History of Cannelton

History of Cannelton Perry County, Indiana
Cannelton.—The town of Cannelton owes its existence to the American Cannel Coal Company. In the summer of 1835, Gen. Seth Hunt, an Eastern gentleman of means and enterprise, in passing up the Ohio River, observed, when at Hawesville, Ky., a heap of coal, which upon inquiry he learned had been taken from a mine near that town. He stopped off, and in twenty-four hours had leased, of Mrs. Lander, a tract of land there, under which were excellent beds of coal. After the necessary papers concerning the lease had been made out, and after careful inquiry as to the natural resources of the country, he continued on his return to his home in New Hampshire, where he took considerable available means of his own and $5,000 advanced by S. J. Gardner and James T. Hobart, of Boston, whom he had induced to join his business enterprise—probably a total of $10,000—and with this amount again came West, bought a tract of coal land of Mr. Corsler, near Hawesville, engaged other lands worth about $50,000, to be paid for in a few months, employed hands, and began mining. In a short time Mr. Hobart came West, and after in" specting the country, concluded that the facilities for the production of coal were better on the Indiana side, whereupon he bought a considerable tract of land of Judge McLane, who had been mining coal on a small scale, and made preparations to commence the same business. Mr. Hunt, on the Kentucky side, sent out many flat-boat loads of coal for New Orleans, but on the way misfortune was encountered, the most of the boats were sunk, and the other loads, after being sold for high prices, were not realized on, as the trusted agents decamped with the proceeds, entailing bv these various losses disaster to the fortune of Mr. Hunt. He had built, on the Kentucky side, a saw-mill, which cost $10,000, and which proved a partial loss. He bought a small steamer, to which he ultimately ascribed all his misfortunes. This vessel met with numerous mishaps, and finally ran on a sand-bar down the river, where it remained all summer. With temper tried beyond the point of endurance, he finally, in a lucky hour, tore the boat in pieces at Hawesville. He had lost nearly all he possessed. He finally, in about 1839, exchanged his interest in the coal company for an exclusive right to work the copperas interest of the mines at Coal Haven. With characteristic energy he entered upon this enterprise with all his means. He erected costly apparatus, sending to New York for a cement that was warranted to resist the action of copperas water. He also perfected arrangements to manufacture quercitron bark of the chestnut oak. Of this he made a small quantity. It took him about a year to complete his copperas factory. At the first trial the cement utterly refused to perform its promises, other important details failed completely, and finally Mr. Hunt, reduced to his last dollar, and much broken in zeal, went back East, never to return. He was found dead in his chair, at Walpole, Conn., in 1846. He was really the founder of the American Cannel Coal Company and the town of Cannelton. Upon his departure chaos for a time reigned. Fires swept off mills, hotels and stores, owned by the company. The saw-mill had cost $40,000. Workmen left, and Coal Haven, once containing about fifteen families, became nearly defunct. In 1840 F. Y. Carlisle arrived, started up, under a lease from the company, to mine coal, and at this time there where only five families living where now stands Cannelton: John Mason, Mr. Wentworth, Mrs. Holman, James Hoskinson and James Cavender. The town site was overgrown with weeds. Carlisle settled with the company's creditors, and began mining. In 1841 the name of Cannelsburg was selected from Coal Haven, Cannelsburg, Cannelton, Huntsville (for Mr. Hunt), Hobartsville (for Mr. Hobart), and others proposed. The town was universally called, however, Cannelton, and in 1844, when the lots were resurveyed by Fred Connor, that name was adopted. The old copperas factory stood for many years, and was finally blown down by a high wind. The exclusive right to manufacture copperas is yet vested in the heirs of Mr. Hunt. Coal and lumber had been obtained upon the town site before the company was organized, but in very limited quantities. Samuel J. Gardner, a wealthy gentleman of the East, and M. B. K. Gardner were induced to take stock in the company, as were also others later. S. J. Gardner advanced money which set the first mines and mills in operation on the Indiana side. Williams, Hobart and Russell were the first board of directors.
The coal company, to carry on the designed work extensively, began to lay off and fence small tracts of arable land, and to build rude log-houses thereon to be rented to miners, lumbermen, etc., and within a few months upon the town site were living ten or twelve families. Several mines were opened for coal, but the most noted one was at the head of Washington street. A tramway was built of wood from this mine to the river bank a short distance below the present wharf-boat, and alon^ this on rude carts the black diamonds were transported and placed upon a platform at the river, upon which was painted a huge sign extolling the merits of coal as a means of producing steam on the river boats. Small " trial quantities" of this coal were taken at first, but steadily increased though slowly. A saw-mill was started below the wharf-boat on the river bank, and another where fthe Clark property stands, the latter burning down about 1839. A mine was opened at the head of Taylor Street, and another near Sulphur Spring, the coal from the latter being hauled in wagons to the wharf. Prior to 1843 the company worked the mines, mills, etc., through a general agent, Mr. Hobart. F. Y. Carlisle was early connected with the company. In 1838 Seth Hunt undertook to manufacture copperas, or sulphate of iron from the spring which now flows partly down Washington Street. Vats, troughs and buildings were erected, but the project was found impracticable and was abandoned. Late in 1838 the company erected a large frame hotel or boarding house which was leased to a John Wentworth. This house was destroyed by fire in the fall of 1839. A brick-yard was started by the company, but was abandoned. Soon a small grist-mill was started, owned by the company. This was "Coal Haven," though in 1841 it began to be called Cannelsburg. It was thought that cannel coal in large quantities was in the hills, and hence the name.
On Februrary 27, 1841, the first lots of Cannelsburg were laid out by the county surveyor and recorded, in number 266. This plat comprised the central portion of the present Cannelton, and was made by the coal company, and was traversed by the coal railroad. At this time there were not to exceed about a dozen families on the town site. Late in 1843 a store building was erected by the company, and in this, James Boyd, who had just become connected with the company and had leased the mines, started the first store. The building stood at the mouth of Castlebury Creek on the north bank. It was burned down and one Ritchey was brought to trial for the arson and convicted; but the Supreme Court reversed the judgment on a technical question, and in the second trial Ritchey was acquitted. At this time between 200 and 300 bushels of coal were mined daily. In 1844 the old stone store yet standing was built by James Boyd, agent for the company. Here store was kept for many years. In 1844 the site was resurveyed. In 1845 the town had about thirty families, mostly those of miners. Jacob May had a shoe shop, Stickney & Porter a boat-yard, Thomas Hay a bar, Goff a tannery on the hill, a big saw-mill stood on the Clark lot, in the upper story of which balls were held, a log-schoolhouse stood at the old cemetery, the mines were in full blast with about twenty workmen, twenty or thirty log cabins were scattered along the river. This was the town. In July, 1846, the town plat was revised and resurveyed. The officers of the coal company at this time were Stephen Fairbanks, President; Henry Loring, Secretary; Andrew T. Hall, Treasurer; Hamilton Smith, Jacob Beckwith and James Boyd, Directors. About 1847 Dennis Gresham started a store at St. Louis,* which separate village had been founded by Mr. Carlisle. The only owners of lots in Cannelton in September, 1846, besides the coal company were John Briggs, James Hay, Thomas Broshears and Thomas Hay.
