The contents of this page was covered in chapter XVII, Military History. I have continued it here, as it is a separate entity from the military.

CHAPTER XVII, continued.

The Civil War Capt. Walker and His Company Some Prominent Institutions Home of the Friendless Orphans' Asylum Insane Hospital Postoffice Railroads B. M. A. History and Splendid Building River Transportation.

HOME FOR THE FRIENDLESS.

Charity is the motive that prompts human creatures to help the fallen and weak. The institution known as the Evansville Home for the Friendless is, in a great degree, the outgrowth of the faithful work of Miss Eleanor E. Johnson. Through her earnest labors the importance of this charitable institution became apparent. At first it was maintained by private charity. It was founded in 1869 under the name of "Christian Home."

Its purpose is, as stated in the constitution, "to provide and maintain a home for friendless women, such as may be in circumstances of peculiar temptation, and for the purpose of affording to such, as may have wandered from the paths of virtue, encouragement and assistance to reformation"

In 1870 Mr Willard Carpenter donated a house and lot to be used by this organization, and later he gave two and a half acres of land in the lower part of the city. In 1873 the name was changed to "Home for the Friendless". In April, 1882, after moving into the new home on Fulton avenue, the work was not confined to the one field, but was broad and catholic in its character sheltering strangers, admitting old ladies, children and foundlings. The Home is doing a noble work and is everything that its charter claims for it a home for the friendless open to all regardless of faith, creed or nationality.

During the past twenty-seven years nearly sixteen hundred people have found shelter under its roof. The sick and friendless have been cared for, sometimes for years, and a home given them when they had no other. Some of these deserving ones are yet inmates of the home.

Mrs J. C. Wade, the matron, has served in that capacity for fourteen years or more.

The present number of inmates is fifty eight, of these are old ladies. On the board of managers are : Mrs S. E. DeBruler, president; Mrs. Louise Casselberry, vice-president; Mrs Margaret McLean, treasurer; Mrs. James B Rucker, secretary. The trustees are : Capt. John Gilbert, Capt Lee Howell, H. M Lindley, B. Parsons, C. A. DeBruler, Philip Decker, R K. Dunkerson and J. H. Cutler.

THE name of Miss Eleanor E. Johnson is inseparably associated in the minds of our citizens with this noble charity, better known to our community, for a few years past, under the name of the "Vanderburgh Christian Home."

Although not an old institution, it is established on a secure basis, and the work it has done and is doing in our midst, so commends it to the hearts of all right minded people, that it takes high rank among the charities of the city and indeed of the country.

The leading object of the Home is succinctly stated in the second article of the constitution of the association:

" The object of this association shall be to assist women who have wandered from the path of virtue and who are desirous of leading better lives ; also, to aid those who are in circumstances of peculiar temptation ; to surround them with" the blessed influence of the religion of Jesus, and to teach them the glad tidings of salvation."

That the church and society owed a duty to this unfortunate class of persons—often more sinned against than sinning— referred to in this article, had long been recognized, both by Christians and well disposed persons outside the church, and the need of a home and systematised work, such as this associatian contemplated and afterwards effected, had long been felt, but without organized effort little could be accomplished, so until within a few years, except, by occasional individual effort, the work was left undone. In 1869, Miss Johnson, who had been for some years a teacher in the colored schools, under commission of the American Missionary Association of New York, by faithful, persistent effort, succeeded in effecting an organization for the purpose of founding a home. When the Association was regularly organized according to the laws of the State, and Trustees authorized to receive property, Mr. Willard Carpenter donated a house and lot situated on Ann St., capable of accommodating fifty inmates. The property was regularly conveyed to the Trustees of the Association, and the managers at once commenced soliciting aid to furnish the Home, and provide a fund for current expenses. The Home was first occupied in May, 1870. Applications for admission had been made as soon as it was known that the house had been secured.

Miss Johnson, to whose energy and persistence the success of the project was due, was appointed Matron, and under her efficient and capable management, the great value of the charity was speedily manifest and the future success of the Home assured. It soon became apparent that among the inmates of the Home, there were some who would otherwise be charges upon the County Asylum, and the County Commissioners, in view of this fact, considered it nothing more than just that they should contribute something as an equivalent, to an institution which was actually caring for the poor as well as doing a much better work, viz ; preventing pauperism. The Commissioners first appropriated twenty dollars per month to the Home, but afterwards increased the appropriation to fifty dollars, where it now stands.

