USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, from the earliest times to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, etc. > Part 10
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In recent years there has been a rivalry between the cities of Evansville and Terre Haute over the location of the general offices and shops of this road. The con- trolling interest is held by Evansville citizens, and the offices and shops have been retained at this place.
The Straight Line .- The pioneer road had scarcely been completed before efforts were made to construct a line to Indianapo- lis. The soul of the effort was Willard Carpenter, who worked with indefatigable zeal for its success. In the personal men- tion made of that gentlemen elsewhere in this volume is a succinct account of the early reverses which overtook, and for many years checked, the enterprise. It was first called the Evansville, Indianapolis & Cleve- land Straight Line Railroad Company. Right of way through the county poor farm was granted it in 1854. In 1869 the board of commissioners was asked to order an election to grant aid to the road, but they de- clined to make the order. After the first failure years went by without any effort at its revival. At length, however, R. G. Hervey, of Terre Haute, an experienced and prominent railroad man, took hold of the old franchise and induced the city, by a vote of the people, to grant aid to the amount of $300,000. This money, how-
ever, was never paid, the road not being con- structed as promised. However, the 'city's promise hung over it as a debt for many years, and was at length compromised by an agreement on the part of the city to pay $196,000.00. Bonds were issued for this amount. Mr. Hervey failed to complete the road, although having its construc- tion well advanced, and later sold his inter- ests to D. J. Mackey. Mr. Mackey paid Hervey's liabilities for grading, etc., in de- benture bonds, which subsequently became practically worthless and could hardly be sold for 2 cents on the dollar. The road is now a part of the so-called Mackey system, runs through a rich territory, is well managed, and is an important factor in the railroad system of this city.
In 1879 the Local Trade Railroad Com- pany undertook the construction of a system of roads entering at Evansville, and de- signed, as indicated by the name, to secure to this city the commercial trade of the sur- rounding country. Robert A. Hill was its president. It first asked public aid to the extent of $100,000; this petition was with- drawn and $150,000 were asked for. This amount the people refused to grant. Sub- sequently $65,000 were voted to the road on condition that it be completed by Jan- uary Ist, ISSI. The road was not built and the bonds were destroyed. A proposition was then submitted by the Local Trade Company by which it undertook the construction of the Peoria, Decatur & Evansville Road as a part of its system, and asking $100,000 as aid in the construction of the roads. The proposition did not meet with popular approval. The Peoria, Deca- tur & Evansville Road later asked the city to subscribe for $125,000 of its stock, agree- ing to construct its road and maintain its shops in this city. The amount was voted and bonds were issued for 1,250 shares of
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stock, May Ist, ISSo. A building for the company's shops was erected, but shops were not maintained. The bonds were taken up by the city in ISSI, the stock being sold for $125,000, and the road be- came a part of the "Mackey system " by which it is now operated. Running through à surpassingly rich country it is one of the most valuable lines entering the city.
