USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > Evansville > History of the city of Evansville and Vanderburg County, Indiana, Volume I > Part 8
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So runs the general impression, but as the result of exhaustive search I am certain that Hugh McGary simply went back to Kentucky and took to farming, and after an honored life died peacefully among the friends and relatives of his young manhood. It is but natural that he would not send
CHAPTER VII.
THE FIRST FARMS AND HOW OBTAINED-HOW THIS PART OF THE STATE WAS DIVIDED-THE TWO FIRST BUYERS-DECREASE IN VALUE OF LANDS- WHAT THE PIONEERS WORE-THEIR RIFLES-HOW CLOTHES WERE MADE- HOW THE WOMEN WORKED-WORK AND FUN-MY OWN REMEMBRANCES -"WHISKY ROW"-THE OLD TIME FIRST STREET-OTHER LOCALITIES- FIREMEN'S DAY-KNIGHT ERRANTRY, ETC.
In these days where vast tracts of lands which are the property of the United States Government, are thrown open to the public on certain days as has been the case with Oklahoma and other places, people are inclined to assume that the same general condition existed when the country around Evansville was settled. This, however, was not the case. The first set- tlers were compelled to buy their lands and were not presented with them by a benevolent government as has been so often the case since that time. Naturally all the lands in this neighborhood were assumed to belong to the Indians. Whether or not they had any real right to them is not for us to judge, but the government which has at all times treated the Indian with more consideration perhaps than he justly merits, was willing to accept the ownership of the Indians as a fact, and purchased land of them. But the fact remains that they were real purchases and not what is known as "squatter" possessions. It was not until 1804 that a treaty was made with the Indians by which lands within the borders of what is now Vanderburg County, were made accessible to the white settler. Individual pioneers grad- ually possessed the lands and individual effort developed the country. No colonies were laid here by peculiar religious, political or economic ideas for a field of experiment ; nor did the wealthy seek large grants of land to be improved as great estates and peopled by a class willing to surrender a portion of their independence and manhood. Many settlers were driven back from the land of their choice, by the unfriendliness of the Indians but with undaunted zeal and characteristic courage they returned repeatedly until they were allowed to remain in peace. The treaty extinguishing the title of the aborigines to lands in Vanderburg and adjoining counties was made at Vincennes, August 18th and 27th, 1804. From the general government the title passed to individuals by purchase. To this rule there were but two exceptions in the state. The French grants near Vincennes, were confirmed, and given the descendants of the early settlers there, and the grounds near the falls of the Ohio river, made by the state of Virginia
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to the regiment of Gen. Geo. Rogers Clark, for their valiant services in In- dian campaigns during the Revolutionary War. In all parts of the country lands owned by the general government were surveyed and sold under one general system. In the surveys, meridian lines were first established, run- ning due north from arbitrarily fixed and interchanging points. Base lines intersecting these were made to run due east and west. The first principle meridian runs due north from the mouth of the Maumee river and is, in fact, the east line of the state. The second meridian line, the one from which surveys were made in Vanderburg County, is 89 miles west of the first and runs due north from Little Blue river. The only base line run- ning over the state crossed it from east and west in latitude 38° to 30", leaving the Ohio river 25 miles above Louisville and striking the Wabash four miles about the mouth of White river. Congressional townships are six miles square and are divided into 36 sections of 640 acres each. They are numbered north and south from the base line, and east and west from the meridian lines, in ranges. In Vanderburg County, therefore, all con- gressional townships are south and all ranges are west. Fractional sections are those intersected by streams or confirmed grants. A section contains sometimes more or less than the established number of acres-640. In every land district there was a land office, where all the public lands were sold. A register, and receiver appointed by the president and confirmed by the senate were the officers in charge. For the lands in this part of the state the office was at Vincennes. From 1816 to 1819 the price of lands was $2 per acre of which one-fourth was required to be paid in hand and the balance in three equal annual payments and a year of grace after the last installment became due, being allowed before the forfeiture was ex- ecuted. If paid at the end of four years, interest was required. About this time owing to the increase of immigration, following the state's ad- mission to the Union, lands rose rapidly in price so that vast quantities were purchased of the government by paying only the entrance money or 50c. per acre. The scarcity of money and the wildness of the county rendered it impossible for buyers to meet their obligations. About 1818 congress commenced passing laws to relieve against forfeitures by extend- ing the time of payment requiring interest, however, for the delay. Similar laws were enacted in 1819 and 1820. By the next year, 1821, the debt to the United States for public lands was beyond the control of legislation, because of its large amount and the numbers from whom it was due and the impossibility of paying it. Congress then released all interest, then about one-third of the whole debt, allowed lands entered to be relinquished and part payments thereon to be applied to pay in full for other lands and required all lands thereto to be sold for cash in hand and fixed the price at $1.25 per acre. The immediate effect of this legislation was to reduce the value of the lands already purchased and paid for, in about the same proportion. The large amount of lands thrown into market by the govern- ment would have done this alone without the reduction of price but the
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result to land owners was still more disastrous, when only three-fifths of former prices were demanded.
