dr. Levi Laycock, who was a prominent citizen of Evansville but who went south previous to 1858. Dr. Laycock left two sons who were grandsons of Elisha Harrison, one Frederick Lay- cock, the other Harrison Laycock. Whether they are living or have left descendants is not known. Gen. Elisha Harrison is described in one of our histories as a prominent man of his day, self-taught, ener- getic and able. He was connected with practically every matter of public interest during his short life in which he could be of public service. He was in the legislature from Warrick county when Van- derburgh was created. Ratliff Boone was in the state senate at the same time. When Vanderburgh County was created he lived in Arm-
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY
strong township as defined by the county commissioners, the record shows that he voted there. He came to Indiana about 1814, lived one year in the territory before he came to Warrick county. When Van- derburgh County was formed and Evansville was created the record shows that when the question of incorporating the village in 1819 was submitted to a popular vote Elisha Harrison was one of the twenty- nine voters voting for incorporation, there being no votes against it. Upon the first election of trustees to the city Hugh McGary, Elisha Harrison and three others were elected, but Harrison declined to serve as trustee and another person was substituted in his place. The res- idence of Elisha Harrison stood on Water Street, now Riverside ave- nue, on the southwest side of the street, opposite to the block between Oak and Mulberry Streets. A good picture of the house appears at that point upon the map of Evansville in 1825 as it was prepared under the direction of John S. Hopkins and according to the statement of Sebastian Henrich with the aid of John Shanklin. Harrison's house, which stood until after the Civil war, is described in one of our his- tories as standing on the river side of Water Street, at the corner of Oak Street, a pretentious two-story frame house occupied by Elisha Harrison, one of the early residents and men of enterprise and spirit of the town of Evansville. Practically at the beginning of the com- mercial life of the new village Elisha Harrison and James W. Jones were the leading merchants of the town. They were both men of prop- erty, of high character, and willing to take their chances in the invest- ment of money in matters of public enterprise. Harrison was a mem- ber of two firms, one with James W. Jones and one with Harley B. Chandler, both of which advertised in the Western Sun at Vincennes and the Evansville Gazette. Harrison, as a member of the firm of Harrison & Goldsmith, furnished the means and credit, built the first court house in Evansville located on the southerly corner of Main and Third Streets, which is graphically described by Mrs. Riley who came to Evansville early in the thirties and attended service there as the building was used for religious purposes. Harrison was an able man with many excellent traits, public spirited, was active in politics, six years in the state legislature, and published several addresses to the public which have been preserved, showing him to be a man of educa- tion. Probably no other man of his time invested his fortune in public enterprises more than Elisha Harrison. He established and main- tained the Evansville Weekly Gazette at his own expense and almost a total loss for about four years and a half. He had associated with him a printer by the name of Monroe, who attempted to buy Harrison out and carry on the paper alone, but the credit of Harrison remained the support of the paper until about the time of Harrison's death in 1825, when the paper ceased to exist. After Harrison's death his executor advertised the Gazette plant for sale as part of his estate in a New Harmony paper. The value of this paper, the files of about three years and one-half of which have been preserved, cannot be estimated for historical purposes. The publisher of the paper had a contract, at the beginning, to publish the laws of the United States and it seems
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY
that the paper was mailed to the Department of State at Washington, the address in ink still remaining on the paper, probably for the pur- pose of checking up-the Government publication. About three years and a half of the files of this paper were thus preserved and bound and are preserved in this form at the present time in the Library of Congress in Washington. A summary of the contents of these files furnishes an interesting account of the ordinary life of Evansville for that period.
Without the Western Sun published at Vincennes, the files of which from 1808 to 1850 have been preserved, it would have been im- possible for such a history as Esarey's History of Indidana-covering that period to have been prepared as it was. In fact that file contains in a-substantial degree the territorial history of Indiana as well as the history of the state for the first decade.
The Gazette contains an open letter from Elisha Harrison to Rat- liff Boone, charging that Boone is secretly attacking Harrison and secretly using documents which Harrison is unable to see or learn about and Harrison offers Boone the columns of his paper for an open fight. He also quotes Boone to the effect that he does not care to engage in a newspaper fight with a man who runs a newspaper. It is quite probable that Harrison's defeat for the nomination of state sen- ator in 1824 was due largely to the opposition of Boone, for, as stated, Boone tolerated no rivals and Harrison was more of a rival to him than any man in this immediate section."
Harrison purchased the ferry originally operated by Hugh Mc- Gary, located opposite lot No. 8, old plan of Evansville, he erected a tavern on this lot on Water Street, which was operated as Chute's Tavern and took out a license in his own name to run the ferry. When salt works were regarded as a great addition to any city or section of the country, Harrison at much expense with his partner, James W. Jones, sank a well on Pigeon Creek and found salt water at a depth of 463 feet, which event was announced with great expectations and fur- nished the occasion for a short but valuable sketch of Evansville in 1824. The editorial in the Gazette of date September 9, 1824, evi- dently written by Monroe, is set out in the abstract of the Gazette files. He was Brigadier General in the militia.
