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 34
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The making of early history in Daviess county was marked with Indian depredations, and after the killing of William McGowen by the Indians in the spring of 1812, the settlers, in order to
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protect themselves, erected ten block houses or forts. Five of these were built in 1812 and were known as "Hawkins' Fort," "Comer's Fort" and "Purcell's Fort," the others being built at a later period.
Organization .- Daviess county was organized by an act of the Legislature December 24, 1816, which became effective February 15, 1817. The county was named in honor of the distinguished lawyer. Joseph Hamilton Daviess, who was killed
Population of Daviess county in 1890 was 26,227 ; 1900, 29,914, and according to United States Census of 1910 was 27,747, of which 389 were of white foreign birth. There were 6,231 families in the county and 6,144 dwelling- houses.
Townships, Cities and Towns .- There are ten townships in Daviess county : Barr, Bogard, Elmore, Harrison, Madison, Reeve, Steele, Van Buren, Veale and Washington. The incorporated
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Views in Washington, Daviess County. 1. Public Library. 2. High School. 3. Court-House. 4. Soldiers' Monument.
in the battle of Tippecanoe November 7, 1811. Daviess county was originally part of Knox and contained nearly all of the territory now com- prising Martin, all of Greene, east of the west fork of White river, and all of Owen county, east of the west fork of White river. The first county seat of Daviess county was located in the town of Liverpool on March 15, 1817. The name was changed to Washington August 18, 1817, and it has remained the county seat since the organiza- tion of the county. It is located on the B. & O. Southwestern and C. & E. I. railroads. The shops of the B. & O. Southwestern railroad are located here.
cities and towns are Washington, Cannelburg, Elnora, Montgomery and Odon. Washington 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 Daviess county was $7,438,535, value of improvements was $2,869,965 and the total net value of taxables was $14,558,915. There were 4,428 polls in the county.
Improved Roads .- There were 326 miles of improved roads in Daviess county built and under jurisdiction of the county commissioners
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anuary 1, 1915. Amount of gravel road bonds outstanding, $427,389.24.
Railroads-Steam and Electric .- There are 55.21 miles of steam railroad operated in Daviess ounty by the B. & O. Southwestern; Chicago, Terre Haute & Southeastern, and the E. & I. Railways.
Educational .- According to the report of Alva O. Fulkerson, county superintendent of Daviess county, there were 112 schoolhouses, in- cluding nine high schools in Daviess county in 1914, employing 204 teachers. The average daily attendance by pupils was 5,278. There are six consolidated school buildings in the county. They have proved such a success that opposition against consolidation has almost disappeared. The aggregate amount paid in salaries to super-
intendents, supervisors, principals and teachers was $98,229.54. The estimated value of school property in the county was $385,800, and the total amount of indebtedness, including bonds, was $109,825.
Agriculture .- There were in Daviess county in 1910 over 2,700 farms embraced in 253,000 acres. Average acres per farm, 91.8 acres. The value of all farm property was $18,000,000, showing 103.6 per cent. increase over 1900. The average value of land per acre $54.98. The total value of domestic animals was over $1,900,000: Number of cattle, 14,000, valued at $375,000; horses 9,000, valued at $950,000; hogs 40,000, valued at $280,000; sheep 11,000, valued at $46,000. The total value of poultry was $113,000.
DEARBORN COUNTY
LAWRENCEBURG, SEAT OF JUSTICE
D EARBORN COUNTY is located in the southeast part of the State, bordering on the Ohio river. It is bounded on the north by Franklin county, on the east by the State of Ohio, on the south by the Ohio river and Ohio county and on the west by Ripley county. It contains 207 square miles and the general char- acter of the land is rolling and in some parts broken by ranges of hills, which, however, are not so high nor so steep as to prevent cultiva- tion. Archeological remains are found through- out the county, some of which are believed to be not less than 2,000 years old and which required much labor and engineering skill.
Moore's Hill College, one of the oldest edu- cational institutions in the State, is located at Moore's Hill in this county.
Organization .- Dearborn county was organ- ized on March 7, 1803, with the seat of justice at Lawrenceburg, the court-house being one-half of a double log cabin belonging to Doctor Jabez Percival, one of the associate judges. Rising Sun was ambitious to be the county seat and wanted to have a new county formed, of which it could be the county seat if it could not wrest the honor from Lawrenceburg. Through this
struggle Lawrenceburg lost the county seat for a few years. On September 26, 1836, Wilmington became the seat of justice, where it remained until April 4, 1844, when Lawrenceburg again became the county seat, through an act of the Legislature of January 3, 1844.
