USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > Evansville > A history of Evansville and Vanderburgh County, Indiana : a complete and concise account from the earliest times to the present, embracing reminiscences of the pioneers and biographical sketches of the men who have been leaders in commercial and other enterprises > Part 19
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When the poison had once been introduced into the system it had the power of self propagation and of imparting the same intensely poisonous properties from one animal to another, and was capable of perpetuating the disease in a continuous chain of animals as one should eat the flesh of another. Thus cach pound of flesh of a dog which had 14
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been poisoned by a pound of flesh of the cow, would poison the vul- ture and so on through a long chain of animals, the last pound of flesh partaken of being as poisonous as that taken from the animal first af- feeted. There is no known mineral or vegetable principle which, when taken into the system, can thus multiply itself and perpetuate its poisonous principle. The disease in man derived its name from the well established fact that it was produced by drinking the milk, or eating the flesh or the butter or cheese made from the milk, of cows or other animals, which had become poisoned in consequence of freqnent- ing certain limited ranges or uncultivated pastures.
It was called "milk sickness." Through its annual destruction of large numbers of domestic animals and its fatality among early settlers, it was one of the most prominent enemies to the prosperity of the pioneers. In the beginning the symptoms were not well marked, so that the milk and flesh of really diseased animals might be inadvert- ently eaten under the supposition that the animal was in good health. Their most attractive and healthy looking condition, even their ex- treme fatness, did not not give the complete assurance of their exemp- tion from the disease. In this state they were often found to be sick, suffering from loss of appetite and energy, with their eyes red and watery they would stagger, tremble, fall down in convulsions and die. Sheep, when seized with a paroxysm of the "trembles" would stagger as if trying to free themselves from the grasp of some terrible enemy, and would soon surrender and fall down, uttering the most plaintive bleating as if suffering intensely painful distress.
The farmer had a test for the healthfulness of the beef cattle, just off the wild range, that may have been designated the "fatigue" test. I have often seen the test applied. It consisted of placing the animals in a field or lot, and boys, with coats and hats off, were directed to chase them around and urge them to their greatest speed. If, after a long chase the cattle did not evince signs of muscular weakness, stag- ger, tremble, or fall down, they were pronounced healthy, and were at once slaughtered and their flesh was eaten with the ntmost feeling of security against the disease.
In the primitive days, when it was claimed that men were more honest than they are now, it was not always an easy matter to determ- ine just in what particular neighborhood the poisonous principle was located. The story has been current for fifty years that travelers, or land-buyers seeking homes in the west, found it very difficult to catch up with the place where it had its habitation ; that in answer to the ques- tion whether the neighborhood was troubled with it, they invariably
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received the assurance that the disease did not exist there, but "over at Jones five miles ahead it was bad." Farmers then appeared to be as ready to suppress the existence of the disease near them as commer- cialmen and newspapers are nowadays to suppress epidemic or conta- gious diseases in the great marts of business.
The disease was known in North Carolina more than one hundred years ago, and as emigration flowed westward it was found to exist in Tennessee, Kentucky, and has prevailed in these states, as well as in Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Alabama, Virginia and perhaps several western states, other than those mentioned. There are no statistics accessible from which we may learn the fatality of this subtle poison in man or beast.
Dr. M. J. Bray, one of the oldest inhabitants, as truthful and hon- orable as he is aged, states that at an early day in the history of the city of Evansville, when much of the present site was occupied by ma- ture forests, he could walk from the present center of business, to the present suburbs, a distance of two miles, on the bones of animals which had died from "trembles." Another states that an entire family, a wife, seven children and two grandparents, were swept away in a single season by this scourge. The history of a single case will be suffic- ient to illustrate the fact that the greatest physical strength, when brought into the unequal combat, was powerless to resist the fatal ef- fects of this terrible and deadly malady. I witnessed when a boy the sufferings and death of a neighbor from this poison. His muscular strength was greater than that of ordinary men. Though not appar- ently a large man his frame was compact, his form symmetrical, his muscles were firm and unusually developed, and his power seemed phenomenal. His strength was particularly manifested in athletic con- tests, and at log-rollings where a hand spike, sufficient to resist the strength of an ordinary man, was like a brittle broom stick when test- ed by his power. Iu his struggles with the disease he was extremely restless, so that no ordinary effort could restrain him in bed. He would roll off onto the floor and roll back aud forth from one side of the room to the other. The struggle was terrible to behold but the physical giant, Jack Bowman, was forced to yield to the overpowering enemy. Any attempt, on the part of a man not fully recovered from an attack, to walk or run fast would induce a paroxysm of trembling attended by great muscular prostration and debility. He would be compelled to sit down and rest or fall down. Active physical exer- tion stimulated by excitement would immediately endanger life. Judge Asa Igleheart said that his father, who lived ou a public road,
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had a dog that was sick with trembles. A neighbor passed along the road, with a dog following him. The sick dog did not see the other until it had passed some distance beyond the house. The old habit of chasing every dog that came in sight of the farm had become second nature, and so he started off at his greatest speed, but, before catching up with the strange dog, he was seen to fall down, tremble as with a convulsion, and, before the owner could walk to where he fell, he was dead.
