USA > Indiana > Wabash County > Atlas of Wabash County Indiana. > Part 5
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THE TIMBER SUPPLY.
The prevailing timber of the county is beech, sugar, oak, elm. linn, hickory, sycamore, and walont. As hax heen re- marked, the gemeral sortare of the country was originally very demely somled, nad in order to fit the land for agriculture this growthof number had to be cut away maal removed There was no market for lumbet or voud, aud the rarly mettler had to get rid of it as best he could. generally by burning in great henges. In this way, a wholerak: dir printion of timter wi- in- Angurated, tail s fine quality of timler has beenne searee and valgsldte, Bbek walmal, a sjurigy of timber muer quite abondant, and olten loirted in log-honps, bay reached such a pier in the markets that if our were fortunate enmuch to own a quarter gretion covered with this kind of thaber, he would be ranked among the wealthiest citizens.
1
The demand for nearly every kind of tinder is increasing. from the fact that in the older States most of the foresty nove been ent away, while many of the States and Territories Ising west of Indiana, trong practically destitute of timber, me do- jendmt on western Ohio aud Indiana for their supplies of hard
The number and variety of monmifactures from the produ its of the forest are constantly increasing, and Inet fur to become a leading industry. Among the most important of the art they inanle are furniture, wagony and carriages, and parts of them, such as spokes, hubs, and other parts, slaves, agricultural implement», etc. etc.
A prewant the prive of timber is such that a tract of timbered land is abunt equal in value to a trait that is cleared off. If there is much good timber, or the facilities for shapiment gen by reason of being near to a town or railroad, it is more valu- aide, but if the timber is poor and back from the railroad, it is worth less than cleared land.
RAILROADS.
Toledo, Wabash, and Western .- In the year 1433, the pro- joet of Imibling what is now called the Toholo, Wabash, and Western Bailrond (then called the Lake Erie, Wabash, and st. Loins Radruad), first took definite shape and form. Surveys were made, and the construction of the work pusheil forward, the first train of ears arriving in Wabash Jannary 27th, 1-5.4.
No publie aid was given, in this county at least, but havet. ings were hell at the various points along the line, and private partiva subscribed to the capital stock. How many shares were taken in this county ennnot now be definitely ascertained, some goud julges placing it from twenty to thirty thou-and dollars, though this amount quay be far froio the mark,
This railroad has passed through the usual stages of bank. ruptes, and is now in the hands of a receiver. It is doing a large business, and is one of the lending highways of the country.
Cincinnati, Wabash, and Michigan Railroad .- "This road passes through the central portion of this county from north to sonth, having a total length within its liunits of nearly thirty miles. This road now extends from Goshen, in Elkhart County, to Marion, in Grant County, from which point the iron is now ( 1875) being land southwaril, with the expectation of reaching Anderson during the season.
This road was built by Gardner & Wells, by whom it is anew operated. To encourage them to build it, a tax was w. te i, and the amount collected donated to them. The amount of this donation was about six thousand dollars per mile. Com- monious tuachine shops are located at Wabash, the city pring $25,000 to assist in their erection. The road was built in ls ; 2.
Detroit, Eel River, and Illinois Railread .- Some ten years ago this road was surveyed out and some work done, but it was not built until 1872. A tax in its all was levied in Pleasant and Chester townships, amounting to some thirty thousand dollars. The road is doing a large freight business, much of it being " through freight."
IMPROVED ROADS.
For many years the thoroughfures of this region were con- fined to the Wabash Valley ; the matter of hauling products to market was of some moment. As this country was heavily timbered, it had a touch of the mania for building plank roads, and previons to the war, many miles of this excellent thengh temporary improvement were opened for trave !. One from Liberty Mills to Huntington ; others from North Manchester to La Gro, and to Wabash, and front Wabash northwarI to Roann, and southwaril to Somerset, as well no one froio Legro to Jouesboro, Grant County, were built.
As the timber of which these plauk roads were constructed soon deenyed, wore out, or beemine displaced, but little was done toward having them renewed or even to keep them re- paired, and thus the plank road is now essentially a thing of the past.