The lines owned and operated by the Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company, form an extensive and important part of the Evansville railway system. The story of their construction is somewhat complicated. In 1870 the city and county respectively subscribed for $150,000.00 and $121,000.00 of stock in the Evansville, Cincinnati & Paducah Railroad Company, which amounts were subsequently doubled, upon a con- solidation of that road with the Evansville & Southern Illinois, and the St. Louis & South- western Railroad companies. In 1873 the consolidated lines under the name of the St. Louis & Southwestern Railroad Company, delivered its stock certificates to the city and county and received bonds in payment there- for. The city had also subscribed for $300,- 000.00 of the stock of the Evansville, Henderson & Nashville Railroad Company, had paid $50,000.00 in cash, and had deliv- ered bonds for the remainder of the amount. By the consolidation of these various lines, connecting Evansville with the south and west. the name of the city was omitted from the company's titles. This aroused the op- position of many citizens, among them H. E. Read, Esq., who has always been watchful of the public interest, and steps were taken to prevent the delivery of the bonds. Gen. E. F. Winslow, then president of the road, secured a compromise of the matter by agreeing that the road should be advertised on all its cars, at all its stations, and in its advertising matter as the St. Louis, Evans- states of the south, it traverses in its course
ville & Nashville Railroad. On this promise the bonds were obtained, the name of the road as indicated was used as promised, but in a very short time it was erased from the cars and not thereafter used. It was gen- erally understood, also, that the contract upon which the people voted aid to the road con- tained a stipulation by which the company was to build and maintain its shops in this city. But the original paper was by some means lost, and the record of the contract showed no reference to the matter of its shops. The road located its shops at Mt. Vernon, Ills. Under Gen. Winslow the western and southern divisions of the line were consolidated in 1872, in order, as was claimed, to lessen the cost of management and operation. The consolidation accom- plished, the western division was bonded for $1,500,000, and the southern division for $1,100,000, by which the stock of the road, of which the city held $600,000, was made practically worthless. The road in 1874 passed into the hands of a receiver, and afterward into the possession of the Louis- ville & Nashville Railroad Company. The bonds issued by the city form a part of its present debt. The connection between the two divisions was effected by means of transfer boats from this city to Henderson, Ky., the road having for a long time free use of the wharf. In 1885 a magnificent steel bridge 3,686 feet in length, and costing $3,000,000, was constructed at Henderson, by which through trains are now run direct from Nashville to St. Louis by way of Evansville. The Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company was chiefly instrumental in building the bridge, owns large amounts of its stock and bonds, and controls its use. This road has done much, under progressive management, to extend the commerce of this city. Connecting Evansville with the great
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a wealthy, fertile and beautiful country noted not less for its varied and enchanting scenery than for the value of its agricultural and mineral products. The offices for the division of the line between St. Louis, Mo., and Nashville, Tenn., are situated in this city, and provisions have been made by which the shops for the division are soon to be established here.
The Lake Erie, Evansville & Southwest- ern Railroad was designed to connect this point with the chief cities of northern Ohio and the southwest to the Pacific coast. This company constructed its road as far as Boonville, Ind., and for a time was unable, because of reverses, to push beyond that point. The road passed into the hands of a receiver and subsequently became the prop- erty of the Louisville, Evansville & St. Louis Railroad Company (the air line), in whose hands its connections have been greatly extended. It traverses the counties of Warrick, Spencer, Perry and Dubois, and at Huntingburgh connects directly with the main line from Louisville to St. Louis. This line opened up a country of vast mineral resources, materially increased the trade of Evansville and enlarged its manufacturing facilities. By contracts recently entered into this entire line has become a part of the Mackey system and is an important artery in Evansville's commerce.
The Ohio Valley Road, running from Evansville to Nashville, Tenn., by way of Princeton and Hopkinsville, Ky., traverses a fine agricultural country, and is a valuable acquisition to the railroad of this place. It has been built but recently, but already the great good to be derived from it is becoming manifest. The Belt Line traverses the sub- urbs of the city connecting the various rail- road lines and chief manufacturing concerns.
the county to appropriate $225,000 to aid in the construction of its line, but the finan- cial panic of that year caused a withdrawal of the petition before action was taken. In I874, the Evansville, Jackson & New Or- leans Railroad Company asked that the county subscribe for $300,000 of its stock; an election was ordered but the order was subsequently rescinded. In 1875, the Hen- derson Mining & Transportation Company asked for $100,000 to aid in building a road from the river bank opposite Evansville to Henderson, Ky. It was commonly called the "Gap Road," but nothing material was realized. In 1875, the Evansville & New- burgh Narrow Gauge Railroad asked Knight township for $21,065.30, but the proposition was defeated at the polls. These propositions show the extent of the efforts made some fifteen years ago for additional railroad facilities. Since that time some of the roads already mentioned at length, have been constructed and placed in operation. Unsuccessful attempts have also been made to obtain other railroad connections. Pro- gressive citizens agree that the full develop- ment of the resources of this famed locality demands new lines to parts of the country not now reached, and competing roads to points already connected by rail with Evansville- the only debatable question being as to the extent, to which the public shall aid these enterprises. There is now a strong senti- ment in favor of extending proper aid to all such undertakings, but Evansville has been so heavily drawn upon in the past, and her generosity has been so imposed upon, in some cases, that the people are slow to give hearty encouragement to even what is recognized as a probable source of great public profit. Out of the vast sums donated to various roads the only direct monetary re- turns were from the sale of E. & T. H. and
The Evansville & Louisville Narrow Gauge Railroad Company, in 1873, asked | P., D. & E. stocks.
