USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > Evansville > Evansville and its men of mark > Part 14
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35
The gubernatorial campaign, as he had anticipated and predicted, resulted in his defeat by a small majority. But the emancipation party, though it possessed a sufficient number of votes to control the election, before the people, on account of the almost equal division of the State between the Whigs and Democrats, did not possess the same commanding power in the Legislature, and the immense majority who coincided with Mr. Dixon on the subject of slavery, determined to reward his tal- ents and fidelity with a seat in the United States Senate. He was opposed, however, by the whole emancipation influence in the contest which ensued for this high office, and was run against nearly every prominent Whig in the State, Mr. Critten- den included. A caucus having at last been called for the pur- pose of deciding the claims of the respective candidates, it was found that Mr. Crittenden and Mr. Dixon were the only compe- titors. The friends of Mr. Dixon claimed a majority of two, but the adherents of Mr. Crittenden remaining firm or obsti- nate, as the apoligists of either side may prefer, Mr. Dizon consented, for the sake of harmony in the Whig party, that his own name should be withdrawn, in connection with the with- drawal of that of Mr. Crittenden. It being anticipated, how- ever, that a vacancy in the Senate might soon occur. the friends of Mr. Dixon still adhered to him, resolved upon his ultimate success, and in a short time the resignation of Mr. Clay again called upon the Legislature of Kentucky to choose a represent- ative to fill the unexpired term of that great man. The name of Mr. Dixon was immediately presented to the two houses of
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the legislative body for their suffrages, and in opposition to it those of many other prominent and distinguished Whigs, but after a few ballotings his election was carried without difficulty. He took his seat in that illustrious body, which had so long been adorned by the most brilliant talents of the nation, on the first Monday in December, 1852.
The person of Mr. Dixon is tall and slender, but erect and commanding. His features are regular, and their combined ex_ pression stern but vivacious. The style of his oratory is bold, vigorous, and highly impassioned. In his conduct at the bar he employs his whole mind and soul, every thought, feeling and sentiment, in his cause. During the progress of the trial, the court, the jury, and the witnesses, constitute the whole world to him. All beyond that little circle, which is hemmed in by the iron rails of the bar, is forgotten ; but not the slightest cir- cumstance which occurs within that circle is disregarded. These qualities, so invaluable in a lawyer, could not have failed to secure him the most abundant success in his profession. From the outset of his career, he has steadily advanced in for- tune and reputation. :
As a criminal lawyer, his success has been unusual, and almost unprecedented. If he is more at home in any one branch of his profession than another, it is in this. His peculiar style of oratory is perhaps better suited to it. In the solemnity of such an occasion, when the life of a human being hangs upon the opinion of a jury of twelve men, when the audience is silent from the intense interest which is always excited by the impor- tance of the proceedings, it is then that his talent, as a forensic speaker, displays itself in its full force and brilliancy. If you were not certain that he is the master of his subject you might suppose that his subject was the master of him, so completely does he appear to be absorbed in the cause of his client, His voice rises to the highest pitch, or descends to the deepest tone of solemnity. His eye flashes with enthusiasm, the muscles of his face work with the energy of his feelings, and the violence of his gesticulation convinces that the whole soul of the orator is awakened and aroused. Nor does his spirit flag, or the vigor of his declamation abate, until he has thoroughly weighed and investigated every point in his cause, and awakened every sen-
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timent of humanity that may exist in the bosoms of the jury. His masterly conduct of this class of cases has become so well known and universally acknowledged, that his services are al- most invariably secured when it it possible for him to be pres- ent at the treal.
