USA > Kentucky > Henderson County > History of Henderson County, Kentucky > Part 48
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81
Work progressed much more rapidly under the new management, and in July, 1885, the first locomotive passed over the bridge. This immense iron and steel bridge cost near two million dollars. It is 3,686 feet in length, single track, with sixteen spans, and three smaller or supplemental ones. The channel span, built entirely of steel, is five hundred and twenty-five feet in length-said to be five feet longer than any other iron or steel span in the world. The entire iron and steel work was done by the Key Stone Bridge Company, of Pittsburgh, Pa. There are fifteen stone piers, nine of which rest upon immense wooden caissons, sunk to a rock foundation, and filled com- pactly with concrete.
During the building of the bridge there were only six or eight lives lost, and in every instance the loss of life was owing entirely to the recklessness of the unfortunate person. Mr. William Reardon, of New York, who superintended the sinking and placing of the cais- sons, told the writer that it was the first instance known where such work was so successfully done. Prior to the building of the Hender- son bridge, there had never been a pneumatic pier sunk without the loss of life. Five were sunk here, and not a life lost. He gave it as his opinion that the Henderson bridge has the best foundation of any similar structure in the world.
On the sixth day of August, 1885, an immense banquet was given by the city and citizens of Henderson in honor of the opening for travel of the bridge. This banquet was spread in Marshall & Co.'s large warehouse, and was certainly one of the most abundantly sup- plied and elegant affairs ever witnessed in the West. Thousands of
C.O. ENG.
18002
LOUISVILLE & NASHVILLE RAILROAD BRIDGE.
507
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
people were in Henderson on that long to be remembered day, from all parts of this great United States. It was estimated that there were twenty thousand people present? At night, from barges in the river at the foot of the wharf, there was given an unsurpassed display of fireworks. At the banquet speeches were made by General Basil Duke, Judge H. W. Bruce, General Manager L. & N .; E. B. Stahl- man, of Louisville ; Judge S. B. Vance, Evansville ; Judge John L. T. Sneed, of Memphis, Tenn., and Hons. John Young Brown and J. H. Powell, of Henderson. An elegant speech tendering the hospitalities of the city was made by Mayor C. C. Ball.
Notwithstanding the elegance and appropriateness of this cele. bration, many citizens became dissatisfied, and on September 1st gave an immense barbecue in honor of the bridge opening.
HENDERSON GAS COMPANY .- During the year 1858 a company was organized for the purpose of manufacturing illuminating gas.
The city subscribed ten shares, of fifty dollars each, to the capi- tal stock, and payed the subscription by deeding to the company the ground upon which the works were built. Wm. Miller, who professed to be an expert in the art of gas manufacture, was employed as Super- intendent, and placed in charge with directions to furnish plans and specifications. This he did, and some months thereafter completed the works, but upon a cheap and insignificant scale. On the seventeenth day of May, 1859, an ordinance was passed, granting the company the right to lay gas mains in the streets. March 10th, 1860, the streets were lighted for the first time. The pipes used, or the greater part of them, were cast at a little foundery then in Henderson, on the cor ner of Fourth and Main Streets, and were very imperfectly made. The leakage was immense, and this, coupled with the imperfection of the works, and the war coming on, caused a suspension of any further attempt to manufacture gas. November 24th, 1860, Hugh Kerr brought suit to foreclose a mortgage which was held for the sum of $784.00 and interest. On the eighth day of April, 1864, Samuel P. Spaulding, as assignee for Peter Semonin, sued to foreclose a mort- gage for the sum of $835.25. Judgment in both cases were taken, and on the twenty-fifth day of April, 1864, the works exposed to sale by D. N. Walden, Sheriff. At the sale J. C. Allin became the pur- chaser for the city, but the sale was set aside by the Court of Appeals and a second sale ordered. January 22d, 1866, the works were again sold by George A. Sugg, Sheriff, and Robert G. Rouse became the purchaser, and at the sum of $1,991.35. This bid was transferred to the city, the sale was confirmed, and a deed made.
