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 20
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213
HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
STATEMENT
of the condition of the Peoples' Savings Bank of Evansville, Indiana, at the close of business December 31, 1896.
ASSETS
Bills Discounted. $ 711,128 08
LIABILITIES
Bonds and Stocks
293,427 56
Real Estate
98,849 71
Due Depositors $ 1,140,052 38
Office Fixtures
328 92
Surplus Fund 197,000 00
Deposits in Banks
214,192 56
Cash
19,125 55
$ 1,337,052 38
$ 1,337,052 38
BANK OF COMMERCE.
The Bank of Commerce was opened for business on the 12th of July, 1890, with the following officers: E. P. Huston, president ; F. W. Cook, Jr., cashier; A. W. Emery, assistant cashier. The fol- lowing gentlemen constituted the board of directors: William Heil- man, F. W. Cook, E. P. Huston, D. J. Mackey, Robert Ruston, Samuel Bayard, E. G. Ragon, E. B. Morgan, and J. E. Iglehart. The bank was incorporated with a capital of $100,000, which was after- wards increased to $250,000.
The officers and directors at this time are as follows: William A. Heilman, president ; August Leich, cashier; Ira D. McCoy, assistant cashier. The directors are : William A. Heilman, president Heil- man Machine Works; F. W. Cook, president F. W. Cook Brewing. Co .; August Leich ; F. J. Scholz, treasurer State of Indiana; Abe Strouse; Colin B. Gilchrist ; Jacob Weintz, president Evansville Cot- ton Manufacturing Co .; C. A. DeBruler and Ira D. McCoy.
BUILDING AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS.
All building and loan and saving institutions are powerful, direct means of disseminating money, and so become indirect means of dis- tributing wealth, building houses, and assisting the willing toiler to a better condition. Many a worthy family has been made happy in the comforts of a neat little home through the medium of these various associations.
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
The first building, loau and saving association established in Ev- ansville was incorporated May, 1873, under an act of the legislature, approved March 5, 1857. The second one was organized July 18, 1874. Many laws and amendments have been passed since then, reg- ulating these associations. Since the advent of these pioneer institu- tions many others have been organized and changes and re-organiza- tions have occurred frequently. Most of them have been eminently successful and have done much good. Some have paid out and closed up business, and some have failed, entailing, as in all such disasters, much hardship upon those ill-able to bear it. At the beginning of 1877 there were fourteen of these associations in the city, and under the law each one is required to have a capital stock of $500,000. They were capitalized at from $500,000 to $25,000,000.
* The insurance companies have been a great saving to the people. Some of these underwriters are the shrewdest business men of the city and have done much in a public way for its general prosperity.
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CHAPTER XVII.
MILITARY HISTORY.
The Civil War-Capt. Walker and His Company-Some Prominent Institutions-Home of the Friendless-Orphans' Asylum-Insane Hospital-Postoffice-Railroads-B. M. A. History and Splendid. Building-River Transportation.
In war there is always a personal risk, daugerous and thrilling. Principles may be at the bottom of bloody battles and populated war cemeteries, but the delight, "after the war," to repeat the individual adventures and perilous situations of the narrator entirely submerges the causes that led up to the awful carnage.
The pioneer struggles of the first settlers with the wily redskins of the forest have already been faithfully chronicled in this history, and it is now the purpose to consider the martial doings of our patriotic people in the wars of the nation in after times.
The settlers did yeoman service in the war of 1812 with Great Britian. The articles of peace did not mention the chief cause of the war, which was impressment of American seamen into British service on the high seas, and this, too, was before Vanderburgh county had been organized as a civil division. Some of these early, hearty pioneers, putting aside their business of hunting and trapping, joined the army of General Harrison, and on the celebrated battle- ground of Tippecanoe rendered distinguished service. Others went with the Kentucky riflemen to New Orleans, and were at the unparal- leled victory of "Old Hickory " Jackson over the flower of the British army under General Pakenham. After the war they walked all the way back home, sleeping in the woods during the long, danger- ous journey, and subsisting principally on game. Their report of the great'battle at the Crescent City was the first news the settlers at home had of it.
Under the laws of the state regulating militia companies, these military organizations did some active service in the Indian wars. On "training days," when men were exempt from arrest, they had a general jollification. Musters were held at regular periods through-
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
out the year, and usually at the county seat. Many, I am sure, have heard of the cane-gun. It was cut from the cane brakes, plugged up at both ends, loaded with whiskey, and every time the_ company brought their guns to a fire, these men, armed with the cane-guns, fired down their throats. The brigade in this section of the state was com- manded at different times by Gen. Robert M. Evans, Gen. W. A. Twigg, of New Harmony, and Gen. James P. Drake, at that time a resident of Posey county.