The same considerations which had induced the aid of the county authorities, were also applicable to the city, and a numerously signed petition was presented to the City Council asking for assistance. Their claim was recognized, and in view of the peculiar character of the charity, as being largely devoted to the assistance and reclamation of fallen women, the Council passed an order donating to the Home the proceeds of all the fines imposed upon houses of ill-fame, and those arising from the patronage of immoral haunts. This not proving a desirable form of the gratuity, it was soon changed and commuted to a monthly subscription of fifty dollars. The people have generously responded to the appeals for aid, and the Home, comfortably furnished, with a small but increasing revenue and a sure place in the hearts of the people, h?s more than justified its claim to existence, and, in the good it has already accomplishedi given glorious promise of faithful, effective Christian work for the future. One hundred and ninety-six names are already recorded on its books as beneficiaries, who have received aid and comfort within its walls, and with increasing means the- managers will open its doors still wider to the friendless and needy. In addition to his former generous gift, in 1872 Mr. Carpenter donated to the Association two and a half acres of land in the lower part of the city, upon which the managers will erect a new and commodious building some time during the coming year. The following well known citizens compose its present Board of Trustees : Willard Carpenter, Dan'l G. Mark, Christian Decker, J. W. Nexsen and Col. Wm. H. Hollinsworth.

The Board of Managers is a guarantee of the faithfulness with which the work of the Association will be prosecuted. It comprises, as will be seen below, many of the best known ladies of the city, whose names have been identified long since with the Christian work of the city in other fields. The following is a list of their names :

Mrs. Amanda L. Crosby, Prest.; Mrs. Dr. DeBruler, V. Prest.J Mrs. Eliza T. Drew, Sec'y.; Mrs. Phillip Decker, Treas.; Mrs Edward Boetticher, Mrs. Jacob Bennighof, Mrs. Willard Carpenter, Mrs. A. E. Schrader, Mrs. Jonas Smith, Mrs. F. M. Sellman, Mrs. Charles Viele, Mrs. Geo. H. Start, Mrs. M. A. Ross, Mrs. Robert Berridge, Mrs. James M. Warren.

We have said that Miss Eleanor Johnson, the Matron of the Home, made the enterprise a success ; and it is true. Certainly, but for the pecuniary aid and noble co-operation of Christian men and women, she could not have achieved success, but it was through these means that she did achieve it. She it was who conceived the plan of directing Christian effort into this channel. She took hold of the work when all seemed dark; when there was opposition and discouragement to be met with, and even captious criticism ; when numbers of people had no faith in the scheme. She is the one who persisted, who agitated, planned, solicited and organized the work, and therefore we say, without disparagement to others, to her the credit is due. A passing sketch of her life in connection with the Home will be of interest.

Miss Johnson was born in Southborough, Mass., in 1830. In early life she engaged in teaching, and also devoted some time to the work of city missionary, in Worcester, Massachusetts. Since 1859, she has been well known in our midst, as a faithful Christian worker in neglected fields. From 1859 to 1864, she taught a school in the colored Methodist church,

In the latter year the school was removed to the old Barnes house on Clark St., an old dilapidated structure, which occupied the site of the present colored school building on that street. After great efforts the brick school house, on the corner of Fifth arid Chestnut, was ready for occupancy in the beginning of 1866. Miss Johnson taught here six months only, when after nearly seven years in this, at that time, difficult field, she resigned. She was engaged for a time in city missionary work, being employed by several of the churches in connection with each other. Afterward she was for nearly a year at the head of the Orphan Asylum. The work, however, by which she will be best known in the future, is that in which she is now engaged. After all her labors and disappointments, she is now, with long years of life in reasonable prospect, at the head of a well organized, practical, effective institution. It may, will be, that she may yet be the means of doing incaculable good, and with the appliances of the Evansville Home For The Friendless, aid in rescuing hundreds from that pit of sin and degradation, which yearly engulfs so many of the daughters of our land.

Source:

Evansville and its men of mark, By Edward White, Robert Dale Owen, 1873

ORPHAN ASYLUM.

A benevolent institution is the product of Christian civilization, an exercise of altruism as opposed to heathenish selfism. The Orphan Asylum is a lasting memorial to the kind hearted, considerate women of Evansville the finding of a mother for parentless children. What will not a mother do for orphans! The story has often been told of how Mrs. Elizabeth Sinzich found two homeless, ill-clad little orphan children at the wharf one cheerless, cold winter morning in 1866, and how she afterward secured good homes for them- a circumstance that led this benevolent lady to advocate an asylum for orphans. She brought the matter to the attention of the Daughters of Rebecca Colfax Lodge No. 34, I. O. O. F., and they at once very properly and to their lasting honor gave it their serious attention. They secured aid from the city, and solicited funds from the individual citizens. The first home was founded at the residence of Misses Seeley and Hahn, on Mulberry street, near the old cemetery, on April 1, 1866. The institution opened with eleven homeless children, who had neither father nor mother. The noble sisters of Colfax lodge had found and rescued them. The county commissioners purchased a home on the corner of Mary and Illinois streets in September, 1866, and removed the asylum there. Mrs. Stewart was the first matron. She was followed by Mrs. Eleanor Johnson, Mrs. Kearney, Mrs. Coleman, Mrs. Julia Brashear, Mrs. J. A. Royster, Mrs. Sarah Main, Miss E. Martin, Miss Maggie Burt, Mrs. R. S. Kearney. Mrs. J. A. Royster, who has held the office in all ten years; Mrs. P. Knauth, who has served since August, 1886.

