Chadwick's History of Shelby County, Indiana, Vol. 1, Part 7

Author: Chadwick, Edward H
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1022


USA > Indiana > Shelby County > Chadwick's History of Shelby County, Indiana, Vol. 1 > Part 7


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).


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The record of this plat is to be found in Deed Book ".\." page five. All lots were laid out in uniform size, eight rods, or one hundred thirty-two feet east and west by ninety-nine feet north and south. The plat extended north of the public square to the alley now running east and west between Franklin and


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67


CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.


Mechanic street, south to the line of Broadway street ; east to the alley running north and south, midway between Pike and Noble streets: west to the tier of lots beyond Tompkins street. Washington and Harrison streets were made ninety feet wide, crossing at right angles in the center of the public square, which was laid out in such a manner by the intersection of these streets, as to give twelve corners, four inside corners and eight street corners: or three cor- ners to each quarter, that is one inside corner and two street corners. All streets. aside from Washington and Harrison, were platted forty-nine and one-half feet in width. The public square is two hundred eighty-eight feet north and south by three hundred fifty-four feet east and west, giving an area of about two and a third acres.


With the passing of the years and the corresponding growth of the town. numerous additions have been made to the original platting. These for the most part are as follows :


First addition was made by County Agent Abel Cole. July 2, 1823. It extended from Big Ditch alley, of the original plat. to Hamilton street and was surveyed by Maj. John Hendricks, the County Surveyor.


Second addition was thirty lots-fifteen on either side of Mechanic street to the north end of the original platting, and extended cast to the first alley east of Noble street, then known as Madison street. This was made by John Walker, one of the original donors, December 5. 1823, and is sometimes known as "Walker's addition."


Third addition to Shelbyville was run to the river and platted by Maj. John Hendricks, June 12, 1827. This included the land later used for the old cemetery.


Kent's and Hendricks' addition was platted April 10. 1833. by Rev. Ela- phlat Kent and Major Hendricks, and consisted of ten lots ninety-nine by one hundred thirty-two feet in size, on the south side of Broadway street, east from Harrison.


Fletcher and MeCarty's addition to Shelbyville, comprising one hundred twenty-five lots east of Harrison street and north of Pennsylvania, extended east to East street. This was platted September 28. 1848. by Calvin Fletcher and Nicholas McCarty, both of Indianapolis.


Western addition was eight lots west of the original plat, running from section line twelve ( 12) to Broadway street. This was affected by William Lit- tle and James Randall, Tilitha Capp. Benedict Worland and Andrew H. Me- Neely. It was duly recorded April 23. 1849.


Toner and Bennett's addition was from Depot street (now Hendricks) to one tier of lots south of South street and west from Harrison street. The court house and jail are located on this addition. It was platted by Edward Toner and Jeremiah Bennett, October 3. 1849.


Samuel Hamilton's First addition was platted September 12, 1850. Sam-


68


CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.


nel Hamilton's Eastern addition was made May 9. 1853. and included all of the city east of Hamilton street and between Franklin and Broad streets. Ray and McFarland's addition was made by Martin Ray and Thomas MeFarland April 11, 1860, and was east of Hamilton and East streets, and north of township line twelve ( 12), containing forty acres.


Miller's and MeFarland's addition, platted March 8. 1858, was by Wil- liam C. Miller and Thomas McFarland, and is commonly styled "Miller's Addition."


Montgomery's First Addition was platted by John L. Montgomery, April 15, 1868.


Montgomery's Second addition was platted by the widow of Mr. Mont- gomery, June 23. 1873.


Montgomery's Third addition was platted April 9. 1883, by Mary R., wife of George Stuter, former widow of John L. Montgomery.


Dorsey's addition, platted by Sylvester L. Dorsey, October 26, 1870.


Bone and Major's addition, by . Alfred Bone and Alfred Major, was plat- ted January 25. 1878.


Martz addition, platted by Joseph L. Martz. Richard M. Clark, Malinda Clark, Edward L. Davison and Mary Davison. October 15. 1883.


Colescott's addition. platted by Ralph Colescott, February 8, 1873.


Teal's addition, by William A. Teal. April 28, 1884.


