USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time, Volume I > Part 12
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COUNTY DIVIDED INTO COMMISSIONERS' DISTRICTS.
In September, 1840, the county was divided into commissioners' districts as follows : Townships 77 and 78 north, range I east; townships 77 and 78 north, range I west; and townships 78 north, range 2 west, first district; townships 76 and 77, range 2, second district ; townships 76, 77 and 78, range 3, and townships 76, 77 and 78, range 4, third district.
In July, 1848, a tax of two mills was ordered to be levied for the purpose of purchasing and establishing a poor farm.
The first instrument filed in the recorder's office was a deed, executed by Charles Henderson to Peter Smith and filed December 5, 1838. The first mort- gage was filed December 10, 1838, by Weare Long.
DISTRICT COURT.
The first session of the district court convened in Bloomington Monday, April 24, 1837. David Irvin, judge of the second judicial district of Wiscon- sin territory, associate justice of the supreme court, presided. W. W. Chapman, United States district attorney, was also in attendance. The court appointed John S. Abbott clerk of the court, John Vanatta and Dr. Eli Reynolds having qualified as his bondsmen. 'A' diamond-shaped piece of paper was chosen as the temporary seal of the court. This was attached to documents by means of a wafer, impressed by the reverse side of a ten cent piece of silver.
THE FIRST GRAND JURY.
The first grand jury to be selected in Muscatine was composed of Robert Bamford, Benjamin Baston, Edward E. Fay, Robert C. Kinney, Jonathan Pet- tibone, Eli Reynolds, A. L. McKee, Joseph Mounts, Thomas J. Starke, Nathan Parsons, Samuel Parker, William Sparks, Christopher Barnes, John Briggs, Levi Chamberlain, Norman Fullington and 'Anderson Pace. Robert Bamford, foreman.
James W. Woods ("Old Timber"), was appointed district attorney pro tem for the county. His first official act was the successful removal of this venire and the issue of a new one. Among the first cases to come before the grand
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
jury were those of James Casey, Moses Couch and E. E. Fay, charged with selling liquor to the Indians; James Casey; Christopher Barnes and Norman Fullington for assault; bills were found. In all there were seventeen present- ments. It will be seen that certain members of the grand jury were indicted, either for assault, or gambling.
FIRST PETIT JURY.
The following composed the first petit jury in the county: John G. Cole- man, Samuel C. Comstock, John Holiday, E. N. Thurston, Thomas Burdett, John Hesser, S. S. Lathrop, W. H. Sams, Hamilton Christy, Isaac I. La- throp, Addison Reynolds. Our name is missing from the records accounts, only eleven names being given here.
The third session of the district court was held under the laws of Iowa territory, October 8, 1838, Judge Joseph Williams presiding. M. D. Browning was district attorney.
PROBATE COURT.
Arthur Washburn was the first presiding officer over this court and the first business transacted was at the November term, 1838, at which time Van Rens- salaer Thomkins was appointed administrator of an estate. In 1839, an in- quest of lunacy was held in this court and letters of administration were issued to several persons. The will of Reynolds Wright was admitted to probate and other minor business transacted. In 1869 the probate court was established. The following have held the office of probate judge: Arthur Washburn, 1838; Henry Reece, 1840; T. S. Parvin, 1841; Pliny Fay, 1846; T. S. Parvin, 1847. When the supervisors system came into vogue the county judge was given pro- bate jurisdiction: Arthur Washburn, 1851; George Meason, 1855; Edward H. Thayer, 1859; J. Carskaddan, 1862; Henry M. Perkins, 1864; H. H. Benson, 1866-9.
COMMISSIONERS COURT.