Within a few years some attention has been paid to con- structing turnpikes, and there are now a number in operation in the county, mostly lemling sonthward from the Wabash to Somerset, Lafontaine, Dora, New Holland, and Lincolnville. Like the plank ronds, tolls are charged upon them, the money thus received going to the company for a return of the capital invested in building the roads and keeping them in repair. Taxes have been assessed on the lands lying within, the vicinity of the romily, to assist in paying the cost of construction.
These tmnpikes are, for a great part of the season, the only good reads in the country. It is to be hoped that among the changes which the nest ten years are to bring about willdwavery general improvement in the character of the common thorough- fares, au there are few things in a country which make it more desirable and attractive than well-made and well-kept roads, over which vehicles may be drawn with ease and safety at any N'ason of the year. In their haste to provide railroad comt- munications with remote fronte, let not the citizens mimhuk a matter on which so much of their confort and convenience
The Iragth of the varion avenuey of rommaturation many bo wummed up ny fidlows : Walrigh and Priv C'mied, 17 m'try; Tobegin, Watersh, tout Western Hoodroad, 17 miles ; Conments, Wabash, and Michgran Railroad, 23 mil 4; Detroit, Fel River, nedt illinois Binitrond, Ifi miles.
.
44 " Virginis (and West Virginia
4,288
13
HISTORY OF WABASH COUNTY .- STATISTICAL.
1864 -Abraham Lincoln received . 21G[ rules.
George B Mcclellan "
Whole number of votes enst
3690
IsGs .- Ulysses S Grant received
..
Horatio Seymour
1547
Whole number of votes east
4487
1472 -Ulysses S. Grant received
2988
..
Horace Greeley
1752
Whole nesaber of rotes eust 4740
State of Indiana. Twenty-seventh Circuit. Webasb and Miami Counties.
WARABU CIRCUIT COURT.
John U. Pettit, Judge, Wabash.
.Jim M. Amoss, Clerk.
Jim I'. Ross, Cierk eleet.
Harvey F. Wood, Sheriff elect.
N. N. Antrim, District Attorney, Peru, Miami County. Macy Good, Deputy for Wabash County.
List of Attorneys .- J. D Conner, Calvin Congill, M. II Kind. J. C. Sives, L H. Goodwin, B. F. Williams, Alex. Hess, J L. Knight, Joseph Mackey, F. M. Eagle, T T Weir, C. E. Cow- eill. W. G. Sayre, Alvah Taylor, IE. G. DePny, C. S. Parrish, F. M. Morgan, C. W. Weesuer, W Z Stewart, N. O. Ross, 1I. B. Shively, I .. W. Crouch, J. M. Berge, Mucy Goud, T. A. Stewart.
State of Indiana. General Assembly. Forty-ninth Session. Senator, Elijeh Hoelleman, Wabush ; Representative, Ilirem Dale, Dura.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. Trustees and their P. O. address.
Chester, J. W. Wineshurgh, North Manchester P. O.
La Oro, W'm. Reed, La Gro P O.
Liberty, J. P. Thompson, Lafontaine.
Waltz, J. R. Sumpter, Somerset
Noble, Jacob R. Bruner, Wabash.
Pawpaw, Reaben Murphy, Roann.
Pleasant, Christiun Gerlach, Laketon.
Justices of the Peace.
Chester, Jahn Shallenberger, Lewis J. Long, Sunuel V. Hop- kins, O. E. Taylor.
La Gro, Benedict W. Lowry, Andrew J Rubinsoe, Wia. II. Perke.
Liberty, D. E. MeNeil, Benjamin F. Lines.
Weltz, W'm. Anderson, S. C. Sweet, Ilenry Law-hee, Newtoo S. Wire.
Noble, John McGuire, W. L. Russell, Nicholas D. Myers, J. Q. A. Simons.
Pawpaw, A. W. Haffinan, Caleb Latchem.
Pleasant, Daries Luutzenheiser, John Fodge, George W. Avaiss.
United States of America. State of Jodiana. Eleventh Congressional District.
Representative in Forty-fourth Congress, James L. Evuns, Noblesville, Indians.
Collector Internal Revenue, Maj. J. F. Wildmen, Anderson, Indiane.
THE MARKETS ( April 1, 1875.)
