USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, from the earliest times to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, etc. > Part 24
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About 1835, Charles Bowen became post- master, and upon the election of Van Buren to the presidency, F. E. Goodsell was ap- pointed and served from 1837 to 1841, when he was succeeded by Daniel Chute, who
held the office under Harrison and Tyler from that time until 1845. For four years thereafter, during the administration of President Polk, the postmaster was Benjamin F. Dupuy. In 1849, William H. Chandler, a prominent citizen and for some time prior to the date named, editor of the Journal, succeeded Mr. Dupuy. Prior to this time, appointments were made by the first assistant postmaster general, but Evansville had now become a city, and the business of the office had increased to such proportions that the manner of the appoint- ment was changed, the president naming the officers with the advice and consent of the senate. Mr. Chandler, the first to serve by direct nomination of the president, re- mained in office until 1853, when he gave way to Benjamin Stinson, who, after four years, was succeeded by Christopher R. Rudd. Through appointment by President Lincoln, James H. McNeely assumed con- trol of the office May Ist, 1861, and at the expiration of his term being reappointed, served until 1867, when he was removed for political reasons by President Johnson, Azariah T. Whittlesey being named as his successor. Mr. Whittlesey was superseded in 1869 by Col. John W. Foster, who served until 1873, when he resigned to enter the diplomatic service of his country. President Grant filled the vacancy occasioned by this resignation by the appointment of Theo-
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J. B. Cox,
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UNITED STATES OFFICES.
dore R. McFerson April Ist, 1873, whose successor was F. M. Thayer, who at length resigned, II. S. Bennett being appointed to fill the vacancy. Upon the election of Gro- ver Cleveland to the presidency J. W. Lauer succeeded to the office and is the present in- cumbent.
commenced. In 1872, the increasing busi- ness of the government at this point led con- gress to provide for the erection of a suitable building. Messrs. W. M. Aikin, D. J. Mackey, John W. Foster, M. Henning and Philip Hornbrook, were appointed to select a site, and upon their recommendation the east side of the block now used, 150x144 feet, was purchased. In 1874, an equal amount of adjoining territory was purchased, extending the site to Vine street. The total value of the ground was about $120,000.00, of which the government paid $99,000.00, the remainder being donated by owners of neighboring property. The law, as at first passed, appropriated $100,000, and limited the cost of the building to $200,000.00. In 1873, the limit was fixed at $300,000.00, and an additional $50,000.00 was appropriated.
In early times the post-office was located at the residence or place of business of the incumbent, and was changed with each new appointment. It was first at the house of Hugh McGary, then at the tavern of Ansel Wood, and later at the office of Jacob Zim- merman, who was a justice of the peace. When Mr. Goodsell was postmaster the of- fice was kept in a two-story frame building at the corner of First and Sycamore streets, and later was removed to the corner of First and Main streets on the present site of the First National Bank. Under Mr. The building was erected with James HI. MeNeely as superintendent of construction, Charles Pierce as contractor, and Joseph K. Frick as resident architect, at a cost within the amount appropriated. Subsequently $25,000.00 were expended in the improve- ment of the grounds, etc. Dupuy it was moved to Locust street near the Washington market, and under Mr. Chandler went back to First street. In 1861, when Mr. McNeely took the office, it was lo- cated in a room on the south side of First street, between Main and Locust streets. In 1862, it was removed to the corner room in Evansville was made a port of entry in 1856, through the instrumentality of Judge Charles I. Battell, William Brown Butler and other leading citizens. William Brown was the first surveyor, receiving his appointment from President Fillmore. For some time very little business was done, the chief im- porters being Babcock Bros. Staples in hardware and queensware were the principal imports. All trace chains and like articles were brought from beyond the seas. The officer here was vested with limited powers until June 10, ISSo, when by law, powers equal to those enjoyed by any other port of entry in the United States were granted. June 21, ISSO, the secretary of the treasury decided that Evansville did not transact suffi- Chandler's block, at the corner of First and Locust streets, and in 1865, was established in the building now occupied by the criminal court, formerly the Locust Street Methodist Episcopal church. Again, in 1869, it was removed to the opera-house building on Lo- cust street, below First, where it remained until the government building was erected at the corner of Second and Sycamore streets. This is one of the most imposing edifices in Evansville, and furnishes commodious apart- ments for the postmaster, the surveyor of customs, collector of internal revenue, United States court, United States inspectors of steamboats, and all other government offi- cers. The need of this building was long felt at Evansville before its erection was | cient business to have right of " immediate
11
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transportation," but in April, ISSS, this suspended right was fully restored. Those who succeeded Mr. Brown as surveyor have been: Col. Charles Denby, Dr. Isaac Cas- selberry, Maj. A. L. Robinson, Philip Horn- brook, Joseph C. Jewell, and Maj. J. B. Cox, who has held the office since September, I886.
