USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, from the earliest times to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, etc. > Part 41
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short time he sought other employment. While at Glenfield Corners he was offered the position of teacher in the school at that place. The school had been a troublesome one, the last teacher had been unceremon- iously ejected by the larger boys, and in a few days a conspiracy was formed against the new pedagogue; but being determined to rule, he managed to subdue the ring- leader, older and larger than himself, by the union of stratagem and force, and had no further trouble. In 1824, his father, to in- duce his return home, presented him with a farm, and later offered him $600, but these he refused, determining to make his way through life unaided. Two years after, he visited his father and returned with his brother John to Troy, where they engaged in merchandising. Mr. Carpenter prosecuted his business interests with vigor and at one time with such boldness as to dismay his brother, and a dissolution followed. Ephriam, another brother similar in character to Wil- lard, succeeded John, and they continued in Troy ten years. In 1837 Wil- lard came to Evansville at the
solicitation of A. B. Carpenter, whom he joined in the wholesale dry goods and notion business. They began under fav- orable auspices, but suffered in the wide- spread financial crash of 1837. Upon his arrival here, after a trip to Troy, where he had gone to settle his business there, he found the business of the firm in a deplora- ble state. Owing to the crash, their county correspondents were in a precarious condi- tion and sharp work was necessary to realize anything out of their accounts. Mr. Car- penter, however, was equal to the emer- gency. He reached here on Sunday and at once took in the situation. Learning that a company of merchants was to leave for the upper country, by the way of Vincennes and Terre Haute, he saw that his only chance
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was to outstrip them. He left here at nine o'clock that night; at Vincennes employed Judge Law to take charge of his business there; pushed on to Terre Haute; employed Judge Farrington there, and by Tuesday morning, at daybreak, was closeted in Dan- ville, Ill., with an attorney of that place. He then started home, and by Wednesday noon met the other merchants on their outward journey, between Vincennes and Terre Haute. The result was that the Carpenters received their claims in full, while the others hardly realized ten cents on the dollar. This feat practically introduced Mr. Carpenter to Evansville, and the energetic spirit shown in it characterized his subsequent conduct. In February following, he was married to Miss Lucina Burcalow, of Saratoga county, N. Y.
When the state of Indiana found herself almost hopelessly in debt, after the failure of the internal improvement system, Mr. Carpenter violently opposed every sugges- tion of repudiation, and took a prominent part in providing means of an honorable sat- isfaction of all obligations. At a public meeting held in this city in 1842, it was resolved to ask an appropriation of lands to aid in the completion of the Wabash and Erie canal. Mr. Carpenter circulated the petitions for this purpose in seventeen dif- ferent states and through five different legislatures, defraying his expenses out of his own pocket. The bill, after much oppo- sition, passed both houses of congress, to be ratified, however, by the legislature of Indi- ana. Here there was great opposition, and again Mr. Carpenter made himself useful in advancing the public good. In 1849 he was one of the principal movers in the Evans- ville and Terre Haute Railroad enterprise, subscribing largely, and taking more stock than any other two men in the county. It was intended that this road should run up |sent, to secure them by mortgaging all the
the White River valley to Indianapolis; but in 1853 Mr. Carpenter resigned as a director, and with ex-Senator O. H. Smith entered into an agreement to build a railroad from Evansville to Indianapolis, later known as the " Straight Line." Mr. Carpenter threw his whole intellectual vigor into this work. Over $900,000 were procured on the line --- Mr. Carpenter himself having subscribed $65,000 the work of grading progressed rapidly, the road-bed was completed for fifty-five miles, and Mr. Carpenter went to Europe to purchase the rails. At this juncture opposition sprang up, a pamphlet containing many misrepresentations was published and distributed among the banks and rail-makers in London, Paris and Wales, and when the negotiations were completed excepting the details, he was thwarted in the great undertaking. He then called upon Vorse, Perkins & Co., who had a house in London and also one in New York, doing a commission business for railroad companies in America, and after much negotiation, made a contract with that firm, agreeing to pay them $12,000 of mort- gage bonds per mile upon the road-bed, $100,000 worth of real estate bonds, and $100,000 of Evansville city bonds, which the city had subscribed, but not then deliv- ered. All excepting the Evansville bonds he had with him; and these latter were to be handed over, in July of the same year, to the commission-house of Vorse, Perkins & Co. in New York city. Mr. Carpenter now wrote in full to the vice-president, Mr. H. D. Allis, urging him to call the city council together immediately and ask them to deliver the $100,000 bonds to Vorse, Perkins & Co. in New York. The ene- mies of the road were now at work in his own city, and the council refused. Mr. Carpenter then offered, if they would con-