.
508
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
The works remained idle until December 6th, 1866, when they were leased to William O'Bryan, an irresponsible character who was com- pelled to throw up the contract six months after. On the seventeenth day of July, 1869, the Council determined to place the works in com- plete repair, and to that end appropriated seven thousand dollars, and entered into contract with T. M. Jenkins, as Superintendent, for the term of fifteen years. At the expiration of his term of office in July, 1884, William Canning, the present incumbant, was elected Superin- tendent.
The Henderson Gas Works belong wholly to the city of Hender- son, and in completeness is unsurpassed by any works of that char- acter to be found in the West.
The brilliancy of its production, under the superior management of Superintendent William Cannings, has attained the highest stand- ard. The streets of the city are largely lighted, and by this means the wayfaring man is greatly assisted in his night travels. All of the manufactories, including tobacco stemmeries, and a large majority of residences along the line of mains are consumers, so that for many years past these works have proven a handsome paying investment, and to- day as is being furnished consumers for the moderate sum of one dollar and seventy-five cents per thousand feet, meter measure. The city at this time has over four hundred consumers. The present capacity of the works is 50,000 feet per twenty-four hours. Recently a large ad- dition of machinery has been made to the works, and thus the capac- ity will be greatly increased.
HENDERSON COTTON MILLS .- This company was organized in 1883, with a capital stock of $400,000, paid in. A large amount of this stock is owned in the East, notably Lowell and Hopdale, Mass.
In 1883 the contract for building this immense mill was awarded the Holtzclaw Brothers, of Washington City, and very soon thereafter work was begun under the superintendance of W. A. Johnson. The main building is 324 feet in length, 95 feet in width, and is three stories in height. In addition to this, there is a boiler house, 40x60 feet, engine room, 30x60 feet, and a picker room, 60x40 feet. The basement underneath the entire main building is used for power, first floor, for weaving ; second floor, for spinning; third floor, for carding. The power consists of seven tubular boilers, 16 feet by 5 feet diameter, steel throughout ; fifty-four four-inch flues, with brick stack 142 feet high and five foot flue ; one pair Reynolds' Corliss engines. The capacity of the mill is 600 looms, 2,200 spindles. It is lighted
)
IKIN, PRESIDENT.
W.W. CUMNOCK, SUPERINTENDENT
PAUL.J.MARRS, S
Henderson Cotton Mills
FALLS CITY WITH.CO. LOU . KY.
HENDERSON, AY.
509
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
by electricity, Edison's incandescent, and has in each story fire hydrants and ample hose, supplied from the water mains which have been laid down to the mill.
The engines that move all of this vast machinery are unsurpassed in strength and finish. The entire system of machinery is of the latest and most improved known to the manufacturing world. This mill, one of the largest in the West, was completed during the winter of 1883, '84, and commenced work September, 1885. Two hundred men, women and boys are employed, and weekly 160,000 yards of fine sheetings are manufactured and turned out in bales. So popular have become the brands of sheetings made by this mill, the manage- ment have found it beyond their limit to supply the demand made upon them by the jobbers of the country. Their goods are sought for from Cincinnati to San Francisco, and North and Northwest.
In addition to the mill, the Company owns fourteen acres of land lying on both sides of Washington Street, and thirty-two double two- story brick tenement houses, built at a cost of $30,000, with water service in each, strictly for the use of operatives.
Four thousand, five hundred bales of cotton are consumed annually, and their pay-roll for help aggregates $2,650 per week. By Eastern men, who have long engaged in the manufacture of cotton goods, this mill is regarded equal to the best in the United States, and for this satisfactory result the greatest credit is due W. W. Cumnock, Superintendent.
