USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > Evansville > History of the city of Evansville and Vanderburg County, Indiana, Volume I > Part 43
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ruler), H. K. Corrington, S. E. Roach, Frank Schwegeman, John J. Nolan, Harry Lowenthal, Chris Hewig, Phil W. Fry, H. Kruckemeyer and the present exalted ruler, Dr. Will Gilbert, who is filling the position in a most able manner. Of their building it is hardly necessary to say very much. A fine photo of it appears in this work. The interior finish is beautiful. The lodge room proper is almost a facsimile of the Pope's chamber in the Vatican at Rome except that at the joining of the walls to the ceiling, there is none of the gilt work which appears in the Vatican. This gives the Elks' lodge room in the opinion of many, a more finished appearance. The stage for the exalted ruler's chair is so arranged as to slip under a regular stage on which performances can be given. This is directly in the front of the building. There is a fine pool room, grill room, dining room and parlors, while all around are immense porches which are utilized by the Elks and their friends during the summer evenings. The finances of the order are in fine condition and the membership is rapidly increasing. The social ses- sions are still a great feature of the order and it is safe to say that at any of them the feast of reason and the flow of soul is equal to that of any order in this country.
The building stands in the center of a quarter of a square so that there is always plenty of fresh air. This home has been admired by thousands of visitors and almost every Elk who comes to Evansville makes this hos- pitable building his first stopping palce.
For a time, the order of the Iron Hall existed here, being founded in 1881. It had several branches and seemed to be doing all right, but event- ually decided to withdraw from the city.
Aside from these orders there are now a great number of smaller or- ganizations, all of which are in good shape. The Evansville Humane so- ciety has taken on new life and its officers at present are: Mr. F. M. Gil- ,bert, president ; Mrs. L. Townsend, vice president; and Rev. W. Reid Cross, secretary. Mr. Adolph Melzer, who is a life member of the society, has been doing wonderful work of late and is at present engaged in making some new ordinances which will without doubt be passed by the city coun- cil. The old humane laws of the city have been wofully deficient. In fact, they are almost the same as the old English laws of a hundred years ago. The Humane society has a very efficient officer, Mr. Fred Heuke, who is a terror to the many brutes in Evansville who have been in the habit under the lax law of the past, of abusing poor dumb beasts whenever their cow- ardly hearts so desired. The game and fish protective association is doing quite an effective work at all times and the Evansville gun club, which numbers in its ranks some of the best shots in the west, have lately taken in new members and have arranged beautiful club shooting grounds four and one-half miles from the city on the Rockport traction line. The offi- cers are Frank Fuchs, president, and George A. Beard, captain and secre- tary. This club has regular weekly shoots and also shoots on nearly all holi- days and once a year gets up a tournament which is opened to the world,
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with no one barred. The Turnverein Vonwaerts or what were known as the old Turners club, has always been one of the stalwart clubs of the city of Evansville. Many years ago they built one of the first halls for gym- nastic use and for dancing in the city. This was burned down and they built another. They then acquired Germania hall and there has never been ยท a time since I was a small boy that the Turners have not been fully organ- ized and have had some very proficient members in the organization. Prof. Julius Doerter is at present the instructor of the Turners who occupy what was formerly Kingsley Methodist church. In addition to the male members they have female Turners and many of these ladies are experts in the use of the clubs, the dumb bells and rings, while some of them are very expert fencers. This is probably the oldest club that has had an un- interrupted existence during the history of Evansville. It has turned out many athletes in the past who have made almost National reputations and it is a great pity that the American people of Evansville have not felt the absolute need of bringing out the physical development of their children as have those of German birth. The Turners have done untold good in the way of making manly men and they deserve the highest praise for it.
THE EVANSVILLE ORPHAN ASYLUM.
