USA > Indiana > Centennial history and handbook of Indiana : the story of the state from its beginning to the close of the civil war, and a general survey of progress to the present time > Part 32
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1874, when it was transferred to Fowler, which had been laid out in 1871, for the ostensible pur pose of making a bid for the county seat. This change gave rise to a bitter fight between the towns of Oxford and Fowler. The immediate cause for the hostilities was the condemnation of the old court-house at Oxford on March 20, 1873 which was followed by injunctions and other legal proceedings which culminated in the court- house being ordered erected at Fowler. The court-house was largely the gift of the late Moses Fowler of Lafayette. Its corner-stone was laid August, 1874, and the first court was held Febru- ary, 1875.
Benton county has no large towns or large manufacturing enterprises, but is noted for its agricultural enterprises and live stock interests. It is also noted as the home of the "Hickory Grove Herd" of Hereford cattle, the substantial basis of the Hereford cattle industry of America. The county has the special distinction of being the birthplace and training ground of two of the most remarkable horses in the history of the world-the world-famed "Dan Patch" was bred, trained and campaigned as an unbeaten race
CENTENNIAL HISTORY AND HANDBOOK OF INDIANA
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horse by Daniel A. Messner of Oxford, Ind., and "Honest George" was raised and trained at Bos- well by Mat Cooper.
Population of Benton county in 1890 was 11,903; in 1900 was 13,123, and according to United States Census in 1910 was 12,688, of which 695 were of white foreign birth. There were 3,029 families in the county and 3,017 dwellings.
Townships, Cities and Towns .- There are eleven townships in Benton county : Bolivar, Center, Gilboa, Grant, Hickory Grove, Oak Grove, Parish Grove, Pine, Richland, Union and York. The incorporated cities and towns are Ambia, Boswell, Earl Park, Fowler, Otterbein, and Oxford. Fowler is the county seat of Ben- ton county.
Taxable Property and Polls .- According to the annual report of the Auditor of State from the abstract of the tax duplicate for 1913, the total value of lands and lots in Benton county was $13,777,275; value of improvements was $2,009,385, and the total net value of taxables was $20,745,375. There were 1,837 polls in the county.
Improved Roads .- There were 440 miles of
improved roads in Benton county, built and un- der jurisdiction of the county commissioners January 1, 1915. Amount of gravel road bonds outstanding, $710,354.
Railroads-Steam and Electric .- There are 84.22 miles of steam railroad operated in Benton county by the Chicago & Eastern Illinois ; Chi- cago, Indiana & Southern ; Cincinnati, Lafayette & Chicago; C., C., C. & St. L., and Lake Erie & Western railways.
Educational .- According to the report of Charles H. Dodson, county superintendent of Benton county, there were seventy-three school- houses, including eleven high schools, in Benton county in 1914, employing 138 teachers. The average daily attendance by pupils was 1,811. The aggregate amount paid in salaries to super- intendents, supervisors, principals and teachers was $81,500.97. The estimated value of school property in the county was $230,600.
Agriculture .- There were in Benton county in 1910 over 1,200 farms embraced in 252,000 acres. Average acres per farm, 198.4 acres. The value of all farm property was $37,000,000. showing 111.6 per cent. increase in value over 1900. The average value of land per acre was
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Publics
Public Library, Fowler, Ind.
Views in Fowler, Benton County.
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$128.94. The total value of domestic animals was over $2,000,000: Number of cattle, 11,000, valued at $401,000; horses, 11,000, valued at
$1,400,000; hogs, 25,000, valued at $194,000; sheep 5,600, valued at $29,000. The total value of poultry was $51,000.
BLACKFORD COUNTY
HARTFORD CITY, SEAT OF JUSTICE
B LACKFORD COUNTY is located in the second tier of counties northeast of Indi- anapolis. It is bounded on the north by Wells, on the east by Jay, on the south by Delaware and on the west by Grant counties, and contains an area of 169 square miles.
Organization .- The county, which was orig- inally a part of Jay county, was organized Feb- ruary 18, 1839, and named in honor of Judge Blackford. The first settlement in the county was made by John Blount in 1835 and in the winter of 1836 Abel Baldwin, of Vermont, made an exploration of the forests and entered land for a party of emigrants from that State. In the autumn following, they removed to the Sala- monie and laid off the town of Montpelier, named after the capital of Vermont. Hartford was founded in 1839 and for several years the rival towns were competitors for the county seat. It took two separate acts of the Legislature be- fore the organization of the county became ef- fective, and it was not until after the fourth set of commissioners were appointed, February 24, 1840, that the county seat was finally located at Hartford, the site probably selected by the second set of commissioners. Later the town name was changed to Hartford City at the suggestion of F. L. Shelton. What is known as the "Godfroy Reserve," where the one-time noted war chief Godfroy of the Miamis long resided, is located in the castern part of the county. Godfroy was a noble-looking, kind-hearted man, and was held in great esteem by the Indians and white men.
