The following is an excerpt
from The Green River Country, From Bowling Green to Evansville,
published 1898, pages 85 thru 97. Edited and compiled by W. P. Greene. 117 years ago.
OHIO COUNTY
This county is
the fifth of the series lying on the navigable waters of Green River. It is on the east side of the river, next
below Butler, although nearly in line with Muhlenburgh in its relation to the
river. But the river in its tortuous course after flowing through Butler,
enters Ohio county twenty-five miles above the line of Muhlenburgh,
flows some ten miles on its territory, and returns to Butler county. After
flowing in the latter county for a distance of twelve to fifteen miles it again
returns and for a short distance forms the boundary between Ohio and Butler
counties, when it finally becomes the dividing 1ine between Ohio on the right
and Muhlenburgh and McLean on the left bank of the river for a distance of more
than forty miles. Ohio county has about fifty miles of navigable water
frontage. Ceralvo, Rockport and Cromwell are important shipping points on this
frontage, while there are a number of trading points and landings of lesser
note. The county of Ohio is one of the original territorial divisions of the
state of Kentucky at its first organization. It was named after the Ohio River,
although no part of it touches that river. The county is in the coal field of
western Kentucky, and has an area of three hundred and eighty thousand acres, or
nearly six hundred square miles. In common with the entire Green
River section, this county was originally covered with a dense growth of forest
timber. A great deal of thick timber has
been cut down and rafted to the saw mills of Evansville or converted into
lumber for local use, but there yet remains large tracts of fine timbered land
almost untouched.
The coal mined
in the county is mainly from No.9 vein, celebrated throughout the
country for its adaptation to steam and domestic use. No. 11 vein is also
workable in this county. Along the line of the Illinois Central railroad, which
runs through the southern part of the county and crosses the river at Rockport,
are a number of mines in operation, all working No.9 vein. The McHenry Coal and
Mining Company and the Central Coal and Iron Company both operate extensive
mines on this line, the former the McHenry and the Echols and the latter the
Render mine. The Williams and the Taylor mines in the same neighbor-hood are
actively worked. This entire group of mines is within a short distance of
Rockport, on Green River. The Central Coal and Iron Company also operate a mine
at Central City, in Muhlenburgh county, in the same vein. There are also
productive mines at Fordsville and Deanefield, in the eastern part of the
county. The Jamestown Coal Company operates a mine three miles above Livermore.
The product of this mine is consumed in the local market. Sixteen men are
employed. The vein worked is No. 9, of a good quality. The mine is worked by
drift. W. S. Trunnell, secretary and treasurer and also manager, and F. O.
Coffman, president.
Ohio county
ranks third in the state in the volume of her coal product. Hopkins and
Whitley, in the order named, being the only counties producing a larger
quantity. The county contains immense beds of iron ore, the conversion of
which, in the early future, is destined to become a vast industry. Professor
Shaler, director of the Kentucky geological survey, says: “There is iron ore enough in this region to
run fifty furnaces for centuries. It caps the hills and can be worked at very
little expense." The surface of the county is less broken than that of
some of the counties lying above it. Along the water courses there are
considerable tracts of hilly lands, but a large portion of the county presents
a measurably level surface well adapted to farming and grazing purposes. The
soil is alluvial or sandy loam, according to the accident of its formation and
produces all the cereals, grass and tobacco. The culture of fruit is a growing
industry-the census reports giving the county third place in the production of
apples and peaches among the counties of the Green River Val1ey. The county is
well supplied with water by numerous streams, creeks and springs. Rough River,
the principal stream in the county, crosses it from east to west and is
navigable to Hartford, the county seat, by means of slack water obtained by
lock and dam miles from its mouth and about twenty miles below Hartford. Panther Creek in the northern, Caney Creek in
the eastern, and Mud Creek and Beaver Dam Creek in the southern portions of the
county are all valuable irrigating streams.
The output of coal of the county, as given by the United States census
reports for the year 1889, was two hundred forty-six thousand two hundred and
fifty-three tons.