The present officers are : James E. Rankin, President, John H Barret, Vice President ; Paul J. Marrs, Secretary and Treasurer, and W. W. Cumnock, Superintendent. Directors : James E. Rankin, John H. Barret, R. C. Soaper, Paul J. Marrs and John H. Hodge, of Henderson, A. G. Cumnock, Lowell, and General William L. Draper, of Hopdale, Mass. As an evidence of the value of this mill's products, the company has declared semi-annual dividends of four per cent.
HENDERSON WOOLLEN MILLS .- This Company filed articles of incorporation May 2d, 1882. The company, however, was organized April 15th, 1882. The original officers were : James R. Barret, President; M. Yeaman, Vice President ; Joe. B. Alves, Secretary and Treasurer ; James Cates, Superintendent.
The main mill building is a large brick, three-stories, basement and roomy attic, making it about equal to a four-story building, height of ceiling considered. In addition to the main building, there is a picker room, 35x35, and a dye house, 30x40. Separate from the main
510
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
building is a dry room, 18x20, and a wareroom, 70x20. These buildings were completed during the winter of 1882, '83, and soon thereafter stocked with the finest machinery purchasable.
The power to move the machines is furnished by an automatic cut-off engine of large capacity and power, and a 60 inch boiler, 14 feet long. This mill runs 60 looms, 1,700 spindles and two sets 60 cards. One hundred and forty operatives are employed in making " Kentucky Jeans " of the best quality.
In September, 1886, a pants making department was added and a large force of women and girls are employed in making pants for the jobbing trade. Forty-two sewing machines run by power are em- ployed, and twenty dozen pairs pants are turned out daily. Fifty persons are employed in this department. The company is a heavy buyer of foreign as well as domestic wools. June, 1886, the capital stock was increased and now aggregates $70,000. The regular pay-roll amounts to $750. The first floor or basement is used by the sewing depart- ment ; second floor, weaving or finishing ; third, carding and spinning ; fourth, stock.
The Company enjoys a patronage equal to the capacity of the mill, distributed over the South and West. Present officers are : Jas. R. Barret, President ; S. K. Sneed, Vice President ; Joe. B. Alves, Secretary and Treasurer ; James Morning, Superintendent ; Samuel Ofner, Manager Cutting Department.
HENDERSON COAL AND MINING COMPANY .- This company was organized in October, 1875, the first meeting being held October 15th. On the thirteenth day of March, 1875, articles of incorporation were filed. The following named gentleman were elected officers for the first year : W. S. Johnson, President; James S. Alves, Secretary and General Superintendent; D. Banks, Jr., Treasurer. Directors : W. S. Johnson, Joe. B. Alves, Thomas Soaper, V. M. Mayer and Jacob Peters. The stock of the company was capitalized at $12,000. Work- in sinking a shaft was commenced October 8th, 1875, and No. 9 vein was reached at a depth of one hundred and eighty-four feet, in May, 1876. On the twenty-seventh day of April, 1882, the name, "Hen- derson Coal and Mining Company " was annulled, and substituted in lieu thereof "The Henderson Mining and Manufacturing Company." The capital stock was then increased to $36,000, and the building of an Ice Factory immediately begun upon the grounds of the company adjoining the coal mines. The capacity of this factory was six and one-half tons per day, large enough for 1882, but falling short of the demand made upon it at this time, and as a consequence, the com- pany in addition to their own manufacture, deal heavily in lake ice.
511
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
The present officers of the Mining and Manufacturing Company are, Thomas Soaper, President; James S. Alves, Superintendent; G. M. Alves, Secretary and Treasurer. Directors : Thomas Soaper, John H. Barret, Jr., .J. Ed. Rankin, Geo. G. Ellis and Henry Bauldoff
FIRE DEPARTMENT .- Henderson has a fire department of which she is justly proud. These self-sacrificing men serve without pay, and no company has ever been more successful in keeping under control and finally subduing fires than has the Henderson department. They have two large hose reels, hook and ladder wagon, with buckets, hooks and ladders, and three splendid horses to pull them rapidily at the sounding of an alarm. In addition to this they have an abund- ance of hose to reach any fire within the limits of the water mains. The fire service in Henderson is the best and most successful to be had.