The institution was re-organized and chartered by the legislature March 23, 1871. The incorporators were Sarah Lowry, Jane Morgan, Elizabeth Sinzich, Mary A. Archer, Sinai Harrington, Margaret Urie, M. A. Semonin, Fannie Nisbet, Mrs. Charles Schrenk, Mrs. William Baker, Mrs. Christian Kratz, and Mrs. Charles Keller, who were the board of managers at the time. A new home was purchased on West Indiana street for $16,000. This building, which is now the home of the children, was formally dedicated October 27, 1872. A colored orphan asylum is on the same twenty-acre plat of ground, and both asylums are under the same management. On January 1, 1897, there were forty-eight children being cared for by the white asylum. The officers and managers at present are Mrs. H. M. Lindley, president; Mrs. William Caldwell, vice-president; Mrs. Samuel Bayard, corresponding secretary; Mrs. A. G. Torian, recording secretary; Mrs. M. L. Nexsen, superintendent; Miss Gist, Mrs. Ah-ah Johnson, Mrs. H. E. Blemker, Mrs. George L. Dixon. Mrs. Sue M. Barton, Mrs. Nancy Casselberry, and Mrs. D. S. Ragon. The trustees are: Capt. John Gilbert, president; A. W. Emery, secretary; S. P. Gillett, treasurer; Wm. 'Caldwell, Alex. Gilchrist and David A. Nisbet.

MARINE HOSPITAL.

The United States government completed the Marine hospital in October, 1856, at a cost of $73,078.56. The ground was broken in the fall of 1853. The building was 110x90 feet, brick and sandstone, three stories, with ample capacity for a hundred patients. It occupies the block between Ohio and Vermont streets and between Wabash and Tenth avenues. After the war the government sold it, and later if was obtained by the Sisters of Charity for a hospital, which they named St. Mary's. They also took the marine patients, under contract, till 1876. In 1888 the government purchased ten acres near the western limits of the city, and erected new buildings at a cost of $100,000. There were 1,117 patients office and hospital cases for 1895. The physician in charge of the hospital is Surgeon P. M. Carrington. The first medical officer was Dr. M. J. Bray, who served from October, 1856, to June 30, 1861. Dr. J. P. DeBruler succeeded him and served to March 1, 1852. Dr. E. J. Ehrmau served to June 30. 1862. Dr. F. W. Sawyer served, not as a regularly appointed surgeon, but he treated patients under contract, from that date to June 30, 1865. Dr. E. J. Ehrman then served to June 30. 1866, the same way. Again Dr. Sawyer was in attendance the next year. Then Dr. J. B. Johnson served up to June 30, 1870. Dr. \V. (i. Ralston attended the patients, under similar contract, to July 30, 1874. The faculty of the medical college of Evansville served after Dr. Ralston up to March 1876. Dr. H. W. Austin to December 3, 1878; Dr. J. H. O'Reilly to March 26, 1880; Dr. F. J. O'Connor to December 31, 1881 ; Dr. R. P. M. Ames to January 26, 1884 ; Dr. S. D. Brooks to July 5, 1887 ; Dr. B. F. Beebe to August 5, 1887; Dr. R. B. Watkins to February 15, 1888; Dr. Seaton Norman to December 7, 1888; Dr. F. M. Urquhart to December 24, 1888 (died); Dr. J. O. Cobb to January 4, 1889 ; Dr. Seaton Norman to October 31, 1889 ; Dr. G. T. Vaughan to February 5, 1892; Dr. P.M. Carrington to April 10, 1893 ; Assistant Surgeon Seatou Norman to August 15, 1894 . Past Assistant Surgeon P. M. Carrington from that date to the present time, June, 1897.

HOSPITAL FOR INSANE.

It had become apparent to public-spirited men that the accommodations which the state and counties had provided for the insane were inadequate to the needs of these unfortunate beings, and therefore an appeal was made to the legislature for a state hospital in the southern part of the commonwealth. Through the senators and representatives of this part of the country, the legislature made an appropriation for a brick asylum at or near Evausville. The old Howard farm, consisting of 160 acres, on the Newburgh road, three miles from the city, was secured as a location at a cost of about $20,000. A handsome building was begun in the year 1886. It was opened for occupancy by proclamation of Governor A. P. Hovey, on the first day of July, 1890. On April 16, 1890, the board of trustees chose A. J. Thomas, A. M., M. D., LL. D., as medical superintendent of this hospital and ex-officio secretary of the board of trustees. The medical director so chosen entered upon his duties July 7, 1890. He made his first biennial report to the governor October 31, 1890. According to that report the estimated value of the real estate and personal property of the hospital at that time was slightly over $457,000, and the maximum capacity of the hospital was 400.

The building when first occupied had three extensive wings, radiating from the central dome, and each one is three stories high, with a basement. Early in 1896, a new building was added to the original one, so as to accommodate the patients presenting themselves for admittance to the hospital. It is an oblong structure, three stories high, 54x158 feet; and its interior arrangement is a duplicate of the wings of the original building.

