USA > Illinois > Ford County > Historical Atlas of Ford County Illinois > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45
It is our purpose to give a list of the members of this court followed by a list of the Township Supervisors, dating from the adoption of township organization by this county. These Su- pervisors, when met for county business, compose what is termed the Board of Supervisors, which takes the place of the County Court, consisting of the County Judge and Associate Justices.
The records of Vermilion County show that that portion which now comprises Ford County was organized as a township February 16, 1856, from Middlefork Township and named Prairie City Township. Its name was changed to "Patton" September 15, 1857, on account of there being another Prairie City Township in the State.
Drummer Grove Township was organized from Patton Sep- tember 14, 1858, and included the present Townships of Drum- mer, Diz, Peach Orchard and Sullivant. Stockton Township was organized from Patton March 15, 1859, and included the present townships of Lyman, Brenton, Pella, Mona and Rogers. Therefore, at the time of the organization of Ford County, it consisted of three townships, viz .: Patton, Drummer Grove and Stockton-the former at that time including the present town- ships of l'atton, Button and Wall. The first court after the election in June, 1859, for the transaction of county business, was held by David Patton, County Judge; William Swinford and Andrew J. Bartlett, Associate Justices.
April 3, 1860, Edmund F. Havens was elected Associate Justice in place of Andrew J. Bartlett, removed from the county.
November 6, 1860, township organization was adopted by the following vote : For, 265; against, 76.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
1861-James P. Button, Patton Township ; Andrew Jordan, Drummer's Grove; and George B. Winter, Stockton.
1862-James P. Button, Patton ; Andrew Jordan, Drum- mer's Grove; Mark Parsons, Stockton.
1868-William Noel, Patton ; William Snider, Drummer's Grove; Mark Parsons, Stockton.
September 14, 1863-The township of Grant was organized which comprised the present townships of Mona and Rogers.
March 7, 1864-The name of Grant was changed to Rogers, and Stockton at this time, comprising the present townships of Lyman, Brenton and Pella, was changed to Brenton.
1864-William Noel, Patton, William Snider, Drummer's Grove; Mark Parsons, Brenton ; J. W. Rogers, Rogers.
September 12, 1864, name of Drummer's Grove Township changed to Dix.
December 13, 1864, E. M. Blackford took his seat as Super- visor in place of William Snider, elected Sheriff.
At this meeting the present township of Button was organ- ized. 1865-James P. Button, Button ; Willlam Noel, Patton ; J. W. Rogers, Rogers; George B. Winter, Brenton ; J. E. Davis, Dix. August 31, 1865-John J. Simons appointed County Clerk, pro tempore, vice Nathan Simons, deceased.
December 4, 1865-William Walker took his seat as Super- visor in place of James P. Button, elected County Treasurer. March 12, 1866-John R. Lewis took his seat as Supervisor in place of Mark Parsons, appointed Sheriff.
1866-J. E. Davis. Dix; William Walker, Button; J. P. Middlecoff, Patton ; John R. Lewis, Brenton ; J. E. Eldridge, Rogers.
January 22, 1867-James II. Flagg took his sent as Super- visor, in place of William Walker, elected County Treasurer.
1867-J. P. Middlecoff, Patton ; J. H. Kendall, Dix ; J. II. Flagg, Button ; D. B. Case, Rogers ; S. E. Burt, Brenton. June 12, 1867-The present township of Wall was organ- ized.
September 9, 1867-The present township of Lyman was organized.
September 10, 1867-The present township of Sullivant was organized.
1867-W. II. II. Wood, Patton ; J. II. Flagg, Button ; M. L. Sullivant, Sullivant ; Samuel Woodward, Lyman ; J. E. Davis, Dix ; Edward Clayton, Rogers ; William Liggett, Wall ; L. T. Bishop, Brenton.
FORD COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
September 15, 1868-The present township of Peach Orchard was organized.
March 1, 1869-The present township of Drummer was organized and called Drummer's Grove.
1869-M. L. Sullivant, Sullivant ; J. H. Flagg, Button ; L. T. Bishop, Brenton ; D. B. Case, Rogers ; Caleb Mckeever, Drummer's Grove; R. S. Chamberlin, Dix ; A. M. Hlaling, Lyman; John Kelley, Patton ; William Noel, Wall ; James Dixon, Peach Orchard.