In politics, Mr. Dixon is a decided Whig, and has ever supported the principles of the Whig party with undeviating consistency. An ardent admirer and devoted friend of Mr. Clay, he has steadily advocated the national policy of that illustrious statesman, and yielded him his warmest support. In heart and soul an advocate for the union of the States, the late brilliant efforts of the "Great Pacificator " were contemplated by him with satisfaction and delight. He is for the compromise as it stands, without the slightest abatement or reservation, as a final settlement of those alarming questions which have so long agitated the country. He has at all times supported by his voice and by his influence a judicious system of public schools; a subject on which too little attention has been hith- erto bestowed in Kentucky. Having been poor himself, and risen by his own unaided efforts from the ranks, Mr. Dixon knows well how to sympathize with the feelings and wants of this class of his fellow-citizens, and he has always found them his firmest and most reliable adherents in the various contests through which he has passed. On his part, at every period of his life, he has given his faithful and energetic support to those measures which were calculated to elevate their condition. On the various political questions which have occupied the at- tention of the country for the last quarter of a century, he has expressed himself with freedom and boldness, but it must be confessed that he has not at all times profited by his candor. As a man and citizen, his character is above reproach. Devot- edly beloved by his friends, his unsullied honor and unbending integrity have obtained for him the respect of all, His course of life from the commencement of his professional career, has been in the main prosperous, and we may be permitted to ex- press the hope and expectation that he will gather fresh laurels in his new field of exertion.
Mr. Dixon was elected to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Henry Clay, and
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in that capacity proved an able successor to that illustrious statesman.
As a friend of Evansville, in the past as well as in the present, the old citizens of this city can testify as to his efforts at the time of the great Canal excitement and other enterprises.
Joshua B. Bowles.
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[Review-1853.]
OSHUA B. BOWLES was born in Albemarle County, Virginia, 1795. The circumstances of his father pre- venting a more liberal education, he obtained such a one as was usually afforded by those country schools at that early period of our history whose highest range of studies would scarcely comprise the initiatory course of the present. Here he was dis- tinguished by the rapid progress which he made in his studies, and his quick apprehension. Such was the love and admiration engendered in the heart of his preceptor toward his pupil, that a few years since he came many miles to see him, though far advanced in years, and gloried in the realization of the proph- ecy which he had made, while his tutor, that " Joshua would make for himself a name if he lived." At an early age he ac- companied his father, who was of a roving disposition, on an excursion "to the West," then, as now, the " cynosure of neigh- boring eyes." After many wanderings and hair-breadth escapes, they arrived, in 1814, in Charlestown, Indiana. His father's habits having become unsatisfactory to the son, called forth many filial expostulations from him ; but finding these unavailing, and that a longer stay could not benefit the former, and would be detrimental to his own interests, he determined to leave him, though his heart still glowed with the warmest filial instincts. Nor has he ever failed in all the duties incum- bent upon him as a son or relative. And now, without a friend
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to advise him, and with no patrimony but a sound intellect which was his by birthright, and high moral principles which he had early imbibed, together with a firm dependence on the Supreme Giver of all Good, we behold him at the early age of eighteen fully accoutred for the warfare which the combatant on life's busy field of action must ever wage when in pursuit of an object unattainable, unless he resolve at the onset that no obstacles shall overcome his exertions, no impediments be deememed insurmountable, the word " I can't " be erased from his vocabulary, and his word be ever " onward." A company of rangers, who were sent out by the general Government, des- tined for the Western frontier of the then territory of Indiana, having at this time arrived in Charlestown, he accepted the in- vitation of the captain to accompany him as trader at the post. These were troublous times indeed, when the border warfare was carried on with the most unrelenting cruelty by the untu- tored savages on the one hand and on the other by passions scarcely less malignant by the boasted civilized white man. Life and property had become so insecure, that many of these com- panies were sent out to protect the inhabitants of these thinly populated regions. They were allowed to establish trading houses for the supply of the wants of the soldiery and friendly Inndians in the vicinity. On their arrival at the place of ren- dezvous, our young friend lost no time in getting to business. His little store was soon opened, and the Delawares and other tribes amicably disposed brought their furs and peltries, and in return received such goods as they could procure of him, and the soldiers were credited until their service money became due. This was an important office for a youth to perform, as much responsibility devolved upon him. It required strict attention to duties and a discriminating judgment to know whom to trust and how far to extend credit to so reckless and prodigal a class as those he was now dealing with. But he happily accomplished what he had undertaken, and at the expiration of the term found himself fully prepared to settle up accounts to the satis- faction of all concerned. On his return to Charlestown, he found that his father had joined the army during his absence, For a small salary he became clerk and salesman for Judge Shelby, of that place, who, in addition to his office of judge,
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added those of tavern-keeper and dry-goods merchant. But he soon found their united exertions did not prove very profitable ; and at the end of two years he resolved on seeking a larger sphere of action.
