USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, from the earliest times to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, etc. > Part 13
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Confidence in the ultimate ratification by the legislature of the plan agreed upon in this conference at Darlington had a salutary effect upon the town of Evansville. Though this legal ratification was not made until January, 1818, the town in the previous summer had been replatted and a large por- tion of the contiguous territory had passed into the possession of Gen. Evans and Mr. Jones. In the meantime, in 1816, J. Vigus
had been licensed to vend foreign merchan- dise in the place, and others found here a favorable place for permanent location. The enthusiasm of McGary and his great confi- dence in the future greatness of his town, no doubt, had much influence in causing set- tlers to locate in the place. He evinced his determination to achieve success by making such improvements as the facilities of the times afforded. At length the whole plan received legislative approval. The bill pro- viding for the organization of Vanderburgh county and carrying out other features of the scheme became a law on January 7, ISIS, and McGary was permitted to enjoy a triumph and a gratification of his ambition, such as seldom comes to the pioneer. That his hopes had been almost crushed when the tide of prosperity seemed turned from his doors to those of Darlington, appears in the fact that, while the legislature had provided means for his recovery of title to the 100 acres of his town site previously conveyed to War- rick county, he had neglected to repossess himself of these lands. When the new county of Vanderburgh was formed, it was found that the title to a great portion of the lands on which the new Evansville stood was vested in Warrick county, and there seemed to be some doubt as to the existence of a lawful warrant for their trans- fer to McGary. To correct this condition of affairs the legislature passed an act to au- thorize the agent of Warrick county to re- convey to Hugh McGary, thelands which he had previously conveyed to Warrick county through its agent. ' The act was approved by Jonathan Jennings, governor, January 28, 1818.
About this time Col. McGary succeeded in having a post-office established at Evans- ville with him'self as postmaster. His com- mission was dated February 20, 1818. The mails came by land from Vincennes at widely
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OFFICIAL REPORTS.
separated intervals, but even this mail ser- county of $500 in cash or such materials vice was a great boon to the settlers.
As commissioners to determine the loca- tion of the seat of government for the new county the legislature appointed Wm. Har- grove, Archibald Scott, Arthur Harbison, John Stephens, and John Allen. Of these, | selves personally and individually responsible. only the two first named appeared at the time and place designated for their meeting. To fill the vacancies occasioned by the failure of the other members of the commission to be present, Thomas E. Casselberry, Wilson Bullett, and Elias Barker were appointed. When these men were ready for the trans- action of business the following proposition was submitted for their consideration : On that part of the land proposed as a dona- tion there is a graveyard, which is on the land belonging to Hugh MeGary, one of the proprietors; at this place the said Hugh Mc- Gary reserves one acre of ground to include said graveyard in such manner as to do the least possible injury to said town, which he reserves as a graveyard, the title of which he will not divest himself of in any way. These proposals are respectfully submitted to your consideration. By
The Honorable, the Commissioners ap- pointed pursuant to law to fix the permanent seat of justice for Vanderburgh county :
GENTLEMEN :-- The undersigned proprie- tors of the town of Evansville beg leave to present to your consideration the following proposition, to-wit : Provided you shall feel disposed to fix the seat of justice for the county of Vanderburgh in the town of Evans- ville and have the square which has been designated as the public square on the plat of said town located as the public square for the said seat of justice on which the public building shall be erected, we propose to give as a donation to and for the use of said county, 100 lots includ- ing said public square, that is, the lots included in said square with the streets and alleys appertaining thereto, according to the plan of said town, as a donation for the use and benefit of said county of Vanderburgh,
which we will convey on the terms aforesaid to such persons as may be authorized to receive a conveyance for the same, for the purpose aforesaid. In addition to the aforesaid donation we are authorized by Mr. John Gwathney, of Louisville, Ky., to give a donation to the use of said
as will suit in the erection of the said public buildings, to be paid by the said John Gwathney as the said buildings pro- gress on order from the county commis- sioners, for which donation we make our-
ROBT. M. EVANS, JAMES W. JONES, HUGH McGARY, Proprietors.
March II, ISIS.