The report of
Mine Inspector Norwood gives the output for the year 1896 at three hundred
sixty-eight thousand and ninety-four tons, an increase in production of
thirty-three per cent. Table of products for Ohio County census report of 1890:
OHIO COUNTY PRODUCTS
Farms, Number. ………..2,998
Acreage, “ …………...110
LiveStock, Value ……$817,475
Farm Products, “ ….. . $784,090
Corn, Bushels …….. 948,889
Oats, “ ……….90,000
Wheat, “
……….51,090
Apples, “
………163,118
Peaches, “ ………..18,288
Irish Potatoes, " ………..36,566
Sweet Potatoes, " …………8,502
Value Garden Products … $ 1,392
Tobacco, Pounds …….. 1,760,368
Broom Corn, Pounds …….8,596
LIVE STOCK
Honey, “ …………26,185
Beeswax, “ ……………504
Wool, “ …………43,785
Hay, Tons …………. 9,364
Coal, “ ………..246,253
Coal, Value ......... $ 200,491
Horses, Number ………...5,897
Mules, “ ………..1,719
Sheep, “ ………12,497
Hogs, “ ………29,546
Chickens, “ ………193,133
Eggs, Dozen ……. 357,296
HARTFORD
The
county seat of Ohio county, is situated near the center of the county at the
head of navigation on Rough River, one hundred and twenty miles from the city
of Evansville. The population of the town is about one thousand, and being the
seat of justice and principal town in the county, numbers among its citizens
many men of prominence throughout the state, in the several professions of law,
.medicine and politics. The city is built on the left bank of Rough River, and
has an elevated situation on ground sloping to the river. It is surrounded by a
rich and well-improved farming country, and is within easy reach of the
hard-wood timber of the river forests, offering superior inducements for the
establishment of woodworking industries. The town has no rai1road connections,
Beaver Dam being the nearest railroad point, which is on the Illinois Central,
five miles away. Two stage lines, making two trips each daily, connect with
trains on the above-mentioned road. The court house is built of brick,
surrounded by a rather ornate iron fence, and the grounds about the county
buildings are shaded by fine old trees. In appearance the town is thrifty and
impresses one with a sense of stability. Many of the business houses' are built
of brick and are roomy and conveniently arranged. Three sides of the public
square are solidly built up with business houses, as is also the main street
leading to the river landing. The new brick block built and owned by Mr. S. K.
Cox, of the Ohio county bank, on the northeast corner of Main street and the public
square, is a very handsome building of modern construction, and adds greatly to
the appearance of the town. The trade of Hartford is 1argely local, but, being surrounded
by a populous and productive region of country, the volume of business done by
her merchants is very large. There are a number of general-stores, carrying large
stocks of merchandise, besides many smaller establishments dealing in special
lines. Almost every line of trade and business is represented.
There are two
banks, the Ohio County, Bank and the Bank of Hartford; two hotels, a number of
boarding houses and two livery stables. The bar of Hartford is of more than
provincial celebrity in the ability of its members. Some of the oldest and
ablest lawyers in the state are located here, and the younger members of the
profession are justly celebrated for their talents and high legal attainments.
Henry D. McHenry, a former member of congress from this district, now deceased,
was a native of Ohio county and a member of its bar. His widow still lives in
Hartford, of which she has been a resident for forty-one years. The history of
the town dates back to a period co-incident with the first settlement of
Kentucky. The first recorded plat of the town is dated May 6th, 1816, but at
least as early as 1790, and probably as early as 1786, there was a settlement
and fort near the site of the present town. In Collins' historical sketches it
is stated: "The immediate vicinity of Hartford was settled at a very early
period and was often the scene of bloody strife and acts of noble daring.
Hartford and Barnett's stations were about two miles apart, and, although never
regularly besieged, were frequently harassed by straggling parties of Indians,
and a number of persons who ventured out of sight of the stations were killed
or captured. In April, 1790, the Indians waylaid Barnett's station and killed
two of the children of John Anderson. One of the party assaulted Mrs. Anderson
with a sword, inflicted several wounds upon her person, and while in the act of
taking off her scalp John Miller ran up within about twenty steps and snapped his rifle at him. The
Indian fled, leaving his sword, but succeeded in carrying off the scalp of Mrs.