In pursuance of this object, he came to Louisville, Ken- tucky, in the month of January, 1816. The beautiful city of that name which now stands unequaled by any city in the val- ley of the Ohio or Mississippi for the salubriousness of its cli- mate, the beauty of its situation, and the unparalleled commercial advantages which she possesses, as being the head of navigation for boats of largest class, was at that time re- tarded in its progress by its unhealthfulness. Situated in the midst of swamps and marshes whose poisonous miasms and pes- tilential exhalations, under the form of typhoid and bilious fevers, sent their scores of victims to the grave, it required some degree of courage to take up a residence there permanently But with that penetration for which he has ever been distin- guished, he foresaw its future importance, and at once deter- mined to locate himself there, trusting to his habits of temper- ance and cautiousness in diet to ward off the fell destroyers. Yes, Death had indeed entered the field, and was reaping a rich harvest among the dying, and binding the cords of sorrow around the hearts of the living; and one of weaker nerve and purpose might have faltered at the threshold, but his decision had been made; and then at the outset, as well as at all subse- quent periods of his active life, when his judgment has fully confirmed what reason dictated as the course proper to be pur. sued, he has ever followed it with unswerving steadfastness.
Now, we well know that this principle may be much abused, and under the form of decision of character, an obsti- nate, blind adherence to preconceived opinions, founded on a false basis, may be the cause of much evil in the world ; but much the same mode of reasoning may be applied to all the attributes of greatness when they are possessed by those who have not, as their results prove, a well-regulated mind.
But to resume : Not one familiar face greeted him. A stranger unknowing and unknown, he walked the streets of the dismal city from " morn to dewey eve," endeavoring to find employment. But did he falter ? No. The bright star of
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hope was ever in the ascendant, and whispering him words of comfort and cheer, that the industrious and persevering would always find their efforts crowned with success in the end. Wea- ried at length of this means of attaining that end, he walked into a hotel, kept by a Major Taylor, and presented himself be- fore him. After some questions and answers had been passed between them, " My business will not warrant me in taking you, sir," said the host, " as I could not afford to pay you any- thing." " I want no pay, sir," was the prompt reply of the in- domitable suitor, " and I will stay a few days with you anyhow." The old major, gazing upon that open, manly brow, which it needed not the skill of a professional physiognomist to deter- mine was the index of an honest heart, smiled his assent to this proposition. Now, we might suppose, on a superficial view, that these conditions were not very favorable to our young friend, but he soon commenced operations on such a scale as to show that he was fully competent to any emergency. " Mine host," a merry, jovial soul, who took no thought for the morrow, was one of those who, after spending a fortune in the pursuit of pleasure while young, are forced in old age to resort to some means for obtaining support. He hailed from the Old Domin- ion many years before, with the wreck of his possessions, accom- panied by his wife, who was as thriftless as himself. He had a kindly greeting for all who patronized him, and provided they could tell a good story and produce merry peals of laughter, their accounts were not very strictly scrutinized, But a change soon became apparent in every department, and order was brought out of chaos by the vigilance of our young friend. He soon found himself at the head of affairs. No part escaped his ever watchful eye. From the highest to the lowest offices of the establishment, he was ever ready to lend a helping hand or exert a salutary supervision. The books, too, were overhauled. Accounts which had grown mouldy with age were brushed up and presented for payment to the astonished creditors, who had fondly hoped they had taken " that sleep from which there is no waking." Moneys, too, lent in bygone years, and which had long since ceased to live in the memory department of the good- natured proprietor, or who had, from his want of courage to enforce his demand, yielded their claims to his sympathy, were