From the biennial report ending October 31, 1896, it is learned that there were 435 patients in the institution at that time. The total number of patients admitted since the opening of the hospital in 1890 is 936 490 men and 446 women More farmers and housekeepers enter the asylum than from any other occupation, and more married people than single. More cases of hereditary insanity are admitted than from any other cause. The expenditures for maintenance and repairs for the year ending October 31, 1896, were nearly $76,500.

From the opening of the hospital to the present time, Dr. Thomas has conducted the institution on careful, economical principles and has surrounded himself with the best medical assistance. The patients have been treated along the highest humane methods. He has demonstrated his ability and efficiency for the place he occupies, and his faithfulness and carefulness cannot be questioned. In admitting patients to the hospital he has exercised excellent judgment. It has been the rule of his administration that all be treated with kindness and consideration.

CUSTOM HOUSE.

The postoffice used to make regular moves from place to place with the advent of almost every new postmaster, until the erection of the present custom house gave it a permanent habitation. This building was completed in 1879, under the supervision of Mr. James H. McNeely, whom the government appointed superintendent of construction. The building is located on Second street and occupies the space between Sycamore and Vine streets. The government appropriated $350,000 for the work. In the custom house are located the postmaster, the surveyor of customs, deputy collector of internal revenue, deputy clerk of the United States court, United States inspectors of steamboats, deputy United States marshal, assistant surgeon of Marine hospital, and all other government officers in this city.

RAILROADS.

It is so patent a fact as to be axiomatic that railroads are civilizers, great disseminators of cosmopolitan traits and promoters of material wealth. Progress is noted all along the lines of transportation, and the centers of activity quiver with a new impetus injected into them by steel rails. They, in a sense, build cities, improve farms, enlarge plans, facilitate exchanges of products, deliver at our doors our mail, whirl us from one end of the country to the other in an incredibly short time when compared with the stage-coach method of conveyance in olden times. They place the edible products of every land upon our tables and adorn our homes with the best made furnishings that the market affords. Indeed, they have revolutionized the whole system of transportation, and inaugurated the era of "quick sales and small profits." With their coming the ease of the "fine old English gentlemen" fled, and nervous haste, tripping up its heels, came to occupy a prominent place in the affairs of men. Railroads have had much to do with the culture, comfort and condition of man, and have no doubt changed in a measure the character and tenor of his ambitions and the promises he holds out to himself. The application of this general truth to particulars is not hard to make. The railroad brought with it a new order of things. The pursuits of men have multiplied, books and papers are more numerous than was ever before known in the world, comforts are secured with less money than ever before, and the young man just starting in life has been trained to indulge himself in limitless ambitions and to multiply star-eyed promises in the firmament of his early morning of life. The advantages of railroads to Evansville and Vanderburgh county have been legion. Before the advent of railroads the Ohio river was the great thoroughfare from New Orleans through to Pittsburgh, and the river was almost constantly marked by a line of low-hanging smoke that had been coughed from the tall smokestacks of the river packets. Indeed, the keels of every sort of craft vexed the surface of the Ohio the beautiful. But with the coming of railroads which traversed along its banks, so to speak, crossed it and penetrated into the very heart of the country, this great artery of commerce had to surrender a great part the greater part in fact of its carrying trade to its glittering railed rival.

The railroad, like a quick-moving, dapper little man, took the conveyance of farm and manufactured products away from it and delivered them at their destination far in advance of the time in which the river would have been able to do it. It was speed and the modern spirit of rush that deprived the river of so much of its business. But still, the Ohio is an indispensable means of transportaion for all the river towns and for conveyance of the products of the broad, fertile farms in the bottoms. Therefore, the boat has not been hopelessly relegated to a past era. The whole of the business was not absorbed by this new common carrier the railroad.

The old Wabash and Erie canal was opened for traffic in 1853, but its life was of short duration, for it was entirely abandoned in 1864, its business was killed by the swifter methods of the railroads. The first railroad into Evansville was mapped out in 1849, and was called the Evansville & Indianapolis railroad. The next year its construction was begun, and later its name was changed to the Evansville & Crawfordsville railroad. It was completed to Terre Haute in 1854. It is now known as the Evansville & Terre Haute railroad, and is a direct route to Chicago. The fortunate position of Evansville on the Ohio has made it a railroad center, and consequently a mart for a large portion of Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky. It is a direct line from Chicago through to the South and Southwest. It is a great supply point in many lines af industry for the rapidly developing South. It is the largest hard-wood lumber market in the world. These and many other essential features have brought many lines of railroad to Evansville.

The "Straight Line" railroad, as it is commonly called, was the second line leading out of Evansville. It was designed to reach Indianapolis. Right of way was granted at points as early as 1854. It met with difficulties in its construction. R. G. Hervey succeeded to the interests originally held by Willard Carpenter, but still the road was not completed, although its construction was well advanced. Mr. Hervey entirely disposed of his interests to Mr. D. J. Mackey. After many delays the road was at length completed on the bed of the old canal in 1886. The Peoria, Decatur & Evansville road was undertaken in 1880. It runs through a fertile country, and is a valuable line to the city. The Evansville, Cincinnati & Paducah railroad company was projected in 1870, and subsequently consolidated with the Evansville A: Southern Illinois and the St. Louis and Southwestern railroad companies.