Wheat, . per bus. $1 00 Potatoes [firm) per. ba. $1 00
Corn .
60 Land . per 1b. 15
Oats .
50 Apples per bas. 75
Clover Seed ₲ 25 Dried Appley per lb.
Butter ( prime) per Il. 30 Driest l'eaches
10
Eggs . · per dez. 15 Onion Seeds per qt. 125
NEWSPAPERS.
The first paper published in the county was thu " Upper Wabash Argus."
The publication was commenced in March, 1846, edited by JJohn U. Pettit, and published by Moses Scott. In September of the sutoe year the editorship of the paper changed into the hands of Alunson P. Ferry, und still continued to be published by Mr. Seutt. The paper was discontinued in October, 1847 .- Politics, Democratic.
Some time in October or November of that year, the publicn- tion of the " Walsh Weekly Gazette" way commenced, edited and published by Girarge U. Gordon ; its politiey Whig ; and after the I'residential canvas of 184%, the editorship of the paper changed inty tho banda uf John L. Knight.
Lake Co., Inke Michigan . 500
Wahanlı Co., =
surfare of river at Wahash
=
Averngo height of land in the State of Imlinga .
FINANCIAL CONDITION.
The .toditar In and for snid county, submitted the following Report of Receipts and Disbursements for the year ending May 30th, 1874 :-
RECEIPTS.
For County Revenue . $80,033 4G
Fur Estrays
31 90
For Duchrt Fees Common Plens Court IS4 00
For Township Fued 3,53$ 29
For Rond Fand
14,199 84
For Special School Feml
12,693 92
For Township Tuition Fond
7,358 45
For Dog Fend
2,516 69
For finitrond Fund
393 76
For Redemption of Land
653 5L
For Circuses and Shows
88 00
For Circuit Court Docket Feca
158 50
Amonot on hand at Inst settlement, June 1, 1873 . 53,091 64
Total
$174,965 89
DIBOURSEMENTS.
Paid Appraising Real and Personal Property
$ 3,658 68
Paid expenses of Bridges 13,127 27
Paid expenses of County Officers
11,178 94
Tuid expenses of Common Pleas Coort 67 50
Paid expenses of Circuit Court 11,032 84
Peid expenses of Coonty Offices
65 45
Paid expenses of Fox Sealps
38 00
Tnid expenses of Insane Persons
443 99 84 50
Paid expenses of Poor
2,344 68
Paid expenses of Prisoners
1,639 96
Paid expenses of Politie Buildings
412 11
Paid expenses of County Infirmary
973 49 233 00
Peid expenses of Specie Allowances
392 99
Paid County Revenue .
10,653 51
Poid expenses of Coroners' Inquests
70 30
Paid Township Tax
3,640 85
Paid Road Tax
14,199 84
Poid Speciul School Tax
19,712 50
Pail Township Tuition Tox
7,358 45
Paid Dog To.r
2,51€ 69
Paid Railroad Tex
79.527 36
Paid Redemption of Lands
688 51
Paid Illegal Tax 92 30
Paid Agreg!toral Society
113 00
Paid Surveyor's Fees
4 24
Total Disbursements Total Receipts
$176,169 94
174,965 89
A mouat of Orders issaed over and above amount in Treasury
1,204 05
Tu which sum add emoant of Coenty Bunde out-
45,000 00
,
Totel jedehtedness of the County
$40,204 05
Whole number of votes cast
169
1840-William II. Harrisoo reccived
307
Martin Van Buren =
198
Whole number of votes cast
505
1844 .- Ileery Clay received
..
James K Polk "
515
Jas. G. Berney " 19
Whole nureher of votes cust
1195 :
1848 .- Zacherins Tuylor received
847
Lewis Cass
739
..
Martin Vuu Buren
140
Whole nomber of votes cast
1726
.1952-Winfield Scott received ..
...
.Juo. I. Hale
¡Whole number of votes cust
2195
1836 .- John C. Fremont received
1785
.
.
Shllard Filmore
108
Whole number of votes cast
30%3
.1 $60-Abraham Lincoln reveived
Stephen A. Douglas "
.Juu. 0'. Brerkenralge "
79
.John liell
20
Whole number of votes cast .