On May 19, 1807, John W. Johnston entered all the fractional section 25, township 6, south range II west, being that part of the present city of Evansville which lies about and below the mouth of Pigeon creek. On the same day William Anthony entered fractional sections I and 12, town- ship 8 south, range II west, in the township of Union, opposite the city of Henderson. These were the first entries made within the present limits of the county of Vanderburg. John W. Johnston, a native of Virginia, located in Vincennes in the year 1793 and remained there continuously in the active practice of law until his death, which occurred October 26, 1833. He was one of the most prominent members of the bar during his day, was called by his fellow citizens to fill many offices of trust and profit under the territorial government of the legislature from his county and made the first compilation of the laws of the territory. He never became a resident of Vanderburg County. William Anthony was a sturdy pioneer of the rougher sort, known in the early days of the new west, yet with those pure ringing qualities of genuine manhood which made his influence felt in molding the events of his day. He was the progenitor of the well-known Anthony family in Union township and for many years lived on the land entered in 1807, farming and operating the widely-known Anthony ferry.
I feel that I have not properly described the weapon that was used by the old pioneers. It was always a rifle, as shot guns were only used by old men whose sight was bad or by boys. The rifle of the hunter was always made to order. The selection of the size of the bullet was left to him and very often the fore arm extended the entire length of the barrel. Some of these old rifles were six feet long, it being a delusion in those days that the longer the barrel the more true the bullet would carry. These guns were flint locks, that is the hammer of the gun struck a flint, thereby discharging a spark on to the powder in the breech of the gun, for this was before the day of percussion caps. As a rule not more than two out of three attempts to fire one of these guns were effective, as un- less the hammer struck the flint exactly right, there would be a "flash in the pan" and while the hunter was "picking his flint" before trying again, the game would get out of the way. In the breech of the old-fashioned rifle was a cavity which was closed with a brass or iron lid on a hinge, and in this way a piece of tallow to grease the patching which was a thin cloth three-quarters of an inch in diameter. This cloth was usually strung on little strings so as to be easily gotten and carried in the shot pouch which was a part of the hunter's outfit. The powder was gauged in the "primer" which was made out of the end of a deer horn. The piece of deer horn was hollowed out and was continually tested until it was made large enough to make the measure or necessary amount of powder to cause the rifle to do its best shooting and in the meantime of course, the bullets used in test- ing were all fired into a tree where they could be dug out again. The
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hunter took a bullet and greasing a piece of the patch, placed it at the muzzle of the rifle and then drove it home with a long ramrod. The greased cloth prevented the ball from fouling in the rifle groove. The shot pouch was always dressed buckskin with the hair out, to shed water and this, with the powder horn, which was made out of the cow's horn with the ends stopped up with wood, made a complete outfit. I believe I have stated elsewhere that the man who did not shoot off-hand without a rest was looked on as a kind of weak brother.