Population of Blackford county in 1890 was 10,461; in 1900 was 17,213, and according to United States Census in 1910 was 15,820, of which 629 were of white foreign birth. There were 3,837 families in the county and 3,775 dwellings.
Townships, Cities and Towns .- There are four townships in Blackford county: Harrison,
Jackson, Licking and Washington. The incor- porated cities and towns are Hartford City and Montpelier. Hartford City is the county seat.
Taxable Property and Polls .- According to the annual report of the Auditor of State from the abstract of the tax duplicate for 1913, the to- tal value of lands and lots in Blackford county was $3,829,610; value of improvements was $2,116,745, and the total net value of taxables was $10,317,690. There were 2,246 polls in the county.
Improved Roads .- There were 250 miles of improved roads in Blackford county, built and under jurisdiction of the county commissioners January 1, 1915. Amount of gravel road bonds outstanding, $366,648.46.
Railroads-Steam and Electric .- There are 27.92 miles of steam railroad operated in Black- ford county by the Fort Wayne, Cincinnati & Louisville and the P., C., C. & St. L. railways. The Union Traction Company of Indiana oper- ates 15.25 miles of electric lines.
Educational .- According to the report of Edgar M. Servies, county superintendent of Boone county, there were 112 schoolhouses, in- cluding six high schools, in Boone county in 1914 employing 150 grade and forty high-school teach- ers. The average daily attendance by pupils was 3,997.99 grade; 585.73 high school. The aggre- gate amount paid in salaries to superintendents supervisors, principals and teachers was $100 .- 775.50. The estimated value of school property in the county was $430,335, and the total amount of indebtedness, including bonds, was $150,830 One orphanage school, two miles south of Zions- ville, is maintained by the Baptist church, but the teacher is furnished by the township trustee.
Agriculture .- There were in Blackford county in 1910 over 1,100 farms embraced in 98,000 acres. Average acres per farm, 85.4 acres. The value of all farm property was $9,000,000, show -!
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ing 73 per cent. increase over 1900. The average value of land per acre was $65.22. The total value of domestic animals was over $995,000: Number of cattle 7,600, valued at $227,000;
horses, 4,900, valued at $518,000; hogs, 28,000, valued at $167,000; sheep, 14,000, valued at $68,000. The total value of poultry was about $50,000.
BOONE COUNTY
LEBANON, SEAT OF JUSTICE
B OONE COUNTY, named after the famous Indian hunter and trapper, Daniel Boone, s bounded on the north by Clinton, on the east py Hamilton, on the south by Marion and Hen- dricks and on the west by Montgomery counties. It is situated on the ridge of what were in the early days called the dividing swamps between White river and the Wabash. The area of the county is 418 square miles.
Organization .- The county was organized n 1830 and the first courts were held in James- own, which remained the seat of justice until the removal to Lebanon, made effective by an act of he Legislature January 26, 1832, providing for commissioners to relocate the county seat. The first court-house was completed in 1833 and it is presumed that the formal transfer of the county eat to Lebanon occurred that year.
This county was once the abode and hunting ground of the Eel river tribe of the Miami In- lians. In 1819 Thorntown had a population of 00 Indians and a few French traders. The arge reserve at this place was not purchased un- il 1828, nor did the Indians remove until 1835.
The present court-house, which was completed nd dedicated July 4, 1912, is built of Bedford imestone and one of the features is the dome, which is the second in size in the State, being fty feet in diameter. The north and south en- rances are each adorned by four columns 35 feet inches in length, 52 inches in diameter at the ase and 48 inches at the top. These columns are aid to be the largest one-piece columns in the United States.
Population of Boone county in 1890 was 6,572; in 1900 was 26,321, and according to United States Census in 1910 was 24,673, of which 131 were of white foreign birth. There vere 6,414 families in the county and 6,334 wellings.
Townships, Cities and Towns .- There are twelve townships in Boone county: Center, Clin- ton, Eagle, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Marion, Perry, Sugar Creek, Union, Washington and Worth. The incorporated cities and towns are Lebanon, Advance, Jamestown, Thorntown and Zionsville. Lebanon is the county seat of Boone county.
