USA > Indiana > Knox County > Vincennes > Historical sketches of Old Vincennes, founded in 1732 : its institutions and churches, embracing collateral incidents and biographical sketches of many persons and events connected therewith > Part 14
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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
CATHOLIC KNIGHTS OF AMERICA, BRANCH No. 533.
This is a uniformed rank of a benevolent, social, secta- rian institution of the St. John's German Church, and was organized June 17, 1888. The order is fraternal and pro- tective in its character, is composed of some of the leading men of the church, and, when on parade on special occa- sions, make a creditable appearance in military drill and display. The following were the charter members: The Reverend Agedins J. Merz, Spiritual Director; Henry Scheffers, President; Wilhelm Hehmann, Vice-President; Frank Reiter, Recording Secretary ; Peter Kiefer, Finan- cial Secretary; Gerard Reiter, Treasurer; Bernhardt Scheffers, Sergeant ; Henry Keller, Sentinel; John Hoff- man, Henry Hoffman and John Heller, Trustees. Addi-
221
OLD VINCENNES.
tional charter members were Anton Krack and Bernard Jensen.
This Order now has a membership of sixty-five, and their insurance fund amounts to $82,000. Two of the mem- bers of this society have held high and honorable positions in the national organization. Our worthy fellow-citizen, the Honorable Gerard Reiter, enjoyed the high distinction of being Grand Treasurer of the national organization for several years, and, but for the edict promulgated that all grand officers should make their residence in the city of St. Lonis, where the Grand Lodge is located, he probably would now be the Grand Treasurer. Another member of this local organization, John W. Nordons, was chosen Grand Commander for several successive years. The pres- ent officers of this branch are: The Reverend M. Fleisch- man, Spiritual Director; Gerard Reiter, President : Joseph Clausman, Vice-President ; Frank Reiter, Record- ing Secretary: Joseph Ilans, Financial Secretary ; Joseph Scheffers, Treasurer: Bernard Anton, Sergeant ; Joseph Summick, Sentinel; Henry Scheffers, Henry Deusterberg and JJoseph Ohnemus, Trustees.
MEDICAL.
There is little to be said of the earliest physicians lo- cated here, since no record exists giving their names or labors. It is said a Doctor Tisdale was here as early as 1792, and that Sammel MeKee, Surgeon United States Army, was here as early as 1800, and Doctor Seull, a little later, who was with General Harrison at the battle of Tippecanoe. Knox County history says a medical society
222
HISTORICAL SKETCHES
was organized in 1817, and met again in 1819 for the last time, but no names are given of the members.
The first medical society of Vincennes, of which any au- thentic record exists, was organized June 5, 1827, with the following named members and officers: President, Doctor E. McNamee; Secretary, Hiram Decker; Treasurer, J. Kuykendall : members, Philip Barton, J. D. Wolverton and Doctor O'Haver. Doctor James Porter was elected a member at the same meeting, paying a fee of $5 for a di- ploma.
It is presumed that the society was organized under the provisions of the charter of the Vincennes University, which permitted the conferring of the degree of doctor of medicine. The society was called "The First District Medical Society of Indiana." As the years went by Doctors A. Elliot and J. W. Davis became members : the latter subsequently went into polities and became a United States Minister abroad. In May, 1830, Doctors W. Din- widdie, Joseph W. Posey, Hezekiah Holland, Dr. Pen- nington and Joseph Somes were admitted to membership. In November following Doctor N. Mears joined. In May, 1831, Doctors W. W. Hitt, H. Davidson and O. G. Stewart were admitted.
In years following, up to 1853, there appear on the roll Doctors G. G. Barton, Thomas Nesbit, Joseph Brown, Joseph Maddox, Daniel Stahl, F. M. MeJenkin, F. F. Offatt, William Warner, J. S. Sawyer, John Barry, in June, 1839 ; B. J. Baty, March, 1840; Alexander Leslie, November, 1843; William Fairhurst, November, 1842 : John R. Mantle, November, 1844; James P. De Bruler. November, 1842; Thomas B. Thompson, 1841 ; Hubbard
. 223
OLD VINCENNES.
M. Smith, May, 1849; George B. Shumard, June, 1849; R. B. Jessup, February, 1854.
The first session of the General Assembly of the Terri- tory of Indiana passed a law regulating the practice of medicine, and each judicial district had a medical board whose duty it was to regulate the practice of medicine and surgery. In 1828 this society met again, and among other business passed a resolution recommending the formation of a State society, and also forwarded a petition memo- rializing Congress to pass an act for the formation of a medical pharmacopea. This society's meetings are recorded up to March 23, 1835. The officers were then changed, and the secretary's books, giving further data, seem to have been lost. But the treasurer's books contain records up to February, 1854, the last three members admitted being Hubbard M. Smith, G. G. Shumard and R. B. Jessup, Sr.