I have also spoken of the dress of the pioneer people but did not go into detail and will therefore quote from an old pioneer now passed to the beyond, who in a book published many years ago, told of this matter :
"The head dress of the pioneer for the male sex was either a coonskin cap or a home-made wool hat. The feet were covered with moccasins made of deer skins. Shoes were worn by most of the pioneers of this county except in summer, when old and young, male and female, went bare-footed. The blue lindsey hunting shirt was almost universally worn by men and boys. Pantaloons were made at a very early day of deer skin and lindsey, but to the settlers of this county cotton and jeans early be- came most common. Women's dresses were simple, substantial and well made. As a rule, settlers raised their own flax, cotton and wool and made their own garments. Good weavers were then the accomplished young ladies and the spinning wheel filled the little cabin with sweet music, as it sang its song of thrift and industry. They raised their cotton, picked it, carded it, wove it and then wore it. At the proper season the flax brake was brought into use and the product was "hackled" and spun into skein. The wood card was then prepared for the filling and with different kinds of bark various colors were given to the raw material and made it ready for the loom, which, with its shuttle flying noisily back and forth, soon brought out its yards of lindsey striped and beautiful. The head dress of the women was a simple cotton handkerchief or sun bonnet. They were not ashamed to walk a mile or two to church on Sunday, carrying their shoes and stockings in their hands until within a few yards of the place of worship when they would put them on their feet. Indeed, at early meetings it was quite common for nine-tenths of the people, male or fe- male, to be bare-footed. These modes of dress long prevailed in the coun- try settlements, varied of course, a mite, by those who came from beyond the seas, but in the town of Evansville the merchants who carried a rather large and complete stock of goods, encouraged the cultivation of what they considered higher tastes in the matter of dress."
Pioneer social gatherings usually had in view two objects-work and sport. The log rollings, house and barn raisings, wood choppings, corn huskings, bean pickings, wool pickings, quiltings, and apple parings, while attended with much labor were replete with enjoyment. During the early settlement of this county the occasions of amusement were preceded by work; every good time was earned. No man undertook to roll his logs
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alone. All joined together and went from place to place rolling. All houses were raised by neighborly hands. When the crops were gathered, the corn was put in a long pile and neighbors were invited in to husk it, usually after night. Log rollings and huskings were followed by a dance from which the young people got their greatest enjoyment. In the husk- ings both sexes took part, the huskers being divided into two parties, each with a leader. The lucky finder of a red ear reaped a rich harvest of kisses from those of the other sex, the rules governing the quantity of such re- wards varying in different sections.
Besides the more violent sports in which the men sought diversion, it might be interesting and instructive to mention others of a different char- acter. Among them the quilting party, where the good women of the neighborhood came together with kind hearts and willing hands, and after enjoying some hours of work and conversation, they departed leaving per- manent and valuable results of their toil. There were few distinctions of birth, or wealth, or circumstances. All alike were simple in their dress and habits and no exacting demands were made by social forms. At the quilt- ing nimble fingers plied industriously until the work was done, and then songs were sung, games played and dancing indulged in. Indeed, the mer- riment was coextensive with the jovial hands of the young folks assem- bled. Spelling matches and debating societies furnished amusement which some considered of a higher sort. Here the training of the intellect was the paramount ostensible object. Boys and girls not belonging to the same family often came riding one horse. The young folks were generally paired and to bring about this natural selection was perhaps as worthy an object as these intellectual entertainments could have been.
The early days of Vanderburg County were not unlike those about which the pens of Eggleston and Riley, with felicity and beauty, have told the world and few have lived to note the principal changes and improve- ments made since the early settlers, men of iron hearts and iron nerves, pitched their tents on these fertile lands now nearly a century ago.
