This history now approaches a period so recent, that it will hardly be
necessary to chronicle the events of the next decade with as much
minuteness as has heretofore been attempted. The reader will doubtless
long ago have perceived the difficulty of stringing together incidents,
interesting in themselves, yet having so little bearing upon each other,
as frequently to present more the dryness of a chronological table of
events, than to offer the interest of a consecutive history. It is
believed however, that in preparing a book of this character, this
difficulty could not well be avoided, especially if intended, as this is,
to be used as a work of general reference. The events of the next ten
years are however so entirely within the memory of all, that the same
attention to minutiae need not be preserved, such things possessing
interest less from their inherent value, than from the period of their
occurrence. It will, however, be still necessary to notice all that
pertains absolutely to the interests or prosperity of the city.
Commencing then with the year 1840, and keeping in view the fact that the
effects of the disastrous crisis of 1837 were not yet passed away, the
first thing claiming notice, is some account of the state of the city as
it then was. The census of the United States for this year assigns to
Louisville: 1 commercial, and 11 commission houses, [a somewhat indefinite
phraseology,] in foreign trade, with a capital of $191,800; 270 retail
stores, with a capital of $2,128,400; 3 lumber yards, with a capital of
$52,000; 2 flouring mills; 2 tanneries; 2 breweries; 1 glass cutting
works; 1 pottery; 2 ropewalks; 7 printing offices; 2 binderies; 5 daily, 7
weekly, and 3 semi-weekly newspapers; and 1 periodical; total capital
employed in manufactures, $713,675. One college, 80 students; 10
academies, 269 students; 14 schools, 388 scholars. The aggregate of
population by this census was 21,210; of which 9,282 white males, 7,889
white females; 609 free colored persons, and 3,420 slaves. This census is
not considered authentic, as many transparent errors were found in various
parts of it. Other computations made from reliable data at the same
period, give to the city 23,000 to 24,000 inhabitants. As the former
number, however, has received official sanction, it would be idle to
dispute its correctness.
Two events belong also to this year which were of vital importance. Of
these, the first was the lighting of the city with gas. This was done by a
corporate company, established by charter in 1839, having a capital of
$1,200,000, with power also to erect water-works and with banking
privileges, except the issue of bills. The city is better supplied with
gas, and better lighted than any in the United States, if not in the
world; most of the wealthier citizens use it in their dwellings, and all
the shops are lighted with gas. The perspective view of the miles of
brilliant lamps stretching away in the distance is very beautiful, and
very attractive to strangers. Before the introduction of this sort of
light, the city had been for two or three years greatly infested by
robbers, who favored by the darkness, made nightly attacks upon
passengers through the streets, striking and disabling them with colts,
and in no few instances murdering them outright. Residents were seldom
attacked by these banditti, but the streets were considered unsafe for
strangers. Finding it impossible to pursue their avocation where every
street was brilliantly illuminated, these gentry changed their place of
operations immediately on the lighting of the town, much to the relief of
the citizens as well as the re-establishment of the fair fame of the city.
The second of the events above alluded to was the conflagration which will
be long known as the Great Fire in Louisville. It originated about
midnight, on Third Street, between Main and Market, in the chair factory
of John Hawkins, and burned south within one door of the Post Office,
(then at the corner of Market and Third Streets,) and north to Main
Street. It then took a westwardly direction down Main Street, destroying
all the houses to within two doors of the Bank of Louisville. Its further
progress having been arrested here, the flames crossed the street, and
coming back upon their course destroyed nine large stores and one boarding
house on the north side of Main, east of the middle of the square. Upwards
of thirty houses were consumed, and the loss was estimated at more than
$300,000. The houses destroyed were chiefly large importing and commercial
stores; many of the goods were saved, but all the buildings were entirely
destroyed. This conflagration however, proved in the end rather a gain
than a loss to the city in general, as the site of the fire was speedily
rebuilt in a much better style than before.
The friends of the city were at this time urging the propriety of
establishing manufactures here, a want not felt less at that time than
now. In an article upon this subject in one of the daily papers, the
following statistics of the sale of cotton goods were elicited, in which
reference is had to the year 1841. "At this time there were sold, brown
cottons to the value of $276,095; prints amounting to $249,824; cotton
yarns to $224,819; bleached cottons $89,589, and checks and tickings
$68,180, making a total of $908,772 taken from the city, which, it was
urged, could have been easily and profitably furnished on the spot." It
was then said and may be now repeated that too little attention is paid to
the vast advantages to be derived from the establishment of manufactures,
especially at this point where the necessary power could and can be so
easily and so cheaply attained. It is somewhat remarkable that this
population has depended and still depends so entirely upon commerce as a
means of gain. No other city perhaps in the world has so large a
commercial business in proportion to its population. This is probably
accounted for in the fact that the increase of commerce has been so rapid
and the difficulty of overdoing the business so apparently impossible that
every temptation has been offered to the capitalist to prefer this mode of
investment. The time, however, cannot be far distant when the advantages
offered to the manufacturer will be acknowledged and embraced. Indeed the
commencement of what must before long become a very large branch of
prosperity here was already established, but it has not grown with a
rapidity commensurate with the increase of other departments of trade. A
few foundries and manufactories of bagging and rope were established about
this period. These, with the addition of a lard oil factory, begun by C.
C. P. Crosby, in 1842, may be said to embrace the whole manufacturing
business of the city in that year. Future statistics will show how it has
increased, and will demonstrate the value of this addition to the trade;
and to these we will now turn.
The Louisville Directory for 1844-1845, compiled by N. Peabody Poor, and
the best directory ever published here, gives a very complete and
interesting view of the city for that year. As no events in any degree
connected with the public interests, or of any especial political value,
are referable to the period between this year and 1840, it will be as well
to pass on at once to a notice of the results of these five years of
steady progress. Beginning then with the population, which, it will be
remembered, amounted in 1840 to 21,210, we find that in September, 1845,
an actual census shows it to have reached 37,218 souls. Of these 32,602
were whites, 560 free blacks, and 4,056 slaves. The increase of five years
is thus shown to amount to 16,008. Nor was it alone in the matter of
population that such rapid progress had been made. The number of houses
engaged in the wholesale and retail trade had increased from 270 to
upwards of 500, and in addition to these purely commercial houses, there
were then "12 large foundries for the construction of steam machinery; 1
large rolling and slitting mill; 2 extensive steam bagging factories,
capable of producing about 2,000,000 of yards annually; 6 cordage and rope
factories, some of which produced 900,000 pounds of bale rope annually,
beside which there were several smaller rope walks for the making of sash
cord, twine, &c.; 1 cotton factory; 1 woolen factory; 4 flouring mills,
producing about 400 barrels daily; 4 lard oil factories; 1 white lead
factory; 3 potteries; 6 extensive tobacco stemmeries, employing a large
capital, where the leaf is stripped from the stem and re-packed for the
English market; several tobacco manufactories; 2 glass cutting
establishments; a large oil cloth factory; 2 surgical instrument makers; 2
lithographic presses; 1 paper mill; 1 star candle factory; 4 pork houses,
which will slaughter and pack about 70,000 hogs annually; 3 piano forte
manufactories; 3 breweries; 8 brick yards; 1 ivory black maker; 6
tanneries; 2 tallow rendering houses, rendering about 1,000,000 pounds
annually; 8 soap and candle factories; 3 planing machines; 2 scale
factories; 2 glue factories; 3 large ship yards, at which have been built
some of the fastest running boats on the river; besides several factories
of less note."[16] The simple statement of these facts furnishes a more
convincing demonstration of the rapid and healthy progress of the city,
than whole volumes of argument could afford.
Another event bearing directly upon the prosperity of the city during the
rest of this decade was the opening of the Louisville and Frankfort
Railroad. The subject of this road had for a long time agitated the city;
many surveys had been made, and indeed the work had at one time progressed
to the actual digging and embankment of several miles of the track. The
opening of the road was finally effected by the subscription of one
million of dollars by the city herself, 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 shares of stock. Although sanctioned by
the vote of a very large majority of the citizens, this measure was for a
while a very unpopular one; but the malcontents have lately found that the
present loss was to them in the end a gain, and they are ready once more
to submit to similar taxation, if by so doing other roads can be
constructed. Indeed the subject of railroads was now eagerly taken up, and
a just and most effective feeling in their favor was taking the place of
the former apathy and indifference. The Louisville and Lexington Railroad
had opened so many new sources of wealth and developed such advantages
before unthought of, that the policy of stretching out iron arms to
embrace in their circle all possible resources was no longer doubted.