The first officials of Muscatine county consisted of three members of a com- missioners' court, the jurisdiction of which was almost without limitation. The act providing for the organization of Muscatine county was passed by the first Wisconsin territorial legislature in December, 1836, and if any organizing com- missioners were selected by the law makers, no record of their names is ob- tainable. It must be remembered that Muscatine county was organized, not under the laws of Iowa territory, but under and by virtue of a legislative enactment of the Wisconsin territory. Hence, by reason of the absence of any recorded authority, the historian has no means of describing the exact methods adopted by the men who had in hand the formation of a government for the new county. The probabilities are, however, that a meeting was held, when candidates were selected for the offices of the commissioners' court, a clerk of the court, a sheriff and others, and that an election very likely was held in January of 1837. In October, presumably the fourth day of that month, the first term of the commissioners' court convened. At this session the court ad-
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
journed, according to the clerk's minutes, "until the 5th inst.," which leads to the assurance that a former meeting of the court had been held in October and prior to the fifth day of that month. Here the reader's attention is directed to a marriage license discovered, bearing date February 13, 1837, and issued by Robert McLaren, as clerk of the commissioners' court. It is barely possible, however, that McLaren was, at the time, clerk of the United States district court, which held its first session at Bloomington (Muscatine), April 24, 1837. Unfortunately, these discrepancies are difficult of reconciliation with exact- ness, and impossible of verification, as the fire which partially destroyed the old court house in 1864, burned many of the loose documents having a place in the structure and, in all probability, a record of the proceedings of the com- missioners' court, antedating that of S. Clinton Hastings, whose "minute" book of the commissioners' court has for its first recorded transaction the meeting of the court prior to October 5, 1837. And at that first session of the court in October, the record implies that Hastings did not act as clerk, but one, J. R. Struther. It is therefore strongly suspected that for some time after this first session of the court, the minutes of its proceedings were written from memory by Mr. Hastings.
The writer is limited for his data relating to the early history of the for- mation of the county and the proceedings of its pioneer officials to the "minute" book, kept by S. Clinton Hastings, clerk of the commissioners' court. From that loosely-kept journal it appears that at the first session of the court only two members of the court were in attendance and there is nothing to show who was the third member. Defects of this character are numerous and much to be deplored.
MEMBERS COMMISSIONERS' COURT.
1837-Arthur Washburn, Edward E. Fay, S. Clinton Hastings, clerk. 1838-John Vannata, E. Thornton, Aaron Usher, S. Clinton Hastings, clerk. 1839-John Vannata, E. Thornton, Aaron Usher, E. Clinton Hastings, clerk. 1840-John Vannata, R. Stewart, Benjamin Nye, Edward E. Fay, clerk. 1841-John Vannata, Benjamin Nye, William Leffingwell, E. E. Fay, clerk. 1842-John Vannata, Benjamin Nye, William Leffingwell, Abraham Smal- ley, clerk.
1843-John Vannata, Benjamin Nye, William Leffingwell, Abraham Smal- ley, clerk.
1844-John Vannata, Milo Bennett, Charles Neally, Abraham Smalley, clerk.
1845-Milo Bennett, John Zeigler, Charles Neally, William Leffingwell; clerk.
1846-John Zeigler, Daniel L. Healy, John Miller, Z. Washburn, clerk.
1847-John Zeigler, Daniel L. Healy, John H. Miller, Nathaniel Hallock, clerk.
1848-H. H. Garnes, Daniel L. Healy, William Beard, N. Hallock, clerk.
1849-Daniel L. Healy, H. H. Garnes, A. T. Banks, Nathaniel Hallock, clerk.
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
1850-Amos Lillibridge, H. H. Garnes, William Keyes, Nathaniel Hallock, clerk.
COMMISSIONERS' COURT ABOLISHED.
As time went on dissatisfaction arose with the commissioners' court and its methods of conducting the affairs of the county. The office was the subject of much unfavorable criticism in various counties of the state and in 1851 the commissioners' court was abolished by law and by an act of the legislature the county court system was substituted therefor. This court was given equal power to that of its predecessor, in all business matters of the county, and co- ordinate jurisdiction with justices courts.
THE COUNTY COURT.
The first person who served as county judge in this county, was elected in 1851. His name was Arthur Washburn and he was followed in 1856 by George Meason. The latter's successor was Edward H. Thayer, who was elected in 1857.
THE SUPERVISOR SYSTEM.
Ten years' trial of the county court seems to have been sufficient for the people to determine that the best means of running the affairs of the bailiwick had not been adopted. It was far from being satisfactory. Many of the early taxpayers claimed that the judge of the court had altogether too much power and that the general interests of the community were continually in peril. Then the township or supervisor system came to the fore by legislative enactment, and in 1861 the first board of township supervisors was elected, each township being entitled to one member. This plan prevailed until 1870, when again the system was changed. In the last mentioned year the general assembly passed an act which made it optional with the people whether they elect three or five members, to compose the board of supervisors, provided for in the previous year. Muscatine county chose to have a board of three members and that was its strength and numbers until 1895, when, after an abortive attempt in 1894, the number of members was increased to five and continues at the present time. Below is given a complete list of those who have served as members of the board of supervisors :
1861-John B. Dougherty, Evans B. Burgan, Elijah Younkin, Silas Ferry, Joseph Crane, Vernet Tracy, Michael Price, John Zeigler, John R. Merritt, R. H. Patterson, J. E. Robb, Henry Resley, Andrew Heberling, William C. Evans.