The American Cannel Coal Company came into existence under an act of the General Assembly, approved December 23,1837, with $300,000
In 1839, when the large hotel owned by the coal company was burned down, John Wentworth, the leasee and landlord, thrown out of business, announced his Intention of moving to St. Louis, Mo. He made full arrangements, but, on the eve of bis departure, changed his mind and located on the sot h bank of Castlebury Creek. The few citizens sarcastically spoke of him as having gone to St. Lot is, and in this manner that portion of Cannelton south of the creek received its name of St. Louis. So the story goes. capital, and with liberty to increase the same to $500,000, should the business of said company require it. The incorporators were wealthy men of the East: Seth Hunt, John D. W. Williams, James T. Hobart, J. B. Russell,' Elijah Livermore and their associates, successors and assigns. The object of the company was to mine stone coal at Coal Haven, Perry Co., and elsewhere, to mine iron and other minerals, to manufacture iron, copperas and lumber, to build steam and flat-boats for the transportation of coal, lumber, iron and other products, and to build mills, furnaces, forges, etc. The business was to be carried on by one or more general agents under the supervision of a board of three directors, chosen annually by the stockholders. The first meeting of the stockholders was held at Boston, Mass., on the first Monday in May, 1838, at which time James T. Hobart was elected president and general agent; James D. W. Williams, treasurer; J. B. Russell, secretary; and J. D. W. Williams, James T. Hobart and J. B. Russell, directors. John D. W. Williams, J. T. Hobart and J. B. Russell were authorized to receive subscriptions of stock. The company was prohibited from issuing any form of bank bills, any checks for money deposited in banks or elsewhere, except in actual payment of debts, or from engaging in any species of banking business, and the charter was limited to fifty years' duration. This charter was amended by the Legislature, by an act approved January, 21, 1850, whereby the capital was increased to any amount notexceeding $1,000,000. The company was granted the right of taking stock in other manufacturing enterprises to the extent and value of land privileges and materials furnished. The number of the board of directors was fixed at not less than five nor more than nine members, and the company was given the right to issue its bonds, bearing not more than 10 per cent interest, payable within twenty years, to operate as a lien upon the rents and profits of the company, to be used to raise money for the construction of roads, streets, wharfs and railways, and the improvement of the property of the company. The company was also chartered by the Legislature of Kentucky to operate at Hawesville and vicinity, but the work there was soon abandoned.
The details of the works at Coal Haven (Cannelton) will be found elsewhere. The erection by the company of mills, buildings, factories, etc., the manufacture of lumber, cord-wood, copperas, etc., will bo found more fully set forth in the sketch of Cannelton. The company at first met with all the vicissitudes incident to the establishment of an industrial enterprise in a new country. Large sums of money were spent in the various branches of the business, much of which was lost. There was only a limited demand for coal, for boats then used wood. For a series of years large quantities of wood were cut and corded on the river bank ready for sale. Private enterprise had started coal-mining prior to the organization of the coal company. The first land purchased by the company was secured in 1837—a total of 3,740 acres bought of Hobart, Gardner, Williams and others. In 1838 there were bought of Holly and Cavender 330 acres, and in 1841 of Elijah Livermore 320 acres. In 1848 930 acres were bought, and since then in small tracts the purchases have increased to a grand total of 6,456 acres, some of which has been sold. The company now (1885) owns about 5,800-acres. Every inducement and effort was made to force coal into use on the steamboats as a substitute for wood. Considerable was sent on flat-boats to New Orleans to be used on the Gulf and Atlantic Ocean steamers. The quantity of coal at first was limited to a few thousand bushels per annum. James T. Hobart was president and general agent from 1838 to 1840; Stephen Fairbanks from 1840 to 1850; S. H. Long from 1850 to 1854; Hamilton Smith from 1854 to 1873, and R. T. Ford .since 1873. The coal lands were leased to individuals who employed men and worked the mines. In 1843 James Boyd began operations as lessee, and gradually increased the production of coal from a few thousand bushels at first, to over 400,000 bushels in 1848, and to over 500,000 in 1852-53. The meetings of the directors were held at Boston, Mass., until 1846, when they were removed to Louisville, Ky., where they have since been held. The stockholders in 1841 were as follows, with the number of shares held by each: Jacob Beckwith, 726 shares; F. Y. Carlisle, 250; Hamilton Smith, 12; Fairbanks, Loring & Co., 72; Andrew T. Hall, 10; Albert Hobart, 28, Aaron Hobart, 6; Mrs. Nancy Newell, 112; William Bird, 20; P. W. Chamberlain, 36; T. P. Chandler, 80; AV. A. Wellman, 54; Lafayette Bank, of Cincinnati, 48; C. M. Cox, administrator, 26, and Stephen Fairbanks, 30. In 1842 Sarah S. Gardner secured 136 shares; Mary Gardner 90; Susanna Gardner, 46; Joseph Burk, 8, and L. Q. Cochran, 4. After this the stockholders became so numerous and the changes so frequent that no attempt will be made to detail this feature of the company. Each share was valued at $100. After a number of years the whole number of shares was reduced to 1776. In the forties Hamilton Smith came into prominence in connection with the affairs of the company. For years he was very active, and did much for his company and for Cannei.ton. In 1855 Dwight Newcomb & Co., the company being H. D. Newcomb and J. C. Ford, began work in the mines under a lease from the company for fifteen years. He steadily increased the annual production over that of Mr. Boyd, until in 1862 about 900,000 bushels were produced. From that date until 1873 about that quantity was produced annually on an average, though in some years nearly 1,200,000 bushels were mined. Since 1873 the following quantities have been taken out: 1873-74, 886,432 bushels; 1874-75, 636,671 bushels; in 1875-76, 864,009 bushels; 1876-77, 639,708 bushels; 1877-78, 666,237 bushels; 1878-79, 694,431 bushels; 1879-80, 842,185 bushels; 1880-81, 916,000 bushels ; 1881-82, 825,108 bushels; 1882-83, 822,544 bushels ; 1883 -84, 404,250 bushels (six months work). In 1854 the railroad was built at a large cost, which has since been increased to over $20,000. The present stockholders and officers are as follows: R. T. Ford, president: R. P. Huntington, secretary; W. L. Shallcross, treasurer; S. A. Hartwell, H. J. May and the heirs of H. A. Griswold. From 1868 to 1883 the company leased and worked the “Hancock Mine," Kentucky. The property of the company is now worth over $320,000. The total amount paid for the 6,456 acres of land was $139,302. The company has given many lots to public interests, and offered extra inducements to those wishing to become residents. The coal company and the cotton-mill are the blood and vitals of Cannelton. The coal company gave the cotton company the tract of land where the factory now stands, and the free use of coal loads for a series of years.
The Legislature of 1847-48 granted twelve charters to manufacturing companies to carry on business at or near Cannelton. The coal company, through its energy in large shipments of coal, lumber, etc., had brought the location to the notice of prominent men of means in the East, and in the leading cities along the river, and capital instinctively sought investment here. The following were some of these companies: Indiana Cotton Mill, George W. Meriweather, John Hulm, Charles A. Lewis, William F. Pettit and Thomas N. Lindsey, incorporators; Taylor Cotton Mills, Zachary Taylor, Joseph P. Taylor, William Taylor, David Hunt, Ira Smith, John S. Allison, Angerian Gray, Edward H. Hobbs and John McLean, Jr., incorporators; Perry Cotton Mills, the McKnights, Anderson, Everett, Brown and Martin, incorporators; Cannelton Glass Manufacturing Company, Stephen W. Allen, Frederick Boyd and George A. Lewis, incorporators; Cannelton Paper Mill, Griswold, Weisieger and Hanna, incorporators; Ward Cotton Mills, Ward, Ward, Johnson and Jones, incorporators; Cannelton Cotton Mills, C. T. James, E. M. Huntington, Hamilton Smith, Salmon P. Chase, James Boyd, Jacob Beckwith, Thomas M. Smith, James Low, Randall Crawford, P. Chamberlain and John N. Breden, incorporators; Cannelton Foundry, Beaty, Beckwith and Beaty, incorporators. Only one of these—the Cannelton Cotton Mill—carried operations to success. At the start Hamilton Smith was the life of this mill. In 1848 and the early part of 1849, the stockholders of this company increased to between forty and fifty. They were William Richardson, Dr. C. W. Short, Hamilton Smith, Lewis Ruffner, P. Chamberlain,W. F. Pettit, Alfred Thruston, Robinson, Peter & Carey,
Robinson & Bro., J. S. Morris, Edwin Morris, T. C. Coleman, James C. Ford, E. Hutchings, Col. Thomas Anderson, R. G. Courtney, James E. Breed, Col. S. H. Long, T. G. Richardson, Jacob Beckwith, S. L Nock, J. L. Martin, T. E. Wilson, Willis Ranney, W. A. Richardson C. H. Lewis, James Boyd, Hon. E. M. Huntington, J. B. Smith, Col William McLane, Hon. Robert Dale Owen, Dr. David Dale Owen, Ran dall Crawford, Hon. O. J. Morgan, Hon. Henry Bry, Dr. M. J. Sellers Hon. Mansel White, F. Y. Carlisle, Rt. Rev. L. Polk, Col. W. L. Camp bell, Hon. Francis Griffin, David Hunt, John Hutchins, R. M. Gaines and Gen. Charles T. James. This cotton company was organized Sep tember 22, 1848, with the following officers: William Richardson, Pres ident; Alfred Thruston, Treasurer; Hamilton Smith, Secretary; C. W Short, Lewis Ruffner, Pearly Chamberlain, Oliver J. Morgan, W. F, Pettit, J. C. Ford, T. C. Coleman and William McLane, Directors.