Acting upon this feeling, the people of Louisville united with those of
Jeffersonville in building a road from that point to Columbus, and with
those of New Albany in uniting that growing city with Salem. The purpose
had in view in the construction of these roads is the ultimate and not
very distant connection of Louisville, Jeffersonville and New Albany with
Lake Erie, St. Louis and Lake Michigan. The entire line of the first of
these roads is now in progress of construction, and the greater part of
the other is under contract. Beside these, a railroad hence to Nashville,
Tenn., is now being surveyed, which will unite with roads already partly
under operation leading to some point on the Atlantic coast, near
Charleston, S. C. The Louisville and Nashville end of this route will be
put under contract as soon as proper surveys can be established. Other
roads are had in contemplation, but nothing has yet been done toward their
construction. The effect of these improvements will be the subject of
notice in another chapter.
With the opening of the year 1850, was commenced the first of a series of
movements which led to the formation of a new charter for the city. This
document makes all city officers elective by the people, and places the
government in the hands of a Mayor, a Board of Common Council, and a Board
of Aldermen. Many of the provisions of this charter are found healthful
and wise in their operation, while many others are incomprehensible or
impracticable. The first Mayor under this new charter felt himself obliged
to resign his office, on the plea of incompetence to perform the duties
assigned to him by the instrument. The Council, however, unwilling to
dispense with so efficient an officer as he had proved himself, continued
him in place as "_Mayor pro tem._," until the end of his term. Experience
and the necessities of the city government will doubtless, as time
progresses, so modify this instrument as to make its provisions work well
and harmoniously.
The annals of the city up to the year 1852 having now been presented to
the reader, it only remains to offer a view of its present state in regard
to population, commerce, manufactures and social position; which, together
with a chapter on its future destiny, will conclude this history. It is
not the intention of this work purposely to mislead any, as to the actual
position of the city, and therefore, instead of embracing with the
statistics of Louisville those of all the suburban villages and cities in
the vicinity, as has universally been done by other western places, we
purpose to give such statistics as belong exclusively to this city. If,
however, it is ever honest for a city to aggrandize to itself all the
prosperity of its suburban neighbors, it is eminently so with Louisville.
The towns immediately around the falls are as ready to concede, as
Louisville is to claim a perfect identity of interests. The pre-eminence
which it has already gained over the neighboring towns forbids all hope of
rivalry on their part, and compels them to unite their interests with
those of Louisville as a means of their own prosperity. In certain
branches of trade, New Albany or Jeffersonville may and do successfully
compete with this city, but it is idle to imagine that this partial
success can benefit them in such a way as to afford them any superiority
in point of fact. On the contrary, this very success is owing entirely to
their proximity to Louisville. Those branches of manufacture or of trade
in which they excel find encouragement just so far as they are part and
parcel of the manufactures or commerce of Louisville; and they would find
no market for such wares, and no sale for such manufactures, did they
depend only on their own resources of trade. It is the immediate
contiguity of the large city which is their stimulus to exertion, and
their means of preservation or of prosperity. They cannot but be
considered as identical in interest with their elder sister. Nor, on the
other hand, can it be denied that these places are of immense advantage to
Louisville. Firstly, because they are situated in a free state, and hence
can offer freedom from the disadvantages of slavery; secondly, because,
as smaller towns, they are cheaper residences for those whose means
require attention to careful economy; thirdly, because they claim for
Louisville the sympathy and encouragement of the State in which they are
situated; and finally, because they extend the area of the trade and
manufactures of the city. It is probable that if the same advantages which
have made Louisville great had been offered to New Albany or to
Jeffersonville, either of those places might have exceeded their more
fortunate compeer. But now the supremacy once gained, cannot but be
maintained; and the growth and prosperity, or the decay and adversity of
Louisville, must either make or mar the fortunes of her sister towns.
Before entering upon the commercial statistics of Louisville, it may be
well to consider its social position, and to endeavor to convey some idea
of the advantages offered by this city as a place of residence, aside from
its character as a commercial emporium. It is believed that there are few
commercial cities on this continent which possess the same characteristics
as this. The restlessness, the turmoil and the eagerness in the pursuit of
wealth which is ever the characteristic of large commercial cities, has
generally produced a littleness of feeling, and a selfishness of manner
which does not at all tend to elevate the social position of those places,
but rather causes them to lack that feature which in other countries is
known and valued by the name "_tone_." In Louisville, this does not
appear. Indeed it is difficult to reconcile the manner of pursuing traffic
here with its results. As will be seen hereafter, the business of the
city is of great extent, and yet the stranger in its midst would perceive
nothing to indicate such prosperity. Business is pursued quietly and
without ostentation; no efforts are made by any to convince others of
their successes; no factitious means are employed to display the results
of labor, no hurry or restlessness or confusion attends even the largest
and most prosperous houses. Trade is pursued as a means of gain, but is
not allowed to blind its votaries to every other pursuit of life: business
closes with the close of the day, and is forgotten in other things, until
it is revived on the morrow. While pursued, it is pursued with all the
avidity that is consistent with the dignity of manhood; but it is never
allowed to obtrude where it does not belong, nor is it permitted to make
any forget that there are other duties than those of the merchant, and
other pleasures than that of adding dollar to dollar. Yet it is believed
that there is no city in the Union where the aggregate amount of sales in
any one department of business, divided by the number of houses engaged in
that business, will show so large a result. Doubtless this state of things
is in a great measure caused by the peculiarities of character which
belong to the Kentuckian, and which are so essential an element in the
society of this city, which society comes now to be considered in its
proper form.
There are certain traits in the Kentucky character which are everywhere
spoken of with approbation. A manly independence, a generous frankness,
and a careless but attractive freedom of manner, united with unbounded
hospitality, and that true politeness and deference, which proceeds
rather from natural instinct than from a knowledge of the rules of
etiquette, are perhaps the chief of these characteristics. All these, and
much more which will elude description, and which can be appreciated only
by acquaintance, go to make up that praiseworthy trait of character which
has always and everywhere distinguished the Kentuckian, as fully as the
most elaborate description could do, we mean his _chivalry_.
Despising alike the narrow prejudices, the suspicious reserve, the silly
dignity, the proud self-gratulation of the Yankee; and the pride of birth
and of purse, the ostentation of manner and the foppish pretension of the
Southerner, he takes from the first his respect for talent, his patriotism
and his spirit of enterprise, and from the last his genial warmth of
heart, his worship of the beautiful, his deference for the other sex, and
his manly independence of heart. Add to these a bold and reckless
frankness, an easy confidence, a love of adventure, a scorn of oppression,
a noble intolerance of even seeming insult, and an almost criminal
indifference of life when duty or honor seems to call it into peril, and
you have a fair picture of the true Kentuckian, of the character which
forms the basis of the society now under consideration. Perhaps the most
distinguishing feature of this society is the readiness with which it
receives and swallows up all those sectional differences which in other
cities remain intact. Society here is generalized; the spirit of
_cliqueism_ does not prevail, social distinctions are marked in broad,
plain lines, but the highest class is open to all who merit a place. The
test of position is neither wealth, birth, nor pretension;
_respectability_ as readily enters the higher circles, and receives as
ready encouragement as either of these. In other cities, society divides
into numerous little circles, each claiming superior position to the
other, each ridiculing the pretension and refusing the association of the
other. Here, all are honored in their respective spheres, and few claim a
position to which they are not entitled.
Society here has also the power of generalization to the extent that
sectional differences are lost by its members, and the Northern, Eastern
or Southern man, as well as the native of another country, seems to lose
all identity of manner, and becomes only an integral part of one great
circle. The fashionable world acts as if with one common impulse, while
the other, the larger and better class of respectable people, who do not
aspire to this title, but who could claim it by the mere exercise of their
will, are neither led by the _beau monde_, on the one hand, nor, on the
other, do they make a virtue of opposing this class. Society is correct in
its outline and harmonious in detail. Distinctions of class, though
plainly marked, are never offensively shown.