Bishop's Administration addition, by Cyrenus Bishop, administrator for the Fountain estate, platted July 8. 1882.


McGavern and Murdock's addition was platted June 24, 1884.


The Elliott Farm addition, or Westermost addition plat, was filed Novem- ber 6, 1883.


Eleaser B. Amsden addition, June 17. 1884.


Teal's Second addition, by William E. Teal, platted October 6, 1886.


Presbyterian Church Property addition, platted by Elisha Baker, De- cember 3. 1839.


The more recent additions to Shelbyville have been: Dunn's addition, April 18. 1890. and Murdock's addition of June. 1884. There are numerous sub-divisions and smaller plattings to this city, as shown by recent plat-books, but are of lesser consequence and here omitted.


VILLAGE AND TOWN PLATS.


The following is a complete list of the various towns and villages platted within Shelby county since it was organized :


3


CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.


Township.


Township.


Boggstown Sugar Creek


Morristown Hanover


Brandywine Brandywine


Middletown Liberty


Brookfield


Moral


Mt. Pleasant Noble


Cynthianna Liberty


Mt. Auburn Jackson


Marion


Marion


Fairland Brandywine


Norristown Washington


Fenns . Shelby


Pleasant View


.Moral


Flatrock Washington


Prescott


Shelby


Fountainville Van Buren


Ray's Crossing Union


Freeport Hanover


St. Paul Noble


Gelletsburg


Hanover


Smithland Hendricks


Gwinneville Hanover


Shelbyville Addison


Geneva Noble


Vinton


Moral


London


Moral


Waldron


Liberty


Lewis Creek Washington


The first town platted within this county (as now known, but was then in Franklin county) was Marion, platted in December, 1820, by John Sleeth and James Wilson. It was recorded at Brookville, the then seat of justice for Franklin county.


Shelbyville (original plat) was made by the County Commissioners, the work being executed by Eber Lucas. surveyor, September 1, 1822. This platting was acknowledged before County Agent Abel Cole, September 23. 1822.


LIST OF TOWN PLATS WITH POPULATION IN 1875.


Among valuable tabulated information gleaned from the "Centennial History," prepared by a committee of citizens, at the general request of Presi- dent U. S. Grant, who desired that some historical data be prepared and pub- lished in pamphlet form for the Centennial at Philadelphia in 1876 .. of every county in the United States, if possible, the following will throw much light on the names (at various dates) and the plattings and population at that time. of the villages and towns within Shelby county :


Town. Date of Organization. Population 1875 Shelbyville


September 23. 1822


Morristown May 3. 1828. 225


Middletown . June 19. 1829 150 Mt. Pleasant


June 2, 1831


Norristown November 22. 1851


Doblestown Sugar Creek


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CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SIIELBY CO., IND.


Town. Date of Organization. Population 1875


Brandywine


August 6, 1832.


15


Gellettsburg . January 17. 1833


Savannah


. June 9. 1834 .


Cynthianna


August 19. 1835. 100


Scottsville


February 23, 1835


Freeport


March 7, 1836. 60


Pleasant View


July 6. 1836.


50


Black Hawk ( now Mt. Vernon)


January 18, 1837


89


Doblestown


October 3. 1837


IO


New Holland


April 29. 1837


Houghburg (now Boggstown)


July 10, 1838.


Vinton


March 20. 1838


Marietta


June 19, 1839.


175


Smithland


October 29. 1851


50


London


July 21. 1852


100


Fairland


. October 21. 1852


500


Brookfield


Nov. 26, 1853


75


Geneva


October 28, 1853. 40


Fountaintown


December 23. 1854 260


Stroupville (now Waldron)


March 27. 1854 100


Flatrock


May 2, 1855. 30


St. Paul


April 4. 1856


100


Prescott


. June 28, 1867.


25


Boggstown


February 17, 1869


75


CHAPTER VII.


COUNTY GOVERNMENT.


The following have served as the officials in and for Shelby county, since its organization :


CLERKS OF TIIE COURT.


Year.


Year.


1822-29 Hiram Aldredge.


1883-86 A. J. Gorgas.


1829-43 S. B. Morris.