Population of Dearborn county in 1890 was 23,364; in 1900 was 22,194, and according to United States Census of 1910 was 21,396, of which 1,163 were of white foreign birth. There were 5,274 families in the county and 5,058 dwellings.
Townships, Cities and Towns .- There are fourteen townships in Dearborn county : Cæsar Creek, Center, Clay, Harrison, Hogan, Jackson, Kelso, Lawrenceburg, Logan, Manchester, Mil- ler, Sparta, Washington and York. The incor- porated cities and towns are Aurora, Lawrence- burg, Dillsboro, Greendale, Moore's Hill, St. Leon and West Harrison. Lawrenceburg 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 Dearborn county was $3,084,170, value of improvements was
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$2,582.125 and the total net value of taxables was $10,170,790. There were 3,143 polls in the county.
Improved Roads .- There were eighty miles of improved roads in Dearborn county built and under jurisdiction of the county commissioners January 1. 1915. Amount of gravel road bonds outstanding, $264,365.12.
Railroads-Steam and Electric .- There are 52.79 miles of steam railroad operated in Dear- born county by the B. & O. Southwestern ; Cin- cinnati & Southern Ohio River ; the Chicago divi- sion. Lawrenceburg branch and Harrison branch, of the Big Four, and the White Water railroads. The Cincinnati, Lawrenceburg & Aurora Elec- tric Street Railway Company operates 9.38 miles of electric lines in the county.
Educational .- According to the report of George C. Cole, county superintendent of Dear- born county, there were ninety-four school-
houses, including two high schools, in the county in 1914, employing 150 teachers. The average daily attendance by pupils was 2,992. The ag- gregate amount paid in salaries to superintend- ents, supervisors, principals and teachers was $71,559.64. Estimated value of school property in the county was $192,450, and the total amount of indebtedness, including bonds, was $11,600.
Agriculture .- There were in Dearborn county in 1910 over 2,200 farms, embraced in 185,000 acres. Average acres per farm, 82.5 acres. The value of all farm property was $9,800.000, show- ing 51.0 per cent. increase over 1900. The aver- age value of land per acre was $30.43. The total value of domestic animals was over $1,100,000: Number of cattle 13,000, valued at $360,000; horses 6,000, valued at $604,000; hogs 10,000, valued at $76,000 ; sheep 6,000, valued at $25,000. The total value of poultry in the county was $72,000.
DECATUR COUNTY
GREENSBURG, SEAT OF JUSTICE
D ECATUR COUNTY is located in the sec- ond tier of counties southeast of Indian- apolis. It is bounded on the north by Rush, on the east by Franklin, on the south by Ripley and Jennings and on the west by Bartholomew and Shelby counties. It contains 400 square miles and is especially adapted to agriculture. Some of the finest limestone quarries of the State are located in the county.
Organization .- Decatur county was organ-
ized December 31, 1821, and became effective March 4, 1822. It was named after the gallant Commodore Stephen Decatur. Greensburg was selected as the county seat, which, tradition says, was so named by Mrs. Thomas A. Hendricks in honor of her old home town in Pennsylvania.
Population of Decatur county in 1890 was 19,277 ; in 1900 was 19,518, and according to United States Census of 1910 was 18,793, of which 370 were of white foreign birth. There were 4,935 families in the county and 4,844 dwellings.
Townships, Cities and Towns .- There are nine townships in Decatur county : Adams, Clay, Clinton, Fugit, Jackson, Marion, Salt Creek, Sand Creek and Washington. The incorporated cities and towns are Greensburg, Milford, Mill- housen, New Point and Westport. Greensburg is the county scat.
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 Decatur county was $9.832,000, value of improvements was $3,020,-
Carnegie Library, Greensburg.
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510 and the total net value of taxables was $16,655,615. There were 3,183 polls in the county.
Improved Roads .- There were 345 miles of improved roads in Decatur county built and under jurisdiction of the county commissioners January 1, 1915. Amount of gravel road bonds outstanding, $538,847.60.
Railroads-Steam and Electric .- There are 60.97 miles of steam railroad operated in Decatur county by the Chicago division of the Big Four ; Westport branch of the Chicago, Terre Haute & Southeastern ; Columbus, Hope & Greensburg, and the Vernon, Greensburg & Rushville rail- roads. Indianapolis & Cincinnati Traction Com- pany operates 10.40 miles of electric line in the county.