Notwithstanding the pre-arranged plan by which Evansville was to be chosen as the seat of government for the county, tradition says that another aspirant at the proper time entered the lists as acompetitor for the honor and advantage. This was Mechanicsville, then an insignificant collection of cabins, whose claims were pressed because of its more central location. The inducements and arguments offered by the promoters of this town were insufficient to secure for it the coveted prize. The report of the commis- sioners is as follows :
" Tothe Honorable, the County Commissioners of Vanderburgh County:
" GENTLEMEN :- Having been appointed agreeable to law to fix the permanent seat of justice in and for the said county of Vander- burgh, being first duly sworn, we therefore report as follows, to wit: We have satisfac- torily examined the situation of said county
104
THE CITY OF EVANSVILLE.
and having taken into consideration the local Scott, Elias Barker, Wilson Bullett, Thomas E. Casselberry. advantages of said county have determined on fixing the permanent seat of justice for the "March II, ISIS." said county of Vanderburgh on the square The deliberations of this commission were conducted in the warehouse of Hugh McGary. designated as the public square in the plan of the town of Evansville. In making this The county commissioners who accepted selection we have paid respect to what we this report and established the permanent consider the local advantages of said county, seat of justice at Evansville, were James although the town of Evansville is not pre- Anthony, David Brumfield and George cisely the center of said county, vet we find Sirkle. In order to comply with the terms that although the town of Evansville is on of the proposition to convey 100 lots to the bank of the Ohio river, vet from the Vanderburgh county an enlargement to the bend of said river extending into said county city was necessary. This was called "Do- much farther than the general course of said nation Enlargement," and appears under river is wont to do, that this site is the most that name upon the maps of to-day. It em- eligible situation which can be procured braced that part of the city lying between equally near the center. The proprietors of Third and Fifth streets and with eastern and the said town of Evansville have proposed western boundaries that coincided with those to give as a donation to the use of said of the original plan. Donation enlargement county 100 lots, including the lots contained then also contained thirty-three out-lots in the public square agreeably to the plan of lying on the lands of Evans and Jones above said town, or in other words. land sufficient Main street, which were afterward vacated, to make 100 lots as aforesaid, and also the and at a later day covered by the Eastern sum of $500 in cash or material suitable for enlargement. Main street was laid out ser- the use of the public building, as they pro- enty-six feet wide, all other streets sixty feet gress, which proposition is herewith deliv- wide, and alleys twelve feet wide. All streets, ered to the honorable, the commissioners for including those passing through the public the said county of Vanderburgh. The per- square, were given to the people as public sons interested in the establishment of the highways. The proprietors' explanation of said seat of justice at Evansville, have also the plat of the Donation enlargement con- delivered over to your commissioners a sub- tained these words: " Lots beginning at scription list amounting to ȘIoo, for the pur- 145 and extending to 217 in arithmetical pose of defraying the expense of the com- progression, are the lots given by the under- missioners appointed to fix the seat of justice signed proprietors to the use of Vander- burgh county, together with the whole of the public square located in this enlarge- ment, and on the original plan of said town, as a donation for the use of said county." Thus it appears, counting the public square as eight lots, that being the number in other blocks of the same size, the actual donation fell ten lots short of the proprietors' promise. aforesaid: your commissioners therefore beg leave to report that they have accepted of, and fixed and established, the permanent seat of justice for the county of Vanderburgh, in the said town of Evansville aforesaid, agree- ably to the terms aforesaid, pursuant to the said proposition and donation aforesaid, by the said proprietors and others aforesaid made. The foregoing report is most respectfully submitted by William Hargrave, Archibald Lots in Donation enlargement were at
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FIRST INCORPORATION.
once offered for sale by the county agent, and by November following the sales had reached $4,142.00. The public square had been cleared, but at that time the lots sold were in the possession of the primeval for- ests. In May, IS19, and again in August of the same year, efforts were made to dispose of more of this property, to enable the new county to construct its public buildings. The lots were sold on a credit of six and twelve months, and notices of the sales were made at Princeton, Vincennes, Harmony, Spring- field, Evansville, Boonville and Henderson, Ky. The art of " booming" towns and selling lots at prices fixed by a confidence in future growth, so extensively practiced in late years, was not then unknown. Though purchases were freely made, considering the newness of the country and the meagreness of the population, some of the lots donated to the county in 1818 remained in its posses- sion unsold as late as 1840.