18
8
5-
19
16
10
6-
20-
5
8
1-
0
5-
21
25
16
122
0
10
19
23
20
46
20
8
9
10
19 --
6- ஓம்
.26
5
26
37
11
S-
30
33
6
311
12
13
14
4-
15
9
22-
47 24
16
.8
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS.
The Presidential election of 1932 for the counties of Hunting- ton sod Wabash was held at the house of Lewis Rogers, on the oorth benk of tha Walsh River, opposite the mooth of the Sulu- monie The Inspector and Judges of the election were, A. D. Woodworth, Jonathan Keller, and Lewis Rogers. The result of the vote wss as follows :-
For Geaersl Jackson . For Henry Clay
14 votes.
12
The following is the vote for President since the organization of the county, to wit :
1836 William IL. Harrison received :
122 votes.
Martio Van Buren
79
Postmasters ( Presidential appointment), John B Tyre, Wabash. List of Post Offices .- America, Belden, Dora, Ijumaville, La- fontaine, La Gru, Laketon, Liberty Mills, Lincolnville, Lodi, New Harrisburg, New Holland, New Mudison, North Manchester, Pleusant View, Rich Valley, Roann, Rose Hill, Somerset, Treuty, Wehash, Waltz, Urbana.
TABLE OF ELEVATIONS. ELEVATION ADOVE LAKE ERIE.
Wubash River at Huntington
118 feet.
mouth of Salamonic
35 =
. Wabash City
74
mouth of the Min
45 :
Logensport
ELEVATIONS ABOVE HIGH TIDE.
Allen Co., surface of Manmee at Ft. Wayne 720 furt.
firent Co., Mississinewn at Marion 794 .
hottom of canal, Wabash
-
-
-
Deserving of mention is the experience of the settlers in the winter of 1542-3, which is otton spoken of by them as being by far the most severe season ever known to this aretion of the country. I'reviously, the winter, hnd beva so mihl that lut little provision for the feeding of stock had been necessary, the woods and the prairies furnishing nearly a suffleiency of frage, and also of helter. On this neension the cold w:14 st enesnally severe and lasted an late that, in the generally un- expected and unprovided state of atfurs throughout the country, utany cattle literally starved to death, and the settlers turned out to ent down trees that the stock might bron se on the branches, there bemg no other food obtainable. Some men cleared off almost the entire extent of their farms in this way. The cold hehl on so long that on the seroml Tuesday in April -the time of holling township elections-people went to the polls in their sleigh --
"Other Cold Winters .- The winter of IS; 4-5 was also very cold. The fall was bright and pleasant, nud gave the farmer more than usual time to finish up the season's labors, the warm -weather continuing nemily until January, when it turned very cold aad lasted into late in the senson, the spring being a rather . slow and backward one. We are indebted to the Plain Dealer for the following :-
"By the kimlness of our friend llon. J. L. Stone we are fur- : nished the following thermal report for the first three months of this year, taken nt his residence in Liberty Township. Those fgeres which have the minus sign offixed, thus 12-, indicate the temperature to have been below zero, the figure without : this sign, above zero."
Day of mouth. Jag.
Fab.
March. Day of monis.
1
12
5
17
Jeo. , Feb. Hareb. 3-
2-
5
9345
6
26
13
6
24
46
30
12-
25
4
27 28
52
28
29
30
44
56
30 31
2-
1
21
93
5
54262
12- 30
15- 30 45
1145
=
Franklin Fierce "
959
=
James Buchanan
1190
2247
1142
..
352% .
A HARD WINTER.
44
2
In the full of 1849, John 12 Howel commenced the pohliention of a paper in the town of La Gro, called the " Indiana Kugle," which was discontinued in January, 1-31 -l'olitien, neutral.
$121,874 25
Paid expenses of Illegal Sales
Paid expenses of Roads and Highways
standing
Very respectfully subasittrd, J. R. Pork, Anditor Wabesh Couaty.
=
15
2940 .
1-1
HISTORY OF WABASH COUNTY .- GENERAL AND EXPLANATORY.
In September, 1853, the " Onzette" passed into the hands of Yandan Fletcher.