Early in 1849 preparations were made to quarry stone near the head of Washington and Taylor Streets for the factory. A. McGregor was architect and superintendent. Gen. Charles T. James had general management of the work. A tramway was built from the quarry to the factory site for the transportation of stone, and May 21, 1849, the first stone of the foundation was laid, quite a large crowd being present, and speeches being made by James Boyd, McGregor, the architect, and others. By August the walls were well up, over 200 men working in the quarry and on the building. The work was pushed rapidly. On September 7, 1849, the stone above the entrance, bearing the inscription "Erected 1849," was put in place by the architect. The factory site, 377x900 feet, was donated by the coal company. In November and December the roof of the building was put on. The foundation was 60x280 feet, and the building was five storied, including the basement, and cost over $200,000. With this building the stockholders exhausted their capital and could not continue without help. An addition of wealthy stockholders was secured, to whom were issued large quantities of the stock at a sacrifice of from 30 to 50 per cent to those who had borne the expense of erecting the building. Means were thus raised to purchase the machinery, costing $200,000. The first machinery, in weight 250 tons, arrived from Taunton, Mass., in April, 1850, on the steamers Empire and Magnolia. The experienced operatives from the East began to arrive in the fall of 1850, under a two-years' engagement. December 18, 1850, the first cotton, 129 bales, arrived on the steamer California. Carding was begun in this month. The first cloth was woven January 7, 1851, by George Beebe. At this date 30 looms were started and about 70 hands were given work. By the 20th of February, 150 looms and 7,000 spindles were running, and 200 employes were at work. The engine room, hose house and the residence on Front Street, were erected this year. By the spring of 1851, there were in use 372 looms, 10,800 spindles and 108 cards, operated by about 300 employes. Twelve batting cards were started at this time. The engine was 250 horse power. The factory was a success from the start. During the year 1852, H. D. Newcomb, treasurer of the company, advanced $30,000 of his own means to furnish furniture and machinery for the factory. The company was hard up for means. The directors had promised the stockholders a dividend of 10 per cent the first year, but failed to pay a cent. Machinery was badly needed, and in this, the second dilemma, Mr. Newcomb came to their relief. In January, 1853, he leased the factory for the year for $10,000, and at the end came out with $20,000 clear of all expenses, including the rent of $10,000. At the end of the third year, he bought the entire property for the debt of over $200,000 standing against it, and took James C. Ford, Dr. Sellers and the Boyd family as partners, though he continued to own from three-fifths to four-fifths of the stock. The entire stock at this time was divided into 600 shares of $500 each. Dr. Sellers owned $25,000 and Mr. Ford $40,000. Mr. Newcomb soon bought all except the stock of Mr. Ford. At H. D. Newcomb's death in ( ), his son Victor, his second wife, Dwight Newcomb (who owned$30,000 of the stock), and Mr. Ford were the stockholders.
In about 1881-82, George C. Buchanan, an extensive distiller and wealthy citizen of Louisville bought the entire property for from 65 to 85 cents on the dollar. Why it sold so low no effort will be made to state. The property is now valued at $200,000. The present engine of 400 horse-power was bought about 1859-60. There are now in use eight two-flue boilers of forty-two inches in diameter and twentysix feet long. Two are kept idle to be used in case of accident. Four years ago the 330 new Lowell looms, 2,080 spindles and fifty-four cards were added, making a total now of 450 looms, 12,880 spindles, and 162 cards. The acaial condition of the stock, its value, cannot be stated. Mr. E. Wilber, who has been superintendent since 1851, says the factory lost $8,000 in 1884. At first but one kind of cloth, “Cannelton Sheetings," was manufactured. This was very heavy, 2.85 yards to the pound. Five years later chis was dropped and the “Great Western" (three yards to the pound) was begun and is yet manufactured. The "Hoosier" brand (four yards to the pound) was added, also the "Columbia" brand, still lighter. Now the capacity is about 20,000 yards per day, or 500,000 per month, or 6,000,000 per year. Broken machinery and other lost time greatly reduces this estimated capacity. In March, 1885, 473,238 yards were made; in July, 1884, 537,520 yards; in October, 1884, 553,481 yards; in June, 1884, 433,908 yards; in May, 1884, 579,468 yards; in March, 1884, 567,559 yards. These were the highest runs when twenty-six days, or about that time, were worked. Some months the factory ran only half the time and as a result the number of yards was correspondingly small. A short time ago Mr. Buchanan, owner, failed in business, and now the property is in the hands of George W. Morris, assignee, and the stock is in the possession of twenty-three stockholders. For the first two or three years the factory was known as the Cannelton Cotton Mills, but then was called the Indiana Cotton Mills, and thus to the present. The first officers were a.s follows: William Richardson, president; Alfred Thruston, treasurer; Hamilton Smith, secretary; and these three and C. W. Short, W. F. Pettet, L. Ruftner, P. Chamberlain, T. C. Coleman, J. C. Ford, O. J. Morgan and William McLane, directors. In 1854, Mr. Ford became president and Mr. Newcomb treasurer. • In 1881-82, Andrew Buchanan became president and George C. Buchanan treasurer. Now, Mr. Morris is president and Mr. Chamberlain treasurer. The bulk of the cloth now is handled by R. McK. Jones & Co. of St. Louis. Large quantities go to Chicago, Cincinnati and Louisville. Sulzer Bros, of Cannelton, handle from 40,000 to 50,000 yards annually. The cotton comes mainly from the river bottoms around Memphis. The factory is provided with a time-clock, which, by an ingenious system of registry records the visits of the night-watchman throughout the building. The company makes its own coal gas, and has since about 1854. It has had a hose and fire company since 1852. About 330 employes do the work now, the greater number being women, who are clean, intelligent and dutiful. The batting factory manufactures about 3,000 bales of twenty-five pounds each per annum.
The certainty of the location of the cotton factory at Cannelton, led to the rapid improvement of the town. In 1848, the coal company, with about eighty workmen, mined 400,000 bushels of coal. The officers were Jacob Beckwith, president; H. A. Griswold, secretary; William Richardson, Hamilton Smith and James Boyd, directors. A large hotel, thirtyfive feet wide and 121 feet long, was started in 1849 by the coal company. The town had one church, two private schools, had been recently resurveyed to accommodate the cotton factory, and contained, all told, workmen and all, about 600 populations, of whom 250 or more were workmen. Ten or fifteen tenement houses were built in 1849. J. C. Porter and Hay & Parker dealt largely in walnut and other lumber. Several died of cholera in May, 1849. G. C. Miller was tailor; Dr. H. S. Clark healed the sick; Badger & Smith made castings of all kinds at the Etna works; Peter Bowman kept a bakery; Erastus Sanford carded wool; T. Morrison made and sold furniture; J. C. Porter & Co. furnished flour and sold goods and made laths and shingles; J. & F. Boyd kept the stone store; J. L. Jones sold goods; L. G. Smith made cabinet-ware; Dr. Clark sold drugs; Dr. S. D. Moore practiced medicine; J. B. Maynard kept store and was postmaster with J. B. A. Archer, deputy ; J. S. Thayer sold stoves, etc.; Smith & Badger operated a steam planing-mill; Ewing & Gresham were prominent business men of St. Louis (South Cannelton); Dr. W. C. Marshall practiced. In August, 1849, by actual count, Cannelton contained 812 souls. This was the town of the autumn of 1849, when every industry was booming. Charles H. Mason, this year, began issuing a very creditable quarto weekly newspaper called The Economist.
