USA > Illinois > Shelby County > Historic sketch and biographical album of Shelby County, Illinois > Part 6
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RECEIPTS FOR LICENSE MONEY.
"Received of George H. Beeler, nine dollars. being the amount of tax for retailing foreign merchandise for one year, in Shelbyville, Illinois. "JOHN HAMILTON.
Treasurer." "Received of John W. Maxwell, five dol- lars. for which the said Maxwell is to be per- mitted to exhibit a show, for a term not exceed- ing one week. "JOHN HAMILTON.
Treasurer."
RECEIPT FOR FINE.
Which shows that even those who impose fines upon others, are not exempt, themselves, when they have broken the law :
"Received of B. R. Hunter, $3.00 for 'a fine collected off of Shelton Allphin, Esq .. this the 6th of September, 1831.
"JOHN HAMILTON. "Treasurer."
In this connection it may be interesting to note that from April 26, 1827, to March 4. 1833. a period of six years, only forty-two fines were levied and collected. These amounted in sum total to $170, and were imposed in cases before nine separate justices of the peace.
PETITION FOR CHANGE OF FOURTH ELECTION DISTRICT.
"To the Honorable the County Commis- sioners' Court of Shelby county, we, the under- signed citizens of the Fourth Election District, do believe that the place of holding elections at Arthur Scott's should be removed to John Pervises it being the most Sentral Pint in this Election District, for which in duty bound we shall ever Prey.
43
HISTORIC SKETCH.
"May 28. 1836."
Attached to this are fifty-five names of citi- zens of Shelby county. In response to this peti- tion the place of holding elections was "re- mooved" as desired.
Occasionally we see a criminally indolent being who, when the cold weather approaches. would as soon be incarcerated in the county bastile, as not. because he knows his board and lodging is assured for as long a time as he re- mains a public charge. But this was not true of the early days of Shelby county. Then, it was the rule that the one who was imprisoned should provide the wherewithal to purchase his own food : failing to do this, he would go hungry unless he made affidavit and gave sufficient proof of his inability to provide such means. Below, we give a copy of such affidavit.
OATH OF WILLIAM WILSON.
"State of Illinois, County of Shelby.
"Be it remembered, that on this day per- sonally appeared William Wilson, in the jail of said county, before me. J. W. Johnson, an act- ing justice of the peace within and for the coun- ty and state aforesaid, and made oath that he. the said Wilson, was not able to pay the necessary 'dyet' and other things for his susten- ance while in jail.
"Sworn to and subscribed before me. this 23d of September, 1830.
"J. W. JOHNSON. J. P." his "WILLIAM (X) WILSON." mark
PETITION OF BARNET BONE.
"To the Honorable. the County Commis- sioner's Court of Shelby county :
"Whereas, Prescilla Law, a poor woman, and two small children, came to my house some two or three months since, without any means wherewith to subsist : your petitioner took them in, and from that time has supported them: the woman and one child the most of the time sick.
"Therefore your petitioner wishes you to make him some compensation for his trouble. .And. furthermore, to make some further pro- vision for the said poor persons.
"Yours respectfully, "October ist. 1832. "BARRY BONE."
We refrain from comment on the following petitions ; they speak for themselves :
PETITION FOR ELECTION PRECINCT. 1
"We the sitisons of Shelby county on the litle wor Bash potishion the county commish- ner court Held at Shelbiville to lay us of a pree- sinkt to rune from the head of brush creek tim- ber to John poes on the fore mild creek then Due East to the county line on the East fork of the litle wore Bash and wish the place of hold- ing Electtions to be at Amacy Bails also we wish one constibile and jesstus of the peace and ing Electtions to be at Amacy Bails also we conveinent.
"pertisherners name "AMASSLY BAILS I "A. C. HUNTER 2 "LEVI BAILS 3 "JERAMIAH DANIEL 3 "NATHAN DANIEL 4 "JOSEPH STIPHENS 5 "
PETITION FOR REVIEW OF ROAD.
