>^ ..- ^>> LOXJISA^ILLE: HER COMMERCIAL, MANUFACTURING AND SOCIAL ADVANTAGES. INCLUDING A SKETCH OF HER ' HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY, TOPOGRAPHY, SCHOOLS, HEALTH, RAILROAD AND STEAMBOAT FACILITIES, WATER POWER, &e., &c., (tc. EXHIBITING HER ADVANTAGES AS A GREAT MANUFACTURING AND COfflERCIAL CENTER. ILLUSTRATED WITH (tngrnbings %\ stbcral of htr mnnerntis public guiliiings, h. By RICHARD DEERING. ^^^^' '-^ U.S.A. '^^ CO LOUISVILLE, KY: IIANNA & CO., PRINTERS, CORNER MAIN AND THIRD STREETS. 1850. To WILLIAM KENDRICK: The Honest Man, the devoted Friend, THE accomplished Gentleman, the sincere Christian, AND the pleasant AND PROMPT BUSINESS MaN, THIS HUMBLE VOLUME IS MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, I5Y HIS OBLIGED AND GRATEFUL FRIEND. THE AUTHOK. THE NE\V EEA^. '•How is it, sir, that this beautiful city is so little known?" Thus inquired ■in intelligent gentleman from a Northern State, of one of our citizens, recently. He was passing through Louisville on his way South, and from a glimpse at the beauty of the place, was induced to spend several days in looking at it more in detail. He walked our streets, surveyed the location and the improvements, and was struck, as every beholder must be, with the great beauty of the place, and expressed his admiration as above. His admiration was great, but his sur- prise that this "beautiful city is so little known," was greater. "How is it, sir?" said this gentleman. Had he known more of our citizens and of the policy they have pursued for many years past, he could himself have explained the puzzle. But he was not aware that, when he crossed the Ohio river, he lefY the land of adccrtisincf behind him. He was accustomed to see books, pam- phlets, maps, cards, and descriptive plates, from every place of any note in the great West, setting forth their importance and their advantages, with care and minuteness; and naturally supposed, from the nximber and frequency of such publications, and the well established policy and importance of them, that every community and city that had any thing worth advertising, had advertised it. And yet, who ever saw such a book or pamphlet, in the hotels, depots, steam- boats, and public places of the country, from any city of the Southwest, excepfc St. Louis? The citizens of that fine, enterprising city, were the first in the Southwest to throw off the slumber and join in this characteristic of modern progress. The people of the Southwest seem to take it for granted, or as u matter of necessity, that this "advertising mania," as they call it, originates i!i an unscrupulous disposition to deceive, and hence do not adopt it. But not- withstanding this bad opinion of those who advertise, it is amusing to see how much time and pains the people of the Southwest bestow on maps and descrip- tive books from places where they have an inclination to invest their means. They ex;;minc the map to see what kind and what extent of country immedi- ately surrounds the place, and also its relative position, whether favorable for trade, for manufacturing, and for commerce. They examine the description to find every fact that bears on or relates to the fortunes of the place. This is wise — just as wise as to go and look at a farm before we purchase it. Why then should we neglect to do for ourselves and our city, that which has been of so much advantage to other places, and which, despite our prejudices, we attach so much importance to! Thousands, yea, millions of dollars, have been invested by Southern men in Northern cities — in lots and other property — to which their attention would never have been called, but for such publications. Vast sums of money are thus invested every year by our own citizens. That there is indiscriminate pufiing in some instances, we may admit; but it does not follow that we are obliged to adopt such a course in publishing to the world advantages of which we are conscious, and which, if known, will bring good to ourselves and to those who read them. Why our citizens have viewed the subject of advertising in the light thoy have, is not our province to determine; but believing as we do, that they are in error in regard to it. we have labored for years to induce them to change their policy. There is still more or less reluctance, but a very decided change h:;s 6 THE NEW ERA. come over them, and henceforth we expect to see a state of things altogether more favorable than any ever yet realized in the progress of our beautiful city. The policy and the progress now so happily and so manifestly obtaining in the city, may, with great propriety, be regarded as the beginning of a new era in her history. Never beibre were there so many and striking evidences of progress, nor such prospects of permanent prosperity. This state of things has been brought about by several causes: as the concentration and accumulation of capital, the ease with which our city passed the late severe commercial crisi.--, and the completion, and near approach to completion, of several important public works, such as the Louisville and Lexington, the Jcffersonville and Indianapo- lis, the New Albany and Salem, the Louisville and Lebanon, the Louisville and Nashville, and the Louisville and Memphis llailroads, and the City Water Works. These Railroads and their vast connections are beginning to be pow- erfully felt in nearly every department of our business. But these eficcts, great as they are, do not equal what is to grow out of the change that has come over the people themselves. From a timid, backward, self-distrusting spirit, our citizens have waked up to a proper sense of their own power and capabili- ties. A far-seeing, public-spirited, and self-relying policy has taken possession of the popular mind, and this city is driving on toward a glorious destiny, with an unanimity, enterprise, and vigor, never seen here before. Hope has dawned i:i every breast. Our citizens have been merchants, paying little attention to manufacturing, without which no city has or can be permanently prosperous. Now, however, every heart beats responsively to this great interest, and manufacturing estab- lishments are springing up almost daily. As evidence that our expectations, so confidently expressed above, that the "iture progress of the city will far exceed the past, and that the New Era has already been inaugurated, we record the fact, that since this article was written (three weeks ago), two new Eounderies, one Cotton Factory, two Breweries, and a large Furniture manufactory, have been commenced; and more dwelling houses are now in course of construction than at this period in any former season. New buildings are seen in every part of the city, many of them man- ufacturing establishments. A large number of our old manufacturing estab- iiahments are also being enlarged. Louisville now stands before the world, a large, well-regulated city, rich in capital, rich in natural resources — rich, and growing richer, in artificial facili- ties of every kind — at once, and by far the most inviting field, especially for manufacturers and mechanics, in the Western country. The following pages exhibit a faint manifestation of the spirit and prospects of the city; — but, desiring to make our book small, in order that i!: may have a very general circulation throughout the country, wo have been obliged to omit much that is interesting, and some things of importance. The reader will find little in the style to admire — our aim being rather to enlighten than to entertain, to furnish facts rather than fancies. We are con- scious of imperfections, yet indulge the hope that our well meant efibrts may prove useful, which is our highest aim. If this little volume shall prove acceptable, we may follow it with a moie perfect one. SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF LOUISVILLE. Louisville is situated on the Southern bank of the Ohio river, at the Falls of said stream, in latitude 38"=' 3' Xorth, and longitude 85" 30'Wcst of Greenwich. Its position is one of remarkable beaut}-, and of great natural advantages as a manufacturing and commercial point. The obstruction of navigation by thir rapids, causing the river to spread into a broad, beautiful sheet of water a mile wide, almost Avithout a current, and perfectly straight for a distance of six miles above the Falls, forms a lovely feature of a charming landscape, and also one of the safest harbors for all kinds of river craft any where to be found. The descent of the river over a bed of limestone rock, 24 to 2G feet, in a distance of two miles, while it causes a pause in the progress of navigation, both ascending and descending, also provides water power for manufacturing equal to any in the United States. And, besides this, a vast extent of level, beautiful, and highly fertile lands, spreads out on either side of the river for many miles. These advantages of beauty and utility did not fail to strike the eyes of those enterprising white men who were the first to see them. Here, then, as having reached all that man could expect to find on earth in the way of natural advantages, the hardy pioneer, after a long and perilous voyage, moored his boat and pitched his tent. But few settlements, in any portion of the known world, have ever been eflected under so many discouraging circumstances, as that of Louisville and its adjacent country. The great bone of contention between the Northern and Southern tribes of Indians, who disputed the possession of it with each other for a hunting ground, it was not likely they could see a foreign people step in between them aud take possession of it, without a violent struggle on their part to prevent it. Man, in his natural and savage state, is by far the most remorseless and cruel animal of the creation, surpassing the tiger in ferocity, and incapable of for- giving an injury, however unintentionally it may have been offered to him. No matter what length of time may have elapsed from the moment in which it is committed — no matter what motives may have palliated, exciised, or justified the deed — nothing, no, not the silence of the tomb, can protect the object of his hatred: — he must have blood! and, in default of the offender, by a refine- ment in cruelty, making revenge to reach beyond the grave, he wreaks it on his defenceless widow or helpless children ! Such were the people among whom the daring settlers of Kentucky first pitched their tents in 1769. No sooner did they appear among the tawny sons of the forest, than the war-whoop was heard — the hell-hounds of death were let loose, and murder stalked triumphantly abroad. Every sun that rose wit- nessed some work of destruction — every wind that blew, wafted on its wings the heart-appalling yells of an infernal pack, fresh from their butcher chase; and that dust that had oft before imbibed the blood of the savage, now became saturated with that of his civilized brother. The fury of an ever-active and wary foe was not the only danger that threatened extermination to those few brave spirits who ventured to this "land of blood." Disease reared her pale form among them; so that many escaped the hatchet and the knife, only to receive their doom from its fell influence. Hunted and watched by the natives, like the beasts of the forest, depending upon their rifles for their support, the pursuit of which forced them into the toils, their bodies enervated by sickness, and their minds enfeebled by the con- 10 HISTORY OF LOUISVILLE. tinual apprehension of danger — deprived of all medicine or medical aid — it is not to be wondered at that so few were added to their number, that a settlement so situated progressed but slowly. [^See Dr. JET. McMurtnjs Sketches of Lou- isville. The first white man who visited Kentucky, of whom wc have any account, was James McBride, who traveled through it in 1754. The earliest account we have of a settlement here, is that of Capt. Thomas Bullitt, who, in 1773, depu- ted by a special commission from AVilliam and Mary College in Virginia, came to survey lands and make settlements in the then territory of Kentucky. He landed at the head of the Falls, and having satisfied himself of the many and great advantages of this post, established his camp here. Having erected tem- porary shelter for his men and stores, ho made surveys of much of the adjacent country as far down as Salt river, to which he gave this name, because he there found the celebrated Salt Lick, which is still known as Bullitt's Lick. He held his new settlement in high estimation, on account of its many advantages, and purposed to return at once to his friends and procure the means to establish it. But death sought him in the midst of his well laid plans, and it was left for another to complete what he had so nobly begun. After Bullitt's expedition had been thus suddenly checked, the Falls were visited only by a few hunters and traders; and it was not until 1778 that any new attempt was made toward a permanent settlement on this site. In that year, Col. George Rogers Clarke, acting under the authority of the Legislature of Virginia, descended the Ohio with a detachment of three hun- dred men, destined to the reduction of Kaskaskia, Cahokias, and Vincennes, then British possessions. In order to deceive the enemy. Col. Clarke landed his troops on an island opposite the present City of Louisville, and had the ground cleared in orcTer to enable six families who accompanied the expedition, to plant corn thereon, which they did in the same year, viz: in the spring of 1778. The six families were James Patton, Richard Chenoweth, John Tuel, AVilliam Faith, John McManus, and one other, whose name can not now be ascertained. Thus, with a feigned view of settling the country, he allayed the siispicion of the enemy with respect to his ultimate object. The detachment, headed by its enterprising leader, then proceeded on its march, leaving behind the aforesaid families, who, in the fall of 1778, removed to the main land, immediately opposite the island, which, from their little corn-field, has ever since been called Corn Island. Here they erected their cabins, the first dwell- ing houses ever built in Louisville. An addition was made to their numbers in the spring of 1779, by the arrival of a few emigrants from Virginia, who seated themselves adjoining and a little below them. In the fall of the year 1779, the government of Virginia opened an office for the sale of her lands situated on the western waters southeast of the Ohio and north of Green rivers, "at forty pounds per hundred," receiving in payment her paper money, which was not worth more than one shilling specie in the pound. This occasioned a very considerable influx of adventurers, who settled throughout the country, in stations or forts, so called from their being compelled to arrange their cabins in such a way as would serve for the purposes of defence, in case of an attack from the Indians. At this period there were but two avenues to Kentucky: the one led through the wilderness, the other down the Ohio. Those who came by the first, settled at Logan's Station, Ilarrodsburg, Boonsborough, and Lexington, and many who descended the river landed at Limestone (now Maysville), and pursued their way to Lex- ington; but others, not intimidated by reports of sickness prevalent at Louis- ville, nor of the murders committed on its settlers, continued on to that place. In the same fall, and the spring of 1780 seven difiercnt stations wore settled on HISTORY OF LOUISVILLE. 11 lleargrass, near Louievillo, and also Boon's station, near Shelbyville. Thus >vas laid the foundation of this, at present, flourishing Entnpot of the Wrst. V\\ May, 1780, the Legislature of Virginia passed au ''Act for esta))lishing the Town of Louisville, at the Falls of Ohio." One thousand acres of land were by this act "vestod in John Todd, Jr., Stephen Trigg, George Slaughter, John Floyd, William Pope, George Merriwether, Andrew Mines, James Sulli- van, and 5larshall Brashears, gentlemen, trustees, to be by them laid off into lots of half acre each, with convenient streets and public lots, which shall be, and the same is hereby established a town by the name of Louisville." la accordance with this act, Louisville was first laid out in 1780, by William Pope. A new survey was subsequently made by William Peyton, assisted by Daniel Sullivan, who plotted the out-lots. None of these surveys, however, or any papers belonging to them, are to be found at this day; owing to some unac- wuntable negligence or sinister intentions they have been destroyed, a circum- stance that produced much dispute and litigation with respect to boundaries. The only plat deposited among the public archives, is that deposited in 1812, according to a survey of Jared Brooks. [»Sce Sketches of Louisville^ hy Dr. II. McMurtry, 1819.] -'The out-courses of this survey are from 35 poles above the mouth of Bear- 2;rass creek, on the bank of the Ohio river, S. 83 W. 35 poles to the mouth of the creek; thence N. 87 W. 120 poles, N. 50 W. 110 poles to a heap of stones and a square hole cut in the flat rock; thence S. 88 E. 7G9 poles to a white oalc, poplar and beech, N. 37 W. 390 to the beginning, no variation." Main, Market, and Jeff"erson streets, which run nearly cast and west, are each 90 feet wide, all '>thers 60. except Water street, which is but 30. The squares formed by the intersection of these streets are divided into half acre lots, as far as Green street, but those south of that were laid off in five, ton, and twenty acres, through which the cross streets were to be continued as they might be wanted. A slip 180 feet wide, south of Jefferson street range of lots, extending the whole length of the town, had been reserved for a common, but the Trustees had it laid oft' in lots and sold it. The cross streets were twelve in number, tind called First, Second, Third, &c., being each GO feet wide. There were many ponds within the town plat, and these proved a source of fllisease for several years, until, by the advancing improvement of the streets, and filling up of lots, they have all disappeared, and with them the deadly fevers which long ravaged the place. Indeed, we of the present day, when Louisville is justly considered the healthiest city in the west, if not in the world, can have little conception of such a state of things as then existed. It was then called the graveyard of the Ohio, and people were as much afraid of it, as a dwelling place, as they now are of New Orleans. In 1780, during the same year in which the town was established, it received many valuable accessions to its inhabitants; yet the Indians continued to be troublesome, and lives were lost, prisoners taken, and horses stolen. Soldiers were sometimes shot near the fort, and many "hair-breadth 'scapes by field and flood" are related of those times, in the written and unwritten annals of Louis- ville. One of these we will give as wc find it in Casseday's History of Louis- ville: Four young lads, two of them named Linn, accompanied by Wells and Brashears, went on a hunting expedition to a pond about six miles southwest of Louisville. They succeeded well in their sport, having killed, among other ^ame, a small cub boar. While they were assisting the elder Linn to strap the bear on his shoulders, and had laid down their guns, they were surprised by a party of Indiana, and hurried over to the White river towns, where they remained in captivity eeveral months. One of the party had in the mean time, boon carried to anotb^r town: and late in the fall the remaining three deter- 12 HISTORY OF LOUISVILLE. mined to effect their escape. When night had come, they rose quietly, and having stunned the old squaw, in whose hut they were living, by repeated blows with a small axe, they stole out of the lodge and started for Louisville. After day-break, they concealed themselves in a hollow log, where they were fre- quently passed by the Indians, who were near them every where; and at night they resumed their march, guided by the stars and their knowledge of wood- craft. After several days, during which they subsisted on the game they could procure, they reached the river at Jefferson ville. Arrived here, they hallooed for their friends, but could not succeed in making themselves heard. They had, however, no time to lose — the Indians were behind them, and if they were retaken, they knew their doom. Accordingly, as two of them could not swim, they constructed a raft of the drift-logs about the shore, and tied it together with grapevines, and the two launched upon it, while Brashears plunged into the water, pushing the raft with one hand and swimming with the other. Before they had arrived at the shore, and when their raft was in a sinking con- dition from having taken up so much water, they were descried from this side, and boats went out and returned them safely to their friends. In 1781 a new fort was built, but we have no information as to the name or location of this fort. Its name and its history are swallowed up in that of Fort Nelson, which must have been built very soon after, if it was not com- menced at the same time as this nameless fort. Fort Nelson was built in 1782. by the regular troops, assisted by all the militia of the State. It was situated between Sixth and Eighth streets, on the north side of Main, immediately upon the "second bank" of the river. It contained about an acre of ground, and was surrounded by a ditch eight feet wide and ten feet deep, intersected in the middle by a row of sharp pickets. This ditch was surmounted by a breastwork of log pens, filled with the earth obtained from the ditch, with pickets ten feet high planted on the top of the breastwork. Next to the river, pickets were deemed sufficient, aided by the long slope of the bank. There was artillery likewise in the fort. General Clarke (he had now been promoted to this grade) had placed here a double fortified six-pounder, which he had captured at Vin- cennes. This piece played no inconsiderable part, both in the previous and subsequent expeditions of this General. Seventh street passed directly through the gate of the fort, opposite the head-quarters of Gen. Clarke. It was during this year that the celebrated barge navigation to New Orleans was commenced, or rather established, by Messrs Tardiveau & Honore. A few of the largest of these vessels were of the capacity of one hundred tons, and throe months were required to come from New Orleans to Louisville. This was the quickest time, and most of the boats required four, five, and even six months. In 1783, peace having been declared with Great Britain, an army was no longer necessary to guard the frontier against her allies, the Indians, and the troops were disbanded. Gen. Clark and his soldiers received a grant of oni' hundred and fifty thousand acres of land lying north of the Ohio, to be located where they chose. This grant was made by the Legislature of Virginia, and they chose the region opposite the Falls, and thus was founded the town oi" Clarksville, which is little more improved now than it was then. It is recorded that in this year, "A lot of merchandise, all the way from Philadelphia, arrived at the Falls, and Daniel Brodhead opened here a retail store." Another inci- dent of this year is worthy of notice. The notorious Tom Paine had written :i book ridiculing the right of Virginia to this State, and urging Congress to tak.