This is one of the strong institutions of the city. It stands as a monu- ment to the memory of one well-known and most warm-hearted women, Mrs. Jacob Sinsich, to whom is due the credit for starting the interest in an institution of this kind. The asylum is a refuge for the homeless little ones who have no parents. Its affairs are looked after by a board who exercise the most careful supervision over all matters of detail. The story goes that on a cold winter morning in 1866 Mrs. Sinsich found two wretched little orphans thinly clad and without friends, home or food, on the wharf. She took charge of them and soon got comfortable homes for them. She brought up the matter of an Orphan's home before Colfax lodge of the Daughters of Rebecca and these ladies found during the same winter, ten orphans without homes or protection, so April 1, 1866, the Asylum was started with eleven children who were placed in the care of Misses Seeley and Hahn at their residence on Mulberry street, near the old cemetery which then stood there. The first officers were: Mrs. N. W. Plumer, Mrs. W. F. Reynolds, Mrs. C. Geisler, Mrs. F. Fisher, Mrs. Elizabeth Turnock, while the board of managers were Mrs. Sinsich, Mrs. Archer, Mrs. David- son, Mrs Saunders, Mrs. Chute, Mrs. Dannetell and Miss Foster.
During the summer they interested the ladies of all the different churches of Evansville and a great festival was held for the benefit of the asylum from which some $1,500 was raised. In the same year the county commis- sioners bought a house at the corner of Sixth and Mary streets, where the institution was then moved. In 1871 Governor Conrad Baker arranged to have the board organized and incorporated, and the addition incorporations
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were Mrs. Lowry, Mrs. Morgan, Mrs. Sinsich, Mrs. Archer, Mrs. Foster, Mrs. Harrington, Mrs. Nisbet, Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Knox. Again in 1872 the county commissioners saw the necessity for still more room and bought the suburban home of Dr. John Laval on West Indiana street, for $16,000. This was a large and comfortable building which stood in the center of twenty acres of land. The matron now is Mrs. Charlotte Daven- port and there are about twenty-four children being taken care of. The governing board is Mrs. William Weintz, president, Mrs. Sarah Waltman, vice president, Mrs. Dr. Davidson, vice president.
ST. MARY'S HOSPITAL.
This is one of the finest hospitals in the western country and is con- ducted with so much care as to merit most flattering terms from all those who have seen its admirable workings. It was first located on Vermont street between Wabash and Tenth avenues. There were two and one-half acres of very fertile property and the original cost was $25,000. The United States built the hospital in 1856 through the influence of Congress- man James Lockhart. It was intended at first for a marine hospital and was a large building three sories high, built of brick with stone trimmings. After the war the government sold it to private parties who afterwards sold it in 1870 to the Sisters of Charity. Sister Maria became its first supervisor. After the discontinuance of the United States marine hos- pital, the patients were received at St. Mary's and the old marine hospital building was given over to a class of tenants who never paid any rent and therefore the old building went to decay. The new building for this hos- pital was put up on the corner of First avenue and Columbia street. The ground cost $10,500. One of the greatest donors to this hospital was Mrs. Robert Fergus who gave $15,000. She also gave the first home to the Little Sisters of the Poor. She lived to a great age and before her death was a life patient in the hospital. The corps of physicians who treat the various diseases here, are the very best that can be found in the city. As stated, the institution is one of which the city may well be proud and one of the institutions of this city which deserves to be fostered is what was once known as the Home for the Friendless. This was started by Mrs. Elinor E. Johnson in 1869. It is now known as the Christian home and is under the management of Mrs. Edwards. It occupies a substantial. brick building with beautiful grounds on Fulton avenue just across the Belt rail- road. It offers an asylum to any woman, who, having lost her crowning. jewel and having seen the error of the way that leads not only to present, but eternal damnation, receives her and gives her a chance to retrieve her- self and lead a better, purer life. It is too often the case that men and women, and especially the latter, are prone to think that there is no hope for these lost ones, and that once having done wrong, it is impossible for them to ever again do right. If this were said of all men, how few men
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would there be today who could hold up their heads and look their fellow- men in the face, and the same that holds good with one sex holds good with the other. It is true that many attempts to reform these women have been unsuccessful. Many of them, perhaps through heredity and perhaps through early influence, have done better for a time only to return to their former depths of degradation, but if only one out of 100 can be saved, surely it is worth the labor to attempt to do so. And it is a fact known to most men who know the world, that these very women when they have decided to become better, and have married good men, have made the very best of wives. At present there are only few members of this institution as it can be naturally understood, that the friends of these fallen women naturally try to keep them away from any chance to reform and this works a great hardship upon the home, but it has always been ready to extend a helping hand and it will always be one of the institutions which will be kept up in this city.