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real estate he held in the city and county, which was extensive, indemnifying the city, so that the road should be built and cars should be running over the first fifty-five miles -to the Ohio and Mississippi crossing-by the next Decem- ber, 1859. This the council very unwisely refused to do, owing to the selfishness of the opposition party. This caused the failure of the Straight Line railroad - a great detri- ment to Evansville and a great mortification to Mr. Carpenter, who had spent five years of his time, had been once to Europe and fourteen times to New York, all at his own expense. This was thirty years ago. Since that time the business citizens of Evansville have had time to reflect on the mistake they made, and have rectified the same, so far as possible, by at last building the road. In 1865, through Mr. Carpenter's donations, the Christian Home was founded. It consisted of grounds and a large new house of twelve rooms. This act of charity was for the reform of homeless girls who had gone
astray. His donations in this behalf amounted to about $10,000.00. To the various churches of Evansville he gave over $14,000.00. In 1840 he erected a building upon his own land and established the poor house system, whereby the paupers were kept at a great saving to the county. This was ac- complished during his five years' service as county commissioner. He also advanced liberally of his own means for repairing and corduroying roads, and as an evidence of the appreciation of his worth in this particu- lar, he was elected the second term to his office over his own protest. In 1851 he was elected a member of the legislature, and served during the long term of the session of 1851-2. While here he was active in getting through several important measures, among them bills for the equalization of | which was shipped to Evansville via New
taxation; for lowering the salaries of coun- ty officers. and for raising those of state of- ficers. The Willard library is an example of munificence seldom witnessed. The his- tory of this benefaction is elsewhere recorded in these pages. The endowment of this institution was the crowning success of the noble life-work of this unpretending and unassuming man.
Foremost in all enterprises intended for the general good, taking an active part in all questions of state and county policy, he invariably threw his influence in favor of what was right and advantageous for all the community. The latter years of his life were devoted almost entirely to philanthropic purposes. He died November 6, 1883, full of years and full of honor. His wife, who was to him a helpmeet in all that the word implies, died June 30, 1884. Five children were born to them, of whom only two sur- vive, Louisa and Albert W.
One of the prominent landmarks of the city of Evansville is the Carpenter home- stead, situated on the street bearing his name. Mr. Carpenter began its construction in 1848, and completed the building in the fol- lowing year. At the time it was probably the most imposing edifice in this section of the state, and it is said that people came many miles to view it. It greatly resembles the southern style of architecture and is at this time perhaps the most substantial build- ing in the city. Through the center is a broad hall, while extensive piazzas and porches form part of its distinguishing features. Its solidity is in keeping with the character of its builder, and with all his undertakings. All the material excepting the brick was shipped from Lawrenceburg, Ind. After its completion Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter went to New York and there purchased the furniture for the new home
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Orleans. This homestead was occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter until their deaths, and is now owned and occupied by their son, Albert W. Carpenter.
City Library .- On the 29th of July, 1855, a notice appeared in the Evansville Daily fournal and the Evansville Daily Enquirer appealing to the citizens who were interested in establishing a library and reading room, to meet and adopt measures for the organ- ization of an association for that purpose. Pursuant to this call, a meeting was held at the Crescent City Hall on Monday, July 30th, at 8 a. m. An association was formed, composed of thirty-six members, known as the Evansville Library Association, and in- corporated under the laws of the state of Indiana, August 10, 1855, its expressed purpose being to promote the diffusion of useful knowledge. On the ISth of August, 1855, the first election of officers was held, resulting as follows: For president, John Ingle, sr .; vice-president, Conrad Baker; recording secretary, George Foster; corre- sponding secretary, James Harlan, jr .; treas- urer, Samuel Bayard; directors, G. W. Rathbone, J. E. Blythe, G. Copeland, W. E. Hollingsworth, William Heilman.
