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 25
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The orginal trustees were Otis Wood, W. S. Cosby, John Hubbard and J. H. Wilkes. The same trustees are serving at present, except Mr. Wilkes, whose removal from the city left his place vacant The first deacons were: W. S. Cosby, Otis Wood, John Hubbard, J H.
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Wilkes and Frank Tinius. The deacons at present are : Otis Wood, John Hubbard, J. J. Cosby, Dr. P. G. Kelsey, J. O. Pittman and W. S. Cosby.
Calvary Baptist church is of the faith of regular Missonary Baptists. The name Calvary was selected by a committee appointed for that purpose, and was adopted at the first meeting. The Sunday school which is supervised by the church, is an interesting, successful branch of the church work. The aid societies and young peoples' unions are active and wide awake, aud are accomplishing much good.
GERMAN BAPTIST CHURCH.
This denomination worships in a frame building at the corner of Franklin and Edgar streets, valued at about $5,000. The services are in German. The congregation was organized April 6, 1856. The present trustees are August Behrens, John M. Briel, Christopher Beck, John Alt and O. Kunath. The Sunday school is prosperous, and numbers sixty persons. There are eighty-four members enrolled upon the church record.
The following pastors have'regularly occupied the pulpit : Revs. Woertner, Charles Tecklenburg, A. Franschel, William A. Lipphardt, C. F. Tiemann, and the present pastor, Rev. August Pistor. The original members were H Schubert, M. Meissner and Flora Boehne. The young people's society has a membership of fifteen.
The congregation in German township, at Kasson, was organized in 1867, and the chapel was built in 1871. The building and cemetery are valued at about $2,000. The original members were E. Jung, George Huber, Ch. Schmitz, John Schmidt. The list of pastors is as follows : E. Jung, C. Tecklenburg, A. Transohl, W. A. Lipphardt, C. F. Tiemann, A. Pistor. The sunday school has thirty pupils.
LIBERTY GENERAL BAPTIST CHURCH.
Liberty church of General Baptists is located in Union township and was instituted October 5, 1823. Rev. Francis H. Wood is the present pastor. The charter members were: Rev. Benoni Stinson, Rev. George Parker, Rev. John B. Stinson, Ruth A. Stinson, Matilda Stinson, Zepheniah Harrison, Benjamin McNew, James Slover, Preston Slover, Ezekiel Dirkes, Henry Thompson, James Chapman, Joseph 18
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Chapman, David Henson, Jesse Henson, John Henson, Peter Miller, Jane Henson, Elizabeth Henson, Polly Slover, Elizabeth Slover, Sarah Miller, Francis M. Miller, and others, aggregating a total of thirty- three. The names of the pastors are as follows: Rev. Benoni Stin- son, first pastor; Rev. Jesse Lane, Rev. John B. Stinson, Rev. Alva Parker, Rev. J. G. Ensle, Rev. Wilson Blackburn, Rev. W. J. Black- burn, Rev. W. W. Charles, Rev. W. P. Hale, Rev. Thomas Strain, Rev. T. A. H. Laslie, Rev. George W. Voyles and Rev. Francis H. Wood. The names of those who have served as trustees are: Rev. Benoni Stinson, Rev. John B. Stinson, W. C. Rogers, J. B. Cox, Conrad Rose and H. A. Parker. The last three named are the present trustess. Deacons : Wm. M. Faquher and William Blackburn. At present there is a membership of 80. The church with a single ex- ception is the oldest in the county.
TRINITY GENERAL BAPTIST CHURCH.
This congregation organized itself into a body and adopted its name June 19, 1892, through the labors of Elders Levi Voyles, W. H. Ivy and Willis W. Smith. They worship at the cornor of Devon and Uhlhorn streets. The original members were: W. W. Smith, Frank Dill, J. N. MeNeeley, B. F. Mayhorn, E. W. Mercer, B. F. Mayhorn, Jr., A. H. Guinn, Henry Cantrell, Isaac N. Shelton, James L. Stites, A. A. Dempsey, Eveline Smith, Mary E. Smith, Mary Hougland, S. M. Guinn and Lizzie Dill The deacons are : Henry Cantrell, A. A. Dempsey and J. N. McNeely. The present membership numbers 74. Rev. Willis H. Smith served the charge from June, 1892, to Septem- ber, 1895. Following him eame Rev. John Rinder, who resigned after only one month's labor. His successor, Rev. A A. Dempsey filled out his unexpired term. Rev. L. T. Spradley was called to the service early in 1897.