THE OUTING FARM.
This is an institution that originated in the fertile brain of J. D. Car- mody, a man who has always been a great lover of children, just as he has of flowers or of anything that is beautiful. He is a genial, big-hearted man who, though along in years, is as youthful as anybody. The farm is on the Mt. Vernon Traction Line. East two weeks in the summer it is free to twenty-five or thirty boys or girls, the separate sexes coming at different times.
While there are plenty of people around the farm to see that nothing goes wrong with either the children or the property, the children are al- lowed to spend their time in much the fashion they choose. Sometimes the women in charge suggest games and arrange small parties for them but during the larger part of the day they are told to enjoy themselves the best way they can.
Before the sun is up very high the children, including even the younger ones, are up and about. The usual rising hour is 6 o'clock, but many of them don't sleep that late. They are allowed fifteen minutes for dressing and breakfast is served in the mess hall a few minutes afterwards. The second meal is served about noon and the last meal at 6 o'clock. Unless there is something special doing or the moon is so bright and the night air clear, the whole colony of youngsters is abed shortly after 8 o'clock. On special occasions this schedule is varied but as a rule is carried out.
The Outing farm proper is composed of about thirty-five acres but fif- teen of these have been leased. Part of the tract is planted and the farm is boasting of its own tomatoes, potatoes and a few other vegetables. The tract where the mess hall and five cottages are located is clear but on both sides of the home are woods, whose shady nooks and cool spots hold out a great inducement for the city boy and girl who is used to hot streets and breezeless shady spots.
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The farm with its five cottages can accommodate fifty boys or girls, but this number is too large to handle easily. In this way every boy will have plenty of room to himself and there will always be plenty from each and every one to do without infringing on the rights of the rest in any way.
The ladies who are in charge at the farm will change places every two weeks. This year the women will have to care for the boys as well as the girls. As only a few boys over twelve years of age pay the farm a visit, their task is not expected to be such a hard one. The farm makes its strongest appeal to the lad of about ten or eleven years. Those younger than that generally get homesick, although boys under eight do pay the farm a visit and stay the alloted time.
The menu served during the day consists of plain but wholesome food. The cooking is of the best and the buttermilk is the best ever tasted.
The Outing farm is one institution that has no special plans for the summer. Then women and men who are directing the affairs of the farm hope only to run the place in such a manner as to attract the boys and girls of this city. To give them a good time, with plenty to eat, plenty of sleep and plenty of fresh air is their aim. The success of last year proved that the farm has long been needed. It gives the boys and girls a chance to spend two weeks on a farm and what healthy youngster doesn't count on a trip like this every hot period?
ENTRANCE TO OAK HILL CEMETERY
CHAPTER XXV.
OUR CEMETERIES AND THEIR BEAUTIFUL LOCATIONS-CARE OF THE POOR- VARIOUS ATTEMPTS AT FARMING THE POOR-OLD TIME METHODS.
CEMETERIES.