The following address by Elisha Harrison was found in the form of a printed circular pasted in an old volume of the Western Sun at Vincennes on file in the State Library at Indianapolis :
"Address by Elisha Harrison
"To the free and independent electors of the 10th Senatorial Dis- trict of the State of Indidana, composed of the counties of Posey, Vanderburgh, Warrick, Spencer and Perry.
"Fellow Citizens :
"The time will soon arrive when you will be called upon to exer- cise the right of suffrage in selecting suitable characters to fill the dif- ferent offices in your government. The time is now actually arrived when your thoughts ought to be employed in the investigation of the
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY
qualifications and character of those persons who offer themselves to fill important offices. Through the solicitations of respectable and influential friends, I have been induced to offer myself as a candidate to represent you in the ensuing general assembly ; and in thus present- ing myself to the public for an office of such importance, an inquiry might arise with those who it has or may not be in my power to be personally acquainted with, what are my feelings as to local arrange- ments. qualifications and claims to office? I will answer them: I have resided in this state near four years and near three of them in the district which I now offer to represent. I had the honor of a seat in the last general assembly of this state. As to my conduct as a legis- lator I refer you to the Journal of the House of Representatives. I have no real estate in the district, but what is located in the county of Vanderburgh. I am perfectly satisfied with the local arrangements throughout the district and will support them as they now stand unless otherwise instructed.
"Holding that the right of the people to instruct their representa- tive is one of their invaluable privileges guaranteed to them, I shall (if elected) at all times be happy of your instruction in all legislative business in which you may be interested.
"Aloof from combinations and party issue I feel no other senti- ment but what will have a tendency to promote the public good. It is too frequently the case that when men are candidates for the favor of the people that much is promised but little performed ; for my part I shall promise you nothing but my best exertions to promote your in- terest, secure your privileges, and defend your rights from any en- croachments which may be attempted. And if I should be so fortunate as to meet with a majority of your suffrages at the ensuing election, I shall always feel grateful for so distinguished a favor and will en- deavor to prove by a faithful discharge of the many important duties incumbent on me as your legislator that you have not improperly bestowed your suffrages.
"With respect I am the public's friend and devoted servant, "ELISHA HARRISON."
Evansville,
7th of July, 1819.
He was elected State Senator at the election mentioned.
The following card was issued May 5, 1824, in support of Harri- son's canvass for state senator, in which he was unsuccessful : "Card from E. Harrison.
To the voters of the 10th Senatorial District composed of the counties of Posey, Vanderburgh, and part of Warrick. Fellow Citizens :
Motives of an imperative nature and in which your interest is in common with my own, induce me again to offer myself a candidate to represent you in the Senate of Indiana for an additional term. Pro- fessions or promises on my part, upon the present occasion, I conceive to be entirely superfluous, as six successive years in the legislature must unquestionably establish my political creed and enable you to
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY
judge of my qualifications to serve you as a legislator. For the course I have pursued during the period above mentioned, I refer you to the Journals of that Branch of the Legislature in which I have been hon- ored with a seat.
I will here barely remark that as heretofore I have not at this time any other interest except that which is intimately connected with your own; and should you think proper again to honor me with your con- fidence, I will serve you faithfully, and to the extent of my limited understanding.
With sentiments of the highest consideration, I have the honor to be your
Evansville, April 26, 1824.
Obedient servant, E. HARRISON."
(May 5, 1824).
The unusual number of court records in which Elisha Harrison ap- peared to be interested as plaintiff or defendant indicate in some meas- ure great activity in business life. He was imperious, combative, re- senting an insult, and had the same views on that subject as were maintained by many prominent men who came from south of the Ohio River as did Harrison.
His value as a citizen from the beginning of the town and county until the time of his death about the latter part of 1826 or the first part of 1827 cannot be questioned. The writer has had small oppor- tunity to trace Elisha Harrison other than the statement of Joseph P. Elliott who married one of his daughters.
AMOS CLARK
Amos Clark came west from New York in 1818, remained for a short time at New Harmony, when he moved to Evansville. He took an active part in the organization of the city and county, at various times, filled local offices of minor importance, which gave him an op- portunity to lend a guiding hand in the affairs of the town. In the preparation and supervision of the legal forms necessary in the public service in the city and county, particularly for the first decade, may be seen the work of Amos Clark. He is described in one of the Posey County histories substantially as an able jury lawyer, but lacking in that other essential of a trained legal mind. Nothing could be farther from the truth. As to his ability as a jury lawyer, the writer has no means of knowing other than the fact that he was on one side or the other of practically every important case tried in Vanderburgh County courts during the first decade, and was a successful lawyer. As to his ability as a lawyer, there remains still upon the records all of the nec- essary data from which to determine the fact ; a majority of the court files in the Vanderburgh Circuit Court in the form of bills in chancery, declaration, special answers, and pleadings of all kinds during that period, are in the handwriting of Amos Clark. The same qualities in a lawyer necessary in special pleading in which the highest tests of legal skill may be shown, and in the case of Amos Clark were shown, were required a hundred years ago as are required today, and it is therefore
.
