Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical., Part 5

Author: Blanchard, Charles, 1830-1903, ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : F.A. Battey & Co.
Number of Pages: 982

USA > Indiana > Clay County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 5
USA > Indiana > Owen County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 5

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This meeting was liberally attended, and on the part of a majority of citizens present a compromise was effected through the influence of Mr. Hanna. The Trustees agreed to cut down and remove the timber so far as practicable, which they practically did while reconstructing the em- bankment, which delayed navigation south of Terre Haute for a period of three months.

On the 19th of October, Gov. Wright issued this proclamation:

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., October 19, 1854.

FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS REWARD.

WHEREAS, It has been represented to this department that certain evil-disposed persons (supposed to reside in the county of Clay), in violation of law, and to the disturbance of the public peace, are attempting to damage and destroy the Wabash & Erie Canal by firing the wiers, locks, dams and other combustible works, cutting the embankment, etc .; and whereas, it is also represented that during the past seven months these evil-disposed persons (supposed to be few in number) have from time to time actually destroyed a large amount of the property of said canal;

THEREFORE, That the laws may be sustained, public property preserved, and these offenders brought to punishment, I do hereby offer a reward of $500 for the apprehension, arrest and lodgment in custody of said offenders, or any of them.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the State this 19th day of October, 1854. JOSEPH A. WRIGHT.

A. HAYDEN, Secretary of State.

But this did not allay the trouble, which assumed a more serious aspect in the spring and summer of 1855. On the 10th day of May of this year, a body of men, said to have been 100 strong, repaired to Birch Creek Reservoir in open day and cut the embankment so completely as to let out principally all the water. They were armed and disguised and drove away the guards who had been stationed there some time before to protect the work and repel any attacks which might be made.

Immediately following this, Thomas Dowling, of Terre Haute, one of the Canal Trustees, communicated the following to Gov. Wright:

TRUSTEES' OFFICE, W. & E. CANAL, Terre Haute, May 18, 1855.

It is my unpleasant duty to communicate to you the destruction of the Birch Creek Reservoir, in Clay County, on Thursday, the 10th inst. This outrage was perpetrated by a body of armed men at mid-day, who appeared in disguise with blackened faces and other concealments of personal identity. There were, it is sup- posed, 100 persons engaged in the lawless proceeding.

It will be remembered that on the night of the 22d of June, 1854, a similar out- rage was committed on the same work, doubtless by a portion of the actors in the recent scandalous proceeding. Navigation on the canal was suspended south of Terre Haute for three months, causing a large ,expenditure of money by the Trustees in repairs, and greatly embarrassing those having capital invested in boats and produce. Though the repairs were promptly made, no rains fell to fill the res ervoir, and no further use could be availed until the fall rains set in.

HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

In July last, after conferring with some 200 citizens of Clay County, near the Eel River dam, the Trustees caused all the standing timber to be cut down and removed so far as was practicable. The persons there assented (but three or four dissenters) expressed, by a vote, their entire satisfaction with the proposed expend- iture, and we had no reason to anticipate any further annoyance on the part of those living in the neighborhood. James McLean Hanna, Esq., was present at that meeting, and he, being attorney for complainants, and employed by yourself, fully concurred in the proceedings, and, by his influence, brought about the meeting pro- posed and held. The contract for cleaning off the timber was awarded to Mr. W. K. Houston, a citizen of Bowling Green, and the expenditure is somewhere in the neighborhood of $10,000. This outlay, let me add, was made solely to allay the excitement prevailing, and not because the Trustees concurred in the reasoning or fears of those who threatened injurious results from the standing timber. No such results have followed in Ohio nor elsewhere, as we are abundantly able to show, and by the testimony of those who resided for years on the margins of the Ohio and Indiana reservoirs. It appears, however, that, notwithstanding the sacrifices made for the sake of peace and pledges given at the meeting in July, the spirit of outrage is yet abroad, and where it is to end the authorities of the State only can determine. This condition of affairs should be arrested in some legal manner, but how it is to be done is left to the wisdom of the State government. The Trustees can do no more than has already been done to appease the discontent of those whose fears, felt or feigned, drove them to such excesses.

The property conveyed to the Trustees for the most sacred purpose, has been three times destroyed by citizens of Clay County, and is still threatened, as the enclosed letter will show, postmarked at Brazil.