To defray the expenses of the association this plan was adopted: A capital stock of $30,000 was to be divided into 1,000 shares of $30 each, to be paid in installments of ten per cent annually. The stockholders were to be entitled to all the privileges of the cor- poration. Rooms were selected in the sec- ond story of Judge Foster's building, corner The library contained about 9,600 vol- umes, and was known as the Evansville city library. Its books were subsequently transferred by action of the school board to the alcoves of the Willard library. First and Main streets, and a committee ap- pointed for selecting and purchasing books. Four hundred dollars worth of books were purchased; and Mr. John F. Crisp being elected librarian, the library was opened to Willard Library. - Mr. Willard Carpen- ter was a man of great natural ability, untir- 'growth and prosperity of a city whose subscribers on December 1, 1855. In 1874, very little interest was manifested in the li- ing energy, and intensely interested in the brary; the stockholders who paid up
promptly were few; consequently, citizens did not desire to subscribe to a library which contained no late editions. A meeting of the officers and stockholders was held to discuss the question as to the best method of disposing of the property of the association. It was finally agreed to donate it to the city on conditions. Accordingly, a meeting of the stockholders, for the purpose of trans- ferring all books, paper and property of the association, was held August 11, 1874, Mr. Rahm, representing the city council, and Prof. A. M. Gow, representing the school board, accepting the donation on behalf of the city.
This was the beginning of a new era in the history of the library. Immediately the common council placed the trust in the hands of the school board, consisting then of Dr. H. W. Cloud, J. H. Polsdorfer and Luke Wood. These gentlemen took a deep interest in their work, and as soon thereafter as possible a building on the corner of Seventh and Vine streets was re- fitted and furnished as a home for the new library.
Immediately some 400 additional volumes were ordered, and by June 1, 1875, the more important of these having arrived, the library was for the first time thrown open to the public for the registration of names. On this occasion appropriate addresses were made by James M. Shackleford, Blythe Hynes and Luke Wood. June 14, 1875, books were first loaned to the people.
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development from a village he had wit- nessed and aided. In all the progressive steps of early days the public records, the public press, and the testimony of yet living witnesses, show that he was always in the forefront. His knowledge of men and affairs taught him that the life of a republic in which every man is a sovereign depends on the education of the masses. He was intensely practical in his benevolence, as in all other things, and seeing the need of a library to which citizens of all classes might have access, he endowed an institution which is a monument to his memory more lasting and more suggestive than any column of marble or any statue of bronze. The com- plete scheme of Mr. Carpenter's magnificent benefaction, as stated in the general portion of his letter to the trustees of the institution, which were first named by him, is here presented :
"EVANSVILLE, August 23, 1876.
"GENTLEMEN: I have intended for many years to devote to some public use, a por- tion of the property and means which I have acquired by a long life of labor. I have, at various times, endeavored to benefit the community in which my life has been mostly spent, by inaugurating various enterprises. Legal difficulties, and other obstacles, have intervened to render inoperative, schemes for the public good, which I have at various times undertaken to put in operation.
" After consultation with many gentlemen of this city, I have concluded without fur- ther delay, to establish and endow a public library, to be located in a public park, on land owned by me, situate in the city of Evansville. I am induced to do this in the well-grounded hope that such an institution may become useful toward the improvement of the moral and intellectual culture of the inhabitants of Evansville, and collaterally to those of the state of Indiana; and also
toward the enlargement and diffusion of a taste for the fine arts.
"The city of Evansville has reached in population and commercial importance a period in which such a scheme should, and I have no doubt will, meet with the hearty approval and assistance of the municipal au- thorities and all private citizens.
