USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > Evansville > History of the city of Evansville and Vanderburg County, Indiana, Volume I > Part 4
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Corn was worth twenty-five cents per bushel delivered at the boat and coon skins twenty-five cents each.
And, by the way, it was many a year before coon skins ceased to be an important factor in trading.
My father settled here in 1850, and many a time I've seen the little Green River boats bring him cargoes made up almost entirely of these skins. And even in those days of cheap pelts, a mink skin was worth two to three dollars and an otter skin much more.
All wheat that was raised in the early days was threshed out by horses. The shocks were cut and laid on the ground in a circle and the horses walked over them, around and around. Of course they were laid on very hard ground, so that the grains would not sink in. It is wonderful how clean they kept. After the shocks were well threshed, the straw was pulled away, and what chaff was left was fanned off by wild turkey wings and tails. I have seen this done myself on the farm of David Weller, Sr., back of Henderson, where I used to hunt when a boy. The corn was shelled by hand, and there was a rude crusher near Newburg which was patronized by people here before Anthony built his mill on Pigeon Creek, out on the Stringtown road. (This was afterwards the old Negley mill. I have often fished at the dam when a boy, but the mill at that time, though afterwards rebuilt by another party, had fallen into decay.)
Still there were those who could hardly afford to pay a miller's toll and they crushed their corn by fastening an iron wedge to a limber pole and banging the wedge up and down in a hollow in a stone that would hold little more than two ears of corn at a time. This was almost as primitive as the old Indian way.
Perhaps the question may be asked if our pioneers had no nails, with very little iron and no blacksmith's shops, how did they perform their agri- cultural duties. In the first place, the plow used in those days was all in one piece. The plowshare, point and bar. It was fastened by one bolt through the plowsheath to the top of the beam and that was the only piece of iron about the plow. But this primitive plow cost far more in those days than the very best plow of the present. The moldboard was of the best hardwood usually white oak. Best oak was also used. This mold-
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board was dressed down to the proper shape and then put in the corner of the big fireplace to dry and after being thoroughly dry, could be pol- ished as smooth as any of the steel plows of today. The harrows were made entirely of wood. They used either slippery elm or iron wood for the A harrow, sloping the side pieces out one end and fastening them at the apex with a peg. A cross piece was then placed about the middle of the harrow and also fastened with pegs. The universal auger then came into play and holes were made, into which pegs were driven for the pins of the harrow. They were made of dry hickory and it is astonishing how long they would last. They used both single and double trees in those days but instead of iron to hold the harness everything was fastened with hickory withes. These trees were not expected to last more than one season, but it took only a short time to make them. The horse collars were of course made of corn shucks, fastened together with leather thongs and the roll of the collar was made by sewing on another layer of corn shucks, so that the hames would fit tight. They also made collars of raw hide, cutting them in the proper shape the same as the modern collar, sewing up the edges and filling them with deer hair, bear's hair or any material of that kind. They also made a combination by pounding up ash timber very fine and mixing it with deer hair and this was really a better material for a filler than the ex- celsior that is used today. All bridles were made of raw hide. They used for a bit, a hickory withe, fastening a ring to each end and for the balance of the bridle this bit was then covered with raw hide, so that the horse could not chew it. The Indians use that bit at the present and as the In- dians had no horses until the advent of civilization, they of course got this idea from old pioneers. Hames were made out of roots, the maker select- ing roots that would conform to the shape of a horse's shoulder. The holes for the hames were burned through with an iron rod and fastened by leather thugs. There were no hame hooks such as we attach tugs to at the present day, but in their stead two very strong pieces of raw hide passed through burned holes in the hames. The wagons were of course very primitive and made wheels were unknown. The fore wheels were usually made by sawing circular boards from black gum. The four-inch hole was made in the middle for the axles. They used a hickory withe in holes burned at the end of the axles. These wagons were generally too heavy for horses and oxen was generally used for them. The ox yoke was also made without a particle of iron. The bows were passed up through burned holes in the yoke and held up by withes and the very large ring through which the wagon tongue passed was also made of very strong hickory. Of course a great deal of grease was put on these axles to make them run easily, but they made so much noise that the approach of a wagon could sometimes be told nearly a mile away. Pitch forks were simple saplings with the bark peeled off and the ends pointed. Sometimes the antlers of a deer were driven through burned holes and securely fastened and used instead of forked saplings. Rakes were of course of wood, with the ends
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of deer horns for the teeth. The spade was made of hickory properly seasoned and was fully polished and even oiled and lasted a long time. Of course every one owned a sled. Clumsily made but good not only in winter but in the early spring and late fall, when the ground was moist and it is remarkable to know how easily these crude vehicles would run when once they were worn smooth.
