What might have been — The Straight Line Railroad, Part II

By Don Cosby, Historical Writer

Willard Carpter worked hard to estabish a direct rail route between Evansville and Indianapolis. However things began to fall apart for Carpenter as the project began to move along.

Progress was developing rather rapidly and there was a true sense of optimism, almost approaching euphoria, within the community. The next step, of course, was the purchase of the steel rails. Nearly all steel rails at this period of time were made in England and Wales. Most of the road bed had been developed 50 miles north of Evansville so Carpenter set sail for Europe to purchase the rails with a financial portfolio consisting of an agreement for the payment of $12,000 of mortgage bonds per mile upon the road bed, $100,000 worth of common real estate bonds, and $100,000 of municipal bonds by the City of Evansville. These municipal bonds had been pledged by the city administration and scheduled for future release in July of that year. Upon his arrival in England, he learned of a lengthy pamphlet that had been published and distributed containing many representations and circulated throughout London, Paris and Wales regarding Carpenter’s personal integrity. This pamphlet had been sent to banks and the manufacturers and rail makers. These charges later had been found to have come from Carpenter’s home town and therefore when negotiations were being finalized and the bonds he had offered as collateral, he found they were rejected unless all bonds could be delivered up front. Carpenter then called upon Vorse, Perkins and Company, who had offices in London and New York, to intercede in the negotiations. This company was a large brokerage company specializing in such transactions. The president of that company personally contacted Evansville City Council, asking them to immediately issue the bonds as earlier pledged. They refused. Since Carpenter had left for Europe, Evansville had had an election and a change of administration. Carpenter then offered to indemnify the city by personally mortgaging all of his personal real estate holdings in Evansville and Vanderburg County if they would consent to release the bonds. They again refused. Such was the cause of the failure of Straight Line Railroad. Likewise, the two towns of Cosby and Chelsey that were to play such an important part in the development and future of the county suffered the same fate.

Discouraged, disappointed and heartbroken, Carpenter set sail for home. He had devoted over five grueling years of work and had put his heart and soul into this project. He had gone to Europe twice and to New York 14 times at his own expense, attempting to work out all the necessary details.

There was no question but that he had been betrayed by his own city council. No one could venture a guess as to the financial losses that he personally suffered. Years later Evansville lived to regret the short-sighted decisions that had been made by a few self-serving officials putting self above public welfare. They have come to reflect upon the mistake that they made which amounted to personal selfishness, jealousy and political payback.

Carpenter was encouraged by some to file legal action but refused even though he was professionally and personally severely financially damaged by his own community. He, however, never wavered in his devotion to Evansville.

Today in parts of Veale Township, the old road bed is still visible in various locations. It is not a stretch of one’s imagination to ask the question, “What would Washington be like today if the railroad had been completed and operated as planned?” It could possibly have become a major railroad hub with freight transported east and west on the B & O and the Straight Line running north and South. One hundred and fifty-five years later Washington could be twice or maybe even three times the size that it is today. The numerous local property owners who had agreed to accept railroad stock in lieu of right-of-way through their property could possibly have been rewarded handsomely as a result of their efforts. What if...?

As a special note, there was much to admire in Willard Carpenter since he was by any and all measurements a generous self-made man of integrity. The most prominent feature of the man and his career was his zeal for the public interest. His abilities were well known, being of strong will, very persuasive and tenacious by nature, yet generous with his personal assets. The later years of his life were devoted almost entirely toward philanthropic projects. He established and endowed the Willard Library in Evansville, which still serves the public to this day. In 1865 through Carpenter’s donations, a Christian home was founded. It consisted of a large twelve-room home, providing for homeless girls who had gone astray. To several churches of Evansville he had given over $14,000. Earlier he had erected on his own property a building for the poor and paupers of Vanderburg County and had provided the funds to operate it. Evansville should have honored him rather than destroying the dream he had.

Don Cosby is a retired elected official. He most recently served 17 years as Washington Township Assessor. He is married to Pat.

Comments may be addressed to doncosby@att.net or to 1201 N.E. Third St., Washington, IN 47501.

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