USA > Indiana > Floyd County > New Albany > New Albany, Indiana City Directory, 1868 > Part 3
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A new plan of operations was row adopted by the horse thieves. They would swing a bridle and a rope or two around their necks and start ont under pretense of hunting what they claimed to be their own estrayed horses. Whenever they found a horse running at large they would "take bim up;" and if pursuit was made and they were over- taken they would declare they thought the horse their own, as he an- swered exactly the description of the animal they were seeking. This plan worked well but a short time, however; and soon the settlers began to inflict vengeance upon these " horse hunters " to such an ex- tent that it was absolutely dangerous for a man to go into a neighbor- hood with a bridle hanging upon his shoulders, unless he could bring some one to identify him as an honest man.
These instances of Lynch law by the most summary and speedy process, were not uncommon in the pioneer days of Indiana. Many will doubtless form a harsh opinion of the character for humanity of the early settlers on account of these occurrences. But when it is re- membered that there were but few laws then in force, and few officers to enforce even these ; when not a dozen courts were held in the entire Indiana Territory within the year, and those most frequently at remote points from the settlements ; when there were no jails and but three or four organized counties in the Territory, they will see the necessity of making speedy and terrible examples of criminals, particularly of that class that was banded together to steal the horses of the settlers, and thus take from them their power to till the soil.
NEW ALBANY,
The seat of Justice for Floyd county, is situated on the Ohio river at the foot of the Falls, upon a high bench, above overflow, except by ex- treme high water, such as in 1832. Then, that portion forming the immediate bank of the river was inundated, but all the rest, forming the greater part of the city, was then, and always will be, entirely free from overflow. At the lower end of Main street a spur of the knobs overlooks the whole city and surrounding country, and would furnish a site for Water Works, of unsurpassed utility and general fitness. From this point the knobs recede in a North-easterly direction from the. river, curving in the rear of the city and gradually retiring, they leave
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a scope of country ample for all the wants of a large population. On > the line of State street these knobs are reached by a fine MeAdamized road, at the distance of two and a half miles. The scenery from the points of these hills is grand and beautiful beyond description, and is well worthy the notice of travelers. The wide expanse of country, the winding Ohio, Jeffersonville on this side at the head of the falls, the city of Louisville above and on the other side, the broad fields behind it, with the river hills in the distance, forming a magnificent back ground to this picture, the busy city of New Albany in the fore ground, before us, and under us the intervening slopes and fields, the densely wooded glens on either side, make the view one of rare and surpassing beanty, and of vast extent.
New Albany being at the foot of the falls, it was early seen that she possessed some natural advantages, in respect to the trade of the river below, which could not be held by her proud sister at the head of the falls, and on the other side of the river. And notwithstanding the many disadvantages incident to her close proximity to that wealthy and powerful city, whose shadow chilled, and perhaps stunted her growth for a time, yet she has gradually grown apace, gained strength, and developed her proportions. As a shipping point the advantages of New Albany have long been acknowledged, and since the completion of the New Albany and Salem Railroad to Lake Michigan, that branch of business has greatly increased.
This road gives her rare advantages, possessed by no other Western city. It passes directly through the whole State, and by its connec- tions, Northern Indiana, Michigan, and Northern Ohio can be supplied with the products of the South, cheaper and sooner than by means of any other route. It also forms a main artery for carrying the produete of the North to the best shipping point on the river. By means of the Ohio and Mississippi Road, New Albany is placed in easy communica- tion with Southern Indiana and Illinois.
New Albany has been placed in excellent communication with the back counties by means of plank roads, several of which radiate into the interior, giving favorable opportunities for the transportation of pro- duce at all seasons of the year. In short, having good wharves, accessi- ble to the largest steamers the greater portion of the year, and good communitation with a large extent of country, New Albany must greatly increase her business in the shipping line. She possesses ell the advantages required by a Commercial city, and it is only necessary to present her claims to have them properly acknowledged.
EARLY SETTLEMENT .*- On the 13th day October, 1813, Joel and Ab- ner Scribner purchased the land on which the city of New Albany stands. The purchase was made of John Paul, and consisted of eight hundred and twenty-six and one-half acres. The Scribners paid for this tract of land eight thousand dollars. They proceeded immediately to
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plat the town of New Albany, and advertised the lots for sale. The following is a copy of their advertisement, which was published in hand-bill form :
NEW ALBANY.