1862 -- John B. Dougherty, E. F. Burgan, Elijah Younkin, Silas Ferry, Joseph Crane, Vernet Tracy, Michael Price, Marshall Farnsworth, J. E. Robb, William Hoyt, R. H. Patterson, William C. Evans, George W. Hunt, Andrew Heber- ling.
1863-Joseph Crane, Thomas M. Isett, E. F. Burgan, R. H. Patterson, John Fullmer, Silas Ferry, A. Heberling, E. Younkin, G. W. Hunt, William C. Evans, J. E. Robb, William Hoyt, Vernet Tracy, Marshall Farnsworth.
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
1864-Joseph Crane, E. Younkin, Vernet Tracy, George Chase, John Full- mer, M. Farnsworth, R. T. Thompson, Richard Musser, J. E. Robb, William D. Viele, Thomas M. Isett, George W. Hunt, William D. Cone, E. F. Burgan. 1865-R. F. Thompson, J. D. Walker, William F. Tolles, William D. Viele, M. Farnsworth, George Chase, J. A. Purinton, Michael Price, William H. Stewart, Richard Musser, A. Cone, William H. Hazlett, George W. Hunt, Thomas Boggs.
1866-James E. Robb, Stephen Herrick, Nathan Brown, R. T. Thompson, Charles Page, Andrew Dobbs, C. M. McDaniel, William H. Hazlett, J. A. Pur- inton, A. Cone, Michael Price, J. D. Walker, William H. Stewart, George Chase.
1867-James E. Robb, Nathan Brown, George Chase, A. Cone, Charles Cope, Andrew Dobbs, William H. Hazlett, Stephen Herrick, Charles Page, J. A. Purinton, Jacob Snyder, W. H. Stewart, J. E. Walker, James A. Eaton.
1868-J. D. Walker, A. Cone, B. S. Cone, Charles Cope, Andrew Dobbs, J. A. Eaton, E. E. Edwards, Caleb Elliott, W. H. Hazlett, C. C. Horton, George Metts, J. A. Purinton, Jacob Snyder, W. H. Stewart.
1869-W. H. Stewart, Charles Cope, J. A. Eaton, E. E. Edwards, Caleb Elliott, H. S. Griffin, Daniel Harker, W. H. Hazlett, J. A. Purinton, C. C. Horton, Mathew Porter, Joseph Nelson, J. S. Riggs, A. Dobbs.
1870-J. A. Parvin, Byron Carpenter, James A. Eaton, Daniel Harker, H. S. Griffin, William Fultz, W. H. Hazlett, C. C. Horton, Joseph Nelson, J. A. Purinton, M. Porter, J. S. Riggs, W. H. Stewart, Alonzo Shaw.
In 1871 the system was changed to one similar to the original commissioners' plan. By legislative enactment it was made optional with the people whether they had three or five commissioners or supervisors, as they are called. This county chose the small number.
1871-William H. Stewart, Byron Carpenter, James E. Robb.
1872-William H. Stewart, James E. Robb, Byron Carpenter.
1873-A. F. Demorest, J. E. Robb, Byron Carpenter.
1874-A. F. Demorest, J. E. Robb, Byron Carpenter.
1875-A. F. Demorest, Thomas Birkett, J. E. Robb.
1876-J. E. Robb, Thomas Birkett, I. L. Graham.
1877-Thomas Birkett, A. Cone, I. L. Graham. 1878 I. L. Graham, Thomas Birkett, A. Cone. 1879-Thomas Birkett, A. Cone, Cornelius Cadle.
1880-Thomas Birkett, C. Cadle, B. H. Garrett.
1881-Thomas Birkett, C. Cadle, B. H. Garrett. 1882-Thomas Birkett, C. Cadle, B. H. Garrett. 1883-Thomas Birkett, William P. Crawford, B. H. Garrett.
1884-B. H. Garrett, William P. Crawford, Henry Will.
1885-B. H. Garrett, Henry Will, Frederick Huttig.