Esquire Ben Stinson says that when a lad he was walking on the Henderson road, some five miles from this city, and met a neighbor on horseback. After passing him he looked down the road and saw the neighbor's dog following him. He hid himself behind a tree for the purpose of jumping out and frightening the dog in order to see him run. When the dog was opposite he sprang out and said "boo". Instead of running the dog fell in his tracks, gave a few kicks, and was dead. Mingled guilt and fear prevented him, until he was a man grown, from mentioning the injury he believed he had done his neigh- bor. Dogs which had eaten of poisoned flesh became, in a few days, so stiff and helpless that they could not get over a three-rail fence and were utterly unfit to chase game, or to drive stock from the fields. Oxen could endure but little travel or work. Horses once affected, though looking well, were worthless for work or travel, and traders could not speed them back and forth to exhibit their superior gaits, but were forced to trade them standing.
If a man started to ride to a neighbors a few miles away, his horse was liable to give out on the road and leave him to walk home. Such is briefly the history of the "pioneers enemy," "Milk Sickness."
DENTISTRY.
The science of dentistry is not a receut origin. This statement may surprise many even in the profession. History tell us that even at the present day we are in many respects far behind the ancients, and what astonishes us beyond our understanding is that a nation or nations, after having arrived at the pinnacle of fame and notoriety in the arts and sciences, could possibly retrograde so much as to pass into oblivion and become almost heathenish. Yet we know this to be a truth beyond contradiction.
We learn that nearly two thousand years before the Christian era, the kings and others in authority in Egypt were so exacting and
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required such perfections in the practice of the medical, surgical and dental professions, that no doctor was permitted to practice any but his own particular branch. Some were occulists, who only studied diseases of the eye, others attended solely to the complaints of the head, "and others to those of the teeth." Some again confined them- selves to complaints of the intestines and others to secret and internal maladies-accoucheurs being generally, if not always, women. The physicians (various kinds of practitioners named above) received sala- ries from the public treasury. After they had studied those precepts which were laid down by the experiences of their predecessors, they were permitted to practice. In order to insure their attention to the prescribed rules, and to prevent experiments from being made upon patients, they were punished, if their treatment was contrary to the established system, and the death of a person under such circum- stances was deemed a capital offense. We learn from Herodotus that King Cyrus and Darius both sent to Egypt for medical men. All this proves the great skill of the Egyptians.
The dissection of the dead was extensively practiced, to gain knowl- edge as to the treatment of the living. In the century approaching the Christian era, the professions seem to have become more general- ized, and we learn through Celsus, who was a professional celebrity and contemporary with Jesus Christ, that the genius of the early Egypt- tiaus had to a certain extent been lost; yet, even at the present time, Celsus is recognized as a man of great learning. Liberal extracts could be taken from his works, relative to the teeth, their filling and extraction, etc., but it is needless. He recommends that badly decayed teeth be filled, previous to extraction, to keep them from breaking to pieces, when the effort is being made to extract them. This is often done now. He also says: " When a tooth occasions pain and it seems proper to extract, because medicines give no relief, it ought to be scraped all around that the gum may be loosened from it; then it is to be shook, which must be continued until it moves easily, for the extraction of a fast tooth is attended with the greatest danger, and sometimes the jaw is dislocated. It is attended with more danger in the upper teeth, because it may give a shock to the temples or eyes. After these precautions the tooth is to be taken out with the hand if possible, if not by forceps."
There seems to have been a downward 'movement from this date for hundreds of years, and for a thousand years darkness reigned supreme, until, between the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, a ray of light began to dawn upon the human family in regard to dental
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service. Teeth were carved out of the ivory of the hippopotamus and elephant. In 1784, Dr. John Greenwood, of Boston, carved a set of teeth for George Washington from an elephant tusk. Subse- quently several more sets were carved for Washington.