This town is just laid out, with spacious streets, pablic squares, mar kets, &c., is situated on the bank of the Ohio River at the crossing place from Louisville to Vincennes, about two miles below the falls, in the Indiana Territory, and affords a beautiful and commodious harbor. The beauty of the prospect is not surpassed by any in the Western country. The bank adjoining the river is high and not subject to inund ations. At the distance of six hundred and sixty feet back from the bank is a second rise of abont twenty feet, from which there is an extensive view up and down the river. There is a sufficient number of excellent and never failing springs for the supplying of any number of inhabitants.
These advantages, together with that of the country around being dry, and clear of any stagnant water, being sufficiently distant below the falls to avoid the fogs and any noxious exhalement arising there- from in the warm season, and the winds generally blowing up the river at that time, are a sufficient reason to induce a belief of the healthful- ness of the situation.
The advantages New Albany has in point of trade, are perhaps un- rivalled by any town on the Ohio, as it is immediately below all the dangers which boats and ships are subject to in passing over the falls, and is the only eligible situation for a depot for all the exports and im- ports of a great part of the Territory, and may export and import while the river is low and the markets good, as well as when the water is high.
From the vast quantity of excellent ship-timber, the great abundance of iron ore within a few miles, and the facility with which hemp is raised, it is presumed this will be one of the best ports in the United States for the building of vessels as well as the loading them. The erection of a saw mill to go by steam is contemplated this fall, and a grist and flour mill next summer.
Lots will be sold at auction on the first Tue day and Wednesday in November next. The terms of payment will be one-fourth ready unhey, and the remainder in three annual installments, to be secured by de d of trust, or otherwise. One-fourth part of each payment to be paid info he hands of trustees, (to be chosen by the purchasers), until such pay. ments shall amount to five thousand dollars, the interest of which to be
. applied to the use of schools in the town for the use of its inhabitants forever.
Manufactories of iron, cotton, hemp, wool, &e., are much wanted, as is all kinds of mechanism. THE PROPRIETORS.
New Albany, July 8, 1813.
According to announcement the sale took place on the first Tuesday and Wednesday in the following November. The deed, however, for the land upon which the the town was platted was not made to the Scribners by John Paul until the 13th day of October, 1813.
The original limits of the town extended east and west from Upper Fifth to Lower Fifth streets; and north and south as follows: irom
*Among other early settlers besides those mentioned above, we have been able to gather the following names: Francis A. Hutcherson, from Kentucky, settled 18:5; Daniel Sea- brook, 1818; - Hopson, 1812; - MeCleary, 1812; James Crook, 1515; John Jones, 1816 ; James McAfee, -; James R. Shields, 1817 ; Henry B. Shields, 1817 ; Pleasant S. Shields, 1817; David Helden, 1817 ; Green H. Niel, 1817; Howell Wells, 1817; Matthew Robinson, 1817; John Nicholson, 1810; Dr. Asa Clapp; - Graham.
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the river to Spring street for all that portion below Lower First street ; and from the river to Oak street for all that portion above Lower First. This was the regular plat. In addition, however, tiers of out-lots were laid off from Spring and Lower Fifth to the river and Lower Eighth. Another tier of out-lots was laid of from Upper Fifth to the Grant line, running on that line from Oak street to the river. These out-lots aver- aged from one to one and a half acres in size. All of them were long ago incorporated into the plat of the town, and the city limits now spread out beyond them for many squares, except on the river side.
The first lot sold by the Scribners, according to the records in the Recorder's office, was sold on the 15th day of November, 1813, to William B. Summers. It was lot nine, on Upper Main street, at the Southeast corner of Main and Pearl streets, now owned by Mrs. Lap- sley. Its size was sixty by one hundred and twenty feet, and the price paid for it was two hundred and fifty dollars, "lawful money of the United States."