In 1850 Z. W. Merithew started a shingle factory; the plank road project was agitated; Drs. Soyez, Ross, Sugg, Corwin and Slaughter appeared; G. M. Ward took daguerreotypes; the Cannelton Library Association, with Mr. Porter, Treasurer, and Mr. Badger, Librarian, was formed, and books were purchased; J. B. Huckaby and Israel Sheldon kept hotel; Capt. E. Ayers opened the big hotel owned by the coal company, in the fall of 1850; the Perry Cotton Mill Company, with Hamilton Smith, President, gave promise of life at this time; J. B. A. Archer sold books; the coal company donated lots for churches, school houses, etc.; H. Winters made stoves; John Moser made boots and shoes; BL Worch & Co. sold groceries; by February, 1851, there were in the town by actual count over 1,600 persons; the plank road was partly finished. In 1851 Ross & Talbot operated a large saw-mill in St. Louis; T. M. k S. Smith also had one below Dosier Creek; near there Porter & Co. had opened a coal mine, and in that vicinity was the saw-mill of H. P. Brazee; another saw-mill was conducted by Porter & Gay, making 4 in all; there were 3 or 4 market houses, and about 200 dwellings, 408 school children, 2 wharf-boats, 2 drug stores, 3 milliners, 12 dry goods stores, 8 groceries, 6 boot and shoe establishments, and the industries mentioned in the paragraph above. The Cannelton Foundry and Machine Company, with G. C. Beebe, J. F. Abdell, Samuel T. Platt, James Lees and A. H. Cole, members, was ready for business in the fall of 1851. This company also conducted the meal grist-mill and the planing mill. A hotel was going up at Sulphur Springs. After this the industries became too numerous to be noticed in detail, except the more important.
Among the business men of the decade of the fifties were the following: H. S. Clark, drugs; Gresham & Cavender, groceries; Scott Long, butcher; A. H. Cole, general store; S. J. M. Belt, drugs, etc.; W. W. Sheldon, general store; J. M. Gest, groceries; J. G. Hathorn, hardware; Ellen Lea, millinery; Teele & Marble, groceries; Minto & Davidson, general store; Perry County Bank, L. A. Smith, Cashier; T. Wood, general stock;. W. Claflin, furniture and undertaking; R. W. Dunn, daguerreotypes and jewelry; Dr. A. Robertson; E. Sharples, shoe factory; Leming & Christy, general store; Thomas Hay, clothing, etc.; H. Spilman, general store; Sweet & Gilligan, general store; H. Koetter, dress goods; Spilman & Hubbs, general store; D. L. Armstrong & Co., general store; Soyez & Hargrave, drugs and books; C. Kielhorn, furniture; C. Damson, clothing; John Angel, clothing, etc.; D. L. Armstrong, postmaster; Hay & Colgan, general store; T. Wood, general store; Wall, Lees & Key, batting factory; W. W. Archer, wagon-maker; John Crammond and W. S. Prescott, steam ferry; Elder & Baker, grist, shingle and planing-mill, and sash and blind factory; John James, general store; J. G. Falls, general store; Joseph Dush, furniture; A. W. James, general store; Jacob May, shoe factory; Maria James, millinery; J. P. Cavender, general store; K. Dush, tailor; R. & E. Payne, liquors; John Kirby, groceries; Joseph F. Sulzer, general merchandise; B. F. Hanning, boots and shoes; John Dorn, groceries; John Bickler, saddles and harness; W. Richards, stoves; J. J. Gordon, general store; T. Sharples, restaurant; J. L. Williams, plow and wagon factory; Saxe Horn Band, A. W. James, Major; Benjamin Rounds, silversmith ; about thirty beer saloons; Working Men's Institute, 600 volumes; Kent & Co., general store; Mrs. Mastin, millinery; Edward Duer, general store; P. M. Hackett, foundry; John K. Kolb, postmaster; Cotton Mill Hose Company, 800 feet of hose, 1858; D. Vanderpool, boots and shoes; R. Fawcett, general store; C. Otto, photographer; Nicholas Vaughan, general store; Lewis Moehle, mills, and others.
The Donnelly shingle-mill was started at the close of the war, by John Stilts who, in a short time sold to May Brothers. They owned it until about four years ago, when it passed to William Donnelly. The latter now makes about 25,000 poplar shingles per day, employs nine hands, has a 30-horse-powered engine. In a trial day of eight and a half hours he cut 54,000 shingles. The factory has work only about half of the time. The Clark Tile Works is one of the leading industries of the town. They began business in 1862, under the name, R. Clark & Co., comprising R. & A. D. Clark and B. T. Blodgett. The latter died in 1864, then it became Clark Bros. The drain tile building was first occupied, but in 1864 the sewer-pipe factory was built at a total cost of $13,000. In 1869 an addition was made, and 1872 the stoneware shop was built at a Cost of about $4,500. William Clark became a partner in 1864, but retired in 1871. R., A. D0 and E. C. Clark are the present owners. The company have spent about $20,000 on the property. Beginning in 1862, $900 worth of sewer pipe was made in a month. From 1864 to 1869 they ran up to $1,800 a month. From 1869 to 1877 increased to $2,700 a month, since which they have run down to about $1,800 owing to a falling off in the demand. The stoneware was started at about $5,000 worth per year. At the head of this was William Clark. In 1874 he was succeeded by Clark Bros., who increased the business to about $15,000 per annum. Since 1876, this branch has been run at $20,000 per annum. In about 1857-58, Ballard Smith erected the pipe factory building for a cotton carpet yarn factory. The enterprise failed, and in 1861 the building was occupied by soldiers. The Clarks took it in 1862. In 1864 Samuel T. Platt used it as a shoddy batting factory. J. C. Shoemaker & H. N. Wales were with him in making yarn. Ballard Smith owns the building yet. In 1866 it remained idle. In 1872-73 James Bunce converted it into a chair factory, employing six or eight hands, and did good work. Thomas Smith soon joined him, and B. H. Rounds also. The latter was instrumental in enlarging the business, but in 1876-77 work was stopped. These men owned the building. In 1878 the building was sold at sheriff's sale to Samuel King. It remained idle until 1882, when the Clark Bros, began using it as a drain tile factory. After making four or five kilns they abandoned it. At the close of the war many of the leading citizens of the town founded a stock company to make hubs, spokes, etc. They erected a three-storied brick building at a cost of $7,420. At this stage, owing to internal differences, the project was abandoned. The building remained idle until 1871-72, when the Cannelton Paper Mill Company took it and began operations. The stockholders were J. F. Sulzer, President; Chris. Rauscher, Vice-President; Roan Clark, Secretary; Peter Myers, Treasurer; Jacob Heck, Chris Denner. J. C. Shoemaker, Fred Muller and Frank Brannan. Wrapping paper out of straw was made at the rate of about 2,500 pounds in thirteen hours. Many changes have been made in the members, but the work is still pushed at the rate of 2,400 pounds in twenty-four hours. Ten hands are employed. In about 1868-69 the brick flour-mill was built by a stock company: Thomas Tagg, J. F. Sulzer, E. R. Hatfield, H. N. Wales, Gabriel Schmuck and Joseph Dusch. Many changes occurred, and finally Gabriel Schmuck sold the property in July 1880, to P. R. & L. May. It had been badly wrecked by an explosion, and sold for $5,500. The May Bros, refitted and rebuilt it at a cost of $15,000. They now have the best and latest machinery. Their capacity is 120 barrels in twenty-four hours. They ship much, but run only about half of the time. They have a 70-horse power engine. During the war and later, Samuel King owned and worked a boat-yard. He bought the Talbot saw-mill, which had been run for many years by Israel Lake, and built a dock which cost $107,000. Here he made three large side-wheel steamers, and three sternwheel steamers, etc. He continued the business until about 1882-83. He lost much and the dock was taken to New Orleans. The Lees Iron Foundry was started early in the fifties by the following company: S. T. Platt, G. C. Beebe, James Lees, I. F. Abdell and A. H. Cole. The latter soon bought out the others and sold to Abdell, and C. H. & W. H. Mason also secured an interest. P. M. Hackett, in about 1857, bought the entire foundry. At his death his son succeeded him. A small frame building on the present site was first occupied. It was sold under a mortgage ten or twelve years ago, to J. F. Sulzer, who soon transferred it to James Lees and I. C. Wade. Six months later, in 1875, James Lees bought his partner out, paying $2,400. The firm then became James Lees & Sons. In September, 1878, the building was burned. In six weeks the main part of the present building was built at a cost af $950, and three years ago a wing was built for $450. Excellent machinery worth several thousand dollars has been added. They now make engines, shingle-machines, cane-mills, boiler-feeders, sheet-iron work, castings and mendings of all kinds, shafting-pulleys and hangers, etc. They fit buildings with steam-pipes, and have wooden patterns worth $5,000.