In the charter of the Vincennes University a medical department was provided for by the General Assembly of Indiana Territory, and, in 1839, the physicians of Vin- cennes organized a school of medicine, and petitioned the University board of trustees to grant them a room in their building in which to teach medicine. At that time the property of the University was in litigation, the State hav- ing seized it and diverted it to the Bloomington College, and the doctors must have given up their project, as no further records exist of the proposed school of medicine. The charter provision still authorizes the establishment of such a school, and some day in the distant future, when the University is recouped by the State of Indiana for the un- just seizure of its endowment by some of the State's earliest
224
HISTORICAL SKETCHES
Legislators, and our city's population, wealth, intelligence and needs justify, another school of medicine may be or- ganized under it, which may be more successful.
The writer has in his possession the seal of the society, the inscription bearing the words, "Vincennes Medical Society of Indiana, 1832," around the margin, the center being occupied by a beautiful fountain throwing up spray from its uppermost basin, while two dolphins are spouting spray from the sides. This society continued in existence, with occasional meetings, until 1875, when an organization was effected called the "Knox County Medical Society," which became subordinate to the Indiana State Medical Society, upon its organization. On October 26, 1875, the Tri-State Medical Society was organized in this city, com- posed of representatives from the States of Kentucky, Illi- nois and Indiana, as follows: President, Joseph Thomp- son, of Paducah, Ky .; Vice-Presidents, W. A. Smith, of Illinois, J. K. Letcher, of Kentucky, and J. B. Armstrong, of Indiana ; Recording Secretary, George W. Burton, Mitchell, Ind .; Corresponding Secretary, F. W. Beard, Vincennes, Ind. ; Assistant Secretaries, E. II. Luckett, Kentucky, and F. N. Rafferty, Illinois ; Treasurer, Alfred Patton, Vincennes, Ind. Other attending members were: John R. Mantle, Hubbard M. Smith, W. W. Hitt, J. C. Beever, W. H. Beeson, R. B. Jessup, Vincennes; J. S. Dukate, Wheatland; J. T. Freeland, Freelandsville, and W. Witherspoon, Bruceville, Ind.
The society was organized for helpfulness to each other and to bring the physicians of these States in closer touch with each other; but, in a few years, it expanded so as to embrace the Middle Western States, when its name was
225
OLD VINCENNES.
changed to that of "The Mississippi Valley Medical So- ciety ;" and, finally, its membership embraced doctors from all parts of the United States, and rivaled in members and talents the American Medical Association.
The present Knox County Medical Society was organ- ized April 25, 1875, by electing for President J. W. Pugh ; Secretary, F. W. Beard; Treasurer, Alfred Patton ; Cen- sors, O. C. Fairhurst, Hubbard M. Smith and A. J. Haughton. The society now has thirty-five members, and meets bi-monthly at Vincennes. The present officers are: President, J. P. Ramsey ; Vice-President, George Knapp; Secretary, J. W. Smadel; Treasurer, C. E. Stewart ; Ju- dicial Council, Norman Beckes, J. W. Smadel, J. P. Caney, B. F. Chambers, C. W. Benham.
BAR ASSOCIATION.
The first legal courts of Indiana were established here when Knox County was organized, in 1790, and from that period to the present the legal fraternity have been promi- nent in matters pertaining to county, State and general government.
Some of the brightest legal lights of the country have made this town the forum of their forensic eloquence and astute acumen in legal lore, and some have risen to be judges, authors, statesmen, Congressmen, United States Senators and even to the highest office in the Nation.
Early in the nineteenth century Vincennes could boast of learned lawyers, such as George W. Johnson, Alexander Buckner, Benjamin Parke, Thomas Randolph, John John- son, Isaac Blackford, John Rice Jones, Henry Vander- berg, John Gibson, and later Samuel Judah, John Law,
[15]
226
HISTORICAL SKETCHES
C. M. Allen, B. M. Thomas, W. E. Niblack, F. W. Viche, Thomas R. Cobb, Nathaniel Usher, N. F. Malott, Geo. G. Riley, and others of like repute. With this talent, so far as history and tradition go, up to a very recent period, no bar association was formed. It remained for Attorney S. W. Williams to take the initiative in the matter, when a meet- ing was called and held at the Union Depot, November, 1900, at which time the Honorable B. M. Willoughby was elected President ; L. A. Meyer, Treasurer, and Robert G. Cauthorn, Secretary. A constitution and by-laws were adopted and approved by the court and spread upon its records.