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COUNTY ORGANIZATION.
In ISSS, the sum of $60,000 was voted to the Evansville Suburban & Newburgh Railroad, to aid in the construction of its line (a dummy line), from this city to New- burgh, Ind., and to secure the location of the railroad shops of St. Louis & Nashville di- vision of the L. & N. Railroad at this place. These works are in process of construction. Other roads are planned, the chief of these being, perhaps, the Evansville & Chicago and Evansville & Chattanooga.
This brief exposition of the railway sys- tem centering here, is sufficient to indicate its probable influence upon Evansville's fu- ture. That it will be the most powerful agent in increasing the growth and aiding the business of the city can hardly be ques- tioned. Its net work of lines reaches in all directions into rich and valuable territories. That Evansville has it in her power to sup- plant Louisville and Cincinnati, as the gate through which the traffic from the west and northwest shall pass to the south, is not the visionary dream of an idle brain. The achievements of the past and present condi- tions suggest at once a greatness for the city, measured only by the wants and pro- ducts of an extensive and fertile country.
Agricultural Societies .- One of the most important of man's occupations is that of agriculture. In fact, it forms the ground work for all other classes of labor, and no other industrial branch holds to its service a larger portion of the population. In tilling the soil- as in every other vocation, action, to result in success, must be guided by intelli- gence. The best results in educating the masses in any particular branch of science are brought about, and always have been, by concerted action. The needs of organiza- tion for the dissemination of useful knowl- edge, and of coming together for the ex- change of ideas and the comparison of various results obtained through different
modes and processes, were early recognized by the more advanced citizens, and led to attempts at the formation of societies for the promotion of agricultural, horticultural and industrial interests. As early as 1829 the Indiana legislature enacted laws for the organization and encouragement of such societies, but for many years the results throughout the state were meagre. When Joseph A. Wright was elected governor he manifested a great interest in the improve- ment of the conditions surrounding the agri- culturist. February 14, IS51, a law was enacted which afforded means of encourage- ment not contained in former laws. By its provisions a State Board of Agriculture was formed with Gov. Wright as president, and through the influence of this organization and that of the governor, in his individual capacity, many district and county societies were formed.
The Vanderburgh County Agricultural Society was organized soon after the pas- sage of the act of 1851, and comprised among its membership some of the best citizens of the county. For many years Colonel Philip Hornbrook was secretary of the society and did much to advance its interests. The fair grounds were first located on the state road, north of the city, and near Pigeon creek. Here a fair degree of success was obtained, creditable displays were made in all the departments, and the people from all parts of the county gave the enterprise a cordial support. Much substantial good was accomplished through its agency by the scattering of useful knowl- edge among the people, by directing their energies to a more telling activity and by pricking their ambitions. At all of the early fairs speeches were made by learned men upon agricultural subjects and the topics of the times. A great variety of useful articles were offered as premiums for the best of
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Chas Idencin ensino +
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every conceivable thing that might be ex- hibited, from the finest and best of horses and cattle to a pair of socks or a "pretty coat." Among the exhibits contending for prizes were all sorts of live stock, fowls, dogs, products of the field, garden, orchard agricultural implements, mechanical produc- tions, machine woolen goods, domestic man- ufactures, needlework, plowing, horseman- ship, plans for farm houses, barns, cottages, and model farms, essays on farming gener- ally, on hog-raising, etc. A healthy rivalry in these matters could not help but produce beneficial results. In many a household the annual meeting of the society-the county fair, as it was called -held when "the frost was on the pumpkin and the fodder in the shock" was looked forward to as the social event of the year, and what were there heard and seen furnished themes for conversation on long winter evenings to many a family gather- ing about a wide-mouthed, cheerful fire-place.