If the State will not protect the Trustees, their officers and agents in the quiet and peaceable possession of trust property, it will become a question how far we should go in repairing it. The losses already accrued are large, and will greatly increase should we fail to have a supply of water for summer navigation. I do not wish to indulge in any harsh expressions in concluding this communication, and will not charge all the citizens of Clay County with a participation in these outrages. I know that all good men there deplore them, and feel that their county is deeply involved in these scandalous proceedings. Even some of the participators, let me hope, will see reason to repent their ill-advised agency, and avoid similar alliances hereafter. Time will determine the judgment that awaits such conduct.

I inclose a letter from Mr. Ball, the resident engineer, having charge of that division. His letter more fully sets forth the extent of the damage, and gives details of the outrage.

This mode is adopted of communicating with you on this serious subject, affect- ing alike the State and her creditors.

Very truly, THOMAS DOWLING, Resident Trustee.

Gov. WRIGHT, Indianapolis, Ind.

The following is Engineer Ball's letter, referred to by Mr. Dowling:

INDIANAPOLIS, May 15, 1855.

Gov. WRIGHT:

Dear Sir-On last Thursday an armed force of near one hundred men assembled about noon, at the Birch Creek Reservoir. They were provided with drums, fifes, and the National flag. After making their arrangements, they deliberately cut a hole in the reservoir embankment and allowed all the water to flow out. But as the water was low, it was a work of considerable labor to make the excavation and remove the plank wall in the center, and the flow of water, not being very rapid,

HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

did not make a very large breach. Probably 1,500 cubic yards of embankment will fill the opening.

Our men, stationed there to guard the embankment, were unable to recognize, certainly, any of the desperadoes, as they were disguised, and prevented a nearer approach than about three hundred yards. Attempts were made to get closer, but our men were fired at and driven back; fortunately no one was killed. After their work of destruction was completed, the scoundrels gave notice, which was communicated to our men, that any one attempting to repair the break would forfeit his life. They remained on the ground until night, then scattered to their homes. We have not been able, as yet, to trace any of them, although we have strong suspicions. I doubt not that such facts will soon transpire, as, in the hands of an efficient pros- ecution and an honest jury, would lead to the conviction of some of them. It is believed that a very considerable portion of the men engaged in the outrage live from five to ten and even fifteen miles from the site of the reservoir, and therefore cannot suppose themselves detrimentally affected by its construction. They are a lawless band of scoundrels who delight in doing mischief.

You are doubtless aware that without this reservoir we can not maintain navi- gation south of Terre Haute during the dry summer and fall months. If the breach is repaired immediately, there is a strong probability of the reservoir's filling again in June, but it would seem to be useless to expend more money upon that work until some efficient means are adopted for its protection. The officers of the canal can take the necessary measures to guard against breaches occurring in the ordinary way, and we have had watchmen stationed, at the Birch Creek Reservoir to guard it both night and day against ordinary attempts to cut the embankment or injure the works, but they have no authority to employ a military force sufficient to control a company of desperadoes, armed to the teeth, and determined upon the accomplishment of their purpose at the risk of life and limb. When this emergency arises, I respectfully suggest that it is the duty of the State authorities to pro- vide the necessary force to protect the canal, and its officers in the lawful discharge of their duty. After all the efforts that have been made to conciliate the parties, I know nothing that can be done consistent with the honor of the State, than for your Excellency to station a sufficient number of armed men (say fifty) to protect the works of the canal at that point at all hazards.

Respectfully submitted,

WILLIAM J. BALL.

The foregoing official information given by Trustee Dowling and En- gineer Ball was followed by the Governor's proclamation:

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., May 24, 1855.

WHEREAS, It is represented to me, on reliable authority, that a great outrage has been committed in Clay County, Ind., by the destruction of the Birch Creek Reservoir, a necessary and indispensable feeder of the Wabash & Erie Canal; and, whereas, it further appears that an armed mob of persons, consisting of 100 or more, did, on the 10th day of May, instant, at the hour of 12 M., appear on the banks of said work, and, after firing at the guard stationed thereon, and driving him away, proceeded to cut the embankment of the same, discharging the water which had been collected, and otherwise damaging the property of the trust; and, whereas, all the persons engaged in that nefarious and unlawful' proceeding were disguised, by the appropriate concealment of blackened faces and other outward disguises be- fitting such a deed; and, whereas, I have reasons to believe that but few of the per- sons engaged reside near the Reservoir, or have just cause for complaint, if any exist, but are, for the most part, an organized and unlawful association of persons, resolved to set at defiance the legal right of persons, and the security of their prop- erty, as has been manifested on many occasions; and, whereas, it is the duty of the Executive of Indiana to see that the laws are faithfully executed, and the pub- lic peace preserved; therefore

HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

Be it known, That I, Joseph A. Wright, Governor of the State of Indiana, by virtue of the power vested in me, do hereby offer a reward of $500 for any informa- tion that may lead to the apprehension and conviction of the person or persons, or any of them, who aided and assisted in the cutting of the embankment of the Birch Creek Reservoir, in Clay County, Ind., on Thursday, May 10, 1855.