In 1854 the Perry County Bank was established at Cannelton with a stated capital stock of $100,000, all of which, or nearly all, was owned by W. H. Marston, an Eastern capitalist. Marston was president; R. R. Hunt, vice-president and L. A. Smith, cashier. A general banking business was done for about a year. It was a bank of issue, and there was put in circulation, as shown by the printed semi-annual statements, about $70,000 worth of bills. The bank received deposits, discounted notes, bought and sold exchange, and had its office in the big hotel building. It is probable that the issue stated above was made elsewhere before the removal of the bank to Cannelton. In the spring of 1858 an attempt was made to establish the Orleans bank of Cannelton at that town. The officers, all strangers, were James M. Monroe, president, and Levi Scobey, cashier. Mr. Monroe and J. S. Grindle were reputed to be the monied men of the bank. They hired a room for a month, hung out the sign "Orleans Bank of Cannelton,',' and announced themselves ready for business with a capital of $20,000. This bank seems to have been one of the many established by the same men for the purpose of putting into circulation the worst of wild-cat issues. It is said that the various branches put out $13,346 of these bills, and that several thousand dollars of them, ot the Cannelton branch, were disposed of in the East and afterward came West for the redemption which was never intended. The officers shrewdly published a reputed official bank bill detector, placing their issues at three per cent discount. The bank had no confidence at Cannelton from the start, and after a month sold its safe and fixtures and left the town.
On the 28th of April, 1849, appeared at Cannelton the first number of the Economist, Charles H. Mason, editor and publisher. It was an independent sheet, issued every Saturday, and was conducted in the interest of manufacturers in the South and West. It was a four-columned quarto, subscription price $2, and was issued from an office on Front Street, Lot 13. In August, 1850, William H. Mason became an associate, and thus the ownership continued until November 15, 1851, when the paper was abandoned. Under the Masons the paper was characterized by the excellence of its moral and literary selections, its zeal for home institutions, and the dignified tone and strength of its editorials. December 6, 1851, J. M. Beatty and L. L. Burke began issuing the Express from the same office. This paper ceased with four numbers. March 27, 1862, appeared the Indiana Weekly Express from the same office, by J. M. Beatty and J. B. Archer. It was independent. November 20, 1852, Beatty sold to Archer who continued alone to April 19, 1853, and then retired with the loss of several hundred dollars. January 28, 1854, No. 1, Vol. I, of the Cannelton Reporter, an independent sheet, was issued by J. M. Beatty. January 13, 1855, he sold to J. B. Archer who changed the name to Cannelton Mercury. Seven numbers ended this issue. It was Democratic. April 21, 1855, J. M. Beatty issued No. 1, Vol. II, of the Reporter, continuing it as an independent sheet until February 23, 1856, when he sold out to Joseph M. Prior. May 24, 1856, the name became Independent Republican, and August 16, Republican Banner, and so continued until September 13, 1856 and was then suspended. November 8, 1856, the Reporter was resumed by H. Koetter and G. G. Leming who made it Democratic. March 14, 1857, J. B. Maynard took Koetter's interest and January 30, 1858, Leming's interest also. Maynard was a writer of great force and beauty. December 25, 1858, Maynard sold to James M. MofFett and G. G. Leming, who soon sold to J. C. and J. H. Wade, the former being editor. January 7, 1860, Maynard again took the paper, but December 6, 1861, sold a half interest to W. L. Moffett. The editorials of Mr. Maynard during the war gave him wide prominence and fame. December 5, 1863, Maynard sold his interest to H. N. Wales, who became editor. April 2, 1864, Wales bought out Moffett, and continued alone to October 1, 1864, and then sold to Joseph M. Snow. April 12, 1866, Maj. Thomas J. de la Hunt took absolute control and continued the issue until his death, March 26, 1872. His widow, Isabelle de la Hunt continued the publication, Charles H. Mason officiating as editor. In May 1872, the politics of the paper was changed to Republican from Democratic, which it had long been. In the spring of 1876 the Reporter was sold to H. P. Brazee and H. M. Huff, the latter becoming editor. * The material for this sketch of the Cannelton press, to 1876, was compiled by Charles H. Mason and published in the Reporter of February, 1876.
June 1, 1870, a stock company founded the Cannelton Enquirer, and the stock soon passed to E. E. Drumb, E. R. and S. B. Hatfield. The latter and Mr. Drumb were editors. The paper was Democratic. In September, 1873, Will N. Underwood took a third interest and became publisher. In May or June, 1874, Drumb and E. R. Hatfield retired leaving Underwood and S. B. Hatfield proprietors. In June, 1876, W. Underwood bought his partner's interest, and in 1877 W. E. Knight was connected with him a short time. In June, 1877, the Enquirer was consolidated with the Reporter, the first number of the Cannelton Enquirer and Reporter appearing June 21, Underwood and Knight editors and proprietors, the latter retiring January 31, 1878, since which time the combined paper has been successfully issued by Mr. Underwood as a Democratic organ. It has a fair circulation and an excellent job and advertising patronage. A Republican paper called the Advance was issued a few months by J. F. Waldo. In 1880 two new papers were started, both Republican: The Journal by J. E. Damm, which ran over two years, and the News by Rounds and Silverton, which ran about two years.