Educational .- According to the report of Frank C. Fields, county superintendent of Deca- tur county, there were sixty-eight schoolhouses, including ten high schools in Decatur county in 1914, employing 138 teachers. The average daily attendance by pupils was 3,235. The aggregate amount paid in salaries to superintendents, super- visors, principals and teachers was $84,041.21. The estimated value of school property in the county was $487,000, and the total amount of indebtedness, including bonds, was $129,888.
Clinton township, this county, was the first township in the State to consolidate entirely all its schools into one. This was accomplished at Sandusky in 1903. Six hacks carry the children to this centralized school. Since that day the other townships have all followed the lead of Clinton and more or less consolidation has been accomplished in each.
Agriculture .- There were in Decatur county
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Decatur County Court-House, Greensburg.
in 1910 over 1,900 farms embraced in 223,000 acres. Average acres per farm, 116.1 acres. The value of all farm property was $19,000,000, showing 79.1 per cent. increase over 1900. The average value of land per acre, $60.77. The total value of domestic animals was over $1,800,000 : Number of cattle, 14,000, valued at $450,000; horses, 7,800, valued at $780,000; hogs, 57,000, valued at $370,000 ; sheep, 13,000, valued at $57,- 000. The total value of poultry was $86,000.
DEKALB COUNTY
AUBURN, SEAT OF JUSTICE
D EKALB COUNTY is located in the north- east corner of the State, bordering on the State of Ohio, and is separated from the State of Michigan on the north by Steuben county. It is bounded on the west by Noble and on the south by Allen counties. The St. Joseph river runs about twelve miles through the southeast corner
of the county, and other parts of it are well watered by Cedar creek and its numerous branches.
Organization .- Dekalb county was organized February 2, 1837, and was named in honor of Baron Dekalb, a German nobleman, who joined the American army during the revolution. He
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was made a general and was killed at the battle of Camden. The county began its career with Auburn as the county seat May 1, 1837. Pend- ing the building of a new court-house. a disastrous fire occurred February 8. 1913, which destroyed part of the county records, among which were all of the records of the county clerk.
Population of Dekalb county in 1890 was 24,307; in 1900 was 25,711, and according to United States Census of 1910 was 25,054, of
$7,432,060, value of improvements was $3,367,- 170 and the total net value of taxables was $18,124,560. There were 4,018 polls in the county.
Improved Roads .- There were fourteen miles of improved roads in Dekalb county built and under jurisdiction of the county commissioners January 1, 1915. There were no gravel road bonds outstanding January 1, 1915.
Railroads-Steam and Electric .- There are
DEKALB COUNTY COURT HOUSE, AUBURN, IND
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Views in Auburn, Dekalb County.
which 1,060 were of white foreign birth. There were 6,581 families in the county and 6,427 dwellings.
Townships, Cities and Towns .- There are fifteen townships in Dekalb county: Butler, Con- cord, Fairfield, Franklin, Grant, Jackson, Key- ser. Newville, Richland, Smithfield, Spencer, Stafford, Troy, Union and Wilmington. The in- corporated cities and towns are Auburn, Butler, Garrett, Altona, Ashley, Corunna, St. Joe and Waterloo. Anburn 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 Dekalb county was
97.75 miles of steam railroad operated in Dekalb county by the B. & O. & Chicago ; G. R. & I. ; Fort Wayne & Jackson ; Fort Wayne & Detroit ; L. S. & M. S., and the Butler branch of the Vandalia railroad. The Fort Wayne & Northwestern Rail- way Company operates 20.48 miles of electric lines in the county.
Educational .- According to the report of Lida Leasure, county superintendent of Dekalb county, there were ninety-eight schoolhouses. including seven high schools, in Dekalb county in 1914, employing 177 teachers. The average daily attendance by pupils was 4,285. The ag- gregate amount paid in salaries to superintend- ents, supervisors, principals and teachers was
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90,061.95. The estimated value of school prop- rty in the county was $340,575, and the total mount of indebtedness, including bonds was 90,240.
Agriculture .- There were in Dekalb county in 910 over 2,500 farms, embraced in 220,000 cres. Average acres per farm, 88.1 acres. The otal value of all farm property was $19,000,000,
showing 76.9 per cent. increase over 1900. The average value of land per acre was $56.92. The total value of domestic animals was over $1,900,- 000: Number of cattle 16,000, valued at $460,- 000; horses 8,500, valued at $1,000,000; hogs 36,000, valued at $250,000; sheep 42,000, valued at $180,000. The total value of poultry was $104,000.
