USA > Kentucky > Henderson County > History of Henderson County, Kentucky > Part 29
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On the seventeenth day of February, an act to amend the city charter was approved. This act reinstated within the city limits all that territory lying between fourth and eighth lower cross streets, a portion of the same let out in 1825 under that remarkable trade be- tween the citizens and James Alves and others.
1859.
Mc Bride's old Horse Mill, near the corner of Eighth and Main Streets, was torn away by order of the Council, passed March 24. This was one of the first mills built in the county, and for many years . did the grinding for this entire section of country.
On the second day of May a poll was opened to take the sense of the qualified voters as to the propriety of the city paving the river front between uppe. second and third cross streets, and authorizing the issue of $30,000 of her bonds, bearing six per cent. interest, to run twenty years, for the purpose of paying for said wharf. The vote resulted as follows: In the First Ward, for the bonds, 77; against the bonds, 1. In the Second Ward, for the bonds, 53 ; against the bonds, 2. These bonds were never issued.
On the seventeenth day of May, an ordinance was passed, au- thorizing the erection of works for the manufacture of illuminating gas, and giving the privilege of selling and suppling the same to the city for the term of fifty years.
On the sixteenth day of August, the old public well, in the inter- section of Main and Second cross streets, was ordered filled up and the pump removed. This old well had refreshed many of the inhabitants for years and years, and it may be, that its cooling waters, made poi-
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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
sonous by filth deposited therein by evil-disposed persons, had aided in sending others to untimely graves. It also had a history asso- ciated with the corrective influences of courts, and such like. It was a power, it was a terror at times. As a corrector of morals and mis- demeanors, it was frequently pointed to, and upon more than two occa- sions that old pump handle was made to ring out, as its rapid stream poured down upon the head and body of some penitent subject who had violated the laws of society and morals.
The $50,000 of bonds voted on the seventeenth day of Novem ber, 1855, to aid in completion of the Henderson & Nashville Rail- road, were never issued, but by a compromise between the Council and the railroad officials, it was agreed that a proposition to subscribe $100,000, one-fourth payable when five miles of the track was laid, one-half when ten miles was completed, and so on till the whole amount had been paid, should be submitted at an election to be held on the seventeenth day of September, 1857. An ordinance was passed directing the election to be held and the vote taken as fol- lows : " In favor of the subscription by the city of one thousand shares of one hundred dollars each of the capital stock in the Hen- derson & Nashville Railroad, and another column opposed to the subscription by the City of Henderson of one thousand shares of one hundred dollars each. Also another column in favor of a direct tax to be paid in three years in six semi-annual payments, to be made and levied of the taxable property of the city, to be appropriated to the payment of the subscription of stock. Also another column in favor of paying the subscription of stock by the issuance of bonds of the said city, payable to the railroad company at thirty years after date, bearing six per cent. interest, payable semi-annually."
The election was held and resulted as follows : Two hundred and twenty-nine votes in favor of the city subscribing one thousand shares of one hundred dollars each, and 229 votes in favor of a direct tax, pay- able semi-annually in six installments, to meet said subscription ; op- posed to the subscription and tax, 6 votes ; in favor of the thirty year bonds, none.
Elm Street, from first upper cross street to a line between the property of Governor L. W. Powell and Thomas Evans below the Square, was ordered graded, guttered and paved according to the plan of general improvement of the streets. This work was com- pleted early in 1860.
On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, March 14, 15 and 16, the citizens of the town enjoyed a most charming musical
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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
treat at three performances of Cooper's celebrated opera troupe. Miss Annie Milner, the best English soprana heard in this country for sixteen or eighteen years, was the leading artist, and was the more remarkable, as she had had but little stage experience. She exhib- ited many of the peculiar beauties of her instructress, the celebrated Mrs. Wood, particularly in the sweetness of her trills, the firmness of her sostenuto and the remarkable ease with which she attacked the notes in her upper register. Her entire rendition of Verdi's trying part of Leanora in " Il Trovatore," was a perfect success and stamped her a great lyric artist. The singing of the entire troupe was warmly ap- plauded, and it is safe to say no entertainment prior to that time or since has so captivated the city. The great Rudolfson, who is yet de- lighting the musical world, was one of this opera company, and will long be remembered by many who enjoyed the richness of his vocal powers.