Thus far McGary had guided his boat with safety over the rocks and through the shoals of adversity. On every side there were evidences of improvement, and the future held out in her extended hand the richest of promises. An era of general prosperity throughout the new state was at hand. Immigrants, industrious and intelli- gent, were coming in great numbers from the south and the east, and from beyond the ocean, to take possession of this land of promise. Throughout the country above and below the little village, sturdy pioneers of strong character were planting their homes. These were drifting from Ken- tucky, whither they had previously come from Virginia, Tennessee and the Carolinas. Back in the forests north of the town, along the road leading to Princeton and Vincennes, men of equal worth were establishing them- selves. Some of them had left the homes of their fathers across the sea, and reaching,
after months of trial and hardship, the town of Pittsburgh, in Pennsylvania, had there embarked in flat-boats destined for this coun- try, bringing with them such implements as might be of use in taming the wild forests and cultivating the soil. Buoyant with hope, yet ready to meet and remove any difficulty, and to adapt themselves to any combination of circumstances, they proved by their conduct that they possessed heroic mettle. In the village, houses were being erected, and men of tact and energy were coming to stay. Hugh McGary's warehouse was officially declared a public warehouse, in- spectors of produce were appointed, roads were opened for the convenience of the public, ferries were established, and every effort to encourage and advance the growth of the town was being made.
But in 1819 and 1820 influences were in operation which soon thereafter produced a period of business depression everywhere throughout the land, but the waves of dis- tress did not reach this village until some- time during the second year named. The population of Indiana in ISoo was 4,875; 1810, 24,500 and in 1820, 147,178. The greater part of this rapid increase was along the southern border, and Evansville and the surrounding country received a fair propor- tion of it.
In 1819 the question of incorporating the village was submitted to a popular vote for decision. The ancient poll book and cer- tificate of election, though yellow with age, are still well preserved, being at this time in the archives of the county clerk's office at the court-house. That the reader may have before him the names of the voters of that day, many of historic sound and some famil- iar to the present generation, these papers are here presented: " At a meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Evansville in the county of Vanderburgh and state of Indiana, on
106
THE CITY OF EVANSVILLE.
Monday, the first day of March, 1819, at the house of Alfred O. Warner, in said town, for the purpose of incorporating said town agreeable to the provisions of an act of the general assembly of the state of Indiana, entitled, 'An act providing for the incor- poration of towns in the state of Indiana,' ap- proved January 1, 1817, Hugh McGary was elected president of said meeting and Amos Clark, clerk, who, after having both taken the oath required of them agreeable to the provis- ions of said act, proceeded to secure the votes for and against the incorporation of said town, which votes were as follows, to-wit: Votes in favor: Daniel McDonald, Isaac Fairchild, John Melvin, Sylvester Bordman, John G. Chandler, John M. Dunham, Porter Fuller, Willard Clark, Hernon Barrows, Alanson Warner, George W. Jacobs, Hazael Putnam, Simeon Lewis, Wilbur Hoag, James Russell, Harley B. Chandler, Alfred O. Warner, William Trafton, William John- son, Elisha Harrison, James A. Boise, Seth Fairchild, Alpheus Fairchild, John Baldwin, John Conner, Richard Irvin, James Stinson, Thomas Johnson, Julius Gibson - 29. Votes against, none.
" We, the undersigned, do certify the above to be a correct statement of the pro- ceedings of said meeting, and of the voters present as they voted on the question of in- corporating the said town.
" HUGH McGARY, Pres. [Seal.]
" AMOS CLARK, CIK. [Seal. ]
" Dated, Evansville, 12th March, 1819."
It having been decided by this expression of the popular will to incorporate the village an election was held one week later, on March Sth, to determine who should serve as justices for the town. The certificate as to the results of this second election is here presented: "At an election held at the house of Alfred O. Warner, in the town of Evansville, on Monday, the Sth day of
March, 1819, for the purpose of electing five trustees for said town agreeable to the provisions of an act of the general assembly of the state of Indiana, entitled 'An act providing for the incorporation of towns in the state of Indiana,' approved January I, IS17. The following is a statement of the proceedings of said election :
"Voters' names .- William Trafton, Harley B. Chandler, Isaac Fairchild, Alpheus Fair- child, George W. Jacobs, Elisha Harrison, D. A. Richardson, D. F. Goldsmith, Thomas Johnson, John G. Chandler, Hugh McGary, John Baldwin, Daniel McDonald, Seth Fair- child, Elam Fairchild, John M. Dunham, Alanson Warner, Hazael Putnam, Wilbur Hoag, Raphael Van Horn, Loring Root, James Russell, Simeon Lewis. Total, 23. " Hugh McGary received 23 votes.
" Elisha Harrison received 23 votes.
" Isaac Fairchild received 24 votes.