The Creek war of 1836 and the Seminole war of the same time had no particular effect on the citizens of Evansville and Vanderburgh county, as none of onr citizens engaged in these struggles.
With the admission of Texas into the union there came into this neighborhood rumblings of war-as early as August, 1845. The first company, consisting of 100 men, for the Mexican war left for New Albany, the place of rendezvous, June 7, 1846. This was Captain William Walker's company, a full roster of which is given elsewhere herein, as well as an authentic biography of Captain Walker himself. Joseph Lane left his seat in the state senate and drilled under Captain Walker, and subsequently was appointed brigadier general by the president. After leaving New Albany the three Indiana regiments --- the quota required-pitched their tents at New Orleans, then crossed the gulf, and tented on the scene of war. More than half of company K, commanded by Captain Tucker, was made up of men from Ev- ansville. The second Indiana regiment, led by General Lane, entered the fight at Buena Vista, and met with a loss of 135 men. It was there that Captain Walker fell. The regiment was mustered out of service at New Orleans, July 1, 1847. The Mexican veterans formed an association in this city September 20, 1887, with a list of fifteen persons.
It is not the intention to write here the military history of Evansville and Vanderburgh county', for that has already been written by others, but this history would not be complete without some statements in passing, regarding the part my fellow citizens took in the terrible, bloody carnage of 1861-65-the great civil war. The twenty-fourth Indiana, the fourteenth, the eleventh, first battery light artillery, twen- ty-fifth, first cavalry or twenty-eighth, thirty-second, thirty-fifth, sixth battery light artillery, forty-second, sixtieth, eighth battery light artillery, sixty-fifth, fourth cavalry or seventy-seventh, ninety-first, one hundred and twentieth, tenth cavalry or one hundred and twenty- fifth, one hundred and thirty-sixth, one hundred and forty-third regi- ments all contained Vanderburgh county men. Some men and officers
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
who could not get into these military organizations enlisted in other regiments, so that they were distributed through twenty-six different regiments The Indiana legion did good service for its country. Many colored meu enlisted from this city, and their soldiery qualities were not excelled even by the white troops.
The first man to offer his services for his country from this city was Capt. Chas. H. Myerhoff. His enlistment was in the Fourteenth Indiana, in Captain Willard's company. Captain Myerhoff is now a successful business man of our city. Many men from here rose to ranks of distinction, and some even to national reputation. And we honor such names as Gen. James M. Shackleford, Gen. John W. Fos- ter, Gen. Conrad Baker, Colonel Rheinlander, Colonel Denby, Col- onel Shanklin, Colonel Hornbrook.
The author was trustee of Pigeon township in 1864-5, and at the same time quartermaster of the Second Indiana Legion. These two positions necessarily put into his charge the refugees and fugitives from the farther sonth, who were escaping from the country so com- pletely overrun by the forces of the two contending armies. They arrived at the wharf by boat loads, and a camp had to be established for their protection and accommodation. The camp was pitched in Blackford's Grove. It was very wet and sloppy there, but no better place could be secured at that season of the year. There were as many as two hundred and fifty men, women and children on an aver- age encamped there at one time, but the citizens took an active part in furnishing provisions and clothes, and every effort was made to see that none suffered for the necessaries of life. But living in tents in the midst of winter was not a pleasant way of living, and the exposure brought on sickness and caused several deaths. They were at length taken to much better quarters at the fair grounds in Knight township. There they were cared for till the smile of springtime afforded them pleasant weather for journeying farther on.
The personal hardships induced by the civil conflict can never be told by mortal pen.
As an instance of the liberal-hearted citizens of the county, on agreement the farmers bronght into the city in one long procession two hundred loads of wood for the needy wives and mothers .of the soldiers who were at the front. The wood and coal thus donated was stored at Seventh street park. The ladies, appreciating the patriotic sentiment that actuated these generous farmers, banquetted them that night at Mozart hall.
At the conclusion of the civil war, when the skeleton regiments 15
1
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
were passing through this city on their way to Indianapolis, to be dis- charged from service, the citizens very fittingly erected an arch at Main and Third streets, and a civie escort conducted the gallant veterans under it with the spirit of the old Roman triumph in the march. The warm word "Welcome" was upon the arch. There was a mighty sense of soft- winged peace in the bosom of every one as the battle-scarred, service- stained old heroes proudly rode under the arch. The war was ended.