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exhumed from their burial-place, and stared once more in living characters before the visions of those who had thus taken ad- vantage of the easy temperament of their creditor. Among many others who were witnesses of the revolution effected by him in the affairs of the major, was James McCrum, a highly respectable hardware merchant of the place, who boarded at the hotel. He was struck by this admirable conduct of our young friend, and showed the interest with which he regarded him by giving him the hand of friendship, and by many of those little acts of courtesy which too many of those who are im- mersed in business and enveloped in its mazy folds fail to be- stow, but which when freely proffered bind together with blessed links the brotherhood of mankind. And here might it not be deemed flattery to eulogize the living, we might be tempted to say much in commendation of this gentleman, who, prompted by the generous impulses of a truly noble soul, showed so deep an interest in the welfare of this youth, and recognized in this indefatigable industry and untiring efforts in the per- formance of his duties, the germs of a comprehensive mind and that business tact so eminently developed in after years.
With what satisfaction must this gentleman, now declining in the vale of life, look back to that period when he cheered our young friend onward in the course he was pursuing, and ten- dered him that friendship and confidence which the lapse of many years has but tended to cement more firmly ! We can scarcely appreciate to its full extent the influence which it is in the power of those to exert, who, having themselves escaped the shoals and quicksands which beset their path in youth, find that they are safely harbored in the stream of the wise and good of the community in which they dwell. These are beacons stand- aloft on the coastways of existence, cheering by their light the inexperienced navigator, who spreads his canvas to the breeze, determined to secure a like safe anchorage, or a warning ing to others to escape the fatal Scylla and Charybdis which they so happily escaped, but in whose vortex so many " youth of promise fair " have been decoyed to their irretrievable ruin. Four months had scarcely elapsed since our young friend's ar- rival at the hotel, when Mr. McCrum offered him a situation as ; salesman in his store. To this with pleasure he consented, not- 1
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withstanding the entreaties and expostulations of the major and his wife, who, finding these unavailing, resorted to tears and every inducement which they could offer to change his deter- mination. But he had decided ; and in a few days we find him " at home " in his new vocation, more than fulfilling the expect- ations of his employer. The same habits which had marked his previous course were still pursued. Early in the morning, while the city was still buried in slumber, he might have been seen putting things in the neatest order, placing bis wares in the most favorable position for the attraction of customers, and making arrangements for the business of the day.
In after life he was frequently heard to say, "My success in business I attribute mainly to this habit of early rising. After I commenced the wholesale dry goods business especially, it was of the greatest importance to be up and on the lookout for strangers, who generally rise early to view the localities, etc. Often have I, while in their slippers, their boots undergoing the process of blacking -introduced myself to them while standing in my door, as they walked the pavement in front of the hotel near which my store was situated. Such a one, after the morning's salutation, I would ask to walk in, view my goods, etc. After breakfast, being booted and ready for making pur- chases, he calls again ; I sell him, perhaps, several boxes of goods, the seller's name being marked on one corner. He goes home; the name attracts the attention of other merchants in the vicinity. Through him they are introduced to the whole- sale dealer, and thus I have acquired the trade of whole vil- lages.