- possession of it. Two Pennsylvanians, named Galloway andPomeroy, disciple> of Paine, came here and produced considerable annoyance among some of the landholders, inducing some people to pay no respect to the titles of their neigh- bors. This was an offense which was not contemplated by the law-makers, yet il;:!lii!li;il!iii':|,ii'iiiii;iil!llir!i:iiiiiliP'''i:^'' 14 HISTORY OF LOUISVILLE. all admitted these men ought to be punished. At length an old law was brought to light, imposing a penalty in tobacco upon "the propagators of false news, t-o the disturbance of the good people of the colony." Under this law, Pomeroj was tried and sentenced to pay 2000 pounds of tobacco, and to give security for his good behavior in the sum of £3,000 beside. A similar fate awaited Gallo- way, but receiving a hint that if they would run away they would not be pur- sued, they gladly embraced the offer and departed. Such "higher law" and radical notions as emanate from infidels and levelers, never have met with any favor in Louisville, and let all the people say Amen! In 178 1 the town of Louisville contained "63 houses finished, 37 partly finished, 22 raised but not covered, and more than one hundred cabins." In 1789 the first brick house was built in Louisville. This structure wat? erected by JMr. Kaye, an ancestor of our well-known fellow-citizen and former Mayor, on Market street, between Fifth and Sixth streets; the second brick building in Louisville was erected by Mr. Eastin, north side of Main, below Fifth; and the third by Mr. Reed, at the northwest corner of Main and Sixth In July, 1790, the Kentucky Convention met, and during the month of December succeeding. Gen. Washington brought before Congress the subject of the admission of Kentucky as a State, and on the 14th of February in the next year (1791), the long-sought boon was granted. The ensuing December was chosen as the date of election for the framers of a Constitution for the new State, and in April, 1792, that instrument was prepared, and Kentucky took her position among her sister States — the first-born of the Republic. In 1797 we get the first clearly established estimate of the town of Louis- ville. In the records of the Board of Trustees the list of taxes occurs. Thesf were assessed on the third day of July, " on all who reside within the limits of the half acre lots," and one Dr. Hall was appointed assessor and collector. Here is his list of assessments: £ s. d 50 horses, at Gf?. per head 15 65 negroes, at Is. per head 3 5 2 billiard tables, at 20s. each 2 5 tavern licenses, at 6s. each 1 10 5 retail stores, at 10s. each 2 10 Carriages, G wheels, at 2s. per wheel 12 Town lots, at 6d per 100 £, is 8 13 6 80 tithables, at 3s. each 12 Making a total of. £31 15 6 This year the office of Falls Pilot was created, and a fee of §2 per boat allowed the pilot for his services. During the year 1778, the Assembly passed an act allowing the formation of fire companies, by any number of persons exceeding forty, who should record their names and subscriptions in the county court. A Lodge of A. Y. Masons was organized here in 1801, being the first in the place, and called Abraham's Lodge. Clarke Lodge, named in honor of Gen. George Rogers Clarke, was the second, and was chartered in 1817. The first Royal Arch Chapter received its warrant and commenced its operations in 1818. The year 1800 found Louisville with a population of 800 souls; and the same year an act was passed setting aside the sum of £25 from the annual tax. to be appropriated toward the building of a Market House on the public ground in said town. This act also placed the harbor of Reargrass entirely under the direction of the Trustees. The prices of half acre lots at this time, on the principal streets, ranged from seven to fourteen hundred dollars. The next HISTORY OF LOUISVILLE. 15 year the Market IIouj:e act was repealed, because there was no public ground to build it on; the Trustees having sold every foot of land originally set apart for commons, market houses, &c., &c. A new act was now passed, enjoining upon the Trustees "to fix upon some proper place, such as shall seem most con- venient to the inhabitants of the town, and there erect a suitable Market House." They fixed the location, as every body knows, in the middle of one of the principal streets. Shame on this suicidal policy — it will be regretted by generations yet unborn. But for this singular and unwise policy of the Trustees, we would now have the handsomest city in the world. Ample grounds for parks, public buildings, lawns, and commons, were reserved in the original survey, but ere the people were aware of it, they were all swept from the map of the town, and tlie market houses had to be placed in the middle of a fine central avenue. Their unwise and illegal action iu this matter will astonish our readers. Such want of regard for the future welfare of the city may well excite surprise. As an instance of the utter recklessness of the Trustees in regard to public grounds, we quote the fact, that "a half acre lot on Main street, near Fourth, was disposed of by their order, at public auction, for a horse valued at twenty dollars." "When it was ascertained that all the public grounds had been disposed of, there was general dissatisfaction, but it was of no avail. The same worthy author, to whom we are so much indebted, scolds the Trustees roundly, but it was too late, the deed was done, there was no remedy. In 1802, the town of Jeffersonville, on the opposite side of the river, above the Falls, was established. This is now a fine, flourishing little city, and promises to be still more important. The Indiana State prison is located there. In 1803, the town of Shipping-port was laid out. This place once promised to rival Louisville, but the opening of the canal entirely removed the business from it. In 1810, Dr. H. McMurtry, in his Sketches of Louisville, says of Jefferson- ville: "It contains a market house, a land ofiice, court house, and a private bank, named the "Exchange Bank of Indiana" — J. Bigelow, President. About a mile from the town are several valuable springs, mineralized by sulphur and iron, where a large and commodious building has been erected by the pro- prietor for the reception of those who seek relief either from physical indispo- sition, their own thoughts, or the disagreeable atmosphere of cities during the summer season; in a word, he is preparing a watering-place, to which there is nothing objectionable but its proximity to Louisville; its being so near, requires neither equipage nor the expenses of a journey to arrive there, things abso- lutely required to render every place of the kind perfectly a la mode. It is, however, one of the most powerful natural chalybeate waters I have ever seen or tasted, and will, no doubt, prove very serviceable in many complaints, parti- cularly in that debility attended with profusely cold sweats, which are constantly experienced by the convalescent victim of a bilious fever." In the year 1804, an Act of Assembly invested the Trustees with power to levy a sum not exceeding eight hundred dollars for repairing the street*. During this year, Mr. F. Gumming, a European traveler, visited Louisville, and thus states his impressions of the place: "I had thought Cincinnati one of the most beautiful towns I had seen in America, but Louisville, which is almost as large, equals it in beauty, and in the opinion of many, exceeds it. It was considered as unhealthy, which impeded its progress until three or four years ago, when, probably in consequence of the country being more opened, bilious complaints ceased to be so frequent, and it is now considered by the inhabi- tants as healthy as any town on the river. There is a market house, where is a good market every \\'ednesday and Saturday. Great retail business is done here, and much produce shipped to New Orleans." 16 HISTORY OF LOUISVILLE. In ISOG six keel boats and two barges, the one of tliirty tons, belonging to Reed, of Cincinnati, the other of forty tons, owned by Instoue, of Frankfort, t-ufficed for the carrying trade of Louisville and iShippingport. The following year, 18U7, we lind the first mention of a newspaper being published in Louis- ville. It was called The Farmers Library. There is no record of its origin or ownership, however, and it is known only from an act of Assembly requiring certain laws to be published in its columns. Its bare mention is all that is left to posterity. In order to show the progress of the town since 1797, a period of ten year,-, we give the tax list fur 1807. It will be recollected that the entire list of 1797 jiuiounted to 31£ los. dd. The list for this year, as shown by the Assessor's books, was: 874,000 value of lots at 10 per cent §740 00 113 white tythes at 50c 50 50 82 black tythes over 10 years, at 25c 20 50 83 black tythes under 10 years, at 12^-c 10 38 11 retail stores, at S5 55 00 3 tavern licenses, at $2 6 00 30 carriage wheels, at 12ic. per wheel 3 75 2 billiard tables, at 82 50 5 00 131 horses, at 12^c. per head 10 37^ Total S913 50J- The first theater in Louisville was built in 1808, and "was but little better than a barn," until 1818, when it fell into the hands of Mr. Drake, who made of it "a handsome brick building, of three stories, and fitted it up with a degree of taste that did honor to its proprietor. It stood on the North side of Jeifer- son street, between Third and Fourth, and was destroyed by fire in 1843.'' In October or November, 1810, The Western Courier, a weekly newspaper, was commenced by Nicholas Clark. About the same time The Louisville Correi-- jiondent, was i.ssued, and was edited by Col. E. C. Barry. Of the former, Mann Uutler was Associate Editor for a short time. The first regular police officers were appointed in the year 1810. They were two in number, John Ferguson and Edward Bowler, and their salaries were $250 each per annum. The same year a Courthouse was commenced on a large square bounded by Fiftli, Seventh, Market and Jcfierson streets. This building was of brick, built after a plan drawn by John Gwathmey, and was finished in 1811. Dr. McMurtry said of it in 1819: "It is generally allowed to be the handsomest structure of the kind in the Western country. The present jail occupies the site where it stood. In October, 1811, the greatest event for the Western country that ever occur- red, took place. This was the commencement of steamboat navigation. Ful- ton's steamboat, called the "New Orleans," left Pittsburg at the above date, and "late at night, on the fourth day after quitting Pittsburg, she arrived in safety at Louisville, having been but seventy hours descending upwards of seven hundred miles. The novel appearance of the vessel, and the fearful ra- pidity with which it made its passage over the broad reaches of the river, excited a mixture of terror and surprise among many of the settlers on the banks, whom the rumor of such an invention had never reached; and it is related that on the unexpected arrival of the boat before Louisville, in the course of a fine, still, moonlight night, the extraordinary sound which filled the air as the pent up steam Avas suffered to escape from the valves on rounding to, produced a general alarm, and multitudes in the town rose from their beds to ascertain the cause. I have heard that the general imprcs.sion among the Kcntuckians was, that tht; comet had fallen into the Ohio. But this does not rest upon the same founda- HISTORY OF LOUISVILLE. 17 lion as the other facts which I hiy before you, and which, I may at once say, I liad directly from the lips of the parties themselves." — Latrobes Rambks in America. December 10th, 1811, at fifteen minutes past two o'clock at night, came the first of those fearful earthquakes which threatened to destroy the town, and which continued at intervals for four months. They carried consternation to all hearts, and during the whole term of their continuance there was little leisure or disposition for business. In this same year, (1811), the first Church edifice was built. It was a Catholic cliapel, built by Rov. Mr. Badin, on a lot given by Mr. Tarascon, near the corner of Eleventh and Main streets. About the beginning of the year 1812, the first incorporated bank in Louis- ville was opened. It was a branch of the Bank of Kentucky, and had a capital of one hundred thousand dollars. It was situated on the north side of Main street near Fifth, and was under the direction of Thomas Prather, President, and John Bustard, Cashier. During the same year the first iron foundry was established by Mr. Paul Skidmore. It was in this year that, by order of the Legislature, Main street was paved from Third street to Sixth, at the expense of the owners of lots i'ronting on said street. This was the first paved street in Louisville, at least that wc can find any record of. About this time a second Church was built, being the first Protestant place of worship in the town. It was built on the north side of Market street, between Seventh and Eighth, and was under the direction of the Methodists, but was opened for the ministers of all denominations, being erected by the subscriptions of all the citizens. It wa» soon found to be too small to accommodate the growing population of the towc^ and was accordingly sold and converted into a dwelling, and is still standing. The Fourth Street Methodist Church was built, in 1815, with the proceeds of the sale. It was built on Fourth street, between Market and Jefferson, on the oast side, and adjoining the alley. The present fine block, built and owened by Mr. Wm. Love, occupies the ground where the old Fourth street Church for- merly stood. In 1814 the town of Portland was laid out by Alexander Ralston, for William Lytle, the proprietor. It is handsomely laid out with wide streets and large roomy lots, and since its incorporation into the city of Louisville, it has been greatly improved, being the landing for all the large boats in low water. Du- ring the same year the town of New Albany, opposite to Portland, in Indiana, was laid out by its proprietors, the Messrs. Scribner. It is now a flourishing and pretty little city, with many advantages, which will always make it a place of importance. It is, and has been for many years, a most important point for steamboat building, equal perhaps to any other on the Ohio river. An old his- torian says, what we regard as very praiseworthy of its excellent citizens, viz : '•that they are all either Methodists or Presbyterians." May they continue to be worthy of such noble distinction. New Albany and Louisville are bo identi- fied in business and in interest that what effects the one eflfects the other; and the same remark is true of Jeifersonville, at the head of tho Falls. In fact these two pretty and thriving little cities bid fair to meet, some day, on the Indiana side, as Louisville, Portland and Shippingport have already done on the Ken- tucky side. Tho time will come when the whole country around the Falls, on both sides, will be one vast city, with the Ohio running through it ; and even that- will be spanned by connecting bridges. The many advantages of this localitv will not fail to concentrate people and capital until this will be realized. During this same year, (1814), Messrs. Jacob and Hikes put in operation a paper mill at this place. The Western Courier was issued on paper made at this mill. The following list will give an accurate idea of the size, commerce and manu- facturcB of Louisville at the commencement of the year 1815: Twenty-four 1$ HISTORY OF LOUISVILLE. mercantile stores, one book store, one auction and commission store, one cloth- ing store, one leather store, one drug store, one plane maker, one carding and spinning factory, one tin shop, four bazaars, four ropewalks, four High Schools, one theater, two taverns, (inferior to none in the AVestcrn country, and several others of less note), five medicine shops, eight boot makers, four cabinet makers, two coach makers, one gunsmith, one silversmith, two printing offices, one soap factory, one air foundry, four bakers, two tobacco factories, six brick yards, one tan yard, three house painters, four chair makers, five tailors, five hatters, five saddlers, two coppersmiths, one steam saw mill, one nail factory, six blacksmiths, one brewery, one bagging factory, one stoneware factory, one Methodist church, one Catholic chapel. It was on the first of June of this year, 1815, that the steamboat Enterprise. Capt. Shreve, arrived from New Orleans, having made the trip in twenty-five days. This trip was the subject of general remark and congratulation. "On Monday the 3d day of July, 1816, was safely launched from her stocks, at the mouth of Beargrass, the elegant new steamboat Gov. Shelby," the first that wan ever built at this place. She was of one hundred and twenty-two tons burden. Messrs. Desmarie & McClary were her builders. The same year the great "Hope Distillery" company was organized, with a capital of one hundred thou- sand dollars. This company purchased one hundred acres of ground at the lower end of Main street, and erected immense buildings thereon. These build- ings were finally burned. The Louisville Library company was also incorpor- ated this year. A branch of the Bank of the United States was located here in 1817, Stephen 'Ormsby, President; William Cochran, Cashier; G. C. Gwathmey, Teller; Alfred Thruston, First Book keeper. It was situated at the northeast corner of Fifth and Main streets. There was erected this year a third Church, being the second Protestant church in the place. This was the Presbyterian church, situated on .the west side of Fourth street, between Jefierson and Market, Rev. D. C. Banks was the first pastor. This church was burned down in 1836. In its belfry wa* hung the first church bell that ev.er waked the echoes of this valley. Even yet, many well remember the sweet tones of that "Church-going bell." Another event of this year was the incorporation of a Hospital company. Mr. Thomas Prather contributed five, and Mr. Cuthbort Bullitt two acres of land, as a sit« for the Institution. It was supported by a duty of two per cent, on auction sales in Louisville. It is a commodious building, surrounded with spacious grounds, and situated on Chestnut street, between Preston and East. During the same year, April 27, 1817, a dinner was given to Capt. H. M. Shreve, as a testimonial of the estimation in which he was held as a steamboat navigator, and to congratulate him on the expeditious voyage he had made to New Orleans and back. This voyage was made by the steamer Washington, and was performed in forty-five days! In May, 1818, a sugar refinery was established by Messrs. Maltz & Jacobson. They produced about three hundred loaves of refined sugar per day. We present the following prices current, published in 1818: Bagging, 30c; •-•otton, 33@35c; wheat, 60@75c; coflPee, 35@37c; teas, 82:25@2:50; whisky, 62@75c; glass, 8 >< 10, §14@15; white lead, 86; corn, 42@62c; molasses, §1:50; tobacco, ?4:75@5; sugar, 16@18c; oats, 42@50c. Freiqhts — Tobacco Ic ^ lb; flour $1:50 ^ bbl; pork and whisky «2 f^ bbl; light freight 6c f, tb; heavy . t reiglit 4Ac ^ ft. Some attention had been paid to education, for Dr. McMurtry informs us in 1819, that there was a capacious brick Seminary, under the direction of the Trustees of the town at that time, wherein were taught the several branches of a regular and classical education. HISTORY OF LOUISVILLE. 19 In 1818 the Legislatur'* passed an act incorporating the "President and Pi- rectors of the Louisville Insurance Company," with a capital of §100,000, not to be increased beyond §200,000. Thomas I'rathor, President. By the assessment of 1818, the value of lots in the town is computed at S3, 131,463. This year another IJank was established here. It was the Com- mercial Bank of Louisville. Its capital was §100,000. Levi Tyler, Pi-esident; A. Bayless, Cashier; J. C. Blair, Clerk. On the first of July, of this year, Mr. S. Pcnn commenced the publication of TTic Public Advertiser^ a paper which for vcditorial talent and skill, as well as for political influence, has been equalled by few in the United States. In 1819 Dr. Henry McMurtry published his "Sketches of Louisville." This work, to which we are deeply indebted for this "brief outline," is now out of print. It is valuable on account of the many facts which it furnishes, and which can now be found no where else. The Dr. says: "There are at this time in Louisville six hundred and seventy dwelling houses, principally brick ones, some of which would suffer little by being compared with any of the most elegant private edifices of Philadelphia or New York. The population now amounts to four thousand five hundred souls." The following list will show the progress of the town for four years, the time since the last we gave: Three banks; three book stores; one nail factory ; two hotels; ten blacksmiths; eight tailors; three watchmakers; one stone cutter; four turners; thirty plasterers; twelve lawyers; six brickyards; two brewei-ie:= , one music store; thirty-six wholesale and retail stores; three printing offices; twenty-eight groceries; four good taverns; six saddlers; one silver-plater; ten cabinet makers; one iipholsterer; five hatters; six shoe makers; twenty-two doctors; one air foundry; two steam saw mills; two tobacco factories; fourteen wholesale and commission stores; three drug stores; two confectionaries; six bakeries; two carriage makers ; one gunsmith; three chair factories ; one potter; two hundred carpenters; one hundred and fifty bricklayers; one brass foundry ; one steam engine shop ; two distilleries ; one sugar refinery. In the year 1820 several fire-engines were purchased, and the town laid ofi" into three wards, and Coleman Daniel, Daniel McAllister and Peter Woolford were appointed, one to each ward, to obtain forty members each to work the engines. This was the origin of our fire department. In 1824 and '25 the first Episcopal Church was built on Second street, between Green and Walnut. Rev. Mr. Shaw, Rector. It is the present Chri.st Church. On the 12th of January, 1825, the Louisville and Portland Canal Company was incorporated, with a capital of §600,000. The canal was completed and opened for navigation on the 5th of December, 1830. It cost §750,000. We here give the dimensions of this canal : it is two miles long, lacking two rods, sixty feet wide at the water line above the locks, and the locks are fifty feet wide by two hundred long, they will chamber a boat one hundred and eighty- two feet long and forty-nine and a half wide. There are three locks of eight and a half feet lift each, and one guard lock, also a gate at the head of the canal to shut off the water when necessary. The depth of water in the canal at low water mark is thirty inches, at high water mark it is forty-two feet at the head of the canal and sixty-four at the foot. The average depth of the exca- vation is thirty-three feet. It is expected that the canal will be widened and lengthened in 1859, so as to pass boats of the largest class. It will be from thirty-five to forty feet wider, and a quarter of a mile longer, to offord room for the large new locks. The present locks will remain as they are, for the use of small boats, the new ones being in a position southwest of them, on a cut taken out just above the present guard lock. is^ls^^s^^^^ HISTORY OF LOUISVILLE, 21 In 182G another paper was established here, which was called The Focus. edited by Dr. Buchanan, assisted by Mr. W. W. Worsley, and published weekly by Morton & Co. "It was conducted with srreat ability until the death of Dr. Buchanan, when it was sold to Messrs. J. T. Cavins and G. S. Robinson. It was afterwards merged into The Louisville Journal, and placed, under the name of The Journal and Focus, in the hands of George D. Prentice as editor. This ohancre took place in 1832. Since that time the Journal is too well known in 11 the reading world to need any further notice." By the census of 1827, we find the population to be 70G3, nearly double what it was in 1821. On the 3d day of Nov. 1827, the citizens held a meeting for the purpose, and memorialized the Legislature to incorporate Louisville and her enlargements, a city; and on the loth of February 1828, the act of incorporation passed, and Louisville became a city. The first election under this charter, was held on the +th day of March 1828; Mr. J. C. Bucklin was elected Mayor; W. A. Cocke, Marshal; and Messrs. John M. Talbott, W. D. Tayne, G. W. Merriwcathcr. Richard Hall, James Harrison, J. McGilly Cuddy, John Warren, Elisha Apple- gate, Daniel 3IcAllistcr, and Fred. Turner, Councilmen. Samuel Dickinson, was appointed Clerk. It was during this year that the first city Schoolhousc v.as built. It occupied the South-west corner of Walnut and Fifth streets, and was for that day, a large and creditable building. It could accommodate from 700 to 800 children, and was divided into male and female departments. Thi> was the foundation of our present most admirable system of city schools, which 'will receive due attention in another part of this work. The population of the city in 1830 was 10,336 souls. This year the JJaih/ Journal was established. Tu the year 1832, on the 27th of May, the first Unitarian Church was dedica- ted. It is on the corner of Walnut and Fifth streets, and is a neat and commo- dious building. Rev. George Chapman, of Massachusetts, was the first pastor. It was in this year that the Louisville Hotel was built. The first city Directory ever printed here, was issued during this year, by R. W. Otis. It contained much valuable matter; and from it we get a table of imports from Dec. 1, 1831, to \ug. -4, 1832, as follows: Flour, 48,470 barrels; bale rope, 26,830 coils; bag- i;in2:, 33.411 pieces; china &c., 1,170 packages; coiFee, 18,289 bags; cotton, 4,- 913 bales; mackerel, 12,037 bbls.; salt, 16,729 bis.; salt, Turk's Island, 18,14t. bags; tea. 63,500 pounds; hides, 19,191; iron, 631 tons; lead, 231 tons; molasses. <;.309bbls.; nails, 10,395 kegs; sugar, N. O., 7,717 hhds; sugar, loaf, 4,318 bbls.; tin plate, 3,108 boxes. 