And it is further declared and made known, that the sacred promises and pledges given by the State of Indiana to her creditors, by the laws establishing the trust, and the protection that was promised and guaranteed therein, shall be faith- fully kept and fulfilled, so far as the employment of all regular and constitutional meanss hall be necessary, to arrest those lawless proceedings, and to prevent the repe- tition of conduct disgraceful to the actors, their aiders and abettors. To accomplish this, force may be necessary; in that event, I shall not fail to invoke it, for the safety of the work is placed under the guarantee of law, and that shall not be dis- regarded. The State has a deep interest in this matter, and the confiding men who placed a moiety of the debt due by the people of Indiana, into the canal, shall not have their confidence abused without an effort to save our beloved State from the disgrace and dishonor which these mobs would entail upon her citizens. This spirit of lawlessness must be met and arrested, if we do not desire to have our State a by- word and a reproach in the land. It will be no fault of mine if irresponsible asso. ciations shall control and override the written laws of the State, and become the avenger of imaginary wrongs. No man's property can long be secure, if armed men in disguise can do these things with impunity, and go unpunished and unrestrained.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the State to be affixed, at the city of Indianapolis, this 24th day of May, 1855.

JOSEPH A. WRIGHT. By the Governor,

ERASMUS B. COLLINS, Secretary of State.

A short time after the cutting of the reservoir and the official action of the Governor relating thereto, the Cincinnati Commercial published the following editorial comment:

" We were yesterday surprised to receive a paper from Clay County, Ind. We did not persume that the people read the papers in that swampy, sloppy, soggy, sticky, stinking, stifling, stubborn, starving, sub- sidiary, slavoring, slavish, swinish, sheepish, sorrowfully dark, desolate, direful, devilish, dim, doleful, downcast, dirty, despairing, deluded, de- generate, dismal, dreary, drivelling, demoniac, dilapidated locality, where public works are destroyed, and the officers, whose duty it is to defend the laws, with blacked faces, trample them under feet. On first open- ing this paper, we felt hopeful, thinking there would be light shining in the midst of darkness, but we discovered that the Clay County Citizen only makes darkness visible, as it is the organ of the 'canal cutters."

In compliance with the urgent appeal of the canal company for pro- tection, Gov. Wright ordered two companies of militia to repair to the scene of trouble, under command of John W. Dodd, of the Governor's staff, who acquired the title of General in that campaign, which he has ever since retained. Gen. John W. Dodd, unless recently retired, is at present a resident and active business man of the city of Indianapolis. The force, preparatory to the march to the seat of war, was organized and equipped at Evansville. At a public meeting held at the court house, at that place in pursuance of the Governor's proclamation, a number of young

819 your

Inely yours. J. M. Robertson,

HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

and single men enlisted, in obedience to public sentiment, to fill up the ranks. The compensation was $1 per day, from date of enlistment to the close of the campaign. This part of the force was under the immediate command of John S. Gavett, then Sheriff of Vanderburgh County. On arriving at the Junction, some time in June, 1855, the command was di- vided into two detachments, about fifteen remaining camped there under command of Capt. Charles Denby, now a prominent lawyer of Evans- ville, to protect the lower reservoir, and about fifty or more going on up to Birch Creek, where they occupied two old canal boats. They employed most of their time in fishing, chasing ducks, playing cards and shooting at a mark with the Clay Countians. It is said that after seeing Clay County riflemen knock a dime out of a forked stick, at a distance of twenty steps, at every shot, the army of occupation had no anxiety to bring on an engagement. On behalf of the people of Clay County, Gov. Wright had ordered Col. John B. Nees to report at the reservoir and confer with the command of the military. The result of this conference was the calling of a meeting of the citizens, at the old schoolhouse on the Grimes place, which was addressed by the officer in command, and a proposition sub- mitted to the effect that they should sign an agreement not to molest the canal property and, also, to use their influence to persuade and prevent others from doing the same. To this proposition, C. W. Moss responded in behalf of the citizens present, declining to accede. Nothing was ac- complished. A number of resident citizens were arrested by Constable William Curry, supported by Sheriff Gavett, on charge of incendiarism, the shanties standing on the bank of the reservoir having been fired and burned about the same time that the enbankment was cut. Among those arrested were Samuel Tribble, who was pursued and taken in custody at Bowling Green, and Bennett Norton, who was imprisoned one night in one of the old canal boats occupied by the soldiery. The accused were tried before Esquire John Robinson, of Perry Township, and acquitted. The State was represented by John P. Usher and Willian K. Edwards, of Terre Haute, and the defense by James M. Hanna and John Osborn, of Bowling Green. At the expiration of ten days, the army of occupation evacuated and fell back to Terre Haute, where they were appropriately banqueted, and, under the influence of a basket of champagne, opened by William Bement, they became patriotic, made speeches and recited all their deeds of valor.