Taxable Property and Polls .- According to
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Boone County Court-House, Lebanon.
the annual report of the Auditor of State from the abstract of the tax duplicate for 1913, the total value of lands and lots in Boone county was $12,867,745; value of improvements was $3,720,295, and the total net value of taxables was $24,893,350. There were 4,200 polls in the county.
Improved Roads .- There were 563 miles of improved roads in Boone county, built and under jurisdiction of the county commissioners January 1, 1915. Amount of gravel road bonds outstand- ing, $232,024.
Railroads-Steam and Electric .- There are 63.74 miles of steam railroad operated in Boone county by the Central Indiana ; Chicago, Indian- apolis & Louisville ; C., C., C. & St. L .; Peoria & Eastern, and Vandalia railways. The Lebanon &
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Thorntown "Traction Company and the Terre Haute. Indianapolis & Eastern Traction Com- pany operate 50.14 miles of electric lines in the county.
Educational .- According to the report of Ligar My Servies, county superintendent of Boone county, there were 112 schoolhouses. in- luding six high schools, in the county in 1914, employing 190 teachers. The average daily at- tendance In pupils was 4.584. The aggregate mott paid in salaries to superintendents, super- Users, principals and teachers was $100.775. Estimated value of school property in the county
was $+30,335, and the total amount of indebted- ness, including bonds, was $160,650.
Agriculture .- There were in Boone county in 1910 over 3,300 farms embraced in 264,000 acres. Average acres per farm, 79.7 acres. The value of all farm property was $35,000,000, showing 116.6 per cent. increase over 1900. The average value of land per acre was $103.12. The total value of domestic animals was over $3,000,000: Number of cattle, 21,000, valued at $720,000 ; horses, 14,- 030. valued at $1,500,000 ; hogs, 92,000, valued at $624,000 ; sheep, 22,000, valued at $105,000. The total value of poultry was $146,000.
BROWN COUNTY
NASIIVILLE, SEAT OF JUSTICE
B ROWN COUNTY is located in the second tier of counties south of Indianapolis. It is bounded on the north by Morgan and Johnson, on the east by Bartholomew, on the south by Monroe and Jackson and on the west by Monroe counties. It contains 320 square miles.
Organization .- It was organized February 4, 1836, which was made effective April 1, 1836. The county was named in honor of General Jacob Brown, one of the heroes of the war of 1812. The first name of the county seat was Jack- sonburg, but during the first year of its ca-
Hohenpoint, near Weed Patch, Brown County .- Photo By Frank M. Hohenberger.
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY AND HANDBOOK OF INDIANA
reer was changed to Nashville. The original jail, built in 1837, is still in use and is the last remain- ing relic of the log jails doing service in the State.
Brown county lies in the northern angle of the unglaciated region of Indiana, which condition brings the rugged portion of the State farther north and nearer Indianapolis at this point, than at any other. Here the mighty grinding, planing force of the ice sheet has not cut down the ridges and filled up the hollows. It has not worn the underlying rocks into soil enriched by silt from far-off regions. The ridges stand out boldly as chiseled by the cutting force of the streams. The soil is home-made out of the underlying rocks, which are mostly shale and sand-stone. The ease with which the finer soil can be removed from the slopes by water causes the soil to be coarse and loose. This accounts for the wonderful growth of timber with which nature has covered it, also making this region an ideal one for adap- tation to fruit growing.
The rugged nature of the county had a deter- rent effect upon railroad building and it was not until 1906 that the Illinois Central railroad, which runs twelve miles through the county, was built from Indianapolis to Effingham, Ill., where it joins the main line from Chicago to New Orleans. With the entrance of the railroad this region of exceptional natural beauty, which before lay all but unknown almost in the shadow of the State Capital, has become the mecca for artists and the admirers of the beautiful in nature. Many sum- mer homes have been built here since and large sums of money have been invested in the fruit- raising industry.
Population of Brown county in 1890 was 10,308; in 1900 was 9,727, and according to United States Census in 1910 was 7,975, of which 45 were of white foreign birth. There were 1,745 families in the county and 1,724 dwellings.
Townships, Cities and Towns .- There are
five townships in Brown county : Hamblen, Jack- son, Johnson, Van Buren and Washington. Nash- ville is the county seat.
Taxable Property and Polls .- According to the annual report of the Auditor of State from the abstract of the tax duplicate for 1913, the' total value of lands and lots in Brown county was $1,049,665 ; value of improvements was $310,595, and the total net value of taxables was $2,143,380. There were 1,035 polls in the county.
Improved Roads .- There were thirty-three miles of improved roads in Brown county built and under jurisdiction of the county commission- ers January 1, 1915. There were no gravel road bonds outstanding January 1, 1915.