DELAWARE COUNTY
MUNCIE, SEAT OF JUSTICE
D ELAWARE COUNTY is located in the first tier of counties northeast of Indian- polis and is bounded on the north by Grant and Blackford, on the east by Jay and Randolph, on he south by Henry and on the west by Madison counties. It contains 399 square miles. The ace of the county is mostly level or gently un- lulating. There is but very little land in the county which is not well adapted to farming. White river in the center, the Mississinewa in he north and Buck creek are the principal streams in the county.
Organization .- Delaware county was organ- zed January 18, 1827, and becoming effective April 21 of that year. It was so named from ts having been long the home of the largest di- vision of the Delaware tribe of Indians who had migrated here from their eastern home. The county seat of Delaware county was first called 'Munseytown" and was named after the old Indian chief who lived in Delaware county. This was the home of the Prophet, brother of the Indian Chief Tecumseh, and until it fell by decay here stood the post at which he caused his ene- mies, whites and Indians, to be tortured. It was through the influence of David Conner, an In- dian trader, who was the first white man to set- tle in Delaware county, that the tribe ceased to use the post.
Population of Delaware county in 1890 was 30,131; in 1900 was 49,624, and according to United States Census of 1910 was 51,414, of which 1,199 were of white foreign birth. There were 12,913 families in the county and 12.530 dwellings.
Townships, Cities and Towns .- There are
twelve townships in Delaware county: Center, Delaware, Hamilton, Harrison, Liberty, Monroe, Mt. Pleasant, Niles, Perry, Salem, Union and Washington. The incorporated cities and towns are Muncie, Albany, Eaton. Gaston, Normal City, Riverside and Selma. Muncie 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 Delaware county was $12,858,475, value of improvements was $8,036,675 and the total net value of taxables was $32,750,000. There were 9,516 polls in the county.
Improved Roads .- There were 430 miles of improved roads in Delaware county built and under jurisdiction of the county commissioners January 1, 1915. Amount of gravel road bonds outstanding, $743,435.
Railroads-Steam and Electric .- There are 124.70 miles of steam railroad operated in Dela- ware county by the Central Indiana : C. & O .; Chicago, Indiana & Eastern: Indianapolis divi- sion and the Muncie belt of the Big Four : Fort Wayne, Cincinnati & Louisville; Lake Erie & Western and Muncie & Western railroads. The Indianapolis, New Castle & Eastern Traction Company, Muncie & Portland Traction Company and the Union Traction Company of Indiana operate 67.90 miles of electric lines in the county.
Educational .- According to the report of Ernest J. Black, county superintendent of Dela- ware county, there were ninety-five schoolhouses, including ten high schools, in the county in 1914, employing 330 teachers. The average daily at-
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tendance by pupils was 8,851. The aggregate amount paid in salaries to superintendents, super- visors, principals and teacher, was $215,688.90. Estimated value of school property in the county was $1,278,600, and the total amount of indebted- ness, including bonds, was $210.815.
Agriculture .- There were in Delaware county in 1910 over 2.900 farms, embraced in 240,000 acres. Average acres per farm, 82.4 acres. The total value of all farm property was $26,000,000, showing 77.9 per cent. increase over 1900. The Average value of land per acre was $83.19. The
total value of domestic animals was over $2,400, 000: Number of cattle 21,000, valued at $619, 000; horses 12,000, valued at $1,200,000; hogy 84,000, valued at $470,000; sheep 22,000, valued at $92,000. The total value of poultry was $120,000.
Industrial .- According to the United States Census of 1910 there were 102 industries ir. Muncie, furnishing employment to 4,444 persons Total amount of capital employed, $6,626,626 value of products, $9,686,234; value added by manufacture, $4,210,467.
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1. Public Library, Muncie. 2. Delaware County Court-House. 3. High School, Muncie. 4. Post-Office, Muncie.
DUBOIS COUNTY
JASPER, SEAT OF JUSTICE
D UBOIS COUNTY is located in the south- ern part of the State. It is bounded on the north by Martin and Daviess, on the east by Orange and Crawford, on the south by Spencer, Perry and Warrick and on the west by Pike and Warrick counties. It contains 420 square miles, and coal, sandstone, limestone and fire clay are mined in parts of the county. The Patoka river flows through the county and White river forms a part of its northern boundary.