Perhaps the worst feature of society is its lack of a proper reverence for
the intellectual, its tendency to frivolity. The amusements most prized by
all classes are of a frivolous character. The song, the play or the dance,
are valued far above the lecture or the conversation. The pleasures of the
intellect are considered dull and tame, when compared with those which
excite but for a moment, and are then forgotten. That the power of the
intellectual man is acknowledged is true, but the acknowledgment is not
practical, it is merely theoretical. While a high respect is had for the
man of letters, he does not command that _sympathy_ which should be
accorded him. The great singer or actor receives far more at the hands of
society than the profound philosopher or the elegant essayist. People of
all ranks are bent upon attaining pleasure with the least possible
intellectual exertion. Libraries are little patronized; public amusements
of all sorts meet with unbounded success.
Another glaring defect of a certain part of society is found in a desire
for notoriety, even if purchased at the expense of good taste. This
feeling is one hardly deserving the name of ambition, for ambition has
ever a laudable object in view, while this purposes to itself no more than
merely having one's name coupled with some eccentric freak, or being
pitied as the victim of _outre_ tastes in dress or manner. It has resulted
from the thoughtless admission of very young persons into terms of social
equality, and will doubtless be corrected as these grow mature or pass
over the stage, and admit a new group to the places they have just yielded
up.
The first of these defects is by far the worst in its general tendencies;
for it reduces the educational standard, causing daughters to be educated
merely with a view to shine in society, and leading young men to eschew
pursuits which they find do not advantage them with their daily
companions. It is in society that the young man first feels the promptings
of ambition; and if excellence in the Redowa or the Mazourka gain for him
more admiration than skill with the pen or the pallet; if genius in
ball-room prattle make him more friends than learning or philosophy, it is
easy to see that the Redowa and the ball-room will carry the day. Nor, on
the other hand, can it be doubted that if young ladies were so educated as
to show their appreciation of useful talent; if their tastes would lead
them to smile on the endeavor of merit, and to frown on him who had
neglected the graces of the mind to bestow his time and attention on those
of the person, a very great social change would ensue. Men would then have
a proper point for their ambition to aim at; the parlor or the ball-room
would become a place of real and rational enjoyment, and society would
take a rank far above that held by the ballet girls and singers of the
conservatoire.
But society here has its virtues as well as its defects. It is singularly
free from absolute vice of all sorts. It discourages gaming, drunkenness
and sensuality; its prevailing tone is virtuous and moral; and, while
people are hedged in by few conventionalities, yet a character for
respectability is imperatively demanded from all who knock at its portals
for admission. No society could be more agreeable to the stranger than
that of Louisville. Its unbounded hospitality, and generous, confiding
frankness are characteristics which are to him a screen against any minor
defects.
It is not to be argued from anything which has been previously said that
this city can boast of no prominent intellectual men. On the contrary few
cities of corresponding size in the country can show as many widely known
and respected names connected with the world of letters. There are now
living in Louisville eighteen authors who have each contributed one or
more successful volumes to the literature of the day. But authorship and
intellectual exertion, like business or physical labor, seems to form no
part of the every day life of society.
The next subject which presents itself as connected with the social review
of the city is a glance at the religious statistics of Louisville. This is
offered to the reader in the following
TABLE OF CHURCHES.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
|Congregations.
| +--------------------------------------
| |Communications.
| | +-----------------------------
| | |Number in Congregation.
| | | (Attendance.)
| | | +--------------------
| | | |Church Accomodations
| | | | for
| | | | +-----------
| | | | |Value of
CHURCHES. | | | | | Property.
-------------------|---------|--------|--------|--------|-----------
BAPTIST | 5 | 1,729 | 2,200 | 2,650 | 80,000
EPISCOPAL | 3 | 431 | 1,425 | 2,150 | 76,000
METHODIST | 17 | 3,036 | 5,900 | 8,250 | 109,000
PRESBYTERIAN | 5 | 913 | 2,225 | 3,300 | 128,000
GERMAN EVANGELICAL | 4 | | 1,200 | 2,150 | 21,700
" LUTHERAN | 1 | | 100 | 100 |
" REFORMED | 1 | 75 | 200 | 200 | 2,250
DISCIPLE | 2 | 410 | 520 | 950 | 18,000
UNITARIAN | 1 | 63 | 240 | 320 | 12,000
UNIVERSALIST | 1 | 70 | 200 | 500 | 8,000
ROMAN CATHOLIC | 4 | 5,000 | 5,000 | 3,540 | 125,000
JEWS | 2 | | 400 | 400 | 11,000
|---------|--------|--------|--------|-----------
Total | 46 | 11,727 | 19,610 | 24,510 | 590,900
--------------------------------------------------------------------
The tasteful and elegant structures which many of these churches have
erected are great additions to the beauty of the city. Those most worthy
of note are the Walnut Street Baptist, First Presbyterian, Catholic
Cathedral, St. Paul's (Episcopal) and the Synagogue; the last mentioned of
which is the most elegant building in the city, although it is probably
less expensive than either of the others. The pulpit of Louisville is
eminently well supplied. Some of the most distinguished divines of the
country are among its members; and few, if any, of the clergy are men
whose talents do not rank above mediocrity.
Beside the churches above mentioned, Louisville has also many beautiful
public and private buildings. The city is perhaps more thoroughly
classified and better arranged, both for business and for comfortable
residence, than any other western place. The wholesale business of the
city is entirely confined to Main Street, which is more than four miles
long, is perfectly straight, and is built up on either side with good
substantial brick buildings for more than half its entire length. The
stores, taken as a whole, are the largest and finest ware-houses anywhere
to be seen; having fronts of from twenty to thirty feet and running back
from one hundred and ten to two hundred feet, and three to five stories in
height. The houses thus referred to occupy the most central part of the
business street and extend from First to Sixth cross streets, a distance
of 5,040 feet in a direct line. On the north side of Main Street,
throughout this whole extent, there are but two retail stores of any kind,
and even these only sell their goods at retail because they are enabled to
do so without interference with their wholesale trade. On the south side
of the same street are about twenty of the fashionable shops side by side
with many of the largest wholesale houses. Market Street is exclusively
devoted to the retail business. It is on this street that the principal
small transactions in country produce are made. With the exception of the
squares bounded by Third and Fifth Streets, where most of the retail
dry-goods business is done, the entire extent of this street is given up
to the retail grocers, provision dealers and clothiers. Jefferson is
recently beginning to be used as a fashionable street for the retailers,
but yet contains many handsome residences. The streets south of Jefferson
are all entirely occupied with dwelling houses. No business is done on any
of them except an occasional family grocery or drug store. The fashionable
shops are fitted up in a style of unexampled magnificence and contain the
most beautiful products of human ingenuity. No city in the Union is better
supplied with or finds more ready sale for the finest class of articles of
every description than Louisville. The city south of Jefferson Street is
very beautiful. The streets are lined on either side with large and
elegant shade trees, the houses are all provided with little green yards
in front, and are cleanly kept, presenting a graceful and home-like
appearance. An impression of elegant ease every where characterizes this
part of the city. The houses seem to be more the places for retirement,
comfort and enjoyment than, as is customary in most cities, either the
ostentatious discomforts of display, or the hot, confined residences of
those whose life of ease is sacrificed to the pursuit of gain. There is
little appearance of poverty and little display of wealth; every house
seems the abode of modest competence that knows how to enjoy a little with
content, careless of producing a display of wealth to feast the eyes of a
passing idler. Even the more ambitious residences on Chestnut and Broadway
Streets are constructed rather for the comfort of the inmates than to
produce an impression on the stranger. This latter is the most beautiful
street in the city. It is one hundred and twenty feet in width from front
to front and is perfectly straight. The side-walks are twenty-five feet
wide. The view up and down this street is extended and beautiful. It is
destined to become the fashionable street for residence. Already many
beautiful buildings are being erected upon it and the former less elegant
houses are being removed to more remote situations.