Hundreds of pages of this work could be filled up with stories of how the changes of Evansville have been noted by the many old citizens who from time to time have published the history of their experiences. How- ever, the same general history applies to almost everything. And in taking up the changes of which I am personally cognizant, I will try and treat of only such portions of the city as are so well known as to be understood by all readers. It was in 1850 that I reached Evansville but I soon went East and did not return until 1853. At that time I lived in a two-story brick house, next to the Vickory building. Next door to the east lived William Aikman and on the corner Samuel Orr, a citizen whom this city will ever honor. Towards Main street was a vacant common, then a German saloon kept by a man named Schwartz and on the corner where now stands the Gas and Electric Light Company building, was a little one-story grocery kept by the father 'of Mr. Sebastian Henrich. In those days there was
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nothing unusual in having a saloon in the back part of the grocery, but this place was always orderly and well conducted and here it was that such congenial souls as Mr. Hewson, Joseph Setchell and his old English friends were in the habit of taking their toddies. Reaching toward Third street from the Henrich grocery was a row of small houses. Across where now stands the Vendome was a blacksmith shop, while just on the alley was the residence of a Mr. O'Brien. Where the Waverly building now stands was the home of the Catholic priest and on the corner of Second what was known as the Sisters' Home, and between that and the alley was the first Catholic church ever built in Evansville. This stood up high with a school room underneath. This property was all bought by Mr. Charles Viele in after years and by him donated and sold to the Business Men's Associa- tion when that body was first organized. Just across the alley was the gun- smith shop of J. G. Mathesie. Next to it was a little one-story frame occu- pied by T. McTernan, one of the first Justices of the Peace, and next where the restaurant now stands was a one-story frame saloon kept by a man called Dublin Tricks. It was in the back room of this saloon that the first sparring ever done in the city of Evansville was pulled off. Dublin Tricks gained this name from the skill with which he was supposed to handle the gloves. His companion was a man who went by the name of the Flying Dutchman. There was hardly a boxer in Evansville in those days. I saw many a hotly contested battle through a peep hole in a back window to which I slipped up the alley from our house and being caught one day by "Tricks" who happened to be in a good humor, he told me to come in and watch them box and it was here that I obtained my first knowledge of the manly art. Across from where I lived was a large marble yard, then a little place in which lived the Nugent family which was afterwards sold to Mr. Schellhase, a young German carpenter who came here with his wife and it was in this little cottage that the ball players were born. Small cot- tages extended to the alley and then came the residence on the corner of Sycamore and Second of Dr. Carlstedt, founder of the Carlstedt family which was so well known in this city. Next to him lived a German family and in the next house, the father of Ex-Chief of Police Brennecke. It was in this little building that most of the Brennecke children were born. On the alley was the residence of Philip Hornbrock, one of the most jovial of the old pioneers, who at that time kept a boat store on Water street. Proceeding to the corner one found the old Lewis building, a double brick, which sat back from the walk. The entire place is now taken up by the Boetticher Kellogg Company. In the corner of this building was the jew- elry store of Billy Axe, a cripple, but a most jovial little fellow with a splen- did education and very much liked and admired by all who knew him. In the other end of the building was the millinery store of Madam Hahn, a French woman who was probably the first stylish milliner ever known here. Afterwards the millinery business was taken up by Mrs. Hastings who was located on Main near the Citizens' National Bank. Below the millinery
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store was a vacant lot and then a row of dilapidated cottages occupied mostly by Germans. Then back in the yard a one-story boarding house with a sign, "Boarding by Degan," while next to it on the corner stood the building which was afterwards transformed into the Brunning coffee house. Going further down past the magnificent store of J. Gans were nothing but small frames and in one of these Mr. Emerich, who was known by his friends as Butch Emerich, kept a butcher shop. On the extreme corner near Division street was the old Scriber residence, peculiarly built, the second story being smaller than the first. This was owned by Mr. Scriber who was one of the first foundry men in Evansville. He lived many years and his daughter became the wife of Mr. Herman Engel. Across from the Bruning coffee house was the Commercial hotel, kept by John O'Meara, the father of Jimmy O'Meara, who still lives here. Next to that was Mozart hall, the first place of amusement in Evansville. Then clear to the corner were little frame buildings on a sort of a hill. They