The objects of the organization are mutual improvement and benefit of its members; to encourage a fraternity of feeling and social intercourse ; helpfulness to each other in sickness or distress, and to prevent, if possible, the enact- ment of bad laws.
The following are charter members: Samuel W. Wil- liams, H. S. Cauthorn, Sr., J. P. Haughton, Arthur T. Cobb, John L. Buckles, James M. House, Samuel M. Emison, John T. Goodman, Duncan Beckes, William S. Hoover, Oscar B. Williamson, Robert L. Buckles, Jona- than Keith, W. C. Johnson, H. W. Alexander, A. Camp- bell, James S. Pritchett, James W. Emison, George W. Shaw, O. C. Philips, W. A. Cullop, Orlando H. Cobb, W. H. De Wolf, C. E. Dailey, W. F. Calverly, Louis A. Meyer, Thomas B. Coulter, Henry S. Cauthorn, Jr., Joseph T. Randolph, Alvin McClure, Charles G. McCord, Richard F. Davis, John Wilhelm, Elmer E. Smith, Clarence B. Kessinger, E. H. DeWolf, C. B. Judah, B. M. Willoughby, James A. McClure, Joseph Ross, George B. Hazelton and Robert G. Cauthorn.
227
OLD VINCENNES.
The meetings of the association will be held annually, on the day following Thanksgiving Day, and, after looking after the ethics and good of the association in general, the members will look after the condition of the inner man in a sumptuous banquet, worthy of their illustrious and distinguished predecessor, Blackstone, of "ye olden tyme."
The present officers are: President, James W. Emison ; Secretary, Robert Frank Weems; Treasurer, Louis A. Meyer.
VINCENNES HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
This society was reorganized in 1899. Present officers : Judge George Shaw, President; Hubbard M. Smith, Vice-President ; Louis A. Meyer, Secretary ; W. H. Pen- nington, Treasurer.
Chapter X.
MISCELLANEOUS-THE PRESS.
T HE newspaper men of this town have had their ups and downs, as is the case in many other places, es- pecially those who commenced publishing papers early in the nineteenth century. The first newspaper pub- lished in Vincennes was the Indiana Gazette, July 4, 1804, by Elihu Stout. The press and type were brought here on horseback from Frankfort, Ky. In about eighteen months the plant was consumed by fire, but, phoenixlike, it appeared again in 1807, but under the title of The West- ern Sun. Democratic in politics, and continued publication until 1817, when its name was changed again, under other influences, to that of Western Sun and General Adver- tiser. In the forties this paper was sold to John R. Jones, who, with his brother, W. A. Jones, continued its publica- tion until the former received an appointment in Wash- ington, whereupon its publication was suspended. When Jones returned to Vincennes the paper was started again under the name of Jones' Vincennes Sentinel. This pub- lication had a short life, and was followed by the Vin- cennes Indiana Patriot, published by J. Mayes. This same year (1853) J. and M. A. McClaugherty published The Courant, and soon the two papers united, the name being changed to the Courant and Patriot. This paper was sus- pended in 1856, when George E. Green came into posses- sion of the plant, and at once revived the old name, West-
-228-
229
OLD VINCENNES.
ern Sun, after its effacement for about ten years. Mr. Green continued the publication until his death, in 1870. It next passed into the possession of R. C. Kise and A. J. Thomas. On the death of Kise, in 1873, Doctor Alfred Patton became part owner, and in 1876 Royal E. Purcell, the present owner, bought the plant, and has placed it upon a firm and paying foundation. It is now issued as an afternoon daily, and has a weekly edition also.
About the year 1880 W. W. Bailey published for a while a Single Tax paper; and recently Mr. Harbinson started a paper called The Era.
Tradition has it that another paper was started in 1818, but there is no record of any other paper printed here until the establishment of the Vincennes Gazette, by R. Y. Cad- dington, about the year 1829, as an organ of the Whig party, who published the paper for about twenty-five years, at which period it was sold to James A. Mason, G. R. Har- vey and M. P. Ghee, who started the first daily paper ever published in the city, when its Whigism was changed to Republicanism.
After a few years the plant passed into the hands of Doctor Hubbard M. Smith, M. P. Ghee being retained as local editor. In 1861 Doctor Smith, having been appointed postmaster at Vincennes, gave very little attention to the paper, and in a few succeeding years the plant was leased and sold several times to adventurers, who possessed neither money nor brains enough to make it flourish. It reverted to Doctor Smith for non-payment of purchase money, who, in 1865, disposed of it to J. M. Griffin, who published the paper for a year or two, when he removed the plant from the city, and the Gazette ceased to exist.
