USA > Indiana > Fayette County > History of Fayette County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions > Part 50
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 | 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 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114
The election was held on June 16, 1869, at which three hundred of the voters out of three hundred sixty-five expressed themselves in favor of a city charter. The city charter was procured and adopted, the city ordered divided into three wards, and July 5 appointed as the day for the election of city officers.
The election resulted in the choice of William H. Beck as mayor; C. D. Smith, marshal; Henry F. Kane, clerk; John Uhl, treasurer; A. H. Wood, assessor; council for the First Ward, Train Caldwell and F. Martin; for the Second Ward, John R. McCabe and Lee Thalheimer ; Third Ward, E. F. Clay- pool and John S. Wilson. The mayors since have been: John P. Kerr, 1871; W. C. Forrey, 1872; Gilbert Trusler, 1876; W. C. Forrey, 1877; Charles Roehl, 1880; Charles Murray, 1884; James M. McIntosh, 1886-88; William F. Downs, 1890-92; Hyatt L. Frost. 1894-96; Thomas J. Clark, 1899-1904; Finly H. Gray.' 1904-06; Frederic I. Barrows, 1906-10; Finly H. Gray, 1910-II ; John S. Hankins, 1911-14; Philip Braun, 1914.
In 1917 the city officials were: Philip Braun, mayor; Charles E. Hud- son, treasurer ; W. L. Schaefer, clerk; R. J. Greenwood, engineer; G. Edwin Johnston, attorney. Councilmen : First ward, W. J. Walsh; second ward, Charles Rieder; third ward, A. T. Pigman; fourth ward, John G. Krasser. Councilmen-at-large: James A. Chrismer and John J. Peters. The police department has J. R. Gillespie as chief and six patrolmen ; the fire department has two stations, with G. W. Woolley, fire chief, and nine men. Board of health: Dr. J. M. Sample, Dr. Frank Chitwood and Dr. V. D. Ludwick. Superintendent of cemetery, Charles A. Rieman.
THE TOWN HALL.
In 1848 the commissioners of Fayette county granted the trustees of the town of Connersville permission to erect on the west part of the public square a public building for the use of the town officials. The first story was to be utilized for a town hall and engine house; the second and third stories by any moral or philanthropic association of the city or county that was then, or would thereafter be, recognized by the laws of the state, provided that the consent of the president and trustees of the town was first obtained.
The building was erected by the citizens, the Society of the Sons of Tem-
533
FAYETTE COUNTY, INDIANA.
perance and the Masonic order each paying one-third of the cost. Sherman Scofield undertook the erection of the building for four thousand eight hundred dollars. Each of the three parties was to finish their respective portions. The first floor contains the city offices; the second was used by the Sons of Tem- perance, and the third by the Masonic order. After the Sons of Temperance dropped their organization the Masons took over the second floor. In 1906, and again in 1914, the town hall was remodeled and enlarged and new offices for the efficient conduct of the city's business erected. The building provides accommodations for mayor's office, clerk's and treasurer's office, city engineer's office, and court room.
PUBLIC UTILITIES.
A city is in a peculiar sense a business corporation. It must light and water itself ; carry away its waste products; provide means of protecting itself against fires ; guard the lives and property of its citizens; build sidewalks and streets for them; and as in the case of some cities, means are even provided for a place to bury citizens after death. In many cities part of these various functions are in the hands of private persons, while in others the cities them- selves own and operate them. Every city has its own police and fire depart- ments, and in the case of Connersville the city owns the waterworks. Natur- ally the city installed its own sewerage system, and has built all of its own streets and sidewalks. The telephone system in Connersville, as in all other cities in Indiana, is in the hands of a private corporation.
The oldest cemetery of the city is under municipal management, and a part is set aside for those who are unable to purchase a burying lot. The city hospital does not belong to the city, but to the county as a whole. The following pages are devoted to a detailed discussion of the various public and semi-public utilities of Connersville.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Up to the decade between 1830 and 1840 the villagers protected property against fire as best they could without the aid of a fire engine, the old bucket- line system being then in vogue. Toward the latter part of the decade the first fire engine of the village was purchased of a Mr. Wadley, of Oxford, Ohio, and was called "Pluto." The "Pluto" was a small engine and consisted of a rude device for throwing water placed in a box or bed, the whole being mounted on four small wheels. The water was thrown into the box by a line of men
534
FAYETTE COUNTY, INDIANA.
with buckets extending from the nearest supply. From the box the water was pumped by hand brakes and thrown upon the fire.