These consolidated lines, in 1873, took the name of the St Louis & Southwestern railroad company. The Evansville, Henderson & Nashville railroad company was also merged into this combination. In 1872 the western and southern divisions of the line were consolidated, and at last tell into the possession of the Louisville & Nashville railroad company. In 1885 a great steel bridge was built across the Ohio river at Henderson, Ky. The Lake Erie, Evansville & Southwestern railroad finally became the property of the Louisville, Evansville & St. Louis railroad company ("The Air Line.") The Ohio Valley road is a line traversing a fine agricultural country. The Evansville & Newburg railroad is a sort of suburban line, but a very busy one. It is commonly called the "Dummy line." Many other railroad plans have been projected in the past and dropped. The many public highways leading into the city are macadamized and afford the farmers easy method of conveying their products to the city markets. A branch line of the E. & T. H. extends from Fort Branch, passing through Owensville, New Harmony and Mt. Vernon, Indiana, and connecting with the western division of the L. & N. system.

TENNESSEE AND OHIO RIVER TRANSPORTATION COMPANY.

Evansville owes a great deal to her many river transportation companies. There is no doubt that these companies have been great factors in securing discriminating freight rates in favor of this city. The nation has recognized the importance of sustaining her waterways by the expending of millions of dollars annually upon the improvement of the same.

The reputation of the Tennessee and Ohio River Transportation company extends all over the south and its influence in securing just and equitable freight rates is felt by nearly every town in that broad land. Evansville, occupying as she does the position of gateway to this great southland, has by virtue of the equitable business method of this company, been able to control the rates charged on nearly all kinds of freight south of the Ohio river.

This company is the successor to the old Evansville, Paducah and Cairo line, which operated boats on the Ohio river between this city and Cairo. The old company was organized early in the sixties with Capt. John Gilbert as president, and Capt. Joshua Throup as commander of the "Mayduke " and Capt. M. DeSouchet as clerk ; all of these gentlemen were stockholders. The boats operated were: the "Mayduke," "Armada," and "Charmer." A few years after organizing, a consolidation was made with the Dexter line, and the steamers "Charlie Bowen," "Courier," and "Superior," were added to the fleet. In 1870, the company divided up and the present company built the "Idlewild," placing Capt. Gus. Fowler in command. The success of this boat was phenomenal and had much to do with building the business of the company up to its present gigantic proportions.

The boats have been operated at all times, according to regular scheduled time tables, high water or low water, and they have therefore built up an enviable reputation as carriers. The officers of the company are: Capt. John Gilbert, president ; J. H. Fowler, superintendent; R. K. Dunkerson, treasurer; Saunders Fowler, general freight agent. They operate the "John S. Hopkins," 500 tons ; "Joe Fowler," 450 tons; "Gus Fowler," 350 tons, and "Dick Fowler," 350 tons. The boats make daily trips between Evansville, Paducah and Cairo. The "Dick Fowler," which was launched about four years ago, makes two trips daily from Paducah to Cairo, traveling a distance of about 200 miles a day. She is considered one of the fastest boats on* the Ohio river.

This company has been of incalculable advantage to the people along the Ohio between here and Cairo, who up to a few years ago had no other means of reaching the market. During the low water they have chartered light draught boats to make the runs, considering neither trouble nor expense where the convenience of thier patrons was in the scale. No man is better known or more generally respected in Evansville than is Capt. John Gilbert, the president of the company. He has been connected with the river interests for nearly half a century, and while he has large mercantile and banking interests besides his river business, yet it is to the river that he gives most of his time and energy, which is phenomenal in a man of his years. For over forty years the people along the Ohio river have heard the whistles of his boats and his honesty and absolute integrity has endeared him to the thousands of people who have had business to do with his line, and now when the shadows have begun to fall toward the east John Gilbert can look back on a well spent life, studded with the jewels of friendship that his long and honorable career has called about him.

Besides his river business, yet it is to the river that he gives most of his time and energy, which is phenomenal in a man of his years. For over forty years the people along the Ohio river have heard the whistles of his boats and his honesty and absolute integrity has endeared him to the thousands of people who have had business to do with his line, and now when the shadows have begun to fall toward the east John Gilbert can look back on a well spent life, studded with the jewels of friendship that his long and honorable career has called about him.

THE EVANSVILLE & TERRE HAUTE R R. SHOPS.

In 1854 these shops consisted of one frame building, used as a blacksmith and general workshop, with John Kerlin in charge. A year or so later two more frame buildings were put up. One of which had four stalls for engines and a division at one end for tools and workmen. The other was erected for car and coach work, with Mr. Jewett in charge The water supply for these buildings was furnished by a pump and came from the Wabash and Erie canal on Fifth street.