In addition to the postmaster and the sur- veyor of customs, the following officials are accommodated with ample quarters in the the custom house building: James K. Minor, Deputy Collector U. S. Internal Revenue, Seventh District of Indiana; C. J, Murphy, U. S. Inspector of Steamboat Hulls; John H. Moore, U. S. Inspector of Steamboat Boilers; James W. Wartman. Deputy Clerk U. S. Court and U. S. Com- missioner; Thos. J. Groves, Deputy U. S. Marshal.
City Government .- Prior to the receipt of its charter as a city the village of Evans- ville was governed as an incorporated town. Its trustees from time to time have been named in other connections. Since 1847 it has been controlled by a mayor and common council. The mayors have been : James G. Jones, 1847 to 1852; John S. Hop- kins, 1853 to 1855; John Hewson, 1856 to 1858; William Baker, 1859 to 1867: Will- iam H. Walker, 1868 to 1870; E. G. Van Riper, appointed to fill a vacancy occasioned by the death of Mayor Walker, who died September 9, 1870; William Baker, 1871 to May 23, 1872, when he died, the vacancy thus occasioned being filled by the election of Charles H. Butterfield, at a special elec- tion held June 8, 1872, who, being re-elected, served until 1874; John J. Kleiner, 1874 to 1879; Thomas C. Bridwell, 1880 to 1885; John H. Dannettell, 1886, term expires 1889.
The following named gentlemen compose the present city council : First ward, John B. Uphaus and H. S. Bennett; Second ward,
Thomas J. Groves and John Ingle; Third ward, Henry Stockfleth and William Koel- ling; Fourth ward, William Heyns and George Koch; Fifth ward, F. J. Scholz and A. C. Rosencranz; Sixth ward, Albert Johann and William W. Ross. The present officers are: James H. Foster, auditor; George N. Wells, treasurer; James R. Ferguson, clerk; H. A. Mattison, attorney; John J. Marlett, assessor; M. C. McCutch- an, surveyor.
Police Department .- Until the city char- ter was granted, and, indeed for nearly twenty years thereafter, constables and a city marshal were depended on to preserve order and protect the property of citizens. From 1857 to 1863 Edward S. Martin was city marshal. In 1863 two policemen were appointed. These were Philip Klein, at present the veteran chief of the fire depart- ment, and George Gates. Some time later four others were added to this force, but there was no chief, save the mayor, and each ran his beat as directed by the mayor in person. In 1865 Mr. Klein was elected wharf- master, and, while serving in this capacity, was called by the mayor and council to act at the head of the police department, which suddenly, in an emergency, was increased to thirty-six men. The occasion for this was the hanging of two colored men to a lamp post, near the court-house, by a mob, for an alleged offense of which one of them at least was, after his death, admitted to have been innocent by his accuser. When peace was permanently restored, the force was reduced to six men, and, in addition to their duties as policemen, these were charged with operating the fire department, such as it was at that time. In 1867 Philip Klein was elected marshal, and retained his posi- tion at the head of the police force. His successors were, in 1868, Edward S. Mar- I tin and, in 1869, Christian Wunderlich. The
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CITY GOVERNMENT.