14,627 barrels of whisky were inspected during the same time. Of manufactories, Louisville then had 1 woolen mill, 1 cotton factory, 2 potteries, 1 flour mill, 2 foundries, 16 brick yards, 1 pinning mill, 3 breweries, 2 white lead factories, and 4 rope walks. The Bank of Louisville was chartered this year, and §1, 500, 000 subscribed to the capital stock in three days. A Mu-, ~eum was also opened by a number of gentlemen as stockholders, under the lirection of Mr. J, R. Lambdin. A Saving's Bank was established under the direction of Edward Crow, President, and E. D. Hobbs, Treasurer. In 1835 the Gait House was erected ; and the first movement made towards lighting the city with gas. A census taken this year shows a population of 19.967, givincT an increase of nearly one hundred per cent, in five years, that of 1830 being but 10,336. The amount of goods sold in 1836 by forty-seven of the largest wholesale dry goods and grocery houses, is officially stated at 812,128,666. Two more newspapers were added to the list in the city this year, Louisville City Gazette a daily published by John J. & Jas. B. Marshall, and the Weglcrn Messenger, a 22 HISTORY OF LOUISVILLE. monthly, by Rev. J. F. Clark. It was in this same year that Pprtland was added to the limits of the city. The Medical department of the Louisville University was organized also, during this period. The city set apart four acres of ground and the sum of 850,000 in money for its use, and thus organized a Medical School, of which Messrs. Caldwell, Cook, Cobb, Flint, Yandell, Miller, and Lock, were the Pro- fessors. In February 1837, the corner-stone of the building for this use was laid, and soon after Dr. Flint, with money appropriated for that purpose, visited Kurope, and purchased a fine library and apparatus for the institution. This .^ehool soon attained a very high reputation, and ranked among the first in the United States. In 1838 the Railroad to Portland was opened for travel. The principal event of 1839 was the lighting of the city with gas. This was done by a company established by charter, having a capital of 81,200,000. The city is better lighted than any in the United States, if not in the world. The "great fire" occurred in 18-40, which consumed thirty houses, and des- troyed property to the amount of 8300,000. in 1845, Mr. N. P. Poor compiled a new Directory of the city. From this book we learn that the population in September 1845, was 37,218 souls. Of these, 32,G02 were whites, 560 free blacks, and 4,056 slaves. The increase is thus shown to amount to 16,008 in five years, the census of 1840 having shown 21,210 souls. There were 12 large foundries for the construction of steam machinery, 1 large rolling mill, 2 steam bagging factories, 6 cordage and rope factories, 1 cotton factory, 1 woolen factory, 4 flouring mills, 4 lard oil factories. 1 white lead factory, 3 potteries, 6 tobacco stemmeries, 2 glass cutting establish- ments, 1 oil cloth factory, 2 surgical instrument makers, 2 lithographic presses. 1 paper mill, 1 star candle factory, 4 pork houses which will slaughter and p;ick about 70,000 hogs annually, 3 piano forte manufactories, 3 breweries, 8 brick yards, 1 ivory black maker, 6 tanneries, 2 tallow rendering houses, 8 soap and candle factories, 3 planing machines, 2 scale factories, 2 glue factories, 3 ship yards, and several factories of less note. About this time, the Louisville and Frankfort Railroad was opened The enterprise had been a subject of much interest for several years; many surveys had been made, and a good deal of work done, but after languishing between hope and dispair, the city came to the rescue, and carried it to completion, by subscribing one million of dollars, which was paid by a tax of one per cent, for four years on all real estate within her limits, and this tax was re-paid to the owners in stock of the Company. The completion of this important road, marked the beginning of a more lib- eral and public spirited policy in the history of Louisville. And in the year 1851 the great work of building a railroad from this city to Nashville, Tennes- see, was commenced. The city subscribed 8500,000 to begin with, which was subsequently followed by a second subscription of 81,000,000. This great work was temporarily retarded for a year or two, but such was its importance that it (juickly recovered, and is now rapidly approaching completion. A])Out 100 miles of the road is now completed, and it is expected the cars will run through to MTashville, by December of this year. It is doubtless, one of the most important roads in the western country. Besides the fact of its termini being two very important cities — centers of a very heavy business — it runs the whole distance through a most fertile country, thickly settled by a thrifty and intelligent popu- lation. It is in fact, the tobacco field of this tobacco growing State. It also abounds in grain and pork, and we may add, in iron ore of the best quality, much of which, in the form of superior pig metal, is now being received over the road almost daily. Moreover, it is the connecting link between the north HISTORY OF LOUISVILLE. 23 era and southern systems of railroads, being by fur the most eligible road in this respect in the country; nor is there a probability of its having any rival The network of railroads with which it connects at either end, extending over the country in every direction, is wonderful. In 185:i the city loaned her credit to the amount of $200,000 to the Jeffer- sonville and Indianapolis Railroad. This has proved to be a very valuable road to Louisville. About the same time, the New Albany and Salem road, extend ing to the Lakes, was constructed, and it is also of vast benefit tu Louisville. In 1853 the Lebanon branch of the Louisville and Nashville Eailroad wad commenced. To this road the city loaned her credit to the amount of §225,000. It was finished in 1858, and is a worthy exhibition of the enterprise of those who brought it into being. It runs through a ine country, and terminates in a beautiful thriving town, the center of one of the prettiest regions of Southern Kentucky. As far as it goes, it is in the direct line to Knoxville, Tennessee, and will no doubt be continued on ultimately to that point. In 1858, the Memphis branch of the Louisville and Nashville Ptailroad was commenced, the city voting §300,000 to this enterprise. "When completed, it will be fully equal in importance, it is believed, to the main trunk. It is now under contract, and will be pushed on as fast as possible to completion. The country through which it runs abounds in wealth, and numerous populous and wealthy towns are also on the line, such as Bowling Green, llusscllville, Clarksyille, and others of less note. The Barren County branch of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, is another important road commenced within the last two years, and now approach- ing completion. It is to run to Glasgow, the County seat of Barren County, a very pretty and pleasant town, and center of a vast agricultural region, of which tobacco, corn, wheat, and pork, are articles largely exported. The Bardstown branch of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad is another road running to the pretty and thriving village of this name. It is in the midst of a very wealthy and beautiful country, has numerous male and femali; schools, and is a town of as much business as any place of its population in Kentucky. The grading of this road is now completed, and the track will be laid in a few months. When all these roads are completed, as they will bo in one or two years, the efiieot must be to benefit Louisville immensely. But we must not let the bright prospect of the early completion of these important roads, cause us to overlook the Shelbyville branch of the Louisville and Frank fort Railroad. This road was commenced some time ago, but during the pres- sure it was suspended. Lately it has been revived, and as fully half the work has been done, and its importance is now greater than ever, it will, we have no doubt, be speedily completed. It runs through a country abounding in wealth, and as an agricultural district, hardly surpassed by any in the United States. Shelbyville, its eastern terminus, is one of the most important literary towns in the western country. The town is the County seat of Shelby County, and being one of the very best and largest Counties in the State, its trade must provo immensely important to this city. The city Water Works was commenced in 1857, and it is expected to furnish water to the city by the end of the present year. See article on Water Works We here close our brief sketch of the history of Louisville, and refer tht; reader to the subse(juent articles in this volume, for a better understanding of the progress of the city up to this date. V»r most of the fa'-ts cuntaiiiod in this historioAl sketch, wp arc iivlehted to Dr. H. McMiirtryV " Skotchos of I.oiiisvillo," imblinhol in ISlit, anil to "'fh<> History of Louisville," by Ben Casoeday, Esq Mr. Ciuwcday's work wds prepared with niiioli labor and care, and contains matter of great interest. Wo thankfully ivcknowledgo our obligations for liiri kindnesx, and would say to th« reader who would see a more complete history of Loiu:ivillc, get >lr. C.'a valuable history auJ read it. ■mi '^7 GEOGEAPHICAL POSITION OF LOUISVILLE. 25 GEOGRAPHICAL POSITIO^^ OF LOUISVILLE. Ever since the white man first set foot in the valley of the Ohio, the . Hydraulic lime-stone. -t. Lower crinoidal, shell, and coralline lime-stones. T). Olivanites bed. (i. Spirifer Gregoria shell and coralline beds. 7. Main beds of coral lime-stones. These beds rest upon a lime-stone containing chain coral, which is seen just above the lowest stage of water at the principal axis of the falls, where the waters are most turbulent. Only a portion of the lower part of the black slate \n seen immediately adjacent to the falls. Its junction with the upper crinoidal bed, No. 2, of the above section, can be well seen below the mouth of Silvii Greek on the Indiana side, where there is a thin, hard pyritiferuus band be tween the black slate and lime-stoue, containing a few cntrochitos. Thrco subdivisions may be observed in the upper coralline bed. No. 2, of this falls ^•ection : (a.) White or yellowish white, earthy fractured layers, containing, besides rriuoiJca a Favosite, a large Leptena and Atrypa prisca^ with a fringe. {/>.) Middle layers containing also a few Gystiphyllae. (c.) liowor layers, containing most Gystiphyllae, and on Gorn Island, rt- mains of fishes. This is what has been designated as the Upper Fish Bed Tiiese crinoidal beds contain a vast multitude of the remains of different species of encrinitea, mostly silicious, or more so than the imbedding rock, so that they often project and appear like black concretions. ^ ^ ^ ■¥■ ^- 'A- 'A- * :'- Time has not yet permitted a thorough investigation into the specific character of the numerous beautiful fossil-shells, corals, and fish remains which occur at this highly interesting locality. GEOLOGY. 33 The hydraulic bed, of which such large quantities were excavated out of the Louisville canal, and have since been extensively manufactured into water cement, and sold throughout the western country for all purposes for which such cement is applicable, is an earthy lime-stone of a slightly bluish-green asheu tint, with an earthy flat conchoidal fracture. It contains, as its principal and characteristic constituents, 28.29 parts of lime, 8.87 of magnesia, and 25.78 per cent, of earthy insoluble silicates, of which 22.58 is pure silica. It is particu- larly worthy of note that the lime and silica in this celebrated and well known cement rock, are exactly in the proportion of their equivalent, proving, most conclusively, that its hydraulic properties are due to this definite chemical rela- tion of these substances, which, after the rock is properly burnt and ground, unite, in connection with the water, to form a hydrated silicate of lime, in which there is one equivalent of silicic acid united to one equivalent of lime, which acts as a powerful cement to agglutinate the grains of sand added in the mixed mortar, which is usually three times the bulk of the hydraulic lime employed. As yet we have no good detailed sections of the upper silurian beds of Jeffer- son county, lying between the upper chain coral bed and the magnesian build- ing stone. See Report of Geological Survey of Kentucky, vol. 2, p. 70 and pp. 97, 98. The magnesian building stone alluded to in the able report just quoted, is found in heavy bedded strata in the bluff, on the eastern and south-eastern edge of the city. . It is apparently inexhaustible, and is extensively used for building in the city. The strata are from one to four feet in thickness, and we think we have seen it five feet thick. This stone would be more durable if it was a little more compact and hard, but is a blessing of almost incalculable importance to the city as it is. The ease and cheap cost of procuring this stone adds much to itcj importance. Immediately under the city there seems to be a depression of the strata, form- ing an immense basin, which is filled with coarse gravel and sand to the depth of from 50 to 100 feet, with a stratum of rich loam and sand resting on the top of it. The gravel is clean water-worn pebbles and coarse sand, and sometimes comes within a few feet of the surface, at others it is 15 to 20 feet below the surface, owing most probably to the inequalities of the surface. At Dupont's Artesian well, which is only a few rods from the canal, where the solid rock had to be blasted in making a channel for boats, it is 76 feet through the gravel bed to the rock. It is in this immense bed of clean gravel that we find the in- exhaustible supply of cold, limpid water, which furnishes the whole popula- tion of the city. In the south edge of the county, and in the adjoining county of Bullitt, there is found a very superior iron ore. At present two furnaces, one of them on the Louisville and Nashville railroad, are working this ore. The pig-iron made by these furnaces is superior to any other iron received in this market. This ore is found in the "Knobs" skirting the south of Jefferson county, and running through Bullitt. These Knobs are also capped with heavy strata of free-stone. Much of this stone is destined to be used, no doubt, for building purpose in this city. It is near the city, and so convenient to two railroads that it can be fur- nished at small cost. It is believed by many that it is equal to any building stone we can get. It is easy to work, will take a very good polish, and stands the weather remarkably well. 3 ^^,^^^gil^ DESCRIPTION. 35 DESCRIPTIOX OF THE CITY. Louisville is situated on the southern hank of the Ohio river, in Jefferson county, Kentucky, and immediately opposite the Falls of said stream. The city is in latitude 38° 3' north, and longitude 85" 30' west of Greenwich. It is ou an elevated plain, seventy feet above the river, and out of reaeh of the highest Hoods. The plain stretches out above, below and south of the city, many miles, and is remarkably fertile. Being highly improved, it presents a lovely prospect of fields, orchards, vineyards, gardens and beautiful dwellings with grounds laid out and ornamented with much taste. Every avenue leading from the city prc- f^cnts to the eye of the traveller a ravishing view of rural beauty and elegant rcliiicment. This region is well adapted to the culture of fruit, and produces apples, pears, peaches, plums, grapes, etc., in great variety and perfection. Per- haps no city in this country is better supplied with choice fruits than Louisville. The city is laid out on a scale of magnificence naturally suggested by the vastncss and beauty of the plain on which it stands. The principal streets, running east and west, are from sixty to one hundred and twenty feet wide, and run the whole length of the city proper — about four miles — without a curve. These are crossed at right angles by thirty-five others, equally straight, and about one and a half or two miles long. The cross streets are of uniform width, viz., sixty feet. The side walks arc from twelve to twenty-five feet wide, and set with shade trees, except in the business portions of the city. The streets vary from a perfect level only sufficient for good drainage; and thus, beiifg straight, wide, level and set with trees on both sides, they afford some of the finest views we have ever seen. Almost any of them, after we get beyond the business part of the city, are beautiful enough to charm the beholder. To walk these streets beneath the embowering trees on a summer's day, and breathe the soft south wind, and smell the sweet flowers in each door yard, is enough to ex- tort admiration from any one. The squares, formed by these straight and wide streets, arc from four hundred and twenty to five hundred and twenty-five feet between the cross streets; and from four hundred and twenty to one thousand feet between those running east and west. These immense squares are laid off" into half acre lots, that is, one hundred and five feet front, by two hundred and ten deep. This was the si^e of all the lots originally, but they have been divided, of course, in the business pai-t of the city. Through the middle of each square there runs an alley, to aiTord convenient ingress and egress for carriages. These alleys were ten feet wide originally, but in some instances they have been widened to twenty and even thirty feet, and dignified with the name of streets. The large size of the lots aff"ords room for gardens, fruit and ornamental trees, shrubbery and flowers; and for what is of more importance than either of these, viz., a free circulation of air. From the great depth of the lots, however, they may be subdivided in front, the circulation of air can never be materially inter- rupted. Ample provision was made in the original survey of the town for a park and public squares. A slip one hundred and eighty feet wide, and run- ning from one end of the city to the other, was reserved for a park. It included the ground between Green and Grayson streets. It was laid off" into lots and sold by the Trustees, without any legal authority, before land was valuable enough, or the town large enough, to induce the citizens to inquire into it. VVOien they did inquire, it was only to find they were too late, and that the park was lost to the city forever. This loss, though great, is less felt here than it would be almost anywhere else, owing to the magnificent streets, alleys, and im- mense squares, described above. The depth of the lota being so great, admits of setting the dwelling houses fifteen or twenty feet back from the street, and 36 DESCEIPTIOX. thus a front yard of flowers and ornamental trees is seen before almost ererj house. This gives an appearance of rural beauty to the city superior to any place of its size we have ever seen. The parks of Philadelphia are indeed very beautiful, but we must leave the street to enjoy their refreshing shade and sylvan beauty. We look in vain along her clean streets, of uniform brick walls, white window shutters and marble door steps, for any green tree, grassy yard, or flower plat to relieve the eye or refresh the feelings. The same remark is true of New York, and in fact, of all large cities that we have seen. Louisville, though not a very popu- lous city when compared to those named, covers an immense space, more than any city of her population in the country, and in consequence of the grand scale on which the city is planned, she has, and may always retain, this peculiar and charming feature. We never knew any one to visit our city, and ramble beyond the business streets, that did not express surprise and admiration at the rural beauty everywhere visible. There are sixty miles of paved street and forty miles of paved alley, much of the latter twenty and even thirty feet wide. Thus we have one hundred miles of paved carriage way in Louisville. The longest paved street is five and a half miles in length. The greater part of the paving stone used is the grey lime- stone common about the city, but of late years much use is made of boulder stones for paving, and they will doubtless soon take the place of every other material. The curbing is of limestone, in blocks or slabs from three to ten feet long, dressed to a face of five to eight inches on the top, and let into the ground two and a half or three feet. An immense amount of new curbing and side- walk have been done the past season in the older parts of the city, to make them correspond with the newer streets. The entire city stands on a stratum of sand, or clay and sand, the surface of which is a rich loam, or warm fertile soil. Two or three feet below the surface pure sand is generally found, resembling river bar sand, both in cleanliness and in the manner of superposition. Beneath the sand is found a very deep sub- stratum of clean gravel. This gravel is of water worn pebbles, mostly white and crystalline, and coarse, clean, white sand. The depth of the upper stratum varies from five to twenty feet. The depth of the bed of gravel we have no means of ascertaining, except at Dupont's Artesian Well, that being the only place where it bus been penetrated to the rock beneath it. Here it is seventy- six feet deep. The Artesian Well is within a few rods of the canal, which was excavated through a bed of solid rock. From this it is manifest that the rocky bed of the falls either suddenly stops on the southern bank of the canal or dips southward at an angle of near forty-five degrees. If the latter supposition be correct, then the bed of gravel must be much deeper under the city than it is at the well, which is on the northern edge of the city. This question being one of practical importance, as well as of theoretical interest, deserves thorough inves- tigation, and we sincerely hope Dr. Owen, our very able State Geologist, will give it early and thorough attention. Perhaps no man living is bettor qualified to do it than he is, as his able reports, already published, will show. The sand, above noticed, furnishes an excellent building material, and derives additional importance from the fact, that the digging of a cellar generally fur- nishes all the sand necessary to complete the building. Owing to this sand, cellars are dry and tidy, being almost as pure and healthy as rooms above ground. Some of the city breweries have cellars twenty or twenty-five feet deep, and lighted with gas, for storing their immense casks of beer and ale. In the underlying gravel is found an inexhaustible fountain of cold, limpid water. From this fountain hundreds of wells are constantly supplied, and many of our citizens believe we are indebted to this supply of pure limpid DESCRIPTION. 