The town was incorporated in 1852. In September of that year, B. B. Lea presented a petition signed by over two-thirds of the voters of the town to the County Board, asking that Cannelton might be incorporated, whereupon an election was ordered held to decide the question September 18, 1852. The result was favorable, and the town was duly declared incorporated. The following in full were the voters: A. Wise, V. Danielson, J. H. Kolb, D. Sweeney, George Fugue, R. Mastin, C. Hickey, N. Vaughan, J. Whitaker, James Lees, H. George, Jesse Bicknell, J. Sheldon, W. Sheldon, A. W. James, J. L. Jones, John Wall, W. Darling, J. S. Hendrixon, J. C. Porter, A. Moore, O. Jourdan, C. L. Soyez, W. Bennett, Daniel Curry, James Gaddis, J. Culum, H. S. Clark, T. M. Smith, J. P. McGregor, James Sharples, James Hay, G. C. Beebe, James Burkett, J. B. Leming, Ed Smith, W. H. Mason, W. Knights, A. Robinson, John Wild, J. W. Francis, Peter Kinder, E. Sharples, John Edmondson, Jacob Koble, H. Becknell, A. McCullum, D. Reidner, S. S. Cavender, I. F. Jones, J. F. Abdill, A. W. Vaughan, George Murdock, Thomas Cook, T. W. Taylor, John Gardner, J. Kesserling, F. Boyd, E. D. Pettingill, J. L. Williams, Elisha Moore, W. Edmondson, George Grubbs, S. P. Platt, Warren Teel, James Waddington, John Graham, C. S. Lang, W. H. Becknell, John Russell, J. Stombaugh, T. Sandage, F. Murphy, W. L. Aldrich, M. Hunley, J. Bolin, Lebut Cicel, A. J. Moeller, James Ewing, J. Billings, E. C. Sugg, Lewis Loupe, W. J. Mclntire, E. Vaughan, J. Woods, M. Aldrich, N. Caspar, Sr. and Jr., G. W. Anderson, D. Gaddis, J. Tindle, W. A. Spencer, C. Snyder, J. B. Maynard, C. Kymin, A. J. Robinson, H. Worch, Abijah Moore, W. A. Wandell, D. Boyer, A. H. Cole, Scott Long, Thomas Sharples, Samuel Sharples, A. M. Ferguson, M. Shellung, M. Larkin. D. Vaughan, Elijah Moore, M. F. Ross, W, Claflin, D. Richards, H. Vogel, J. McGinney, James Kincade, John Kincade, P. Kolb, M. G. Morris, L. D. Stickney, J. W. Crawford, J. L. Niles, W. W. Archer, W. Wagner, C. A. Sweet, James Cole, John Fuysho, R. H. Gay, M. Ruekle, W. Wyman, H. Pohl, J. F. Kohlum, H. L. Freeman, M. Bowlin, F. Sureman, James Hay, J. Sparrow, Peter Gilligan, I. K. Venting, F. Leonard, J. James, William Morgan, James Rose, J. M. Gest, J. W. Jackson, J. J. Stallard, Thomas Ewing, H. Seiput, James Delaney, S. Hoeny, H. Johnson, Ed Lyons, J. B. A. Archer, W. Chadwick, James Kinan, W. Kuss, Richard Mastin, R. Edmundson, J. L. Cicel, Thomas Parker, George Chittan, Patrick Kearney, W. S. Connor, W. Osburn, C. B. Bateman, T. Broshears, J. M. Beatty, L. L. Burke, W. Clines, L. Moheller, H. Corwine and J. S. Butter. The trustees elected were William Knight, Dwight Newcomb, Frederick Boyd, Hamilton Smith and W. P. Beacon. The board first met September 28, in the office of the American Cannel Coal Company. Frederick Boyd was appointed treasurer and John L. Jones, Jr., clerk. October 13, $150 was appropriated for the organization of a fire company, provided that the cotton-mill company furnished the engine and apparatus, and the fire company would comprise not less than twenty men. In November many of the usual town ordinances were passed. In January, 1853, Hamilton Smith was authorized to build a corporation jail. Daniel Curry was appointed assessor for 1853, and James P. McGregor, marshal. Joshua B. Huckaby became clerk in January, 1853. Many saloon (or grocery) licenses were granted. They were also called "coffee houses." W. A. Wandell was appointed town attorney in February. M. G. Morris took Curry's place as assessor. Watchmen were appointed for the town. J. B. A. Archer was paid for printing in May, 1853.
In 1853, W. H. Mason, John H. Kolb, Edmond Lines, James Hoskinson and G. C. Beebe, became trustees; Henry Corwin, watchman; Wandell, attorney; Boyd, treasurer; A. M. Ferguson, marshal. In September, 1853, Relief Fire Company, No. 3, petitioned for an annual allowance of $150 to pay expenses. Board ordered paid to the company $100 to buy hose. A town well was ordered dug. Dennis Gresham became marshal in January, 1854. The Tiger Hook and Ladder Company was organized February 6, 1854, with twenty-six members, James C. Porter, foreman. The town ordinances were revised.
In 1854 the trustees were Ballard Smith, J. C. Porter, Dwight Newcomb, Charles Snyder and Arnold Elder. Smith, Boyd and W. H. Mason, school trustees; D. L. Armstrong, treasurer; Harris George, marshal; S. T. Platt, clerk; C. A. Freeman, assessor. The Torrent Fire Company had been organized some time before this. The treasurer and marshal were ordered to receive only specie on obligations due the town. In 1855 the trustees were John J. Key, R. W. Dunn, John Wall, David Richards and Michael Dush; Boyd, John McCrae and J. H. Kolb, school trustees; George, marshal; Armstrong, treasurer; Platt, clerk. In 1856 the officers were W. W. Sheldon, Robert Dunn, J. M. Gest, J. J. Key and James Lees, trustees; Harris George, marshal; Michael Han ley, clerk; D. L. Armstrong, treasurer; W. H. Mason, assessor; Smith, Kolb and P. R. Gest, school trustees. In 1857 the officers were Adam Schmuck, J. M. Gest, Thomas Hay, W. W. Sheldon and James Lees, trustees; Armstrong, treasurer; H. George, marshal; Hanley, clerk ; N. H. Ewing, assessor. The fire companies were exempted from the payment of certain town tax. Town scales were erected. Sidewalks and streets were projected. In February, 1858, on motion it was unanimously decided to donate the new brick schoolhouse for a court house. The officers in 1858 were W. W. Sheldon, William Elder, J. M. Gest, Thomas Hay and John Graham, trustees; Hemley, marshal; James Lees, clerk; C. H. Mason, treasurer; L. F. Sheldon, assessor. A market house was built by Eben Dow; when built strict rules were adopted concerning marketing. The officers of 1859 were W. P. Vaughan, Phillip Fox, Christian Wielhorn, E. Wilber and N. Harper, trustees; T. W. Taylor, assessor; C. H. Mason, treasurer; John Sumner, marshal; Joseph Sulzer, clerk; Henry P. Brazee, attorney. The ordinances were thoroughly revised and improved.
The officers in 1860 were G. W. Murphy, Phillip Fox, C. Kielhorn, E. Wilbur and W. Karper, Trustees; Henry N. Wales, Clerk; C. H. Mason, Treasurer; John Dorn, Assessor; John Sumner, Marshal. In April and May, 1861, extra police officers were appointed to guard the town. In 1861 the following were the officers: B. F. Rounds, J. C. Wade, Joseph Dusch, Henry Baker and John Angel, Trustees; John Sumner, Marshal; George Hoskinson, Clerk; J. M. Gest, Assessor; John Bickler, Treasurer; C. H. Mason, J. G. Hathorn and E. Sharples, School Trustees. In June, 1861, considerable ammunition was purchased for a possible defense of the town. John Dorn became marshal in January, 1862. In 1862 the officers were W. C. Sampson, M. Dwyer, D. L. Armstrong, P. M. Hackett and P. Clemens, Trustees; Felix Grimes, Marshal; G. F. Hoskinson, Clerk; John Beckler, Treasurer; J. M. Gest, Assessor. Those of 1863 were Sampson, Owen Tevlin, A. Kielhorn, James Keenan and J. G. Hathorn, Trustees; Hoskinson, Clerk; Grimes, Marshal; Sulzer, Treasurer; Kaspar, Assessor; Peter Clemens, P. Fox and C. H. Mason, School Trustees. In 1864 they were M. Angel, John Comisky, John McCarty, W. E. Sampson and Owen Tevlin, Trustees; Charles Mattingly, Clerk; John Dorn, Marshal; Sulzer, Treasurer; Gibbon, Assessor. In 1865 they were B. F. Rounds, C. H. Mason, John Bickler, Terrence Wood and M. V. Burnett, Trustees; Robert Payne, Clerk; J. F. Sulzer, Treasurer; John Dorn, Marshal; L. F. Sheldon, Assessor; E. E. Drumb, Attorney. Extensive sidewalk repairs were made this year. The officers of 1866 were B. F. Rounds, C. H. Mason, John Bickler, Terrence Wood and M. V. Burnett, Trustees; J. F. Sulzer, Treasurer; A. P. Mastin, Clerk; F. H. Long, Marshal; James Reardon, Assessor; E. R. Hatfield, Attorney; T. J. de la Hunt, E. E. Drumb, School Trustees. Taylor Street was graveled this year. A permanent fire warden's office was created. E. N. Powers was the first. In 1867 the officers were Adam Schmuck, Jacob Heck, Terrence Wood, Jacob Huber and B. H. Rounds, Trustees; Peter Meir, Treasurer; Sam Sulzer, Clerk; F. H. Long, Marshal; James Burkett, Assessor; H. J. May, Attorney; A. Vaughan, J. F. Sulzer and R. Clark, School Trustees. Street improvements continued. The town debt, May 1, 1867, was 92,894.30. By July 6 it had increased to $4,489.64. Costly brick and plank sidewalks were built. In 1868 the officers were B. H. Rounds, Adam Schmuck, Jacob Heck, James Keenan and Jacob Huber, Trustees; D. Vanderpool, Treasurer; Samuel Sulzer, Clerk; J. Peirard, Marshal; L. Sheldon, Assessor. The town debt in May, 1868, was $8,281.48. The officers of 1869 were B. H. Rounds, Daniel Miller, A. Kielhorn, John Comisky and Peter Clemens, Trustees; J. Peirard, Marshal; D. Vanderpool, Treasurer; T. Whelan, Clerk; L. Sheldon, Assessor; E. R. Hatfield, Attorney. Street improvements continued. In April, 1870, there was $10,955.06 outstanding against the town, the actual debt being $5,100.
