Hoosier Dusty Files - September 28, 1846 - Attica and Covington Canal Skirmish

A Year of Indiana History - 2016
A Year of Indiana History - 2016

September 28, 1846 - Attica and Covington Canal Skirmish
For a brief time in the fall of 1846, the Indiana towns of Covington and Attica went to war over the newly dug Wabash and Erie Canal. For a history of the Wabash and Erie Canal, see the Crosscut Canal Eel River Feeder Dam Marker.
Drought
By fall, 1846 canal workers had completed digging the canal to Covington. The water in the canal had only penetrated to Attica, about thirteen miles above Covington. The residents of Covington watched as the residents of Attica benefited from the canal and the boat traffic it brought. They waited patiently for the Lock 35 to open and the waters of the canal to reach their town. The problem was, a drought had plagued the land and river levels were low. The residents of Attica contended that there was not enough water to open the lock and allow the precious water to fill Covington's section of canal. Tempers flared and the Covington residents returned home.
Battle of the Canal
On September 26, 1846 a group of Covington residents led by U. S. Senator Edward A. Hannegan traveled to Attica to request that the canal operators open the lock. Attica official demurred, saying that the drought conditions had dried up the water and there was not sufficient flow to send the waters through to Covington. The Covington delegation dispersed. Two days later, on September 28, a crowd of over 300 Covington residents, some armed with clubs and sharpened tempers. Some of the people were on foot, others on horseback or in wagons, but towards Attica, they went. After their arrival, a brief scuffle ensued, but the Covington mob outnumbered the surprised Attica defenders. One man wrestled Lock 35 open.
Bone Dry
The parched earth swallowed up the water almost as soon as it entered the canal's bed. The result was that now neither town had a canal. The water flowed from the lock upstream and into the dry canal bed only to be swallowed by the parched earth. This would last until fall rains occurred in November, filling the canals. By November, the first canal boat reached Covington and the canal boom began.
Excerpted from the author's book:
Exploring Indiana's Historic Sites, Markers & Museums - West Central Edition

It is fun to experience Indiana's rich history. The easy to read “this day in history format” of the Hoosier Dusty Files makes it easy for readers to learn the history of the Hoosier state The author has excerpted articles his "A Year in Indiana History" book. . Visitors may read the articles as they appear or purchase the book:
A Year of Indiana History - 2016
Facebook
Indiana Places
Abes Beer Garden
Stories of American History
Mossy Feet Books

Twitter
Linkedin
YouTube
Pinterest
Paul Wonning's Books on Amazon Page
Paul Wonning's Books on Smashwords Page
Paul Wonning's Books on Apple
Paul Wonning's Books on Kobo
Paul Wonning's Books on Barnes and Noble
Paul Wonning's Books on Createspace
Paul Wonning's Books on Google Play
© Paul Wonning

Comments