growth of the city now demanded a better system of police surveillance, and the con- struction and management of a proper police force were intrusted to the city council. Philip Klein, who had already rendered such efficient service, was made chief under the new plan, and the force was increased to twenty-two men. His successors were Henry Ayres, Peter Roesner and Joseph App. This system prevailed until re- placed, in ISS.4, by the metropolitan system, which provides for the appointment of three police commissioners by the governor and state officers, who appoint the police- men in e qual numbers from the two political parties, thus securing as nearly as practic- able a non-partisan force. The first of these commissioners were: Dr. M. Muhlhausen, Edward E. Law and J. A. Lemcke: the present commissioners are Edward E. Law, Alexander H. Foster and Adolph Goeke, with F. D. Morton as secretary. The first to the force volunteered to work it. It was chief under the metropolitan system was Frank Pritchett, his successor being George W. Newitt, the present incumbent. The police force at present is composed of forty men, well officered and finely disciplined The captains of the force are Charles Wunderlich and Fred H. Brennecke: the surgeon, Isaiah Wilton. This department has always maintained a high degree of efficiency. Its skill in the detection of crime, and its fearlessness in confronting and dealing with criminals, has been such as to secure to the citizens of Evansville im- munity, to a great extent, from the depreda- tions of law-breakers. While the city is not without many offenders against the majesty of the law, and while some citizens at times may have felt grieved at the existence of unremedied evils, yet, on the whole, the record achieved by the police of Evansville, in their individual official capacities and as a combined force, has been good.
Fire Department .- In early days there was no organized force to resist the ravages of fire. A conflagration called out all citizens, who hurried pell-mell with buckets, ladders, etc., to aid in fighting the flames, it making little difference whether the fire occurred during the day or night. At such times women and children congregated about the scene of destruction to render such aid as was in their power or to enjoy such majestic or ridiculous sights as might be produced by the flames or some wit of the occasion. The most severe fire of early times was that which in 1842 swept from existence all the houses on the east side of Main street between Water and First. In 1847 when the community had attained the rank and dignity of a city a hand engine was introduced. This first fire engine ex- cited the intense admiration of the citizens and especially of the young men belonging named "Union," but subsequently became known as the " Lamasco." After render- ing valuable service here it was sold to the town of Tell City, where it is believed to be in use to this day. Improvement in this department was rapid; by 1852 the city possessed five engines, manned wholly by volunteers, who received no pay. At the head of the organization at first was the well-known citizen, Joseph Turnock. Al- though this department was as efficient as it was possible for it to be, and was com- posed of gentlemen, many of them the first young men of the place, the city grew so rapidly that means for better pro- tection from fire was soon recognized as a necessity. The first steam engine was in- troduced in 1864, and in the following year another was obtained, and by 1867 the use of hand engines was done away with. When the first steam engine was purchased by the city the mayor was ex-officio chief of
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FEDERAL AND MUNICIPAL.
the fire department. The duties of this cient supply of water for all ordinary purposes. position, however, Mayor Baker intrusted The department is provided with two chem- to Philip Klein, then at the head of the city's small police force. The engines were manned by the policemen and such men as the chief could employ on the streets. Cisterns were dug in the streets of the city, and these furnished the water supply. The inability of such an agency to cope successfully with a fire, well under way, is apparent, but this mode of protect- ing the city continued until the water-works were constructed in 1871. At that time the old engines were sold and replaced by a rotary engine, the water supply coming from the mains of the water-works system. This new engine was called "Lamasco," in re- membrance of old times and in honor of its predecessor, the first hand engine. Col. William E. Hollingsworth became chief of this department in its improved condition. Others who have occupied the position have been: Thomas Hopkins, Benjamin Niehaus, William Bedford, jr., Thomas Bullen, and Philip Klein, who has been chief since April, 1887. For more than twenty-five years this veteran has been connected with this Water-works .- Evansville built her own water-works in 1871 at a first cost of $300,- 000, to which has been added since some- thing over $180,000, making the total cost over $480,000. The first plan, owing to the rapid growth of the city, soon became inadequate to supply the ever-increasing de- mand, and additions have several times been made, the last in 1882, when the capacity of the pumps was nearly doubled. No more striking evidence of the growth of the industrial enterprises and the population of Evansville is afforded than the fact that the water capacity, thus increased only six years ago, is now taxed to its utmost to keep up the supply. department, and his efficiency is acknowl- edged by all. There are fifty-seven men on the force, all stationed in the several hose houses, and subject to call at all hours. The pay system was adopted January I, ISSS, by which sufficient compensation is given to claim the entire time of the employe. Prior to that date a portion of the force, under what was called the runner system, followed various pursuits, and were required to re- port for duty only when the fire alarm was sounded. There are ten hose houses, so distributed throughout the city as to afford adequate protection to all localities. The three engines owned are seldom used, ex- cept in case of a dangerous fire in the heart The system in use is the Holly system, the machinery having been furnished by the of the city, the water-works furnishing a suffi-