In 1870 the officers were B. H. Rounds, Daniel Miller, A. Kielhorn, J. Comisky and Peter Clemens, Trustees; W. A. Marshall, Marshal; D. Vanderpool, Treasurer; T. Whelan, Clerk; J. H. Gibbons, Assessor; total votes polled, 253. In 1872 the officers were G. Vogel, D. Miller, M. Heim, J. Comisky and James Lees, Trustees; Joseph Gerber, Marshal; T. Whelan, Treasurer; James Keenan, Jr., Clerk; Charles Mattingly, Assessor. An addition to the town was made this year by and above St. Louis. C. J. Wilber soon became clerk. The town debt in April, 1872, was $1,996.29. In 1872 the officers were G. Vogel, M. Rothsam, Jacob Witmer, John Comisky, and Peter Clemens, Trustees; T. Whelan, Treasurer; Louis Dwyer, Clerk; J. Gerber, Marshal; Charles May, Assessor. Cisterns for fire purposes were ordered built. Action to prevent the spread of small-pox was taken in February, 1873. In 1873 the officers were G. Vogel, Peter Schaad, J. Wiltmer, J. Whittaker and J. Comisky, Trustees; T. Whelan, Treasurer; L. Dwyer, Clerk; G. Richards, Assessor; J. Gerber, Marshal. The actual debt in April, 1874, was $735.61. The officers for 1874 were Vogel, Schaad, Witmer, Whittaker and Comisky, Trustees; John Zimmerman, Clerk; Whelan, Treasurer; Platt, Assessor. Platt took Zimmerman's place as clerk; Gerber, Marshal. The last of the town debt (except the bonded debt) was paid this year. The officers of 1875 were Charles Schmuck, J. C. Wade, J. F. Sulzer, E. Wilber and Peter Clemens, Trustees; Robert Payne, Clerk; T. Whelan, Treasurer; H. George, Marshal; Albert May, Assessor. In April, 1875, the funded debt was $4,487.44, though $1,432.50 was on hand. The funded debt during the year was reduced to $2,016.89. In 1876 the officers were Thomas Irvin, D. Miller, W. Richards, J. Whittaker and Peter Clemens, Trustees ; Robert Payne, Clerk ; T. Whelan, Treasurer; L. F, Sheldon, Assessor. The officers of 1877 were Thomas Irvin, Daniel Mueller, Jacob Heck, Joseph Whittaker and Peter Clemens, Trustees; T. Whelan, Treasurer; Henry Spieker, Clerk; L. F. Sheldon, Assessor. A cistern for fire purposes was ordered built in St. Louis. The officers of 1878 were T. Irvin, Owen Tevlin, J. Heck, J. Whittaker and J. Zimmerman Trustees; Henry Spieker, Clerk; T. Whelan, Treasurer; L. Sheldon, Assessor; W. Henning, Attorney; W. E. Drumb, Marshal. The outstanding orders, April, 1879, were $1,014.31. The officers of 1879 were Charlqs Schmuck, O. Tevlin, J. Sulzer, J. Keenan and J. Zimmerman, Trustees; Clint C. Worrall, Clerk; T. Whelan, Treasurer; W. E. Drumb, Marshal. In 1880 the officers were Charles Hess, Peter Weber, J. Sulzer, J. Whittaker and J. Zimmerman, Trustees; C. C. Worrall, Clerk; Fred Heck, Treasurer; W. E. Drumb, Marshal; W. Henning, Attorney. The ordinances this year were thoroughly revised. The officers of 1881 were Peter Bauer, O. Tevlin, H. J. May, J. Whittaker, T. Whelan, Trustees; C. C. Worrall, Clerk; F. C. Heck, Treasurer; Philip Fuchs, Marshal. The debt of the town, April, 1882, was $1,904.57. The officers of 1882 were: P. Bauer, O. Tevlin, T. Whelan, Trustees; W. J. Reed, Clerk; F. C. Heck, Treasurer; James Murphy, Marshal; May and Whittaker, Trustees, held over. The officers of 1883 were N. Wallot, J. Whittaker, Trustees; Whelan, Bauer and Tevlin holding over. W. J. Reid, Clerk; F. C. Heck, Treasurer; J. Murphy, Marshal. The officers of 1884 were J. Fishback, E. Heck, and E. O. Jones, Trustees, Whittaker and Wallot holding over. W. J. Reid, Clerk; T. Whelan, Treasurer; J. Murphy, Marshal.
The Present Business Men.—Dry goods—J. F. Sulzer, Titus Cummings, Peter Clemens, H. Oleminghoff, Mrs. Ann Markuni, Thomas Irvin. Groceries—all the dry goods stores except Sulger's; George Seivels, Jacob Heck, J. C. Shallcross, M. V. Burnett, Mrs. Dorn, Cyrus Clark, Phillip Fuchs, Thomas Hay, Thomas Cullen, George Chilton, John DeKinder, John Zimmerman and B. Kuntz. Harness—D. Vanderpool. Hardware—John Zimmerman, Jacob Heck. Milliners—J. F. Sulzer, Ann Maron, Mrs. Caspar. Barbers—Henry Selser, Thomas Bryan, John Whelan. Wagon and blacksmith shops—W. Lehmann, Hardin Bros., and others. Contractors—Whitner & Eberhard, A. Holderbach. Furniture—George Flach. Shoe-makers—D. Vanderpool, John Lorenz, James Benson, Edward Damm. Livery—Zachariah Leaf. Agricultural Implements—Cyrus Clark, James Lees & Sons, John Irvin. Jewelry—B. H. Rounds. Tailors—J. F. Sulzer, C. Damm, John Berger, Fred Herring. Grist-mill—May Bros. Saw-mills—Anton Zeller, William Coil. Foundry—James Lees & Son. Paper-Mill Company. Indiana Cotton Factory. The Enquirer and Reporter, W. N. Underwood, proprietors. Sixteen saloons. Hambleton, Phoenix, Union and Eagle Hotels. Dentist—Mr. Rial. Restaurant—Henry Dusch. Stone Works —The Coal Company. Boots and shoes—same as dry goods. Clothing— Sulzer Bros., Titus Cummings, Peter Clemens. Tile Factory, etc.—Clark Bros. American Cannel Coal Company, founded 1837. Brick—Zeller & Son. Books, etc—Sulzer, Clemens. Butchers—Charles Moog, Chris Rauscher, Christ. Seifert. Doctors—Bemiss, Ladd, Mitchell, Howard, Marshall, Bontrager. Lawyers—C. H. Mason, E. E. Drumb, B. W. Scott, R. M. Johnson, I. B. Hottell, W. A. Land, William Henning.