Anderson. She, however, recovered and lived some ten or twelve years
afterwards. The same party captured and carried off' Hannah Barnett, a daughter
of Col. Joseph Barnett, then a girl of about ten years of age. They retained
her as a captive until October of the same year, when through the
instrumentality of her brother-in-law, Robert Baird, she was restored to
her friends." The date of these incidents places the first settlement of
the town some time anterior to the year 1790. The following is a brief catalogue
of the business men of Hartford: Carson & Co., dealers in dry goods, clothing
and furniture; J. A. Thomas, general merchant; Pate Bros., groceries; Fair
& Co., general merchants; J. E. Fogle & Co., dry goods and clothing;
George Klein, hardware and notions; A. D. White, hardware and groceries; Thomas
Bros., groceries; Z. W. Griffin, drugs; James Williams, drugs; Mrs. Anna Lewis,
millinery J. H. Patten & H. Field, livery. There are three hotels, the
Commercial Hotel, the Hartford, and the Yeiser House. The leading industries of
Hartford are a large flouring mill and wool-carding establishment operated by
J. W. Ford & Co. This firm also operates a saw mill. A saw mill is operated
by Patten &; Condit, who arc also dealers in lumber. There are three
blacksmithing and wood-working shops - R. H. Gillespie, A. Tweeddle and J. W.
Ford & Co. There are two banks, the Ohio County Bank, a cut of whose building
is given herein, and the Hartford Bank. There are three handsome churches,
occupied by the Methodist, the Baptists and the Cumberland Presbyterians. The
Christian denomination has a congregation, but no church building. There are
two colored Churches, Baptist and Methodist. The town has a good system of free
schools, supported by local taxation. The Hartford College, under the management
of Profs. Morton and Crowe, is an institution of much prominence in the
section. Its curriculum embraces a full collegiate course. The educational
interests of the county are in the hands of Mr. Z. H. Schultz, superintendent of schools, who is
a young man of excellent attainments, and zealous in the advancement of the cause
of education. The schools of the county under his management and oversight are
in a most efficient and satisfactory condition. Two good newspapers are
published here - the Hartford Courier and the Hartford Republican. The
practicing physicians are Drs. E. W. Ford, J. S. Morton, E. B. Pendleton and J.
T. Miller.
The Ohio
County Bank. This institution was
established in February, 1896, by Capt. Samuel K. Cox under the general banking
laws of the state of Kentucky. It is a private institution, being entirely
owned and controlled by its founder. The last report of the affairs of the bank
made to the secretary of state under the provisions of the law shows thirty-two
thousand eight hundred and forty dollars and twenty-nine cents assets, and the
bank to be in a very satisfactory condition. Captain Cox has a very commodious
new brick building, one half of which is occupied by his bank and the other by
Fair & Co. as a general store, Mr. Cox is a native of Hancock county,
Kentucky, but has been an honored citizen of Ohio county for thirty-seven
years. He served three terms as county court clerk of the county and was
cashier of the bank of Hartford for thirteen years. Captain Cox is greatly interested
in the affairs of his town and county and in the development of the Green River
section. He enjoys the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens and in all
the relations of life is a most estimable gentleman.
The social
structure in its last analysis rests upon a few individuals, and frequently one
strong individuality gives tone and coloring to the social status of an entire
community. In the commercial world, in the professions, in literature and art
and indeed in all the pursuits of life there are found persons, who, by reason
of superior ability, skill or energy, become recognized as leaders in their
several callings. Brains and energy are two of the constituent
elements in the make-up of the man who steps to the front. These factors, when
properly directed and controlled by a sense of moral obligation, are sure to
result in worldly preferment to their possessor and substantial good to the
community in which they are exercised, There are many bright examples of this
type of men in Ohio county, who stand forth prominently as leaders in every
walk of life. In the profession of law we find space to present short sketches
of the following gentlemen:
Benjamin D. Ringo
was born at Prestonville, Carroll county, Ky., May 25th, 1864. His father was
William L Ringo, for many years a merchant at Prestonville. His ancestors came
from North Carolina among the early settlers of this state. In 1852 William L. Ringo was married to Martha Duncan, of Trimble
county, Ky., and of the four children of this union, Ben. D. is the only one living.