June 19, Dr. A. J. Morrison suicided in the county jail.
July 18, the young Americans of Henderson were surprised and diverted by five or six Indians in their peculiar uniforms. These savages were somewhat civilized and begged importunately. The males and females were each as ugly as it is said of a Ducth picture of the devil.
July of this year was the hottest ever known, the thermometer indicating from 98 in the shade during the morning to 103 in the afternoon.
Dr. Owen Glass, a leading citizen, and greatly respected by all who knew him, died suddenly, December 29
1860.
February 25, an act, to amend an act, incorporating the City of Henderson was approved. This act restored the old boundaries ac- cording to the original plat. The Mayor and Council were given general powers over streets, etc., and the city divided into two wards, Mill or Second Street being the dividing line.
On the seventeenth of March the new charter was submitted to a vote and ratified by the people. This charter brought in the addi- tions made by James Alves.
In January the magnificent steamer Grey Eagle, built for the Louisville & Henderson Packet Line, made her first trip, and was re- ceived on rounding in at Henderson by the " Henderson Guards " with a royal salute from their handsome loud-mouthed six-pound brass
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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
cannon. Captain W. H. Daniels acknowledged the compliment in a becoming manner.
In the fall of 1859 John C. Stapp had buflded an immense ice house, which he filled during the winter with ice for the accommoda- tion of the general public. In the sp.ing of 1860 he advertised as follows : " Having erected and filled with superior ice, a mammoth ice house, I wish to furnish private families and others with that lux- ury the ensuing season, commencing May 15 and continuing until the first day of October at the following rates : For the season of four months, $12 for one-fourth bushel per day, $20 for one-half bushel per day, $28 for three-fourths of a bushel per day, and $35 for one bushel per day, oz. weight. In all cases of sickness where the parties are not able to buy ice I will supply them free of charge."
On March 10 the streets along the gas main were lit with gas for the first time.
March 5 William D. Allison, for thirty-eight years Circuit and County Clerk of Henderson County and decidedly the most popular man in the county, departed this life after a brief illness.
March 8, Joseph Grant, for many years the only butcher in the city, dropped suddenly dead.
March 21, a miniature hurricane swept the river, sinking two coal barges and a boat containing a large number of sewing machines at the foot of the wharf.
May 10, E. G. Hall was elected Mayor, the total vote polled being 320.
June 10 the new Methodist Church was dedicated, and at the evening meeting $3,000 was raised by subscription to free the build- ing from debt. Rev. Charles Booth Parsons conducted the services and preached a powerful sermon.
June 5, an agreement or covenant, was entered into between property lot holders, who held adverse possession, and the city, for the surrender upon certain conditions, ground encroaching upon the line of the street, as established by the Eastin survey. This agree- ment was signed by sixty-two lot holders and is recorded in city record book " A," page 260.
On the third day of July an ordinance was passed directing the permanent improvement of Elm Street, between first and fourth up- per cross streets.
Monday, August 20, the first iron rail was laid on the road-bed of the Henderson & Nashville Railroad at the present depot grounds.
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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
This interesting incident in the history of Henderson was attended and witnessed by a large concourse of people. Capt. Jas. W. Clay was accorded the honor of driving the first spike. The Mechanics' Brass Band made harmonious music, while Colonel John W. Crockett and C. M. Pennell made glorious and enthusiastic speeches.
October 4 the first five miles of this road was completed and ready for the iron horse. This was the terminal of the railroad un- til two years after the war, to-wit : 1867.
At a meeting of the Common Council, held October 23, the eight cross streets below the Public Square were appropriately named as follows : First, Washington ; second, Powell; third, Clay ; fourth, Dixon; fifth, Jefferson; sixth, Audubon ; seventh, Jackson, and eighth, Hancock.
December 4 the city paid the first installment of $16,666.66 2-3 on her subscription of one hundred thousand dollars to the building of the Henderson & Nashville Railroad. .
Clouds of war hanging over the country it was resolved by the Council that all improvements of streets and sidewalks that have not already been put under contract be and are hereby suspended indefi- nitely. At the next meeting uncompleted work was ordered to be stopped indefinitely.