March 2, 1870-The present township of Pella was organ- ized and called Clyde.
Also present township of Mona organized and called Delhi. The name of Drummer's Grove Township was changed to that of Drummer.
1870-David Keighin, Delhi ; J. D. Kilgore, Wall; C. E. Henderson, Patton ; B. II. McClure, Drummer; R. S. Cham- berlin, Dix ; P. S. Gose, Lyman ; L. T. Bishop, Brenton ; J. H. Flagg, Button ; D. B. Case, Rogers ; W. B. Holmes, Peach Orchard; J. S. Ruff, Clyde ; M. L. Sullivant, Sullivant.
June 16, 1870-Name of Delhi Township changed to Mona, and name of Clyde Township changed to Pella.
1871-W. L. Conrow, Brenton ; P. S. Gose, Lyman ; D. B. Case, Rogers; David Keighin, Mona; R. S. Chamberlin, Dix ; B. H. McClure, Drummer ; William Noel, Wall; C. E. Hen- derson, Patton ; J. H. Flagg, Button ; M. L. Sullivant, Sulli- vant; J. S. Ruff, Pella ; T. D. Thompson, Peach Orchard.
December 12, 1871-M. M. Pulver, took his seat as Super- visor in place of W. L. Conrow, appointed County Superintend- ent of Schools.
1872-J. P. Middlecoff, Patton ; William Walker, Button ; James Sheldon, Pella; David Keighin, Mona; Thomas Win- stanley, Rogers; M. L. Sullivant, Sullivant; M. M. Pulver, Brenton ; O. D. Sackett, Lyman ; Levi Miller, Wall; R. S. Chamberlain, Dix ; J. M. Sudduth, Drummer; Thomas F. Kingsley, Peach Orchard.
March 11, 1873-Albert Keith took his seat as Supervisor in place of J. P. Middlecoff, elected to the General Assembly.
1873-0. D. Sackett, Chairman, Lyman ; Samuel Clayton, Rogers ; David Keighin, Mona ; Robert Wells, Pella; Hugh P. Beach, Brenton ; Thomas F. Kingsley, Peach Orchard; John HI. Collier, Drummer; Edward Babcock, Wall; Benjamin Ferris, Patton; R. N. Gorsuch, Button; M. L. Sullivant, Sullivant; J. I. Robinson, Dix.
December 16, 1873-W. T. Morrison took his seat in place of R. N. Gorsuch, elected County Superintendent of Schools. N. M. Ward took his seat in place of II. P. Beach, elected County Judge.
1874-J. I. Robinson, Chairman, Dix ; Samuel Clayton, Rogers ; Monroe Bute, Mona; L. T. Bishop, Brenton ; 11. B. Ferguson, Lyman; Thomas F. Kingsley, Peach Orchard; M. L. Sullivant, Sullivant ; William Noel, Wall; John H. Collier, Drummer ; John M. Hall, Patton ; J. C. Kirkpatrick, Button ; James Sheldon, Pella.
John Keesey was elected Assistant Supervisor for Patton Township, it being the opinion that this township had the popu- lation entitling it to two Supervisors.
March 9, 1875-J. M. Thompson took his seat, in place of T. F. Kingsley, resigned.
1875-John H. Collier, Chairman, Drummer; Jolin Rich- ardson, Diz; J. C. Kirkpatrick, Button; William Kenward, Wall ; J. A. Montelius, Brenton ; James Sheldon, l'ella; A. V. Burcham, Lyman ; J. M. Hall and J. T. Miller, Patton ; Samuel Clayton, Rogers; Monroe Bute, Mona; W. B. Holines, Peach Orchard; M. L. Sullivant, Sullivant.
1876-John II. Collier, Chairman, Drummer; Joseph Bur- ger, Brenton; Alonzo Burr, Sullivant; John M. Hall and John W. Swanson, Patton ; John S. Hewins, Button; W. B. Holmes, Peach Orchard ; William Kenward, Wall ; James Ogilvie, Rog- ers ; John Richardson, Dix; James Sheldon, Pella ; Joseph Hurst, Lyman ; Monroe Bute, Mona.