Mr. McCrum left home a few months after Mr. Bowles' engagement with him, and entrusted the latter with the sole direction and guidance of his business concerns during his absence. The responsibility thus devolved upon Mr. B. was great. But his untiring exertions, both mental and physical, kept pace with the occasions that called them forth ; and on Mr. McCrum's return, after an absence of three or four months, he so well appreciated the manner in which his affairs had been managed, that he proffered him a stock of hardware to com- mence business on his own account. Deeply grateful for such a disinterested manifestation of friendship, Mr. Bowles accepted
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the proposition ; but concluded, before putting it into execution that he would visit his relatives in Virginia, as he had not seen them since leaving there in childhood. With a few hundred dollars which he had saved from his salaries, he left Louisville for that purpose, and spent two months in the delightful en- dearments of home, to which he had so long been a stranger.
He returned in the Fall of 18 -. Mr. McCrum, whose heath had been precarious for some time past, and who wished to settle up accounts abroad, collect debts, etc., now offered Mr. Bowles, on his return from Virginia, the entire stock of mer- chandise, together with the stand which he then occupied. The purchase was made; credit to extend from three to fifteen months. Success crowned his efforts, and he was enabled to make a payment of seven thousand dollars within the first twelve months. At this time the difficulties in the financial world were almost unprecedented. The wars which had so long desolated Europe had tended to banish gold and silver as a medium of exchange. The ordinary channels of commerce had been dried up. Not only those who had sowed the wind now reaped the whirlwind, but its ruinous consequences were felt by the whole civilized world. The inflated paper currency which had accumulated to an enormous extent was now reduced to its nominal value. With the return of peace commerce re- vived, and the metalic basis attained its lawful place in the monetary world Europe, blessed with the genial sunshine of peace, endeavored by the pursuits of active industry to make reparation for the long night of darkness which it had been her melancholy lot to endure. Things were now tending to an equilibrium. Our commodities which had attained a false value sank to their real value. Bankruptcy and ruin were the inev- itable result. Relief measures were projected by the Legisla- ture of the State. That of Kentucky established forty-two independent banks, without a specie basis or safeguards to pro -. tect the community from the disastrous effects of a redundant paper currency ; the object being to enable the debtor to pay his debts, the creditor being obliged to receive this irredeem- able paper in payment for those contracted. The Legislature followed up their mistaken system of relief by various succes- sive laws. Replevin, valuation and stay laws were enacted, but
B.MC C.R.O.N O.
City High School House.
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all to no purpose. In the moral as well as the physical world, where there is a radical error, it must be expunged ere the dis- ease can be eradicated. The bubble soon exploded, and those who had foreseen how this state of things must terminate, and had taken advantage of their more sapient neighbors by specu- lation in lands, etc., now urged their claims on their hapless victims. To meet their views the replevin law was extended. Then the Bank of the Commonwealth was chartered. The first issue of its notes were at a discount of 10 per cent,, and soon went down to 50 per cent., for several years ranging from 45 to 60 per cent. The pressure was overwhelming. It seemed as though the barriers which society had interposed for the good of all were about to be overleaped. The better feelings of the moral part of the community prevailed, however, and parties became divided under the names of Relief and Anti-relief par- ties. These were afterward merged into the New and Old Court parties, and these for several years continued to convulse the body corporate to a degree which we of the present can scarcely realize ; living, as we do, at an era when our moneyed institutions are the pride and boast of the sons of Kentucky, their structures being reared on so solid a basis, that not all the sad calamities which have befallen the monetary concerns of the country in later days have been able to prostrate her credit in the commercial world.
In 1825 the moral sentiment had undergone so decided a change for the better, that the obnoxious measures were re- pealed. The eminent judges who had been displaced by the dominant party of former years for their strict adhesion to con- stitutional restrictions, were now replaced by a large majority in the Legislature.
We have thus given a hasty sketch of this period in our earlier history - " times indeed which tried men's souls, and showed what spirits they were of." Those men particularly who were engaged in mercantile pursuits, felt more sensibly than others each throb that agitated the public pulse ; and they who passed this fiery ordeal unscathed certainly " acted well their part." The temptation to speculate with funds so easily obtained had been so great, that the ordinary process of accu- mulating property by slow and industrial pursuits, were aban-
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