" Everton Kennerly received 24 votes.
" Francis J. Bentley received 24 votes. " Alfred O. Warner received I vote.
"We, the undersigned, do certify the above to be a true statement of the proceedings of said election, but Elisha Harrison having declined serving or acting as a trustee for said town, we do therefore certify HughMc- Gary, Isaac Fairchild, Everton Kennerly, Francis J. Bentley, and Alfred O. Warner to be duly elected according to the true intent and meaning of said act. In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals the 12th day of March, IS19.
"HUGH McGARY, Pres. [Seal. ]
" AMOS CLARK, CIK. [Seal. ]"
At the first meeting of the board of trus- tees, which was held on the 20th of March, 1819, Hugh McGary was chosen president, Elisha Harrison, secretary and lister of tax- able property, John Conner, treasurer, and Alpheus Fairchild, collector and marshal. The first tax lexy was twenty cents on the
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PANORAMA OF 1820.
one hundred dollars worth of real property and a specific tax on several kinds of per- sonal property, the total taxes for the year amounting to $191.2834.
At that time there were about 100 inhabitants in the town, and it was now growing fast enough to have a place of pub- lic entertainment. The hospitable house of Hugh McGary had been the favorite stop- ping place for all travelers, but in the spring of 1819 Alfred O. Warner and James Skid- more were granted permission to keep taverns at their houses. In those days licenses were not only necessary before conducting a business of this kind, but rates chargeable for all sorts of entertainment and refreshment were fixed by the authorities. Thus, in ISI9 the rates were, for each diet, 3712 cents; horse keeping, 50 cents ; lodging, 12 1/2 cents; 1/2 pint rum, brandy, or wine, 50 cents; % pint gin, peach or apple brandy, or bounce, 25 cents; and 1/2 pint whiskey, 121/2 cents. In this year J. Virgus opened a country store near the river bank. He was succeeded by Robert Armstrong and the Lewis Brothers. Their stocks were not extensive, being intended to supply only such necessaries as were absolutely de- manded by their pioneer customers. Pro- fessional men, skilled and able, also came to the village about this time. More appro- priate mention of them is made in other connections.
In 1820, John M. Dunham, Daniel F. Goldsmith, Presley Pritchett, William Mills, Jr., and John A. Chandler were elected trustees; James A. Boise was appointed sec- retary, and Alanson Warner, treasurer. At this time, with the advent of hard times, due in part to causes which produced general and wide-spread distress in the east as well as the west, and in part to other causes wholly of a local nature, the growth of the village was checked. Several years elapsed
before it again took up the march of pro- gress. This is, therefore, a convenient point in the story of its career to view the physical aspect of the little village, now grown to such magnificent proportions.
The name of John S. Hopkins must be familiar to all who have given the history of Evansville even a passing thought. From his young manhood until the day of his death, which occurred in 1882, he was conspicu- ously identified with the progress of the place. Possessing a sympathetic nature, ready wit, brilliant talents, and unswerving integrity, he was well equipped to lead a useful and honorable life. Holding at the will of the people, many offices of trust and honor, occupying a high place in business and social circles, and watching the development of the city from very early times, it is not strange that in later years he took a proud interest in its early history and attempted to preserve such facts concerning the pioneer era as might be of interest and value. With this end in view, assisted by a skilled artist, he reproduced upon canvas, from the tab- lets of his memory, a view of Evansville as it appeared to him in 1820, when he came with his father to make this his permanent home. A description of the town as it was at that date is here presented. The use of the names of streets, the numbers of lots, and familiar locations, gives the reader a correct idea, it being only necessary to keep in mind the general plan of the original town as platted upon the maps to be found in almost every home.
This review will begin at the upper part of the town and run down the river, going outward from the river as occasion seems to require. On the river side of Water street, at the corner of Oak street, stood a preten- tious two-story frame house, which was the residence of Elisha Harrison, one of the early residents and men of enterprise and
108
THE CITY OF EVANSVILLE.