The subject of Public Education comes now to claim its share of
consideration. The free school system is the same in its outline here as
in other cities. The city schools are under the direction of a Board of
trustees, who are elected by the people, and are open to all those persons
who are not able to pay for the tuition of their wards; children of all
ages and of both sexes are placed under the care of competent instructors,
and educated in all the ordinary branches of learning without any charge
to the pupil. The sexes are kept separate and male and female teachers are
employed. The standard of study is as high as in other unclassical
schools, and every pupil has equal advantages of improvement. A high
school is about to be established where all the branches of study usually
employed in colleges will be taught to those pupils who have successfully
passed through the lower schools, also without any charge. By this
magnificent educational scheme, the children even of the poorest and
humblest member of society are afforded all the advantages which the
wealthiest person could purchase. The attendance at the public schools of
Louisville has not been so large as it should have been; firstly, because
there are comparatively few parents who are not able to pay for the
tuition of their children; and secondly, because of a foolish pride which
prevents parents from accepting this education as a gratuity. The number
of children taught in private schools as compared with those who embrace
the free school privileges show that these reasons have immense weight
with the people. It is probable, however, that the opening of the new high
school will bring about a change in this regard. The advantages which will
then be offered to the pupil will be so great as to overcome, in a great
measure, the absurd prejudices which have existed in the city against the
common school. There are twenty-four free schools in the city, having
thirty-one female and twenty-five male teachers, whose salaries range from
two hundred and fifty to seven hundred dollars. The number of pupils
entered for the year reaches about three thousand, six hundred and fifty,
while the number in attendance does not exceed one thousand, eight hundred
and fifty. This affords an average of only thirty-three pupils to each
teacher; so that all the pupils are able to receive every requisite
attention.
The city also has control of a Medical and of a Law school, which are
recognized as departments of the Louisville University. The first of these
is one of the most distinguished schools of its class in the United
States. Something has been said of its history in a previous part of this
volume. Three thousand, eight hundred and sixty-one young men have been
attendants on this school since its commencement. The names of its
Professors are well known in the medical world and afford a sure guarantee
for its position. They are as follows:
Charles W. Short, M. D., Emeritus Professor of Materia Medica and Medical
Botany.
[17]Jedediah Cobb, M. D., Professor of Descriptive and Surgical Anatomy.
Lunsford P. Yandell, M. D., Professor of Physiology and Pathalogical
Anatomy.
Samuel D. Gross, M. D., Professor of the Principles and Practice of
Surgery.
Henry Miller, M. D., Professor of Obstetric Medicine.
Lewis Rogers, M. D., Professor of Materia Medica and Therapeutics.
Benjamin Silliman, Jr., M. D., Professor of Medical Chemistry and
Toxicology.
[17]Daniel Drake, M. D., Professor of the Theory and
T. G. Richardson, M. D., Demonstrator of Anatomy.
The venerated name of CHARLES CALDWELL, M. D., was also, for a long time,
associated with this school, and much of its earlier success is
attributable to his exertion.
The law department of the University has been in active operation only
since the winter of 1847. It has, however, obtained a wide spread and
deservedly great reputation as a school. The number of pupils educated in
this department since its commencement is one hundred and ninety-six.
The Professors of the Law Department of the University are as follows:
Hon. Henry Pirtle, L. L. D., Professor of Constitutional Law, Equity and
Commercial Law.
Hon. Wm, F. Bullock, Professor of the Law of Real Property and of the
Practice of Law, including Pleading and Evidence.
Hon. James Pryor, Professor of the History and Science of Law, including
the Common Law and International Law.
The prospects of this school for the ensuing year are more flattering than
they have ever been. The distinguished gentlemen who are at the head of
this institution have reason to congratulate themselves as well on their
past success as on their brilliant prospects for the future.
Besides these two schools under the immediate control of the city, the
Medical Department of the Masonic University of Kentucky is also located
here. This school has been in operation for a very short time, having been
organized in 1850, but its claims seem already to be recognized throughout
the West. The institution opened with a class of 103 young gentlemen,
which number was increased in the second year of its existence to 110.
With so auspicious a commencement, and under the direction of its
distinguished faculty, there seems to be no reason why it should not soon
equal in point of numbers and utility the other and older college. The
advantages of Louisville over other western cities as a location for
medical schools does not need any further notice than these statistics
will afford. What has already been accomplished by these institutions will
establish its advantages with the reader more fully than any deliberate
reasoning could do. The faculty of the Kentucky School of Medicine is
composed of the following gentlemen:
Benj. W. Dudley, M. D., Emeritus Professor of Anatomy and Surgery.
Robert Peter, M. D., Professor of Chemistry and Toxicology.
Thos. D. Mitchell, Professor of Theory and Practice of Medicine.
Joshua B. Flint, M. D., Professor of Principles and Practice of Surgery.
James M. Bush, M. D., and Ethelbert L. Dudley, M. D., Professors of
Special and Surgical Anatomy and Operative Surgery.
Henry M. Bullitt, M. D., Professor of Physiology and Pathology.
Llewellyn Powell, M. D., Professor of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and
Children.
Erasmus D. Foree, M. D., Professor of Materia Medica and Clinical
Medicine.
David Cummings, M. D., Demonstrator of Anatomy.
St. Aloysius college, under the care of the Jesuits, is an academical
institution of some celebrity. It has six professors and several tutors.
The Kentucky Institution for the Education of the Blind is also located
here. This noble monument of philanthropy has been the means of much good
to the class for whom it was intended. It has had an average attendance of
about twenty pupils. The course of instruction is ample and the results
have been in the highest degree creditable to the teachers. The
proficiency of many of the pupils is truly wonderful; and their aptitude
in learning many of the branches taught them, more especially that great
solace of the blind, music, is everywhere noted. They are also instructed
in various kinds of handicraft, by which they are enabled to earn an
honorable support after leaving the school. The price of board and tuition
for those who are able to pay is only one hundred dollars per annum; while
indigent children, resident in the State, are educated gratuitously. The
spacious building erected for the use of this school was recently
destroyed by fire, but will be speedily rebuilt on a more favorable site
and in a better manner than before.
Beside the schools above mentioned there are a great number of private
schools of various grades of excellence. Among these the Young Ladies'
Schools of BISHOP SMITH and of PROF. NOBLE BUTLER are perhaps the most
widely known. They offer advantages for the education of young ladies
which are not surpassed in any city. Indeed the educational opportunities
afforded by the many excellent public and private schools of Louisville
are in the highest degree creditable to the city and have attracted and
still continue to attract to it many families from distant parts of the
country. To those who know how properly to estimate the value of
educational privileges, the training of their children is an all-important
consideration; and, as nothing can supply the want of parental care, it is
not uncommon for families to seek as a residence those places which at
once possess great facilities for instruction, and are free from the
dangers of ill-health. Louisville has both these advantages, and hence
this city owes to these facts much of her best population.
The healthiness of Louisville is everywhere a subject of remark. Its past
reputation for insalubrity is long since forgotten, and its singular
exemption from those epidemic diseases whose ravages have been so terrible
in other places, have gained for it a very enviable distinction among
cities. The following recent report of the Committee on Public Health of
the Louisville Medical Society will tend still further to confirm what has
just been said: "Since the years 1822 and 1823," says this document, "the
endemic fevers of summer and autumn have become gradually less frequent,
until within the last five or six years they have almost ceased to
prevail, and those months are now as free from disease as those of any
part of the year. Typhoid fever is a rare affection here, and a majority
of the cases seen occur in persons recently from the country. Some
physicians residing in the interior of this State see more of the disease
than comes under the joint observation of all the practitioners of the
city, if we exclude those treated in the Hospital.
"Tubercular disease, particularly pulmonary consumption, is not so much
seen as in the interior of Kentucky. Our exemption from pulmonary
consumption is remarkable, and it would be a matter of much interest if a
registration could be made of all the deaths from it, so that we could
compare them with those of other places.
"For the truth of the remarks as to the extent and frequency of the
diseases enumerated we rely solely upon what we have observed ourselves,
and upon what we have verbally gathered from our professional friends.
"This exemption of Louisville from disease, can be accounted for in no
other way than from its natural situation, and from what has been done in
grading, in building, and in laying off the streets.