"to the, honorable Court of Shelby county : "We the undersigned do pray for a revue
44
HISTORIC SKETCH.
of a rode leading from shelbivill to Danvill in vermillion County runing with the tarehote road as fair as Wm. J. Bennet's esq thince by John Whitlyes hors mill to the County loin as there is no road as yet through this section of our County we the undersignors do pray your hon- erable boddy to grant us said road as it will be useful to the inhabitance of this county and also to the travillers and by so doing you will confer a grate favour on your umble petitioners
August the 1th. 1831
"Levi Jordan "l'eter Allgood
"Joseph Reed "James Renford
"James Albet
"James Walles
"L. H. Dunn "George Wageonor
"John Rose "Elias Car
"James Baker "Smauel Miles
"Daniel Davis
"William Walker
"Peter Kirk
"William Rose
"Joshua Randle
"Daniel Smith
"Hiram little
"Benjamin Moberly
"John Weger
"John Whitley Sr
"William McDaniel
"John Wagonner "Andrew Weeks "Alfred fortner
"Right Litele "John Whitley Jr "thomas Randal "Jeremiah Dannel
"Fredderick Ponce
"Elisha Waggoner "Prior Brally
"Sam Bougher
"Jacob walles
"Jesse Crouder
"Baszel weeks
"John abbit James Ledbetter. Jr
"Robert Weger
"thomas Weger
"Jacob Bougher
"William Pierce
"Harman Smithi
"Aron price
"J. W. Lovins "William Hannon
"Talman Smith, "Gideon Edwards
"Sharp Whitley "James W. Herod "William Welch
"Henry Miller
"Thomas Bougher "Clinton Little
"Robert dunken "John Brally Esq.
"James Ledbetter "Green Wornalk
"Hugh Walden "Benjamin Wornalk
"James Cronnover."
CERTIFICATE AND OATH RELATIVE TO ENTERING LAND.
"The south-west quarter of the north-west quarter of section 27. township eleven north. range three east, of the third principal meridian. "State of Illinois. Shelby County. ss.
"I do solemnly swear that the land above described is intended to be entered for my own personal use and benefit. and not in trust for another : and the same is intended for cultiva- tion : and that I have not entered. under the Act of the 4th of March 1832. nor under the Act of the 2d of June. 1833. at this nor any other land office in the United States, any land in quarter quarter sections, in my own name or in the name of any other person.
her "ELIZABETH (X) HARMON. mark
"Sworn to and subscribed before me. this 22d of June, 1839. "EDWARD EVY. J. P. S. C."
PROMISSORY NOTE.
"One day after date I promise to pay Mor- gan Bryant or order the sum of twenty-three . Dollars and eighteen and three-fourth cts for
45
.
"Mills Whitley
"Isham Hardy
"Foley waggoner 1
"J. W. Edwards "Milton Cox
"Levy Gally
"Gilbert Waggoner
"Alfred Walles "Jordan Ball
"John A Baker
"Josiah B. Tull "James Mc Damiel "B. W. Siler Wim. Whitley
"Evan Baker
HISTORIC SKETCH.
value received of him, baring ten per cent from (lite until paid this April the 9th, 1860.
"JAMES STOUT."
ORDER AND RECEIPT.
"Mr. John giles J. P. you will please to pay C. Musser the balance due me on that judgment of mine against Bricker, and this shall bee your receipt.
"PAUL WARNER."
AFFIDAVIT.
"State of Illinois, Shelby County. December 16. 1870.
"1. J. R. Sawyer, this day has Made oats before R. I. Brumfield, that he does verrybly beleaves that 1, R. Beason Did on the night of the 15 of Dec 1870 take and Carry away on Pocket Book Containing Eleven Dollars and some other Papers Belonging to John R. Saw- ver.
"JOHN R. SAWYER.
"Subscribed and sworn to before me this day. December the 16th, 1870. "K. T. BRUMFIELD, J. P."
ESTRAY NOTICE.
"Taken up by E. M. Riggs in Holland township Shelby Co. Ilinois Dec the y 1869 one roan yearling stear read roan white face crop of the left ear and under half crop in the right ear. One yearling heifer very small of her age red on her back the rest of her is more a roan than any other color. Crop of each ear under slope in each ear and the bush of the tail off.