Porcelain teeth were introduced into the United States in 1817, and the science advanced slowly until 1844, since which time the pro- fession has made such enormous strides that it is difficult to keep up with the advancement.
Evansville, when a very small " ville," was often visited by den- tists from other places. Dr. Nagle, of New Albany, Indiana, a very respectable practitioner, made regular visits to this city. Also others of a more transient character, visited us. But in 1844, Dr. Burtch located here, near the alley on First street between Main and Locust, on the west side of the street and adjoining the postoffice. He was said to have been a very fair dentist. Unfortunately he was addicted to the use of intoxicants, and recommended to his patients strong drink as an anæsthetic to relieve pain during dental operations: and as a suicide he ended his earthly career.
He was followed by Dr. Eben Bray, a most worthy man, and a fine dentist, who, after a practice of some years here, left for the great "Northwest," and lived honored and respected until a few years ago, when death took him from us. He was followed by Dr. John Kivitt, who was a good dentist.
Our city having all these years steadily advanced in growth, and containing some 6,000 inhabitants, attracted other dentists to this locality. Dr. F. Hutchinson and Dr. J. Fleager were contemporaries with Dr. Kivitt, and were quite successful in their practice. Dr. Hurd came to locate about this time and remained here until his death, as did Dr. Fleager.
In 1859, Dr. I. Haas came to this city, and has resided here up to this date, and is the dental father of twenty dentists. Some reside here at the present time, and are practitioners, while others are scattered over the United States, from New York to California, Oregon, Wis- consin, Louisiana and intermediate points, and are doing well. Dr. Haas is one of the most skilled and successful dentists that has ever located here His high moral worth has raised him up a host of friends and patrons. He has been eminently successful.
Our city is now well supplied with dentists, having in all about twenty practitioners of all grades, from first-class to Cheap Johns- just like all other cities that have a population of from 75,000 up to 1,000,000 inhabitants.
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The dentists of this city, in past years, have at different times formed themselves into local societies but none of them permanent. The Evansville Dental Society was formed in 1896 with a splendid prospect of long life and great usefulness. We desire to acknowl- edge here our indebtedness to Dr. I. Haas for facts presented herein.
CHAPTER XVII.
THE OLD NATIONAL BANK.
Financial Institutions-History of Banking Houses-List of Officers at Present-Building and Loan Associations.
The pioneer bank organization of this city was the branch of the Old State Bank of Indiana. Its charter dates from 1834, and its capi- tal, including state and individual stock, was $80,000. According to the records the first meeting of the board of directors was held No- vember 11, 1834, and the members of this board were Robert Stoek- well, John Shanklin, Marens Sherwood, William Lewis, William Owens, Robert Barnes, Chester Elliott, James Cawson, Darius North, and John Mitchell. The organization of the board was effected by choosing John Mitchell president and John Douglas cashier. These officers were retained until Mr. Mitchell's death, when Samuel Orr be- came president. In 1843 the capital of the bank was increased to $150,000, of which $73,000 was owned by the state. In 1847 George W. Rathbone was made cashier. He continued in that position until March 4, 1857, when the bank was succeeded by the "Branch of the Bank of the State of Indiana." The first directory board of the new bank was composed of Messrs. G. W. Rathbone, Robert Parrett, H. Q. Wheeler, R. R. Roberts, and George Foster. Mr. Rathbone was chosen president and Samuel Bayard cashier. In January 1865, the bank was organized under the national banking act as the "Evansville National Bank," with a capital of $300,000, which was subsequently increased to $800,000. W. J. Lowry was selected as president and R. R. Roberts as cashier. Subsequently Mr. Rathbone was chosen pres- ident, Mr. Bayard vice-president, and V. M. Watkins cashier. In time Mr. Bayard succeeded Mr. Rathbone, who afterward removed to New York city. Mr. John Gilbert was selected to fill the vacancy occasioned by Mr. Bayard's advancement. In June 1885, the charter of the bank expired, wherenpon it was renewed and the name changed to the
OLD NATIONAL BANK,
which name it bears at present. The officers chosen under the new