During this year, 1860, the Council exerted every energy to keep Henderson abreast of the times, all of the lots lying on First Street had by order of the Council been filled up and the street itself had been filled and improved. An immense amount of street improve- ments in other parts of the city had been completed and begun. Property had been reclaimed and in many instances a liberal com- promise had been effected with those lot holders who held property encroaching upon some one or more of the streets of the town. The work of this Council, as well as those preceding it four or five years, was immense and they deserve a more extended notice than time and space in this work will admit of, suffice it say, however, that their labors in a few more years would have culminated in securing Hen- derson a front position among the leading cities of the West, but for the coming of that cruel, cruel war. The war had dawned, and was now about to shine out in all its horrors, and anything of a bright future had begun to settle beneath its lowering cloud of death and desolation.
1861.
The Council was now satisfied that the services of an engineer would be no longer needed, so at the January meeting an order was
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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
passed dispensing with the services of that expert, whom they had kept busy for three years.
At a meeting of the City Council, held January 2, the committee appointed to compromise suits pending in the Henderson Circuit Court between the city and D. R. Burbank, reported the following agreement :
"This article of agreement made and entered into this twenty-ninth day December, 1860, between the City of Henderson and D R. Burbank, wit- nesseth. That, whereas the city has instituted suits against said Burbank for certain streets situated on the property purchased by said Burbank of W. A. Towles and wife and John D. Anderson, also for portions of Green and Washington Streets, and the sidewalk on Elm and Third Streets. where the said Burbank now resides, all of which is inclosed and claimed by him ad- versely to the said city. Now, in consideration of the said Burbank relin- quishing and giving up to the city the portions of Green and Washington Streets, and the sidewalk on Elm and Third Streets above named, the said city agrees to dismiss said suits as to the property now in dispute. It is understood that Burbank is to retain possession of that portion of said Third Street on which his factory stands, until the same shall rot or burn down, or be pulled down or removed, then Burbank is to relinquish to the city the remainder of the sidewalk in his possession. Witness our hands, etc.
" D. R. BURBANK.
ยทยท E. G. HALL, Mayor, etc "
On the twentieth day of April the evidences of bloody war hav- ing become so unmistakably apparent, the Common Council deter- mined to fight, or better, perhaps, to be captured full-handed. The following is a copy of the proceedings of the meeting held on that day :
" Mr. Matthews moved that an appropriation of one thousand dollars be made to purchase arms and ammunition for the protection of the city, which motion carried by the following vote : Ayes-Mayor Hall, Beverley, Ladd, Matthews and Tallbott Nayes-None."
"On motion, R. G. Beverley is appointed a committee to purchase fifty kegs of powder, also to purchase all of the powder now in the city for the use of the city, which motion was carried by the same vote."
The teaching of negro Sunday Schools was prohibited, and the meeting of that race in the city for public worship when conducted, controlled, or assisted by a slave, or free negro, was declared to be a nuisance. It was made the duty of the Marshal to disperse all such meetings, and to arrest the person or persons by whom the same was conducted, and if the preacher, speaker or exhorter be a slave he was to be punished with any number of lashes not less than ten, nor more than twenty, and if a free negro to be fined not less than twenty, nor more than fifty dollars.
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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
Mr. Beverly reported on the twenty-sixth of April that he had purchased the powder directed in the order of the previous meeting, and thereupon a motion was made to furnish the " Henderson Guards," with such quantities as they may need for "protection purposes." This motion was unanimously carried. Upon motion of Mr. Beverly the City Council was then constituted a Committee of " Public Safe- ty," any two members to have power to act. The Mayor was then instructed to notify the colored preacher, Green, not to preach here any more. The city having been fortified with powder enough to blow up the enemy, and all other military precautions taken, the Coun- cil then cast a guardian circumspection once more over the streets, , Market House, etc., until her pickets should be driven in or the ap- proach of a flag of truce demanding a surrender.