37 water for the extraortlinary licalth of the city. Everywhere in the city it is found at the depth of tifty or sixty feet, but immediately on the border of the city, east and southeast, we have the heavy ledges of limestone, in which the water is not found, or not without a heavy expense of blasting tlic rock. The possession of this water made our citizens very reluctant to erect water works, for beside the vast expense of the works, they feared the river water would not be so pure or so healthy as that of the wells. Perhaps our singular exemption from epidemics, and general good health, is due more to the peculiar geological formation of this region than to anything else. For since the drainage and filling up of the ponds originally found here, which were caused by the immense beds of leaves and other vegetable matter which accumulated in the low places of the plain while the forest was standing, the sand and gravel absorbs all mois- ture, and diseases resulting from miasma have nearly disappeared, and when present are greatly modified. The public pumps being very numerous, easily worked, and always kept in erdcr, afford cheap, pure and abundant supplies of water; and being very clear and cold, it needs neither filtering nor ice. Thus the poorest families have water fit for a prince, literally without money and without price. No other city that we know of, has such a supply of pure cold water as Louisville. We do not believe that there is another such in America. What adds to the impor- tance of this water, is the fact, that it is easily obtained in any part of the city, no instance of failure having ever been met with. Of the thousands of strang- ers who have used it, we never heard any object to it, except on account of it being limestone, or "hard" water. But this objection has more to do with the taste than anything else, and seldom produces any sensible effect on the systems of even those who have been accustomed to drink soft water. A few days suf- fices to make strangers fond of it, and when once used to it they find no other water so sweet and refreshing as that from the city pumps. As, however, hard, or limestone water is not suitable for manufiicturing, — is injurious to steam boilers, and to steam machinery generally, — it was urged that the interests of the city demanded a supply of soft or river water, and after voting down the proposition to erect water works several times, the matter was compromised by the passage of an ordinance that secures well water to all who prefer it as now enjoyed, for all time to come, and the citizens voted in favor of an appropria- tion of money to erect water works. They are now being erected, and on a scale that will be equal to any demand. They are in a forward state of progress as may be seen by reference to the article on Water Works. Owing to the canal being too small to pass the large boats up to the main wharf, the city has, at heavy expense, constructed a fine wharf at Portland. There all the largest and finest steamers receive and discharge their cargoes, except when the river is high enough for them to pass over the Falls. Thus Louisville has two wharves, one for the small and up river boats, and the other for the large and lower river boats. A stranger, on looking at either of these wharves separately, would be led to a wrong, and rather disparaging conclusion as to our tonnage. He sees but half of it. This circumstance causes considera- ble inconvenience, requiring the transportation of freight and passengers a dis- tance of three miles by land. We are glad to say, however, that much attention has been bestowed, and money expended, to lessen this inconvenience as far as practicable. Two fine wide streets, lately bouldcred all the way through, accommodate scores of omnibusses and coaches, which run day and night, for the accommodatJon of the public. Besides these, there is a horse car railroad, the track extending from Twelfth street to the wharf and ferry landing in Port- land. At Twelfth street a line of omnibusses connects with the cars, and runs to the upper end of the city on Main street. The cars and omnibusses belong 38 DESCRIPTIOX. to the same company, and they carry passengers the whole distance, from Wen- zel street to Portland — a distance of five and a half miles — for ten cents. A person can ride from one end of the omnibus route to the other — two miles — for five cents, and also in the cars from Twelfth street to Portland — three and a half miles — for five cents. The company run their omnibusses and cars every ten minutes, during the day, and every half hour after night. They also carry freight on their road on equally easy terms. This is a great public convenience, and we are glad to see it so well sustained. The fine flourishing city of New Albany being opposite to Portland, the business of all these highways is con- tinually on the increase. Soon, however, we hope to see an end of the troublesome transportation of the thousands of tons of freight around the falls. Already the initiatory steps have been taken to enlarge the canal so as to pass vessels of the largest class. The locks on the extension will admit boats three hundred feet long. It is ex- pected that the work will be commenced this year. Few things will more facil- itate the commerce of our city or that of the entire Ohio river. The wharf of the city proper, that is, the upper wharf, is now being greatly improved and extended. Since the turning of Beargrass Creek into the river, two miles above its old mouth, and thus reclaiming its bed for that distance, an immense sewer has been commenced on the south side of the old channel at its mouth, and the creek is filled up and the wharf built over it. This is a timely and valuable improvement. A vast increase of business is certain to be realized at this wharf within a year or two, and it is wise to provide the best accommo- dations for it that is possible. The wharf has been extended up the river also, and is being filled up, so as to place it quite above the highest floods. These are very important improvements, and we trust will continue to receive due at- tention by our city government, until they shall be completed in the very best manner. Let the wliarf, from end to end, present the clean, substantial, and inviting appearance of a real eummercial city, and not look as if our town had turned its back upon our palace-like steamers, and sought the river only as a receptacle for filth and offal. The unsightly appearance of that filthy, oozy creek, and its equally filthy surroundings, have been an eye-sore to all strang- ers, and it has been so long enough. The sight of it has done more, perhaps, to impress strangers unfavorably toward Louisville, than anything else about the place. Nor can we wonder at it, for we ourselves would be unfavorably impressed were we in their stead. Think of it, that unsightly public landing, the first thing every stranger sees on setting foot on our shore! If we enter a house ami every child that meets our view has an unwashed face and an uncombed head, no matter how fine the parlor may be, no matter how many apologies madam may make, our minds are made up, we have received our impression. Then let the abominable nuisance be removed with all convenient dispatch. Let the city's face (front) bo washed. All praise to our city authorities for what they have done, and may they never stop till all is done that can be done to present a high, dry, clean, substantial and exten- sive river front — a wharf worthy of, and equal to, all the business we may have to do. The public buildings of Louisville, though not of the most costly character, are nevertheless very creditable. The Court-house, for both county and city purposes, now being finished at the expense of the city and county jointly, will when completed, present a very imposing appearance. The U. 8. Custom House, Masonic Temple, Hospitals, Blind Asylum, Medical Schools, High School, Cathedral, First Baptist Church, First l^csbyterian Church, AValnut Street Methodist Church, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, First Congregational Methodist Church, Brook Street Methodist Church, Chestnut Street Presbytc- 40 SCHOOLS. rian Church, and the City School Houses, eight in number, are the largest and most important of the public buildings. The market houses are six in number, five in the city proper and one in Portland. They are all situated on Market street, and are built with iron columns on stone pedestals. They have arched ceilings, and are well lighted with gas. Being in the middle of the street, those first built left hardly as much room for carriages to pass as was necessary; hence those built later, were provided for by widening the street, where they are situated, twenty-four feet, thus making it one hundred and fourteen feet wide at all the markets except the two first built. They are regarded as models of market-house architecture, being light, airy and graceful. They are kept very clean, and are open every day in the week except the Sabbath, and also on Saturday evening until nine o'clock. They are well supplied with flesh, fish, fowl, vegetables and fruit. Beef, mutton and pork, equal to any in the world, can be had here. Vegeta- bles, in great variety and abundance, are every day exposed in tempting profu- sion and excellence. Fruits, of all sorts, and of excellent quality, may always be found here in their respective seasons. We cannot forbear quoting the fol- lowing remarks from Dr. H. McMurtry's Sketches of Louisville, written in 1819. The Dr. says: "With respect to fruit, it is perhaps unequalled by any in the United States. Peaches of great size and beauty, such as bring six and a quar- ter cents each in the Philadelphia market, are sold here for fifty cents per bushel. Apples, without exception the finest I have ever seen, are sold at the same price in the fall, and at two dollars per barrel in the winter. Grapes, melons of various kinds, cherries, raspberries and strawberries are to be had in their respective seasons." These remarks are as true of our fruit market now as they ever were, with the single difference that we have more of it, and of better varieties now than ever before. Prices here will compare favorably with any other market in America for cheapness. SCHOOLS. The school systems of this country are among the highest and strongest evi- dences of its progressive civilization. Confined for many years to the older 8H.ates of the Union, there is now hardly a single member of the confederacy that docs not take an honest pride in its public schools. In this respect Ken- tucky is not behind the times, her system of education being one of the promi- nent features in her internal legislation. A large sum is thus annually distri- buted, each school district receiving its quota, which serves as a nucleus for the establishment of the district school, the balance being made up by subscrip- tion. The success of the school is thus an index to the intelligence and publie spirit of the inhabitants of the district. Louisville draws from the school fund about $14,000 annually; a tax is alse levied upon her citizens for the support of the public schools, of about twenty or twenty-one cents upon every hundred dollars worth of taxable property. This tax yields a revenue amounting, with the sum received from the State, to nearly §70,000, which is devoted exclusively to the maintenance of the public schools as provided for in the city charter. There are ten ward school houses, and most of them are large buildings, being about eighty by one hundred feet square, and three stories high. Besides being ornaments of architectural elegance and magnitude, they are well arranged into comfortable apartments, with free ventilation and easy ingress and egress. They are furnished with maps, desks, black boards, and every convenience for SCHOOLS. 41 the health, comfort and study of the children. Each of these buildings can accommodate from seven to eight hundred children. In these schools all the children of the city may be educated without expense to themselves or their parents; the child of the poorest man having the same rights, and the same opportunities of becoming an educated man or woman as the child of the wealth- iest. The schools are divided, first into male and female departments, occupy- in" different portions of the building, and accessible by different entrances. These two departments are, however, subdivided into three distinct grades of schools, viz: the primary, secondary, and the grammar school, each being sepa- rate and distinct from the other in every particular. To give a clear idea of the working of the system, it will be well to follow a child through the different grades of schools and the studies pursued in each: The only conditions of entrance to tho school are that the child be a resident of the ward and six years old. He then enters the primary school where he learns to read and spell simple words and lessons, and commits the multiplica- tion table. He is then prepared for the secondary department where he advances in his course of reading and spelling, and commences writing, mental arithmetic and geography, remaining in the department from one to two years, when, after an examination, ho is admitted to the grammar school. Hero he pursues the same studies as before, though of course in more advanced text-books, excepting ment4il arithmetic, which is given up altogether, while written arithmetic (which he had commenced in the secondary department), tiikes its place. He now com- mences the study of grammar and the other branches of a common English education, including algebra. Here he may remain untill fitted to go into busi- ness, or prepared for the High school. The same course is followed in the case of females; the different departments corresponding in name and degree to the schools for males. It is proper to mention here, that in three wards of the city German is taught by teachers who devote themselves exclusively to this branch of education. These wards are the first, second and eighth, in which the German population is very numerous. It is now three years since the clause in the Charter, requiring the establish- ment of High Schools, was complied with, and they have fully won for them- selves a reputation that proves the wisdom and foresight of those who urged tlieir establishment. The Male High School is conducted by four Professors, one of whom is the Principal. Each Professor occupies a separate room, and is engaged in teaching one of the following branches, viz: Rhetoric, History and Belle Letters, Mathematics, the Classics and Modern Languages. The student,^ are received annually, there being four classes, one of which graduates every year as another is admitted. The course of study thus occupies four years, and though quite comprehensive, is remarkably thorough. The Professors are all highly cultivated men, and devoted to the interests of the school. The Female High School occupies a building near the centre of the city on one of the most beautiful streets. This school is conducted by a I'rincipal, a Professor of Modern Languages, who also devotes half his time to the Natural Sciences, a Preceptress, and a Female Assistant. The school is divided into three classes or grades of pupils, the time spent in the course of study being three years, one grade graduating and another entering each year. The course cjubraces Latin, Rhetoric, History, Mathematics, French, the Natural Sciences, Extempore Composition, and the careful reading and analysis of the English language. Pupils from the Grammar schools are alone eligible to a place in this school after undergoing a rigid preliminary examination. The number of applicants for admission is always very large, and it is a cheering fact that the number of successful applicants, who have stood the test of the annual examina- tion, is increasing rapidly. 42 SCHOOLS. The whole school system is under the charge of a Board of Trustees, elected by the people. This Board meets on the first Monday of every month and transacts all the business of the school system. They annually elect a Secretary, w.ho acts in the capacity of Superintendent of public instruction ; his time being spent in visiting the schools and attending to all details of business. Besides the very extensive and well conducted system of free schools, we have a large number of private and denominational schools. We have Roman Catholic schools, male and female, Protestant Episcopal schools, Presbyterian and other denominational schools. Some of these schools have fine school buildings, built expressly for the purpose. They are well adapted to educa- tional purposes, and are also imposing ornaments to the city. St. Aloysius College, is a Koman Catholic school for males, of some celebrity. It is under the care of the Jesuits, and has six professors and several tutors. The Cedar Grove Academy is a popular Roman Catholic school for females, having fine buildings and spacious grounds; it is situated in Portland. The Presbyterian Female Academy is, with its spacious grounds, situated in the midst of a beau- tiful part of the city, and is an object of interest to every beholder. Great liberality and zeal have been displayed by the friends of this noble enterprise. The Louisville Female College is another school of high grade, and conveniently located, in spacious buildings well adapted to the purpose. This school is not a denominational one, yet its moral and religious tone are equal to any school in the country. It is regularly chartered by act of the Legislature of Kentucky with full collegiate powers. There are numerous other schools for both males and females, of a high order. Such as Mr. Butler's excellent school for females; Messrs. McBurnie and ^Vomack's high school for boys. These gentlemen are all thorough and accom- plished teachers of long experience. There are several excellent schools in the vicinity of the city also, for instance, Bishop Smith's, for females, and Rev. Mr. Beckwith's, also for females. We also mention the Jefferson Academy, under the management of Rev. G. W. Brush, and located at Middletown, con- venient to the railroad; this is a first class school for females. In the same neighborhood is Rev. B. H. McCown's school for males, a classical school of high order. There are two Medical schools, viz: The Medical Department of the L^niver- sity of Louisville, and The Kentucky School of Medicine. These institutions are ably conducted by thorough and accomplished Professors. Our limits do not allow of the extended notice which their merits deserve, but we must say, they are deservedly popular, and the city and the State may well be proud of them. The Law Department of the University of Louisville, is also an institu- tion of high character, and speaks well for the liberality and good taste of the city. Its professors rank among the ablest lawyers and jurists of this country. It is deservedly a very popular law school. There are two Commercial schools, viz: The Louisville Commercial College, and The Louisville Mercantile Academy. Both are ably conducted by competent Professors. There are usually about one hundred and fifty or two hundred young men in attendance at these schools. 44 DUPO^'TS ARTESIAN WELL. DUPOXT'S ARTESIAN WELL, Report, Analysis and Medical Properties of its Water, hy Prof. J. Lawrence Smith, M.D., of the Medical Department of the University of Louisville. The Artesian Well, forming the subject of this report, is one of the most interesting objects of the kind to be found in any part of the world. It was undertaken by Messrs. C. I. & A. V. Du Pont, of this city, prosecuted with great energy and large expenditure, and accomplished in a much shorter time than any similar undertaking of the same magnitude. The practical skill of 31r. Blake directed the construction of the efficient machinery employed, and so successful was he in the superintendence of the operations, that not a single detention was experienced from the commencement to the termination of his labors. The citizens of Louisville were not aware of what was going on in their midst, until sometime in the month of August, 1858, the public prints announced, that at the paper mill a jet of mineral water was pouring forth in vast volumes from a boring two thousand and eighty-six feet in depth. In giving an account of Du Pont's Artesian Well, it will, no doubt, interest many to learn something as regards the nature and history of Artesian Wells. The principal difference between the ordinary and Artesian Wells, is, that the latter is very much smaller in diameter than the former, and penetrates the curth to a much greater extent. In digging the ordinary well the instruments employed are the spade and pick, or blasting with gunpowder when rock is penetrated. To form an Arte- sian Well, very different instruments are employed, some are not unlike an auger, but the more usual ones are in the form of chisels. It is proper to com- mence by erecting a tall shed over the spot where the boring is to take place, some thirty or forty feet in height and eight or ten feet square at the base, gradually diminishing in size upwards. This is done for the convenience of elevating and storing away the long rods used in making these wells. Long rods of hickory, or other strong fibrous wood, are procured; they are from one and a half to two inches in diameter, about thirty feet in length, and so arranged at their extremities by iron casings as to be easily and securely fastened to each other, while they admit of being equally readily detached. It is to the extre- mity of the rod that the chisels and other excavating tools are attached, as also the long, narrow bucket for taking up the loose materials detached by the excavating tools. Mechanical arrangements are next made for hand, horse, or steam power, to give an up and down motion to the rod, of fifteen to twenty inches, while a slow, circular motion is given to it by some one standing over tlie boring. Thus furnished, it is best when the nature of the ground admits of it, and it is expected to go to a considerable depth, to commence by sinking an ordinary well four or five feet in diameter, and ten to fifteen feet deep, provided it can be done without interruption by water; next, attach one of the tools to the end of the rod, and pierce the ground with a hole, varying from two to nine inches in diameter. Most commonly, if the well is expected to be of great depth, it is commenced with a calibre of from five to nine inches, and afterwards diminished to three or four inches, or even less. If the boring passes through sand, or loose material, it becomes necessary to place in the well strong tubes to sustain the sides, as otherwise, the loose material becoming detached, may at any time fill up the boring; in this way the well at Charleston, South Carolina, was. on one occasion, filled up one hundred and forty feet in a single night. When the boring is through rock, tubing is not usually required. dupoxt's artesian well. 45 The supply of water to Artesian Wells follows the same law as other wells and springs, viz: The water rises in them to no greater height than that of the source. In this city the water rises in the ordinary wells to within forty feet of the surface, for the simple reason that the level of the basin of water in the gravel under the city is that depth beneath the surface. In Artesian Wells, that are considered successful, the boring is carried to such depth that some vein of water is encountered, having its connection with a source much higher than the surface of the Artesian Well, thus insuring a flow of water above the surface of the ground. It does not, however, always happen that the water in Artesian Wells rises to the surface. Many of the salt wells in Virginia, and elsewhere, are of this character, and the water has to bo pumped to the surface. There is a well of this last description, at Brighton, England, from which seven hundred gallons are pumped every minute. This method of forming wells is (rfvery ancient date. The Chinese employed it one or two thousand years ago, but the introduction of it into one of the provinces of France (the ancient Artt?sium) during the reign of Louis XIV, is what has given the generally received name to this class of wells. The more recent geological formations, as the tertiary and upper secondary, can be bored with better hopes of success than the older formations, but when the older strata furnish supplies of water, they are generally very abundant, for in the old secondary rocks are found those great chasms and caverns so celebra- ted in various parts of the world, for the rivers that flow through them, and are lost in them; as the cavern of Guacharo, in South America, which Humboldt traced for two thousand four hundred feet, finding all along its extent a river tfeirty feet wide, rolling along the floor of this magnificent cavern. In the cavern of Adelsburg, in Carniola, the river Pceck engulfs itself; it appears and disappears many times, and has been traced under ground, through an extent of six miles, as far as a large lake. The fountain of Vancluse also issues from subterraneous rocks, and pours forth a volume of thirteen thousand cubic feet per minute, even under ordinary circumstances, and this is sometimes increased to forty thousand cubic feet. But to us there is no more interesting cavern containing abundant streams than the far-famed Mammoth Cave. In passing through the various strata, with the boring apparatus, it commonlv happens that distinct sheets of water are penetrated, having no connection with each other; as for example, in the works which have been undertaken for the search of coal at St Nicholas Aliermonte, near Dieppe, in France, seven great sheets of water were passed through. In coming upon the seams of water in Artesian Wells, it may be that they merely percolate porous sand rock, or they are regular caverns in the rock, varying in depth from a few inches to twenty or more feet. The surface of the country in which these wells may be made successfully furnish no indications. In the province of France from which the name of these wells is derived, the water comes up in immense plains where no hill is seen even in the distance. Of course, the water comes from some point higher than the plain; it may be fifty miles distant, it may be one hundred miles or more, and where the geological formation of the country is the same we could hardly set a limit to the distance from which the water might come. In fact they are now boring successfully for water in the African deserts. Considerable interest connected with these wells is the indications they furn- ish of the gradually increasing temperature as we (^sccnd into the earth; at difierent places there is a slight diff'erence in the ratio at which the temperature increases. In descending from the surface of the earth by excavation wo come to a depth at which the thermometer will stand at the same point all the year. At Paris, France, this depth is ninety feet, and the temperature 53° Fahr,; in 46 DUPONTS ARTESIAN WELK passing below this point the temperature gradually increases in a uniform ratio of 1° for every sixty-one feet of depth, so that the deepest excavation at that place, being one thousand eight hundred and six feet, has at the bottom a con- stant temperature of 81°. The ratio in Scotland is 1° for forty-eight feet of descent; the mean of seventeen -wells in other places in Europe gives 1° for every fifty-three feet. The experiments made on the well at this place, taking the constant temperature at ninety feet to be 53°, show an increase of 1° of heat for every sixty-seven feet of depth. It is not the object of this report to enter upon speculation as regards the causes of the gradual increase of tem- perature. The uses of Artesian Wells are various, as will be seen by reading the follow- ing extract from Tomlinson's Encyclopedia: "Artesian Wells have not only been employed for pro\'iding houses with water, but their waters have also been used as a moving power. In the village of Gonehem, near Bcthume, there are four borings to the depth of one hundred and twenty feet; the waters are con- veyed into the water course of a flour mill, and are also made to subserve agri- cultural purposes. The little town of Roubaix, near Arras, was in danger of losing its principal means of support, by its silk spinning and dye works, from want of water. Artesian Wells were sunk, one of which yields two hundred and eighty-three cubic yards of water per day, or double the power of a steam engine of twenty horse power. At Tours an Artesian Well pours two hundred and thirty-seven gallons of water per minute into the trough of a water-wheel twenty-one feet in diameter, which is the moving power of a large silk factory. In another place at Fontes, near Aire, the united waters of ten wells are made to turn the mill-stones of a large mill, to blow the bellows and to beat the ham- mers of a nail manufactory. ■•The constant high temperature of these waters renders them especially valu- able during winter, either as a moving power or as a means of thawing and washing away the ice which impedes the motion of water-wheels in time of frost. In Wurtemburg the water of several Artesian Wells is transmitted through metal pipes, arranged in large manufactories, and thus a constant temperature of 47° is maintained at a season when the external temperature is at zero. Green-houses have been heated in the same way, and Artesian waters have been applied at Grenelle as a source of warmth to hospitals and other public build- ings. By introducing the water of Artesian Wells into fish ponds the extreme variations have been prevented. Artificial cress plots have also been formed and supplied by means of those wells with pure water of a steady temperature. The artificial cress plots of Erfurt produce a large annual revenue. Paper mills liave also been supplied with the pure water of these wells at periods when the heavy rains have made the river water muddy. In the Department du Nord the fine linen used in the manufacture of cambric, lawn, lace, etc., is prepared from flax rotted in pools, which are supplied by Artesian waters; by their purity and invariable temperature, the soluble portions of the flax are more quickly removed, and the valuable qualities of the filaments retained in higher perfec- tion. Such are a few of the advantages and practical applications of Artcsjim wells." It is doubtless a point of inter(^ to cnjynerate some of the more rcmarkabhs Artesian Wells, to contrast them with the one now under report. \^ The Grcndk Well, at J-'uris, was «)inmencod in 183-1 and completed in 1841. at which time the rod suddenly descended several yards, and shortly after, the water rose to the surface in vast quantities. For the first fifty feet the boring was twelve inches in diameter, which was reduced to nine inches and thus cav- ried to a depth of one thousand one hundred feet; a farther reduction was made to seven and a half inches until the depth of one thousand three hundred feet dupont's aetesian "vvell. 