In April. 1:54, Paniet M Cox commeared the pulduration of the "Wabush Weekly Intelligencer "-Polities, Whig On the 21st day of March, IS5s, Ou " Gazette" uflive was dr. stroved by fire. In April following. S. Fletcher purchased of D. M. Cox the " Intelligenceet" office, ad on the 2;th day of April. Is5s, issueil the first number of the " Gazette und Intelligencer." which was afterwards ponsondated with the " Plaindealer."
In August, 1859. W. "' Mellonegal rommmenred the publication of the " Wabash Pinintraler " The paper was originally Pemo- eratie, but soon changed its polities. It passed intu the hands of S. M. libben in Isco, who also pareleased the " Inte'hscheer" office, und was published by him until 1>65. Major W H. Kild then purchased the establishment, afterwards arthing to Ferry & |
Butler, who sold to Judge Knight. Frank U'ulvert sureceded Julge Knight, and Heury ti Raidusem surereded Calvert. Ferry & Butter again purebased the office in February, 1872. und still continue in charge. Republican in politics.
In July, 1570, S. S. Baker commenced the publication of " The Demmerat," which was purchased in the following Iterember by a joint stock company, who graced F. M. Morgan and (' A. Richards in editorial charge. It was indefinitely suspended March 9th, 1871.
FREE TasPER .- The " Wabash Free Trader" was published by A. 1 .. Bagher from some time in May. 1871, until Muy, E>74, at which time Messes. Linn & Keys assumed its management Mr. Krys retired May ist, Isto, nad it hus sinve been eandneled by Mr. Iwe Liun -Politics, Demmeratie
PONY EXPRESS. - The publication of the " Pony Express" was
commented July Int, 1571. nº n strictly advertising shert, with a tree circulation of twenty-five hundred ropies. C. A. Richards, manger.
MaswriterER JUINAt -The " Manchester fourun!" sus estali- Fishies May 15th, 1875, J. Il. Keys, editor and proprietor .- Politics, neutral.
MANUYSTER REPUBLICAN. - The " Manchester Republican" was established in is66. M. E. P'leas, editor .- l'ulities, Repnh- liens.
LA Bino horst. - The first number of the " La Gro Local" was' issuenl Pridny, May 25th, 1-75, with Marvin & Stephenson editors anl proprietors. Mr. Stephenson retired JJuly yd, 1875, atal the paper has since been conducted by R. A. Marvin -Politics, indepemileut.
GENERAL AND EXPLANATORY REMARKS.
GOVERNMENT SURVEYS.
An explanation of the system of laying out the publie lands, adopted by the United States in 1789, aml continued up to the present time, may not be out of place in this work.
The principle on which the sublivision is based coesists, in the first place, of the accurate deternduation of certasu base lines, at such intervals of distance as wny be required.
These lines are named from the direction they take. Those roDoing north and south being called principal meridians, and those running east and west being called standard parallels. The parallels and meridians are Quebered. The first principal meridian forming the boundary line between the States of Uno and Indiana, while the second divides the latter State nearly centrally. From these weruilians and parallels liney were run. six miles spart, .is near as might be, those parallel to the meri- dians being termed range lines; and those running east and westcalled town lines. The space included between these lines was called a township, or a congressional towuship to distin- guish it from civil townships, which may aml often do erebrace fractional ports of the original surveyed townships.
These congressional townships are numbered by the distance from the base lines. The township lying next east of the second principal meridian has the first range line for its eastern boundary, and consequently is said to be in range one cast. In like manner, the towns are numbered northward from the standard parallel ; Wabash County embracing parts of range five and eight, and all of six and seven, counting eastward from the aceond principal merilian in townships twenty-six, twenty- seven. twenty-eight, tweety-nine, and part of thirty, counting from the south.
This much being made clear, it remnius to explain the sub- division of the townships. The survey of the townships into sections was usually a subsequent matter, and the lines were run north froin the south line of the township, and west from the east line, beginning in each case from section corners pre- riously established. As the surveys had to be made cheaply and expeditiously, if a variation of a few rods was made in run- ning a section line to the opposite sule of the township it was left so, but in snlalividing the next township a new start was made in the right fince. This will account for the " jogs." 80 often met with on the township and range lines. The sections were made " full" as far as possible, and if a township Jacks ten rods or half o mile in length from north to south, the deficiency will not be distributed but he found in the north tier only. Is like manner the deficiency, if any, is found on the western tier. The sections in a township, when the town- ship is of full size, are thirty-six in minber, each one heing a mile square and containing 649 aeres of land. They are Date- Lered in regular order, beginning at the northeast corner, which is always section onr. The northwest corner is section six. the southwest and southeast being numbered thirty-one and thirty- six respectively.