Evansville during the civil strife was on the border of the scene, in a measure, and troops rendezvoused here for a time: Others passed through on their way to the front. War-boats, armed with cannon and mortars, steamed by in the Ohio river. During a part of the time temporary hospitals were established here, and after the battle of Shiloh the wounded of both sides were brought here and cared for. Many persons in the city quietly left and went into the enemy's country. The people of this city learned well their lesson of moderation and charity from the mighty clash of arms, and they have always held out a friendly hand to a magnanimous but conquered enemy. Many will remember the reunion of the "blue and gray," held in this city in 1883, and the friendly greetings that were exchanged by those who had been deadly enemies.
CAPTAIN WALKER AND HIS COMPANY.
This narrative has special reference to Capt. Wm. Walker, who figured extensively, as history shows, in the war of 1812, and there was, until a recent date, a tree which was known as the "Walker Tree" in Salem, New Jersey. At this place, tradition says, there was some desperate fighting done. But the first I knew of Capt. Wm. Walker was on my arrival in Evansville in February, 1837. He was then a citizen of Evansville, having been one of the early settlers of 1835. His family consisted of his wife, Catharine Walker, and chil- dren, James T. Walker, Dr. George B., William H., Oscar and Dr. John T .; his daughters were Mary, afterwards Mrs. Barter ; Hannah, afterwards Mrs. Welborn, who died recently in this city. This was an active, stirring family. They engaged in all the enterprises in a busi- ness way, and helped to lay the foundation of this city.
Captain Walker had no regular business. He contracted for eartlı- work and improvement of streets, and would sometimes undertake to build houses. He was never idle, and was an active, useful man. At the time of the Mexican War in 1846, he was an efficient court official. He was an ardent Democrat, and fully approved of waging war against
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
Mexico, and as he had been an active participant in the war of 1812, he suddenly made up his mind that he would raise a company to help prosecute the war in Mexico, although he was at that time sixty-five years old. His appearance showed that he was at least that old, although he was as active and vigorous as a man of forty. So Gen. Joseph Lane, Dr. Daniel Lane, John T. Walker and many of the leading citizens here took an active part in assisting to raise a company which was accomplished in one week, and within another week or two they were ordered to rendezvous at New Albany. General Lane, Dr. Lane, Dr. John T. Walker, with the following made up the company, to-wit :
William Walker, Captain; Martin Stinson, First Lieutenant; James A. Epperson, Second Lieutenant; George W. Peck, First Sergeant; Wm. Gavitt, Wm. Grigsby, George W. Gorman, Sergeants ; Jas. S. · Chambers, First Corporal; Robt. McCutchan, Joseph Hervey and Wm. A. Easton, Corporals; Benjamin Anthony, David Allen, Isaac Anderson, Samuel Adkins, Henry Blanchard, Joseph Bilderback, Geo. W. Bee, Wm A. Beall, David W. Barr, John Bowerman, Giles Chap- man, Harrison Cox, Oliver Crook, Jas. H. Curts, Geo. W. Conner, Wm. Conley, Henry Davis, Alanson C. Ferres, Francis Finch, Wedur Foster, James Fisher, John W. Gahan, James A. Goodgame, George Hamilton, Samuel Holsey, John W. Hawkins, Adam Haag, Stephen Harrison, William Harris, Alias Holler, Joseph C. Higgenbotham, Leroy Jenkins, Thomas Knight, George W. Knight, John Littlejohn, Obediah Stansberry, Richard H. Lee, Alexander Linxwiler, Levi Lawrence, Thomas Murphy, Littlebranson Madden, Thomas Nolan, George Peachey, Benjamin Plummer, Dewilton Price, Isaac Privette, Acheleas J. Ruple, Christian Russler, John Robinson, Andrew J. Ross, Lewis Rightmire, Benoni Stinson, Thomas S. Smith, John W. Stephens, John Stoner, Enoch. J. Sutton, James Sublet, William F. Sublet, James Sanders, John Skirns, Richard Smith, John Stillman, Vicissimees Teasley, Jacob Taylor, Teel Trevalion, Floyd Williams, Edmond Wyatt, Gorder Wilhite, Alfred William.
As it is seen from the above roll, the company lacked twenty men of being complete, but the remainder were added at New Orleans or on the way to that city, and were mustered in, making one hundred strong. They were then ordered up the Rio Grande, and joining Gen. Taylor they marched through the country, fighting several small battles and skirmishes, and finally reached Buena Vista. This company was a part of the Second Regiment Indiana Volunteers, which was commanded by Colonel Bowles, who showed the white
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND
feather at the battle of Buena Vista, thus causing the death of a great number of the regiment, at which time and place a large number of Captain Walker's company was killed.