"E. M. RIGGS."
The following extract from a judgment re- ceived in 1830 is unique in itself, and furnishes the reader some idea of the value of certain articles in that early period. It will be interest-
ing to compare the valuations with those of the same aricles at the present.
EXTRACT FROM JUDGMENT
received before the Court of Probate, Nov. 30. 1830. for the recovering of certain property be- longing to the state of William Chandler, de- ceased :
"The following property which, by the judgment of the said court. it appears to belong to the said estate, to-wit :
"One Rifle Gun, mokler and wifers, one Feather bead: one foot adds: 4 Puter plates : Bottom of one Puter dish; one spoon; one water pail; 3 tin cups ; one Bead quilt : one Counterpin : two knives and two folks; one Hymn Book : one Bible; one Arithmetic ; one sugar trunk and one Sugar box.
"JOSEPHI OLIVER, Judge of Probate."
EXTRACT FROM APPRAISEMENT BILL OF WILLIAM CHANDLER.
"One bell and collar $1.12 1-2
One slate .25
One Small Bottle .. .12 1-2
One vile .06 1-4
One quart botle. .25
One Rasor.
.25
One vile of antemonial wine .. .12 1-2
One whetestone .12 1-2
one pare of hames
.12 1-2
one tea plate .04
two Drest deer skins .62 1-2
one raccoon skin . .06 1-4
one dogskin. .25
one parsel. of shoemaker's tax .12 1-2
five fish hooks. . .18 3-4
One bunch of black paper .05 1-4
46
HISTORIC SKETCH.
One parsel of all spice .06 1-4
Six puter spoons. .37 1-2_
three tea spoons .12 1-2
one coffee pote .12 1-2
twelve all Blads. .18 3-4
two Brest chaines .50
one how 1.00
one swingle tree .50
one Blowing horn
one peace of led. .31 1-4
.25
one Ax 1.75
one bunch of tobacco 1.00
one Cole .03
one tronke. 1.50
five neting needles .04
one pare of pote hooks .25
one tin trumpet. . .. .03
one scillete and bead 1.00
one peas of a log chain .62 1-2
We add a few items from the "inventory bill" of the estate of Asa Ledbetter, which show the prevailing valuation of live stock. in 1831 : 2 cows and calves, $8 each $16.00 bull 7.00
2 heifers, $3 each 6.00
8 head of sheep. $1.50 each 12.00
REPORT CONCERNING POOR HOUSE.
We copy in full the report of County Physi- cian Harnett, concerning the conditions, needs. etc., of the Poor House, in 1874. It contains some very good things, which may be of as great interest to Shelby county people as they were thirty years ago :
- "To the Honorable Board of Supervisors of Shelby County, Illinois :
"Gentlemen : As this will be your last meeting of the board during this present year I will submit the following report, which 1 hope will not be without some interest :
"Whole number of paupers since last re-
port. seventeen (17) : number at present on the farm, sixteen (16), five (5) males, and eleven ( 11 ) females, of whom two (2) of the males and four (4) of the females are idiots. One male and one female are blind: one insane. As is usuål at alms houses, very few of these paupers can per- form any manual labor.
"At the last time our county sent some in- sane persons to the southern asylum, the institu- tion would receive three (3). Whether the insti- tution was full, or that was the largest number our county was entitled to, I am not aware. If this unfortunate creature could be sent there now. or very soon, I would urge the board in regard to it. as our poor house. (and. indeed. almost any other) is illy prepared to keep an in- sane person : and surely these unfortunate crea- tures are entitled to our sympathies and the best home they can get, while they have to sojourn beneath the dark cloud.
"There is one boy there. a bright lad. of Charles Reynolds, that should not be there ; the surroundings of any poor house not being the most favorable for such a boy. He should be provided with a home elsewhere.
"The management of the farm, under its present superintendent. is certainly all that could be expected ; and as the care and welfare of the paupers depend more particularly on the kindness and efficiency of the woman that is at the head of the domestic department. I can truly congratulate the board and county in having such an one in the present Superintendent's Lady.