Organization .- It was organized by legisla- tive act December 20, 1817, which became ef- fective February 1, 1818. This section was set- tled about 1801, and the county was named in honor of Toussaint Dubois, a French soldier under General William Henry Harrison, who lived in Vincennes and who had charge of the guards and spies in the Tippecanoe campaign. The first county seat of Dubois county was Por- tersville. Owing to its location on White river, the northern boundary of the county, efforts were made at various times in the Legislature to have the county seat removed to a more de- sirable location. By a supplementary act of the Legislature of January 30, 1830, commissioners were ordered to meet at Portersville in August, 1830, and select a new county seat "as near the center of the county as possible." The town of Jasper was selected as the county seat. The record of the commissioners, who selected the site of Jasper, was lost in the fire of August, 1839, which completely destroyed the court-house and all records.
Population of Dubois county in 1890 was 20,253; in 1900 was 20,357, and according to United States Census of 1910 was 19,843, of which 699 were of white foreign birth. There were 4,150 families in the county and 4,074 dwellings.
Townships, Cities and Towns .- There are twelve townships in Dubois county : Bainbridge, Boone, Cass, Columbia, Ferdinand, Hall, Harbi- son, Jackson, Jefferson, Madison, Marion and Patoka. The incorporated cities and towns are Huntingburg, Birds Eye, Ferdinand and Jasper. Jasper 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 Dubois county was $3,560,725, value of improvements was $1,965,720 and the total net value of taxables was $8,847,125. There were 3,291 polls in the county.
Improved Roads .- There were eighty-five miles of improved roads in Dubois county built and under jurisdiction of the county commis- sioners January 1, 1915. Amount of gravel road bonds outstanding, $183,934.95.
Academy of the Immaculate Conception, Ferdinand, Dubois County.
Railroads-Steam and Electric .- There are 62.17 miles of steam railroad operated in Dubois county by the Ferdinand Railway Company : Southern Railway Company of Indiana, and the Evansville branch and French Lick line of the Southern Railway Company.
Educational .- According to the report of William Melchier, county superintendent of Du- bois county, there were one hundred school- houses, including five high schools, in Dubois county in 1914, employing 161 teachers. The average daily attendance by pupils was 3,193. The aggregate amount paid in salaries to super- intendents, supervisors, principals and teachers was $66,137.49. Estimated value of school property in the county was $171,250, and the total amount of indebtedness, including bonds, was $21,823.
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Agriculture .- There were in Dubois county in 1910 over 2.200 farms. embraced in 262,000 acres. Average acres per farm, 117.1 acres. The value of all farm property was $10.000,000, showing 47.5 per cent. increase over 1900. The average value of land per acre was $25.23. The total value of domestic animals was over $1, 100,- 000: Number of cattle 12,000, valued at $230,- ( ** ); horses 6,700, valued at $614,000; hogs 23,000, valued at $125,000; sheep 5,800, valued tt $21,000. The total value of poultry was $73.000
Convent and Academy of the Immaculate Conception at Ferdinand, Ind., is conducted by the Sisters of St. Benedict.
The constantly increasing demand for teachers, competent in religious and moral training as well as in the profane sciences, urged the Benedictine Fathers of St. Meinrad's Abbey, to procure Nuns of the same order and erect, for them, a convent. The town of Ferdinand was selected as a site, while the erection and charge thereof was en- trusted, by the Rt. Rev. Martin Marty, to the zealous young priest and pastor, the Rev. P. Chrysostom Foffa, O. S. B., of the St. Ferdinand congregation. He obtained four Nuns from St. Walburgis Convent, Covington, Ky., as pioneers in the undertaking. They arrived at Ferdinand August 20, 1867, and took up the work of teach- ing the parish school.
The convent was completed and the little chapel within its walls was dedicated December 8, 1867.
After a number of postulants had petitioned for admission into the new community, the Rt. Rev. Martin Marty drew up the Constitutions for the government of the sisterhood and appointed Rev. P. Chrysostom, O. S. B., spiritual director. At the first election held in June, 1872, accord- ing to the new Constitution, Sister M. Benedicta Berns was elected Prioress. The young commu- nity flourished and the parish school of St. Mein- rad marked its first mission. In 1872 the Nuns purchased sixty-four acres of land, by which means they began to provide for themselves the
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