William L. Ringo was broken up by the war and died in 1864. In 1869 Benjamin
was taken by his mother to Daviess county, Ky., where he lived upon a farm.
Meantime he had attended for a few months the county schools of his neighborhood,
receiving, however, most of his early education at the hand of his mother.
He
afterward attended Hartford College, going thence to Eastman College at
Poughkeespie, N. Y., where he graduated in 1882. He taught for a time at Livermore,
Ky., and after spending two years in travel in the west, he returned to
Kentucky and taught one year at Masonville, after which he was elected to a
position in Hartford College where he taught for four years. Here he studied
law and was admitted to the Bar in 1890 and at once began an active practice,
soon after forming a partnership with Mr. E. D. Guffy, which continued until
Mr. Guffy withdrew from the firm to become assistant secretary of state in
1896, since which time Mr. Ringo has continued to enjoy a large practice, as
the firm had during its previous existence. In December, 1892, Mr. Ringo was
married to Miss Emma M. Ryan, of Logan county, and she, together with his
mother and a baby boy, now one year old, make up his family. Mr. Ringo has not been
a politician in the sense of seeking office. In 1893 he was appointed master
commissioner of the Ohio circuit court, which position he now holds. He was for
two years member for his district of the State Board of Equalization, and during
1896 was chairman of that body. He has always been a democrat, and is a strong
supporter of democratic doctrines. He has for a number of years been a member
of the Methodist church, South, and is an active worker in the Sunday school
and other institutions of that church. His personal character and professional
standing you may know about from anybody in this locality. He has a pleasant
home in Hartford, where his friends are always welcome.
James S.
Glenn was born on a farm in Ohio county, Ky., on the 29th day of
November, 1857. He obtained his education in the common schools of his native
county and at the West Kentucky college at South Carrollton, Ky., from which he
graduated with honor in 1879.
In 1880 he married Miss Belle Barnes, of Hartford.
His first work after leaving college was teaching in the Hartford college, in
which he occupied the chair of ancient languages and natural science. Having determined to make the profession of
law his future occupation, he gave up teaching and entered the law office of
Hon. J. E. Fogle, of Hartford, where he applied himself to the study of the
law for several years. He was admitted to the bar in 1894, and entered at once
upon the practice of his profession. He now enjoys a lucrative business,
attending the courts of Ohio, Muhlenburgh, McLean and Daviess counties.
As a lawyer Mr. Glenn stands in the front rank of the profession in his
section. He is a member of the order of the Knights of Pythias and is
universally esteemed for his high social qualities and genial disposition.
Hon. John S.
R. Wedding, lawyer, orator and politician, was born in Ohio county, Ky.,
thirty-two years ago. He is the youngest child of Robert G. and Mary (Hale) Wedding.
Being thrown upon his own resources at a very early age, he managed by earnest
industry to obtain a good English education. For a while he taught school and
at the age of twenty-two began the study of law.
He was admitted to the bar at
the November term of the Ohio circuit court the same year. Since his admission
to the bar he has been actively engaged in the practice of law, and has
attained distinction in his profession, both as a cogent reasoner and an orator
of great brilliancy. He is an compromising republican and has taken quite a
prominent part in politics. He stumped the fourth Kentucky district in 1892 in
the interest of his party, and it was during the time he was chairman of the
republican county committee of Ohio county that the first republicans ever
elected to office in the county were elected. At the republican state
convention in 1896 he was (a) member from the state-at-large of the committee
on resolutions, and drafted the resolution in favor of the single gold
standard, which was afterward adopted by the convention. He was elector from
the fourth Kentucky district on the McKinley ticket, and canvassed the district
in the interest of the republican party. He has the distinguished honor of
being a member of the first republican electoral college ever elected in Kentucky.