These frame buildings continued in service until 1864, when fine new brick buildings were erected adjacent to the old ones. They comprised a machine shop 50x100 feet, car shop 50x100 feet, paint shop 30x150 feet, blacksmith shop 50x85 feet, a two-story office building and store-room 30x120 feet, and a round-house with sixteen stalls, and a turn-table. J. L. White was then master mechanic; A. Ancona, foreman; Joseph Stiker, car foreman ; John Howden, blacksmith foreman ; Thomas Hopkins, boiler shop foreman.

The new buildings continued in use without additions until 1886, when a frame extension of 50x120 feet was made to the car-shop. In 1893 a two-story addition to the machine-shop was built, size 40x60 feet. It was used for an electric plant and pattern-room.

The present officers in charge of the shops are : John Torrance, superintendent of motive power and rolling stock ; W. J. McLeish, general foreman ; W. D. Andrews, foreman car department ; George Lindsay, foreman blacksmith shop ; B. F. Smith, foreman boiler shop; D. S. Cook, foreman round-house.

The man who has been longer connected with the machine shops of the Evansville & Terre Haute railroad company than any other one in his official capacity, is John Torrance, the present master mechanic. He was born January 28, 1836, near Glasgow, Scotland, at the village of the Monkland ironworks which takes its name after the old castle located there. His first work as an apprentice was in the large machine-shops of that great ship-builder, Robert Xapier, in Glasgow.

An apprentice in those days had to work was indentured to work three years before he was entitled to a journeyman's wages. The road before young Torrauce to anything like promotion was a long one, for his apprentice number was 133, that is to say, 132 young working lads were before him in the line and list of preferment. In 1857 with a fleet of five steamships, to the Canadian government, he came to America as second engineer in the government inspection ship named Lady Head. He continued in this service two years, coming to the United States in 1859. For a short time he was employed in the shops of the New York Central railroad, Buffalo, New York. He came to Evansville in 1860, and engaged in the shops of the E.& T. H. R. R. The next year he went with Archie Thompson to Paducah, Ky., and began work in the shops of tho Memphis & Ohio railroad, now a part of the system of the Illinois Central. In the early spring of 1864, Gen. Forest, a Confederate cavalry raider, stirred up Paducah by a sudden foray, and Mr. Torrauce, disliking the unhappy warlike situation, returned at once to Evansville. He renewed his labors in the E. & T. H. shops without delay, and has been there ever since during the entire span of a generation, thirty-three years. He worked first as machinist, then as general foreman, and now is master mechanic, a position he has occupied most efficiently for many years.

HOWELL.

On the [10th] of August, 1885, the Henderson bridge was open for trains to pass over the Ohio river, and about that time there was a station located about one mile southwest from the corporate limits of Evansville, which had been named "Howell" by President M. H. Smith of the L. & N. R R. Co., as a compliment to our worthy fellow citizen Capt Lee Howell, general freight agent of the Evansville & St. Louis, and Evansville, Henderson & Nashville divisions of the L. & N. R. R. Co.

February 13, 1889, the town of Howell was laid out by Capt. Lee Howell, Maj. J. B. Cox, Judge Wm. J. Wood, Jacob Eichel,and Mr. J. G. Metcalfe, composing the Howell Land Co. Its streets running north and south are named Barker avenue, Daisy avenue, Lilley avenue and Stinson street. Those running east and west are Engine, Electric, Signal and Vulcan streets. On the 9th day of February, 1891, Rose's addition to Howell was laid out by Conrad Rose, the Howell Land Co. and Maj. J. B. Cox. On the 22d day of December, 1894, Cox's first addition to Howell was laid out by Maj. J. B. Cox.

On the 11th day of May, 1895, Thompson's addition to Howell was laid out by James Thompson and Conrad Rose. On July 2, 1896, Cox's second addition was laid out by Maj. J. B. Cox. On September 5, 1896, Niebuler's addition was laid out by Henry Niebuler. On November 14, 1896, Strieble's addition was laid out. At the time Howell was laid out in 1885, there were but two houses inside the limits. The population now is about 1,300. The public buildings are two school houses, the General Baptist church, which was organized by Rev. Benoni Stinson and George Parker on the 5th day of October, 1823, and the Methodist Episcopal church. Among the better class of residences are those owned and occupied by Thomas Walsh, master mechanic of the L. & N. R. R. shops, J. A. Messmer, Maj. J. B. Cox, Pat McCue, Mr. Murphy, E. J. Young, Pat J. Monighan, Johu Burns, Mrs. Rupert, and others. The town of Howell has grown very rapidly and bids fair to become a city in the near future.

HOWELL SHOPS.