March 13, 1877-Samuel J. Le Fevre took his scat as Su- pervisor, in place of J. II. Collier, clected to the General Assem- bly. James Sheldon was elected Chairman.
1877-J. P. Middlecoff, Chairman, Patton ; Joseph Burger, Brenton ; C. M. Blowers, Pella ; W. B. Flora, Lyman ; W. B. Holmes, Peach Orchard ; J. C. Kirkpatrick, Button; David Keighin, Mona; J. F. Kenney, Wall; S. J. Le Fevre, Drum- mer ; James Ogilvie, Rogers; John Richardson, Dix ; M. L. Sullivant, Sullivant ; J. W. Swanson, Patton.
1878-J. P. Middlecoff, Chairman, Patton ; Joseph Burger, Brenton ; C. M. Blowers, Pella; W. A. Bicket, Sullivant; W. B. Flora, Lyman; J. A. Froyd, Patton ; John S. ITunt, Peach Orchard ; David Keighin, Mona; J. F. Kenney, Wall; J. C. Kirkpatrick, Button ; S. J. Le Fevre, Drummer ; James Ogilvie, Rogers; S. W. Wade, Dix.
1879-S. J. Le Fevre, Chairman, Drummer; Edward Bab- cock, Wall ; Joseph Burger, Brenton ; C. M. Blowers, Pella; W. A. Bicket, Sullivant ; J. Y. Campbell, Patton; J. A. Froyd, Patton ; Joseph Hurst, Lyman ; John S. Hunt, Peach Orchard; David Keighin, Mona; James Ogilvic, Rogers; W. T. Patton; Button ; John Richardson, Dix.
July 14, 1879-The board decided that under the census of 1870, as provided by law, Patton Township was entitled to but one Supervisor. Accordingly Mr. Froyd withdrew.
1880-S. J. Le Fevre, Chairman, Drummer ; W. A. Bicket, Sullivant ; J. Y. Campbell, Patton ; Joseph Hurst, Lyman ; J. F. Kenney, Wall ; Hugh McCormick, Button ; J. Mathis, Peach Orchard ; J. S. McElhiney, Brenton ; James Ogilvie, Rogers ; John Richardson, Dix ; John A. Scott, Mona; T. J. Sowers, Pella.
1881-W. A. Bicket, Chairman, Sullivant ; C. M. Blowers, Pella; Joseph Burger, Brenton ; Abraham Croft, Patton ; Jo- seph Hurst, Lyman ; John Iehl, Peach Orchard; H. McCor- mick, Button ; John Richardson, Dix; John A. Scott, Mona : J. H. Snelling, Wall; W. B. Sargeant, Rogers: C. II. Yeo- mans, Drummer.
1882-Joseph Burger, Chairman, Bienton; W. A. Bicket, Sullivant; A. C. Bullington, Dix ; L. Burns, Lyman ; Abraham Croft, Patton ; George Eastwood, Pella : John Ichl, Peach Or- chard ; William Kenney, Wall ; Hugh McCormick, Button ; W. B. Sargeant, Rogers; John A. Scott, Mona ; Charles HI. Yeo- mans, Drummer.
March, 1883-Thomas Correll took his sent, in place of George Eastwood, removed from the county.
1883-Charles II. Yeomans, Chairman, Drummer : W. A. Bicket, Sullivant ; A. C. Bullington, Dix : Joseph Burger. Brenton; L. Burns, Lyman ; N. B. Day, Patton ; John Ichl, Peach Orchard; William Kenney, Wall: Thomas MeDermott, Pella ; Hugh McCormick, Button; W. B. Sargeant, Rogers ; John A. Scott, Mona.
1884-W. A. Bicket, Sullivant ; A. C. Bullington. Dix : Joseph Burger, Brenton ; N. B. Day, Patton ; John Ichl, Peach Orchard ; James C. Kirkpatrick, Button : William Kenney, Wall ; Byron Lisk, Lyman; Thomas MeDermott, Pella ; W. B. Sargeant, Rogers ; John A. Scott, Mona; W. II. Simms, Drummer.