1886-Henry Will, Frederick Huttig, Harvey Baker. 1887-Ira J. Nichols, Harvey Baker, J. H. Scott. 1888 Harvey Baker, B. F. Neidig, Ira J. Nichols. Vacancy caused by Nichols' death filled by appointment of P. R. Evans.
1889-Harvey Baker, John H. Hooley, B. F. Neidig. 1890-Harvey Baker, B. F. Neidig, John J. Hooley.
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
1891-Harvey Baker, B. F. Neidig, John J. Hooley. 1892-B. F. Neidig, John J. Hooley, Alfred Tunison. 1893-B. F. Neidig, Alfred Tunison, Charles Schulte. 1894-Alfred Tunison, Charles Schulte, John W. Rice. 1895-John W. Rice, Charles Schulte, Ira Hendrix.
1896-J. W. Rice, S. M. Hoskins, Ira Hendrix.
BOARD INCREASED TO FIVE MEMBERS.
At the fall election of 1894, the following proposition was submitted to the electors of Muscatine county : "Shall the following public measure be adopted- Shall the number of county supervisors be increased to five?" From the small vote cast for and against the question, it was apparent that the proper interest in the matter was not manifested. The proposed departure failed of receiving the necessary majority, but that gave no uneasiness to its friends and in the following election of 1895 a small majority, of a light vote, was cast in its favor. In 1897 three candidates were elected to fill the new quota of the board and the members so elected, upon the organization of the new legislative body, cast lots for the long and short terms. H. M. Zeidler and M. Bernick secured the three years' terms and J. I. Nichols the term of two years.
1897-Ira Hendrix, S. M. Hoskins, H. W. Zeidler, J. I. Nichols, M. Ber- nick.
1898 S. M. Hoskins, Ira Hendrix, H. W. Zeidler, J. I. Nichols, M. Ber- nick.
1899-Ira Hendrix, H. W. Zeidler, M. Bernick, S. M. Hoskins, J. I. Nichols. 1900-Ira Hendrix, J. I. Nichols, S. M. Hoskins, M. Bernick, E. P. Day. 1901-Ira Hendrix, E. P. Day, J. I. Nichols, M. Bernick, S. M. Hoskins.
1902-M. Bernick, W. H. Fishburn, E. P. Day, D. D. Webster, R. T. Shannon.
1903-M. Bernick, W. H. Fishburn, E. P. Day, D. D. Webster, R. T. Shannon.
1904-D. D. Webster, W. H. Fishburn, E. P. Day, R. T. Shannon, M. Bernick.
1905-D. D. Webster, W. H. Fishburn, E. P. Day, R. T. Shannon, M. Ber- nick.
1906-W. H. Fishburn, A C. Noble, George J Lang, M. J. Shellabarger, R. T. Shannon.
1907-W. H. Fishburn, A. C. Noble, George J. Lang, M. J. Shellabarger, R. T. Shannon.
1908-R. T. Shannon, W. H. Fishburn, A. C. Noble, George J. Lang, M. J. Shellabarger.
1909-A. C. Noble, W. H. Fishburn, R. T. Shannon, George J. Lang, M. J. Shellabarger.
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
1910-M. J. Shellabarger, A. C. Noble, George J. Lang, J. W. Flater, H. B. Phillips.
COUNTY OFFICERS. AUDITORS.
When the circuit court was created in 1869, the office of county auditor, or business agent, was instituted. Robert H. McCampbell was then chosen and continued in the office for fifteen years, or until 1884. 1884-1894, W. H. John- son ; 1896-1900, Edward C. Stocker; 1902-03, A. C. Noble; 1904-10, A. S. Lawrence.
CIRCUIT COURT ABOLISHED.
In 1869, the business of the district court had become so great that a new tribunal was created and designated as the circuit court. This court exercised general jurisdiction concurrent with the district court, in all civil actions and special proceedings, and exclusive jurisdiction in all appeals and writs of error from inferior courts, and had a general supervision thereof in all civil matters. It also had the power to correct and prevent abuses where no other remedy was provided. This court also had original jurisdiction of all probate matters. Prior to the year 1869 the clerk was elected as clerk of the district court. When the law went into effect establishing the circuit court, the official duties were circumscribed by both courts. January 1, 1887, the circuit court was abolished.
CLERKS DISTRICT COURT.