"Every humane citizen will rejoice when the anticipated new building will be erected : when all persons who are actually in need of as- sistance can be cared for. I think the farm can be made self-sustaining. if the board will be care- ful to adopt the true method : which I think con-
47
HISTORIC SKETCH.
sists in employing the best man and wife that can be had for the price, and not as some counties do-employ a man and woman simply because they are cheap. when, in fact in point of ci- ficiency they are not more than one degree above the paupers themselves. Sometimes chil- dren of good. ordinary intellect find their way to the alms house, which is their saddest feature. What can be more dreary than the future pros- pects of a pauper chikl? The superintendent should be instructed to find homes for all such as soon as possible. in the hope of lifting them out of their forlorn condition.
"The improvement of our poor house sys- tem. 1 think, would be greatly facilitated, were this abode of misery more often visited by the better class of citizens in the county. It would give encouragement, and be an incentive to the superintendent to do his utmost to make the place as nearly as possible what it should be.
"Great care ought to be taken in the ad- mission of inmates, not to exclude any who are actually in need of assistance, nor, on the other hand, to allow lazy and vicious persons to be- come pensioners upon public bounty. Thorough- ness in the discipline and employment at hard labor. in proportion to their strength, will pre- vent serious imposition, because able-bodied beggars will not submit to it. Those who do. and whose fortunes are irremediable, are en- titled to sympathy, and should not be permitted to suffer because they are poor and unfortunate. They should be made comfortable, and the small expense necessary to accomplish this, ought not to be grudgingly bestowed.
"Respectfully submitted. "J. M. HARNETT, M. D .. "County Physician."
In connection with the above we transcribe from the records a paragraph from the
report submitted, at the July, 1892. meet- ing of the board of supervisors. by Mr. Bigler, of the committee on Poor claims :
"Mr. Chairman, and Gentlemen of the Board of Supervisors :
"Your committee on Poor claims would beg leave to report that we have examined all bills presented to us, and are very much astounded over the enormity of the sums of money claimed. In view of the fact that the La Grippe is no longer prevalent, yet by a perusal of the records of this county it would seem as if a cer- tain number of doctors had the "Grip" on the county at all times. In the meantime, and until the law is changed or other means may be de- vised for the relief of the tax-payer and suffering humanity, we recommend the payment of the following claims."
THE FIRST VENIRE OFGRANDJURORS
At a session of the county commissioners' court, held at the house of Barnet Bone, in June 1827, the following named persons were selected to serve as the first grand jurors of Shelby county :
"James Renshaw, Jacob Elliott, Isaac Bang- hoe, Joseph Robertson, Thomas Lamb. John Richardson, Mills Whitley. Thomas Pugh. David Beck, Charles Wakefield, Jonathan How- ard, Thomas Robertson, John Lee. Senr., David Hinton, William Hall. Senr .. William Miller. Shelton Allphin, Robert Kerlyle. Lewis Led- better. John Weger, Francis Jordan, James Jor- dan, and Levi Jordan."
At the same session of the commissioners court, the following named persons were drawn as the
78
HISTORIC SKETCH.
FIRST PETIT JURORS.
"Jonathan C. Cawley, William Scribner. Rollo Calvert, L. S. Mosley, John Harris, Reu- ben Milton. Daniel Hoffman. Abraham Te- tricks, Robert Duncan. Daniel Price. Nathan- iel Hambleton, Henry Smith, Lloyd Lee, John Walker, Charles Miller. Senr., William Bone Sharp Whitley. William Little. Senr .. Samuel Little. Barnet Bone, Robert David. William Thomas, and Rufus Immond."
At a special term of the court, held at the usual place of meeting. on June 16. 1827. the commissioners. Hon. Levi Casey and William Weger, established the following
ELECTION DISTRICTS.
"Ordered, that Shelby county be laid off in two election distriets, to-wit : First election district to commence on the southern boundary of said county, running north as far as Town- ship thirteen north, shall compose the first elec- tion district. to be called Shelbyville district ; and that William Hall, Senr .. Levi Fleming, and Thomas Pugh, be appointed judges of the elec- tion, and that the elections be held at the home of Barnet Bone.