ical engines, one hook and ladder truck, six hose reels, two hose wagons, and twenty-six well trained horses. The annual cost of sus- taining this department is about $45,000.00. The entire force is well disciplined and efficient. Its training and valor have been displayed on many occasions. The largest fires with which it has had to contend in late years have been that in August, 1887, of the Armstrong furniture factory and Reitz lum- ber yards, and that in November, 1887, on First street, below Main, which consumed property valued at more than $200,000.00. This great conflagration, reaching to both sides of the street, was under control in about two hours from the sounding of the alarm. The force is so well trained that a fire in any part of the city can be reached with one or two reels within three minutes, and by actual test it has been demonstrated that the hose carriages can be run seven squares, and a heavy volume of water be put in full play, within one minute and fifty sec- onds from the sounding of the alarm.
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PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
Holly Manufacturing Company of Lockport, ing of the court-house forced them to N. Y. There are thirty-eight miles of mains, vacate, to give room for the county officials who were driven out by the fire. In later years the council was wont toassemble in an upper room at the Locust Street Methodist Episcopal church, now the Superior court building, and there held their sessions. About 1868 the city purchased the. lot on the northwest corner of Third and Walnut streets, on which there was standing at the time a brick building of small size, into which the city offices were moved. At length, however, the growth of the city demanded better facilities for the conduct of its constantly increasing business, and more secure receptacles for the safe-keeping of with a pumping capacity per day of 5,000,- 000 gallons. There are 1,549 consumers. Under this system water is now used for fire purposes, delivered from the plugs under direct pressure from the main pumps at the water-works station. The water-works sup- ply, for all purposes, 1,460,000,000 gallons annually, or within twenty per cent of the full capacity of the pumps. The property is located on Upper Water street between Oak and Mulberry, fronting 225 feet and running back to the Ohio river at low water mark, about 700 feet. The building is a brick and stone structure three stories high, built in the modern French style of archi- its valuable records and papers than those tecture with a mansard roof and a tower observatory. The building was received from the contractors by the city council, June 1, 1872. The trustees since 1885, when the management of the works was entrusted to a board of trustees, have been: John Haney, M. Moran, Fred Baker, James Taylor, Henry F. Froelich, and Alexander Jack, the three last named constituting the present board of trustees, with Noah Riggs as clerk. afforded by this small building, not at first designed for the purposes which it was being forced to serve and without any of the conveniences or necessities appertain- ing to a public building. Plans for a new structure, prepared by Levi S. Clarke, archi- tect, were adopted, and the contract for building was let to Adam Weichell. The building was completed and received early in 1887, and cost, including the engine house about $42,000. It is a handsome edifice of Public Buildings .- For many years Evansville possessed no buildings devoted exclusively to the transaction of the public business. The mayor's office was at his house or at some place of private business suggested by the convenience of that official. The town council first met at the house of Hugh McGary, and afterward, when the town had grown to some importance, in an old building on Second street, between Main and Locust, where the Courier build- ing now stands. At one time a small brick building, erected by the county on its public square for the use of the county officers, was given up to the town officers for occu- pancy, but immediately thereafter the burn- pressed brick with white stone trimmings, with its main entrance on Third street. A lofty tower adds beauty to the structure and affords to the public the convenience of a clock whose large dial can be seen for several squares. It is substantially built and handsomely finished throughout. On the lower or main floor are commodious and conveniently arranged offices for the city officers; while above are the council cham- ber, the mayor's offices and apartments for some other officials. The edifice is an ornament to the city, and strikingly evi- dences the wisdom of the administration under which it was built. To the north of the city hall, facing Walnut street, is
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FEDERAL AND MUNICIPAL.
another handsome building - police head- quarters and city jail-and to the west, facing Third street, a well designed and neatly built engine house. These public buildings, costing in the aggregate about $50,000, in their completeness and beauty bespeak the wealth of the community as well as its progressive spirit.