CHAPTER III.
EARLY EVANSVILLE-THE FIRST STAGE COACH-FIRST STORES AND PROFES- SIONAL MEN-ITS APPEARANCE IN 1820-EARLY TRANSPORTATION-THE OLD STAGES-FLATBOATING-HOW THE PRODUCE WAS SOLD.
EARLY EVANSVILLE.
It was a gala day for Evansville when the first stage coach to enter the village jolted over the rough road which led through the main thorough- fare of the town and drew up in front of this two-story log house, the tavern of Ansel Wood. The arrival of the mail with its news of the outside world was an event of importance to the community and was sufficient jus- tification for every one to leave their work to welcome with hearty hand- shakes and eager questions each passenger as he stepped from the vehicle
Willis Howe, one of the pioneer settlers of Gibson county, who for more than fifty years lived in the immediate vicinity of Evansville, rode into town from Princeton, Ind., on the first stage coach to traverse the highway between Vincennes and Evansville having charge of the United States mail on the trip. Some time before his death, Mr. Howe described the appearance of Main street as he saw it when he entered the village that day, riding on the driver's seat, holding the reins while the jehu in charge of the outfit, announced to the eager inhabitants the advent of a mail stage within the precincts of the city, by blowing lustily upon a squeaky old stage horn.
"The street or road," Mr. Howe says, "was pretty well chopped through the timber to a point about three blocks northeast of the court house, then a new brick building, and for two or three blocks the newly made stumps stood so thickly over the surface that only a meandering wagon way marked the line of travel into the town. From Pigeon creek to the village the road- way was indicated by a succession of notched trees, but travelers obeyed their own sweet will by driving wherever there was sufficient opening be- tween the timber for the passage of a wagon and enough soil above the nearly continuous frog pond to make manifest that the timber annually grew out of the earth. Arrived in town the stage coach halted in front of the tavern of Ansel Wood, a two-story log house located between Second and Third streets, half a square from the court house, almost in front of the frame dwelling of Captain Newman that seemed to be the most pretentious edifice in Evansville. Nearly all the population of the town appeared to
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURG COUNTY
have turned out to greet the advent of the stage coach which had been ex- pected and was an occasion of great local importance."
"In front of the tavern," said Mr. Howe, "there were at least two large stumps that had been especially cared for, having iron rings at the top and were utilized by the frequenters of the house for hitching posts."
Later on I will speak of the old stage lines. I knew the drivers of many of them and would often ride out a few miles with them and walk back.
Mr. Tall Clark has celebrated his golden wedding since this work was begun. He came from England in 1851.
When he was twenty-one years old, in 1859, he became a member of the old Evansville fire department. He was stationed at the fire house that stood where the post office is now. When there was a fire the big bell was rung and all of the citizens ran to the hose house and went with the firemen to the fire where they formed a bucket brigade. Mr. Clark saw the pump wagons come into use. The handles were worked by two fire- men and only a small stream was thrown.
Mr. Clark became a stage coach driver, driving the stage coach which ran between Evansville and Mt. Vernon. There were no Indians and bears in these parts in those times but nevertheless, the life of a stage coach driver was extremely fascinating. Time after time Mr. Clark was com- pelled to drive miles out of the direct route to avoid murderous bands of robbers who intended to waylay the coach and hold up the passengers and the United States mail that was carried by the coach. Many times Mr. Clark shot deer from the top of the coach.