INDEPENDENT BAPTIST CHURCH.
This denomination is composed of colored people, who organized themselves into a worshiping congregation June 17, 1872. Their ser- vices are held at the corner of Virginia street and Twelfth avenue. The charter members were Green McFarland, Franeis Howard, Grant Clay, Drusella Moreman, M. Bush, S. Bluff, Robert Porter, Rich Robinson, Irwin Stubb, John Hocker, Mary Hocker, Charles Gray.
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The members of counsel are Lee Wenchell, Levi Anderson, John Stubles, Robert Porter, Milo Lester, James Bluff, George Goodyear. The trustees comprise the following members : W. M. Ward, Charles Jones, Henry Hogan. The clerk is Sallie B. Williams.
The present pastor is Rev. W. H. Jackson. The church property is worth about $4,000. The number of members is 159.
OLD BAPTIST CHURCH.
The regular Old Baptist church was founded in December 2, 1842. The present church, situated on Mary street, between Michigan and Virginia streets, was built in 1852. On December 1 of that year the new church organized and chose for her trustees Thomas Macer, Ed- ward Harvey and Joseph Richardson. The members who serve in this capacity at present are Artemus Crofts, Joel Jones and I. C. Rigg. There are twenty-five active members enrolled. Rev. Andrew J. Willis is serving the congregation as their pastor at the present time.
M'FARLAND CHAPEL.
On October 5, 1882, seventy-five members of Liberty Baptist church -an overcrowded colored congregation-considered the matter of organizing a new congregation. At their own request the parent church, on the next day, granted them honorable letters of dismissal. A complete organization was effected October 15, 1888, and the follow- ing officers were elected: Deacons- H. K. Adams, C. H. Christy, Philander Cooper, Reuben Churchill, Alex. Jackson. Trustees- George Talbot, Sam Monroe, John Hatchett, Jeff Coleman, Andrew Henderson. T. A. Crump was chosen secretary, W. H. Beecher, finan- cial secretary, and Dan Lee, treasurer.
On October 20, 1882, Rev. W. H. Anderson was called to minister unto this flock, and he has labored with them until the present time. The new congregation at once bought a lot, at the corner of Fifth and Cherry streets, for a church home. There they worshipped until they went into their elegant new brick chapel adjoining, on December 25, 1887. From seventy-five original members the church grew until it now numbers about 500 members. They have an excellent church choir, a successful Sunday school and other organizations for thorough church work. Its mission, apparently, has but just fairly begun, though it has already accomplished great good.
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Rev. Anderson is a zealous, scholarly minister, a great organizer and a logical, forcible orator. He has been a host in himself for his congregation. The State University of Kentucky conferred upon him the degree of D. D. in January, 1889. He is the first colored Baptist preacher in Indiana to receive that honor.
LIBERTY COLORED BAPTIST CHURCH.
Liberty Baptist church was organized June 13, 1865, in a little brick building near the corner of Chestnut and Canal street. (Fifth street was then known as Caual street.) The following officers were selected as deacons and trustees : Trivas Ford, Green McFarland, Warner Seman, Henry Townsend, Adam Rouse and A. Cornel Woods. A white man was chosen to be their pastor. They bought two lots on the corner of Seventh and Oak streets, one and two lots 47, upon which they erected a frame church 40x50 feet in size. Before many years this building proved inadequate to the needs of the congregation which had grown rapidly, so that in 1880 they built a brick church which cost about $10,000.