The second fire engine introduced into the village was the "Ocean," which was contracted for on June 7, 1848, between the board of trustees of Conners- ville, and D. L. Farnham & Company, of Cincinnati, Ohio. The "Ocean" was what was known as "Farnham's patent horiontal engine," having a row-boat movement, working horizontally without levers. It was a two-stream suction engine, worked by men occupying a sitting posture as oarsmen in a boat. The cost of it was twelve hundred dollars. These two engines were the property of the city authorities up to 1870. On the purchase of the "Pluto" and the "Ocean," volunteer companies were organized and kept up during the use of the engines.
On the organization of a city government in 1869, and the installation of the first waterworks, steps were taken looking to a better system of protecting property from fire. On January 3, 1870, an ordinance to this end was estab- lished providing for a fire department, to consist of sixty able-bodied male citizens, to be divided into four divisions of fifteen members each-three divi- sions of hose and one division of hooks and ladders, each to be located in a suitable place in the city. In accordance therewith the fire department was re-organized on January 19, 1870. It consisted of forty-eight men divided into four sections, a division of twelve men each-one hook and ladder divi- sion, and the others, liose divisions, located as follows: One hose division on Seventh street, just west of the canal; another on Eastern avenue, south of the railroad, and the remaining hose division and the hook and ladder division at the city hall building. There was located at each of the hose divisions one hose reel, and at the hook and ladder division one wagon with the necessary equipments. The department had about eighteen hundred feet of serviceable hose on the reels and about one hundred feet of ladders with the general accompaniments. By an ordinance established in 1875 each member of the department was to receive annually ten dollars, which was increased by another ordinance established in 1881, to twelve dollars and a half. The number composing the department was reduced in the latter year to forty- eight. The whole department was under the supervision and management of an officer styled the chief of the fire department, whose salary was fifty dollars a year. Since the completion of the waterworks the system has been in successful operation.
No radical changes were made in the management of the department between 1881 and 1894. On June 20, 1894, an ordinance provided that addi- tional hook and ladder wagons be acquired and stationed at convenient points
535
FAYETTE COUNTY, INDIANA.
over the city. About the same time a change was made in the composition of the fire department ; six men were employed on full time, that is, the city for the first time had a regular department. However, twenty-four volunteer firemen were retained. The chief's salary was fixed at five hundred dollars. An interesting feature of the department at this stage of the city's history is the fact that the city council ordered that the first volunteer fireman present to have the fire hose out on a call should be given a prize of two dollars and a half. How long this was continued the records fail to state. In this same year (1894) fire-aların boxes were stationed at various points over the city, and as the city has grown new ones have been added, the total in 1916 being thirty-three.
The retention of some of the volunteers in 1894 and their work in con- nection with the six regularly employed firemen does not seem to have been a complete success. Complaints were made that the volunteers were not on hand at all times and the result of these increasing complaints was an order on the part of the city council which abolished forever the old system of volunteer firemen. This occurred in 1899 and since then the city has had a regular body of firemen on full time. At this time a central hose house was established on the north side of the city at Sixth street between Central and Grand avenues.
The next chapter in the history of the department was the establishment of fire station No. 1, in 1906, in the city hall. Fire station No. 2 was opened in 1908 at. the corner of Eighteenth street and the canal. The first fire chief under the new regime in 1906 was Ezra B. Brown. F. I. Barrows being mayor, during which administration the fire department was kept on a non- partisan basis.
The use of horses by the department was. continued up to 1914. In July, 1914, the city, on the recommendation of Chief Hassett, passed an ordinance abolishing horses and provided for the. introduction of motor trucks. On November 30, 1914, the first motor wagon was purchased at a cost of thirty- five hundred dollars for station No. I. It was built by the McFarlan Motor Company, of Connersville. On March 8, 1915, a motor hook-and-ladder wagon was added at a cost of three thousand dollars, also built by the local company. On April 5, 1915, a motor truck for station No. 2 was provided at a cost of thirty-five hundred dollars. The present value of the entire equipment is six- teen thousand one hundred and twenty-one dollars.