The first real store started in Evansville was run by Wm. McKnitt in a small house built by Hugh McGary. He was the father of Mrs. James Steele, who for many years ran a planing mill here. Mrs. McKnitt was a sister of Benoni Stinson, who had a farm below town in 1812.
The second store was opened by a Frenchman, who shortly sold out to a Mr. Armstrong. He in turn sold out to the Lewis Bros., who for many years were identified with this city. Many remember Mrs. Octavia Lewis. It is sad to think that of this old family, and of the two brothers, the only living descendent is Dr. H. A. Lewis, who married Miss Mary Gardner.
At these stores litle money ever passed over the counter. Coon skins were almost a legal tender, the price being twenty-five cents for "winter fur" while a "summer 'coon" was of little value and had no fixed price. Bear skins, wolf skins and wood were regular articles of barter. And this was in 1812, yet so many were the wild animals in this section that I saw store keepers as late as 1856 bring down fur out of Green River and with not one cent of money buy a stock of groceries from the late Samuel E. Gilbert, who established the first exclusively wholesale grocery here in 1850.
RESCENT ENG -0
BLANKENBURG SCHOOL BUILDING
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURG COUNTY
The first attorney to come to this city was Amos Clark, who located in 1814. Daniel Warner, appointed by James Monroe, was the first post- master in 1819.
In 1820 it was decided to elect a board of Town Trustees and the fol- lowing were successful: John M. Dunham, Dan F. Goldsmith, Prestley Prichett, Wm. Mills, Jr., and Jno. A. Chandler, the founder of the Chandler family. James A. Boiss was secretary and Alanson Warner treasurer.
By this time Evansville had become recognized as a town with a future and the rich country back of the river was gradually taken up and cleared into small farms. General Evans in 1824 brought many good farmers from . New Harmony and artisans who begun to settle here had their hands full making tools. Of course steam power was almost unknown and wind or water power was used, but it may be said that the early privation was over. It was in 1820 that Jno. S. Hopkins, a beloved and respected citizen for many long years, first came here as a school boy. Many years ago he sent east for an artist and had a picture of this city painted as it looked when he first saw it.
He simply sketched the outlines from memory and then had them painted in, as he stood over the work. This picture is in possession of his son, and gladly would this work produce it, but Mr. Hopkins has refused to allow it to be copied, to so many, that he was obliged to refuse the writer- an old schoolmate.
Mr. Hopkins however gladly gave a history of this place as he had gleaned it from his father, as follows:
"In 1820 the town extended on the river front from Oak street to Division street and ran back from the river only three or four squares. In fact the buildings off Water, Main and First streets were few in number.
"On the river side of Water street at the crossing of Oak street stood a two-story white frame residence which was for many years the home of Robert Barnes. It was built by Elisha Harrison, an early resident, and one of the contractors who built the first court house. In its day the Harri- son residence was a frequent meeting place of the elite of the city's society.
"Jay Moorehouse, a prominent citizen of the time, and a Whig politician of considerable note, resided on the west corner of First and Cherry streets. His daughter, Maria Moorehouse, was the belle of the city. On the oppo- site corner, across First street, stood a commodious one-story frame dwell- ing, which was the property of Dr. Richardson, one of the early physicians of the town. William Caldwell, otherwise called "Old Partner," lived in this house.
"A two-story frame house, the home of Asaph Chandler, the father of William H. and John J. Chandler, who were well known to all old residents as among the most progressive citizens, stood on the upper corner of Water and Chestnut streets. The north corner of Chestnut and Second streets was occupied by a substantial two-story structure, the home of the grandfather
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of Colonel Jackson McClain, for many years an honored citizen of Hen- derson, Ky.
"Just above the corner of Walnut and Riverside avenue, where the resi- dence of the late Mrs. Mary Stephens now stands, there was a one-story house with a porch in front. It was known as the ferry house and here hung a bell upon a strong upright pole. For many years the ringing of this bell served to call the ferryman from his home on the Kentucky side. The house was built by Benjamin Jefferson, an early resident, partly in a ravine, so that the rear part was erected upon pilings before the spot was filled in.