1886-87 Charles J. Fastlaben.


1843-55 Jacob Vernon.


1887-90


Thos. S. Jones.


1855-59


Alexander Miller.


1890-94


John R. Sedgwick.


1859-67 Alonzo Blair.


1894-98 John W. Powers.


1867-71 Jacob G. Wolf.


1898-02 Frank Glessner.


IS71-75 John Elliott.


1902-06 Michael O Sullivan.


1875-79 B. S. Sutton.


1906 Jacob H. Deitzer.


1879-83


Fred H. Chenden.


COUNTY AUDITORS.


Year.


Year.


1840-47


Voorhes Conover.


1883-87


James Wiles.


1847-51 John H. Stewart.


1887-90


William Handy.


1851-59 John J. White.


1890-94


Harry C. Ray.


1859-67 Squire L. Vanpelt.


1894-98


Erasmus T. Carson.


1867-75 Robert W. Wiles.


1898-02 Henry Oltman.


1875-79


George W Isley.


1902-06 Thomas Hawkins.


1879-83


J. L. Carson.


1906 George B. Huntington.


COUNTY TREASURERS.


Year.


Year.


1822-23 William Davis.


1874-79


James O. Parrish.


1823-39 Elijah Mayhew.


1879-83


E. B. Amiden.


IS39-42 Thomas H. Fleming.


1883-85.


David Thull.


1842-44 Levi Lainger.


1885-88 Michael Posz.


1844-50 John Cartmill.


1888-92 J. H. Thomas.


1850-54 Alexander Miller.


1892-94


Henry Meer.


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CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.


Year.


Year.


1854-56 Isaac H. Wilson.


1894-98 John Marshall Wilson.


1856-60 Elias M. Wilson.


1898-02 E. H. Lee.


1860-62


Andrew J. Winterrowd.


1902-06 C. H. Theobold.


1862-66 William M. Phillips.


1906-08 John W. Parkhurst.


1866-70 Fountain G. Robinson.


1908 John W. Parkhurst.


1870-74


James M. Sleeth.


COUNTY RECORDERS.


Year.


Year.


1822-35 William H Sleeth.


1879-83


E. L. Davison.


1835-42 Milton Robins.


1883-87


Barney Worland.


1842-55 John S. Campbell.


1887-90


William J. Buxton.


1855-59


James Milleson.


1890-94


Thomas B. Anders.


1859-67


David Louden.


1894-98


Charles E. Amsden.


1867-71


Cyrenus Bishop.


1898-02 David A. Lee.


1871-75


Thomas J. Cherry.


1902-06


George W. Vanlue.


1875-79


A. V. Robins.


1905


L. B. Hoop.


SHERIFFS.


In 1822 Senior Lewis was elected to the office of Sheriff, and died in office, being succeeded by Isaac Templeton.


Year.


Year.


1826-30 John Walker.


18So-82


James Brown.


1830-34


Jacob Shank.


1882-84


Sid Conger.


1834 -- 12


1884-86


James Magill.


1842-54 Apollo Kinsley.


1886-88


Henry Meer.


1854-58


S. L. Vanpelt.


1888-90


William MeDougall.


1858-60


H. H. Bogess.


1890-92


William McDougall. John Burk.


1860-64


Henry Doble.


1892-96


1864-68


E. B. Amsden.


1896-00


Valentine Schoeloch.


1868-70 John Hoop.


1900-04


Theodore Luther.


1870-72 Ithamar Spurlin.


1904-08


John H. Butler.


1872-76


T. H. Lee.


1908


John H. Butler.


1876-80


Albert W. McCorkle.


.


COUNTY SURVEYORS.


The following have served various terms as surveyors in Shelby county : William H. Miller, Jeremiah Dugan, Charles F. Webster, George F. Murphy,


73


CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.


William H. Islay, Thomas Finley. William M. Pruitt, W. F. Crawford, James E. Norris and Samuel P. Harris.


CORONERS.