In March, 1889, the Louisville & Nashville railroad company took charge of the Evansville & St. Louis and the Evansville & Nashville divisions, and at once secured a forty-five acre plat near what is now called Howell, and commenced to erect a round-house containing ten stalls and a large wrought iron turn-table of 100 tons capacity. Then the work of building shops was commenced. They erected a machine shop 125 feet wide and 133 feet long, and an engine and boiler house 72 feet long by 35 feet wide. The boiler shop and blacksmith shop, which is right opposite the machine shop, is 208 feet long by 92 feet wide. Between the two shops is a large transfer running 240 feet long and 60 feet wide for transferring engines, cars and coaches. The next building in line was the planing mill, which is 75 feet wide by 125 feet long, and two stories high, fully equipped with the latest improved machinery. Adjacent to this building is an engine and boiler room 82 feet long by 35 feet wide, supplied with a 125 horse- power Corliss engine. The next building is a car-shop 125 feet wide by 150 feet long. This contains six tracks running from one end to the other for repairing and rebuilding cars.

The next building is the store-room and office, a building three stories high. The lower story is fire-proof for heavy storage. The second story contains three offices and a store-room. The upper story contains offices, drawing-room and store department. This building is equipped with two large fire-proof vaults. The grounds are all fenced in, graded up, well drained, and a great part of the yard is cultivated, having lawns and flower gardens, being supplied with a hothouse 75 feet long and 20 feet wide.

The water supply consists of a large well 75 feet deep and 40 feet in diameter supplied from the river. The water from this well is raised by a large duplex pump into a large tank 40 feet above the ground, and above this is a second tank sixty feet from the ground. This upper tank furnishes a good pressure for fire purposes, and is connected with all the hydrants throughout the yard. The large duplex pump is so arranged that it can be directly connected with the mains, giving on a few minutes notice 130 pounds pressure per square inch.

All the buildings have stone foundations, and are of smooth pressed brick, with stone coping, and slate roofs. The very best workmanship and material were employed in their construction. These shops were completed and started up on the 24th day of December, 1889, with a working force of 240 men. Since then the force has been steadily increasing until at the present time there is a working force of over 600 men in the shops. The city adjoining the shops was laid out in 1885, and in 1889 when the shops first started, there were not over half a dozen houses in it. At present there are about 275 houses and fully 75 percent of this property is owned by the employes of the shops. The shops have never been closed down since they started and have always worked a force of from 500 to 700 men. The average pay-roll for the shops is $20,000 to $26,000 per month.

The following are the officers in charge of the shops : Thomas Walsh, master mechanic ; E. J. Young, foreman of machine shop ; A. W. Fatten, foreman of car department ; Moses Bagley, assistant foreman car department; F. M. Van Winkle, foreman of planing mill; A. E. Brown, foreman of boiler shop ; Patrick McCue, foreman of blacksmith shop ; Gus Carpenter, foreman of tin and coppersmith shop; Charles Robinson, foreman coach-work; A. J. Bruuing, foreman of paint department, and J. B. Huff, foreman of engines and round-house.

HISTORY OF THE B. M. A.

The Business Men's Association of Evansville effected its permanent organization April [10], 1887. Its object was to promote the welfare and advancement of the city, to collect and diffuse information as to its commercial and industrial advantages, developed and undeveloped ; to invite and secure local and foreign capital and labor, and make known the opportunities for investment and employment.

The public spirited men of Evansville discovered the necessity for a commercial, or busness men's organization. All important cities have their organizations through which the business voice is expressed and understood in its own community, as well as in others with which it is thus brought in correspondence. This element is enabled to speak, deliberate, plan and carry out ideas for the promotion of the general welfare.

The existence of such an organization as the B. M. A. serves as a nucleus around which the community can rally during times of public apprehension or danger. It is an effective promoter of grand achievements for the upbuilding of the city and a potent factor in the development of its resources. It has a deterring influence on unfaithful officials, being to them a standing menace, while it is a tower of strength to faithful ones.

The B. M. A. is the only public body that has ever taken it upon itself to look after the welfare of the community, and assume important undertakings for the business interests of the city. It has been instrumental in bringing numerous plants to Evansville and has rendered valuable aid in securing the Marine hospital and the hospital for the insane. It made a heroic fight for the improvement of the streets and alleys that the city might have clean substantial thoroughfares. After a prolonged struggle continued from the one session of the legislature to another, it succeeded in obtaining the machinery by which muncipal reform is possible. The new charter of Evansville which was thus secured is modeled after that of Brooklyn.

The efforts of the B. M. A. have frequently been resisted by those who misunderstood the motives of the association, and it has been assailed when doing work which was purely reformative of public abuses. It was never so severely criticised as it was during the fight it made to obtain the now city charter, which has really been the crowning work of its existence and greatly for the public good. Time has always vindicated the wisdom of its accomplishments, which confirms a truth found in history that the greatest minds, like tallest mountains, receive approaching light, absorb its beneficence, and reflect its splendor long before the valley awakens from nocturnal slumber.

During the first few years, while the organization was a novelty, it had great numerical strength. It took an active part in all public matters but in every achievement which it gained through aggressiveness it lost in the support of members who were disturbed by such successes. Its great battle was one fought to prevent the city council from granting a street railway franchise that was regarded by the masses of the citizens as a one-sided contract, one in which the citizens were not receiving just compensation. In this fight the association lost a large number of its members. The B. M. A. organized the building association that erected the grand structure on the corner of Second and Sycamore streets. In the upper story of this building a commodious hall and office rooms were secured for the association and its secretary, without rent, as long as it shall continue its organization. It also created the "Tri-state fair association" and infused into it the spirit which secured the fair grounds with its numerous buildings and fine race track.