Mr. Wedding is a citizen of' Hartford, the county seat of his native county,
where he has resided since the time he began the practice of law. He was
married December 20th, 1893, to Miss Lucy B. Townsend, the youngest child of
the late Judge John C. Townsend, a distinguished member of the Hartford bar.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Wedding are members of the Hartford Baptist church.
Eugene Preston
Neal, a member of the Hartford bar and county attorney for the county of
Ohio, is a conspicuous example of the success that attends self-reliance and
determination of purpose. His environment in youth taught him the virtues of
self-dependence and perseverance. His father, although a considerable farmer,
was unable to give him the advantages of a collegiate education, and his only
recourse for mental training was in the common schools of the county, but being
endowed by nature with a vigorous intellect, he acquired from this source and
by systematic reading and self-culture a solid education in the Eng1ish
branches of knowledge.
Mr. Neal was born in Ohio county, near Prentiss, September
27th, 1863. He remained and worked with his father on the farm, assisting
dutifully in the care and comfort of an invalid mother until manhood. On
attaining his majority, his earnest and sincere disposition and independence of
thought led him away from the political tenets of his father, and he espoused
the political doctrines of the republican party. His energy and the brightness
of his intellect soon marked him as a leader, and he was prevailed upon to
establish a paper in the interests of the party, at the county seat. The force
and vigor manifested by the young editor attracted the attention of prominent
men of the party, and gave him a state reputation, and on the meeting of the
state convention, in the city of Louisville, in 1888, he was selected as its
chairman over the Hon. George Denny, who was a candidate for that honor. Having
thus become engaged in politics, he determined to adopt the law as a
profession, not only because that profession accorded with the natural bent of
his mind, but for the reason that it furnished the best basis of opportunity
for preferment and usefulness. He studied law with the Hon. George W. Jolly,
of Owensboro, and received his license to practice from the Daviess county
circuit court, and entered at once upon the practice. In 1894 he was the
nominee of the republican party for county attorney of Ohio county, and was
elected to the office by the largest majority of any candidate on the ticket.
He now holds the office of county attorney, and is a leading member of the Ohio
county bar. As an officer he has won the approval of all parties by his
fearless, able and impartial administration. Mr. Neal married, in 1890, Miss
Fannie Miller, the estimable daughter of Mr. W. T. Miller, a prominent citizen
of Ohio county. Personally and socially Mr. Neal enjoys the universal respect
and confidence of the entire people of his county, and no doubt will be called
upon to serve them in the public affairs in the future.
Gabriel B. Likens
is a native of Ohio county. He was born February 17th, 1867, near Horton, in
said county, on a farm, and spent his early life in the duties and labor that
fall to the lot of a farmer boy. His primary school training was gained in the
common schools of the county, where he evinced a love of study and activity· of
mind that presaged a career of usefulness. After passing through the common
schools, he attended the West Kentucky College at South Carrollton, where he
graduated with the degree of B. S. He spent some years in teaching in the
county schools, at the South Carrollton College, and at the Alexandria, Tenn.,
high school.
In 1892 he received the nomination of the democratic party for the
office of circuit court clerk and was elected to the office. Mr. Likens has
taken an active part in the counsels of his party from the outset of his
official career and has done it in a way that has gained him friends without
increasing his opponents. In the discharge of the duties of the office to which
the people called him, he has been impartial, courteous and attentive to all,
winning the admiration and esteem of the people in general without regard to
party. Mr. Likens takes great interest in the cause of education and in the
morals of the community, doing all in his power to promote and secure these
essentials of good society. He is a member of the Baptist church and assistant
superintendent of the Sunday school. .He is also a member of the Masonic
fraternity and junior warden of the local lodge. Socially his standing leaves
nothing to be desired.
Calvin P. Keown,
sheriff of Ohio county. Mr. Keown was born in Ohio county February 24th, 1855, on a farm near Fordsville. He obtained a
practical English education in the common schools of his native county and
after reaching manhood taught in the schools. In 1881 he married Miss Amanda H.