230
HISTORICAL SKETCHES
During the Civil War several papers were launched for public favors, such as the News of the Day, by J. G. Hutch- inson ; the Old Post Union, by the same publisher ; The Vincennes Times, by R. Y. Caddington and General Laz. Noble, which latter was sold to Malachi Krebbs. When failure was made to pay the balance of the purchase money on the plant, it passed into the hands of J. J. Mayes, John Mallet and A. G. V. Crotts, and in a short time ceased publication. There have been two German pa- pers, of Democratic proclivities, published here, one by Mr. Rosenthal many years ago. The latter was called The Post, edited by Louis Meyer, about ten years ago, but both these papers were short lived.
The Vincennes Commercial was established in March, 1877, by S. F. Horrall & Sons, and was Republican in poli- tics. On February 15, 1881, it was sold to the Commer- cial Company, with J. C. Adams as editor and manager. In April, 1882, it changed its editor and proprietor, be- coming the property of T. A. Adams, who still continues its publication in daily and weekly editions. The paper has been placed by him upon a sound financial basis.
The Knox County Democrat, now edited and published by Messrs. Garrard & Quittle, was started about the year 1891, by Mr. Allen Campbell, who published it for a few years and then disposed of the plant. Like many other junior enterprises, it met with reverses, as it had keen com- petition in older established papers. The present proprie- tors seem to understand their business, and no doubt pluck and energy will finally crown their efforts with success.
The last paper published here was established by a stock company, advocating Republican principles and seeking
-
231
OLD VINCENNES.
popular favor. It is the Capitol, and was edited by George Cook. Its first issue was on February 4, 1899. In March, 1902, Mr. Cook withdrew from the Capitol, and the paper is now published and edited by F. W. Curtis, Perry C. Green and Ralph Dukate.
LIBRARIES-THE VINCENNES UNIVERSITY LIBRARY.
In the year 1808 there was organized the Vincennes Historical and Antiquarian Society following the organi- zation of the Vincennes University, and it was originally intended to be an adjunct to this latter institution. This society flourished for some years, during which time many valuable books and paleontological specimens were accumu- lated. But just as the university was preparing to build up a flourishing institution, the newly fledged State of Indiana presumed that she owned everything in sight, and proceeded to confiscate the university's property, which had been acquired by that institution under act of Congress, and to give the proceeds to Bloomington College. This un- just and unprecedented procedure not only paralyzed the school, but gave a death blow to the Historical and Anti- quarian Society, as it was to rise or fall with the university. It had accumulated many rare books and specimens of value, but from this time forward it eked out a sickly existence, and finally gave up the ghost, and much of its property was lost. Many years afterwards a few persons of a younger generation, bought up all the shares of stock that were in existence, and, for a small consideration, con- veyed the remaining assets of the society to the resuscitated university, which owns the library and antiquarian speci-
232
HISTORICAL SKETCHES
mens. The latter has not received many additions, but the library has been increased in numbers of volumes until it now exceeds 5,000; these books are accessible to the public upon proper application. If the conscience of the State of Indiana is ever pricked to a realizing sense of the injustice practiced on its first educational institution even to pay one-fourth of its indebtedness to said institu- tion, this library will be increased and enlarged in the scope of its benisons, until the university will become what its founders designed it should be in fact as well as name. For the quickening of her conscience let us, together with all lovers of justice and righteousness, devoutly pray.
CATHOLIC CHURCH LIBRARY.
The church doubtless commenced the collection of books at an early period of its existence, perhaps with the advent of its first stated supply in 1794, but no great accumulation of them occurred until the arrival of Bishop Brute, after the See of Vincennes was formed, in 1834. The Bishop's residence became then fixed here, and the nucleus of the library immediately received large accessions of rare and valuable books, printed in all the European languages, some dating as far back as 1476. Many large volumes, 14x18 inches in size, some numbering ten volumes, the text of same being in Arabic, Syrian and Samaritan languages. There is a bible in the French language, printed in Ger- many in 1662; others of the date of 1476. Some of these books are slightly illuminated ; it is said large illuminated books were once in the library, but were lost. Nothing positively is known on the subject, so the Rector, Father
233
OLD VINCENNES.
Guegen, informed the writer. Bishop Brute was a scholar, and had started well the foundation for a magnificent library, and, had he lived a few years longer, would no doubt have added to it largely. This library has grown, with passing years, until is now numbers about 10,000 volumes, many of them rare in this country.