Chief Hassett died in the early part of 1915 and the present chief, George W. Woolley, was appointed to succeed him. Chief Woolley was connected with the old volunteer department in the early eighties, and in those days received the munificent sum of twelve dollars and a half a year for his services.
536
FAYETTE COUNTY, INDIANA.
At station No. I, in the town hall, are located the chief and five men; at station No. 2, Assistant Chief C. C. Hibbs and three men. The salary of the chief is nine hundred dollars annually ; the assistant receives eight hundred and fifty dollars ; the firemen are paid sixteen dollars and fifty cents a week.
In 1916 the department responded to sixty-three calls, seven of which were false alarms, leaving fifty-six fires to fight. None of these were serious, the estimated damage being about six thousand dollars. One of the fires, in December, was supposed to be of an incendiary character and a reward of one hundred dollars was offered for such information as would lead to the arrest and conviction of the incendiary.
One of the most serious fires in the history of Connersville occurred on the night of May 19, 1880. The coffin factory, located in the northwestern part of the city limits, was totally destroyed causing a loss of seventy thousand dollars. As a result more than one hundred men were thrown out of employ- ment. In 1905 the Central Manufacturing Company's plant at Seventh street was burned, with a loss of one hundred thousand dollars; a part of their new plant was burned in 1917, with a loss of two hundred thousand dollars.
WATERWORKS ERECTED.
The council of Connersville, in September, 1869, entered into a contract with the Holly Manufacturing Company, of Lockport, New York, for the erection of a waterworks for the city, which was intended to furnish a more efficient and reliable fire protection, rather than with a view to revenue there- from for water supplied for domestic purposes. The waterworks plant was completed in January, 1870, at a cost of forty-seven thousand dollars. The plant was situated about one mile from the center of the city, built on ground bought from Wanee & Martin for five hundred dollars.
The machinery of the waterworks was propelled by power from the Con- nersville hydraulic (formerly White Water ) canal. The power was so regulated that a pressure of from forty to sixty pounds was always kept up in the mains, which was sufficient for all purposes except in case of fire; and in case of an alarm of fire the power was immediately increased to give a pressure of seventy-five to one hundred pounds. The mains were the property of the city, the pumping station being on leased grounds. The annual cost of operating the plant ranged from three to five thousand dol- lars a year, with a gross return of from two or three times this amount. The plant which was established in 1870 was in operation for forty years and was enlarged from year to year to meet the growing needs of the city. For several years the city paid the Hydraulic Company one thousand eight hun-
537
FAYETTE COUNTY, INDIANA.
dred dollars a year for the water which it furnished, the water for both public and private consumption being taken from the canal.
For some years prior to 1910 there was continual agitation on the part of some of the citizens for a purer water supply. When the canal was cleaned out there were occasionally found dead animals in it, particularly about election times, and these occurrences were sufficient to arouse the pub- lic to the need of providing water from another source. In 1910 affairs came to a climax on the waterworks situation; the desire of the hydraulic company for more rent was the last straw on the camel's back. The result of years of agitation and discussion was a decision on the part of the city to build a new plant. This was done in the year 1910, the new plant being in the eastern part of town at Eighth and Fayette streets.
It would be a long story to tell of the building of the new plant, but it is sufficient to state that it was finally erected, although its cost considerably exceeded the original estimate of thirty thousand dollars. This amount was found insufficient to complete the plant and by the time the plant was com- plete the city had expended about ninety thousand dollars. In 1914 the city expended ten thousand dollars on improvements. The water is derived from wells sunk in the immediate vicinity of the plant and thus the city always has the assurance of a plentiful supply of clear water.
At the close of the fiscal year 1916 the plant was found to be self sus- taining, that is, if the interest on investment and the amount of depreciation are not taken into consideration. Operations for the year showed that there was a surplus of eight hundred dollars over and above bare operating expenses. Since this is a municipally-owned utility it is operated with a view to service and not for profit. The plant is in charge of James O. Massey, as superin- tendent. He has a force of eight men under his charge. The clerk of the waterworks department is W. F. Michael.