"Louisville is situated on an open plain, where the wind has access from
every direction; upon a sandy soil, which readily absorbs the water that
falls upon it; susceptible of adequate drainings; supplied bountifully
with pure lime stone water, which is filtered through a depth of thirty or
forty feet of sand; its streets are wide and laid off at right
angles--north and south, east and west--giving the freest ventilation; and
the buildings compact, comfortable, and generally so constructed as to be
dry and to admit freely the fresh air. It is situated upon the border of
the beautiful Ohio, and environed by one of the richest agricultural
districts in the world, supplying it with abundance of food, and all the
comforts and luxuries of life. It must, under the guidance of science and
wise legislation, become, if it is not already, one of the healthiest
cities in the world. Its proximity to the rapids of the Ohio may add to
its salubrity, and it is certain that the evening breezes wafted over
them, produce an exhilarating effect, beyond what is derived from the
perpetual music of the roar of the falls."
It may be proper to add the following table of the comparative statistics
of annual mortality of the resident population as ascertained from
official sources.
In Louisville the deaths are one to 50.
Philadelphia do do 36.
New York do do 37.
Boston do do 38.
Cincinnati do do 35.
Naples do do 28.
Paris do do 33.
London do do 39.
Glasgow do do 44.
The _Market Houses_ of Louisville, five in number and all located upon
Market Street, are profusely supplied with every production of this
latitude. Markets are held every day, and prices are much lower than in
Eastern cities. The Kentucky beef and pork which is everywhere so
celebrated, is here found in its true perfection. The vegetables and
fruits peculiar to this climate, are also offered in excellent order and
in great abundance. Irish and sweet potatoes, green peas, corn, cucumbers,
lettuce, radishes, asparagus, celery, salsafie, pie plant, melons,
peaches, apples, cherries, strawberries, and many other vegetables and
fruits are plentifully supplied. The Irish potato is sold at from
twenty-five to forty cents per bushel, green peas command about twenty
cents per peck, strawberries fifty cents per gallon. The choice pieces of
beef can be had at from six to eight cents per pound, less desirable
pieces bring three and four cents. Pork is bought at about five cents per
pound. Turkies bring fifty to seventy-five cents each. Spring chickens,
from seventy-five to one dollar and fifty cents per dozen. Ducks, fifteen
to twenty-five cents each. Eggs are sold at four to eight cents per dozen.
Butter, fifteen to twenty cents per pound. The lamb and mutton sold in
this market, cannot be surpassed in point of quality in the United States.
The extreme fertility of the country around Louisville, and its perfect
adaptation to the wants of the gardener and the stockraiser, must always
give to this city the advantage of an excellent and cheap provision
market.
The following is a list of all the publications issued from this city:
Journal Daily and Weekly Whig.
Courier " " "
Times " " Democrat.
Democrat " " "
Beobachter am Ohio " " "
Louisville Anzeiger " " "
Union Daily Neutral.
Bulletin " "
Sunday Varieties Weekly "
Presbyterian Herald " Presbyterian.
Western Recorder " Baptist.
Watchman and Evangelist " Cumb. Presby.
Christian Advocate " Methodist.
Kentucky New Era Semi-Monthly Temperance.
Christian Repository Monthly Baptist.
Indian Advocate " "
Bible Advocate " Neutral.
Theological Medium " Cumb. Presby.
Western Journal of Medicine and Surgery Monthly.
Transylvania Medical Journal "
This review of the social statistics of Louisville will be concluded with
a notice of the number of persons engaged in the various avocations of
life, as shows in the following:
Agents 58
Agricultural Implement Makers 5
Apothecaries 113
Architects 6
Artificial Flower Makers 2
Artists 10
Auctioneers 26
Barbers 198
Bakers 362
Bar Keepers 231
Basket Makers 15
Bellows Makers 5
Blind Makers 5
Blacking Makers 4
Blacksmiths 251
Bird Stuffers 2
Brush Makers 15
Brokers 28
Bricklayers 265
Brick Makers 45
Brewers 37
Bristle Cleaners 4
Book Sellers 18
Boot and Shoe Dealers 58
Book Binders 102
Butchers 201
Candle and Soap Makers 38
Caulkers 18
Carpet Weavers 8
Carvers 13
Cartmen 452
Carpenters 874
Camphine Makers 4
Cabinet Makers 275
Cement Maker 1
Clerks 1130
Clothing Dealers 57
Cigar Makers 159
Composition Roofers 2
Cotton Packers 22
Cotton Caulk Makers 3
Collectors 22
Confectionaries 96
Coach Makers 78
Coopers 116
Comb Makers 3
Dancing Teachers 10
Daguerreotypists 23
Dentists 13
Distiller 1
Doctors 162
Druggists 75
Dry Goods Dealers 275
Dyers 11
Editors 18
Edge Tool Makers 11
Egg Packers 4
Engravers 15
Engineers 139
Farmers 17
Feed Dealers 15
Fishermen 10
File Cutters 3
Foundrymen 369
Fringe Makers 4
Gardeners 31
Gentlemen 36
Gilders 8
Glass Setters 3
Glass Cutters 2
Glass Stainer 1
Glass Blowers 21
Glue Makers 2
Grocers 504
Guagers 3
Gunsmiths 17
Hatters 117
Hackmen 95
Hardware Dealers 34
Hucksters 45
Hose Makers 2
Ice Dealers 6
Ink Makers 6
Insurance Agencies 27
Iron Safe Maker 1
Lamp Makers 2
Laborers 1920
Last Makers 3
Leather Finders 16
Lawyers 125
Liquor Dealers 45
Locksmiths 47
Livery Keepers 43
Lightning Rod Maker 1
Lathe Makers 2
Match Makers 12
Machinists 33
Marble Cutters 21
Merchants 85
Millers 37
Milliners 186
Milkmen 8
Millwrights 17
Midwives 23
Music Dealers 9
Music Teachers 30
Music Publishers 3
No Occupation 127
Oil Cloth Makers 15
Oyster Brokers 5
Organ Builders 4
Oil Stone Makers 10
Opticians 2
Oil Makers 27
Paper Makers 22
Paper Box Makers 8
Painters 267
Pedlars 47
Plasterers 94
Plane Makers 26
Planing Mill and Lumbermen 33
Piano Makers 36
Printers 201
Paper Hangers 48
Potters 17
Professors 26
Pump Makers 16
Pickle Dealer 1
Plumbers 9
Pork Packers 25
Preachers 57
Presidents Company 45
Policemen 32
Queensware Dealers 26
Railroad Car Makers 6
Refrigerator Makers 6
River Men 330
Rope Makers 65
Saddlers 195
Semptresses 311
Scale Makers 7
Silver Platers 5
Silversmiths 63
Shoemakers 356
Ship Carpenters 133
Soda Makers 8
Speculators 43
Starch Makers 10
Stereotypers 3
Stone Cutters 219
Stocking Weavers 2
Surveyors 13
Students 638
Saw Millers 8
Stucco Workers 4
Stove Makers 4
Sail Makers 2
Surgical Instrument Makers 4
Tailors 375
Tanners 42
Tavern keepers 275
Teachers 67
Telescopic Instrument Makers 1
Tinners 115
Turners 22
Tobacconists 61
Trunk Makers 35
Upholsterers 29
Umbrella Makers 5
Variety Dealers 46
Vinegar Makers 8
Wig Makers 3
Wire Workers 12
Wagon Makers 144
Whip Makers 3
Wood and Coal Dealers 30
White Lead Makers 2
Wall Paper Makers 1
The commercial and manufacturing statistics of Louisville come next to be
considered. And it is well to state here, however discreditable such
statement may be to the city, that no business organization of any kind
has ever been attempted and no statistical tables have ever been kept
either by the city government, by societies or individuals. The only means
left to the statistician, therefore, have been the tedious and often
incomplete process of personal application and investigation. The
statistics which are here offered to the reader are derived from the best
authority and are believed to be correct, but are necessarily far less
complete than could have been wished. This outline will, however, serve to
give some idea of the general business character of the city.