The Water Works, with its great pressure and abundance of wa- ter, is called in aid at a moment's notice, and in the shortest time possible a perfect flood of water can be used. There is no breaking of machinery, no giving out of water as is so frequently the case in other cities. On the contrary, there can be thrown two steady, unceas- ing, strong pressure streams as long as needed. The success of this department in suppressing fires in the past has been remarkable. The following named compose the company : William Cannings, Chief ; John Kriel, Captain; Hector Kohl, Secretary ; Robert Ally, Abe Melton, William Labrey, Newton Shaw, Pat. Moran, William McCon- nell, Pat Byrnes, John Powers, Jim Gorman and Alex Fenwick.
BANKS .- The Farmers' Bank was organized on March 2d, 1850, and commenced business in October, 1850, in the building now occu- pied by the Henderson National Bank. Dr. Owen Glass was elected President, D. Banks, Cashier, and Henry Lyne, Clerk, or Bookkeeper. The capital stock of the bank was fixed at $150,000, and Wednes- day of each week appointed, stated Board meetings. Dr. Glass, who owned the building, was allowed $250 rent per annum.
The business of the bank increased so rapidly it was determined by the Board to erect a banking house better suited to the times. To this end, therefore, on the 21st day of July, 1855, a lot 60x194 feet, lying on the North East corner of Elm and Second Cross Streets, was purchased of Dr. Glass for the sum of three thousand dollars. April, 1856, a contract was entered into with W. B. Vandzant and J. E. Fagan to erect the new building. The house was completed in the early part of 1857, and the archives removed therein.
512
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY,
The Directors at that time were Owen Glass, George Atkinson, Samuel Stites, John G. Holloway, James E. Rankin and David R. Burbank. Dr. Glass died December 29th, 1859, and John G Hollo- way was elected President. In February D. Banks resigned the Cashiership, and on March 8th, 1860, Thomas D. Tilford assumed charge as Cashier. May, 1860, John G. Holloway resigned the Pres- idency, and Joseph Adams was elected. September 1st, 1860, Henry Lyne resigned the Clerkship, and then the office of Teller was created, and Leonard H. Lyne unanimously elected to that position. Septem- ber 1st, 1861, Thomas D. Tilford resigned the Cashiership, and Leon- ard H. Lyne was elected, and John C. Herndon appointed Clerk. On the 12th day of July, 1866, a new Banking House, more centrally located, was determined upon, and the now handsome stone front building, a picture of which will be seen in this volume, was erected and occupied in 1867. The building on the northeast corner of Elm and Second Cross Streets was sold to the Presbyterian Church. In Janu- ary, 1878, Joseph Adams resigned the Presidency, and J. E. McCallis- ter was elected. S. K. Skneed, A. W. Overton, John C. Adams and William S. Lyne served their time as bookkeepers.
October 30th, 1867, Charles T. Starling was elected Bookkeeper and subsequently Teller. September 25th, 1881, Col. L. H. Lyne, Cashier, departed this life, and on the 27th, Charles T. Starling was elected to fill the vacancy occasioned by his death. On the second day of August, 1882, Col. Jackson McClain was elected President in place of John E. McCallister. Edward Atkinson was elected Teller, and E. L. Starling, Jr., Bookkeeper; in place of A. Shelby Rudy. resigned, Spalding Trafton, Clerk. The present officers are, Jackson McClain, President; Charles T. Starling, Cashier ; Edward Atkinson, Teller ; Edmund L. Starling, Jr., Bookkeeper and Spaulding Trafton, Clerk. Directors: Hon. H. F. Turner, W. J. Marshall, David Clark, W. W. Shelby, Martin Schlamp, Jackson McClain and A. T. Dudley.