Robey and devoted himself to the business of farming, which he continued to
prosecute with the zeal and success that characterized all his undertakings.
In 1894 he was chosen by the republican party as their candidate for sheriff of
the county and such was the high estimation in which he was held that he was
elected to the office, although opposed by a very popular gentleman on the
opposite side of politics. As sheriff Mr. Keown has verified the expectation of
his friends and proven himself a faithful and efficient officer and well worthy
of the confidence of his fellow citizens. Mr. Keown is a member of the Baptist
church, of the Masonic fraternity and of the Knights of Pythias, and socially
possesses the respect and esteem of the entire people of the county.
BEAVER DAM
Is in Ohio
county, about nine miles from Rockport. It is a flourishing and growing town
surrounded by a fine farming country. The population at present is about six
hundred. When the Elizabethtown and Paducah railroad was built in 1869-70 it established
a station at this point called Beaver Dam Station. A town sprang up around the
station and soon a considerable business became centered at this point until
its arrival at its present importance as a trade center for quite a large
section of country. The town took its name from a beaver dam, which, in the
first settlement of the country, existed on what was called Beaver Dam Creek
from that fact. In March, 1798, the Baptists built a church and
organized a congregation at the place which still exists as a church
organization. The business establishments of the town consist of: The Beaver
Dam Deposit Bank, organized under special charter, its capital being
twenty-five thousand dollars and surplus fund nine thousand dollars; Hocker
& Co., Hunt, Stewart & Leach and Bir & Chinn, general
merchants; there are two drug stores, three groceries, two confectioners, one
steam laundry, two hotels, three physicians, one dentist and two lawyers. The
churches are one Methodist, one Baptist and one Christian. The town
has an excellent educational establishment. The Beaver Dam Seminary and
Commercial Institute is an institution that has been brought to a high state of
efficiency under the management of Prof. E. B. Ray, assisted by a corps of
competent teachers in the various departments. The school is free, but embraces
a department for advanced pupils in all the branches of higher education,
including a business education. Special mention is made here of the business
establishment of Hocker & Co.,
dealers in general merchandise, fine clothing, fine shoes,
fashionable millinery and fine dress goods. This is the leading business
firm in Beaver Dam. The business was first established in 1882 by R. P. Hocker,
J. W. Hocker and I. H. Baker. This firm was succeeded by Hocker & Co.,
consisting of R. P. Hocker and John H. Barnes. In 1890 the present firm
consisting of R. P. Hocker and E. P. Barnes, succeeded to the business, retaining
the old firm name of Hocker & Co. This house transacts the largest business
in Ohio county. Mr. R. P. Hocker, the senior member of' the firm, is a native
of the county, and has the confidence of the general public.
ROCKPORT
Is one hundred
and eleven miles above Evansville. In 1817 Mr. Hugh Carter established a ferry
across Green River at this point; the gradual addition of population increased
so that in 1870 the citizens applied for and were granted
a charter by the legislature. Rockport now is a thriving village
of six hundred inhabitants, and is situated on a high hill in Ohio county, on
the right bank of Green river, overlooking both river and the eastern main stem
of the Illinois Central railway. The town has fourteen business houses, doing a
good business, handling a well selected variety of all classes of goods - one
tobacco factory, one saw mill, one grist mill, two blacksmith shops, two livery
stables, one barber shop, one shoe shop, one butcher shop, two good hotels, two
churches – Presbyterian and Baptist – (the Methodists also have an
organization, but have lost their house by fire), two physicians, a new school
building and a first-class school. Rockport is a temperance town, having had no
open saloons for over ten years. There has been a steady, substantial growth of
population, and there is not now a vacant dwelling or business house in the
town. Her inhabitants are principally engaged in mercantile business, farming,
timber, railroad and coal mining. No. 11 coal is opened in the town and No. 9 coal
underlies the town. Shipping facilities are excellent, and freight rates
reasonable. The town government is composed of L.
G. Haden, O. T. Hines and L. Reid,
trustees; G. M. Maddox, police judge , and G. N. Tilford,
town marshal. The morale of the town is away above the average river and
railroad town.