spirit, of the town of Evansville. The house still remains, a good deal changed in its general outlines and appearance, and is well known as the old frame residence of Robert Barnes. On lot 33, of the Upper enlargement, stood a two-story frame dwelling, where resided J. Morehouse, also a spirited citizen of his time. On the oppo- site side of First street, upon lot 40, of the Upper enlargement, stood a commodi- ous one-story frame house, which was the residence of Dr. Richardson. In the same house William Caldwell, " Old Part- ner," as he was familiarly called, afterward resided. On lot I, of the Upper enlarge- ment, at the upper corner of Water and Chestnut streets, there was a two-story frame house, which was the dwelling of A. Chandler, the father of the well remembered citizens, William J. and John J. Chandler. Passing out Chestnut street, on lot 97 of the old plan, at the north corner of Chestnut and Second streets, opposite the Cumberland Presbyte- rian church, stood a comfortable two-story frame house which was the property, and perhaps the residence, of the grandfather of Col. Jackson McClain, of Henderson, Ky. On lot 40, old plan, fronting First street, where the Hon. Thomas E. Garvin now resides, was a one-story frame house occu- pied, and perhaps built, by Elam Fairchild.
On lot 4, old plan, just above Walnut street, was a one-story frame house which is still standing, and was for a number of years known as the ferry house. Here hung a fair sized bell which was rung for the purpose of calling the ferryman across the river. The rear part of the house was built on piles driven in a ravine or natural water course which put into the river im- mediately below the Sunset park. This house was erected by Benjamin Jeffery, on lot 6, old plan, fronting on Water street. Be- tween Walnut and Locust streets was the
residence of John Zimmerman, who served as one of the early postmasters of Evans- ville, and as clerk of Vanderburgh county. Adjoining Mr. Zimmerman's residence was a diminutive one-story frame house in which a Mr. Crockwell kept a bakery. On lot 7, old plan, stood a one-story frame house in which James W. Jones, one of the original proprietors of the town site, had the office of county clerk, which official position he then held. On lot 8 at the upper corner of Locust and Water streets, Elisha Harrison had erected a low two-story frame house, which in 1820, was occupied as a store and tavern. When Edward Hopkins and family arrived in Evansville from the east, that gentlemen became in due time the proprietor of this establishment. He removed first to Saundersville and embarked in business there; but returned to Evansville after the experi- ment of building a town at Saundersville had failed, and took charge of the tavern- stand at the corner of Water and Locust streets. After Mr. Hopkins removed from the house, it was continued as a tavern by John Conner. On lot 31, old plan, the site of the St. George hotel, stood a one-story frame house, with porches on both the side streets, which was the residence of Amos Clark. Lot 54, old plan, fronting on First street, where the Chandler block now is, was occupied by the residence of Dr. John Shaw, which was a commodious two-story frame dwelling. Adjoining the residence of Dr. Shaw was the residence of Dr. Willlam Trafton, who was a skillful physician and one of the best known citizens of his time. Dr. Trafton subsequently became the owner of the Shaw property, and made it his per- manent residence. On lot 89, old plan, at the corner of Locust and Second streets, Will- iam Warner, the father of Alfred O. Warner and Major Alanson Warner, and who was the fourth postmaster at Evansville, had a two-
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PANORAMA OF 1820.
story frame dwelling, where Alexander Johnson afterward kept a boarding house. The lot passed into the possession of Dr. Trafton, thence to Marcus Sherwood, and was by him sold to Major B. F. Dupuy. Here Maj. Dupuy resided till the time of his death.
The foregoing were all the houses above Locust street in 1820, which portion of the city embraces most of the fashionable and costly residences of the present day.
On lot 9, old plan, at the lower corner of Locust and Water streets, where White & Dunkerson's tobacco ware-house now stands, was a one-story log house, which was occupied as a store by Jones & Harrison, until this firm gave way to Shanklin & Moffatt. In the rear of Mr. Shanklin's store was a small log house, which was, in 1820, the residence of Will- iam Stinson. On lot 40, old plan, now occupied by the Opera-house, stood a two- story log house with a frame addition in the rear toward the river, where Alfred O. Warner kept tavern. He was succeeded by his brother, Maj. Alanson Warner, who built the Mansion House, the first brick hotel in Evansville. This house was subse- quently the residence of Mr. Francis Linck, and was torn down when the Opera-house was built. On lot 58, old plan, fronting on First street, where the residence of Dr. M. J. Bray now stands, was a frame house in which Presley Pritchett carried on the busi- ness of making hats. Mr. Pritchett, who was a justice of the peace, also kept his office on the premises. Returning to the river front, on lot 10, old plan, now occupied by the American hotel building, there stood a two-story frame house, which was occupied by a Mr. Vernon, and by Alexan- der Price as a boarding house. Subse- quently, Edward Hopkins and his son, John. S. Hopkins, kept grocery in the same
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