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charter were Samuel Bayard, president; John Gilbert vice-president; Henry Reis, cashier; and Samuel Bayard, David J. Mackey, William Heilman, Robert K. Dunkerson, Henry F. Blount, Wm. M. Akin, Edward G. Ragon; and John Gilbert, directors-a galaxy of names guaranteeing fidelity to trust and superior ability in the conduct of af- fairs. The capital stock of the bank is $500,000; its surplus is $250,- 000; its deposits were $940,980.57 in 1889 and now over $2,000,000. The stock has paid large dividends and commands a high premium in the market. The building now occupied by the bank is on the west side of Main street between Water and First, and was built in 1836. It is a massive structure of imposing aspect, substantially built and well arranged for the transaction of the business which it was de- signed to accomodate. In the year 1889, the building was thorough- ly repaired and refitted, its interior arrangement and finish displaying the highest degree of art and skill. The building was then valued at $27,577.94. The career of the institution has been remarkable, grow- ing in strength and popular favor with each successive year of business. From its organization as a small bank in 1834, it has wielded a benefi- cent influence on the business affairs of this part of the country. Its obligations have been fulfilled to the letter always, and because of its ac- knowledged solidity and wise management, it was selected as a national depository. The chief executive of the bank, Mr. Bayard, has been identified with it for more than forty years and has, by his financial ability, sound judgment and high reputation for executive skill and untarnished honor, conduced in no small degree to the success and financial repute of the bank. It is one of the oldest institutions of the kind in south-western Indiana, and in financial circles everywhere rec- ognized as one of the best and soundest in the state.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK.
The Evansville Insurance Company was organized in 1850, with a capital of $250,000 and a charter containing insurance and banking privileges of a liberal character. The "Canal Bank," as it was then called, was for several years conducted under the Free Banking Law of Indiana. In 1863 it was incorporated as the First National Bank of Evansville, with a paid-in capital of $250,000, which was shortly after increased to $500,000. Since its organization the bank has paid to its stockholders eighty dividends, amounting in all to $1,407,- 500, and has set aside from its earnings $150,000 as a surplus. The
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
first board of directors was composed of Messrs. Gillison Maghee, Robert Barnes, Charles Viele, John S. Hopkins, John Ingle, Jr., M. J. Bray, S. M. Archer, H. Q. Wheeler, and William Brown. Mr. Wheeler was made president and William T. Page, cashier. Of these Messrs. Charles Viele and M. J. Bray are the only survivors. In 1865 Mr. Page was succeeded by James H. Cutler, as cashier, and in 1868 Mr. Wheeler was succeeded by John S. Hopkins as president. Charles Viele became president in 1879, and was succeeded in 1893 by the present chief executive, Francis J. Reitz. At this time, 1893, James H. Cutler was made vice-president ; Henry L. Cook, cashier ; and John H. Dippel, assistant cashier. The names of the directors are as follows: F. J. Reitz, Thomas E. Garvin, James H. Cutler, George L. Mesker, M. J. Bray, Jr., John Ingle, O. F. Jacobi, A. J. Klein, and David Kronenberger.
CITIZENS' NATIONAL BANK.
One of the prosperous institutions of this city is the Citizens' Na- tional Bank, located at No. 130 Main street. It was established in 1873, as the successor of the private banking house of W. J. Lowry & Co., and began business at No. 121 Upper First street, with an au- thorized capital of $175,000. Its first officers were R. C. Slaughter, president ; S. P. Gillett, cashier ; R. C. Slaughter, J. J. Roach, L. Swormstedt, G. P. Hudspeth, S. Vickery, F. W. Cook, J. H. Mc- Neeley, F. Lunkenheimer, and S. P. Gillett, directors.
Matthew Henning became president November 12, 1878, on the resignation of R. C. Slaughter.
S. P. Gillett, who is president of this institution at the present time, succeeded Matthew Henning in 1884. In 1876 J. W. Walker and J. S. Buchanan were added to the board of directors, and in 1877 they were succeeded by Charles Kellogg and A. C. Tanner. Dr. C. P. Bacon became a member of the board of directors in 1879, three of the members retiring at the time as follows: G. P. Hudspeth, J. J. Roach and L. Swormstedt.
W. M. Akin and L. Loewenthal were added to the above list in 1883, and J. W. Walker in 1884.
On the occasion of Mr. Walker's death in 1889, F. Lauenstein be- came a director of this institution.
In 1891, the death of A. C. Tanner occasioned the election of Azro
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Dyer, and in 1893 Sam Loewenthal became a director, vice L. Loewen- thal, deceased.