The second sale of lots was made to David Poor, six in number. The lots were located as follows : lot two, northwest corner of State and Water streets, now occupied by John Neubauer's store; lot six, north- east corner of Water and Lower First streets, now occupied by Charles Roose; lot two, Lower Market street, north side, from the alley to cor- ner of Lower First street ; and lots two, four and six, Lower First street, west side, from the Plumer property to the alley, between Main and Water streets. The price paid by Poor for these lots was seven hundred and twenty five dollars.
Although the unjust imputation of being an unhealthy location was attached to the place, it gradually increased in population, and on the 14th of July, 1839, was incorporated as a city by act of the General Assembly. The population, the following year, according to the census returns, was 4,226. The value of taxable property during the same year was $1,325,770. The population in 1850 was 8,181. Value of taxable property the same year, $1,813,401.
About this time the city received a new impetus from the near com- pletion of the New Albany and Salem Railroad, and rapidly increased, both in population and wealth, so that in 1855 she had an estimated population of 16,000. The value of taxables that year was 84,776,925. Since then her population has gradually but surely increased, and' at the commencement of the present year she had a population of about 22,000.
CHURCHES .- The first religious exercises ever-held in this city or county was in 1815 and was held in a log hut, under the auspices of the Methodist denomination ; not long afterward, however, the Pres- byterians formed a society, of which Dr. Scribner wrote as follows :
"On the 16th day of February, 1816, a church was organized at Jeffersonville, in the State of Indiana, (the members residing in that place and New Albany,) by the Rev. James McGready, a missionary under commission from the General Assembly, which church was to be known by the name of the 'Union Presbyterian Church of Jefferson- ville and New Albany.'
" The sacrament of the Lord's Supper was at that time administered, and the following were the members then in communion : Thomas Posey (then Governor) and his wife, James M. Tunstal, John Gibson and his wife, James Scribner, Joel Scribner, Phoebe Scribner, Esther Scribner, (afterwards Mrs. Hale,) and Anna M. Gibson, of whom Thomas Posey and Joel Scribner were afterwards chosen Elders.
" Subsequent to that time Mary Merriwether, the wife of Dr. Merri- wether, and Mary Wilson, a widow, were received as members of said church. Since that time Thomas Posey and his wife removed to Vin- cennes, and united with the church there; and James Tunstal removed to Louisville, and joined the church there. Mary Merriwether, Mary Wilson, and Anna M. Gibson were, at their own request, dismissed from this church to join the church at Louisville.
" Afterwards, to-wit: on the 7th day of December, A. D. 1817, at a meeting of the Union church at New Albany, Rev. D. C. Banks, Mod- erator, it was-
" Resolved, That as all the members of this church residing at Jeffer- sonville have withdrawn, and all the present members reside in New Albany, the Union church shall from this time and hereafter be known by the name of the
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF NEW ALBANY.
" At the same time Jacob Marsell and Hannah, his wife, were re- ceived as members of this church on a letter from the church in Eliza- bethtown, New Jersey. Stephen Beers and Lydia, his wife, were also received as members of this church on a letter from the church in Lonisville.
" The church then proceeded by ballot to the election of two ad- ditional Elders. Jacob Marsell and Stephen Beers were unanimously elected, and accordingly were afterwards ordained as Ruling Elders in the church. The total number of members in communion at the close of the year 1817, was nine.
" The meeting of the church, at the time of its organization, took place in Grandma Scribner's house, being what is now the middle part of the old High Street House -- the congregation occupying the parlor and back room.
" There being no communion plate, two large pewter plates belong- ing to Grandmother Scribner, were used instead for the bread, and being of a fine quality were considered very appropriate.
"The next year, 1818, we had the ministerial labors of Rev. Isaac Reed from perhaps the early part of the summer over one year ensuing. After he left us, the church was vacant for some time. At the end of the year 1818, the number of church members was seventeen ; and at the end of the year 1>19, they had increased to thirty-two.
" I perceive by reference to the records of the church, that my sister Lucy Maria, with myself and several others, united with the church on the 31st day of October, in the year 1819, that Mrs. Eilzabeth Clapp, (then widow Elizabeth Scribner,) joined on the 4th day of September of the same year. At the same time, Sept. 4th, 1819, her infant daughter*
*This was the first baptism that took place in New Albany, we believe.