Some time late in the "fifties " new grounds were selected. They were located on the E. & C. (now E. & T. H.) railroad lines, about three miles from the city. For a short time the society was moderately successful in their new location. During the war period the grounds were used by Mr. William Dean, who was connected with the federal quartermaster's department, as a corral for government horses. After the war the fairs became mere farces and entirely unlike those of earlier days. They lost the support of the people and year after year money was lost by the company. The decline contin- ued until 1873, when a new board of direct- ors was elected, and it was resolved to have , a fair and exposition creditable alike to in- dividual exhibitors and to the county in general. The new directors vigorously en- ered upon their work and successfully con- ducted an exposition in the following 5
September, from which about $40,000 were realized, and which was attended by about 40,000 people. It was, however, devoted more to a display of manufactured articles and the evidences of Evansville's great progress as a city, and to the delights of the and dairy, pickles, preserves, butter, etc., Iturf, than to an exhibit of the fruits of husbandry. The new grounds were twenty-five acres in extent, the exposition building was two stories high, cruciform in shape, 220x170 feet, and contained about 80,000 feet of exhibition space. Commodi- ous amphitheaters, stands for the judges, re- porters and musicians, stables, stock pens, etc., etc., were also provided. After the successful effort of 1873, the society again began to decline. Heavy debts were in- curred, to meet which the grounds were at length disposed of. They now belong to Mr. Charles Schulte. Private driving parks have since been conducted near the city, but no incorporated societies have been formed.
Horse-Thief Detective Association .- When the country was new and redress of wrongs in the courts was difficult and slow, a band of regulators often assumed the duty of taking some persistent violator of the law and of administering such punishment as was deemed best for the public good. The man who unmercifully abused his wife or child, or the one who changed the ear-marks on his neighbor's hogs so as to destroy evi- dence of "vested rights," was a good sub- ject for regulation. But the daring villain who left the neighborhood on a horse not his own succeeded more than any other cul- prit in awakening thorough and widespread indignation. His crime was always magni- fied and never, until very recent years, did it find appropriate place in its relation to other offenses against law. In the "Circuit Rider," Edward Eggleston says: "It is a singular tribute to the value of a horse that lamong barbarous or half-civilized peo-
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ple horse-stealing is accounted an offense more atrocious than homicide. In such a community to steal a man's horse is the greatest of larcenies -is to rob him of the stepping stone to civilization." No less a tribute was paid to the worth of this favor- ite animal by the framers of the code of laws for the territory of Indiana. For the first conviction of horse-stealing, the guilty one was to pay the value of the horse and costs occasioned by his theft, and to receive at the whipping post not less than fifty nor more than two hundred stripes, and for the second conviction, death ! In 1852 the legisla- ture passed a law authorizing the formation of associations for the purpose of catching horse-thieves and bringing them to punish- ment. Seven years later the citizens of Scott and Center townships held a public meeting and organized as a corporation, the " Vanderburgh County Vigilance Com- mittee," for the detection and apprehension of horse-thieves and other felons. The leaders in the movement were Dr. Thomas H. Rucker and Samuel McCutchan. For some years its existence was maintained and effective work in the detection and punish- ment of crime was accomplished.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Capt. James D. Parvin, auditor of Van- derburgh county, though in the prime of his career, has already achieved an honorable record as soldier and citizen. It is not sought to attribute to him the attainment of greatness, as measured by ordinary stand- ards, but in the purity and excellence of his character he exhibits, in a marked de- gree, the qualities which adorn genuine manhood and insure the largest measure of usefulness to society. He descends from an honorable ancestry. His paternal grand- father, Mark Parvin, a sturdy pioneer, was a native of Pennsylvania, born at Reading,