The charge for domestic water service is a flat rate per opening, aver- aging eleven dollars and fifty cents per annum. For manufacturing purposes the rate by meter is as follows :
Per 100 feet.
Minimum charge.
Under 1,000 cubic feet
$0.12
$ 0.50
1,000 to 3,000 cubic feet.
.09
1.20
3,000 to 6,000 cubic feet
.07
2,70
6,000 to 200,000 cubic feet
.041/2
4.20
Over 200,000 cubic feet
.033/4
90.00
In 1917 there were nineteen miles of water mains within the city limits.
538
FAYETTE COUNTY, INDIANA.
PUBLIC LIGHTING.
The early records of Connersville shed no light as to whether any means existed to dispel the outdoor gloom which comes with night-fall. It is certain, however, that the old-fashioned and much-used oil lamp was the first illuminant to cast its rays on the streets of the town, and that mode of lighting continued until 1875.
Following the granting of the charter of 1869, which gave Connersville the status of a city, a gradual development of civic enterprise ensued, one of the results being the organization of the Connersville Gas-Light Company in 1875. Ground was purchased at the south end of the city and a brick building erected, and Connersville appeared for the first time lighted by gas on Christ- mas night, 1875. As the city progressed additional lights were provided from time to time, and, finally, the municipal authorities decided to supersede the gas light by a system of electric light.
Early in 1887 it became evident that there was a growing desire on the part of the public to have a more modern lighting service inaugurated. To this end the city council passed the following ordinance on March 7, 1887:
The Thomson-Houston Electric Light Company, or their assigns, shall have the privilege of erecting poles, stringing wires and providing the necessary appliances in and over the streets and alleys of said city for the purpose of supplying the citizens of said city with electric light. Said poles, appliances and wires to be so erected and strung at such places and in such manner as will least interfere with the free use and enjoyment of said streets and alleys, under the direction of the committee on the streets and alleys of said city. Provided, however, That such poles, appliances and wires shall be so erected and strung as not to interfere with the use and management of the tele- graph and telephone poles and wires already erected and maintained in said streets and alleys.
This order shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.
Ordered and established this 7th day of March, 1887.
JAMES M. MCINTOSH, Mayor. Attest : WILLIAM F. DOWNS, City Clerk.
However, nothing definite was done in the electric lighting matter until May 5, 1890, when the plat of the location of lights was submitted to and approved by the council. The Connersville Electric Light Company, of which James N. Huston was president, proceeded rapidly with constructive work, and on August 1, 1890, Connersville was electrically lighted. The cost of the public lighting for the first month after installation was two hundred and sixty-two dollars. For December, 1916, the light cost the city seven hundred and eighty dollars and eighty-seven cents.
539
FAYETTE COUNTY, INDIANA.
On July 18, 1892, an order was made to the effect that on and after that date the city should be lighted throughout the night ; said order is still in force.
In January, 1917, the city was supplied by the following service: 140 six hundred candle-power arc lights; 129 pedestal lights, and 20 sixty candle- power arc lights. The Hydro-Electric Light Company is the present con- tractor.
GAS AND ELECTRICITY IN CONNERSVILLE.
The gas and electric plants of Connersville have always been in the hands of private parties, the city never having owned either its own gas or electric plant. The history of the gas company in the city dates back more than forty years, gas having been the means of street lighting from 1875 to 1890. The Connersville Natural Gas Company was incorporated in 1889 and sup- plied natural gas to the city until 1913, when the pressure became so low, that the company began to make artificial gas at the plant on Sixteenth street near White Water canal. In 1914 their plant was enlarged and the latest gas-making machinery installed. On December 24, 1914, natural gas was entirely discontinued. The company, now known as the People's Service Company, has quarters in the McFarlan building on Sixth street. There were a few wells being drilled in the vicinity of the city, but none of them proved successful, the natural gas used in the city being piped in from other fields. It might be mentioned in this connection that there were a few gas wells in the western part of the county, in Fairview. and Posey township, but the supply was only sufficient for the farmers who were interested in drilling the wells. Very little, if any, gas has been piped from the county.