This old reliable institution, under the splendid management of Col. L. H. Lyne, was ever one of the most successful financial corpo- rations in the State. During the war it continued to accommodate its ·patrons, nevertheless it was at all times threatened by prowling bands of guerrillas and thieves. Col. Lyne, by prudence and constant and . untiring watchfulness, succeeded in bringing his bank through the war with only one robbery, and to him all honor is due.
Mr. Starling, present Cashier, has succeeded eminently in sus- taining the former high standard of the bank, and has very materially increased its business. It is, as it has always been, the leading bank
1.
FARMERS BANK OF KENTUCKY
JORGENSON
FARMERS' BANK.
.
513
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
of the place, and now has a capital of $319,000, with an unusually large deposit patronage.
THE HENDERSON NATIONAL BANK .- Organized Nov. 21st, 1865, commenced business January 1st, 1866, on a capital of $100,000, in- creased September 20th, 1870 to $170,000, and July 2d, 1872, to $200,000, its present paid in capital.
L. C. Dallam was its first President, S. K. Sneed its first Cashier and John H. Barrett, Jr., Clerk.
This bank has regularly declared 5 per cent. dividend in January and July of each year since it commenced business, and two extra dividends, one of 1212 per cent. and one of 15 per cent. Its present surplus, including premiums on its 4 per cent. U. S. bonds, amounts to $120,000. The stock cannot be had at less than 165, and none offered at that price. No bank stock in Southern Kentucky, or in this section of the West, ranks so high or commands such a premium.
The average capital of this bank, since its organization, is 173,000. It has paid in dividends $400,000, has a surplus fund and undivided profits of $105,000, besides the premium on its government bonds stand on its books at par. Its officers and stockholders regard with just pride its exceptional success, and in its list of stockholders are to be found a large number of the wealthiest and staunchest business men of this community, noted as well for their enterprise as their con- servative and practical mode of doing business. One of the most - prominent features of its success is the small amount of losses it has sustained, and perhaps no bank in this or any other city has brought so few suits in the twenty-one years of its existence or done more to encourage and promote all worthy enterprises and assist worthy busi- ness men. Its present Board of Directors is composed of L. C. Dal- lam, R. H. Soaper, John H. Barret, Jr., James R. Barret, Malcolm Yeaman, Thomas Soaper and S. K. Sneed. L. C. Dallam is Presi- dent, S. K. Sneed, Cashier ; B. G. Witt, Assistant Cashier, and Wm. H. Stites and Arthur Katterjohn, bookkeepers. Its deposits average about $200,000.
PLANTERS' NATIONAL BANK .- This bank was established in 1883, with a capitalized stock of $60,000. Hon. Montgomery Merritt was elected President ; David Banks, Jr., Cashier, and A. Shelby Rudy, bookkeeper. Its stock is chiefly held by leading and influential men of capital and business. It is gratifying to know that under its effi- cient management the stock has been increased to $150,000, and the gradual increase in its business has fully justified the increase. This
33
514
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY,
bank has a good reserve fund and a large deposit. Its stock is largely beyond par, and is becomming more and more valuable year by year. Its officers are accommodating gentlemen, and are active in aiding, not alone all worthy enterprises, but all worthy borrowers. The bank building owned by the bank, is one of the handsomest and centrally located. The present officers of this bank are Hon. Montgomery Merritt, President ; David Banks, Jr., Cashier ; A. Shelby Rudy, and Ingram Crocket, Bookkeepers. Directors: Montgomery Merritt, John O. Byrne, James S. Alves, N. A. Kitchell, J. D. Robards and E. G. Se- bree, Jr.