" In presenting to you the object I propose, I wish you to understand that the details proper to its organization and government, and its future control and conduct, are to be left to your judgment and discretion, and the perpetuity of that control I confide to you and your successors, to be appointed in the manner prescribed in this letter.
"But I desire to present my views in general of the object and purposes of the proposed institution, in order that by no possibility shall the property hereby donated ever be diverted to any other purpose; and that the result of much thought and labor on my part, shall be commensurate with the high objects to be attained; and as a guide, and, as it were, an organic law for you, in the discharge of your duties.
" I have directed skilled attorneys to pre- pare a deed conveying to you the property therein described, estimated by me to be worth the sum of $400,000; the said deed to be signed and executed by my wife and my- self. The property thereby conveyed lies in the limits of Evansville or contiguous thereto.
"I desire and direct that the building for the public library hereby proposed shall be located on that portion of the property designated in said deed which is generally known as Carpenter's field. The remainder of said tract of land known as Carpenter's field shall be forever kept as a public park. It shall be, at the discretion of the trustees, enclosed by a neat fence; and fountains, flowers, trees, grass-plats, and all the usual
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accessories of a park shall be provided and kept in order, so as to make the park a re- sort for the people for all time to come.
" I desire that the co-operation of the city in this scheme of a public park shall be secured, so that the square now owned by the city adjoining this tract of land shall be made subsidiary to the general purpose of promoting public health and popular recrea- tion. The control of the said public park under proper municipal regulations, shall remain with the trustees hereby appointed. You and your successors will constitute forever, a board of trustees, seven in num- ber, to be maintained in perpetual succession for the accomplishment, preservation, and supervision of the purposes for which the library and park are to be established. To you and your successors, therefore, by virtue of the said deed and this instrument, I give full and exclusive power to take, re- ceive and hold in fee simple, the said real estate in said deed particularly described, and to sell and convey in fee simple, at such times and for such prices as may be deemed advisable, all the said real estate except that which is particularly set apart for the said library and park, and out of the pro- ceeds of such sale to erect a suitable building to improve, ornament and adorn said park, and to purchase books, maps and works of art for the use of the people of all classes, races and sexes, free of charge, forever. A permanent fund shall be created out of the proceeds of such sale for the sup- port of the institution."
These words, with a more particular state- ment as to the details of management, by which a suitable building should be erected, books and works of art provided, and the perpetuity of the library maintained, were directed to Thomas E. Garvin, Alexander Gilchrist, Henry F. Blount, John Laval, Matthew Henning and Charles H. Butter-
field, citizens whose names were selected because of Mr. Carpenter's personal knowl- edge of their "fitness for the important trust." The trust was accepted by the gentlemen named, and on the 23d day of August, 1876, the deed conveying the large amount of property set apart from Mr. Car- penter's estate for the purposes of the library, was executed and soon thereafter placed on record. Yielding to a general expression of the public desire, Mr. Carpenter con- sented that the name of the institution should be " The Willard Library," and the name of the park should be " The Willard Park." In his younger days Mr. Carpenter had thrown himself, heart and soul, into the prosecution of many public enter- prises designed to push forward the development of Evansville's magnificence, but never did he take a greater in- terest nor exhibit greater energy and zeal than in the practical achievement of the plan provided for wholly by the results of his past individual effort. He desired in his own lifetime to see the library in successful operation, " to embellish our city, to instruct and elevate the people, and to promote the growth of virtue and knowledge," and at once commenced, in connection with the trustees, the performance of the laborious duties incident to the plan. Reed Bros., architects, planned a building, which in its appearance, its completeness and adaptabil- ity to the purposes named, is a triumph in architecture, an adornment to the city, and an enduring monument to the wisdom of its projectors and builders. Its cost was about $80,000, and it was erected under the per- sonal supervision and direction of Mr. Carpenter, who, notwithstanding his ad- vanced years, visited the building constantly, and within two months of his death climbed to the very top of its walls. The building was not erected by
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contract, and there was not a portion of it slighted in construction.