Maj. John Hendricks. Maj. John B. Nickel, John Dargin. William Rock, James M. Elliott. Ed. Winchel. William R. Norris, John Hoop. C. R. Bruce. W. T. Knapp. Daniel Booher, Frank E. Ray. Frank E. Bass. O. H. McDonald. William Nelis, William M. Pruitt, Charles F. Webster, W. F. Crawford. James E. Norris, Samuel P. Harriss. Charles R. Bruce, William T. Knapp. Frank E. Ray, O. H. McDonald.


COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.


Shelby county's County Commissioners have been as follows: William Goodrich. Calvin Kinsley. Alexander Vanpelt. E. Millikon. Elijah Tyner. David Fisher. Joseph Dawson, Adam Mow. Ashbel Stone. V. Conover, John Sleeth, James Fox, Jolin Kern. Gideon Stafford. James Rule. Thomas Clay- ton, Samuel Montgomery, Henry Buck. M. P. Higgins. Alexander Carey. J. J. Curtis, George Senior, Edmund Cooper, St. Claire Ensminger. Louis Fes- senback. Ithamar Davison. N. Bailey, D. T. Culbertson. A. P. Wortman. George Cuskaden, Hiram Drake, Thomas Linville, Henry Oitman. Jesse Shaw, Adam A. Girton. Thomas Linville. Jesse Shaw, William Amos. Adam A. Girton. James Cherry, Stephen D. Barnes. G. H. Huffman, Thomas W. Jackson, John N. Moberly. Henry Jones, George W. Gray, George W. Snepp. W. H. Barlow, H. H. Torline. J. S. Carpenter. Alfred Fox, J. W. Harrell. Michael Yarling. Thomas Linville. Jesse Shaw, J. L. Cherry. S. D. Barnes. G. H. Huffman. Thomas W. Jackson, John T. Roe. S. Montgomery. George W. Gray, Adam E. Girton. W. Amos, John N. Moberly. Henry Jones, George W. Snepp and Joseph Meyer.


COUNTY JAIL.


While the people of this county have been law-abiding in their general tendencies, yet here has been found sin and crime which have had to be met and punished according to the laws of the commonwealth. In the just execu :- tion of law, and for the protection of the just. the pure and the good, it be- came necessary to provide a county jail. It was in November. 1822. a few months after the organization of the county, that bids were advertised for the plans and erection of a suitable jail. The County Commissioners met at the house of Hiram Allredge and provided for these contracts, stating the date when bids would be received. James Gregory was appointed the architect. and Nathan Johnson was finally awarded the contract for the erection of the


74


CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHIELBY CO., IND.


first jail building of Shelby county. The specifications called for a hewed log structure, sixteen feet square and two stories high. The first, or ground, floor was to contain the prison room or dungeon, in which the most vicious class of law-violators were to be kept, while the second story was to be used for lesser criminals, hence less securely built, and set apart as a "debtor's room." It should here be stated that under the Indiana laws, at that date, any person who failed to pay his just debts, either from inability or otherwise, might at the will of the creditor, be thrown into prison. This was really a sentiment that had been handed down from the old Puritan fathers, who landed at Plymouth Rock in 1620, "on that stern and rock-bound coast." who had been used to such proceedings in the mother country, and who believed it to be a proper thing, but, thanks to a more advanced Christian civilization, such things have long years since passed from our statute books.


The location of this jail was on the northeast corner of the public square, and cost about $600. It stood a few years and was abandoned for a new and better type of jail, which was erected on the corner of Harrison and Broad- way streets. This building was also built of logs, but more substantially con- structed than was the original jail. Its cost was but little in excess of the former building.


The contract for the county's third jail was awarded to John Craig, Michael West and Jacob Parris, at the March term of the County Court, 1845. This stood near the site of the present jail, and was built of stone. A jailor's house was attached thereto, the dimensions of which were twenty by twenty- four feet, and two stories high. This jail was in use a third of a century, was built well and held many of the worst characters found in the entire history of the state, safe and secure until the day of their trial or execution.


In the autumn of 1872, by order of the Board. D. A. Bolin prepared and submitted plans for a new jail and Sheriff's residence. In accordance with a notice given out, the following bids were received and recorded: Norris & Hinkley, $55.824: Travis Carter & Company, $70,500; Wingate & Hester, $55.998; Travis L. Farmer. $55.500; Victor & Springer. $54.000. The con- tract was awarded to Victor & Springer and the work went forward to com- pletion. This is the present jail and is a two-story brick structure, fifty by ninety-five feet in size. The prison, proper, contains eighteen cells and two hospital rooms, while the residence portion for the Sheriff's use, contains nine rooms.