While Evansville is particularly fitted to take care of her living, she has not forgotten her dead and her cemeteries compare favorably with those of any in the land. The original cemetery or burial ground as it was called, was where St. John's school house now stands and has been mentioned in the early part of this work. It was nothing but a tangled thicket and con- tained the graves of several unknown dead and of others whose relatives had either passed away or moved away, and seemed to really pass into oblivion without any attempt having been made to move the bodies of those who rested there. But the first real graveyard in the city was on Mul- berry street and was a triangular plot of ground, which was used until sometime during the '50s when Oak Hill cemetery was established. The bodies of all who rested there were taken up and transferred to Oak Hill or to the Catholic cemetery. When Oak Hill was first purchased by the city, our people really had no idea of the magnitude that it would assume. It was a beautiful natural mound lying at about the proper distance from the city to make a good cemetery and when the first purchase was made, it was supposed that the land would be sufficient to last for many long years to come. But it has been found necessary since then to purchase land on every side except on the main road, to make room for the resting places of the departed of this rapidly growing city. The view of the ceme- tery from the main road is particularly beautiful. There is a large drive- way which approaches the main entrance and from it, the main cemetery road winds up over this beautiful natural mound. From its top, little roads branch in every direction. On the northwest side are the graves of the un- known dead, many of them soldiers who were buried from the hospitals here during the war. It was seen at once that a most beautiful location in the cemetery was on the large top of this mound referred to, and lots on it were rapidly sold to our best citizens, so that nearly all of the burial plots in this part of the cemetery belong to those whose families have for a long time resided in Evansville. The tombstones are very beautiful, many of them of most ornate designs. There is no cemetery in the United States that has had more careful attention devoted to it than has Oak Hill. For
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many long years the late Mr. William Goodge had charge of it and in fact it might be said that he almost devoted a lifetime to making it one of the most beautiful spots to be seen anywhere. There is hardly a tree in the whole cemetery that has not had his tender care. The restrictions re- garding the cemetery have been more and more rigidly enforced. with each succeeding year. It was formerly the case that when the graves of loved ones were covered with flowers and the mourners left, ruthless hands took away these last tributes which were left and in fact, it became notorious that people who knew not what a conscience meant, waited until mourn- ers had gone away and then simply stole flowers which they sold again. But after the authorities made a few examples of these wretches, the habit was stopped. As it is now, there is absolutely no candalism in Oak Hill or in any of the cemeteries. People have begun to realize that when a man or a family buy a lot, the lot and whatever flowers are upon it, be- long to them and are absolutely private property and that no outsider has any more right to take flowers than the same outsider would have to enter a man's private yard and rob his flower bed. This has done much to keep this cemetery so beautiful. There is a line of street cars which go to the cemetery gates and the dummy line passes there close to the main gate and near the gate is a fine greenhouse always stocked with beautiful flowers, so that those who wish to decorate graves can always obtain fresh flowers with very little trouble. One reason that Oak Hill is considered the most beautiful of our cemeteries, is because of the many trees and plants which have been added to it. It is now virtually the oldest cemetery here but there are others which in time will come up to it in beauty. The present superintendent of Oak Hill is Mr. William Halbrooks, who for many years has been a prominent florist and he will bring to bear in beautifying the plot, all of the knowledge which his long association with flowers, plants and vines of various kinds has given him.
Another beautiful cemetery is Locust Hill, which lies in a most beau- tiful location, on Fulton avenne, 21/2 miles north of the city limits. It lies just left of the main road and is on beautiful rolling ground covered with natural forest trees. At one end is a lovely lake and the whole space is one of nature's beauty spots. Mr. William Kirkpatrick had charge of this cemetery for a great many years and in fact, was identified with it almost from the time it was located. St. Joseph's cemetery is on the west side of St. Joseph avenue about two miles north of Maryland street. This is a Catholic cemetery and was purchased after the Catholics gave up their old burial ground, which was on the south side of Heidelbach and Elsas en- largement and near what was known as the old Poor House. This ceme- tery, like the one on Mulberry street, gave way to the encroachment of a growing city and the Catholics gave up a spot which laid on flat ground with very little chance to beautify it, for a much more beautiful location. It contains many very handsome monuments and is amply large to meet the wants of the church for many years to come. There are three
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Jewish cemeteries here, the Rose Hill, which lies on the Sringtown road, a short distance north of Pigeon creek and just this side of the country club. The secretary and treasurer of this cemetery is Mr. Stidney Ichen- hauser. There is also the Mount Vernon Jewish cemetery on West Heights, of which Mr. Philip Koch is sexton, and the Mount Sinai Jewish cemetery on West Heights about a mile north of West Maryland street. A. J. Newman is the secretary of this cemetery.