Captain Walker was killed while supporting a battery that was be- ing planted by Gen. Joseph Lane, who was severely wounded and carried from the field. As is known the Mexicans were finally re- pulsed, and the next morning after the battle, the dead body of Captain Walker and those brave men who fell around him, number- ing fourteen, were brought into eamp. Captain Walker's remains were shipped home and placed in their long-resting place at Oak Hill Cemetery; and upon his monument are inscribed the names of those who fell around him. The captain was found with several pistols belted around him, every cartridge discharged. He had evidently done deadly work in the Mexican ranks.
Dr. John T. Walker, his son, was assistant surgeon of the regiment, and remained with the regiment until the war was over, when he returned home to his family. In the late war of the Rebellion in 1860, he enlisted as assistant surgeon in the 25th regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. His son, William. Walker, also went with the same regiment, and participated in the battles of Ft. Donaldson and Shiloh as lieutenant colonel, but he broke down in health and came home, where he died suddenly from the effects of camp-life exposure. Another son, Jesse W. Walker, became major in the same regiment.
This ends the record of William Walker and that portion of his family who served in the war of the Rebellion in 1860.
Mrs. Charlotte Burtis Walker, widow of James T. Walker, is still living.
Dr. Edwin Walker, a son of James T., is a practicing physician in our city, and one of the founders of the Sanitarium.
James T. Walker, also a son of James T., is an attorney practicing in the city.
Two of the descendants of Dr. John T. Walker are still living, Mrs. Cave J. Morris, who resides in Evansville, and Capt. George B. Walker, who is in the U. S. service, stationed at Ft. Thomas.
William H. Walker, third son of William Walker, was mayor of Evansville from 1868 to 1870.
HOME FOR THE FRIENDLESS.
Charity is the motive that prompts human creatures to help the fallen and weak. The institution known as the Evansville Home for
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
the Friendless is, in a great degree, the outgrowth of the faithful work of Miss Eleanor E. Johnson. Through her earnest labors the im- portance of this charitable institution became apparent At first it was maintained by private charity.
It was founded in 1869 under the name of "Christian Home." Its purpose is, as stated in the constitution, "to provide and maintain a home for friendless women, such as may be in eircumstanees of pecu- liar temptation, and for the purpose of affording to such, as may have wandered from the paths of virtue, encouragement and assistance to reformation "
In 1870 Mr Willard Carpenter donated a house and lot to be used by this organization, and later he gave two and a half aeres of land in the lower part of the city. In 1873 the name was changed to " Home for the Friendless " In April, 1882, after moving into the new home on Fulton avenue, the work was not confined to the one field, but was broad and catholie in its character-sheltering strangers, admitting old ladies, children and foundlings. The Home is doing a noble work, and is everything that its charter claims for it-a home for the friend- less-open to all regardless of faith, creed or nationality.
During the past twenty-seven years nearly sixteen hundred people have found shelter under its roof. The sick and friendless have been cared for, sometimes for years, and a home given them when they had no other. Some of these deserving ones are yet inmates of the home. Mrs J. C Wade, the matron, has served in that capacity for fourteen years or more.
The present number of inmates is fifty, eight of these are old ladies. On the board of managers are : Mrs S. E. DeBruler, president; Mrs. Louise Casselberry, vice-president ; Mrs Margaret MeLean, treasurer ; Mrs. James B Rucker, secretary. The trustees are : Capt. John Gil- bert, Capt Lee Howell, H. M Lindley, B. Parsons, C. A. DeBruler, Philip Decker, R. K. Dunkerson and J. H. Cutler.
ORPHAN ASYLUM.
A benevolent institution is the product of Christian civilization, an exereise of altruism as opposed to heathenish selfism. The Orphan Asylum is a lasting memorial to the kind hearted, considerate women of Evansville-the finding of a mother for parentless children. What will not a mother do for orphans! The story has often been told of how Mrs. Elizabeth Sinzieh found two homeless, ill-clad little orphan .