1838, J. G. Morrow; 1844, John A. Parvin; 1848, Richard Cadle; 1850, William Leffingwell; 1854, Richard Cadle; 1858, Charles S. Foster; 1862, John W. Jayne; 1868, John D. Walker; 1874-82, John H. Munroe; 1884, S. M. Hughes-resigned in May, and H. J. Fitzgerald appointed; 1884, H. J. Fitz- gerald for long and short term; 1888, John B. Hudson; 1890-94, W. H. Hughes ; 1896-1900, Joseph W. Eells ; 1902-05, C. J. Richman ; 1906-10, W. S. McKee.
SHERIFFS.
1838, James Davis; 1840, Denton J. Snyder; 1844, George W. Humphrey ; 1846, Lyman C. Hine; 1850, John J. Reece; 1852, David G. McCloud; 1856, William Gordon; 1862, Harris H. Hine; 1866, Abraham E. Keith; 1872, James A. Eaton; 1876, R. C. Jewett; 1880-82, A. N. Snyder; 1884-86, W. W. Hart- man ; 1888-90, Thomas P. Gray; 1892, Daniel McCurdy ; 1894-96, H. E. Wiley ; 1898-1900, R. O. McGaughey ; 1902-05, John D. Stuart; 1906-09, R. Frank Benham; 1910, David Vanatta.
TREASURER.
1837, Lewis McKee; 1839, Hezekiah Musgrave; 1841, John 'A. McCor- mick; 1843, T. S. Battelle; 1847, F. H. Stone; 1851, A. T. Banks; 1855, Wil- liam G. Robb; 1858, John W. Lucas; 1862, Brinton Darlington; 1865, M. L.
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
Miksell; 1867, R. T. Thompson; 1871, Henry Molis, Sr .; 1873, Joseph Mor- rison ; 1880-82, Lyman Banks; 1884-92, G. M. Scott; 1894-98, Silas N. John- son; 1900, C. H. Gobble; 1902-06, E. C. Stocker; 1907, C. R. Stafford; 1908, A. C. Shiflet ; 1909-10, R. E. Johnson.
OFFICE OF DISTRICT ATTORNEY ABOLISHED.
In 1883, H. H. Banson was the last person elected to serve as district at- torney. In the general assembly of 1885-6, an act was passed abolishing the office of district attorney and creating the office of county attorney, thereby confining the duties of the prosecutor to his own county. The county attorney, under the act, holds his office by the votes of the electorate of the county, the same as other officers. The first election in Muscatine county for county at- torney was held in 1887.
COUNTY ATTORNEY.
1888-92, Herman J. Lander; 1894, E. M. Warner; 1896, Douglas V. Jack- son; 1898, J. R. Hanley; 1900, Clymer A. Coldren ; 1902-03, E. P. Ingham ; 1904-05, J. R. Hanley ; 1906-09, I. S. Pepper ; 1910, Herbert G. Thompson.
RECORDER.
1838, Lewis McKee; 1841, Irad C. Day; 1847, F. H. Stone; 1851, A. T. Banks; 1855, William G. Robb; 1858, John W. Lucas; 1862, Bronton Darling- ton; 1865, Charles S. Foster; 1867-80, W. M. Kennedy; 1882, S. E. Wolcott; 1884, W. M. Kennedy; 1886-94, John B. Hudson; 1896-1900, William C. Schenck; 1902-03, C. H. Reesink; 1904-09, H. C. Shoemaker; 1910, H. S. Howe.
COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT SCHOOLS.
W. F. Brannan, Charles Woodhouse, D. H. Goodno, G. B. Denison, R. H. McCampbell, Frank Gilbert (to fill vacancy), C. H. Hamilton and T. N. Brown. R. W. Leverich followed T. N. Brown in the '70s and remained in that office until 1886. 1886-90, G. W. Coverston; 1892-94, E. A. Allber; 1896-1900, J. A. Townsley; 1902-1907, F. M. Witter; 1908-10, M. F. Cronin.
CORONER.
1880-82, John Beard; 1884-1894, P. A. 'Austin; 1896-1900, Elliott R. King. SURVEYOR.
1880-84, George Metz; 1884, W. H. K. Cunningham; 1886, A. G. Towns- ley ; 1890, J. J. Ryan; 1894, P. A. Austin ; 1898-1902, R. H. McCampbell.