THE COURT HOUSE.
When the new county of Ford was organized, a great and pressing want was a suitable place for holding court, rooms for county offices and a jail. There had been considerable discussion as to the proper site for the county buildings, and some proposi- tions were presented to the County Court in regard thereto. How- ever, on the 16th day of January. 1860. the question was defi- nitely settled by an order entered in the County Court providing for the location of the court house and jail on the block where they now stand.
In June of the same year, an agreement was entered into for the erection of the present court house: the County Judge and Associate Justices representing the county, and James F. Hall being the contractor.
The original cost as provided in the contract was fixed at $11,000, but the plans being afterward somewhat changed and enlarged, permission was granted by a vote of the people April. 1861, to add $4,000 to the first amount. December, 1861, an additional contract was made with Mr. Hall, and the total price increased to 816,000, the additional cost being for excavation of the basement, grading the yard and construction of outbuildings. February 13, 1862, the building was accepted by the Board of Supervisors, and a county order issued to Mr. Ilall for $2,890. The records are not very clear as to this sum, the writer being under the impression that this was the balance still unpaid on the $16,000, until assured by parties conversant with the facts that this last payment was for additional improvements not named in the contracts. This would bring the total cost of the court house, as it then stood. up to $18,890. The explanation for these additions to the original contract price is made "that the orig- inal plan was found to be unsatisfactory, and that it was thought best to make the change at that time rather than after the work was completed under the first contract." Nothing appears to the contrary but that the Supervisors and others representing the county acted wisely in this regard. Bonds were issued for the 816,000, bearing interest at the rate of ten per cent per annum. Of these bonds, there still remain unpaid 86,000 due November, 1884, and 80,000 due November, 1885.
The court house as first built, contained on the first or ground floor offices for the County Clerk, Circuit Clerk, and Sheriff, rooms for the jailer and family and cells for the prisoners. The second floor contained court and jury rooms as at present.
After completion of the present jail, the cells in the court house were removed, and in their stead the present Circuit Clerk's office was fitted up. The County Clerk occupies the room formerly used by the jailer. March, 1875, a contract was entered into with William Daniels for building the fire-proof vaults at the west end of the court house, and other improvements, including the fitting up of the Clerk's offices as already men- tioned. The total cost of the same was 82,969.80. As our court house now stands, it is a substantial building, and is of ample size to meet the wants of our county for many years to come.
SHERIFF'S RESIDENCE AND JAIL.
At a session of the Board of Supervisors May, 1871, a com- mittee, consisting of Supervisors C. E. Henderson, William Noel and James II. Flagg, was appointed, with instructions "to examine into the matter of building a new jail or to repair the old one so as to be capable of holding prisoners, and for that purpose they are hereby authorized to go abroad and examine such jails as in their judgment will be suitable."
At the meeting of the Board in June, the committee reported. as the result of their labors, a plan for a county jail. The board accepted the report, and decided in favor of erecting a Sheriff's residence and a jail. The plan presented by the committee was followed.
The board again met in July of the same year, and appropri- ated $20,000 for the erection of the buildings named. and directed the County Clerk to issue county orders from time to time as directed by the building committee, but not to exceed the sum of $15,000. The orders were to bear interest at ten per cent per annum.
Six-tenths of the county tax collected each year was set apurt
Digitized by
11
to meet the payment of these county orders. Messrs. Henderson, Noel and Flagg were placed in charge of the work on behalf of the county.
In September, 1871, the board made an additional appropri- ation of $12,000, " for the completion of the Sheriff's residence and jnil, said orders to bear interest at ten per cent per annum, 86,000 to be paid in five years, and $0,000 in ten years." The total cost of these buildings, not including discounts on county orders, was something more than 828,000. This is ascertained by the orders issued and estimating discounts on the sainc, there being no funds in the county treasury at the time.
The indebtedness thus incurred has been fully puid.
L. D. & M. RAILROAD BONDS.
November 6, 1867, an election was held to determine " whether said county of Ford shall subscribe to the capital stock of the La Fayette, Bloomington & Mississippi Railway to the amount of $4,000 per mile, for the distance which said road shall traverse said Ford County to aid in the construction of said railway."