THE McHENRY
COAL COMPANY, operating the McHenry and Echols mines, the former about six
and the latter about two miles from Rockport, on Green River and on the line of
the Illinois Central railroad, is the largest producer of coal in Ohio county.
Of the three hundred and sixty-eight thousand tons produced in the county, this
company produces nearly one hundred and fourteen thousand tons, or about
one-third of the entire product of the county. Both mines, as stated above, are
in No. 9 vein. The McHenry mine, six miles inland, is entered by a slope of two
hundred feet to vein, which is uniform throughout the entire field, sixty to
one hundred feet below the surface. The length of the main entry is some four
thousand feet, with six working side entries ranging from one hundred
to six hundred feet, and seventy-five working places. Four Jeffrey electric
mining machines are operated in this mine. The town of McHenry, a considerable
settlement and trading point, is located principally on the lands of the
company, although many persons own their own residence property. The population
is about four hundred. The Presbyterians have a good church building and a
flourishing congregation in the town, and the society of Odd Fellows have a
lodge with a membership of fifty. The town has a good school building and free
school. Echols mine, the property of the same company, is on the Illinois
Central railroad about two miles from the river, in the same vein. This mine,
when first opened, was called the Rockport mine. It was opened in 1872 by the
Rockport Coal Company, composed of Smith, Keith and Daugherty. This company
operated the mine several years, then sold out to the McHenry Coal Company. The
vein ranges in thickness from four feet six inches to four feet ten, and is
reached by a shaft ninety feet deep. Four link-belt (chain) and one Jeffrey
machine are used in this mine. The field consists of one thousand acres to the
rise from shaft. The main entry is about eight hundred yards and the largest
cross entries one thousand to twelve hundred feet, still driving; one hundred
and twenty-five to one hundred and fifty working places. The improvements
projected in the early future are a new main road of thirty pound iron and
improvements around the bottom of the shaft to increase the capacity. Mr.
Williams, mine foreman at the Echols, is a careful and experienced miner, a
native of Scotland, and has been engaged in mining since the age of thirteen
years in the coal fields of the Western district of Kentucky.
CHARLES W.
TAYLOR, the efficient superintendent of both the McHenry and Echols mines,
lives in the town of McHenry, where he owns a pleasant home and other property.
He, together with his excellent wife and family, take great interest in
promoting the social, educational and religious welfare of the little town
which contains his home. He is a native of Ohio county and has been with the
company in one capacity or other for a period of fourteen years.
CROMWELL
A town, and
considerable trading and shipping point, is situated on the left bank of Green
River in Ohio county, one hundred and fifty-one miles above Evansville. The
population is about two hundred and fifty. The business at this point is
transacted by W. N. Martin & Son, W. T. Tilford, operating general stores;
A. K. Leach, dealer in groceries, and V. Whalen and J. X. Taylor, dealers in
drugs. The town has one church building (Union). It has a free school open five
months in the year. Its principal market is Evansville. The chief articles
dealt in are: groceries, furniture, flour, hardware and stoves, all of which
are bought of Evansville dealers and manufacturers. It is surrounded by a good
farming country, and ships by way of the river largely of country produce and
live stock.
CENTERTOWN
In Ohio county,
five miles from the river, is a very flourishing trade center for a fine
section of farming country adjacent. Its shipping point is Ceralvo, one hundred
and nine miles from Evansville. In common with other points in this section,
its principal market is Evansville. The leading merchants are:. Rowe &
Martin and Morehead, Jones & Co., dealers in general merchandise; L. C.
Brown & Co., dealers in drugs, and W. A. Rowe, saddlery. It has a good free
school and commodious church.
CERALVO
One hundred and .nine miles from Evansville, is in Ohio county.
The merchants are: V. D. Fulkerson,
dealer in general merchandise, and Dr. J. M. Everly, dealer in drugs, both of whom buy their goods mostly in Evansville markets. This point
ships by the river a great deal of produce and live stock, and is the shipping station for
the flourishing village of Centertown, .five miles inland.