All departments of business in Louisville are transacted upon a very large
scale. It is perhaps the greatest fault in the commercial character of the
city that everything is conducted upon too large a scale. There is, to
use a painter's phrase, too much of outline and too little in detail. The
wealth and importance of cities depends less upon the great than upon the
small dealers and manufacturers; these latter are content with doing each
a small and careful business which may gradually rise to be of vast
extent, and which will thus really improve and profit the city more than
the mighty efforts of the large dealer. In Louisville, however, none are
contented to do a little business. The feeling seems to exist that
mercantile or manufacturing pursuits are respectable just in proportion to
the capital employed in them, and the desire of every one seems to be to
attain a high point of respectability. Louisville greatly lacks that class
of inhabitants, so useful to a city, who are content to attain wealth by
careful and laborious means, who can commence with the basket of apples
and gradually work up to the proud proprietorship of extensive ware-houses
or factories. There is everywhere prevalent among those who should seek to
rise gradually, a desire to place themselves at once in a rank with the
largest dealers. It is the small dealer and the small manufacturer, who is
content to rise by his own efforts, unaided by factitious means of any
sort, who is needed here. There is abundant room and abundant work for
such, their advent is courted; and, if they will avoid the characteristic
desire for extensive business relations and be content to seek their
fortunes by pains-taking progress, their success is infallibly certain.
It has already been remarked that the aggregate amount of sales in any one
department of business divided by the number of houses engaged in that
business would show a very large result. In this statement reference is
had only to those exclusively wholesale houses, whose sales are made to
dealers. No exclusively retail houses of any sort are placed in the
enumeration, though the sales of many of the retail stores would fully
equal, if indeed they did not exceed, some of the wholesale houses. The
difficulty of reaching any proper account of the retail business will,
however, prevent any notice being taken of it in this volume.
Louisville contains _twenty-five_ exclusively wholesale DRY GOODS houses,
whose sales are made only to dealers and whose market reaches from
Northern Louisiana to Northern Kentucky and embraces a large part of the
States of Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, Alabama, Illinois, Mississippi and
Arkansas. The aggregate amount of annual sales by these houses is _five
million, eight hundred_ and _fifty-three thousand_ (5,853,000) _dollars_,
or an average of _two hundred_ and _thirty-four thousand_ (234,000)
_dollars_ to each house. The sales of three of the largest of these houses
amount in the aggregate to _one million, seven hundred_ and _eighty-nine
thousand_ (1,789,000) _dollars_. Neither this statement nor those which
follow include any auction houses.
In BOOTS & SHOES, the sales of the _eight_ houses of the above description
reach _one million, one hundred_ and _eighty-four thousand_ (1,184,000)
_dollars_, or _one hundred_ and _forty-eight thousand_ (148,000) _dollars_
to each house. The sales of the three largest houses in this business
reach _six hundred_ and _thirty thousand_ (630,000) _dollars_.
The aggregate amount of annual sales by _eight houses_ in DRUGS, &c., is
_one million, one hundred_ and _twenty-three thousand_ (1,123,000)
_dollars_, or _one hundred_ and _forty thousand, three hundred_ and
_seventy-five_ (140,375) _dollars_ to each house; and the sales of the
three largest houses amount to _seven hundred_ and _fifty-three thousand_
(753,000) _dollars_.
The sales of HARDWARE by _nine houses_ amount annually to _five hundred_
and _ninety thousand_ (590,000) _dollars_, being an average of _sixty-five
thousand, five hundred_ and _fifty-five_ (65,555) _dollars_ to each house.
The sales of SADDLERY reach _nine hundred_ and _eighty thousand_ (980,000)
_dollars_, of which nearly one-half are of domestic manufacture.
The sales of HATS and CAPS, necessarily including sales at retail, amount
to _six hundred_ and _eighty-three thousand_ (683,000) _dollars_.
The sales of QUEENSWARE, less reliably taken, reach _two hundred_ and
_sixty-five thousand_ (265,000) _dollars_.
There are _thirty-nine_ wholesale GROCERY houses, whose aggregate sales
reach _ten millions, six hundred_ and _twenty-three thousand, four
hundred_ (10,623,400) _dollars_, which gives an average of _two hundred_
and _seventy-two thousand, four hundred_ (272,400) _dollars_ to each
house. A brief statement of some of the principal annual imports in the
Grocery line will perhaps give a better idea of this business. The figures
refer to the year 1850:
Louisiana Sugar 15,615 hhds.
Refined " 10,100 p'ckgs.
Molasses 17,500 bbls.
Coffee 42,500 bags.
Rice 1,275 tierces.
Cotton Yarns 17,925 bags.
Cheese 25,250 boxes.
Flour 80,650 bbls.
Bagging 70,160 pieces.
Rope 65,350 coils.
Salt, Kanawha 110,250 bbls.
" Turk's Island 50,525 bags.
The following Recapitulatory Table will enable the reader to see at a
glance all that has just been stated:
TABLE.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Description of Business.| No of |Aggregate Annual|Average Sales to
|Houses.| Sales. | each house.
------------------------|-------|----------------|----------------
Groceries | 39 | $10,623,400 | $272,400
Dry Goods | 25 | 5,853,000 | 234,000
Boots and Shoes | 8 | 1,184,000 | 148,000
Drugs | 8 | 1,123,000 | 140,375
Hardware | 9 | 590,000 | 65,555
Queensware | 6 | 265,000 | 44,166
Hats, Furs, &c. | 8 | 683,000 | 85,375
------------------------|-------|----------------|----------------
Total | 103 | $20,321,400 | $197,295
------------------------------------------------------------------
It will be seen that these tables do not include many of the largest
departments of business. Beside the houses already mentioned are many
commission houses, whose sales in cotton, tobacco, rope, bagging, hemp,
provisions &c., would very greatly increase the amounts above stated. The
impossibility of procuring accurate and reliable statistics of the amount
of sales by these houses will prevent any attempt to fix the exact ratio
of their business. The Western reader who is at all connected with
commerce does not, however, need to be told that the trade in these
articles in Louisville is of immense extent. The great superiority of this
city as a market for hemp and its products, bagging and rope, is so
obvious, so well known and so widely acknowledged, that any dissertation
upon these merits is unnecessary here.
As a TOBACCO MARKET, Louisville possesses advantages which are not
afforded by any other Western or Southern city. The rapid and healthful
increase in the receipts and sales of this article during the last few
years is of itself sufficient evidence of this fact. Even as early as the
year 1800 the prospects of the city in this regard, though in the distant
future, were looked upon as highly flattering. A Mr. Campbell had at that
time a tobacco ware-house, which was situated opposite Corn Island. This
ware-house was suppressed by the legislature in 1815, and a new one
ordered to be erected at "the mouth of Beargrass." The building thus
directed was located on Pearl Street, about one hundred feet from Main,
and the salary of the Inspector was fixed at L25, currency, per annum.
This inspector resided at some distance from the city, and when a
sufficient quantity of tobacco had been collected at the ware-house to
make it an object, he was sent for to come and perform his duties. The
entire crop did not then exceed 500 hogsheads. There are at present in the
city three large tobacco ware-houses, all receiving and selling daily
immense quantities of this article. Speculators are attracted to this
market from great distances and the receipts are continually upon the
increase. The following table of receipts since 1837 will show how
steadily and securely this increase has been effected:
1837 2,133 hhds.
1838 2,783 "
1839[18] 1,295 "
1840 3,113 "
1841 4,031 "
1842 5,131 "
1843 5,424 "
1844 "
1845 8,454 "
1846 9,700 "
1847 7,070 "
1848 4,937 "
1849 8,906 "
1850 7,155 "
1851 11,300 "
1852 16,176 "
These figures are of themselves a strong argument in favor of this city as
a market for tobacco. The reasons for the steady and rapid increase in
the receipts of this article, as well as for the opinion that this is the
best market for tobacco in the United States, are very simple, very
convincing and very easily stated. In the first place, it is a fact well
known to all tobacco dealers, that in the three divisions of
Kentucky--to-wit: the Northern, Southern and Middle--a variety of leaf,
suitable to _all_ the purposes of the manufacturer, is grown. In no other
State is so great and so complete a variety of leaf produced. The cigar
maker, the lump manufacturer and the stemmer all find in this State the
article just suited to their various purposes. These tobaccos all
naturally find their way to Louisville as a market, and, of a necessary
consequence, attract buyers to this place. Beside this advantage, another
important point is gained in the presence of the numerous manufacturers of
tobacco in Louisville. These persons, having to compete with the
established markets of older States, offer large prices to the planter and
so attract here great quantities of the article. It is well known that
really fine tobacco, for manufacturing purposes, has brought and will
always command here as high rates as can be had for it at any other point
in the United States. The number of manufacturers is rapidly increasing,
the character of the article which they produce is steadily growing into
favor, and the market for its sale is enlarging every day, so that
planters cannot be so blinded to their interests as to seek foreign
markets for an article which will pay them so handsomely at their own
doors. Again: the facilities for the shipment of the article from this
point to the various Eastern markets are recently so increased that an
entirely new demand has sprung up for Louisville tobacco. Western New
York, Western Pennsylvania, Northern Illinois, Ohio and Michigan, all of
which were formerly obliged to look to New York City for their supplies of
this article, have recently turned their faces westwardly, for the simple
reason that they can now get the same article at less rates of freight and
without the former numerous and onerous commissions. Nor is this the only
benefit procured to these purchasers in choosing this market. It is well
known that, unless tobacco is in unusually excellent order, it is always
seriously injured by being confined on shipboard in its passage through
the warm climate of the Gulf of Mexico and along the coast of the Southern
States. And as Louisville is the only other prominent shipping point for
the article, it has, of course, this great advantage over rival markets.