The death of Mr. Carpenter occurred November 6, 1883, before the library was opened to the public, but not until the build- ing was substantially completed. After his death the trustees finished the building, im- proved the grounds, and with appropriate ceremonies opened the doors of the institu- tion to the people. In the board of trustees some changes have occurred by reason of resignations and removals from the city. At present it is composed of the following well-known citizens: H. F. Blount, Charles H. Butterfield, J. A. Lemcke, Alexander Gilchrist, S. G. Evans, O. F. Jacobi, and Thomas E. Garvin. About 15,000 volumes of the best works on all subjects and some valuable art treasures are nowon its shelves. The efficient librarians are Misses Lou Scantlin and Tillie Goslee, who have been in the institution since its opening.
Evansville Catholic Library Association .-- This association was organized in March, I869, its purposes being to disseminate use- ful knowledge that would aid in the strengthening and upbuilding of the church. Its rooms are at the Church of the Assump- tion, corner Seventh and Vine streets. It contains about 1,000 volumes and is under the control of a board of trustees, with Eugene McGrath, president; E. C. Carson, secretary and librarian.
The Vanderburgh County Library, in the county auditor's office, and the Pigeon Township Library, in the trustee's office, have a large collection of useful books, probably more than 5,000 volumes, acces- sible to the general public, but recent publi- cations are slowly added to these libraries, and because of better facilities afforded by the Willard library, are frequented but little by the students.
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CHAPTER XI.
BENCH AND BAR - CIRCUIT COURT - EARLY TERMS - FIRST OFFICERS - EARLY JUDGES -- JOHN J. AUDUBON IN COURT - TRIAL AND EXECUTION OF JOHN HARVEY - CHARACTER OF EARLY TRIALS- LATER CIRCUIT JUDGES -- CHANGES UNDER THE NEW CONSTITUTION -- COURT SEALS -- PROBATE COURT - COMMON PLEAS - CRIMINAL CIRCUIT COURT - SUPERIOR COURT - THE BAR, PAST AND PRESENT.
ROM the time when, amid grand and | been Evansville, and some facts concerning fearful demonstrations of power, the courts held here before the organization of Vanderburgh county in 1818, are recorded in another chapter. decalogue was given to the world, fit and suitable times and places for the ex- pounding and enforcement of the laws have In this state the circuit court has always been a court .of general jurisdiction, and other courts have been aids or relief for that court; therefore, this chapter will be devoted mainly to the circuit court. From the time of its first organization to the adoption of the code of 1852, the circuit court was presided over by a president judge, a man " learned in the law," and two associate judges in each county elected by the people. The associate judges presided in the absence of the president judge, and sat with him when present, with the power, but rarely exercised, to overrule the president judge. The cir- cuit court, from time to time in Vanderburgh county, has had limitations placed on its jurisdiction by the formation of other courts, as hereinafter adverted to. By the acts of 1852 associate judges were dispensed with. been indispensable in the history of every civilized people; the rigid maintenance of the substantial framework of the laws being the palladium of safety, harmony and order, and the only reliable and sure preventative of confusion, oppression and relaxation into anarchy and barbarism. The importance of law courts, then, cannot well be over-esti- mated. The law, without adequate means for its enforcement, would be a dead letter. The church, notwithstanding its high and holy mission, but for human laws would be powerless, and that such laws are, or ought to be, inspired by divine law, is not dis- puted; but whether so inspired or not, they must be executed by the courts. The judge, the clerk, the sheriff and attorneys are each and all officers and integrals of the court, and in order that justice may be ad- The following is a substantial account of the transactions of the circuit court at its first terms, the records being quoted at some length : ministered, the officers, from the highest to the lowest, ought to be men of known integ- rity, and peculiar fitness for their positions.
The construction of the various public buildings devoted to the administration of justice, and for the punishment of offenders against the law, the formation of the various corporate bodies whose seats of justice have
" February Term, 1818: At a circuit court called and held at the house of Hugh McGary, in the town of Evansville, in the county of Vanderburgh, on Monday, the twenty-third day of February, one thousand
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