This subscription amounted to $112,000, the distance being twenty-eight miles.
A majority of votes were cast for the project.
January 17, 1868, an election was held " to determine wheth- er said county shall subscribe to the capital stock of the La Fay- ette, Bloomington & Mississippi Railway to the amount of $30,000, in addition to what has already been subscribed."
This proposition was also adopted. In December, 1871, a committee representing the Board of Supervisors reported that the railroad company had complied with all requirements of the board. The question arising upon issuing the bonds as voted to the amount of 8142.000, David Keighin, then a Supervisor from Mona, introduced a resolution fixing the rate of interest at six per cent, which was defeated by a vote of six to five.
January 2, 1872, the board ordered the bonds issued for the full amount, payable in ten years, with interest at ten per cent per annum. The certificate of stock was thereupon issued at the county by the railroad authorities.
Similar certificates were issued to other counties and several townships which had voted aid to this railroad. It was afterward claimed by these counties and townships that this was the only bona fide stock in this railroad, notwithstanding that certificates . of stock had been issued to individuals by the Directors of said road in sufficient amounts to control the elections in selecting Directors; and thus control the railroad.
In the latter part of 1873, the board directed Alfred Sample, State's Attorney, to investigate the management and records of said railroad. Mr. Sample did so, and made an exhaustive and satisfactory report to the board of the results of his labors, he having carefully examined the company's books at Toledo, Ohio. At the next annual meeting for the election of Directors of the L. B. & M. Railway, held at Bloomington, Ill., January 20, 1874, representatives of the several townships and counties ap- peared and presented their claims to be heard, etc.
A warm, interesting and somewhat noisy meeting was held, which resulted in those representing the railroad company with- drawing and holding their meeting elsewhere.
The representatives of the people remained at the appointed place and proceeded to elect a board of twelve Directors, those from Ford County being O. D. Sackett, Alfred Sample, John HI. Collier and Merton Dunlap, who had been authorized by the Board of Supervisors to represent the interests of this county at said meeting.
The following officers were then elected : F. Henderson, President ; O. D. Sackett, Vice President; N. S. Sunderland, Treasurer; A. Sample, Attorney ; Merton Dunlap, Secretary.
The contest for the control of the railroad continued for about two years in the courts, when the whole matter was suddenly brought to an end by the sale of the railroad under the mortgage which was given by the directors of the road at an early period of its existence.
. While this relieved Ford County from any further responsi- bility in the management of the railroad, the indebtedness of $142,000 still remained.
January 22, 1880, a contract was entered into between the Board of Supervisors and a firm in New York City by which these bonds were funded into six per cent bonds, due in twenty years, with the privilege to the county of paying the same any time after five years.
This indebtedness, together with the amount remaining un- paid on the court house, includes all of the outstanding obliga- tions of Ford County.
It seems proper in this connection to make a brief mention of the contest between the people and the railroad companies, begin- ning in 1873. It was claimed that the latter were charging illegal and unjust rates for passenger fare and freights. This question assumed such a magnitude in Ford County that in the election for county officers in that year the voters united without regard to party, and the "Farmers' ticket " was elected by a large majority.
The State Legislature passed a stringent law against unjust discriminations, and prescribed that three cents per mile for roads of the class of the Illinois Central should be the maximum charge for passenger travel. Rates for transportation of freights were also fixed. A Board of Railroad Commissioners was appointed whose duty it was to see this law enforced.
The contest continued in the courts for several years with but little success for the people. December, 1879, & public meeting was held at the court house in Paxton, at which a resolution was adopted requesting A. Sample, State's Attorney, to prosecute
FORD COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
all infractions of the railroad law in Ford County. Soon after this, the Commissioners met the business men and farmers of this locality in this city. Mr. Sample presented an extended list of extortionate rates imposed by the railroads in violation of law. Of the Commissioners, IIon. William Smith, Chairman, and Mr. Oberly earnestly favored the enforcement of the law.
This meeting, through which was manifested the determina- tion of the people to push matters, provoked considerable interest among the railway officials. Some of them came to this place to investigate as to how far the people were disposed to go and if matters could not be compromised.
