The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-21
INDIANA AND ILLINOIS NEWS
The Daily Chronicle of Happenings of
all Kinds in the Two States.
The March Of improvement at Vincennes--A
Shelbyville Man Stricken with ApOplexy
Malpractice Suit Ended-Gleanings
INDIANA.
Evidences of Improvement and Business
Progress at Vincennes

Progress at tincenneS.
Special to the indianapolis journal.
VINCENNEs, Dec. 20-Vincennes, the oldest
town in the State, is enjoying boom just now
unprecedented in her history For years Vim
cennes remained impassive and unprogressive,
but the past summer the Improvements that
have been made are wonderful. Many hundred
thousands have been invested in new
buildings, and the rapidity of her growth
is astonishing to the older
inhabitants. During the past week an elegant
new opera house, not eclipsed in the State any
where has been completed and dedicated. 1t
was erected by Mr.. VIM. Green, who is now
over seventy years of age, and in his declining
years his enterprise is a credit to him and will
remain lasting monument to his memory.
Within the last two years street cars have been
placed at the disposal of the public. A water
works company has just been organized, an
electric light company has been Incorporated
and many new store buildings are taking the
place of the old ones. Finally, Vincennes is
agitated over the question of the consolidation
the Ohio g. Mississippi railroad shops. The
company will build new shops, shortly, at a cost
of $l50,O08. There is sharp contest between
Vincennes and Washington, in the matter of
securing this institution. The O. & NJ. has
already large interests here, and it is not expect
ed that the shops will be removed on that
account, inasmuch as the removal would involve
the railroad in litigation and trouble that
the company would be careful not
to encounter The main shops are
here now. and the consolidation of all
the shops of Cochran, Seymour, Olney, Pana
and Vincennes. together would create an i'm
mense establishment. employing from 500 to
1000 hands. Vncennes proposes to offer the o.
& NJ. railroad very substantial bonus in con-
sideration of the establishment of this interest
at this point, and, of course. this addition to the
prosperity already enjoyed by this city will give
Vincennes boom remarkable in her history
In addition to this the starch works, burned
down in 1879, will soon be rebuilt. This is
other immense factory, and will give employ
ment to over 300 hands. Property is rapidly
increasing IN value, and Vincennes is on the
boom.
Watch that Belonged to Benjamin Franklin.
Decatur Special.
Mr. L. d. Phelps, prominent citizen of this
city, has in his possession a watch which for
merry belonged to Benjamin Franklin 1t is OF
the old English "bull's-eye7 pattern. On the
outside case is the inscription: Philip Lloyd to
DIR. Benjamin Franklin, Nov II, 1774 On the
inside case is the No. 1913 and Phillip Lloyd,
b 'stol, l774. jewelers. who have examined it
pronounce it of peculiar make, and they also
pronounce the cases solid coin silver.
The watch has quite history.
which is as follows 1t was presented to
Mr.. Franklin while in London in IVA by Mr..
Lloyd, who an ardent admirer of Franklin.
The watch was brought home to America by
Mr. Franklin and during his life he requested
that the watch be given to the first male mem
Der of his family who would learn the printers
trade. This request was complied with, and it
descended in this way through several genera
tons Of the Franklins. Several years ago. while
Mr.. Phelps's father travelling in New York
State, he met young man who was printer
by trade, and who claimed to be descendant OF
the Franklin family. He applied to Mr.. Phelps
for a loan, as he was in needy circumstances,
and offered to give him this watch as security.
Mr. Phelps advanced him some money, and was
shortly called from the State on business. and
never heard from the owner of the watch after
ward 1t is in good condition, and is an excellent
time keeper.