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
children at the wharf one cheerless, eold winter morning in 1866, and how she afterward secured good homes for them-a circumstance that led this benevolent lady to advocate an asylum for orphans. She brought the matter to the attention of the Daughters of Rebecca, Colfax Lodge No. 34, I. O. O. F., and they at once very properly and to their lasting honor gave it their serious attention. They secured aid from the city, and solicited funds from the individual citizens. The first home was founded at the residence of Misses Seeley and Hahn, on Mulberry street, near the old cemetery, on April 1, 1866. The institution opened with eleven homeless children, who had neither father nor mother. The noble sisters of Colfax lodge had found and resened them. The county commissioners purchased a home on the corner of Mary and Illinois streets in September, 1866, and removed the asylum there. Mrs. Stewart was the first matron. She was followed by Mrs. Eleanor Johnson, Mrs. Kearney, Mrs. Coleman, Mrs. Julia Brashear, Mrs. J. A. Royster, Mrs. Sarah Main, Miss E. Martin, Miss Maggie Burt, Mrs. R. S. Kearney. Mrs. J. A. Royster, who has held the office in all ten years; Mrs. P. Knauth, who has served since Angust, 1886. The institution was re-organized and chartered by the legislature March 23, 1871. The incorporators were Sarah Lowry, Jane Morgan, Eliz- abeth Sinzich, Mary A. Archer, Sinai Harrington, Margaret Urie, M. A. Semonin, Fannie Nisbet, Mrs. Charles Schrenk, Mrs. William Baker, Mrs. Christian Kratz, and Mrs. Charles Keller, who were the board of managers at the time. A new home was purchased on West Indiana street for $16,000. This building, which is now the home of the children, was form- ally dedicated October 27, 1872. A colored orphan asylum is on the same twenty-aere plat of ground, and both asylums are under the same management. On January 1, 1897, there were forty-eight chil- dren being cared for by the white asylum. The officers and managers at present are Mrs. H. M. Lindley, president; Mrs. William Caldwell, vice-president; Mrs. Samnel Bayard, corresponding secretary; Mrs. A. G. Torian, recording secretary; Mrs. M. L. Nexsen, superintendent; Miss Gist, Mrs. Alvah Johnson, Mrs. H. E. Blemker, Mrs. George L. Dixon. Mrs. Sue M. Barton, Mrs. Nancy Casselberry, and Mrs. D. S. Ragon. The trustees are: Capt. John Gilbert, president; A. W. Emery, secretary; S. P. Gillett, treasurer; Wm. Caldwell, Alex. Gilchrist and David A. Nisbet.
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
MARINE HOSPITAL.
The United States government completed the Marine hospital in October, 1856, at a cost of $73,078.56. The ground was broken in the fall of 1853. The building was 110x90 feet, brick and sand- stone, three stories, with ample capacity for a hundred patients. It occupies the block between Ohio and Vermont streets and between Wabash and Tenth avenues. After the war the government sold it, and later it was obtained by the Sisters of Charity for a hospital, which they named St. Mary's. They also took the marine patients, under contract, till 1876. In 1888 the government purchased ten acres near the western limits of the city, and erected new buildings at a cost of $100,000. There were 1,117 patients-office and hospital cases for 1895. The physician in charge of the hospital is Surgeon P. M. Car- rington. The first medical officer was Dr. M. J. Bray, who served from October, 1856, to June 30, 1861. Dr. J. P. De Bruler succeeded him and served to March 1, 1862. Dr. E. J. Ehrman served to June 30, 1862. Dr. F. W. Sawyer served, not as a regularly appointed sur- geon, but he treated patients under contract, from that date to June 30, 1865. Dr. E. J. Ehrman then served to June 30. 1866, the same way. Again Dr. Sawyer was in attendance the next year. Then Dr. J. B. Johnson served up to June 30, 1870. Dr. W. G. Ralston attended the patients, under similar contract, to July 30, 1874. The faculty of the medical college of Evansville served after Dr. Ralston up to March 1876. Dr. H. W. Austin to December 3, 1878 ; Dr. J. H. O'Reilly to March 26, 1880; Dr. F. J. O'Connor to December 31, 1881 ; Dr. R. P. M. Ames to January 26, 1884; Dr. S. D. Brooks to July 5, 1887; Dr. B. F. Beebe to August 5, 1887; Dr. R. B. Watkins to February 15, 1888; Dr. Seaton Norman to December 7, 1888 ; Dr. F. M. Urquhart to December 24, 1888 (died); Dr. J. O. Cobb to January 4, 1889; Dr. Seaton Norman to October 31, 1889 ; Dr. G. T. Vaughan to February 5, 1892; Dr. P. M. Carrington to April 10, 1893; Assistant Surgeon Seaton Norman to August 15, 1894; Past Assistant Surgeon P. M. Carrington from that date to the present time, June, 1897.
HOSPITAL FOR INSANE.
It had become apparent to public-spirited men that the accommo- dations which the state and counties had provided for the insane were inadequate to the needs of these unfortunate beings, and therefore an
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