Corresponding with the attempts made to render the Birch Creek Feeder useless, on the night of September 9, 1854, the breastwork of the Feeder Dam was burned to the water's edge; and in the early part of 1855, perhaps, Splunge Creek Reservoir was drained by letting the water out into the canal, and then out through the waste-way at Kossuth. The people of Clay County, whether right or wrong in their judgment, held the feeders to be nuisances, which they had the right to abate in self-

HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

protection, and a subsequent decision of the Supreme Court covering the ground of controversy, almost justified them in cutting the banks. All this, coupled with the construction and operation of the Terre Haute & Richmond Railroad, the projection and building of the Terre Haute & Alton, and the Evansville & Crawfordsville, led to the neglect and grad- ual decay of the canal interests, and but a few years later, its abandon- ment on the part of the canal company.

The first railroad survey through the county was made about 1849, that of the Terre Haute & Richmond. A competitive line was run through the southern part of Parke County, and for some time the choice of route was suspended in doubt. The Croy's Creek cut and fill, the heaviest work on the survey, was the principal objection to the Clay County line. To George G. Mckinley, of Croy's Creek, and Michael Combs, of Staunton, the people of the county are largely indebted for the location of the road. Mr. Mckinley agreed to take the contract for the grading of the road through the county. The heavy work on Croy's Creek he did himself, and sub-contracted other sections of the work. Among the Clay Countians who had contracts from him were Michael Combs, Esau Presnell and Jesse Fuller. Work was begun vigorously in 1850, and' proceeded from both ends of the division-Indianapolis and Terre Haute. Construction trains, carrying freight and passengers, were crossing the county in the summer of 1851. The track was completed and through connection made early in 1852. The first passenger train went over the road in April. On the 10th of May, the first round trip was made between Terre Haute and Indianapolis by daylight. This road crosses the county from east to west at an angle of twenty-five de- grees, intersecting Van Buren, Brazil and Posey Townships. At the time of its location, Brazil was the only town on the line of the survey. True, Harmony had previously existed, but had been vacated, and was then re-surveyed and revived. Auxiliary to this road, which has been known for many years as the Vandalia, there are several switches north and south, traversing the developed coal field. The length of main tract in the county is 13.81 miles, and that of side track 44.27 miles; total, 58.08 miles. The assessed value of the track of this road within the county is $268,070, and the value of the rolling stock and improve- ments, $110;072; total valuation for taxation, $378,142. The Indiana- polis & St. Louis Railroad was built in 1869-70, and went into opera. tion in July of the latter year. This road crosses the extreme northern part of the county, running parallel with the Vandalia, intersecting Van Buren and Dick Johnson Townships. At the time of the location of this road, there were no towns in the county touched by the survey, but a half dozen sprang almost immediately into existence. The length of main trac k is 10.19 miles, and that of side track 3.14 miles; total, 13.33 miles. The assessed value of track is $95,093, and the value of rolling

HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

stock and improvements $29,932; total valuation for taxation, $125,025. In 1871, the Terre Haute & Cincinnati Railroad was projected as a nar- row gauge, double track, air line between the Prairie and the Queen City. On the 4th of December of the same year, the first shovelful of dirt was thrown near Lockport, by L. A. Burnett, Vice President. The city of Terre Haute having donated $100,000 in aid of the road on condition that it should all be expended in the completion of the line to the town of Middlebury, work was pushed vigorously on this division. But the narrow gauge, double track, air line features of the road were abandoned, and the standard gauge adopted. By the 1st of August,