47 \ras reached; and a final diminution to six inches to the termination of the well at one thousand eight hundred and six feet. From the completion of the well to the present time there has been a steady flow of over half a million of gallons in twenty-four hours, of a temperature of 81°. Kissinc/cn. Well in Bavaria. — This is even deeper than the Grenelle well, beinir one thousand ciuht hundred and seventy-eii^ht feet; the last hundred and thirty- eight and a half feet passes through rock salt. From this well one hundred cubic feet of water gushes forth every miuutc. The water contains three and a quarter per cent, of salt. Aire in Artois, in the monastery of St. Andre. This well was borod more than a century ago and has flowed steadily ever since. The water rises elevt-n feet above the ground and supplies nearly two hundred and fifty gallons per minute. Charh^ton TT' /?, in Charleston, South Carolina. This well has been sunk to the depth of one thousand two hundred and fifty feet, and j'ields thirty thou- sand gallons in twenty-four hours, flowing ten Icet above the suriace. Another is now being bored at the same place, twelve inches in diameter, and it has already reached the depth of one thousand feet. Ji'kJur's Well, in St. Louis, Missouri, was commenced in 1840, and completed in 1854. The water does not answer the purpose for which it was undertaken. The amount of water flowing from it is one hundred and eight thousand gallons in twenty-four hours. Its depth is two thousand one hundred and ninety-nine feet. Lnfiiyette Wdl. — An Artesian Well has lately been made in Lafayette City, Indiana, of a depth of two hundred and thirty feet. The water rises a few feet above the surface, with the flow of four gallons per minute. This is a mineral water, co^itainina" about four hundred grains of solid matter to the gallon. Dr. Charles 31. Wetherill has lately made an interesting report upon it. I)it J-'ouf's Art()>i(in Well. — This work was commenced in April, 1857, from the bot-tom of one of the wells of the factory, that has a depth of twenty feet; the boring tools employed made a hole five inches in diameter to the depth of seventy-six feet from the surface; the boring was now reduced to three inches, and thus continued to the bottom of the well, a depth of two thousand and eighty-six feet. The flow of water is three hundred and thirty thousand gallons in twenty-four hours, and the elevation above the surface one hundred and seventy feet. The rock struck, which geologically belongs to the ''Devonian series," is for thirty-eight feet shell limestone, then for forty feet coraline limestone; at which depth the upper silurian is reached. Without being able to make out, with any degree of certainty, the amount of upper silurian passed through, we suppose it to be over one thousand two hundred feet. At the depth of one thousand six hundred feet n. sand rock was reached, doubtless of the lower silurian. and ninety-seven feet deeper was encountered the first stream of water which reached the surface. This flowed out abundantly and with much force. The quantity not being sufilcient, the boring was continued. Afcer this, it was unnecessary to use the bucket to take out the material detached by the borer, the force of the water bringing up the fragments very readily. The water increased in quantity in going 'hopor. the increase being more marked at one thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine feet, and still more at one thousand nine hun- dred feet, wh(ni pieces of rock weighing an ounce or two came up with the water. The water increased every ten or twenty feet to the depth of two thou- sand and thirty-six feet; here a very hard magnesian limestone was encountered six feet in thickness. After which the sand rock reappeared, and for the next fifty feet there was no increase of water. 48 DU FONTS ARTESIAN WELL. The followin<:^ table extibits the appearance of the rock as far as it is possible to make it out by the fine fragments taken out at difierent depths: For seventy-six feet, sand and gravel. Next one hundred feet, tolerably pure limestone, with fragments of fossils. Next twelve feet, soft limestone mixed with clay. Next fifty-two feet, tolerably pure limestone mixed with fossils. Next five feet, limestone with ferruginous clay. Next eighty-one feet, gray limestone. Next one hundred and ten feet, limestone mixed with clay. Next one hundred and forty-nine feet, tolerably pure limestone with many portions quite white. Next thirteen feet, clay shale with little calcareous matter. Next two hundred and seven feet, limestone with a little blue clay shale. Next thirty-three feet, same, a little darker and more shale. Next ninety-four feet, pure, very white limestone with fossils, alternating with very dark limestone (color likely from organic matter) with some dark shale. Next twenty-six feet, shaly limestone. Next forty feet, very light and hard pure limestone. Next one foot, white clay. Next five hundred and forty-six feet, gray limestone, alternating hard and soft. Next forty-one feet, sand rock, white. Next four feet, same, very fine and hard, with little limestone. Next sixty feet, same, with more limestone. Next seventy-two feet, same, with less limestone. Next three hundred and eight feet, same sand rock, with but little limestone. Next six feet, magnesia limestone, very hard. Next fifty feet, sand rock again. At the urgent request of many citizens of Louisville, the boring was now stopped to give a fair test of the medical virtues of the water that was pouring forth at the rate of two hundred and thirty gallons per minute, or about three hundred and thirty thousand gallons in twenty-four hours. The water by its own pressure rises in pipes one hundred and seventy feet above th« surfiice. The boring was accomplished in sixteen mouths, and the depth reached is two thousand and eighty-six feet, which depth we can better conceive of by referring to corresponding bights, as represented by spires in our city; imagine seven such spires as that of the Catholic Cathedral piled on each other. In order to conduct the water to the surface and prevent its passing ofi" into i\\e gravel beds below, a tube five inches in diameter leads from the surface to the rock, a depth of seventy-six feet, into which it is driven with a collar of vulcan- ized gum clastic around it. No tubing is found necessary for any other part of the boring. When the size of the bore, (three inches in diameter,) and its depth are con- sidered, the flow of water from the well is unequalled by any other Artesian Well yet constructed that flows above the surface, for although the Grenelle well at Paris delivers six hundred thousand gallons in twenty-four hours, it has at the bottom an area six times as great as the Dupont well, and a few hundred feet up seven times as great. A corresponding diameter to Dupont'e well, would, according to just and reasonable calculations, furnish about two millions gallons in twenty-four hours; also, the elevation of the water above the surface is greater than that of any other Artesian Well, and only exceeded in depth by the St. Louis well, and that to an extent of but one hundred and thirteen feet. The water comes out with considerable force from the five-inch opening, and DU font's artesian well. 49 a heavy body thrown into the mouths of the well is rejected almost as readily as a piece of pine wood. By an approximate calculation, its mechanical force is equal to that of a steam engine with a cylinder often by eighteen inches, under fifty pounds pressure, with a speed of fifty-five revolutions per minute, a force rated at about ten horse power. The top of the well is now closed, and the water conducted about twenty feet to a basin with a large jie^ d'eau in the cen- ter, from which there is a central jet of water forty feet in height, with a large water pipe, from which the water passes in the form of a sheaf. "When the whole lorce of water is allowed to expend itself on the central jet, it is projected to the height of from ninety to one hundred feet, settling down to a steady flow of a stream sixty feet high. The water, as it flows from tho top of the well, has a constant temperature of 7(J^° Fahr., and is not affected either by the heat of summer or the cold of winter. The temperature at the bottom of the well is seven degrees higher than this, as ascertained by sinking a Walferdin's regestering thermometer to the. bottom, which indicated 82^° Fahr. Taking as correct data, that the point of constant temperature below the surface of Louisville is the same as at Paris, viz: 53° Fahr., at ninety feet below the surface, we have an increase of 1° of tem- perature for every sixty-seven feet below that point. The increase in Paris is 1° for every sixty-one and two-tenths feet. The temperature of the water is sufficient for comfortable bathing during most of the year, a circumstance that will be of considerable importance, if it ever be turned to the use of baths. The reason of the difference of 6° between the water at the bottom of the well and at the top is, that the iron pipe leading from the surface to the rock passes through a stratum of water sixty feet thick, having a temperature of 57°. The question naturally arises, if the vein of water supplying this well has a. connection with some distant source higher than the surface of Louisville, where is that source? From all that we have been able to learn of the geology. of this country, taking Louisville as a center, the first rocks encountered cor- responding to the sand rock (in which the water of the Artesian Well was struck) are in Mercer, Jessamine and Garrard counties, near Dix creek, to the- east of Harrodsburg. The rocks there are said to be cavernous and water bear- ing. The elevation is about five hundred feet greater than Louisville, and about seventy-five miles in a straight line from tho city. This being the most proba- ble source of the water, from whence comes its mineral constituents? These are obtained from the rocks through which it percolates in its way from its source to the point below Louisville where it has been tapped, and where it will doubtless flow in undiminished quantity for centuries to come, as wells having such deep sources as this are usually inexhaustible. The water is perfectly limpid, with a temperature, as already stated, of 76^°, which will be invariable all the year round. Its specific gravity is 1.0113. The solid contents left on evaporating one wine gallon to dryness, are 915^ grains, furnishing on analysis: GRAINS. Chloride sodium, 621.5204 " calcium, 65.7287 " magnesium, 14.7757 " potassium, 4.2216 *' aluminum, 1.2119 " lithium, 0.1012 Sulphate soda, 72.2957 " lime, 29.4342 " magnesia, 77.3382 " alumina, 1.8012- 4 50 Du font's aetesian well. GRAINS. Sulphate potash, 3.2248 Bicarbonate soda, 2.7264 " lime, 5.9915 " magnesia, 2.7558 " iron, 0.3518 Phosphate soda, 1,5415 Iodide magnesium, 0.3547 Bromide magnesium, 0.4659 Silica, 0.885T Organic matter, 0.7082 Loss in analysis, , 8.1231 915,5582 OASES IN ONE GALLON. Sulphuretted hydrogen, 2.0050 Carbonic acid, 6.1720 Nitrogen, 1.3580 This water is very analogous in composition to the far-famed Kissingen water of Bavaria, and of Blue Lick in Kentucky. The following tabular state- ment will afford a comparison of these three waters by the number of grains of solid matter in one gallon : Du Pontes Well. Kissingen. Blue Lick. SMITH. KASTNER. PETEn. Chloride sodium, 622 517 533 " calcium, 66 " magnesium, 15 58 83 " potassium, 4 7 2 " aluminum, 1 2 " lithium, 1-10 trace Sulphate soda, 72 16 " lime, 29 21 33 " magnesia, 77 " alumina, 2 4 " potash, 3 ... 9 Bicarfeonate soda, 3 7 " lime, 6 29 23 " magnesia, 3 21 1 " iron, ^ 6 " strontia, trace Phosphate soda, 2 2 Iodide magnesium, ^ trace Bromide magnesium, ^ 5 ^ Silica, 1 "^ 16 1 In the analysis of the Blue Lick water. Professor Peter estimates the alumina, phosphoric acid, and iron compounds under one head. We have, therefore, not been able to carry them out separately. In the analysis of the Kissingen water, by Kastner, the alumina is estimated separately, and, in his combining • the acids and bases, formed by analysis, he has thought proper not to combine any of the chlorine with the calcium, nor any of the sulphuric acid with potash. ; Had this been done, the similarity of these waters would have been even more striking. It is well to remark, for the benefit of the general reader, that the chemist in analysing mineral water, discovers by direct process, the amount of acids and bases, and by subsequent calculation determines how they are com- DU font's artesian well. 51 bined so as to form the various salts, as for instance : by one process, the amount of sulphuric acid is determined ; by three others, the soda, lime, and potash. As to what portion of the last three arc combined with the sulphuric acid, this he does not arrive at by analysis, but by calculation; and as there is no one data for making these calculations, different chemists may differ in the way they state the salts, although they may agree exactly in regard to the ijuantity of acids and bases in these salts. Were the analysis of these mineral waters all calculated on the same basis, their similarity would have been better contrasted, but I preferred giving the analysis of each one as it appeared before the public, made by able and well known chemists. As regards the gaseous contents, the Kissingen does not contain any sulphuretted hydrogen gas. The Du Pont and Blue Lick contain within a small fraction of the same amount. As it has been often asked, what is the difference between this water and that of the Congress Springs at Saratoga? I would state that the last contains three hundred and eighty-five grains of common salt to the gallon, and differs from that of Du Font's Well in the large amount of carbonic acid, and the larger proportion of carbonate of lime and carbonate of magnesia, and in the absence of the sulphates; the proportion of solid constituents is also less in {Saratoga water. The Blue Lick Spring, situated in Nicholas county, Kentucky, is so well known in this country that it is unnecessary to make any statements concerning it. The Kissingen Spring not being so well known, a few remarks concerning it would be in place. These springs are situated in the Northern part of Bavaria ; and it is in this neighborhood that one of the Artesian Wells, mentioned in this report, has been bored, but it has no relation with the springs that have rendered this place so celebrated for a number of years. Since 1821 these springs have attracted special notice, and there have been no less than ten or twelve lengthy reports made upon them since that time, by the best chemists and physicians of Germany. Of the several springs in Kissingen, the most famous is the Rakoczy, and every year there are upwards of five hundred thousand bottles of water sent from it to all parts of the world. It is to the water of this spring that chemical analysis shows the water of the Du Pont well to be closely allied. Before making the medical report on this water, I would state that mineral waters are, like other medicinal agents, only to be used under the judicious advice of intelligent physicians. Mineral waters, in the treatment of disease, take a place between medical and dietetic treatment, and become eminently useful in a variety of diseases that require, for the cure or alleviation, the con- tinued use of some mild and gentle remedy, that may be taken in connection with the ordinary drink and food. Perhaps there is nothing which puzzles the physician more than the peculiar virtues of many mineral waters. After the chemist has analyzed them, they are found to contain many well known constit- uents, some in very small quantities; and it seems impossible with our present knowledge, to reason fully as to what the medical nature of a mineral water will be from its chemical composition. The great value of the chemical analysis is to compare the composition of one water with another whose medical virtues are well established. It is upon this basis that the following general remarks are made, as to what we may expect from the Du Pont Artesian Well water. The peculiar benefit arising from the use of saline waters to the mucous mem- brane of the stomach and digestive canal, is sufliciently well established by the daily use wbich both man and animal make of saline substances. If taken moderately they excite the appetite, and are looked upon as a mild and effica- cious aid to digestion ; in still larger doses they excite in a more marked manner the entire mucous lining of the intestinal canal, extending to the liver; and, taken into the circulation, their effects are felt in all secretive and excretive 52 DU FONTS ARTESIAN WELL. organs, as the kidneys, etc. From what we can arrive at by the composition of this water, in connection with the known virtues of similar mineral waters, this water is certainly calculated to meet as large a variety of those diseased, who resort to mineral waters for relief, as any other known spring; for the great portion of invalids using mineral waters, suffer from some derangement of the mucous membrane of the intestinal canal, or of the serous surface of the joints, embracing the various forms of dyspepsia and rheumatism. But we will pro- ceed to specify the applicability of this water. The single term dyspepsia implies a variety of diseases by which the digestive organs are impaired, and, although no one treatment can apply to them all, this mineral water will meet as large a variety of them as any other. In cases of dyspepsia, whether caused by irritation or weakness, the continued and judicious use of sulphur saline water frequently effects a cure, as in that relaxed condition of the mucous membrane in the stomach and intestinal canal of elderly persons, where a very large amount of mucous is secreted without a proper portion of the other healthy secretions; also, where the stomach has been deranged by excess of either eating or drinking. Costiveness is a very frequent accompaniment of the above disease, or it may arise from a torpid condition of the intestines alone, without any complication with the stomach; in either case good results may be expected from proper use of this water. But we must not be astonished if laxative effects are not pro- duced by the water when the action of the skin is defective. The skin must first be brought into proper action by the bath or other proper medical treat- ment. When derangements of the liver do not arise from organic disease of the liver, but it has become affected sympathetically, or by its connection with the stomach and intestines, this water may be resorted to with good effect. In other diseases in which defective digestion or assimilation seems to be the prime cause, as in gravel, gout, etc., the use of this water may give relief. Nervous diseases arising from derangement in the blood, or from local causes, as those violent headaches from indigestion or functional derangements of the stomach. The water removing the cause removes the disagreeable nervous symptoms. As regards the effects of the water on mucous membranes, besides that of the intestinal canal, we are not prepared to assert anything, although the distin- guished German writer, on mineral waters, Dr. Vetter, states that the saline waters at Baden-Baden, when taken internally, exert a beneficial effect on chronic catarrh, leuchorae, etc. This water acts on the kidneys; in part, on account of its constituents, and in part, from the water alone. It is beyond all dispute that waters containing salt have a healthy action upon the glandular system, and when there is iodine present, however small tho quantity may be, continued use of the water is sure to be felt by that system. This substance, iodine, was discovered in 1811, and very shortly afterwards its medical virtues were ascertained, and it now ranks among the most important medical remedies. Within the last few weeks additional attention has been called to the subject by Dr. Boinet, in a communication made to the Academy of Medicine, in Paris. The doctor proposes th^ introduction of iodine into the daily food of persons laboring under any of the forms of this disease, such as worms, cretinism, enlarged glands, etc. Wherever iodine, he states, is abund- antly diffused throughout the air, these disorders are rarely seen, and that the energy of the vital functions is in the direct ratio of the quantity of iodine ex- isting in the animal economy. He proposes to iodize bread, cakes, sirups, etc., etc., simply by the introduction of such plants as naturally contain iodine, DUrOXT's ARTESIAN WELL. 53 viz: all kinds of sea-weeds and cruciferous plants, or else by using the water of iodized springs, or salts containing the same principle. Under these forms the quantity of iodine administered is so small as to communicate no jieculiar taste to tlie edible substance. After ten years' experience, during which Dr. Boinet has treated children specially selected by a physician of a Bureau de Jiirnfah- ance for their scrofulous habit, he has come to the conclusion that the diet he proposes, if persevered in for some months, will not only cure scrofula but ulcerous habits, diseases of the skin, opthalmia, caries of the bones, etc. The Academy of Medicine has referred Dr. Boinet's paper to a commission composed of Drs. Chatin and Trousseau. If there be any correctness in Dr. Boinet'.s statement, all mineral waters containing iodine will be invested with new inter- est. Sufficient has been said to give a correct idea of the medicinal properties of the water of Du Font's Artesian Well, and to direct those interested in the subject as to what may be expected from its internal use. The external use of this water will be doubtless found of great benefit, and if the proprietors should determine to apply fully its medicinal properties, they will have to construct proper baths. In most instances, and for the greater portion of the year, the water can be used at the temperature it has on flowing from the well; but for many purposes they will have to elevate the temperature 20 or 30 degrees. Thus supplied, sulphur saline waters are well known to be beneficial for a A'ariety of diseases of the skin, scrofulous afiections, and lym- phatic tumors of every description, gout, rheumatism, etc. In several of the diseases it would be proper to use the baths warm, as will be advised by those physicians who may direct the patients. In addition to the above, it may be applied beneficially in many diseases of those mucous membranes that are accessible by washing, or by injection, as in certain diseases of the mucous membranes of the eye, etc. In reporting on the medical virtues of this water, I have purposely avoided any reference to those cases which have been cured, or supposed to be cured by it; for I have not traced out any of them, as I did not conceive any record of the kind would be of much value in so short a history of the water, but I have preferred to give my opinion of its virtues from its composition, and from the known virtues of similar waters. The opinions are little else than the reflections of those of physicians in this country, Germany, France, and elsewhere, who have paid especial attention to the medical properties of mineral springs, and who arc engaged in giving advice on the subject. In conclusion, I would remark that an important feature in this Artesian Well is its admirable location. Situated in one of the healthiest cities in this or any other country, and that from year's end to year's end, where the spring, early summer, and autumn, have many at- tractions for tho.se seeking health or a temporary sojourn, prior to more Xorth- ern or more Southern journeyings. In addition to this. Louisville will in one year be connected by railroad with the South and Southwest, and inhabitants of those regions, who may sojourn in this city, will be seperated but a day or two from their plantations. In this report, I believe that no more than justice has been done to the hardy enter- yirise of the Messrs. Du Pont, the wonderful features of the well, or the medici- nal virtues of the water. 