RAILROADS .- Henderson is the northern terminal of. the Hen- derson and Nashville Division of the Louisville & Nashville Rail- road, and the Ohio Valley Railroad, now working its way into the South. It is here the great iron bridge spans the Ohio, connecting, by rapid transit, the northern and southern systems of railways. It is confidently predicted that by August, 1888, the river road from Henderson to Louisville will be completed ; thus, then, Henderson will be recognized as a leading railway center.
Of the Louisville & Nashville I have spoken elsewhere in this volume. The first dirt was broken on the line of the Ohio Valley road in October, 1885, and the services attending upon that happy occasion were intensely interesting. By invitation, a large number of citizens in the city were present at the designated point upon the lands of John H. Barrett, a half mile beyond the intersection of the Madisonville and Knoblick roads to witness the ceremony. A team of four mules hitched to an immense plow, stood waiting. The en- gineers had driven the stakes, twenty five or thirty colored laborers with bright, shining spades awaited the word. Speeches were made by Hon. James F. Clay, Dr. P. G. Kelsey, President of the road, Matthew Henning and George L. Dixon, of Evansville, Col. A. S. Winstead and others. Mr. John H. Barrett, by invitation, held the plow, while President Kelsey, with lines and whip, gave the word and the roadbed of the Ohio Valley was thus begun. It was a joyous afternoon and no one contributed more to the enhancement of the spirit of the crowd than did Col. Winstead. When the plow had been brought to a stand-still, each citizen threw several shovels of earth to the center and then surrendered the work to hardy manhood and returned to the city. The Ohio Valley sweeps through a splendid agricultural terri- tory and from its evenness of surface offered every advantage to the road builders. The work of sub-contractors was both rapid and satisfactory, and on the twelfth day of March, 1886, although a.
-
SHELBY'S STEMMERY.
515
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY
severe winter had intervened, the first locomotive entered Corydon, a distance of ten or eleven miles from Henderson. The road in four_ teen months from its beginning, was completed and trains running to Marion, county seat of Crittenden County. President Kelsey and his Chief Marshal, Jordan Giles, Secretary and Treasurer, have proven their ability as railroad builders by their work. The Ohio Valley, although incompleted, is regarded by very many citizens of more value to Henderson than the old established Louisville & Nashville.
TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE .- The. Western Union and Balti- more & Ohio Telegraph Companies have each an office in Hender- son, Frank L. Adams, manager of the first, D. W. C. Worsham of the latter. The Great Southern Telephone and Telegraph Company was incorporated June 8th, 1883. Its annual elections are held in Hen- derson, and Captain Paul J. Marrs is one of its largest stockholders and most active and influential members. Thus it will be seen that Henderson has immediate connection with the world wherever the service of these companies have been extended.
RIVER FACILITIES .- Henderson being situated upon the Ohio River, enjoys all of the benefits afforded by water transit, to-wit : a line of steamers plying between Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Louisville to St. Louis, Memphis and New Orleans. A daily line of boats to Louisville, another to Cairo, and a tri-daily packet to Evansville.
TOBACCO INTEREST .- Henderson is undoubtedly the largest strip market in the United States. By strips is meant the leaf after the stem has been taken from it. There are seventeen stemmeries in the city and eighteen in the county outside of the city. The following is a list, together with the estimated capacity of each house :
John H. Barrett & Co., 800 hogsheads ; R. H. Soaper & Co., W. W. Shelby, D. J. Burr, Reeve & Co., David Clark and Hamilton & Co., 700 hogsheads each ; Allan Gilmour & Co., John H. Hodge & Co., E. B. Newcomb, 650 hogsheads each; W. T. Grant & Co. and Wm. Elliott, 600 hogsheads each; Edwin Hodge and C. W. Wilson, 500 hogsheads each; G. Vaughn & Co., J. D. Robards & Co., 450 hogsheads each ; Lewis Riley and N. A. Kitchell, 200 hogsheads each, making a grand total of nine thousand, seven hundred and fifty hogsheads of strips in the city. A. B. Weaver, just beyond the city limits, 200 hogsheads.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.