"Ken McCutchan is a life-long resident of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, descended from pioneer families that entered the area in the early 1800s. He is veteran of WWII, having served with Army Corps of Engineers in both North Africa and Europe. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Composition and Modern Language from the University of Evansville, a certificate in French Language and Culture from the Sorbonne in Paris, and an Honorary Doctor of Letters Degree from the University of Southern Indiana. His other books include: The Adventures of Isaac Knight, From then Til Now, Saundersville, An English Settlement, At The Bend in the River, and Dearest Lizzie. Mr. McCutchan's books may be purchased at Willard Library in Evansville, IN.

The Great Caterpillar Invasion   

by Kenneth P. McCutchan

During the summer of 1873, Evansville was invaded by hordes of caterpillars that stripped the shade trees of their leaves, crawled all over the streets and sidewalks, and even entered the houses.

Conditions got so bad that city leaders decided that something had to be done. A meeting was called at the auditor's office on the evening of October 24th, 1873.

It was suggested that one way to solve the problem would be to import a shipment of sparrows from England.

Reportedly, English sparrows were good insect destroyers and would multiply rapidly.

If a good-sized colony of the birds could be established, they would increase to such an extent that the number of annoying insects would be materially reduced.

All who attended the meeting agreed, and a subscription list was started. Christian Kratz's name was at the head of the list with a contribution of $10. County Auditor Philip Decker was appointed to circulate the list and send for the birds, when enough money was raised.

On December 24th the sparrows arrived. Of the 100 pairs ordered, only two birds died en route.

On Christmas Day they were released to accommodations that had been prepared for them around the Courthouse at Third and Main streets.

Quoting a story that appeared in The Evansville Journal the following August: "After making liberal allowances for death and accidents it is estimated that there are now in the city 1,400 to 1,500 birds. Those hatched and raised around the Court House still come there to roost at night, and in the twilight of the evening they may be seen as thick as mosquitoes.

"During the days they wander all over the city, and little flocks of a half dozen or may be seen on every street hunting food or wallowing in the dust. We have not heard of a single case where one has been wantonly killed, which is evidence of the humanity of the average small boy in Evansville…

"It is believed that within a few years this whole region of the country will be well stocked with them."

The folks in 1874 were certainly correct in that assumption.

The English Sparrow has become so common all over the country and so Americanized that probably there is no longer one that chirps with a British accent.