1 IJiST l-JiKSIUTKltlAN CUUr.CU, GBEEN STREET, BETWEEN SIXTH AND CKXTER. HEALTH OF LOUISVILLE. 55 HEALTH OF LOUISVILLE. The climatal position of the city of Louisville exempts her alike from the ravages of tropical diseases, and from the epidemic visitations of Typhus fever. Forster was the first naturalist who published the fact, that the interior valley of the North American Continent was singularly exempt from the extremes ot temperature that belong to the Atlantic coast. Thus, yellow fever has repeat- edly prevailed in New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Norfolk and Portsmouth, whenever abnormal temperature was coincident with proportional humidity and decaying vegetable matter. But that tropical disease has never been above the 35° of latitude in the interior valley, and only once at that point. Louisville is in the 38° of latitude, and is far above the highest northern limit of yellow fever in the interior valley, and far below the southern line of the Typhus fever zone. This geographical position furnishes ample security against the invasion of these forms of disease. In the early history of Louisville, a large portion of the city, that is now covered with buildings for business and habitation, was the seat of ponds and marshes, and in 1822, in the midst of intense solar heat, and frequent showers, the undrained and unpaved parts of the city were the seats of a most destruc- tive pestilence. She then acquired the reputation of being "the grave yard of the West." But this disaster pointed out the necessity and the means of sani- tary measures, and they have been pursued with as eminent success as has ever been attained any where by sanitary art. An extensive sanitary system was de- vised, under which ponds were filled or drained, and streets were graded, paved and sewered. In a direct ratio with the progress of these measures has been the redemption of the city from visitations of those forms of pestilence that spring from local conditions. In these great and enduring results, the people of Louisville have established the fact that "the evil which springs from the bosom of nature, only needs for its removal an observance of the rules which nature herself reveals." In the progi'ess of time, recurring seasons developed the spots in the city in which sanitary measures had not been perfected, and the useful lessons thus given have been heeded. In 1832, 1833 and 1849, cholera commenced in precisely the same square, each successive time, within a few yards of its preceding visitation. These occurrences pointed infallibly to a local cause, dependent upon a local condition. In 1849 this thrice visited spot was thoroughly improved, and from that time to the present, nothing of its for- mer affliction has occurred in that locality. Every spot in Louisville that was at any time the seat of this pestilence, and that has undergone sanitary measures that completely changed the character of the topography, has been perfectly ex- empt from that disease ever since the change was perfected. In precisely an analogous way, intermittent and remittent fevers have been banished. When Jefierson street was a string of marshes, it was the seat of au- tumnal fevers. After it was graded and paved, it ceased to produce those dis- orders. The same is true of Green, Walnut, Chestnut and Broadway, and of the eastern and western ends of those streets. Grading, paving, drainage and habitual improvements have converted them from seats of annual disease into sites of enduring liealthfulness. There are, however, additional reasons why Louisville possesses these endu- ring means of health. 8hc is one of the most perfectly ventilated cities in the world. She occupies the edge of an extensive level that spreads for miles south, east and west of her location, and the Ohio river is the northern boundary of this plateau. Iler streets are wide and cross each other at right angles, and .she is thus secure of thorough ventilation, the winds from every point of the com- pass having an unobstructed passage through the streets. 56 HEALTH OF LOUISVILLE. Tubercular disease is not only a more rare aflFeetion in Louisville than it is in the eastern, northern, north-western and southern sections of our Continent, but it is generally more manageable. Those climatal conditions that pro- duce the aberration of nutrition that tends to the deposition of tuberculous mat- ter, are much less active, as all medical observation shows, in this region, than in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore or New Orleans. The diseases of infancy and childhood are greatly less frequent and disastrous in Louisville than elsewhere, and this fact is unquestionably due to the general healthiness of the city. Children have been described as constituting the out- posts of society, which first feel the invasions of disease. As the invasions are lessened or prevented, the perils of the outposts are lessened and prevented. The knowledge of these facts is the result of a long acquaintance with the subject, and of patient observation. The climatal conditions that produce dis- astrous diseases elsewhere are absent from this region. The topographical con- ditions whyjh, when present, invariably cause the ravages of well known forms of disease once existed here and produced their regular and necessary ravages. These conditions have been changed, and the results have been changed in a degree corresponding with the changed conditions. The philosophic observa- tions of three hundred years show that these triumphs of enduring health over diseases from local causes can be surely won, and point out the infallible means by which these victories of mind can be secured. The history of Louisville adds to the thousands of similar histories, abundant confirmation of the truth of these philosophic observations. The Duke of Tuscany has reclaimed from an- nual pestilence of the most fatal character, a large portion of the Mediterranean part of his duchy, and has made it permanently healthy by precisely such sani- tary means as have been successful in Louisville. The climatal and topo- graphic conditions of Louisville are such as enable medical philosophy to speak in positive terms of her pre-eminent claim to be regarded as one of the most healthful cities of the great interior valley of the North American Continent. As an ample corroboration of the truth of these statements respecting the pos- session of these sanitary conditions, we republish, from Casseday's History of Xouisville, published in 1852, the following indications of vital statistics: In Louisville the. deaths are 1 to 50 Philadelphia do 1 36 New York do 1 37 Boston do 1 38 Cincinnati do , 1 35 Naples do 1 28 Paris do 1 33 London do 1 39 Glasgow do 1 44 Since this table was published in 1852, Louisville has improved in her vital statistics, and some of these cities have lowered their scale. For instance, in- stead of one death in 37 in the city of New York, recent facts show that there is one death for 28 inhabitants. This sanitary survey of Louisville, while pleasant and cheering in its general character, is greatly enhanced in value by the fact that a great deal of the triumph thus secured over the causes of disease, and by consequence over its ravages, is duo to the proper use of sagacity, cnterprize and well regulated and well directed sanitary wisdom. That which has been won by such means, can be maintained by their continual exercise, as all experience shows. CATHEDRAL, FIFTH STREET, BETWEEN OBEE^ AM) WALMJT. 58 LOUISVILLE GAS COMPANY. LOUISVILLE GAS COMPANY. The Louisville Gas Company was incorporated the 15th Feb., 1838, with a capital of 8(300,000, for the term of thirty years from the 1st of January, 1839. The Company organized in the year 1838 by the subscription and payment of $232,300 by individuals, and the subscription of 8200,000 by the city of Louis- ville — 8100,000 of this sum the city paid by executing her bonds, bearing six per cent, interest, payable in thirty years; the other moiety of the sum subscribed, to be paid for by the profit on the 8100,000 of stock, paid for by bonds, after deducting the semi-annual interest on the bonds; the remainder placed to her credit as new stock semi-annually until the sum subscribed was paid in full. On the 3d January, 1859, the dividend completed the payment on the stock. The first division of the Gas Works was built in 1839, under the direction of 5. V. Merrick, Engineer, of Philadelphia. (The Louisville Gas Works were the first constructed in the Western States, and the fifth in the United States.) Gas was first supplied to the citizens on the 25th December, 1839. The Gas Works then consisted of one Retort-house, with one bench of six ovens set with 18 large D retorts, one Purifying-house, with one set of dry lime purifiers, one set of condensers, one plunge washer, two gas holders, each 40 feet diameter and 18 feet high, with capacity to store 45,000 cubic feet of gas, a Meter-house and one station meter, 72 street lamps, and G^ miles of street main. The second division of the Gas Works was built in 1848, under the supervi- sion of John Jefi"rey, Engineer. The addition consisted of one bench of six ovens, set with 18 retorts, one washer, one set of condensers, one set of puri- fiers, one station meter, and a governor, all placed in the original buildings ; a gas holder 60 feet diameter, 22 feet high, capacity 62,000 cubic feet; an engine house, engine and pump to supply the Works with water. At the close of the year 1848, there were 16 miles of street main and 461 street lamj^s. Under the direction of John C. Cresson, Engineer, of Philadelphia, in 1855, the fourth gas holder was constructed ; it is 87^ feet diameter and 31^ feet high ; capacity 187,000 cubic feet. In the year 1857, under the same direction, the Gas Works were enlarged by the addition of a Retort-house 109 by 53 feet, with foundations for two benches, one of twelve ovens, the other often. One bench of ten ovens was built and set with thirty large D retorts, a Purifying-house 67 by 30 feet, with one set of condensers, one set of refrigerators, one set of jet-washers, and one set of puri- fiers, with apparatus complete to purify the gas from 30 retorts. A station meter, with capacity to measure 400,000 cubic feet per day, made by Code, Hopper & Co., of Philadelphia; a lime-house, with cellar to contain heating ap- paratus, a dwelling for the superintendent, a blacksmith shop, and a coal-house 121 by 80 feet, with a bridge 130 feet long connecting the house with Washing- ton street, on which street the Gas Works front 237^ feet, extending 510 feet deep. The Gas Works now have G6 retorts, with capacity to produce 280,000 cubic feet per day, with sufiicient room in the buildings to add 36 retorts and the pu- rifying apparatus. With this addition, the Works can produce 433,000 cubic feet per day. The Gas Company have now laid 35 miles 2157 feet of street mains, 2, 3, 4, 6, 10, and 12 inch ; 925 street lamps, 2879 private service pipes. The annual increased production of gas by these Works will give some idea of the steady progression of the city. The following statement shows the pro- duct of gas each year to the present time: LOUISVILLE GAS COMPANY. 59 1840 6,545,810 cubic feet 1841 8,850,320 " " 1842 9,911,380 " " 1843 10,221,400 " " 1844 10,G12,190 " " 1845".'.!.! 11,000,750 " " 1846 11,630,510 " " 1847 13,857,350 » " 1848 15,729,140 " " 1849 18,493,670 " " 1850 21,178,410 " " 1851 22,906,300 " " 1852 23,881,100 " " 1853 28,755,900 " " 1854 35,526,600 " " 1855 35,609,500 " " 1856 38,536,700 " " 1857 42,401,500 " " 1858 47,512,100 " " During the past year an average of 42 men were employed daily by tbe Com- pany, and I85 lamp lighters. In the year 1857 the city derived profit from the Louisville Gas Company 821,189 45 Also in the year 1858 23,060 87 City's profit for two years §44,256 32 The interest on her $100,000 of Bonds paid by the Gas Co. for two years §12,000 00 The cost of City Lamps in 1857 16,023 18 " " " " 1858 17,399 31 §45,422 49 The two past years the profit of the city from the Louisville Gas Co. has paid the interest on §100,000 of Bonds, and the street lamps within §1,166 17. Capital Stock, Jan. 3 J, 1859. Louisville City Stock, paid for by Bonds §100,000 " " " « " " Dividends on Stock after deducting the annual interest on Bonds 100,000=§200,000 Stock held by individuals 281,400 §481,400 Capital Invested. Real Estate, site for Gas Works, §18,801 09 <' Office 0,738 20 Gas Works, Building and Machinery 180,837 58 Street Mains 155,032 71 " Lamps 20,003 00 Service Pipes 23,471 08 Meters 28,200 00 §440,349 78 LOUISVILLE WATER WORKS. 61 LOUISVILLE WATER WORKS. The advantages to be derived frona a ready supply of pure water, and unlimi- ted iu its quantity, can scarcely be over estimated by any coninmnity. The social and manufacturing interests of Louisville have long desired it, and the rapid growth of the city now demands it as a necessity. This want had been felt for a long time, but no steps had been taken towards so useful an object, until the latter part of 1853, when application was made to the Legislature for the purpose of obtaining a charter and incorporating a company. This com- pany, under the title of " The Louisville Water Company," was incorporated by an Act of Assembly, approved March 6, 1854, "with power and authority to construct and establish water works within the city of Louisville or elsewhere, for the purpose of supplying said city and its inhabitants with water." By the terms of their charter, the capital stock was limited to 10,000 shares of §100 each, and they were authorized to issue their bonds for that amount and to se- cure them, if necessary, by a mortgage of their lands and water rents. The same instrument provides that water shall be furnished to the citizens of Louisville at a rate not exceeding the average price of the cities of Pittsburg, Cincinnati and St. Louis. The history of like corporations in other cities manifests the sound policy of placing them under municipal control and making them the common property of the citizens. This was evidently the wish of the Legislature, and has been warmly recommended in the first report of the President and Directors of the Company. The Charter provides that "The city of Louisville may, at any time, purchase the said corporation, its franchise and all its personal and real property by pay- ing therefor such a sum, as together with its receipts will reimburse the whole amount expended, with an annual interest of ten per cent., and from and after the execution of the conveyance the said city of Louisville shall have the right and be subject to all the duties in this act expressed as to corporation." Though the charter was obtained March 6, 1854, little was done for some time toward organizing the company with a view to efficiency, but application having been made to the General Council of the city, that body passed an ordi- nance approved June 30, 1856, entitled "An ordinance to promote the creation of Water Works in the city of Louisville." By this ordinance the Mayor of the city was directed to subscribe for 5,500 shares of stock in the Company, and to pay for them in bonds of the city, at SIOOO each, payable 30 years after May 1, 1857, with interest at 6 per cent., payable semi-annually. The same ordinance, among other provisions to secure the payment of the bonds, authorized a tax often cents on each §100 of real and personal property, which might be lessened according to circumstances mentioned in the ordinance. The city charter requires that an ordinance of the above character shall be submitted to a vote of the qualified voters of the city in order to receive their sanction before passing into operation. At an election held on the Gth Septem- ber, 1850, the question was accordingly submitted with the following lesult: For the subscription 1,415; against 370, leaving a majority of 1,045 in favor of the ordinance. In July 1857, the city paid her subscription to the Company in bonds as di- rected by the above ordinance. The subscription for the stock of the Company by private individuals has, up to the present time, amounted to only ?5.100. Thus far the Company has been so conducted as to render practicable the gene- ral desire, that the works when completed shall become the property of the city. About 8220,000 are required to complete the works. The City Councils have 62 LOUISVILLE WATER WORKS. passed an ordinance in most respects similar to that above mentioned for the purpose of completing the works. This was submitted to a vote of the people and carried by a large majority in April of the present year. The grounds of the company are located on the Ohio river, about one mile and a half beyond the city limits, and contain 120 acres of land most beauti- fully diversified by bights, from which may be had an extensive view of the city and surrounding neighborhood for many miles. This large tract is covered with majestic trees, and with taste and but little expense, may be converted into a most delightful resort. The natural beauties of the place are unsurpassed by any possessed by similar works in the country, and excite unqualified admiration. The location has been carefully selected with a view to obtain for the city a copious supply of pure water. No better selection could have been made. It is far removed from those ofiensive drainages which are, in a great measure in- separable from a close proximity to a large city, and the organic impurities which render a pure supply of water in many places difficult, if not impossible, arc here unknown. The shore of the river above the inlet-pipe, for a distance of about four miles, has a clear gravel beach, and is washed at all stages of the river by a lively current. The point from which the water is taken is about three and one third miles above the foot of Third street. It will be interesting to most of our readers to have a sketch of the manner in which the water works now in course of erection are planned, and the method by which the city will be supplied. A large inlet-pipe extends from the pump wells in the engine-house into the river to a depth of seventeen feet of water when it is in its lowest stage. The distance from the engine-house to this point is 300 feet. This pipe is fifty in- ches in its inside diameter, and terminates in and is secured to a crib, built of oak timber, sunk and retained in its position by broken stone with which it is filled. To the mouth of the inlet-pipe an iron grating is attached, which may be removed at any time to be cleaned. The water passes from the river into the inlet-pipe through this grating, which acts as a strainer. In order to re- move any deposit found in this pipe, there is a communication between it and the stand pipe by a pipe and valve separate from the main pump, by which the entire head of water in the stand pipe or reservoir can be at pleasure applied to the inlet-pipe, and thus scour and clean it. The water for the supply of the city will be elevated by two purely Cornish engines, exact duplicates, each of which is by itself capable of furnishing the necessary supply. Thus in case of accident, or when,^or any reason, it is deemed proper to stop one engine, the supply will not be suspended. They will be worked week about, and are of the following dimensions: The steam cylin- ders are 70 inches in diameter ; stroke of piston 10 feet. They will have a double and equal walking beam, 15 feet 11 inches from the main center to the end center, making the total length of beam 31 feet 10 inches. Each engine is of 200 horse power, and is capable of elevating over 3,500,000 gallons of water in eleven hours, which is the quantity at present sufficient. The pumps are so arranged that these engines can supply any quantity the necessities of the city may hereafter require. Connected with each engine there will be three boilers, six feet in diameter and 30 feet long. The plunger of the main pump will be three feet in diameter, with a stroke of ten feet, and will elevate at each stroke 529 gallons of water in the reservoir. The stand pipe will be made of boiler plate, four feet in diameter. The top of it will bfc 176^ feet above the extreme point of low water. It is to be erected in front of the engine house, at a distance of 60 feet from the main building. This pipe will be enclosed by a tower, the architecture of which will be in har- mony with that of the engine house. The entire hight of the stand pipe tower LOUISVILLE "WATER WORKS. 