The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1855-06-28
From the Terre Haute Journal.
Rircb Creek Difficulties.


Mr.. Editor:-The cause of truth requires
that should write a few words in reply to
Mr.. JAS NJ. Hannas letter to Gov. Wright,
published IN your paper of last week. Per-
sonalIy, | feel no interest in what he says
but there seems to be studied effort made
by him to tnystfy the facts in regard to the
Birch Greek difficulties, and to throw blame
where none is deserved. Certainly Gov.
Wright is undeserving the reproaches which
he lavishes upon him in that letter. and in
his OTHER prOnunciameato, published in the
"American" OF later date.
No one knows better than Mr.. Hanna the
sincere desire of the Trustees to satisfy the
complaining citizens about the Birch Creek
Reservoir for no one has been more active
than himselfin looking into all the chances
of disturbance on that subject. He acted
as advisor of both parties, and should be
pretty we'll informed of the relative sincerity
of each. J appeal from the last leaning of
his judgment to the facts OF the case.
At the meeting held at The Feeder Dam,
in July, 1854, addressed the people assem-
bled there, and declared in the most emphatic
language, that any arrangement entered into
by the Trustees, for the clearing off of the
timber, would be dane to crafty an unreason-
able prejudice, and not because the Trustees
the public health. We knew then, and know
nop, that every medical authority, and the
experience of all persons living OH the mar
gins of other Reservoirs, completely refuted
the assumption ofthe disconnected persons.
AT the same meeting and in the same con-
nection, stated bat the Trustees would pay
for the clearing of the Reservoir timber, but
that the people around the same, and those
residing in Clay, must do the work, as it
would be i'm possible to Fl nd labor such as that
among those who generally worked on canals.
also stated that ifthe people then assembled
would assent to this proposition, and signify
lii by vote, the Trustees would al once place
the work under contract and would give the
work out, in large or small jobs, to those who
might be designated by themselves con-
tractors-hat the Trustees wished the work
done WHhout delay, and would be glad to ex-
pedite the clearing, as it must be done before
the necessary filing of the Reservoir in De-
cember, so as to prepare for the unnterrupt-
ed navigation OF the canal in 1855. These
propositions were voted on, and carried by
large majority, only three or four persons
voting in the negative. Before leaving the
stand, | notified all persons who wished con-
tracts for this clearing, that the Trustees
were ready to enter upon them,' and that the
WOTk WOulu Ue pulu IOF US III pFO1GceSeu, Oh
the estimates of W.. Bail, the President
Engineer. After waiting patiently four
weeks, for the contractors from Clay TO come
forward, and none presenting themselves, the
Trustees had to prepare for some other mode
of getting the clearing done. The best sea-
son had gone by, and much valuable time
lost, by the want of interest manifested by
those who protested TO have such deep stake
in the health of the county. For the truth
of this narrative, I appeal to Judge Athel
Stages, who was chairman of the committee
appointed by the meeting at the Feeder Dam.
and VINO made the report, alter comforting
with Mr.. Edmonston and myself
About the middle Of August, Messrs. w,
X. Houston aud Mr.. Elkin, both citizens Of
Bow.inggreen, Clay county, presented them
selves as contractors Tor this work, and the
Resident Trustee had contract prepared
| for their signatures. This contract required
the chopping down and clearing off of all
| timber, limbs, shrubs, and small trees from
the bed of the Reservoir, Gust what is now
required by the dissatisfied,) but these gen
temen, in addition, required the privilege OF
let ing certain timber remain in the bottom
of the Reservoir which would include about
one half of the hole quantity! fhis was re-
fused, believing that it would create dissatis-
faction, and .Fese citizens Of Clay county left
the Office of the Board quite dissatisfied with
my refusal. One of these gentlemen has
! been very bosterous about the "want of good
| faith of the Trustees" though he is the only
man. so far as | know, ~ no ever persistently
resolved to encroach upon my understand
| ing" had with the Reservoir malcontents-
| This Is in keeping with some acts of unex-
planned patriotism in another quarter.
Matters remained in this condition till
some time in September, when Mr.. Hanna
became very much interested in securing the
contract Tor this clearing to his friend, W. K.
Houston, and applied, personally and by
letter, to effect this object. The reasons he
assigned for this were, that Mr.. H. was
very energetic man--that he was a citizen of
Clay county-that he had the confidence of
those who felt aggrieved-that he was
Irresponsible In eve-v way, and that he could
obtain any quantity of labor, and would per-
form every contract he might enter into with
the Trust. To all this, had no right and
no reason TO dissent, for such appeared to be
the case, so far as my knowledge of him ex-
tended. 1t was also represented by the
Resident Engineer (Mr. Ball,) that, owing
to the delays of the Clay county people in
taking these contracts, as promised, that a
very strong and very great effort was neces-
sary to get the clearing done in time to fill
the Reservoir. and that MIR. Houston would
probably fulfil the pledges made by Mr..
Hanna, and be recommended that it be given
to that gentleman. These reasons were re.
ally forcible, and such as those honestly in
tent on clearing the Reservoir would appreci-
ate. To these were added the promised in
huence of MIR. Hanna to quiet down the
| r.. Al u r