Public Improvements .- For many years Evansville, like other villages, paid no atten- tion to the improvement of its streets and pavements. In winter the streets were generally in that miry condition so common to the dirt roads of early days. The river front was unimproved, except by the pro- tection of the bank, and the construction of a cartway, until 1848. The public square was not graded by the county authorities until the town had attained a considerable size and some importance. The street cross- ings were generally made of stones, set on end, a good step apart, which one was sel- dom able to find after dark. But with the dignity that came of being called and known as a city, public improvements were com- menced, and from that time forward vigor- ously prosecuted. The principal streets were at first paved, and the work in this line has been kept up until at present there are over thirty miles of graveled and paved streets. Those in the business por- tion of the city are bouldered, while those leading through residence sections are formed of gravel so laid and pressed by steam-rollers, as to form a smooth, durable highway. The first sewer constructed in the city was that under Division street, and from the river extended about eight squares when completed. The system of sewerage in the city now is very fine, no pains having been spared by those in authority to provide a perfect drainage. The city is on an elevated site, thus having a natural declivity to- ward the river which renders the sewers |
very effective. By 1874 the city had con- structed about nine miles of sewerage which has since been increased to nearly forty miles.
The Street Railway Company was in- corporated in 1867, and has furnished a ser- vice from that time to this such as the grow- ing demands of the city would justify. The company operates its cars by horse power, and has laid down about thirty-six miles of track, traversing the principal business streets, and extending into the suburbs in all directions. The development of the suburbs following the extension of the street car lines has been phenomenal. Within the past five years, immense tracts of land have been laid off into lots, and built up with a good class of houses, most of them the residences of mechanics and laboring men, who, with a few exceptions, own them. Through the efforts of a pro- gressive and considerate management the public is favored with excellent street car service.
All of the principal streets of the city lead out onto roads that are graveled for many miles. While this work has been done by the county, the city is such a bene- ficiary that in its history these splendid roads of perhaps 100 miles in length and all free to the public, deserve a mention at least. It seems appropriate, also, in this connection, to speak briefly of the improvement of the Ohio river in front of the city. For some years a sand-bar, because of its annual accretions, threatened to extend itself along the entire front of the city. In- deed, it attained such an extent that steam- ers were compelled to go far down the river and come up to the wharves on the inside of the bar. Under the direction of Major Merrill, chief engineer of the Ohio River Survey, and Mr. Charles B. Bateman, assist- ant engineer, a dike extending 1,500 feet
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CORPORATE SERVICE.
from the Kentucky shore and so constructed as to throw the current of the river against the sand-bar, was completed in 1874 after two years' labor at a cost of $35,000. The effectiveness of the work has been demon- strated by the entire removal of the obstruc- tion which it was designed to wash away.
The City G.is- Works and Electric Lights. -The Evansville City Gas-works were established in 1852 under a charter from the legislature of Indiana, the original capital stock being placed at $50,000. The first works were built by John Jeffrey & Com- pany, contractors, and the first officers were: Clarence J. Keats, president, and John J. Chandler, secretary. This was during the mayoralty of Hon. James G. Jones, and only five years after the city's incorporation. Commencing with only 115 consumers the circumstances were very unfavor- able, and many of the most in- telligent citizens doubted the propriety of such an undertaking; and although its ac- complishment was secured without any lia- bility on the part of the city, they shrunk from what was a novel and by some con- sidered an unsafe means of furnishing arti- ficial light. Therefore, the early history of the company was one of disaster to its stockholders, and for a number of years it was difficult to meet expenses. But with the rapid progress of the city the invest- ment soon became a paying one. The works have grown and increased with the city; im- provements and additions have been made as the wants of the public required. To a large extent the use of gas has given way in recent years to that of electricity. When the practical use of electricity for furnishing artificial light had been successfully demon- strated in other cities, a company was formed in Evansville for the purpose of in- troducing the new illuminating agent. Much opposition was encountered, but the prog-
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