The officers at the present time are: S. P. Gillett, president ; C. P. Bacon, vice-president ; and W. L. Swormstedt, cashier. The board of directors consists of the following members: Wm M. Akin, C. P. Bacon, Azro Dyer, C. H. Kellogg, F. Lauenstein, Sam Vickery, F. W. Cook, S. Loewenthal and S P. Gillett.
At present the capital stock and surplus of the bank amount to about $250,000; its deposits reach nearly $400,000. It is regarded as a safe, sound, conservative institution.
THE GERMAN NATIONAL BANK.
In January 1873, the charter of the East Chester National Bank, of Mt. Vernon, New York, was purchased and transferred to this city, and permission granted by congress to change the name to the "German Na- tional Bank of Evansville." The capital stock was placed at $250,000, with permission to increase the same to $500,000. The first officers were Samuel Orr, president; John A. Reitz, vice-president; Philip C. Decker, cashier. Directors: Samuel Orr, John A. Reitz, Samuel Bay- ard, Thomas Kerth, Edward Boetticher, H. M. Sweetzer, Chas. Schulte, Theodore R 'McFerson, and Philip C. Decker.
In January 1883, on the death of Mr. Orr, John A. Rietz succeeded to the presidency and at the same time Philip C. Decker became vice- president and Henry L. Cook, cashier.
In December 1890, at the expiration of its charter the bank was re-or- ganized as the German Bank, under a state charter with a paid up capi- tal of $400,000. John A. Reitz was elected president, Philip C. Deck- er, vice-president, and Henry L. Cook, cashier.
Upon the death of Mr. Reitz in 1892, Philip C. Decker was elected president and R. K. Dunkerson, vice-president. In 1893 Joseph Bren- tano succeeded H. L. Cook as cashier. The directors of the bank are now Samuel Bayard, R K. Dunkerson, James L. Orr, Phil. C. Decker, and John Hartmetz.
The bank began its career at No. 216 Upper First street, and now occupies convenient and commodious quarters at the corner of Third and Main streets. Its management has been wise and successful. Those who control its affairs are men who have been identified for many years with the business interests of the city. Their capacity as financiers bas been amply demonstrated in the career of this bank.
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
THE PEOPLES SAVINGS BANK.
Under the laws of the state of Indiana this bank was organized and began business May 5, 1870. Its first officers were: Gen. J. M. Shackelford, president ; John D. Roach, secretary and treasurer; J. M. Shackelford, Eccles G. Van Riper, M. Muhlhausen, John Laval, James Steele, Fred Lunkenheimer, Christian Hedderich, and James W. Lauer, trustees. After the death of Mr. Roach in 1870, Dr. John Laval was elected secretary and treasurer. On January 14, 1880, Dr. John Laval resigned ; on the 19th of March following Frederick Lunkenheimer was elected to fill the vacancy thus occasioned. His successor was Major Jesse W. Walker, who served from April 1, 1885, to April 25, 1888, the date of his death. On May 14, 1888, Col. John Rheinlander was elected to discharge the duties of this important trust, and is now serving.
Gen. J. M. Shackelford served as president of this institution from the date of its establishment to May 27, 1878, and Matt Henning from that date until May 31, 1884, when he was succeeded by Dr. Muhl- hausen, the present chief executive. The vice-presidents are H. V. Bennighof and John Hartmetz. At the outset the duties of cashier were performed by the secretary and treasurer, but when the busi- ness transacted became so large as to demand the appointment of a cashier, Jacob Haas was selected. On April 1, 1880, he was succeeded by Michael Schaeffer, the present efficient cashier. The present board of trustees is composed of: Dr. M. Muhlhausen, Henry V. Bennighof, Col. John Rheinlander, John Hartmetz, Clemens Reitz, James T. Walker, and Michael Schaeffer. During the first day of its career the bank received two depositors, one of whom deposited $2.00 and the other $1.00, and the doors were closed on the dullest day's business this bank ever knew. From this small beginning it has daily grown in favor with the people, until on January 1, 1897, its active depositors numbered 4,529, and its aver- age deposits exceeded $1,140,052.38. The bank has paid a semi- annual dividend to its depositors for the use of their money which amounts, in the aggregate, to the sum of $561,913.75. This institution has been wisely managed as well as fortunate, having passed safely through the periods of financial depression. It has always received and merited the confidence and esteem of its patrons, who are found among all classes of people. Every dollar entrusted to its keeping has been faithfully and honestly accounted for
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