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Lucinda Anna, now Mrs. Shipman, was baptized. Cousin Martha Ann Waring (now Mrs. Gonzales) was baptized on the 28th day of Novem- ber following."
The Presbyterians, until the winter of 1820, worshipped in the " log school house," which stood upon one of the public square lots, near the site of the present elegant Court House. The church built in 1819-'20 was destroyed by fire in 1821. There occurred after 1820 a marked de- clension in the spiritual condition of the church, and its pastorate was vacant from 1819 until the 16th of November, 1832, when Rev. Ezra H. Day was employed as pastor. From that time to the present this church bas prospered, and from it has gone out all the Presbyterian societies in this city and its immediate vicinity.
There are at present in this city twenty church edifices, representing eight religions denominations, as follows : Three Baptist, two Roman Catholic, one Christian, one Episcopal, two Lutheran, seven Methodist, three Presbyterian, and one United Brethren.
EDUCATIONAL .- It is generally conceded that good schools, particu- larly good public schools, free and open to all, are the proudest monu- ments that a city can boast of. In this particular New Albany is highly favored. Her citizens, early perceiving the advantages that would re- sult from the establishment of public schools, embarked liberally in the enterprise, and have since sustained them with a generous hand. Until now this city can boast of eight schools, including the "Scribner High School," the cost of the school edifices being over $70,000, having an attendance of 5,555 scholars, and giving employment to thirty five teachers.
These schools are graded as follows : A and B Primary, A and B Intermediate, A and B Grammar, and the High School. The pupils are commenced with the alphabet in the Primary department, and car- ried through, by grade, as they progress in their studies, until they graduate in the High School, in all the branches of a common English education, and are made ready to enter as Freshmen in any of our col- leges. Of private schools there are, as far as we have been able to ascertain, twelve. Tousley's Academy and Morse's Academy are equal to any private schools in the State. At St. Mary's school, (which has the largest and finest school building in the city, except DePauw College, it being 50x70 and five stories high, and costing $20,000,) pupils are given a thorough scientific course. In several of the other private schools the higher branches are taught. Pe Pauw College is a strictly first class collegiate institute for the education of females, and is proba- bly one of the best female institutions in the State-an honor to New Albany and to the Indiana Conference, under the patronage of which it is established.
The above will demonstrate to every one that there is not a city in the West, of equal population, that possesses educational advantages equal to New Albany. In this particular no city in the State has a higher reputation or offers superior inducements to persons desiring to change Z - their place of residence in order to enable them to educate their child- ren. The city is equally celebrated for health, morality, and beauty of location, and when the educational enterprises now contemplated here are carried into successful operation, New Albany will become the most celebrated city in the West or South for its educational institutions.
SKETCH OF NEW ALBANY.
MANUFACTURES .- Considering the natural advantages of New Albany as a manufacturing point, much more might be done, than is at present, in this line. Manufacturing is that kind of enterprise which, more than all others, is calculated to build up a city, and give something like sta- bility to its prosperity and growth. Trade and commerce may do much towards enriching a community-embellishing a city-and building up a monied aristocracy. But after all, manufacturing enterprise is the only sure element of prosperity and permanent growth. Without this but few cities in this country can hope to grow to any considerable im- portance. Had more attention been given to manufacturing in New Albano, she would this day have occupied a position far above what she does. Still the people have not been wholly unmindful of their best interests in this respect. In certain classes of manufactures the ground has been well improved, and it has told well upon the prosperity of the city. But her resources in this respect are not yet half developed. Much remains to be done-and if done rightly, cannot fail to result in building up at this point a great manufacturing and commercial city.
We propose to give our readers a brief description of some of the lead- ing manufacturing establishments ; to notice all would require too much space. While at the same time we do not wish to do injustice to any, we wish it to be distinctly understood that we are not paid for these notices, and, therefore, our only object is to have the manufacturing in- terests of this city properly represented.
BOAT BUILDING .- It is not necessary for us to speak of this important branch of trade that has in past years given this city a wide reputation. The excellence of workmanship of New Albany built boats has become in fact proverbial, and the consequence is that her ship-carpenters can always secure the preference of steamboat owners over all their rivals. The best and the fastest Mississippi River palaces were built at this place, and the thousands of passengers they have safely carried can bear testi- mony as to their excellent qualities. At the present time there are seven firms engaged in this trade, the largest being that of Messrs. D. C. Hill & Co.