On the seventh day of May the " Henderson Guards " are again remembered, this time handsomely. Councilman Dr. Lafayette Jones offered the following resolution, and the same was unanimously adopted :
" WHEREAS, The officers and members of the Henderson Guards have expended a great deal of money, time and labor in effecting their organ- ization, and whereas the said company has given in the way of a night guard its services recently, and expresses a willingness to continue said service, and in as much as many of the members of said company are pecuniarly unable to furnish themselves with uniforms and bear the other necessary expenses entailed upon them, therefore
" Be it resolved, By the Mayor and the Council that the sum of three hun- dred dollars be appropriated for the use and benefit of the " Henderson Guards" and that said sum be placed in the hands of Captain E. G. Hall (Mayor) for the benefit of said company ."
This trifling recognition was all right, and as the Home Guards were all wealthy men, individually and collectively, and were pos- sessed of constitutions fully equal to the demand of night service made upon them, for weeks prior to that time, and for many weeks afterwards, they rejoiced at the luck of their comrades in arms. But a short time afterwards one Colonel Charles Cruft came to town from Indiana, and then there was no " Henderson Guards " to defend the Committee of Public Safety, or the fifty kegs of powder that had been hid for protection purposes.
On the fifth day of October the "Committee of Public Safety " caused the following order to be issued : " The Mayor and Marshal are authorized to sell all of the powder belonging to the city to the merchants or citizens thereof, according to their discretion, and at no less a price than ten dollars per keg."
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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
The total valuation of property reported this year, including 37 stores and 141 slaves, amounted to $1,614,170. White males over 21 years, 431 ; free negroes over 16 years, 9, and 34 dogs, the head tax on all of which amounted to $8,803.35. There were 8 tobacco stemmeries, 15 groceries, 11 taverns and boarding houses, 3 produce and commission merchants, 1 lumber yard, 1 wagon yard and 1 wharf boat, upon all of which was assessed a specific tax of $867.50. Dur- ing the winter of 1861 Hugh Kerr's tobacco factory, corner Water and Fourth streets, burned.
1862.
The pedestrians who had plodded in the mud and mire from early recollection, wanted more street conveniences. They had real- ized the comforts of a progressive age, and like the church parson, enthused by the eloquent exhortation of his co-worker, cried out aloud, "Go on, brother." They must now have stepping stones at each intersection, and in the middle of the Square. On the thirteenth day of May a contract was entered into to have such work done at all of the principal crossings. From that day to this, the citizen who had tramped the streets with his unblacke I conestogas drawn over the outside of his pants, has enjoyed the felicity of perambulating around the muddiest of streets in his blacked and shiny box-toed, high and dry above the scum of the earth, and so much for a pro- gressive Council. The days of the " Committee of Public Safety " had now almost come to an end One Colonel John W. Foster, hail- ing from Evansville, in the State of Indiana, and holding in his pocket a Federal commission to reconstruct every man south of the Ohio River who should happen to come under his military supervision, stepped into the warlike arena and announced himself monarch whether the " Committe of Public Safety " liked it or not. This man, Foster, was a positively positive man, and thought to be as positively unscrupulous. If he was a failure in the military field, where the balls and shells flew the thickest, that was no reason why he should not sit in his comfortable room at the Hord House and rule with an iron will. .
On the sixteenth day of August this distinguished Post Com. mandant, whose forte was bartering with guerrillas, and suspected sympathisers, and always beating them in the trade, issued his first bull and addressed it to the "Committee of Safety." That remark. able document reads as follows :
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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
" HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES FORCES, ) AT HENDERSON, KY., August 16, 1862.
To the Members of the City Council of Henderson, Ky .:
" GENTLEMEN-It has been brought to my notice that Mayor Hall has, contrary to the orders of the Secretary of War, absented himself from the city and from his post of duty. He has done this without reporting himself to ME. I am reliably informed that he has fled from the city, either to avoid the contemplated draft or to join the rebel army. In either case he has for- feited his office, and incurred the penalties of the military authorities I de- sire that you should take prompt and decided action in the matter. Mayor Hall must return to his post of duty and purge himself from the suspicion that resting upon him, or you must declare his office vacant and order a new elec- tion. I desire that you would act upon the matter to-night, and notify ine of your actions. Very respectfully,
JOHN W. FOSTER, " Lieutenant Colonel Commanding Post."
