The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-25

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
LOOGOOTEE, Ind. Oct. A.-Martin coun-
ty to-day saw the elimination of one of the
most strenuous and active legal battles in
its history. The decision, rendered tonight,
means the control of seventy-five miles
OF interurban railroad and the almost un-
limited power that can be acquired by the
building of dams along the thirty miles OF
rapids on the east fork of White river. The
case went to trial to-day before Judge
Houghton, at Shoals. The principals are the
two rival companies that propose to erect
monster dams on White river for the purpose
OF furnishing motive power for this proposed
fnterurban railroad through Knox, Daviess.
Martin and Orange counties and connecting
the towns of Vincennes, Washington, Loo
gootee, Shoals and West Baden, and for
furnishing power for electric light plants at
1oogootee and Shoals.
The east fork OF White river flows dag
onally through the county from northeast to
southwest, and as the country is very hilly
its fall in the distance is unusually great
In fact, at two or three places 1t amounts to
a rapids. and at Hindostan, the former site
of one Of the most active towns In southern
Indiana, the water falls over a solid stone
wall of six feet and forms one of the most
picturesque waterfalls of the country. For
years the river has wended its agitated way
through the country undisturbed and with
out any one seriously considering the ques-
ton OF Harvesting its power for mans in
dustrial
Some time ago company of wealthy men
from Peru and Vincennes gave the place an
investigation, and after having expert
hydraulic engineer report that dam at
bindostan would furnish approximately
900 h ao power, they s with some local
pany and begin work on the dam and pro-
posed interurban railroad 1t was launched
with a capital OF $4,000 and officered as
follows: President Jerome Hertz; vice presf-
dent, w. A. Cullop; secretary, Joseph Berg
man; treasurer, Joseph Andres. All Of these
officials are residents of Peru, except Mr..
Cullop, who lives at Vincennes. The re-
manning stockholders are: William Hart,
William Zimmerman and Frank Carter, OF
Peru; Noah Moser and Philip McGovern, OF
Loogootee, and Fade Gwin, Of Shoals. The
company began business by purchasing a
lot of land about the falls and getting plans
ready for the construction work on the Gam.
William L. Stoy. who owned large farm
on the east side OF the falls, refused to part
with the desired land and prepared to retail
ate by organizing another company. so. al
most simultaneously with the Peru project,
came like venture from number Of the
leading business men from Washington,
Odon, Loogootee and Shoals, with Stoy at
their head as president and leading agltator;;
They. however. instead of incorporating all
their ideas under one charter, pursued diff
ferent tactics and organized six different
companies, each with different location,
but all by the same officers and for the same
final purpose, as il was intended that IL they
won the suit all the companies should be
united under one name and head.
They have filed papers for the following
corporations: Vincennes-West Baden Trac-
ton company, capital stock, $l15.000; Shoals
Hydraulic Power Company, capital $l5, 000;
Hindostan Falls Power Company. capital
$4,000: Clark's Ferry Power Company,
capital. $4,000; Copes Shoals Power Com
pany, capital. $4,000; Indiana Falls Hy-
draulic Company, capital, $4,000. All Of
these COMPANIES represent different locali-
ties along the river for distance of fifteen
miles. The incorporators are: w. l.. Stoy.
OF Odon. president; N. o. Griest, Shoals,
secretary; III. T.. Trueblood, Washington.
treasurer: A. +. Cabel and S. C.. Eskridge,
Washington; ID. A. Yoder. Vincennes; Harry
FL. Crooke. George ID. Abraham +. Stoy,
Odon; James r. Marshall. of Shoals
While the technical legal battle hinged on
the possession OF seven acres OF the Stoy
farm, the real proposition was for the en-
tire possession OF river ard railroad.
The decision was in favor of the Indiana
Hydraulic Power Company, against Story
and the men associated with him.