Elder Green McFarland served faithfully as pastor from the year 1866 to July 8th, 1882, when his connection with the church was severed by the hand of Death. The present pastor, Rev. J. D. Rouse, was elected and installed as his successor in October, 1882. There was an indebtedness on the church at that time of $3,000. The church was blown down in May, 1886, at which time there was not a dollar owing on it. They rebuilt immediately and the first Sunday in the following December the doors were thrown open for public worship in a new church that had cost between $18,000 and $19,000
Their present membership is 1,600. The officers are as follows: Deacons-W. H. Rowens, Rasmus Barnett, George Mansfield, Wm. Thomas, C. L. Brady, Abraham Murray and Thomas Dotson ; trustees: George Hynes, Richard Rice, R. L. Babb, George Smith, William Jackson, Cal. Baker, John Green, and Logan Reed, clerk.
J. D. Rouse, the present pastor, is an enthusiastic worker and his labors in the church have been attended with most gratifying results.
FIRST FREE WILL BAPTIST CHURCH.
The First Free Will Baptist church of Evansville was organized
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on the 28th day of October, 1895. A number of earnest colored per- sons of this faith, led by Rev. Thomas P. Griffith, composed the original membership. Their names are as follows: R. H. Daily and wife, T. W. Thornburgh, D. M. Davis and wife, B. F. Mayhorn, Silas Burk, Annie Stites and Frank Lassey. They were admitted in the Wayne county quarterly meeting of the Central Illinois Y. M. on the 23d day of May, 1896.
As the name indicates, this congregation are free communionists and hold to baptism by immersion. They believe that salvation is wholly by grace and that God has endued man with a free agency, and that man has a right to choose or refuse eternal life. Salvation is obtained on conditions of repentauce toward God and faith in His son Jesus Christ as the Savior of men.
The affairs of this church are administered according to the Con- gregational polity. There is a Sabbath school in connection with other regular church services held in their place of worship on Nevada street. They had three ordained ministers and one licentiate. There is now a membership of thirty-six. The names of the trustees are as follows: R. H. Daily, James Williams and B. F. Mayhorn. The ministers who have served this congregation are: R. H. Daily, Thos. W. Thornburgh and Thomas P. Griffith, who is the present energetic and efficient pastor of the young congregation.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
The disciples of Christ, properly called the Christian church, began to hold meetings in this city in 1868. In the first month of the next year Elder George Flower preached to the disciples here and organ- ized a church. His labors were attended with great success. He was a man of fine attainments and peculiar force. His oratory was con- vincing, logical and powerful. His widow, the daughter of Judge Jacob S. Buchanan, and a sister of the late Cicero and Scott Buchanan, is at present connected with Willard library.
The members of this congregation worshipped for a time in the criminal court building, situated on Locust street, between Second and Third streets. Elder Flower was succeeded by Elder Carter, and he by the father of their first pastor, Elder Alfred Flower. Various causes operated against the success of the society, and for a time it became practically abandoned. But the spirit never died out, and on November 15, 1885, a reorganization of the society was effected, chiefly
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through the labor of Messrs. W. W. Ireland, Joseph Jutton, F. W. Gibbs, Louis Carter, J. R. Ferguson, B. R. Beecher, J. L. Yockey, Albert Mace, Dr. Floyd Williams and others. For many years worship was conducted at the corner of Second and Clark streets. The first minister in charge of the new organization was Rev. George Platt-a relationship sustained until March, 1886. The next pastor after him was Rev. Neal McLeod, a scholarly gentleman, a systematic worker, and a successful upbuilder of all the church's varied interests. New vitality was drawn into the society, faith in its futurity was strengthened, and its usefulness was enlarged. The organization of Unitarians in the city having become extinct, their building, located at Seventh and Walnut streets, was purchased by the Christian de- nomination in 1888 for $4,000. The Unitarians erected the edifice in 1876 at a cost of $6,000. It is a neat brick church, very conveniently arranged within and with a seating capacity of 300. The present membership of the church is estimated 'at about 200. The Sunday school is doing enthusiastic work for the Master and with the other organized societies of the church is drawing strength and vigor into the denomination.
ST. JOHN'S EVANGELICAL CHURCH.