68 will bo 202 feet above the extreme point of low water. The tower is surmoun- ted by ail observatory, to which access is had by means of a spiral stairwav on the inside. The elevation of this stairway is about 180 feet above the same low water mark, and from it the visitor may command a view of the city of J^ouis- ville. New Albany, Jeffersonville, the Falls of the Ohio, Utica, Twelve Mile Island, and the surrounding country. Connected with this stand pipe is the pump main, 30 inches in diameter and 3,700 feet lon<;. It receives the water from the pumps at the stand pipe and conveys it to the reservoir. The reservoir will be built of earth puddled as its construction profrresses. At the base of the retaininu; embankments outside, it will be 500 feet loni^ and 30-4 feet wide. The retaining embankments built of earth and puddled, are to be 24 feet high, 92 feet wide at the base, and 20 feet at the top. The slopes inside and outside 1^ feet horizontal, to 1 foot perpendicular. This reservoir will be divided into two equal parts by a division embankment 50 feet at the base, 14 feet at the top, and 12 feet high. The two basins of the reservoir thus formed will be each 2-i feet deep. Among other advan- tages obtained by this division, a commotion of the water is prevented and the purification of the water by subsidence is consequently facilitated. The eleva- tion at the bottom will be 122^ feet above the extreme point of low water in the Ohio, and the top of the retaining embankments l-4fi^ feet above the same point. The bottom of the two basins and inside slopes of the retaining and division embankments of the reservoir will be lined with brick, laid in cement mortar. By having the reservoir deep and lined in this manner, vegetation upon the in- ternal slopes is prevented and the water is freed I'rom a most fruitful source of organic impurity. The engine house will be built of brick on a stone foundation 46 feet deep, and is now in course of construction. The top line of the water table of this foundation will be two feet above the extreme point of high water, or two feet above the highest known in the Ohio river, bringing the main or engine room floor two feet above the same water mark. This structure will comprise a main building and two wings. The main building or engine house proper wiil be 47 feet front by 56^^ feet deep, and two stories high. The first story is 26 feet and the second 24 feet, making 50 feet to the top of the cornice. The boiler houses or wings are on each side of the main building, and will be 55i feet front, and 32 feet deep of one story 28^ feet high, making an entire front of 158 feet. This house will be built in the Corinthian style. A beautiful colonade ex- tends in front of the main building and along its entire southern front, having four Corinthian columns 42 feet high, surmounted by an entablature eight feet high and a pediment of eleven feet. These columns stand outside from the main building 15 feet to the outside of their bases. The roofs of the building with the window caps of the lower windows will be pediments. The sheeting of the entire roof will receive a metalic covering and be supported by wrought iron trussed frames. These will be durable and render the building fire proof. On each end of the wings, 12 feet distant, there will be a chimney stack, with an octacronal base, the main shaft is round and the whole will rise to the hight of 120 feet. The whole has been planned and is under the superintendence of T. R. Scowden, Esq., a most skillful and experienced engineer in this department. The pipes are already cast, and will extend nearly thirty miles. The laying of the pipe is progressing rapidly. Over one third of the reservoir is curiipiefed, and the engines will be ready to be placed in the engine house in the l;ill oi' the present year. The water will be supplied to the city without doubt in the early part of 1860. C4 WATER POWER. WATER POWER AT LOUISVILLE. The Ohio river has been celebrated, ever since its discovery, for its gentle and uninterrupted flow for a distance of nearly one thousand miles through one of the finest valleys in the world. There is no interruption of its gentle current or break of its smooth surface, in all its long course, save one, and that one is here at Louisville. A ledge of solid, compact limestone stretches diagonally across the stream, over which it swells in its resistless course, and then makes its way for a distance of two miles, descending, as determined by different engineers, from 24 to 26 feet. These falls have ever been regarded by scientific and practical men as ofiering great advantages for manufacturing. About the beginning of the present century, the Water Power of the Falls was the subject of much attention and investigation. We find that it was always spoken of in connection with the proposed canal to improve the naviga- tion, and regarded as equal in importance to that interest. Thus, the first survey that was ever made of the Falls by a competent engineer, exhibits fully as much attention to the water power as to the navigation. This survey was made by Mr. Jared Brooks, and the very accurate map made of the Falls, Canal, "Water Works," &c., by him, now lies before me. It is entitled "A Map of the Rapids of the Ohio lliver, and of the countries on each side thereof, so far as to include the routes contemplated for Canal navigation. Respectfully inscribed to His Excellency Christopher Greenup, Governor of Kentucky, by his very obedient servant, J. Brooks. Engraved and printed by John Good- man, Frankfort, Kentucky, 1806." This map, for which I am indebted to my friend, Mr. William Forwood, of this city, gives the plan of the canal nearly as it has since been constructed, and also of extensive "water works." Had these works been constructed as contemplated by the Engineer, the canal would to-day be worth as much to community for manufacturing as it is for navigation, and would cost far less to keep it clear of mud than it now does. A section of this map gives an enlarged "Plan of the work below L (upper lock), including all the locks and acqueducts for the supply of 'water works,' and situations marked from 1 to 12 (mill sites), which may be extended to any required distance." In the "Notes," the author says: "The rapids are caused by a vast body of rock which crosses the course of the Ohio at this place, and obstructs the current until it swells over its top, and thence searches a passage down an irregular declivity to the lower end of Rock Island. The draught of the Falls reaches to the line before mentioned, crossing obliquely above the rapids, from whence the velocity of the current increases to the great break of the current at C; from thence to D, the current rates ten miles and 1066 yards an hour; from D to E, thirteen and a half miles an hour; thence to the lower end of Rock Island, nine miles and 900 yards an hour; in all, according to the course of the channel, 3366 yards in ten minutes and thirty-five seconds. * * * It is calculated that the canal will be sufiiciently capacious for a ship of four hundred tons. (No steamboat had as yet been seen on the Ohio). The water will be carried plane with the surface above the rapids, to the bank of the river below the whole falls, and then disposed of agreeable to the enlarged plan of the work below the letter L (upper lock); so that any required number of watcir works may be erected, and each benefitted by a perpendicular fall of water equal to the whole fall of the rapids, viz. 24 feet. The water works will stand upon a high and permanent bank, close under which js the main and only channel of that part of the Ohio, which seems to have been carved out of the rock for that purpose. Boats and vessels of any burthen that can descend the river, may lie alongside of the mills and store-houses, and lade and unlade with the greatest convenience imaginable. The land in the vicinity of the WATER POWER. 6) rapids, on both sides of the river, is generally of the first quality, and is so shaped as to afford beauty with convenience. That part situated within view of the rapids, is beyond description delightful." This Map of the Falls, by far the most accurate and complete we have ever seen, exhibiting every prominent rock, current, and eddy, and the forests on either side of the river as they stood at that early day, shows how feasible the development of the Water Power of the Falls was then considered. In tlie absence of the map in this work, we will explain to the reader that Mr. Brooks' plan for "water works" consisted of a couple of races taken out, one on either side of the main canal, just above the upper lock, and running parallel with the river bank, upward and downward, from which races short sidecuts were to be made at convenient distances for mills, and the water dis- charged into the river after it left the wheels. The race was to be extended down the river to any distance that might be required, thus furnishing room and power for an indefinite number of mills. That this was, and is, all perfectly practicable, no one at all familiar with the subject can doubt; and had it been carried into execution, simultaneously with the canal, Louisville would have been at this day one of the greatest manufac- turing cities in this country. A portion of the people of Louisville then opposed the construction of the canal, because it would destroy the business of transporting passengers and freight around the Falls, and a largo commission and forwarding business, by which a vast number gained a livelihood. To meet their objections, the friends of the enterprise urged the fact that the canal, when completed, would make Louisville one of the greatest manufacturing cities in America; thus, besides giving better employment to the persons con- cerned, it would be the means of drawing infinitely more people and more business to the place than could ever be realized without the canal. It was urged that a city, possessing all other advantages in the highest degree known to any in our country, and adding this unequalled water power above every other, could not fail to advance to the rank of the most populous and important of Western cities. Nor does it appear that any one looked upon the canal in those days as simply and solely to facilitate navigation. Water Power was in the mouths of all its advocates, whether in the halls of legislation, on the stump, or in the street. It was to serve the double purpose of navigation and manufacturing. How strange, then, that we should be told, at this day, that the canal can not spare the necessary water for manufacturing! With the whole Ohio river to feed it, men are afraid a number of mill-wheels will drain it dry! "The canal can not spare the water without reducing the depth so as to interrupt navigation." Yet not a canal can be found in America, if it has any fall, that is not used for manufacturing — no, not even the least of them, even where the "Seders" are miles distant from the point where the power is required; while on our canal we have an immense volume of water constantly pushing with great power, thus preventing any material decrease in the depth. This olijection is simply childish and ridiculous. Had our fathers been told that but half the original plan would be carried to completion by the year 1859, and that their sons would at this day not only be neglecting this boundless source of wealth and prosperity, but actually arguing themselves into the belief that the thing is impracticable, they would have denounced us as unworthy of our origin. The thing is and always has been practicable, and of such easy development, that we are amazed when we consider it. That a basin commanding the whole power of the Ohio river should stand there within a few yards of the river bank for a period of 29 years, at an elevation of 24 feet above the current passing be- neath it, and not be let into a mill wheel, is strange indeed. 5 ^ WATER POWER. To show more clearly still the feasibility of the water power here, we will state that the plan as drawn by Mr. Brooks, and as the canal is now constructed, brings the water on the plane or level of the river above the falls to the upper lockf which is only a few rods from the river bank below the falls. The river bank at this point is composed of a very adhesive clay, or chiefly of this mate- rial, down to the black devonian slate, which at this point forms the floor of the ounal, and in which the locks are constructed. The land slopes down gradually from the upper lock toward the river, the main and only channel of which at low water is immediately under this bank. The water in the canal basin above the upper lock stands at an elevation of twenty -four f^et above the level oftheioater in the channel of the river just alluded to. By taking out the two races as drawn by Mr. Brooks, one extending up the river for a distance of half a mile or more, and the other down the river to any distance that may be desirable, water can be drawn from them on to mill wheels, by means of side cuts for a vast number of mills. To do this in the cheapest way let the raceS be extended only as de- manded for new mills. A few yards of race and one mill will develop the prin- ciple, and this can be done at lees cost than would be required to start an ordi- nary country mill, where a dam had to be constructed. This arrangement, it will be seen, will place the manufacturing establishments two miles distant from the business part of the city. To obviate this difiiculty, and also to place the mills entirely beyond the reach of high wator, we will suggest another plan, which we long since determined in our own mind was feasible, and in some res- pects preferable to the one just given. Just south of the canal, from fifty to one hundred yards, or perhaps more, there is a beautiful elevation forming the terminus toward the river of the vast plain or table land on which the city stands. This elevation or bluff", as it is usually called, forms a most beautiful feature of this unrivalled landscape, and runs parallel with the canal from its head to near its foot, the bluff" bending to the south with the river when opposite the locks, and the canal bending a little to the north at that point to enter the river. Immediately on the brow of this bluff" runs a fine wide street, two miles in length and well bouldered, called High street. The travel on it is immense, it being one of the great thorough- fares between this city and New Albany, on the opposite side of the river, below the falls. Between the bluff" and the canal there is a beautiful val- ley, which is generally a little lower between the bluff" and the canal than where the canal runs through it. Standing on this bluff" near the upper end of the canal, and looking down the valley westward, one will almost declare that na- ture made the valley for a race to run just at the foot of the bluff" parallel with the canal from end to end to receive the water drawn by hundreds of cross-cuts from the canal after it shall have turned as many wheels, and convey it off" into the river at the west end of the valley. This beautiful bl^ff" evidently seems to have been formed for hundreds of manufacturing establishments to stand upon, fronting on one of the prettiest streets in the world, while the elevated plane south gives room for tens of thousands of artisans and laborers to build their homes. Such a race it is believed can be made at a small cost as compared with the present canal. First, because it need not be more than half or one third as large ; and next, because it seems very probable it will miss the rock through which the canal is excavated. Several wells have been sunk on the south side of th« canal, which reveals the fact that the rock dips south very suddenly. Du Font's great Artesian Well is but a few rods south of it, and there it is 76 feet to the rock, which must be many feet below the bottom of the canal. If the race were commenced at the lower end, and a mill constructed there, so as to develop the practicability of the plan, the expense as in the other plan would WATER POWER. C? be but small. Then it could be extended as required until the upper end of the line of mills would be quite in the business part of the city as the business i.< now located. The whole of the mills would then be on a high and beautiful plane, entirel}' out of the way of floods, ice, and drift. AVhen we consider the cheapness of water machinery as compared with steam, and the trifling cost of running it especially, it surely can not fail to strike every one as far preferable. Wc believe, as a general rule, water machinery does not cost more than one third as much as steam machinery in the first in- stance, and as to the cost of running it, there is so great a difference in favor of water machinery that it is as one to one hundred, or even less than that. The reason why steam is so generally adopted is because water power is so rarely found in favorable situations for manufacturing extensively. The power is far from the great markets, or from the raw material ; is difficult of access, or precarious and uncertain. Here it is otherwise in all these respects: 1st. We have power equal to all the steam engines in Pittsburg, Cincinnati, and Louisville combined. 2d. It is in one of the large cities of the country, and on one of the great rivers of the nation. 3d. It is in the midst of raw material of all kinds, which can be had here as cheap as any where in America. Again : most water mills are situated on streams where they are exposed to the destructive force of floods, which carry away their dams, and damage the machinery or buildings. Here, nature built the dam, and it has stood since the world began. The mills will not be exposed to the floods, but will be inland, completely land locked ; and the power, while it is capable of driving a thousand mills, can not injure one of them. We do not believe that there is another place in America, if in the world, where there is such a combination of advantages for manufac- turing as here in the Falls City. We have stood and surveyed the mighty, the thundering, the terrific Niagara, and felt our whole being tremble with awe as we contemplated the power of the vast river in its headlong plunge to the gult below. But there are many difficulties to be overcome there before Niagara can be harnessed to the wheels of the manufacturer, that do not exist here. Millions of money must be raised to cut channels through that hard rock for many miles. The raw material is not so accessible, the land is poor, and the great city is not there. And besides every other advantage which we have named, all the raw material, and the manufactured articles, can here be shipped to and from the very doors of the mills by water. Not a cent of expense for drayage need be incurred. The canal running along the whole line of mills, will bring steam and all other vessels of the heaviest burden to the very doors of the mills. All the investigations and surveys, whether made by the authority of Con- gress or by that of the Legislature of Kentucky, fully demonstrate the fact that whether the object be to facilitate navigation or the development of the water power for manufacturing, the Kentucky side of the river is the place to con- struct the works. This is the unvarying testimony of every competent sur- veyor find engineer. The cost on this side will not be anything like so great as on the Indiana side. So they all testify in their published maps and re- ports. MANUFACTORIES. 69 MANUFACTORIES. LUMBER MILLS. There are seven saw mills in the city, several of them running gang saws, besides the single saw, which is common to them all. One of them, also, runs a lath machine, which cuts laths faster than any machine we had seen before. These mills tire all first class saw mills, and are kept going all the time. The demand for lumber being equal to their utmost capacity. Very little, if any of it, is sold out of the city. They employ an aggregate capital of §160,000 ; about 60 hands; and their sales amount to 8175,000 a year. There is one saw mill which saws nothing but cedar lumber posts, scantling, and boards. This is a "portable saw mill," yet does a considerable business. The logs for this mill come from the Kentucky river. Notwithstanding the large amount of cedar lumber furnished by this establishment, we notice all the lumber yards keep a supply of the same articles. In this department we may also notice our PLANING MILLS. There are five of these, some of them equal in every respect to any we have ever seen, exhibiting in every department skill, order, neatness, economy, and eflS- ciency. The latest and most approved machines may here be seen working up to their full capacity from dawn to dark every day in the year on which it is lawful to work. They turn out doors, blinds, sash, frames, flooring, and mouldings equal to any in the United States, and also packing boxes for all kinds of goods. These five mills employ about one hundred hands, and do business to the amount of $200,000 a year. Orders for every kind of building work are neatly and substantially executed. Also all kinds of plain and fancy steamboat joiner-work. Some jobs of this kind turned out by one of these mills are equal to any ever seen on the western rivers. Louisville built steam- ers, it is generally admitted, exhibit more taste and elegance than those of any other place. They are an honor to our city where they are seen. One or two of our planing mills will be much enlarged this season, and a new one is now in course of construction. TANNERIES, CURRYING SHOPS, AND MOROCCO MANUFACTORIES. There are sixteen tan yards, all of which, we believe, have currying shops at- tached to them, and several of them manufacture large quantities of morocco. They employ a capital of S100,000, more than 100 hands, and do business to the amount of $456,800 a year. This interest is one of great and growing im- portance in Louisville. The facilities for procuring bark being greater here than at any other point give her important advantages. Besides the tanneries in the city, there are many in the surrounding country, and their leather is dis- posed of in this market. There ought to be a large manufactory of shoes and boots, or, rather, several of them here. We believe no point affords a bettor opening for enterprise and industry in this business than liouisvillc. The sales of these articles in this market are immense and annually increasing. When our railroad opens all south of us to this market, we may reasonably expect an unprecedented increase in the sales of boots and shoes. Let the men of indus- try and enterprise who can command a capital equal to the task of opening a new branch of business, come hither, then, and prepare to meet a large demand and reap a golden harvest. The demand is sure to come if invited by-adequate supplies and fair terms. BLACKSMITHING AND WAGON-MAKING. There are twenty-seven blacksmith and wagon-making shops. In these shops the wood work is carried on in one part of the establishment and the iron in 70 MANUFACTORIES. another. Some of them are very large, and their machinery and facilities for manufacturing are of the latest and most approved descriptions. They employ a capital of $70,000, 170 hands, and do business to the amount of $200,000 a year. Two of these establishments have been long in the business here, and their work is known all through the South-west. The work of these shops speaks their merit wherever it is known, better than we can do it. They use good materials, and put them together in the most substantial manner. These shops do not include the ordinary blacksmith shops, which are very numerous. STEAMBOAT SMITHS. We use thi.s term to designate blacksmith work for steamboats, etc., without including the heavy forging of shafts, etc. There aro two shops of this descrip- tion., employing a capital of $20,000, 20 hands, and doing business to the amount of 8.35,000 a year. All kinds of steamboat work is done by them ex- cept the forging of heavy shafts as before stated. We will mention in this place that a vast amount of the same kind of work is also done in the different founderies and machine shops. Also that there is one shop for forging steamboat shafts, etc. It runs two hammers by steam power. Louisville now needs a much larger establishment of this latter kind — the most of the work of this heavy kind having to be done at Pittsburg. The present facilities can never supply the large and increasing demand for heavy forging. All the heavy wrought iron for our water works had to be obtained in Pittsburg; and one of our most valuable citizens and manufacturers lost his life in going up there to superintend the job. There is a fortune and a name for some enterprising man who will come to Louisville and establish a superior forging shop. BREWERIES. There are fourteen breweries in Louisville, and they employ an aggregate capital of §150.000, and 64 hands. They do business to the amount of §164,- 000 a year. The immense quantities of barley consumed by these establish- ments is procured — for the most part — from the farms of the surrounding country. SHIP BUILDERS. There are three ship yards, at which about fifteen steamboats are built each year. Most of the boats built here are of a superior class — such as are used in the south-western waters. The character of the boats built at Louisville for speed, capacity, and elegance of finish is unsurpassed. A large proportion of those hulls built at Jeffersonville, Ind., are finished here. The amount of busi- ness done in this department is about §250,000 a year. GLASS WORKS. This branch of business was commenced here in 1850 by Mr. John Stanger, a practical glass manufacturer. There is one establishment of this kind, having one seven-pot furnace, and uses 80 tons of soda ash, 350 tons of sand, 1000 bushels of lime, 75 barrels of salt, 25,000 bushels of coal, and $2,500 worth of lumber per annum. They employ $38,000 capital, and GO hands. They manu- facture $65,000 worth of ware, three fourths of which is sold in the city. The vast quantity of window-glass sold in this market makes it very desirable that a first class manufactory should be established here ; and we hope these worthy gentlemen — now so fully established in the glass business — will find it con- venient, as well as to their interest, to open such a factory here. There is also one glass-cutting factory here, where considerable business is done, and much more might be done. The work executed is well done, and the .shop deserves better patronage. Why do our people send their orders East, and thus leave their own mechanics to struggle against discouragmcnt ! We MANUFACTORIES. 