The facts above enumerated indicate only the prominent and leading reasons
for believing Louisville to be the best tobacco market in the Union. Many
other advantages might be enumerated, but these, which are all
acknowledged and have been demonstrated over and over again, are
considered sufficient to establish the proposition. However much
Louisville has gained in regard to this article, there is yet much to
gain. Her destiny is but beginning to be unfolded, and only a few years
will elapse until the largest of the receipts above quoted will appear
quite insignificant and worthless beside the swollen columns of the
statistician of a future period.
The assertion that Louisville is destined very soon to become
distinguished also as a COTTON MARKET may excite some surprise among
those who have not had their attention called to this matter. But that
this is a fact can readily be shown to the most skeptical. The consumption
of cotton in the West amounts to 35,000 bales, and heretofore this has
constituted the entire demand of this section of the country. But the
recent opening up of new means of communication with the Atlantic coast at
the East has begun and will complete an entirely new state of affairs in
this regard. Let us look for a moment at the effect of these new
facilities of transport. By the 1st of January, 1853, an uninterrupted
communication with the Atlantic at the North will be effected by the lake
route, continuing from 1st of May to 1st of November. At the same time the
Jeffersonville Railroad will have established connection with other
railroads reaching to New York. Beside all of which, the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad will have been completed from Wheeling to Baltimore, from
which point all descriptions of Western produce can reach Philadelphia and
New York, either by railroad, or, more cheaply, by means of propellers,
steamers and sail-vessels. The completion of this latter road will be the
signal for the establishment of a line of steam-packets from Louisville to
Wheeling, another to Memphis, and yet another to Nashville. These lines
are already established and merely wait the completion of the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad to go at once into operation. A line of packets to
Tuscumbia and Florence is already in successful operation. The facts above
stated are well known to the community both East and West. It only
remains, therefore, to examine how they will affect Louisville as a
market for cotton. New Orleans, it cannot be denied, has heretofore been
considered the only proper point of shipment for this article, but if both
the seller and the buyer can be benefited by a change of markets, surely
that change will ensue. New Orleans is certainly the natural depot for
Southern cotton, but if the cotton raised in Alabama, Tennessee and North
Mississippi, or that which finds its way to market down the Cumberland and
Tennessee rivers, can be placed in Louisville at less rates of freight
than would be charged to New Orleans, and thence can reach the Eastern
markets in less time and at less rates than from that city, it is surely
the interest of both seller and buyer to make Louisville their market. Now
it is certain that from these points cotton will be carried to Louisville
at one dollar per bale less than to New Orleans; it is equally certain
that insurance can be had via Louisville to New York at _one-half_ the
rates charged via New Orleans, and that freight, after the 1st of January
next, from this city onward, will be the same as from New Orleans; beside
which the time of transit will be thirty days less, thus saving no
inconsiderate sum in interest. Again, the trade of North Alabama,
Tennessee and North Mississippi with this city is ascertained to reach two
and a half millions of dollars. To pay this debt seventy thousand bales of
cotton, valued at seven cents per pound, would be required. Here is
presented another reason why this cotton should seek Louisville as its
natural market. One of our most sagacious and enterprising merchants has
recently returned from the East, where, with laudable energy, he had been
presenting the claims of this market to Eastern buyers. And the result of
this mission is, that reliable arrangements have been made for buying
whatever cotton may come to this market at New Orleans quotations. It is
perfectly safe then to predict from January of next year a spirited and
regular demand for all the cotton which may be sent here. The 140,000
bales produced in Tennessee, or finding its way to market from Tennessee
river, will find ready sale in Louisville and at the regular New Orleans
prices. Can it be doubted, in view of all these facts, that Louisville is
entirely certain to attain prominence as a market for cotton. This has
long been the natural market for the article, and only waited the
completion of lines of connection with the East, which, now they are about
to go into operation, must of necessity make it the _first cotton market
of the Western country_.
Louisville also deserves consideration as a market for pork. This market,
though perhaps less in extent here than in some other Western cities, is
steadily increasing in the amount of its operations and rapidly growing
into favor with the dealers. In 1827 there were but two pork houses in the
city; one of which was owned by Patrick Maxcy and the other by Colmesnil
and O'Beirne. It was then the custom to buy the hog in small lots from the
farmers by means of agents who traveled through the State. These hogs so
procured were concentrated at some point and corn was bought and fed to
them until the time for slaughtering arrived, when they were driven to
this city and here butchered. The number of hogs killed by these two
houses did not then exceed fifteen thousand, while at the end of the pork
season in 1851, this amount had been increased to one hundred and
ninety-five thousand, four hundred and fourteen. It is fully calculated by
the packers that this number will be exceeded ten per cent in the ensuing
year. Both the farmer and the buyer have reasons for prefering this city
as a pork market. The farmer, because it is not the custom here to
"_scale_" the hog--that is, to make a standard weight for which the market
price is given, while all below that point are taken at reduced
figures--and the buyer, because pork is here packed under the same roof
where it is butchered. This last may be considered a small inducement; but
when it is remembered that where the butchering and packing are carried on
by different individuals and in different parts of the city, the hog is
obliged to be transported at all seasons and in all states of weather from
house to house at considerable labor and cost and with danger of damage to
the meat, it will be found an item worthy the serious consideration of the
buyer. The meat put up here is surpassed in quality by none in the world,
and when the facilities of transportation referred to in the above remarks
upon cotton are established, the growth of this city as a pork market will
be yet more rapid than it has before been. There are at present eight
large pork houses in the city. The importance of Louisville as a pork
market is well enough known to need no further elaboration of its merits
in these pages.
The manufacturing interests of Louisville come now to claim their share of
attention. And it is somewhat singular that, with the resources and
capacity of this city as a place for manufactures, there should be so
little to boast of in this regard. Of her commercial statistics, as has
already been shown, Louisville has abundant cause to be proud, but she has
at the same time reason to regret the little use which has heretofore been
made of her immense advantages as a manufacturing point. It is not to be
denied that there are many excellent manufacturing establishments in and
around the city, but the number is greatly below what is needed and
greatly disproportioned to the advantages offered here. There are many
reasons why this city should hold prominent rank as a place for
manufactures. The facilities in the way of water-power, the immense
surface of level and highly productive country by which it is surrounded,
the cheapness of rents and of building lots, and the advantages for
placing the manufactured article in market, are among the most prominent
of these reasons. There is, perhaps, no city in the Union where similarly
great inducements are offered to the judicious and enterprising
manufacturer. And yet the results of commercial enterprise of other sorts
have been so successful and so rapidly produced as to lead away from the
manufacturing interests much capital which would otherwise have been
invested in them. The brilliant success of any one department of trade in
a city has usually led to precisely similar results as are alluded to
here. Of this Cincinnati furnishes a notable example. Her earliest success
was effected by means of her manufactures, and persons seeking investment
for their capital naturally gave it the direction which had already proved
productive. Louisville, on the contrary, owing to her peculiar location,
found her earliest and most promising evidences of prosperity in
commerce, and consequently all the capital seeking employment was
naturally drawn into this channel. And it is unfortunate for Louisville
that this has been true, for however important commercial prosperity may
be to a city, it is far inferior in point of utility and universal profit
to the advantages conferred by successful manufactures. During the last
four or five years this matter has begun to engage the attention of
capitalists and a proper and healthful feeling is rapidly gaining ground
in favor of this branch of trade. Many new factories have already sprung
up, and several more are on the eve of establishment. The public mind is
fully awakened to the necessity for building up and for encouraging the
products of home industry, and the producer has taken new rank in public
estimation. The prejudice which may once have existed against mechanical
employments of all sorts is no longer felt, but the manufacturer and his
employees are held alike high in favor and in social rank.