Gas lighting was seen for the first time in Connersville on Christmas night, 1875, and for fifteen years it was the only means of public lighting. The first attempt to introduce electricity was made in 1887, when the Thom- son-Houston Electric Light Company, a foreign corporation, was granted a franchise by the city council. The ordinance of March 7, 1887, granted this company the privilege of putting in the poles and installing the wiring and other apparatus for "the purpose of supplying the citizens of said city with electric lights." This company was not to install the plant proper, but only the poles and wiring. A local company was to equip the plant. The company, however, did not proceed with its plans, and it was not until three years later that definite steps were taken to install a plant.
540
FAYETTE COUNTY, INDIANA.
THE ELECTRIC LIGHT PLANT.
On May 5, 1890, the city council granted a franchise to supply electric service to the Connersville Electric Light Company, organized by James Huston, and by the first of the following August the plant was ready for operation. The first plant was situated at the southern edge of the city and continued in full operation until January 1, 1917, when it became the prop- erty of the Hydro-Electric Light and Power Company. However, in the meantime it had passed out of the hands of the original owner. The plant struggled along for the first five years of its existence and then went into the hands of a receiver. In the early part of 1895 George M. Sinks became the receiver of the company and on March 9 of that year the entire plant was sold at a receiver's sale. The purchaser was George B. Markle of Hazelton, Pennsylvania, who paid twenty-six thousand dollars for the plant.
The new owner had the entire field to himself for the following fifteen years and during that time extended the system to meet the growing needs of the city .. The next chapter in the history of electricity in Connersville came about as the result of the city deciding to install a new waterworks system in 1910. At the time the old waterworks plant was discontinued, the Hydro-Electric Light and Power Company, the successor of the Conners- ville Hydraulic Company, and the owner of the building and part of the equipment of the old waterworks system was organized and at once installed an electric light plant in the building which had been the home of the water- works plant. The first meter was installed on November 27, 1911, and within four years the company had installed more than one thousand meters in the city.
The two electric light companies divided the field between themselves and as a result neither company was able to make much money. It was evident that it would be for the best interests of the owners to have but one electric light-plant, but it was not until January 1, 1917, that the two systems were consolidated. On that date the Hydro-Electric Light and Power Com- pany took over the other plant and at the time this volume went to press the old plant was being dismantled. The Hydro-Electric plant uses both water and steam power, deriving its waterpower from the old White Water canal. The Hydro-Electric plant entered into a ten-year contract with the city for lighting the streets, the contract beginning February 5, 1916.
54I
FAYETTE COUNTY, INDIANA.
SEWERAGE SYSTEM.
The present sewerage system dates from 1894 and each year since that time there have been additions to the system. It is known as the combined storm and sanitary system and with the extensions which are already proposed for 1917 it will be extended to reach practically every lot in the city. The first sanitary sewer in the city was constructed from Seventh street south to the river in 1894 and from it laterals were extended to other parts of the city. In 1904 a combined storm and sanitary sewer was extended from Seventh street to Twenty-second street, and by 1916 this was extended to remainder of the city. The system has cost the city in the neighborhood of $160,000. All the city sewage is emptied into the old mill race at the foot of Seventh street and eventually finds its way into White Water.
STREET PAVING.
The city of Connersville had nothing but graveled or macadamized streets from the beginning of its history down to 1902. In that year the first paving was done in the city, Central avenue being paved with brick from First to Seventh streets. A few other streets were paved for short distances between that time and 1912 when the first concrete paving was started. Since that year all new street paving has been concrete, the alleys being uniformly paved with brick.
Connersville now claims to have more paved streets than any other city of its size in the state and is adding new streets each year. This work has been of such an unusual character that it seems pertinent to list the work done year by year since the inauguration of concrete paving in 1912. The figures have been furnished by Robert J. Greenwood, the present city engineer, and an incumbent of the office eight of the last ten years. He has had general charge of all the paving while in office. The year-by-year summary of paving follows, including the streets paved, the distance improved and the number of square yards of improvement :
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.