COURT HOUSE HISTORY.


Among the first things to be looked after in the organization of a new state or county, is the providing of a proper building in which to transact the business of such a capital. Originally, the business connected to Shelby


75


CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.


county government was transacted at the village of Marion, which place desired the seat of justice, but in which desire they were greatly disappointed. Courts were held at the house of David Fisher, but it is related upon good authority that when the weather permitted. the judge and jury would adjourn to a nearby barn, or at other times to the top of a very large oak tree which had fallen-the branches answering for both bench and jury-box. After the matter of county seat had been settled and fixed at Shelbyville, the courts held their sessions at the house of Benjamin Williams, also the house of Hiram Alldredge was used for a court meeting place.


January 1, 1823, the first action was taken toward providing a court house. The Board authorized the county agent to procure through contracts, the erection of a temporary building, built from wood in form of a frame structure. The same was to be twenty by thirty feet and two stories high. This order, however, was rescinded at the Board's meeting. July 3d. of the same year and the agent was directed to give notice that a substantial brick building be erected instead of the proposed frame structure. March, 1824, the Board had misgivings and doubts as to the business prudence of expending so large a sum for a court-house and the matter was postponed. A year later. March, 1825. however, a contract was let for the building of a two-story brick building, to be fifty feet wide and sixty feet long. The contract was awarded to William Bushfield and Arthur Major, at $2.240. Architect John E. Baker prepared plans for the building. The first story was set apart for a court room, and although the furniture and appointments were not of the exceed- ingly costly kind. they served well the purpose for which they were designed. The second story was divided into four apartments, in which the county of- fices were held. This building was located in the center of the public square, which had just been cleared from a heavy growth of timber and under-brush. This court house was not completed for occupancy until 1830. It served in an acceptable manner as a county building until 1852-53. when the present build- ing was erected ( original section) at a cost of $27.000. by Edwin May, con- tractor. The superstructure is of brick and stone, is two stories high and seventy-five by one hundred feet in dimensions. In 1878 this building was remodeled by architect's plans, drawn by R. P. Daggett. The contract for remodeling was awarded to Osborne, Carlisle & Jones, for the sum of $31.000. To cover this expense the county issued bonds to the amount of $30.000, in denominations of $500 each, payable in one, two and three years, with interest at the rate of eight per cent. per annum.


With the passing of more than thirty years, this court house is beginning to show the marks of time and encroaching elements. The business of the county has increased wonderfully of recent years; the many record-books, necessary in carrying on the business of such a county, are fast accumulating and before many years a new structure will become a necessity in Shelby county.


.


76


CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.


COUNTY POOR FARM.


One of the chief characteristics that marks the line between the savage tribes of earth and the civilized and Christian nations is the care and atten- tion given to the weak and unfortunate poor of communities. No country outranks America in the matter of providing for her unfortunate subjects. This is readily proven by contrasting our great system of institutes and hos- pitals, both public and private, with those of other countries, where, generally speaking, the rule of the "survival of the fittest" is allowed to be literally carried out, untempered by kind and noble charities.


Caring for the poor of any given community is indeed a perplexing prob- lem, for it is ever abused by those who might possibly aid themselves more than they do, were such humane dealing's not the order and policy of our form of government. There are always worthy poor people and also the unworthy poor-the shiftless and indolent.


In Shelby county, the first provision made for its unfortunate ones, was in May. 1822, soon after the county was organized, when the following over- seers in each civil township were appointed to provide for the poor within such sub-division of the county: Noble township. William Shaw and Josiah Williams: Hendricks, Henry Logan and George Adams: Marion, Benjamin and Abel Summers: Union. Jonathan Hill and Josua Wilson.