CITY LIBRARY.
About 1850 a philanthropic gentleman by the name of MeClure bequeathed to cach county of Indiana a fund of $500 that should form a basis for a library in each county, to be called the "MeClure Township Library." Under its provisions a township library was formed a half century ago. As no special provision was made to keep it up or care for it, the books became scattered, and were about to become worthless to the public, when, in April, 1889, the city took up the matter and gave it a home in the city hall, and has added to it annually, thus metamorphosing it into a city library, by which name it is now designated. Upon the reorganization of it, under the present title, provision was made for a librarian, a fund for the purchase of new books, regulations regarding the circulation of them, the times of the day when books can be had, etc.
This library now contains about five thousand volumes, and has been conducted in such a manner as to give much benefit and pleasure to the public. The librarians have been competent, faithful and accommodating, Miss Myrtle M. Ruddy, the present efficient librarian, having succeeded, two years ago, Mrs. Judge George Shaw. It is to be hoped that the interest in the city library will not wane, but that the citizens will lend it liberal aid, whether some million- aire comes to their aid or not.
234
HISTORICAL SKETCHES
THE BANKS.
The first banks established in Indiana were at Vin- cennes, but by whom and at what time is not known, as no record exists here of them, or even of the banks of later years ; hence the task of gathering statistics relating to the first banking institutions has been found difficult.
In 1816, when the State of Indiana was admitted to the Union, there were but two banks in the State, one at Madison and the other located in Vincennes, both of which were chartered by the Territorial Legislature. The old Constitution, that of 1816, prohibited the establishment of any bank of issue except the Legislature might charter a State bank and branches, "not exceeding one branch for any three counties.
The first Legislature passed an act establishing a State bank, with branches at Corydon, Brookville and Vevay, and adopting the banks at Vincennes and Madison. "Ow- ing to bad management and speculation, all of the banks failed in 1821, three years after their establishment. For several years after that date there was not a bank of issue in the State." (Bankers' Magazine, 1902, p. 107.)
It is not known to the writer who conducted the first bank, nor the amount of capital it was based upon. Tradi- tion tells of a distillery and mill that were located up the river, opposite the park. There is no other record of any legitimate bank being established until 1836, when the Legislature of the State chartered The State Bank of In- diana, with thirteen branches, one of which was located here, with John Ross President and George Rathborn Cashier, the latter being succeeded by Benjamin F.
235
OLD VINCENNES.
Wheeler, who was succeeded by John F. Bayard. This was the only bank here from that period of time until its charter expired, December 31, 1856. January 1, 1857, the Bank of the State of Indiana came into exist- ence, with John Ross President and John F. Bayard Cashier. On the death of the latter, Joseph L. Bay- ard succeeded to that position in 1859. In 1863, after the national law became operative which taxed State and pri- vate banks 10 per cent., the Bank of the State closed its affairs, and The Vincennes National Bank was organized, and succeeded the old bank with the following officers: John Ross, President ; W. J. Williams, Cashier. Mr. Ross continued President of this institution until his demise in 1873, after a brilliant and faithful service of thirty-seven years, no patron losing a dollar on account of his banks. A better eulogy than this one fact, telling of his integrity and sagacity, could not be passed upon his career as a correct business man.
The Vincennes National Bank continued after the death of Mr. Ross. W. J. Williams succeeded to the presidency and W. M. Tyler was elected Cashier. Some years later, on the death of W. J. Williams, W. M. Tyler became Presi- dent, with Hiram Foulks as Cashier. A few years after this, the bank having ceased to do business on sound bank- ing principles, heavy losses followed, which resulted in the winding up of its affairs, causing great distress to deposi- tors and stockholders.
The First National Bank of Vincennes was organized in September, 1871, with a capital stock of $100,000; J. H. Rabb, President; J. L. Bayard, Cashier. This bank continues to do business. President Rabb continued at the
236
HISTORICAL SKETCHES
head of the institution until his death, being considered the shrewdest and safest financier in the city. J. L. Bayard succeeded to the presidency, which position he still holds ; P. M. O'Donnell, Cashier; H. V. Somes, Jr., Assistant Cashier ; J. L. Bayard, Jr., Bookkeeper.
The German National Bank of Vincennes, with a capi- tal of $100,000, was organized August 5, 18SS. Its officers were: Seleman Gimble, President ; Garret Reiter, Vice- President; George R. Alsop, Cashier. Upon the death of the President, William Baker was elected to that position. The officers at this time are: President, William Baker; Vice-President, Garret Reiter; Cashier, G. R. Alsop; Assistant Cashier, H. J. Broeckman.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.