"Fronting on Water street between Walnut and Locust, was located the home of John Zimmerman, Evansville's third postmaster and later county clerk of Vanderburg County. Adjoining this was a very small one-story building, where a Mr. Crockwell kept a bakery. On the next lot below, still fronting on Water street was the home of James W. Jones, one of Mc- Gary's colleagues in the original booming of the site.
"At the upper corner of Locust and Water streets stood a two-story building, built by Elisha Harrison, in which a store and tavern was kept. When Edward Hopkins came to Evansville in 1820 he became the proprie- tor of this establishment. After Mr. Hopkins the place was continued as a tavern by John O'Connor. Where the St. George is now located stood a large one-story dwelling with long porches facing on both streets. In 1820 it was the residence of Amos Clark, one of the able lawyers of the period, but he afterward disposed of the property to John Shanklin. One of the oldest structures in the town stood at the corner of Locust and Water streets, a log house occupied by the firm of Jones & Harrison, who were later succeeded by Shanklin & Moffitt, and they still later by Shanklin & Johnson. Where the Orpheum theater now stands, stood a two-story log house with a frame addition in the rear, (towards the river) wherein Al- fred O. Warner kept tavern. Major Alanson Warner succeeded his brother and the log tavern gave way to a two-story brick hotel called the Mansion house. This was the first brick hotel in the town.
"On the present location of the First National Bank building, Main and First streets, stood the residence of Dr. Seaman and on the next lot toward the Warner tavern, there was a two-story building known as the 'Warner Den' where the dissolute young men of the village congregated for a hand at cards and from the nightly carousals there the place received its un- desirable name. The blacksmith shop of Colonel Seth Fairchild stood on the corner of Third and Locust streets and in the same block ornamenting the crest of a small hill stood a two-story frame dwelling built by William R. McGary and occupied by Captain James Newman and family. It was one of the most aristocratic homes in the city and was the scene of much princely hospitality. Later on when Captain Newman was elected sheriff, defeating Jay Moorehouse, a crowd of the victor's friends got out a can- non and several pieces of a brass band with the view of showing the cap-
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURG COUNTY
tain their appreciation. He took them all into the house and seated them at the best spread the city would admit in those early days.
"The structures below Main street in the early days were of even more business importance than those above. At the corner of Main and Water streets there was a two-story building where William and James Lewis kept a miscellaneous store, dealing in about all the ware, solid and liquid, sold in Evansville in that period. It was the principal store of the town for a number of years. On Main street near where the Old National bank building now stands was the warehouse of Colonel Hugh McGary, a place of real importance in the pioneer days. Here the Hon. Isaac Blackford held the first court in Vanderburg County with William Wagnon and John McCray serving as associate judges. In the same rooms the county com- missioners held their sessions. Traveling ministers making their regular rounds held church in the old warehouse when it was convenient. Later the firm of Bement & Viele opened a wholesale grocery in the warehouse, doing a thriving business there for many years.
"At a still later date the old structure was moved to Sycamore street between Fourth and Fifth streets, where it was utilized for a long time by John Garisk for pork packing.
"The first jail erected in Vanderburg County stood on the north corner of the public square at the intersection of Main and Third streets. The con- tract for its erection was let to Hugh McGary in 1818. It was built of white oak timber one foot square, double thickness, the logs being bolted together with iron rods. These timbers stood upright and extended into the ground three feet below the lower floor. It was twelve feet square in the clear.
"The historic log house of Hugh McGary was situated on Water street on the second lot below Main street. It was the first house built in the town, was constructed of hewn logs and was 38x18 feet in dimensions. A two-story frame building, the property of Andrew Graham, occupied the location near the corner of Sycamore and Second. This property after- ward passed into the possession of the Catholic church and upon it the first church of that denomination was erected. The Grand opera house now stands on this site. 1155628
"Where Division street runs down to the river, stood a grove of elm trees. When the wharf was graded, these trees with one exception were cut down. Many years later the famous old elm, for it was under this tree that many old citizens believe that Hugh McGary drew up his canoe when he first stepped on the Indiana side of the Ohio River, withered away and died. A young tree of the same variety was planted in its stead and it stands there today surrounded hy an iron fence, a growing monument to the founder of the city."