"Second election district beginning at the northern boundary of Township number thir- teen north, and running north as far as the coun- ty of Shelby extends : and that Philip D. Wil- liams, James Ward and Elisha Freeman be ap- pointed judges of the election therein, and that the elections be held at the house of Leonard Stephens, in said district."
By order of the commissioners' court, in 1827, an
ESTRAY PEN
was established. It was built on the west half of lot number eight, in bloek number two. and was eighty feet long. by seventy-six feet wide, constructed of oak rails and mulberry posts. John Abbot built the same, receiving nineteen dollars as remuneration for his labor. In the following year the pen was removed to lot five. in block three. and reduced in size to forty feet long. by thirty-eight feet wide. Thomas Lee received the unused posts and rails as compensa- tion for the labor of removing it.
FIRST LICENSE GRANTED FOR KEEP- ING OF A GROCERY.
"County commissioners' court, Dee. 3. 1827.
"On application of Elias Miller, of Shelby county, to keep a grocery, commonly called a tippling shop. in said county, near Shelbyville. at the dwelling-house of said Miller, it is granted him : on the said Elias Miller entering into bond in the penal sum of two hundred dollars, with John Thomason his security, and the said Mil- ler paying into the county treasury the sum of five dollars.
"Therefore ordered. that the following tavern rates be established in the county of Shel- by, viz :
For keeping horse twenty-four hours. . 37 1-2c
For keeping horse one night .25
For dinner. 25
For breakfast or supper 25
For lodging one night 06 1-4
For half pint of brandy .25
For half pint of rum. gin or cordial. 25
For half pint of whisky . 12 1-2
For horse feed. . 12 1-2 . ..
As will be seen by the above price list. a
49
HISTORIC SKETCH.
"grocery man." or more properly, a "tavern keeper" was not permitted to arrange his own prices, but had to conform to those prescribed by the county commissioners' court, and was. in that way, prevented from extorting from his patrons an exhorbitant price. We are led to wonder if some such rule would not be a good thing to have in vogue at the present time?
FERRY BOAT.
The first ferry boat across the Kaskaskia river, within the bounds of Shelby county, was established in December. 1827. by the county court. It was a large. flat-bottomed affair, with capacity for wagon and several horses, or a number of head of cattle. It was operated on the river just cast of Shelbyville. by Elias Miller, to whom license was granted by the court, and who was required to pay into the county treas- ury the sum of two dollars for the first year. and to execute a bond in the penal sum of two hundred dollars. The commissioners' court also established the following rates, viz :
For wagon and four horses 50
For two horse wagon 37 1-2
For cart and oxen .37 1-2
For man and horse 12 1-2
For footman .. 06 1-4
For wagon, or cart. and one horse 25 Single horse 06 1-4 For hogs and cattle, per head 03
THE FIRST DEED
executed after the organization of Shelby county. was that of Valentine Brazell, and Nancy. his wife. We append a copy of the deed :
"To all to whom these presents shall come. Greeting :
"Know ve, that I. Valentine Brazell, and
Nancy Brazell, his wife, of the County of Shelby. and State of Illinois, for and in consideration of the sum of three hundred dollars to me. in hand paid by Jesse B. Combs, of the county and state aforesaid, the receipt whereof we do hereby acknowledge, and ourselves hereof fully satisfied and contented, and thereof and of every part and parcel thereof. do exonerate, acquit, and dis- charge him, the said Jesse B. Combs, his heirs, executors, and administrators and assigns for- ever, by these presents having given, granted. bargained, sold, aliened, conveyed and confirmed. and by these presents do freely, fully and abso- lutely give, grant, bargain, and sell, alien, con- vey, and confirm unto the said Jesse B. Combs. his heirs and assigns forever, the east half of the south-west one-fourth section number twenty-five, township number eleven, north of range number three cast, containing eighty acres of the lands in the Vandalia District, State of Illinois. To have and to hold the said granted and bargained premises with all the appurte- nances, privileges, and commodities, to the same belonging, or in any wise appertaining to him the said Jesse B. Combs, his heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns, forever, to his own proper use, benefit, and behoof forever, and 1. the said Valentine Brazell, and Nancy Brazell his wife, for ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators or assigns, do covenant, promise and grant, to and with the said Jesse B. Combs. his heirs and assigns, that before the ensealing hereof, I am the true, sole, and lawful owner of the above-bargained premises, and we are law- fully seized and possessed of the same in my own proper name and right, as a good. perfect and absolute estate of inheritance in fec simple, and have in myself good right, full power, and law- ful authority to grant, bargain, sell, convey, and confirm the said bargained premises in man-
50
HISTORIC SKETCH.