On the corner of Third and Ingle streets stands this church, remark- able for its architectural beauty. A handsome parsonage adjoining adds greatly to its attractiveness. The church was dedicated Novem- ber 28, 1852, the corner stone having been laid June 1, 1851. A commodious school house was erected in 1868. The congregation was instituted in 1850, and was composed at that time of eighty-nine fam- ilies. The names of the heads of the families that made up the origi- nal congregation are as follows : J. C. Bittrolff, Ph. Decker, H. Schmutte, H. Suhrheinrich, Peter Wolff, Jacob Kron, Jacob Fix, Philip Deusner, Joseph Wahnseidler, George Weidig, August Elles, Peter Zapp, John J. Reis, Louis Geiger, Fred Kroener, Henry Lutz, Michael Daussman, Jacob Eissler, C. L. Vierling, Jacob Weintz, J. Bischman, F. Wahnsiedler, William Heilman, G. A. Bittrolff, John Mann, Casimer Schlamp, Philip Inkerbrandt, Jacob Sinzich, Henry Pfingston, M. Renschler, J. J. Hneller, George Schreyer, H. Andel, J. C. Decker, Jacob Daum, Adam Mann, August Uhl, Fr. Carlstedt, Henry Klee, Rud. Kehr, Alb. Rimroth, Charles Habbe, W. J. Boep- ple, Edward Boetticher, F. W. Cook, Peter Hess, Thomas Kerth, John Karsch, Christian Kratz, Philip Koch, J. V. Farcs, Jacob Froelich,
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Jacob Lahr, W. Geil, George Wolflin, John Hedderich, John Dan- nettell, Casper Schellhause.
At the present time the church has a membership of 600 families. The Sabbath school is also in a prosperous condition, and has a large attendance.
The pastors who have served this congregation are Revs. C. H. Straeter, from 1850 to June, 1852; Theodore Klingsohr, July, 1852, to August, 1853; Rudolph Kehr, November, 1853, to June, 1854; Wm. Schmidt, August, 1854; to 1858; C. Kretzschmer, 1858, to May, 1864; C. L. Chr. Runck, May, 1864, to July, 1890; Julius Blass, August, 1890, to the present time.
GERMAN EVANGELICAL ZION'S CHURCH.
This congregation organized January 1, 1849, with thirty-five mem- bers, and Rev. Henry Toelke was first called to minister unto them. His work extended over a period of four years The names of the pastors who succeeded him are : Rev. H. Jumpe, Rev. H. Mangert, Rev. F. Linschaw and Rev Christian Schrenck, who continued as pastor for twenty-six years. He was succeeded by Rev. John Frick. Rev. J. U. Schneider is the present pastor. This congregation has a voting membership of 200, and 700 communicants. The original members were: Christian Decker, John Griess, F. R Went, Wil- liam Micker, Henry Storck, Hein Klocke, H. C. Sasse, William Gehaus, Johann Dill, Con. Hewig, J. P. C. Heimann, August Meyer, Simon Sasse, William Loose, Henrich Goeke, L. Hinspeter, Simon Wittenbocker, H. Henwinkel, Johann Dipple, Fr. Ludwig Stedink, Ludwig Weber, Johann Duell, William Lehmann, William Grese, J. T. Grabbe, William Messerschmidt, Ernst Kaupmeyer, F. R. Epmeier, Johann Ortmeyer, Jacob Hewig, William Hinspeter, Fr. Joestingsmeyer, H. Brocker and Herman Koehne. The officers of the church are : Herman Horst, president ; John F. Schmidt, secretary, Christ. H. Dick, treasurer. The members of the council are : Rudolph Buente, G. Yourgans, H. Kattmann and F. R. Eggert. The trustees are : Fr. Eggert, William Koenig, H. Katt- mann, Carl Espenlaub and David Becker.
They erected a church on Fifth street, between Ingle and Bond, in 1855; at a cost of $5,000. This was entirely rebuilt in 1893, and now stands among the first churches of the city.
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
GERMAN LUTHERAN ST. PAUL'S CHURCH.