The Council had been called in extra session, and about that time the mere thought of a prison cell was equally as alarming as the fact of having been locked in. This then being true, Councilman Beverly offered the following resolution, which was adopted unani- mously without discussion :
" WHEREAS, It appears from a communication of Lt. Col. John W . Foster, commanding Post Henderson, Ky : (in accordance to which the Council met) that His Honor, Mayor Hall, has absented himself from his post of duty; therefore, be it
Resolved, That in accordance with said military order, and the provisions of the city charter, should the Mayor not appear within ten days of the publi- cation of this notice, the Council will take the steps ordered by the CHARTER to elect a Mayor to fill his place.
"Resloved, That a copy of this order be handed to Lieutenant Colonel John W. Foster, commanding post."
Three days after this meeting of the Council, Col. Foster called another one and sent the following communication :
" HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES AT HENDERSON, KY., August 19th, 1862. -
To the City Council of Henderson, Ky .:
GENTLEMEN-I have received a copy of the proceedings of your Board of August 16th, by which you propose that 'Should the Mayor not appear within ten days of the publication of this notice, the Council will take the steps or- dered by the Charter to elect a Mayor to fill his vacancy.' I am not informed as to what you construe a 'publication of the notice.' I cannot learn that any other publication has been made other than spreading it upon the records of the Council and sending me a copy. If you deem that sufficient notice, the ten days began to run from the 16th inst. Mr. E. G. Hall, the late Mayor
21
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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
of Henderson, has abandoned his post secretly, in the darkness of the night. fled from the city taking misguided youth with him, and has joined the rebel army in rebellion against the Government.
" No time should be lost in supplying the place which he has disgracefully and traitorously abandoned. I, therefore, require that you issue a proclama- tion to the citizens of Henderson, setting forth the fact that you are credibly intormed that E. G Hall, late Mayor of Henderson, has secretly abandoned and made vacant the office of Mayor, and has joined himself with those in rebellion against the Government, and therefore, unless he should return on or before the 26th inst., and purge himself of the charge, there is ordered an election to be held to fill the vacancy occasioned by his action, on Wednesday, August the 27th, 1862.
"In this way. I think, you will meet all the requirements of the city char- ter, and at the same time show your willingness, as loyal officers, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the action of a disloyal associate.
" Very respectfully, "JOHN W. FOSTER, " Lt. Col. Commanding Post."
This order was fully discussed, and the advice of the City Attor- ney asked for. It was agreed to carry out the will of Foster, and while the Attorney was engaged drawing up a proclamation conform- ing thereto, another communication was received, on the point of a bayonet, which read as follow :
" HEADQUARTERS U. S FORCES AT HENDERSON. KY , August 19th, 1862.
To the City Council of Henderson, Ky .:
"GENTLEMEN-The late Mayor of your city, and your associate officer, has secretly fled from the city and joined the enemies of the Government in a wicked war for its overthrow. As you have heretofore been his political friends, and were elected to office on the same ticket with him, I deem it proper in order that you may relieve yourselves from suspicion, that you, together with all other officers elected with you, subscribe and take the oath accom- panying this letter. Very respectfully,
"JOHN W. FOSTER, " Lt. Col Commanding Post." OATH.
" We do severally solemnly swear that we have borne, and will bear, true allegiance to the United States of America and the State of Kentucky. That we have supported, and will support, the Constitution of the United States and the State of Kentucky, the ordinances of any State Convention or Legis- lature to the contrary notwithstanding; that we have not encouraged, and will not encourage, the enemies of the United States, and especially the supporters of the so-called Confederate States, or give them aid and comfort either by word, vote or actions
"That we have not encouraged, and will not encourage, the enlistment of troops for their aid; that we have not desired the success of their arms, nor
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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
exulted over any reverse of the arms of the Federal Government; that we have not encouraged, and will not encourage. opposition to the collection of the tax imposed by the United States, save through the ballot box; that we will furnish all information of the enemy. their aiders or abettors, to the proper United States authorities, when we can do so, and in all things have demeaned, and will demean, ourselves honestly and sincerely, as true and loyal support- ers and friends of both the constitution and laws of the United States made in pursuance thereof-so help me God."
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