The Cliff Cemetery Association was organized in January, 1854, with the following members: Hamilton Smith, John J. Key, F. Y. Carlisle, W. P. Beacon, W. McKinley, J. B. Maynard, Willard Claflin, George Minto, C. H. Mason, J. H. Colb, Joseph Whitaker, John Mason, G. C. Beebe, Fred Boyd, S. T. Platt, J. A. Burkett, C. L. Soyez, George Crebore and Ballard Smith. The land, between seven and eight acres, was donated by the Coal Company. This first organization seems to have lapsed, for in 1869-70, the lot holders reorganized and elected trustees to manage the grounds. The first were E. E. Drumb, Gabriel Schmuck, E. C. Clark, Daniel Miller and Charles Hafele. In February, 1854, a Turner's Society was organized, which soon died. In April, 1855, the German Benevolent and Literary Society was organized. Tiiis is yet in active existence. The name indicates the object. Henry Kolb was first President; Gabriel Schmuck, Secretary; Adam Schmuck, Treasurer. The Perry County Medical Association was organized in November, 1881, J. M. Butler being President; M. M. Howard, Vice-President; J. R. Webb, Secretary; L. B. Lucas, Treasurer; A. J. Smith, C. M. Brucker and Isaac Lucas, Censors. J. W. Lucas and J. D. Bacon belonged. The society soon became defunct. Relief Fire Company No. 2 was formed in August, 1853, with twelve members. This is yet in existence, and does effective service in case of fire. Star Hook & Ladder Company organized January, 1867, with twenty-one members: E. C. Clark, President; E. E. Drumb, Secretary. Torrent Fire Company organized October, 1852, with James Lees, President; John Edmundson, Treasurer; W. C. Darling, Secretary. The company is yet vigorous.
April 27, 1849, Morris Lodge, No. 97, F. & A. M., was instituted with N. H. Ewing, master; Elijah Moore, S. W. and E. M. Clark, J. W. May 29, 1850, the charter was granted. Under the charter the officers were A. Moore, W. M.; E. M. Clark, S. W.; J. B. Huckaby, J. W.; R. G. Tift, secretary; S. C. Little, treasurer; G. K. Foote, S. D.; S. Nosinger, J. D.; E. Moore, Tyler. The lodge first met in Vaughan's brick, in St. Louis, later in Wade's Hall, and still later in Richards' building. In February, 1852, owing to internal differences, the lodge surrendered its charter, and October 7, 1852, was granted a second dispensation as Cannelton Lodge, No. 152, M. F. Ross becoming W. M.; E. Moore, S. W. and J. M. Gest, J. W. The new charter was granted May 26, 1853. The new organization prospered. When the building in which they now meet was built, the lodge gave $500 toward the structure, for which they were to have the use of the third story free of rent for ten years. Since the expiration of that time they have rented the same hall. The present membership is about forty-seven. The present officers are T. Cummings, W. M.; O. C. Lee, S. W.; F. A. Mitchell, J. W.; M. V. Barnett, treasurer; C. W. Knight, secretary; John Zimmerman, S. D.; M. F. Babbitt, J. D.; Alex Bartles, Tyler.
Dela Hunt Post, No. 152, G. A. R., was organized in the spring of 1883, and the charter bears date March 18. The charter members and first officers were as follows: J. A. Burkett, C.; T. Cummings, S. V.; J. C. Richey, J. V.; J. T. Patrick, Q. M.; John Zimmerman, S. M.; D. T. Davis, chaplain; J. B. Snyder, adjutant; J. R. Weathers, O. of D.; W. N. Underwood, W. J. Quick, W. H. Harding, Leonard May, Eugene Devillez, Isaac Reed, W. H. Cummings, J. W. Hill, Anton Schmuck, Charles Kabler, J. J. Bristow, George Ernst, John Sumner,
W. S. Lamb, Anderson Bolin, A. Quick, R. Devers and Thomas Keifer. The post has prospered since its organization, and now has a membership of over fifty. It was instituted by Capt. Keller, of Evansville. The present officers are T. Cummings, C.; J. C. Richey, S. V.; George Shevels, J. V.; W. Harding, Q. M.; J. R. Weathers, O. of D. ; J. Snyder, adjutant; S. Hyde, chaplain; J. Pierce, S. M.; Alex Quick, surgeon; John Zimmerman, I. O.
The Lodge of A. O. U. W. was organized in October, 1879, W. N. Underwood, being P. M. W.; Robert Payne, M. W.; T. Holderbach, G. F.; A. Quick, O.; C. H. Bear J, recorder; C. Keilhorn, financier; Daniel Miller, receiver; W. Scott, G. W.; A Hock, I. W.; P. Bower, O. W. This lodge has had a prosperous existence, the present membership numbering thirty-five. The present officers are W. Clark, P. M. W.; T. Cummings, M. W.; P. Bower, G. F.; A. Quick, O.; D. Miller, R.; A. Block, F.; Albert May, recorder; R. Dean, O. VV.; H. Shopmier, I. W.; W. Harding, S.
James Lodge, No. 100, I. O. O. F., was instituted November 29, 1851, by G. B. Jocelyn, D. G. M., the first officers being W. Claflin, N. G.; Z. H. Cook, V. G.; M. Fitzpatrick, secretary; J. B. Maynard, treasurer. The charter bears date January 21, 1852. The lodge met in various rooms, until the present hall was built. Thomas Hay was first initiated, then J. Wall and P. Kolb. The lodge began to accumulate funds in 1866, with which to erect a building. From a fair in Mozart Hall $1,500 was realized. In 1878 the brick building, 50x100 feet, twostoried, was erected at a cost of over $10,000, the lodge running in debt about $5,000. This debt has since been reduced to $3,400 at the present time. The funds and the construction of the house were managed by a special building association, of which one member was president and superintendent. In 1880 the whole property was transferred by the association to the lodge. In the second story of this building is the handsome hall of the lodge. The present membership is forty-six, and the present officers are T. J. Truempy, N. G.; M. F. Babbitt, V. G.; Charles Hess, P. 8.; Roan Clark, R. B.; A. Plock, treasurer; J. Zimmerman, W.; J. H. Hunsche, conductor; G. Chilton, R. S.; Leonard May, L. S.; Stephen Rutherford, I. G.; P. Fuchs, O. G.; John Zimmerman, Roan Clark and M. Rattisam, trustees.
Excelsior Lodge, No. 2293, K. of H, was organized in the summer of 1881, the charter bearing date June 8, and bearing the names of the following persons: W. A. Hock, C. Keilhorn, L. Greenberg, R. Payne, J. Zimmerman, dictator, W. A. Marshall, T. Whittaker, C. W. Knights (reporter), W. H. Osborn, E. O. Jones, J. Frankey, P. Short, W. J. Frazier, J. Whittaker, J. H. Rauscher, W. J. McCutcheon, W. F. Lees, H. M. Howard, M. M. Howard, P. Short, Jr., C. H. Beard, J. F. Sulzer, E. W. Payne, C. Rauscher, Leonard May (treasurer), W. L. Shallcross, B. H. Rounds, F. P. Sulzer, P. Schlemmer, Jr., and Simeon Jaseph. The lodge was instituted September 16, 1880, by James W. Jacobs, G. R. The lodge has prospered, and is strong and steadily growing. The present officers are E. O. Jones, D.; C. M. Sheldon, V. D.; John Huck, A. D.; A. Baechtold, P. D.; W. F. Lees, reporter; G. R. Wagner, F. R.; Jacob Baechtold, treasurer; Leonard May, chaplain; C. W. Knights, G.; John Frankey, guardian; T. W. Whittaker, sentinel. Three members only have died: William Sampson, Conrad K. Hughes and Dr. J. S. Bemiss.

History, Genealogy, Early Settlers and Historical Points of Interest in Perry County, Indiana