1872, the track was completed to a point twenty-six miles distant from Terre Haute, at the crossing of the Bowling Green & Middlebury wagon road, where the Champer Bros. flouring mill now stands. In the month of August, the road was formally opened by an excursion from the Prairie City to the terminus, where the event was appropriately celebrated by a mass meeting and grand demonstration on the premises of Henry Cooprider. Though the road had been graded to Coal City, six miles further to the southeast, the point named continued to be the terminus for six years. In 1879, the road passed into the hands of W. B. Tuell, of Terre Haute, who completed it to Worthington before the close of the year. Under Tuell's proprietorship, a change in the charter was made, and it became the Terre Haute & Southeastern. This road crosses the county from northwest to southeast, intersecting Perry, Sugar Ridge and Harrison Townships. The length of main track is 16.57 miles, and that of side track 3.72 miles; total 20.29 miles. The assessed value of track is $71,488, and the value of rolling stock and improvements $13,771; total valuation for taxation, $85,259. The Evansville, Terre Haute & Chicago, usually called the Peavine, was located and built in the latter part of 1878. This is a coal road, or feeder, running from the main line of the E., T. H. & C. to Brazil, 4.53 iniles of the track lying within this county, intersecting Dick Johnson and Brazil Town- ships. The total assessed value of this branch road within Clay County, including rolling stock, is $37,131. The North & South Railroad was sur- veyed and located through the county in 1869, by way of Carbon, Brazil, Bowling Green, Middlebury and Howesville. In January, 1870, an election was held in the county, to determine whether a donation of two per cent should be made by taxation in aid of this road, which was defeated. In- the spring following, the tax was voted in Brazil, Washington and Har- rison Townships, levied and collected in the former two, and refunded to the tax-payers in 1874. The road was graded as far south as Brazil; then abandoned. In 1881, the Greencastle, Eel River & Vincennes Railroad was surveyed by way of Poland, Bowling Green, Clay City and Middlebury. 'In July of the same year, a tax was voted in aid by Cass and Washington Townships, but was defeated in Harrison. In 1882, the

HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

name of this corporation was changed to Indianapolis, Eel River & South- western, and a re-survey made, crossing the Terre Haute & Southeastern two miles southeast of Clay City. In the summer of 1881, the Indiana- polis & St. Louis Narrow Gauge was surveyed through the central part of Harrison and Lewis Townships. The Evansville, Washington & Brazil road was located from Brazil to Washington, Davies County, by way of Clay City, in 1883. Under the head of public improvements may be included bridges constructed by the county. The first bridge over Eel River was put up on the site of the present one, at Bowling Green, in 1852 or 1853, William K. Houston, of Bowling Green, con- tractor. This bridge was not substantially built, no stone abutments hav- ing been put under it, and in 1857 was pronounced unsafe. At the De- cember term of the Commissioners' Court, of that year, Jacob Gilbrech was given the contract for repairing it. In January following, the trestle work, put in by Mr. Gilbrech, was washed out; then again replaced by him in February following. But in the summer of 1858, the bridge was condemned, and its further use abandoned, when James P. Thomas re- established his ferry a mile above. In 1868, the present bridge at Bowl- ing Green was built by Rarick & Black, at a cost of $12,000. In 1872, the Poland bridge was put up by Muehler & McNamar, contract price $7,200. In 1876, the Hooker's Point bridge was constructed by William Graber and Levi Fair, at a cost of $6,300. This bridge was destroyed by the cyclone of May 28, 1883; then was rebuilt the latter part of the same year, and the first of the year following, Muehler & Notter, contractors on the stone work, at $600, and the Canton, Ohio, Bridge Company, con- tractors on the iron work, at $5,120. In 1878, the Feeder Dam and the Splunge Creek bridge were built by Muehler & Notter, the former at a cost of $8,700, and the latter, $2,000. In 1881, the first iron bridge on Eel River was put up at New Brunswick, Muehler & Notter, contractors on the stone work, at $5,449.75, and the Cleveland Bridge Company on the iron work, at $6,133.60. The present Jordan bridge, at Bowling Green, was built in 1871, by Muehler & Notter. The Birch Creek iron bridge, on Bowling Green & Brazil road, in 1878, by Muehler & Notter, and the Cleveland Bridge Company, the Birch Creek Reservoir Iron Bridge, near Saline City, in 1880, and the aqueduct bridge, in 1881, by the same contractors. The Otter Creek iron bridge, on the old Bowling Green and Rockville road, was put up in 1880 by Muehler & Notter and the Fort Wayne Bridge Company. There are at this time three wooden and two iron bridges on Eel River, three iron ones on Birch Creek, one on Splunge Creek, and one on Otter Creek, put up by the county, at an approximate aggregate cost of $75,000.

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Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical., Part 5

Author: Blanchard, Charles, 1830-1903, ed Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago : F.A. Battey & Co. Number of Pages: 982

Author: Blanchard, Charles, 1830-1903, ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : F.A. Battey & Co.
Number of Pages: 982