October 20, 1770, who early settled in Gib- son county, Ind. There, in 1810, at the homestead of Gen. Robert Evans, he was married to Miss Martha Evans, a sister of the distinguished general. His name was identified with the early annals of Gibson county, where his death occurred December 29, 1830. The father of Captain Parvin, James McMillan Parvin, was born at Win- chester, Clark county, Ky., May 22, 1818. When twelve years of age he settled in Gibson county, Ind., and there learned the trade of a blacksmith, in the shop of Willis Howe. Coming to Evansville, in 1840, he was engaged as a merchant for about fifteen years, at the end of this time removing to Carlisle, Ind., where he resided until his death, May 7, 1877. He was a man of prom- inence in social and business circles, and in politics was known as a staunch republican. September 17, 1839, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Elizabeth Birdsall, an estimable lady, native of New Jersey, born January 13, 1818, who, at the age of seventeen years, came to Indiana with her parents. Six children were born of this union, five of whom are living. The second of these, James D. Parvin, was born in this city, April 8, 1844. He received a common school education in the public schools of this city and Carlisle, Ind. At the age of eighteen he enlisted in the Union Army to serve three years. September 1, 1862, he was mustered as commissary sergeant in the Sixty-fifth Regiment, Indiana Infantry, and continued as such until September, 1863, when he was honorably discharged, because of physical disability. Returning home he recuperated his strength and, May 25, 1864, again en- listed in Company F, One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Indiana Volunteers, in which he served faithfully until October, 1864. On the 22d of February following, he was com- missioned captain, Company G, One Hun-
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dred and Forty-ninth Indiana Infantry, and remained with his command until mustered out, at Nashville, Tenn., in October, 1865. Returning from the service he located in this city and immediately embarked in the pork and grain business, and later was engaged successfully as a dealer in coal and coke. Dealing fairly with all men, and pursuing his interests with energy, good sense and honor, financial success and personal popu- larity were both attained. Having been an active member of the republican party dur- ing his entire manhood, he was elected in 1886 as the nominee of that party, to the important office which he now holds. His popularity was amply demonstrated by the fact that his majority of 957 votes was more than twice as great as that of any other candidate whose name was on the ticket. The duties of his office have been discharged with great fidelity and unsur- passed efficiency. He is a prominent mem- ber of the K. of P., I. O. O. F., K. of H., A. O. U. W. and G. A. R. fraternities. October 20, 1868, he was married to Miss Jeannette Ehrman, a native of York, Pa., and daughter of Dr. E. J. Ehrman, who was born at Jaxthausen, Wurtemburg, Germany, October 29, 1819, and died in this city in 1881. He was one of the first physicians to adopt and advocate the homœopathic school of medical practice in Pennsylvania, where, in the county of York, he practiced his pro- fession for many years. Coming to Evans- ville in early days, he introduced homœopathy in this place, and after a severe struggle against
Evansville, March 12th, 1845. His pater- nal grandfather, Richard Jenkins, was a native of Kentucky, born in 1793, and pos- sessed the sterling qualities of manliness peculiar to the better classes of the pioneer era in the west. His father, Samuel T. Jenkins, was born in Hamilton, Ohio, in 1822, and died in this city in 1852, much respected. His name was closely associ- ated with the early history of this county. In early days the Jenkins family came to Vanderburgh county and settled in the vil- lage of Evansville. When but a boy Samuel was appointed deputy clerk of the new county, and so apparent were his abil- ities and so acceptable his service that even before he attained his majority he was elected to the office when he was serving as deputy. He was three times chosen to dis- charge the duties of that important position, and died while in office. He was a man of correct business habits, well qualified, effi- cient, trustworthy and popular with the masses. The mother of Charles Jenkins was Elizabeth Chute, a native of Vermont, born in 1824, now residing at Washington, D. C., who belonged to a prominent pioneer family, natives of Vermont, distinguished for many polite and cultivated adornments of character, and for many years favorably known in Evansville. The immediate sub- ject of this mention was reared and educated in this city, his studies being afterward continued for a time at Oxford, Ohio. His capacity for mental work was early manifest. When fifteen years of age ignorance and prejudice built up a large he accepted a position as accountant for practice. He was known in his day as one of the leading physicians in the city. In 1840, he was married to Elizabeth Churchill, an estimable lady, a native of Prussia, who still resides in this city.
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