Railroads-Steam and Electric .- There are 11.36 miles of steam railroad operated in Brown county by the Indianapolis branch of the Illinois Central railroad.
Educational .- According to the report of Sylvester Barnes, county superintendent of Brown county, there were seventy-six school- houses, including three high schools, in Brown county in 1914, employing eighty-seven teachers. The average daily attendance by pupils was 1,437. The aggregate amount paid in salaries to superintendents, supervisors, principals and teachers was $34,184.33. The estimated value of school property in the county was $49,900, and the total amount of indebtedness, including. bonds, was $3,030.
Agriculture .- There were in Brown county. in 1910 over 1,500 farms embraced in 160,00C acres. Average acres per farm, 107.1 acres. The value of all farm property was $3,400,000, show- ing 40.8 per cent. increase over 1900. The aver- age value of land per acre was $12.75. The total value of domestic animals was over $530,000 Number of cattle, 5,000, valued at $123,000 horses, 3,000, valued at $305,000; hogs, 5,300 valued at $41,000; sheep, 5,600, valued at $21, 000. The total value of poultry was $38.000.
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY AND HANDBOOK OF INDIANA
CARROLL COUNTY
DELPHI, SEAT OF JUSTICE
C ARROLL COUNTY, located in the third tier northwest of Indianapolis, is bounded on the north by White and Cass, on the east by Howard and Cass, on the south by Clinton and on the west by White and Tippecanoe counties, and contains 376 square miles. The county is traversed by the Wabash and Tippecanoe rivers, by Deer creek and Wild creek, which are its prin- cipal streams. The western side of the county borders on what is known as the "Grand Prairie." The surface is generally level and clay and black soil predominate about equally.
Organization .- It was organized January 7, 1828, which became effective May 1, 1828. The irst county seat was christened Carrollton, but on May 24, 1828, was changed to Delphi. The county was named in honor of the venerable Charles Carroll, then the sole survivor of those who had signed the Declaration of Independence. in its earlier history, the Wabash and Erie canal furnished it with great facilities for trade and exportation of produce.
Population of Carroll county in 1890 was 20,021; in 1900 was 19,953, and according to United States Census in 1910 was 17,970, of which 263 were of white foreign birth. There
Carroll County Court-House, Delphi.
vere 4,579 families in the county and 4,536 dwell- ngs.
Townships, Cities and Towns .- There are hirteen townships in Carroll county: Adams, Burlington, Carrollton, Clay, Deer Creek, Demo-
crat, Jackson, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Rock Creek, Tippecanoe and Washington. The incor- porated cities and towns are Delphi, Camden and Flora. Delphi is the county seat.
Delphi Library, Carroll County.
Taxable Property and Polls .- According to the annual report of the Auditor of State from the abstract of the tax duplicate for 1913, the total value of lands and lots in Carroll county was $7,567,840; value of improvements was $2,181,410, and the total net value of taxables was $14,489,540. There were 2,967 polls in the county.
Improved Roads .- There were 385 miles of improved roads in Carroll county built and under jurisdiction of the county commissioners January 1, 1915. Amount of gravel road bonds outstand- ing, $450,283.
Railroads-Steam and Electric .- There are 59.01 miles of steam railroad operated in Carroll county by the Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville : Vandalia ; and the Wabash railroads. The Fort Wayne & Northern Indiana Traction Company operates 15.62 miles of electric lines in the county.
Educational .- According to the report of Philip B. Hemmig, county superintendent of Car- roll county, there were eighty-seven schoolhouses, including seven high schools, in the county in 1914 employing 160 teachers. The average daily attendance by pupils was 3,243. The aggregate amount paid in salaries to superintendents, super- visors, principals and teachers was $76,567.80.
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY AND HANDBOOK OF INDIANA
Estimated value of school property in the county was $267,000, and the total amount of indebted- ness, including bonds, was $47,646.03.
Agriculture .- There were in Carroll county in 1910 over 2,200 farms embraced in 227,000 acres. AAverage acres per farm, 101.7 acres. The value of all farm property was $27,000,000, show-
ing 105 per cent. increase over 1900. The aver- age value of land per acre was $93.69. The total value of domestic animals was over $2,200,000: Number of cattle, 16,000, valued at $485,000; horses, 10,000, valued at $1,200,000 ; hogs, 57,000, valued at $365,000; sheep, 11,000, valued at $55,000. The total value of poultry was $87,000. -
CASS COUNTY
LOGANSPORT, SEAT OF JUSTICE
C ASS COUNTY is bounded on the north by Pulaski and Fulton, on the east by Miami, on the south by Howard and Carroll and on the west by White and Carroll counties. It contains 420 square miles.