COURT HOUSES AND JAILS OF MUSCATINE COUNTY.
Today Muscatine county has one of the handsomest court houses in the state of Iowa, and the board of supervisors under whose management the building
CITY BAKERY
VIEW OF IOWA AVENUE, 1874, LOOKING NORTH FROM NEAR THE CORNER OF THIRD STREET
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
was constructed is entitled to much praise for the splendid performance of its duties. The members each had an eye single to the interests of his constitu- ents and the county at large, and saw to it that the bonds were properly mar- keted, that a competent architect was secured and an honest and practical con- tractor was placed on the work. The result, when the building was turned over to the county, became at once apparent that the best of material was used and that everything had been accomplished in a workmanlike manner. The build- ing speaks for itself and there is none better, of its class, anywhere. The same may be said of the new jail.
After these buildings were finished and occupied, the very capable and pains- taking auditor, A. S. Lawrence, through research of the records of a most arduous nature, gathered the necessary early historic data relating to the old county buildings and prepared, in pamphlet form, a history of the court houses and jails built by the county. The story is so lucidly and interestingly written that the compiler of this work would hesitate at any time to enlarge upon the subject or attempt to make any improvements in its composition. Hence, with the permission of the author, the history of the county buildings is republished :
"From early settlers and from those conversant with county matters in the early periods of the county's history, we are informed that what is now known as Court House Square was a part of a land grant from the general govern- ment and that the money used for the construction of the first court house and jail was obtained from the proceeds of the sale of a portion of section 35, that particular quarter section being also a part of the lands given to the state by the general government, so it appears that the grounds and buildings formerly used were no expense whatever to the taxpayers of Muscatine county.
"We find that the meetings of the first county commissioners, of which we are able to find a record, were held at private houses. This was in the years 1837 to 1838, during the territorial days.
"At a meeting of the board of commissioners, held January 14, 1839, there was present Err Thornton, John Vanater and Aaron Usher. The following order was passed: 'Ordered, That a jail be built in the town of Bloomington on the square reserved for the public buildings.' This appears to be the first county building constructed in the county and as it was rather a unique struc- ture, viewed from the standpoint of today, we append the plans and specifica- tions submitted for its construction.
PLAN OF JAIL.
"Dimensions 24 feet long by 16 feet wide. Floors to be two layers of tim- bers crosswise, each layer one foot square. Walls two thicknesses of timber twelve inches square, ten inches apart, filled in with stone pounded fine. Ten feet between floors. Plank on inside two inches thick with 20d nails one every inch square. Partition on lower story three-inch stuff. Flooring inch plank tongued and grooved.
UPPER STORY.
"Floor same width as above, with a trap door in the center of one of the rooms, trap door to shut down level with the upper floor, with hinges extend- Vol. I-7
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
ing across the door, made of bar iron two inches wide and three-fourths inch thick, with a lock on opposite end of the hinge. Walls of second-story built of square timber one foot thick, seven feet high, ceiled above with inch plank, roof of pine shingles, four inches to the weather, rafters covered with sheeting. Stairway to go up outside with platform above and banisters around.
DOORS.
"Inch plank spiked double and clinched. Sheet iron outside. The trap door to be covered on the lower side with sheet iron clinched and spiked on the inner side one inch apart.
GRATINGS.
"Two windows in the lower story with double gratings, side bars one inch thick by two wide. Size of window ten inches square, gratings one inch square.
WINDOWS, UPPER STORY.
"Windows eight by ten glass, grating outside as above. One door through each partition made of two-inch plank, locks, etc.
FOUNDATIONS FOUR FEET DEEP.
The contract was let February II, 1839, to Giles Pettibone, L. C. Hine and John Pettibone. The completed building was turned over to the commission- ers June 1, 1839, and the contractors were paid $1,400 for their work. This structure stood on the northwest corner of the square and was doubtless in use until the construction of the second jail and sheriff's residence.
"This second building was constructed in 1856 and 1857. The lot upon which it stands was purchased in 1855 at a cost of $1,300. The jail and sher- iff's residence were erected by Hine & Mulford, contractors, the cost of the building, according to the best figures obtainable at this date being about $12,- 500. As the building is still standing and shows for itself, it is unnecessary for us to go into details regarding its architecture and construction except to say that it was located in what was then a low swale or depression and as a consequence was at frequent intervals flooded with water, much to the discom- fort of its enforced occupants.
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