The following table of manufactures in Louisville is chiefly taken from
the census report of 1850. Additions have been made to the more important
branches of manufacture as far as reliable data could be obtained, so as
to enable the reader to have a comprehensive view of the subject up to the
present time. It is believed that the figures in this table are under the
actual amounts; it is certain, at any rate, that they do not in any
instance exceed the truth. A more extended and special notice of the
principal manufacturing establishments of the city will be given in an
appendix to this volume, to which all who feel an interest in the state of
manufactures here are especially referred.
TABLE OF MANUFACTURES.
Kind of Manufacture. No. of No. of Annual
Factories. hands. product.
Animal Charcoal 2 12 $15,000
Awnings and Tents 2 12 7,500
Artificial Flowers 1 3 6,000
Bagging Factories 3 120 184,000
Bakers 96 332 469,200
Bandboxes 3 9 3,800
Baskets 3 7 5,400
Bellows 2 7 15,000
Blacking 3 12 7,500
Blacksmiths 49 254 163,400
Blinds, Venitian 3 12 14,200
Blocks and Spars 2 12 7,500
Bootmakers 63 302 375,100
Brewers 6 30 108,600
Brushes 2 9 5,813
Bricks 36 339 224 000
Bristle Dressers 1 3 2,500
Burr Stones 1 8 12,000
Boiler Makers 4 30 64,200
Candy 9 56 184,800
Camphine, &c. 1 3 31,500
Carpenters 144 916 1,027,600
Cars, &c. 1 100
Carpet Weavers 2 14 6,000
Coach Makers 9 98 123.300
Cotton and Wool 3 135 173,500
Clothing 45 1,157 941,500
Composition Roofing 1
Combs 6 18 9,800
Coopers 20 60 56,800
Cement 1 4 10,000
Edge Tools 2 9 16,000
Feed and Flour Mills 9 47 283,800
Flooring and Saw Mills 14 190 420,200
Fringes, Tassels, &c. 1 6 8,700
Furniture 25 446 638,000
Foundries 15 930 1,392 200
Glass Cutters 1 3 $2,500
Glue 2 6 5,000
Gunsmiths 4 8 14,000
Glass 1 50 50,000
Hats 6 68 201,700
Last Makers 1 2 2,500
Lath Makers 1 4 5,000
Lock Makers 6 38 37,400
Leather Splitter 1 1 1,000
Lithographers 2 9 20,000
Looking Glass, &c. 2 11 12,000
Machinists[19] 2 5 6,200
Marble Workers 4 41 35,000
Mathematical Inst. Makers 1 3 6,500
Mustard 2 13 21,000
Musical Inst. Makers 3 60
Millinery 35 344 340,000
Oil Cloth 2 12 11,500
Oil Stones 1 6 22,900
Oil, Lard and Linseed 3 16 140,000
Nail 1 2 3,000
Paper Mill 1 36 113,000
Plane 3 8 13,000
Platform Scale 1 11 12,000
Patent Medicines 24 127 467,400
Printing Offices 12 201 214,000
Plows 4 32 35,000
Perfumery 2 10 8,000
Pottery 2 14 11,500
Pork Houses 4 475 1,370,000
Pumps 3 16 15,100
Rope 11 166 460,000
Saddlery 17 114 236,000
Saddle Trees 1 7 7,500
Soap and Candles 6 59 409,000
Starch 1 8 20,000
Steamboat Carpenters[20] 4 75 $235,000
Stocking Weavers 1 10 5,000
Silversmiths 4 18 34,500
Stucco 1 5 7,000
Tobacco and Segars 82 1,050 1,347,500
Tin, Copper, &c. 17 87 122,300
Tanners 9 64 176,000
Trunks 3 27 29,500
Turners[21] 4 8 11,600
Upholsterers 5 21 56,000
White Lead 1 8 12,600
Wigs 1 4 8,000
Whips 1 2 1,500
Wire Workers 2 12 12,500
Wagons 20 144 184,800
To this list may be added the following memoranda of steamboats for 1850.
It has been found impossible to bring this list forward as far as 1852. In
the former year there were employed on 53 steamboats, owned in Louisville,
1,903 hands. The amount of capital invested in these boats was $1,293,300,
and the annual product for freight and passage reached $2,549,200.
CONCLUSION.
In concluding this history it will be well to look back and examine the
ratio of its progress for the last half century, as well in population as
in pecuniary value. This may be done: first, in the following table
showing the increase in numbers of every ten years; and second, in a
tabular view of the assessment of real estate at the end of each similar
term of years. The population of Louisville then, commencing with the year
1800, may be stated as follows:
1800 600
1810 1,300
1820 4,000
1830 10,090
1840 21,000
1850 43,217
1852 51,726
It will be seen from this table that the city has never shown as rapid an
increase as has been effected in the last two years. This is the result
chiefly of the impulse which has been given to Louisville by her action in
reference to lines of railroad, and other facilities of communication with
distant points, as well as of the fact that a new energy has been infused
into the commercial circles, and more vigorous efforts have consequently
been made to afford to this city that reputation as a commercial mart,
which she has long deserved.
Of the present population of Louisville, no less than 18,000 are Germans,
and this number is daily being augmented by arrivals from the fatherland.
It would perhaps be no more than just to say that these foreigners form,
as a body, one of the best classes of our population. They are a careful,
pains-taking and industrious people, of quiet, unobtrusive and inoffensive
manners; and are, in a majority of instances, men of some education and
ability. The better class of this population are rapidly rising in public
estimation, and while they are becoming in a measure identified with the
native citizens, and so Americanized, the influence of their philosophic
habits of mind, of their thoughtfulness, and of their love of the
beautiful in nature and in art, is gradually incorporating itself into the
social life of the city, and so adding to each some of the advantages
possessed by the other. The German character, in its higher developements,
displays many attributes which are wanting, in more senses than one to our
native population. From the educated German, we may learn that
enthusiastic love and reverence for the intellectual and for the beautiful
in all its phases, whether of nature, of sentiment, or of art, which is
inherent in his character, and which gives to life so much of its charm;
while by us he is taught that practicality must be the basis of his
philosophy, and that without a certain admixture of utilitarianism his
sentiment is mawkish and unmanly, and his theories are idly speculative
and puerile. Thus each class imbibes from the other what it most needs,
and society reaps the benefits of the union. The German population is also
useful to the city in a political point of view. They serve as the
"filling up" to the picture. As has been recently said: "The bulk of the
population of every city, perhaps two out of three, are small
manufacturers or artisans of some description or other, and those
dependent on them; of the sewers together of clothing, the makers of toys,
confectionary, and jewelry, the compounders of materials used in medicine
and the arts, the furnishers of the toilet, the parlor, and the kitchen,
the fabricators of iron, wood, and stone into forms required by the uses
or fancies of man. Think of the amount of our yearly purchases of Boston
bonnets, New York caps, and Philadelphia shoes, and of the thousand, the
innumerable articles that our retail and fancy dealers pick up in the
lanes, alleys, and cellars of those cities, articles which were made for
Western demand, for the very market of which this is the natural, and
ought to be the commercial center. To this kind of population we are to
look for increase, these hand workers are to cover our vacant lots, and
consume the products of our surrounding agriculturists; they come in
silently, and go to work unnoticed; the grocer at the corner, the baker,
and the brewer, build higher houses, and are men of more noise and note,
and we forget that for every one of the latter there must be one hundred
of the former."[22]
It is precisely the class spoken of in the foregoing extract that is being
built up, and is yet to be built up by the German citizens in Louisville.
And, notwithstanding the number already here, there is yet room and work
for many more. As has already been said the advent of artizans of this
class is desired by the city, and, if they can be content to rise to
wealth by slow and steady increase rather than by rapid strides of
progress, their success is infallibly certain. Other inducements will
also be offered to this and to other classes of people, seeking homes and
investments, in considering the value of real estate in Louisville. Let us
first look at the progress of property valuation during the last half
century, as shown in the following table. The assessment valuation of
property was, in