This religious society was organized August 19, 1887, and worships on Michigan street, between Heidelbach and Elsas avenues. At pres- ent they have fifty-five voting members and 205 communicants. The charter or original members are : William Schnute, F. Kahre, Adolph Staree, C. H. Boehne, Jacob Keck, W. H. Schnte, P. T. Bippus, C. Ruschmeier, William Dueffel, H. Korff, Christ Schnute, Ernst C. Meyer, Christ Kahre, W. C. Schnute, John F. Boehne, F. Brackman, George Kniese, H. Gerland, H. Almes, August Schute.
The following are the trustees: C. H. Boehne, G. H. Boehne and W. A. Bosse. The elders are F. Brackman, Christ Kahre and John Stephan.
The German Lutheran St. Paul's church is connected with the Lutheran synod of Missouri, Ohio and other states, which has at pres- ent 1,346 ministers, 1,897 congregations and 370,346 communicants. Their present pastor is Rev. E. W. Heinicke.
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN ST. EMANUEL'S CHURCH.
The Evangelical Lutheran St. Emanuel's church, at the corner of First avenue and East Franklin street, was organized in the year 1855 by the following members: August Bauer, Wilhelm Ramin, Angust Schlutter, John Ohning, Julius Meyer, John Koch, Carl Wilke, Ernst Hoyer, Christian Tiemann, Christian Tornatta, August Maasberg, Henry Lubking (builder of the church edifice in 1856) and Heinrich Schinemann. In the year 1874 the church tower was built. It has three bells.
The following were pastors of the congregation from 1855 to 1897 : Revs. Risch, Dirkens, Jung, Bank, Reidenbach, Koenig, Bachmann and A. C. Kleinlein, who is at present working hard for this flock. He took charge of the congregation in October, 1895. The church prop- erty is in good order, and has very little indebtedness. Ever since the organization of this congregation there has been a parochial school under its supervision. The pastor is the superintendent of the school, and the school board is composed of three members, as follows : J. C. Mutschler, Conrad Merle and Conrad Klingelhoefer. They erected a two-story brick school building four years ago.
The present officers of the congregation are Conrad Klingelhoeter, president; J C. Mutschler, secretary, and J. R. Muenstermann, treas-
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urer. The members of the church council are Rev. A. C. Kleinlein, president; J. C. Mutschler, secretary; H. H. Todrank, H. Eissler, H. Repphan. J. R. Mnenstermann, J. Jordan, and John Herring.
The congregation is in a flourishing condition. It has 225 commu- nicant members. The Sunday school numbers over 100 scholars, and the day school between fifty and sixty. The pupils recite both in the German and English languages. For the English branches the same books are used as in the public schools. The reason why the congregation has the school is mainly to teach religion, so that the children may be fitted both for this world and the world to come. The school has two public examinations during the year.
The congregation is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran joint synod of Ohio and adjoining states, which has a membership of over 85,000 communicants. The president of the synod is Prof. H. Schntte, of Columbus, Ohio. The Lutheran church is represented in this country by 6,061 pastors, 2,785 congregational teachers, 10,304 con- gregations and 1,453,651 communicants, belonging to fifty-seven synods.
REFORMED CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES.
This is a distinct denomination from the Dutch Reformed church, with which it is sometimes confused. The church is located on Elsas avenue, between Indiana and Illinois streets. The congregation was organized in Evansville May 2, 1871, and a frame building was built for a place of worship in the fall of 1872. The first members were: Fred A. Budke, E. F. Oslage, Adam H. Schroeder, F. A. Budke, Adam H. Erk, H. F. W. Ferlemann and F. W. Markus. A list of the pastors who have served this congregation is as follows: Rev. C. T. Martin, five years (now a professor in a theological seminary in Sheboygan, Wisconsin;) Rev. Jacob Wiss, two years ; Rev. J. J. Jarrett, five years; Rev. Schmidt, two years, Rev. J. Schiller, less than a year ; Rev. G. W. Landau, about three months ; and lastly the present pastor, Rev. Gottfried Badertscher, who is doing an excellent work for his people. The trustees at present are: Ed. Oslage, Otto Weis and Gus Kolb. The membership at the close of 1896 was 101. The Sunday school is well attended and great interest is taken in its services. The aid societies are all active and are accomplishing good work.