ner and form as aforesaid, and that the said Jesse B. Combs, his heirs and assigns, shall and may from time to time, and at all times forever hereafter, by force and virtue of these presents lawfully, and peaceably, and quietly have. hold - and occupy, possess and enjoy. the said demised and bargained premises, with the appurtenances free and clear, and freely and clearly acquitted. exonerated. and discharged of from all and all for near or other gifts, grants, bargains, sales, leases, mortgages, wills, entails, jointures, dow- ries, judgments, executions, or incumbrances. of what name or nature soever, that might in any measure or degree abstract or make void this present deed.
"Furthermore. I, the said Valentine Brazell. and Nancy, his wife, for ourselves, our heirs. executors and administrators, do covenant and engage the above-demised premises, to him. the said Jesse B. Combs, his heirs and assigns forever. against the lawful claims and demands of any person or persons whatsoever, forever hereafter, to warrant, secure, and defend by these presents.
"Witness whereof we set our hands and seals this eleventh day of February. A. D. 1828. Signed, sealed and delivered
"In the presence of "JOSEPH OLIVER. his "VALENTINE (x) BRAZELL. mark
her "NANCY (x) BRAZELL."
mark
Joseph Oliver, who was then clerk of the county commissioners' court. certified to the correctness of the above document.
THE FIRST WILL-1831.
The last will and testament of Keneth Melver, was the first to be presented for pro- bate in the court of probate of Shelby county. This was on the 22d of February. 1832, and read as follows :
"In the name of God. Amen. I. Keneth Melver. of Shelby county, and State of Illinois. being weak of body but of sound mind and memory, do make, ordain, and establish this to be my last will and testament. hereby revoking all others, and do hereby appoint Aleander Melver. my beloved wife, to be my executrix of this, my last will and testament.
"It is my will that all my just debts be paid. Ist. After my just debts are all paid, and fu- neral expenses, I do hereby devise and bequeath unto my beloved wife. Aleander. two portions during her widowhood. and after her marriage one-half of such portion to be equally divided among the remaining legatees, to-wit :
"2d. To my beloved daughter Margaret. two shares.
"3d. To my beloved daughter Sally Ward. one share.
"And to my beloved daughter Polly, one share.
"In testimony whereof. I have hereunto set my hand and affix my seal, the 22d day of De- cember. 1831.
"KENETH MCIVER. "Signed and acknowledged before us: (SEAL) "B. W. GORIN. "J. W. VAUGHAN."
51
HISTORIC SKETCH. ASSESSMENTS OF SHELBY COUNTY.
WE GIVE A COMPARISON OF THE ASSESSMENTS OF THE YEARS 1859, 1880, AND 1899. IN 1899, UNDER THE NEW LAW, THE ASSESSED VALUATION WAS ONE-FIFTH OF THE REAL, VALUE, WIHLE IN 1859 AND 1880 THE ASSESSED VALUATION WAS ONE-THIRD OF THE REAL VALUE. THE ASSESSMENT IS AS FOLLOWS :
NUMBER.
ASSESSED VALUE.
1839
1××0
1×99
1:59
1×99
Ilorses
549
14.057
19.5$7
237.278 5
356.747 .
625.539
Neat cattle.
13.907
24.103
25.265
142.012
309.305
508.199
Mules and asses ..
302
1.4:20
1.337
12.441
49.795
4.744
Sheep. .
16.962
16.976
14.354
16.962
23,896
47.003
llogs
26.927
49.579
57.972
32,719
97.514
199.509
Steam engines, including boilers
1411%
30
141 _
5.417
30.253
Billiard and other tables.
175
563
Watches and clocks.
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