NEW ALBANY GLASS WORKS, J. B. Ford & Son, proprietors, were es- tablished February, 1867, and occupy six buildings, three of which are brick, the balance being both of brick and wood. The one used in the manufacture of window glass is 65x85; another for cutting the same is 50x154; two buildings, 20x100, one used for warehouse, the other for silvering, or finishing glass plate for mirrors ; warehouse, 40x100, and the bottle house, 65x80, which is entirely new. They employ 120 hands and four teams, and consume annually in their year's work (ten months) 165,000 bushels of coal, 500 tons soda ash, 1500 tons sand, 9,000 bushels of lime, 600 barrels of salt. These items do not include the stock used in the manufacture of hollow ware, of which they have but recently begun, and although but a new establishment, have all the facilities that enable them to compete and out-rival older firms further up the river. The value of their manufacture for the current year was $300,000. To such establishments as the above the people of this city may well point with pride ; and to such gentlemen as the Messrs. Fords is this city indebted for her future prosperity.
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MILLIGAN'S FOUNDRY AND MACHINE SHOP was established and built in 1866 by the present proprietor. The building is of brick, 50x100, three stories high, substantially built, and cost $18,000. At this shop they manufacture all kinds of steam engines, castings, ornamental iron work, and make a speciality of mill work. Mr. M. employs thirty hands, and the amount of finished work made at his works annually is valued at $20,000.
NEW ALBANY FOUNDRY AND MACHINE SHOP, Johnston & Webster, proprietors, was first started in 1855; was burned and rebuilt in 1867, and is used for the manufacture of steam engines, mill machinery, etc. The machine shop is 80x30, while an addition to this is 80x40, and is used for moulding, etc. The blacksmith shop is 30x40. The above named buildings are all two stories high.
The machinery used in this establishment consists of four lathes, one planer, one vertical borer, one drilling machine, one turning lathe; all of which is driven by two steam engines of great power. This firm employ thirty hands.
NATIONAL STOVE FOUNDRY, F. H. Gohmann & Co., proprietors, has been established three years, and has now a fine trade. They manu- facture stoves, hollow ware, wagon boxes, etc., etc. Among the many different patterns they manufacture, we might mention the " Original," (three sizes) " Queen of the West," (four sizes) " New Albany," (three sizes) all of which are very popular with the people, while their heat- ing, cannon and box stoves cannot be excelled. Their foundry is 110x 120, part of which is two stories high, employ twenty-five hands, and have in use one of " Root's Patent Blowers." Their capacity for the ; manufacture of stoves is twenty-five per day complete, and nse from two to three ton of iron per day.
THE BOILER SHOP OF STUCKY & Co., was built in 1860, and is 130x 120, two stories high, and employ fifty hands. This firm manufacture all kinds of boiler, tank, sheet iron, steamboat and mill work. The machinery they employ are two sets of rolls, eight shears, and four punchers, which are run by a steam engine of eighteen horse power. Messrs. S. & Co., make a speciality of boilers and iron furnaces, and the amount they manufacture yearly is about $100,000.
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AMERICAN FOUNDRY AND MACHINE- SHOP, D. C. Hill & Co., preprie- tors, have been established fifteen years, and are well and favorably known, especially by those who have had at any time an interest in the river trade. Their machine shop is 60x100; foundry, 100x100, both having the latest improvements. Messrs. Hill & Co. are also known as one of the largest boat-building firms on the river ; and have in con- nection with the above two saw-mills, ship-yard, etc., where they have and are at all times ready to contract for river craft of any size or kind complete. They also make a speciality of heavy castings, steamboat and stationary engines and mill work. They employ one hundred and fifty hands, and their receipts are about $200,000 per year.
THE MORROOCO FACTORY of T. & A. Hopkins, is the only one of the kind in this vicinity, and has been established four years. Their building is 75x60, two and a half stories high, employ nine hands, and tan 20,000 sheep pelts, annually, 100 calf skins per month, and 100 hog skins per week. The tannery is supplied with all conveniences. The specialty
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