Taking them all together, Evansville has great reason to be proud of these cities of the dead. It is fortunate that her location being a large flat plateau, almost surrounded by a row of low hills, has given an opportunity to locate these cemeteries on rising ground. It is a fact that perhaps has escaped the notice of a great many, that even since the days of the savages, there has always been a disposition to locate cemeteries on as high ground as possible. Even the Indians, where they lived in a flat country, built mounds and buried their dead in them. It is only in the extreme south where there is no rising ground that cemeteries are located where the ground is flat. The old cemetery at Pensicola, Florida, which is an ex- ample of a cemetery gone to decay, shows how impossible it is to kecp one beautiful except when it is located on raised ground. And it will be remembered that even in the days of the early settlers here, when each family had its own private burying ground. On the farms back of Evans- ville, some knoll was always selected for the burial place of the loved ones who were put away for their last sleep.
CARE OF THE POOR.
Evansville has always taken good care of its poor. And by this I mean the deserving poor. There have been, almost from the founding of the city, associations of various kinds which made it their duty to look after all cases needing charity. The leadership in this great work has generally fallen to the women, but of late years matters have been so systematized that there is really no need for anyone who is worthy to suffer want in the city of Evansville. Of course these societies are often made the prey of lazy and unscrupulous people who go from one to another with their tales of woe and for a time succeed in obtaining charity where they are not en- titled to it. There have been cases brought to light where people who ap- pealed for charity really had plenty and used charity as a means of getting something for nothing. As the list of poor, and by this is meant those who are not in the poorhouse, is thoroughly systematized, it is now hard for unscrupulous people, who will not work, to thus take advantage of the different societies. The relief of the dependent class has always been rec- ognized as a public duty and when this county was first founded, the laws of the state provided for the appointment of overseers of the poor. But in those days when 'everyone worked a different plan was pursued. All public charges who were able to do any kind of work were farmed out on
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contracts each year in such a manner as to make them as little a burden on the county as possible. Minors were bound out as apprentices and this ap- prenticeship lasted with the males to their 21st years and with the females to their 18th year. These indentures were made a matter of record and they took care to provide for the apprentice in such a manner that he could not be overworked or poorly fed by a brutal master.
THE EARLY POOR.
The farming-out of the poor in the early days was almost like a sale for they were put up as if at auction and their services were sold to the lowest bidder. But this must not be misconstrued. The buyer of the la- borer did not pay a certain sum to the county for that laborer, but were paid by the county, a certain sum for taking care of the pauper and in this case, of course, the buyer of the pauper's services tried to get as much labor out of him as possible and the county paid out as little money as possible. As early as 1823 the records show that John B. Stinson was paid $50 for keeping Ben Davis, a pauper, "being in full of the sum for. which the said Davis was sold when said Stinson became the purchaser." In 1837 the overseer of Scott township officially reverted the sale of two paupers at $52 each. In Armstrong township several were sold to John Taylor, the prices ranging from $8 to $30 per year. One of the early acts of the board of commissioners was the appointment of overseers of the poor, the first being John Armstrong in Armstrong township, and Jesse McCallister in Pigeon township. These men were all of very high stand- ing which goes to show that in this matter the county tried to do the right thing. Amos Clark, the lawyer of whom this work has spoken, was the overseer at one time. They were paid a very small sum for their services for each day that they actually worked and this came out of the money donated by the county for the support of the poor. Dr. William Trafton, the oldest physician in Evansville and the one who took the late Dr. M. J. Bray into his service when the latter was a poor boy, received during one year, only $10 for professional services to all the poor of Vanderburg County. In 1820 there was quite a general and fatal sickness all over the county, and though many were put to great expense there was only $100 spent during that entire year. The records of the old times show many sad but short stories. For instance in one case there are several allow- ances for "Keeping the Morgans" and these were followed in 1821 by this record, "$13 allowed for two coffins and two graves for Mr. Morgan and his child." In 1824, $142 was allowed in one year for the support of Ben Davis and the records show that he was supported by the county for over fifteen years. This is not intended to reflect on the poverty of any- one but simply to show that even in those days, the heart of this com- munity was always open to the appeals of want. But it must also be re- membered that the wants in those days were simple and as late as 1834 the
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