High School, Logansport.
Organization .- The organization of Cass county became effective April 13, 1829, and the county seat was fixed at Logansport by three of the five commissioners named by the legislative Act of December 18, 1828. The county was named after the Honorable Lewis Cass. Here was located the town of Kenapacomequa or l'Anguille, the French name, or Old Town, which was destroyed by General Wilkinson August 8, 1791. The village stood on the north bank of Eel river, six miles northeast of Logans- port and extended for two miles and a half along the stream. It was then called a village of the Kickapoos.
The Eel and Wabash rivers unite near the center of the county, furnishing an abundance of water power for the water works, electric light
plant and factories of the city of Logansport, which is built on both sides of the two rivers. Along these streams there is an inexhaustible supply of limestone, gravel and sand of superior quality for building purposes and road-making
Public Library, Logansport.
and a good quality of clay for making brick is found in abundance in different parts of the county.
Population of Cass county in 1890 was 31,153; in 1900 was 34,545, and according to United States Census of 1910 was 36,368, of which 2,031 were of white foreign birth. There were 9,080 families in the county and 8,758 dwellings.
Townships, Cities and Towns .- There are fourteen townships in Cass county : Adams, Bethlehem, Boone, Clay, Clinton. Deer Creek, Eel, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Miami, Noble, ; Tipton and Washington. The incorporated cities and towns are Logansport, Galveston, Royal Center and Walton. Logansport is the county seat.
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY AND HANDBOOK OF INDIANA
Taxable Property and Polls .- According to the annual report of the Auditor of State from the abstract of the tax duplicate for 1913, the total value of lands and lots in Cass county was $12,264,550, value of improvements was $4,950,- 780 and the total net value of taxables was $26,858,345. There were 6,178 polls in the county.
Improved Roads .- There were 402 miles of improved roads in Cass county built and under jurisdiction of the county commissioners Janu- ary 1, 1914. Amount of gravel road bonds out- standing, $675,194.75.
Railroads-Steam and Electric .- There are 107.99 miles of steam railroad operated in Cass county by the Chesapeake & Ohio; Logansport division P., C., C. & St. L .; Richmond division P., C., C. & St. L .; Effner branch P., C., C. & St. L .; Michigan division of Vandalia : Butler branch of the Vandalia, and the Wabash Railways. The Fort Wayne & Northern Traction Company and the Union Traction Company of Indiana operate 40.48 miles of electric lines in the county.
Educational .- According to the report of A. L. Frantz, Logansport, Ind., county superin- endent of Cass county, there were 108 school- houses, including ten high schools in Cass county n 1914, employing 241 teachers. The average laily attendance by pupils was 5,595. The ag- gregate amount paid in salaries to superintend- ent, supervisors, principals and teachers was $139,317.09. The estimated value of school property in the county was $643,500, and the otal amount of indebtedness, including bonds, vas $142,898.
There are three Catholic and one German Lutheran schools in Cass county.
Consolidation is coming fast; almost every township has one consolidated school building of from five to nine teachers.
Agriculture .- There were in Cass county in 1910 over 2,400 farms, embraced in 240,000 acres. Average acres per farmi, 102.3 acres. The value of all farm property was $27,000,000, showing 92.5 per cent. increase over 1900. The average value of land per acre was $80.57. The total value of domestic animals was over $2,300,- 000 : Number of cattle 20,000, valued at $590,000; horses 10,000, valued at $1,200,000 ; hogs 52,000, valued at $360,000; sheep 20,000, valued at $95,- 000. The total value of poultry was $105,000.
Industrial .- According to the United States Census of 1910 there were sixty-eight industries in Logansport, furnishing employment to 2,412 persons. Total amount of capital employed, $2,003,965. Value of products, $4,201,369; value added by manufacture, $2,219,816.
Northern Hospital for Insane .- The General Assembly of 1883, by an act approved March 7, made provision for the erection of three addi- tional hospitals for the insane (Laws 1883, p. 164). The first of these to be opened was the Northern Hospital, located a mile west of Logansport and popularly known as Longcliff. The site was purchased October 4, 1883. The work of construction, which was on the "block plan," began in the following summer, but was discontinued in 1886 because of the exhaustion of funds. It was not until July 1, 1888, that the first patients were received. These came at first from all parts of the State, but the hospital is now limited to the care of patients from twenty-two counties designated the northern district for the insane (Laws, 1889, p. 391).
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