Mr. Hopkins however does not hold to this belief. In his father's sketch the elm tree shows as a small sapling growing at the foot of a ravine,
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and I am so sure that the elder Hopkins was right that I have elsewhere stated that this old tradition is simply a mistake, like many others.
As this work is intended to be absolutely correct in every little detail, the statements regarding this tree have been made exhaustive.
EARLY TRANSPORTATION.
With its mighty river, its fleets of boats and great railroad lines of the present, to say nothing of its interurban lines in every direction, it is hard to realize how primitive were the ways of transportation in the early days. There were only two markets near here, Vincennes and Louisville, and the country was supplied with small household goods by peddlers. These men carried an endless variety of small goods and took in exchange anything they could send east. There were also pack-peddlers who carried their goods on their backs and they, not being able to "barter," got about all of the change that had crept into the new country.
Many men who were prominent lights in the business world in later years got their first start in peddling. Such men as Asa Bement, Reuben Hart and Willard Carpenter began in this small way.
The heavy articles such as nails, axes, blacksmiths' tools and iron all had to come from Pittsburg and generally came down in flatboats. Cloth, wearing apparel and cutlery came from Baltimore and Philadelphia, being first hauled over the mountains to Pittsburg and then floated down. Calico was thirty cents per yard and most of the women made their dress cloth in their own looms. She who had a real calico dress was the silk dress woman of today.
But as I shall speak of boating later, it is best to tell of the means of transportation that took the place of the railroads of today. The animals in most general use were oxen and for these reasons: they were cheaper, were more easily kept and were better for breaking up new ground-and of this latter much had to be done. All new ground was full of roots and a good horse would soon wear out with the ceaseless pounding of the plow against them. But the ox being slower would simply stop till the impedi- ment was cut out. Again, they were better for going through the new roads, many of which were merely blazed trails, with a road full of deep ruts going through them. People of the present can hardly understand how these roads "wore out." Each time that a wagon wheel struck a stump, it would push the other wheel over and a rut would wear. Then after a rain these ruts would fill with water and soften so that what was called a "chuck-hole" would appear. When these got too numerous the next man would go around them, thus making a new road, and soon there would be half a dozen along one trail. Of course all farmers were expected to "work" the roads each spring, but they did this in a haphazard way.
It soon became necessary for Evansville to branch out. It was rapidly becoming the center of a growing country and was even then the second
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURG COUNTY
town in the state, and it was then that the first regular stage lines were started.
In the early '30s, a band of Englishmen came here from Chattevis, and among them was Joseph Setchell. He went into the livery business on a small scale with Alanson Warner and their stable was on Locust street, just back of where the St. George now stands. Soon he branched out and opened a stable on Division street between First and Second and here he began to send out stage lines. The first one was to New Harmony and next to Mt. Vernon but the Boonville stage was run as a rule by settlers in either Boonville or Newburg. Setchell had the first team of four white horses ever seen here, and had them docked, but used them mostly in his livery business. The old stable burned and he formed a partnership with the late Edward Bowles and built a fine stable where the Vickery building now stands opposite the Custom House. Long after the E. & T. H. was built and long before the days of the L. & N. these stages took the place of railroads. Setchell often drove himself as did Mr. Bowles-who by the way taught me to handle the tandem lines. These stages were the Concord stage differing from the western stages in many respects. Of course on some of the old ones the body hung by straps, but they soon gave way to springs.
These stages carried not only passengers but great loads of stuff in the "boots" at the back. Even in my day I have seen them come in with the boot and the body of the stage completely packed with furs.
They carried the mail, and one small pouch was more than enough. People did not write much in those days, and in the little settlements, if a man got a letter, he generally stood with it in his hands for a time while his neighbors stood around with sympathy in their faces, for he always feared that it contained "bad news." And this was usually the case. People had no gossip to send and a letter generally was a notice of some death. In the summer it was the custom to use two horses, but in winter and the early spring it was hard to pull through with four good horses, for the wheels sometimes sunk into the chuck holes, until the axles dragged.
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