Briefly stated-after considerable agitation and correspondence between the railway managers, Chairman Smith and Mr. Sample, the leading roads concluded to comply with the law as to passenger and freight rates. Subsequently another serious question arose regarding freights from within and without the State, the com- panies claiming this to be a matter to be regulated by Congress. East and west lines charged, for example, more on freight from Gilman to New York City than from Peoria, a distance of ciglity- five miles further.
The matter was finally determined in favor of the State law by a suit brought in the Ford County Circuit Court by Mr. Sam- ple in 1882. The case was strongly contested by the railroads, but the Supreme Court decided adversely to them, setting forth the reasons in one of the most elaborate opinions filed for years.
WAR OF THE REBELLION-G. A. R. POSTS-HOME MILITARY.
Ford County, at the breaking-out of the war of 1861, being so recently formed and having a population of less than 2,000, did not organize any company of soldiers. However, many of our patriotic citizens enlisted in commands organized in adjoining counties and elsewhere in the State. It would give us pleasure to publish their names in this work, but the difficulty of obtain- ing a complete list is insurmountable, and a partial list would be very unsatisfactory. In addition to the soldiers who enlisted from Ford, a great number of those who have since the war set- tied among us were members of the "great army of Freedom." Desiring to have these " soldier boys " recorded where their names can be referred to by the future historian, the writer has arranged with the Board of Supervisors for a suitable bouk to be kept in the County Clerk's office, where the name, company, reg- iment, and other matters of interest can be entered.
Already a number of soldiers have furnished the necessary data regarding themselves, and it is hoped that before long a com- plete list will be made.
BOUNTIES.
At a meeting of ths Supervisors, August, 1862, a resolution was introduced by Supervisor Button, and duly adopted, provid- ing for a county tax of five mills on the dollar, for the purpose of paying each volunteer $60, and to create a fund for the support of soldiers' families during their absence.
The following committees were appointed to disburse the funds for soldiers' families: Patton Township-William Walker, J. H. Flagg, J. F. Hall; Drummer's Grove-J. II. Kendall, J. E. Davis, Leonard Pierpont; Stockton-S. K. Marston, T. W. Pope, G. B. Winter. December, 1863, the bounty was increased to $300 to each volunteer.
April, 1864, a draft having been ordered to fill the quota of this county for seventy-eight men, an order was adopted by the Supervisors offering a bounty of $1,000 to cach man drafted, and who should be accepted by the Government.
However, it transpired that bounties by counties exceeding the sum of $300 were illegal, and efforts were made to legalize this $1,000 bounty by a special act of the General Assembly. It did not succeed, and consequently but $300 could be paid to each man. February, 1865, the sum of $15,000 was appropriated by the Supervisors to procure volunteers to fill the county quota, the amount for each volunteer not to exceed $300.
The Adjutant General's report, Vol. I, page 194, makes the following showing for this county:
PRIOR TO DECEMBER 31, 1864.
Total quotas.
300
Total credits.
222
Deficit of men.
78
DECEMBER 31, 1866.
Total quota.
272
Total credit
Deficit.
1
On page 276 of said report is the following, showing "ex- penditures and liabilities incurred by Ford County in aid of the suppression of the late rebellion, as reportod to the Adjutant General's office :
Bounties
.$72,426 15
Transportation ..
10,000 00
Soldiers' families.
3,861 91
Total.
.$86,288 00
There are in this county three Posts of the Grand Army of the Republic, as follows :
LOTT POST, NO. 70, a. A. R.
This post was organized and mustered at Gibson November 8, 1879. The following persons have served as Commanders : John II. Collier, J. S. Moore and O. H. Damon. The present officers are O. II. Damon, Commander; J. R. Lott, S. V. C .; George Preston, J. V. C .; D. S. Hall, Surgeon; J. J. McCor-
mack, O. D .; Samuel Johnston, O. G .; J. M. Mitchell, Chap- lain; F. P. Wood, Q. M .; W. E. McMullen, Adj .; J. S. Moore, S. M .; E. Ashby, Q. M. S.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.