71 hope to see this establishment better sustained, as it deserves to be. It now does business to the amuunt of about $2,000 a year. GLASS-STAININO. There are .several establishments where this business is carried on, and we risk nothinsj; in sayina; that our mechanics can and do execute some of the finest and most elegant jobs in this line to be met with in the western country. The demand for this beautiful kind of work is increasing, and our city is well repre- sented, by practical mechanics of much skill and taste. COOPERS. The demand for cooperage has steadily increased for many years, and is still increasing faster than ever before. This is owing chiefly to the increase of the pork and beef packing, yet not altogether, for there has been a vast increase in the manufacture of flour the last few years. There are at present twenty-six cooper shops, many of them of large size. They employ §27,900 capital, 206 hands, and do business to the amount of §200,000 per annum. The country adjacent to the city furnishes an immense amount of cooperage besides all that is made here. LUMBER YARDS. There are fifteen lumber yards, employing a capital of near 6500.000. They give steady employment to 60 hands, and their sales amount to about §1,000,- 000 per annum. Some of these firms own extensive lumber lands, and also mills in the mountains, which are not reckoned in the above statement. IVORY BLACK. We have one establishment of this kind, which has existed for several years. The article being used chiefly in refining sugar, the sales are mostly to the South and at St. Louis. The article made here is equal to any, we believe, and can be supplied as fast as required. Why have we not a sugar refinery in Louis- ville ? It is one of the finest grocery markets in the whole country, and cer- tainly ought to be able to supply this article to her thousands of customers without having to be in the condition of a mere commission house for other cities. SOAP AND CANDLES. There are six of these establishments, two of them of immense capacity. The total capital employed in the business, as nearly as we can ascertain, is §230,000, and it furnishes constant employment to 103 hands. The annual sales amount to §600,000. The candles manufactured in Louisville are superior to those made elsewhere, so say the consumers with whom we have conversed. Our city is well prepared to turn them out by the tens of thousands per day. Formerly, Cincinnati supplied us and a vast extent of country southwest of us, but that day has gone by, and Louisville is even supplying man}' customers east of Cincinnati, and it was by them that we were assured of the superiority of the Louisville candles. BRUSH FACTORIES. There are three of these, employing §10,000 capital and 30 hands. The sales amount to §10,000 per annum. These shops turn out all kinds of brushes, such as horse, shoe, scrubbing, dusting, white washing, cloth, and paint brushes. They also make beautiful fancy brushes for the hair, etc. They prepare large quantities of hair and bristles for market. COMB FACTORIES. We have three comb factories, employing five hands. They furnish all sorts of combs, and sell about $4,000 worth of theii own work a year. FILE FACTORIES. There is one file factory, where all kinds of files are made. The firm is pre- 72 MANUFACTORIES. pared to furnish files equal to the best English article, and will sell them as cheap as they can be furnished any where in America. They warrant their files equal to any made in Europe or the world, and solicit patronage. We sincerely hope they will be sustained, for our carpenters assure us that their files are better than any they can buy elsewhere. TOBACCO FACTORIES. There are eight of these in the city, and they employ $150,000 capital, and 529 hands; and they do business to the amount of S665,U00 a year. This business has largely increased, and there seems to be a better prospect now than ever before. Louisville is attracting more attention every year as a tobacco market, and therefore the business of manufacturing other things be- ing equal, must increase also. Besides the above there are 74 segar factories, employing 521 hands^ and do- ing business to the amount of §682,500. COTTON FACTORIES. There are two cotton fictories where some yarns are spun, but they are chiefly engaged in making batting. It is contemplated to enlarge one of these factories this season, and enter into the business of spinning cotton extensively. For- merly cotton spinning was carried on here to a considerable extent, but several disastrous fires exhaiisted the means of those in the business, and not until now has the subject attracted much attention since. The prospects are that a few months more will witness the hum of many spindles. The two factories now in operation were commenced by men of limited means, and have been con- ducted with much economy and industry. They employ a capital of $12,000, 23 hands, and do business to the amount of $30,000 a year. BELL FOUNDERY. The well established shop of Mr. Wm. Kay, makes superior church, steam- boat, tavern, and other bells. Capital invested $15,000; hands employed six; and yearly business done $22,000. The bells made here are very popular wher- ever known. ALCOHOL AND PURE SPIRIT FACTORY. There is a manufactory of alcohol and pure spirits. Capital employed $40,- 000, and ten hands. Business done in a year $150,000 CHAIR FACTORIES. There are three of these, where chairs alone arc made, besides several others connected with furniture and cabinet shops. They have about $20,000 invested, employ 87 hands, and do business to the amount of $47,800 a year. Every variety of chair may be obtained in these shops, and as cheap as any where else. One of these firms keeps a large mill in the country, a few miles from the city, in constant operation, preparing the material to put together here. Thus all their sawing, turning, etc., etc., is done in the country, where timber is abun- dant and cheap, and the work is all put together in the city. MILL AND MILL-STONE FACTORY. There is one establishment where portable and plantation mills, mill-stones, bolting cloths, etc., are manufactured. This shop has been long established, and is favorably known. They employ $20,000 capital, 20 hands, and $25,000 worth of business is done annually. POTTERIES. We have four potteries, where earthen or brown ware, and also stone ware, are manufactured in all their varieties. They employ $15,000 capital, and do business to the amount of $15,000 a year. WHIP FACTORY. There are two whip factories, employing four hands, and making whips of all kinds, and in considerable quantities. MANUFACTORIES. 73 children's cab and carkiaoe factory. There is onfe shop engaged in making carriages and cabs for children. These articles are of very superior workmanship, and as handsome and tasty as any thing of the kind in the United States. Orders to any amount can be filled on short notice. CARRIAGE FACTORIES. There are sixteen carriage shops. Capital invested $168,000, hands employed 132, amount of sales per annum §275,000. This is a very favorable point for this business, as these luxurious articles are very generally used here. The trade in carriages at this point has long been an important feature of our busi- ness. Carriages of very superior style and workmanship are turned out in great numbers from our work shops. Every department is conducted by skillful and practical mechanics, and articles of great strength and exquisite finish may al- ways be seen in the sales-rooms of these factories. FLOUR MILLS. There are eight flour mills in operation, having an aggregate capital of S240,- 000, employing 60 hands, and doing business to the amount of §753,500 a year. They have 28 run of stones, and can manufacture 1175 barrels flour per day. This business is on the increase here, and our city bids fair to become one of the greatest flour markets in the land. It is worthy of remark that Messrs. Smith & Smyzer, despising the old fogy objections to the water power of the falls, have, at vast expense, excavated a race and built a very large mill, with five run of stones, on the Indiana side of the river. This mill uses only water power, and can manufacture flour at a cost of ten cents per barrel. CORN MILLS. There are two corn mills, with four run of stones. They grind meal and feed to a large amount. LARD OIL There are five lard oil factories; capital $100,000, 75 hands employed, and sell $146,000 worth of oil per annum. Most of these establishments manufacture soap and candles also, and one of them makes rosin oil, and a very superior lubricating oil. Recently, one of these firms has engaged in manufacturing coal oil, and is prepared to fill orders to a large amount. MUSTARD AND SPICE MILLS. The famous Kentucky mustard is manufactured in this city, and these mills are doing an immense business in that article, They also do a large business in spice and eoff"ee, which is prepared in the most approved manner. They manufacture the "Great Western Blacking" also, and have a large trade with the south-west in all these articles. There are two spice mills in the city. ROPE AND CORDAGE. We have two steam rope and cordage mills, employing 170 hands, consuming 4,400 tons of hemp per annum, and selling rope and cordage to the amount of 8550,000 a year. The machinery in these mills is as near perfection, we think, as can be reached in this important branch of business. The hemp is taken from the farmer's wagon, dressed, spun, laid, coiled or reeled, and delivered ready for market, all by machinery. And the work is done so fast, so well, and so uniformly smooth and even, that no hand spinning can compare with it. The days of hand spinning are over, and the only use of hands now is to super- intend these wonderful machines. To describe these machines is more than we can do, but we almost imagined them endowed with reason, as we gazed upon their ceaseless and unfaltering performance of every one of the numerous and various manipulations necessary 74 MANUFACTORIES. to complete the transformation of raw hemp into cordage. A large quantity of the products of these mills is sold in the eastern markets. "WOOD WORKS. By this term we mean a manufactory of wagon and carriage materials, such as hubs, spokes, felloes, shafts, single and double trees, wagon bows, etc., etc. There is one mill with $20,000 capital, employs 15 hands, and sells §20,000 worth of work a year. This mill can fill orders to any amount, and will war- rant all work sold, both as to material and workmanship, and will sell as cheap as any shop in the United States. SARSAPARILLA AND PATENT MEDICINE. We have eight or ten, some of them large and important, manufactories of the above kind. They make and vend immense quantities of their goods, and thus furnish employment to a considerable number of hands. This branch of business, centering here, and extending its sales nearly all over the United States, amounts to many thousands of dollars per annum. PUMP AND BLOCK FACTORIES. There are six of these, some of them making pumps alone, without enume- rating those who make metalic pumps. They employ 30 hands, and do work to the amount of §25,000 a year. Pine for pumps and spars is brought here from the upper rivers in great quantities, both white and yellow. BOOT-TREE AND LAST MAKING. There is one shop engaged in this business, from which articles in that line can be furnished to order and of good quality. CARPET WEAVING. There are two pretty extensive carpet weaving establishments, and besides these quite a number of private weavers, who carry on the business in their dwellings. They manufacture a great deal of rag carpet, some of it of very handsome patterns, and also much carpeting of more substantial and elegant material, as well as more chaste and beautiful patterns. All the dying and coloring necessary in the business is done by the same parties. CORN-BROOMS AND WISPS. A shop for the manufacture of these useful articles has been in successful operation here for some time, and is doing business to the amount of §6,000 a year. Every variety of corn brooms and wisps for clotheii are made in the neatest and most durable manner. GOLD AND SILVER MANUFACTORIES. There are three manufactories of gold and silver ware in the city, one of them is devoted exclusively to the manufacture of gold ware, and the others prin- cipally to that of silver ware. About §20,000 is invested in the business, and 20 hands are employed. Rings, ear-rings, breast-pins, bracelets, etc., of gold, and of the finest qualities, are made. Also of silver ware, pitchers, goblets, tumblers, spoons, etc., in great variety. We will here state a fact for the information of all concerned: Both gold and silver ware made here, and offered to our merchants and refused, was afterward sold to New York dealers, by them sold to our merchants at an advance of 40 per cent., and brought back to Louisville to sell to their customers as New York ware. Our gold and silver manufactories are prepai-ed to execute orders for fares, families, and dealers as well, and on as good terms, as any other parties. The above does not include the numerous watch and jewel dealers and re- pairers of the city. PLANE MANUFACTORY. Wc have one factory of this kind, which employs five hands. They turn out work of the first quality, and deserve public patronage. 76 MANUFACTORIES. ENGRAVERS ON METALS AND WOOD. There are four establishmente for engraving, and their work will compare favorably with similar jobs from other shops. The demand for wood-engraving for book and job work, as also for metalic engraving, is far beyond the capacity of these establishments, and it is constantly increasing. Much of this kind of work has to be sent East at heavy expense and loss of time. The city greatly needs a first class engraving hou.se, and would sustain it well. VENETIAN BLIND MANUFACTORY. We have one shop devoted exclusively to this business, where work of the best quality is executed in the best manner. Blinds of every pattern, and with all kinds of hangings, together with elegant show cases, are made to order. CONFECTIONERIES. A number of these sweet-meat and candy establishments are here, and articles in this line as elegant, as sweet, and in as great variety, can be found here as any where. These articles are made in large quantities and sold all over the country. STOCK OR COW-BELL FACTORIES. We have four of these establishments. They turn out S75,000 worth of bell? per annum. They ship large quantities of bells to Central America and South America. WIRE CLOTH WEAVING. This business is carried on to the extent of one hundred dozen sieves per week, besides several other articles made at the same establishment. The amount of these articles made in a year is ^35,000. WIG AND ORNAMENTAL HAIR. Two houses are extensively engaged in this business, and wigs for the old, and curls and braids for the young, of all colors and descriptions, are made to order. They employ twelve hands. BELLOWS FACTORIES. There are two of these. They manufacture all kinds of bellows, and sell about 050,000 worth per year. It is gratifying to see how fast, and how sub- stantial and neat, the steam bellows factory can turn out these windy instru- ments. If you want to be "puflfed" or to "raise the wind," these gentlemen can help you to your heart's content. GAS AND STEAM FITTERS AND PLUMBERS. Six shops carry on this business extensively. All kinds of plumbing, gas- fitting, and other work in this line, is elegantly and substantially done. Some jobs which wc have seen were superb. WOOLEN MILLS. We have two mills, one employing 15 hands, the other 35. They manufac- ture $130,000 worth of goods per annum. They spin and weave chiefly the coarser article of jeans. These establishments are very important to our city, and we hope to see them increase in capacity and number. One of these mills is of recent origin, and exhibits many evidences of t;iste and practical knowledge. It is of brick, spacious, and well arranged, with power to drive a large number of spindles and looms. It is now turning out packages of Kentucky jeans very rapidly. WILLOW BASKET AND WILLOW WARE. Five shops are devoted to this business, and turn out vast numbers of cradles, baskets, carriage bodies for children, chairs, etc. Their baskets are of all sizes from the mammoth clothes basket, down to the ladies fancy basket for her toilet or work table. FANCY WOOD, IVORY, AND IRON TURNING. Turning in wood, ivory, etc., is done at four shops. There are many others MANUFACTORIES. 77 of a larger and more common kind, but these do a fancy and ornamental kind of work. Fancy boxes, toilet articles, etc., etc., are fabricated with taste and neatness. They employ ten hands. WEBBING AND STOCKING WEAVING. There is one manufactory of this kind, where stockings, webbing, and gar- ments are woven by machinery. Boys' and men's coats are woven or knit by machinery, looking like stocking work. May our German stocking weaver abundantly prosper. LOCK SMITHS AND SAFE MAKERS. Two shops carry on lock making in all its branches, from the mammoth bank lock, down to dwelling house or furniture locks. Their large locks have the character of being burglar proof. They also, as well as other shops in the city, manufacture fire proof safes. There are, besides the above, many of the more ordinary locksmiths. BOILER YARDS. There are two yards devoted exclusively to this business, besides several others, connected with foundries and machine shops. These two have a capital of $20,000 invested, employ 35 hands, and do business to the amount of ^80,000 a year. PLOW FACTORIES. There were two of the above factories, at the time we canvassed the city, a few weeks ago, but others have since commenced operation, and we can not now give the exact number. We speak here of shops that make only plows, there being many plows made in other shops. One of our plow manufactories is an establishment of large size, and admirable arrangement. Every branch of the business is carried on under the same roof, and is done in the most workmanlike manner. Capital invested in the business, $60,000; hands employed, 40; and sales per annum, $70,000. Besides these, there are many of less note, or connected with other branches. No doubt there are more than 8100,000 worth of plows sold from our shops annually. A very large proportion of this work goes to the South, and the South-west. More than 15,000 plows are made and sold annually by one shop. BAKERIES. There are a great many bakeries of the ordinary kind, and we would not speak of them particularly, but for the purpose of calling attention to two establishments, which we regard as rather extraordinary, in this line of business. One of these has a capital of §8,000 invested, employs 26 hands, and consumes 150 barrels of flour per week. The other is not so large, but is a most excellent bakery, and does an immense business. They manufacture all kinds of bread, biscuits, cracknels, crackers, &c., in large quantities, and are always prepared to till orders on the best terms and to any amount. UPHOLSTERING BUSINESS. There arc seven upholster shops, having §30,000 invested, employing 55 hands, and doing business to the amount of §75,000 a j-car. We believe we have seen work done by some of these shops, that was equal to any ever done in the United States. WHITE LEAD AND LINSEED OIL. These articles are extensively manufactured by one firm. They employ 50 hands, and manufacture 62,000 kegs of lead, 2,500 barrels (if linseed oil, and 500 tons of oil cake per annum — total value §209,000. This establishment is one of the best we have ever seen, and richly deserves a liberal patronage not only because it is so much needed here, but because of the excellency of the articles they manufacture. '78 MANUFACTORIES. HYDRAULIC CEMENT. There is a vast amount of this valuable article manufactured here. The business employs 75 hands, and the sales amount to about $100,000 a year. The character of this cement is now so well established, that it is prefered to all others, wherever it can be obtained. Dr. Owen, the State geologist, shows that the rock holds the ingredients, in the exact proportions to make a first rate water cement; and at a recent overflow of the tide at New York, where many cellars were flooded, those cemented with the Louisville water-lime, alone withstood the flood; all others leaked, and subjected their contents to loss and damage by water. The bed of the river is formed in a great measure, of thip water-lime, and the supply is therefore inexhaustible. COPPER, TIN, AND SHEET IRON WORK. We include under this head, those shops that manufacture stills, large boilers, pipes, heaters, chimneys, breeching, &c., &c., but none of the ordinary tin shops. There arc five shops as thus defined; they employ SGO,000 capital, and 30 hand?, and do business to the amount of $75,000 a year. BEDSTEAD MANUFACTORY. There is a factory, commenced a few years ago on a small capital, which, by energy, industry and economy, has grown to importance. It now gives constant employment to 20 hands, and makes $30,000 worth of bedsteads a year. Though twice enlarged since it commenced, it can not now fill orders as fast as thej come in. All kinds of bedsteads are manufactured, and of the best material. It is contemplated to erect still larger buildings, and a new engine, which will be adequate to the increased business. FURNITURE MANUFACTORIES. There are more than twenty houses where more or less furniture is manufac- tured, and as many more, where foreign manufactured furniture, only, is sold. About 255 hands are employed in the different shops, and about$350,000 worth of work is done per annum. Two establishments have recently gone into operation, which give promise of much benefit to this department of our manufactures. Our furniture dealers have done themselves and the city harm, by not directing their attention more to manufacturing. They have been in the habit of importing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of furniture every year, when they ought to have manufactured it, and thus retained the money here, and built up immense manufactories, such as they have helped to build in other places. We have all, or even more fiicilities here for manufacturing furniture, thaw other places. The raw material is abundant, more so than at any place W(' know of, and enterprise is all that is needed to bring it here in any quantity that may be needed. Very recently, one of the largest furniture dealers in our city assured us that he regretted the course that has been pur.v the people, to aid by bonds the Mem- phis Branch of the Nashville Railroad, §300,000 00 The Water Company by bonds for additional stock. 220,000 00 Aid proposed §520,000 00 Total aid §4.095,000 00 BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS. ORPHAN ASYLUMS. There are six orphan asylums, four Protestant, and two Roman Catholic. These institutions are well arranged and cared for, and do much to bless the fatherless and motherless. PUBLIC HOSPITALS, There are two public hospitals, one belonging to and sustained by the city, the other was built and is sustained by the Federal Government. Both are well provided with every comfort for the sick and disabled. Besides the above there are several private hospitals and infirmaries. There is a city alms house, a fine building, with spacious grounds, and a large school for the poor children connected therewith. Also a pest house, with premises, for the reception and treatment of small pox patients. BLIND ASYLUM. The institution for the blind, built and sustained by the State, is just beyond the eastern city limits, on a beautiful eminence, which commands a fine view of the city and of the country for miles around. It is a large and handsome building, four stories high, and well furnished with every convenience for the inmates. The blind are taught to read and some of them are good Latin scholars, and understand geography, music, and other arts and sciences. They also learn various kinds of handicraft, both useful and ornamental, by which they may make a living after they quit the Institution. CHURCHES, There are fifteen Methodist, six Baptist, five Presbyterian, five Lutheran, five Protestant Episcopal, two Christian, one Cumberland Presbyterian, one Asso- ciate Reformed, one Unitarian, one Universalist, two Jewish Synagogues, and five Roman Catholic Churches. Many of these buildings are fine specimens of architectural elegance and beauty, while others are convenient but unpretending. SABBATH SCHOOLS. There are 43 Sunday-schools, taught by t>75 teachers, and. having in them 4,000 children. Besides these there arc eight Sunday-schools for colored chil- dren, having 775 children and 96 teachers. Total 51 Sunday-schools, 671 teachers, and 4775 scholars. 98 CEMETERY — MASONIC — I. O. O. F. CEMETERY. C:ivo-hill cemetery is very handsomely laid out, and hiirlily improved with nearly every variety of ornamental tree, shrub, and flower. The 3 3- O i-«- « ►-- r> 12: - . o ^ :j^ 3 -► 3 a 3 .^ ^ I— I ^ o 3- 3 3 ng 'r. 2 3 "" a I (5 en en? ?' •-2 O O V. 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W ^ M H ~1.' ^ s H c^' .0 ~ ^ •■^^1 1^ ^ "=<^ FA^LLS CITY REAL ESTATE AND COLLECTING AGENCY. RICHARD DEERING. DRUMMOND WELBURX. DEESINK & WELBURN, Real Estate and Collecting Agents, Corner Third and Jefferson Sts., Old Postoffice Building, Will attend to buying and selling Real Estate, renting Dwel- ling and Business Houses, and all the business of a general Collecting Agency. To persons desirous of transacting business through reliable Agents, on fair and honorable principles, we respectfully oifer our services. An extensive acquaintance in Louisville, Xew Albany, and Jeifersonville, and the adjacent regions of country, gives us admirable facilities for conducting successfully the ))usiness in which we are en2:ac>:ed. The Cities at the Falls of the Ohio present at this time extraordinary attractions to all classes of people. Their rapid growth oifers the mechanic constant employment and good wages; their vast capital, unlimited water power, and home market, invite the manufacturer to set his machinery in opera- tion. The mercantile community know that fewer failures take ])l;ico here Ihan in any other city of one hundred thousand inhabitants in this country. The capitalist will here lind prop- erty at very reasonable prices, with a certain prospect of rapid iulvaiice. Good health, pure water, public and private schools of the highest order, excellent society, &c., invite those in search of a pleasant homo to locate here. H 107 89 t °o &•-. -ov*' :^B^: '-^-o^ r ^ %'^-'\