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY
an easy matter for a lawyer now to determine the ability of a lawyer who lived in the early period with such opportunities at hand. Some of the most interesting and illuminating details of the history of the first decade of Evansville are found buried in the pleadings written by Amos Clark, which supply in an important degree the missing facts necessary to a connected story of the history of the town.
He was the leader of the Evansville Bar during the period he lived here, from the beginning of the town and county until he moved south to Louisiana and Texas in the early forties.
He was a member of the legislature of Indiana, also a delegate to one of the national conventions in 1840. During the last few years of his residence in Evansville, he associated in partnership with him John J. Chandler, one of the best educated men, and one of the ablest lawyers of the southwestern Indiana bar.
One of the chief services, if not the greatest service, performed by Amos Clark was in the capacity of prosecuting attorney for Vander- burgh County as well as in some of the adjoining counties, from about 1820 to 1825, a pivotal period in the vindication of the supremacy of law and order in Vanderburgh County and the town of Evansville. The first prosecuting attorney appointed in Vanderburgh County was John Law, then living in Vincennes. He was prosecuting attorney during 1818, and 1819, and a portion of 1820. His salary was $100 a year, and he never received a dollar during his term, but was com- pelled to sue for it and take a judgment for it after his term expired. The record shows that in the absence of money he cashed orders to leading persons anticipating his salary, by which public spirited per- sons aided the young town when it had no money. Law was a capable man, was educated in New England, and brought with him as an equipment for the office the highest ideals of his profession. Clark followed Law as prosecutor. Clark was a man of good moral char- acter, had high ideals, and was fearless in the administration of the law.
He prosecuted some of the leading men of the community, and their relatives, for violation of the law. Several men of prominence in the beginning of Evansville were lawless, and attempted to defy law and public opinion. Others less violent, but representing rather the spirit of the age in the west, believed in the art of self-defense, and preferred rather than to resort to slander and libel suits to take the law in their own hands, and occasionally men of high standing in the community were prosecuted for assault and battery. Ratliff Boone and Elisha Harrison were both so prosecuted, and Harrison as shown elsewhere was defendant in one or more civil suits on account of personal assault. Particularly with the lawless spirits who attempted to defy the law and the public opinion, Amos Clark measured and within four or five years with the aid occasionally of other prosecutors and the grand juries and petit juries, and the judge upon the bench, had vindicated the law, and thoroughly broken up organized attempts to defy it.
A majority of the leading men of the community, including men from New York, New England, and the Atlantic Coast States, as well
-
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY
as some of the leading men from the south, stood for law and order in its essential particulars.
The Clark family from which Amos Clark descended, were an old English family which settled in New England in the first half of the 17th century, members of which took an active and honorable part in the Indian wars in the defense of New England
While Amos Clark was living in Evansville at an early day, he was visited by his sister, Susan Clark Morris, who married Judge Rob- erts of Warrick County and resided with him there in the celebrated old stone house above Newburgh. Her granddaughter, Mrs. Susan Morris Garvin, married Thomas Edgar Garvin, Jr., late of this city, now of Tennessee. Her son, Thomas E. Garvin (III), is a member of the Indianapolis bar ; her son Melville, lives in Tennessee.
Another sister of Amos Clark, Cornelia Clark Hopkins, while vis- iting him, married Alanson Warner, of Evansville, elsewhere referred to; her daughter, Cornelia Hopkins, was adopted by Alanson Warner and known by the name of Cornelia Warner, and married Mr. Cul- bertson, of New Albany, Indiana. Cornelius Morris, a niece of Amos Clark, visited Alanson Warner in Evansville at his residence on Wal- nut Street between First and Second Streets in this city built by him in the forties, still standing, and there met Thomas E. Garvin, to whom she was married in Pen Yan, New York, November 11, 1849. Thomas E. Garvin belongs to the age of the forties and subsequently in the his- tory of Evansville, and during his time was one of the most prominent men in the community.
ALANSON WARNER
Among the early arrivals in Evansville after its organization as a town was Alanson Warner. He ranked with the other leaders men- tioned, and was recognized by them equally as one of the dominating forces in the life of the town and county.
The first sheriff of the county was John B. Stinson, appointed by the governor. He was not re-elected but succeeded by Hazael Putnam, who was a veteran of the Battle of Tippecanoe. In 1822 Alanson Warner was elected sheriff, but turned over the office to A. Daniel Miller. He held various offices in the county, and was one of the most active and influential men in the town, and the county, in the first and second decade.
He came from New England, was a man of good character, excel- lent business habits, with New England ideals and standards, who ad- justed himself to western people and to western methods, and in the management of the office of sheriff, and in the finances of the county, in which he took an active part, he was a valuable citizen.
About 1824 he organized the first stage line in southwestern Indi- ana to run from Evansville, through Princeton, to Vincennes, making two round trips a week, the announcement of which is printed else- where and is found in the Evansville Gazette. This was one of the great improvements of that time, and has no where been mentioned in the state histories in which reference is made to similar enterprise else-
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY
where as of great moment. In this manner Warner became interested in a livery stable, and at an early day, no doubt in connection with the operation of the stage, which continued until the day of railroads, he used his livery stable for stage horses as well.
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