Evansville has advanced and assumed metropolitan proportions and appearances since the business men united and resolved to take some direct action in public affairs. The value of such an organization cannot be estimated. Its work cannot be added up at the end of a month and a balance struck, as it has a negative, intangible quality more potent than its regular work. There is a conviction, in the minds of those who are familar with its history that during good times prosperity was made greater, and the rigors of hard times were softened in this city by the past work, and the continued existence, power and activity of the Business Men's Association.

Its presidents have been respectively : D. J. Mackey, Judge W. J. Wood, M. J. Bray, Jr., J. W. Wartmann, P. G. Kelsey, E. C. Johnson, C!. A. Hughes, A. C. Rosencrauz and C. E. Scoville. The treasurer for the first year was Jesse W. Walker. S. S. Scantlin, who next served, has been the treasurer during the succeeding nine years. The secretaries have been August Brentano, W. S. French, King Cobbs, J. W. Wartmaun, C. D. Hirst and C. J. Murphy.

The following is a general summary of its past accomplishments which have been previously enumerated and published:
Ice and cold storage plant, capital $150,000.
Edge tool and steel casting industry.
Railroad repair shop for L. & N.
Ohio Valley railroad terminus in Evansville.
Dummy railroad, Evansville to Newburg.
Electric street railway.
Brick streets.
New city charter, modern municipal plan of government.
Insane hospital, cost $510,000.
Marine hospital, cost $100,000.
The B. M. A. building, cost about $300,000.
Tri-State fair organization, one mile race track.
Appropriation for Green river lock, $105,000.
Appropriation to prevent Ohio river cut-oft' above Evansville, $25,- 000 ;
Harlan appropriation, $37,000.
Sub-signal station in Evansville.
Bringing numerous state conventions and several national conventions of various kinds to Evansville

Perhaps the most important work of the association the magnum opus was the construction of the B. M. A. building, situated at the corner of Second and Sycamore streets. In a sense, it may be said that Mr. Charles Viele, a [l]iberal and public-spirited gentleman, is the corner-stone of the building. He had obtained the lot from the Roman Catholic church for $50,000, and for this sum he took stock in the new enterprise. He afterward increased his stock until the amount reached the magnificent figure of $65,000. Other liberal-minded, progressive men took stock in large sums, but none equalled Mr. Viele. More than five hundred leading, active citizens procured stock in the building.

The idea of erecting a building of this character was first suggested at a meeting of the association on March 6, 1888. The capital stock was increased to such a figure that an act of the state legislature was necessary to authorize it. The building committee was composed of Messrs. Charles Schulte, M. J. Bray, Jr., and Samuel Vickery. Mr. Bray was entrusted with the actual superintendence of the work. The building of the magnificent edifice progressed rapidly, and it was formally dedicated about November 1, 1889. Mr. John S. McCorklehad the contract for the erection of the entire building, both the office block and the theatre. It occupies a quarter of a square, that is, it is 150 feet each way, bounded by the lines of the adjacent streets and alloys. The style of architecture is Romanesque, affording the greatest amount of light and the combined qualities of strength and beauty. It consists of five stories and a basement. The first story- is built entirely of red granite and brown stone, laid up pitch or rough hewn face, with just enough dressed and carved work to give a pleasing effect. The facing materials above the first story are pressed brick, copper and terra cotta. The main entrance is in the center on the Second street front, through an arch eighteen [feet] wide supported by polished granite columns. Over this, ornamenting each story and lowering up above the roof lines, runs a central feature of projecting bay and round turrets. At the main corner a square tower rises one hundred feet above the street level. Within, the building is furnished for store-rooms, offices en xuiie [sic], and a B. M. A. hall and chamber.

The corner is occupied by a bank, and the various floors chiefly by railroad offices.

The Grand theatre fronts on Sycamore street. The finish of this splendid amusement hall is scarcely excelled anywhere in the world by any similar structure. From the porte cochere and lobby to the foyer and wings, the detail of finish gives the eye the rare satisfaction there is in beauty, completeness and repose. -The proscenium boxes, the auditorium, the soft carpeted floor, all give an air of elegance and ease that delights and soothes. As a concluding word, allow it to be said, that no building in the city gives such a view of substantiality and is so characterized by business activity as the B. M. A. building.

Source: citing "A History of Evansville and Vanderburgh County, Indiana: A Complete and Concise Account from the Earliest Times to the Present, Embracing Reminiscences of the Pioneers and Biographical Sketches of the Men who Have Been Leaders in Commercial and Other Enterprises", By Joseph Peter Elliott, Published by Keller Print. Co, 1897, Original from Harvard University, Digitized Jan 31, 2008, 499 pages : pp. 220-236 [accessed 11 November 2008].

Vanderburgh County Institutions