gave place to a fine store which was put up by Carpenters White and Baker just after the war. The old frame building stood high on a kind of a hill and was reached by rickety stairs. Back of this was a brick owned by Thomas Scantlin and occupied by Baer & Small in the liquor business. This was Mr. David Baer, who afterwards for years conducted a trunk business and who was so much loved not only by his Jewish friends, but by every man who had the honor of being acquainted with him. Then came another brick building in which Samuel E. Gilbert conducted a grocery business and on the cor- ner was the Orr iron store of Samuel Orr. Next to it going down Water, was the grocery store of Mathew Dalzell, who lived here many long years. Then came a row of small frame houses in one of which Messrs. Brose and Jenner resided. These were two pioneer Germans who came here early and whose decendants are still here. On the corner of Water and Vine was the large store of Allis & Howes, who for many years did an enormous business. Between this and what is known now as the St. Cloud, was the eye sore of Evansville, "Whisky Row." This was a succession of small saloons in which the rankest kinds of poison were dealt out to the river men who all seemed to drift there. These saloons extended up Vine street and one of them was occupied by Anthony Kelly, who was really too good a man to be in that business. The old St. Cloud was one of the first hotels built here after the days of the old log hotels and in it my mother died while my father was on a trip to New Orleans. From the St. Cloud down, there were various little houses until the Blue Warehouse, formerly quite a landmark, was reached. It had been used for the storing of produce in the early days but had fallen into disuse and about the last use made of it before it was torn down was that of a corn bin. Going further down were nothing but little shanties and on a little knoll was the house of Mother Link, an old German lady who had a great love for pets. Her place was full of pigeons. They nested in her two little rooms, under the house, and so large was her flock that it used to be said by the boys
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that she was afraid to hang up a market basket anywhere for fear of pigeons building in it before she had a chance to go to market again. She had dogs, cats and all sorts of pets but they all seemed to live happily together and in those early days all sick people sent to old Mrs. Link for squabs and she never refused them. Across the creek was a garden which I scarcely remember. As the pronunciation comes back to me it was Pfalzer garden, but probably it should not be spelled that way. It was a tough resort and its usual record was a few dances, a few drinks and a general fight. It had a most unsavory reputation and was only frequented by the toughs of what was then known as Lamasco. Strange to say, the Lamasco tough always insisted in wearing a pair of pants very much like the style now in vogue. He wore a very short coat, and pants the larger the better, coming to a very small circle around his boots. He wore a slouch hat pulled down over his ears but contrary to the present young fellow who tries to look tough, his hair was cut short instead of being allowed to hang into his eyes as is supposed by some of the kids of the present age to be the mark of a very tough man. Some day these kids will learn that this style of hair cutting went out of existence fifteen years ago.
Coming back up town we strike the Pavilion hotel at the corner of Sycamore and Water. This was kept by Col. Drew and his estimable wife, a motherly-souled woman, whose pies were known all over this section of the country. Col. Drew belonged to the little church on the hill where now stands the Strouse Annex. He played the flute while his son, Cy Drew, who lived here so many years and married Miss Maggie Goslee, played the melodeon. Mr. Cy Drew seemed to be born with music in his soul and even as a boy was a fine performer. The Pavilion in those days was known as the exclusive hotel and many young brides and grooms lived there be- fore going to house-keeping. Further up was the old Canal bank in a two- story brick. This was presided over by H. G. Wheeler, president. He was also at the head of the public school system here and scholars who had reached the last stage and were in danger of being expelled, were always sent to him as the court of last resort. Mr. Wheeler seemed to have very keen judgment as to the nature of boys and gave many a wild boy a chance to do better. It is through his judgment that many of them afterwards turned into the very best citizens. On the south side of Main and Water was the Mitchell block, beginning where the Richmond hotel stands and extending to the alley. At that time no one ever seemed to think that busi- ness would go beyond the Canal or Fifth street. In their wildest dreams this was never anticipated, for they all thought that business would be cen- tralized and remain close to the river. Messrs. Warren (the late Geo. W. Warren) and Carrington, an old settler, had a music and piano store and now no one would ever think of going into that part of the city for any- thing of this kind. Further up towards where the City National Bank now stands were more frame buildings in one of which the first book store in
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