5
4
3
2
1
T
8 1 9
10
11
12
18
17.
16
15
14
13
19
20
21
22
23
30
28
27
26
25
The subdivision of the wertinny it.t
intrlers, ote , isobvious. Fruta the above description it will ir men that the plau of
laying out the publie lands of the United States is a most com- . (civil) township; other seetion enmbers are found more than once, and su in searching for any particular section, the township Dinl range to which it belongs must be barne in mind. prehensive one, and by giving the section, lowuship, and range. and number of principal meridian and parallels, any ime familiar with the system eau locate anything, properly described, with- out necessarily referring to civil townships, counties, or even States. The principle was not applied to the salalivision of Sintes east of Ohio, aud ouly to a limited extent there, and consequently we find the division lines of farms and property very irregular in most of the eastern and southern States of the Union.
In the original surveys of this county the section lines were marken through the woods hy " blazes" on the trees, and at the corners, the direction and distance to certain described trees were noterl, and a copy of these field notes has been depusited in the office of the county recorder.
The temporary stakes set by the deputy-surveyors fur sec- tion corners have very generally been replaced by stone monu- mielits.
EXPLANATION OF THE MAPS.
'The maps in this work are prepared in the ordinary manner, the lop being north, consequently the bottom part is south, the right hand eust, and the left hamt side representing the west.
If any exceptions to this arrangement occur in the Allas they will be plainly marked, so as not to cause confusion. It minst be horne in mind, however, inasmuch us a number of the map pages are inserted sideways un account of their great width, that by the top of the map. we do not always meon the top of the book. The general dlirectum of the lettering is from east to west, but the Dames often have to follow the general course of rivers, runds, etc.
We will now proceed to describe the several maps in detail.
The COUNTY MAP embraces an outline of the whole county, showing its leading features at a glanet.
The Range and Township lines are shown by heavy lines, the Itupbers being given on the margin.
The design of this map is to show the general features uf the conuty plainly, nud present theto ut one view. Care has been taken not to insert so inch uf iletails as to confuse or obscure the prominence of the general outlines
As the townships in Wabash County have been created with a general disregard of the original congressional townships, it weust be horne in wiml that therehy two or three, and sometimes as inany us four sections having the same number, may be found in one township.
By a short study of the outline county mup touch may be learned It is indeed a sort of index or key to all the others, and no one desiring to thoroughly understand relative locations shonhl fail to finster it.
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP -This township contains 44 sections, all of Town. 26, Range 7, and a strip two sertinns wide off from the west port uf Runge 8 ; in both ranges the last quarter section is fractional, containing less than 160 neres.
A Iurge truet in the southwest part of the township was a part of the bind reserved by treaty to the Indian, Mo shin-go-mun-sha. Until 1973 it was occupied by his descendants and the members of his band us u sort of rommion heritage, but at that time it was divideil uft among them.
These Indians are not citizens ; they pay no tar upon the hund ; Bor can they sell or enenmber i ; neither eun it be srized und said lo satisfy judgments mil 1981, when the ,o disabilities expire by trrins of treaty
WALTA TOWNSHIP .-- This township nion contains 48 svefinns; consisting of a fall rangsessioned township af 3 welions, Town 26, Range &, und a strip two miles wide off the eust part of Range 5. The west tier of Hinge 6 i- fractionl.
The lund reserved to Mu -- hin-ga ma- sha extends into this town- ship alon fare Laderly Townshiph
Ama.s. Towww .- This wowwhip contains n'ont *$ sertionv. lueluding preserves It embrners the mouth imlf of Town. 28. Rangr &, and six sretions in Range 5 ; all of Town. 27. Range 6, and twelve Metion in Town. 27, Enuge 5, und part of Town 27, Kimgr 7.
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