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
SPIRITUALIST SOCIETY.
Previous to the present society of Spiritnalists there had been several at different times, but none were enduring. The purchase of the temple at the corner of Third avenue and Michigan street gave permanent character to the present society, which was organized Nov- ember 26, 1892. The temple is valued at about $2,000. Early in 1895 nineteen members withdrew from the society. This small society has remained separated from the parent organization, but they hold regular services every Sunday, in connection with the lectures of Mrs. Mollie E. Kratz, the only regularly authorized medium in the city. At the time of the separation the society had about 80 members. The withdrawal of about a fourth of the number had no effect upon the ardor and faith of the others, and the society has since gained about as many as it lost. Regular Sunday services are held morning and evening at the temple. Mrs. S. Willerding is the head lecturer. There is also a Sunday school lyceum. Upon the death of J. M. Geupel, the president, in December, 1896, Mrs. Simon Willerding, the vice-president, became the acting president. Joseph Kaelin, is secretary. The trustees are: Frank Guersch, Jacob Wagner and Simon Willerding.
It may be added, something in the fashion of an historical note, that Dr. A. C. Hallock, a Quaker, came to Evansville about 1845; and perhaps ten years later took a particular interest in spiritualism. He was one of the earliest believers here, if not the very first open, confessed follower of that doctrine. Mr. Tenney was also one of the pioneer believers and expounders of this eclectic, mystic evangel. One of the most perminent and active men in the development of the society in this city is Mr. William H. Woods, one of Evansville's leading business men. Stephen Biederman was a delegate from this society to the National Spiritualist convention held in Chicago in 1893.
B'NAI ISRAEL.
The temple of the reformed Jewish congregation is situated at the corner of Division and Sixth streets. It was erected at a cost of $45,000, and is very handsome, being of a Moorish Saracenic style of architecture. The following rabbis have officiated as pastors: Wm. Wechsler, M. Delbanco, B. L. Fould, S. Hetch, Dr. E. B. M. Brown, Dr. Isaac Schwab, Dr. Falk Vidaver, Dr. Meyer Erskin, Dr. J. H.
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M. Chumaceiro and Rev. I. L. Rypins. A flourshing Sunday school is connected with the church. The society numbers among its mem- bers some of the wealthiest and most prominent business men in the city.
B'NAI MOSES.
This Jewish congregation was instituted in 1868. They have at present a membership of 46. They own their own church property which is located on Ingle street, between Sixth and Seventh streets. The cemetery known as Mt. Sinai, also belongs to this society. The charter members were: Levi Newman, Sam Newman, Meyer Levy, I. Rittenberg, Jos. Morris, S. Seelig, Nathan Morris, Nathan A. Gold- stein, Jacob Efvoymson, M. Efvoymson, M. Silber, D. Brill, L. Sel- berman, M. Bymesch, Ph. Hamberger, N. Kaufman and H. Freid- mann. The officers and trustees serving at present are: Rev. Paul E. Horn, B. Newman, Ph. Skora, S. Newman, L. Newman, J. S Rin- golski, Levi Greenburg and S. Skora. Rev. A. Wohlknen is the rabbi at present.
HISTORY OF CATHOLICITY.
When I first arrived in Evansville early in 1837, I learned from the Reverend Deydier-who came here in 1836-and from others that there were but two Catholic families in the town at the time of his taking charge of the Catholic interests here. Having myself been a witness of the growth of this church in this city, I can bear witness to the wonderful progress it has made materially and morally, finan- cially and numerically, in the sixty years past.
Francis Link and family and John Walsh and family were the only two representatives of Catholicity in Evansville at that early period. I was personally acquainted with these families. Mr Link was a hotel keeper, and the gentleman to whom I had a letter of introduction on my first entry into the town. Mr. Walsh was a merchant tailor.
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