The general provisions governing the duties of such overseers of the poor were as follows: "It shall be the duty of the overseer, every year, to cause all the poor persons who have, or shall become a public charge, to be farmed out on contract to be made the first Monday in May, annually. in such manner as said overseers of the poor shall deem best calculated to promote the public good. Provided. That nothing herein contained shall prohibit any overseer from receiving and accepting propositions at any time for the keeping of the poor and others who may at any time hereafter become a county charge." It was further provided that a record should be kept by such over- seers, giving names and details concerning the cases within his township. Also another wise provision was that relating to placing boy and girls without par- ents out as apprentices to learn some useful trade or occupation, the term to continue until the boy had reached twenty-one years and the girl eighteen years of age.


For thirty years and more no radical change was made regarding the care of the county's poor, and the plan first adopted was used. with but few slight changes. The plan of farming out this class of population soon became im- practicable and expensive to the tax-payers and altogether unsatisfactory. Hence, in common with other counties within Indiana, in 1847, the Commis- sioners purchased a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of land, and on the same erected a suitable building, where the poor of the county were better


77


CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.


cared for. Here the persons able to labor were made to perform a reasonable amount of work, the object being twofold, first to reduce the expense of keeping, and, secondly, to give them the proper exercise. This "County Farm" was bought of John Lemaster. July 3. 1847. was five miles south of Shelbyville, in Shelby township. It cost the county $1.800: The brick build- ing added to the same, cost $550, and was twenty by forty feet. With the increase of general population, the poor class also correspondingly increased. so that in 1861 the old buildings were not sufficient : in May of that year the County Commissioners contracted for another brick building with greater capacity, together with improved appliances connected therewith. In this way the annual expense of caring for the unfortunate poor was much reduced. The records show that the average annual expense from 1828 to 1836. in- clusive, was $140, or a total for that long period of $1,260. Compared to the amount expended during the next twenty years it will be observed that the poorer element greatly increased with the development of the country. The amounts are significant and will be given by years :


Year


Amount


Year


Amount


IS67


$ 1,213.00


1878


8.465.00


1868


9.428.00


1879


6.790.00


IS69


8,0,8.00


1880


10.299.00


IS70


8,870.00


1881


8,821.00


1871


9,251.00


1882


11,567.00


1872


9.759.00


1883


10,299.00


1873


9,166.00


1884


10,508.00


IS74


1 1.060.00


1885


1875


6,038.00


1886


1876


9.435.00


1877


7,057.00


Total for ten years. $99.634.00


The county records show that during the last five years, ( 1904 to 1908 inclusive ) that above the revenue raised by operating the county asylum and poor farm the cost of caring for the poor of the county has been :


Year


Amount


Year


Amount


1904


$ 1.780.00


1907


1,478.00


1905


1,488.00


1908


3,288.00


1906


1,702.00


12,000.00


14.049.00


PUBLIC HIGHWAYS-INDIAN TRAILS, STATE ROADS, PLANK AND GRAVEL ROADS.


The departing Indian tribes left but faint trails over Shelby county. by which the pioneer settler might make his way from one point to another in


78


CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.


safety. The red man had gone forever, and the white man had entered this fair domain to ever remain as a developer and civilizer. His first occupa- tion was that of tiller of the soil, which the Indian had used as hunting grounds. Nature had executed her part well, and the harvests were rich and golden, but the husbandman had many trials in realizing much from his crops, on account of there being no suitable wagon roads to take his produce to markets. The Delawares had no need of wagon roads, but the white men did and soon set about providing them.


Improvised roads were made up to the organization days of the county, after which the county authorities provided more acceptable ones.


However. these primitive highways were but poor excuses for a road-a simple pathway "blazed out." by which travelers might go here and there and not get lost from all settlements, and possibly perish by the wayside. Many of these early roads passed over low, marshy land and in order to be made at all passable, they had to be covered crosswise by logs and brush, called "cordu- roy." But as soon as the country had settled sufficiently to create a demand for some better system of road making, the work was commenced. The first attempt to improve main thoroughfares was the construction of the numerous state roads, the first of which class was laid out in 1821. It extended from Indianapolis to Lawrenceburg, passing through Shelby county, from north- west to southeast. This afforded those living along its line an outlet to the Ohio river. and thus they were brought in direct touch with the outer world.




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