USA > Indiana > Pulaski County > Counties of White and Pulaski, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 3
USA > Indiana > White County > Counties of White and Pulaski, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 3
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RECEIPTS.
Amount of collections $132.18₴
EXPENDITURES.
County orders now canceled
110.37}
Treasurer's percentage
2.13₫
Total $112.50₴
Balance on hand
$ 19.68
In March, 1835, a license of $10 was levied upon clock venders, of $5 upon tavern keepers, and of $25 upon grocery keepers. A tax upon all real and personal property was levied to the full limit of the law: 40 cents on each 100 acres of first class land, 30 cents on second class land, and 20 cents on third class land. The board met at the house of George Spencer until May, 1835, when, for the first time, they convened at Monticello. On the 5th of May, 1835, the County Commissioners, with commendable enterprise, ordered that a meeting of the citizens of the county be called for the 12th of June, to organize an agricultural society in pursuance of legislative en- actment. The board ordered that a large lot on Tippecanoe street be
23
HISTORY OF WHITE COUNTY.
donated for the purpose of building thereon a church to be used by all religious denominations. In September, 1835, the following territory attached to White County on the north was formed into Marion Town- ship : All that territory lying north of the township line between Town- ships 28 and 29, and west of Tippecanoe River, and westwardly to the State line. Elections were ordered held at the house of William Dona- hue, with Thomas Randle, Inspector. The 26th of September was fixed for the election of a Justice of the Peace. William Donahue was made Road Supervisor. Melchi Gray was paid $25.50 for assessing the county in 1835. The grocery license was fixed as follows :
Capital under $300. $ 5 license.
Capital over $300 and under $600 $10 license.
Capital over $600 and under $1,000 $15 license.
In January, 1836, Robert A. Spencer donated the county of White a tract of land 18 rods square for a burying ground. The Board met at the house of Jonathan Harbolt in March, 1836. Peter Martin was ap- pointed County Assessor. John Barr, County Agent, exhibited his re- port to date (March 8, 1836) of the sale of county lots in the town of Monticello, as follows :
Gross receipt of sales from Nov. 7, 1834, to March 8, 1836. $1,870.37} Amount donated by sundry individuals 110.00
Total receipts $1,980.37}
Paid Jonathan Harbolt on court-house
$ 124.68₴
Paid Oliver Hammond do. 70.00
Total expenditures $ 194.683
Receipt balance 1,785.682
Total cash received on sales
566.064
Amount of sales held as paper
.$1,414.31}
In May, 1836, the Board met at the house of Rolland Hews, in Monti- cello. G. A. Spencer was re-appointed County Treasurer for 1836-7, and Jonathan Harbolt, Seminary Trustee for the same period. As no agricultural society was organized as calculated in 1835, and as stated above, the Commissioners again called a meeting for that purpose to be held at Monticello June 11, 1836. In November, 1836, the Board met in the store-house of Reynolds & Castle at Monticello. The Three per cent. Commissioner reported having received from the State in accord with a legislative enactment the sum of $1,311.74, the most of which was or- dered put out on interest. In March, 1837, the Board called for sealed proposals for renting and establishing a ferry across the river at Monti- cello. In September Lewis Dawson of Pulaski County, which county
24
HISTORY OF WHITE COUNTY.
was still attached to White, was appointed to superintend the application of the three per cent. fund due that county. In November the Board met at the house of Melchi Gray in Monticello. The clerk was ordered in 1843 to procure a half bushel and a gallon measure ; also a branding iron with the letters W. C. on the same to mark county measures.
Court-houses and Jails .- In accordance with the legislative order or- ganizing the county of White, the first Circuit Court convened at the house of George A. Spencer in Big Creek Township, in 1834. It con- tinued to sit there for two years, or until the autumn of 1836, when it was removed to the county seat. This old building is yet standing' in a fair state of preservation.
On the 5th of May, 1835, the Commissioners ordered that lot 29 in Monticello be set apart for the purpose of erecting thereon a court-house of the following size : twenty by thirty-two feet, two stories high, two partitions above dividing the rooms equally, and one below dividing the rooms twelve and twenty feet in length, respectively; one brick chimney to the small room, the house to be frame and of first-rate material, and to be completed by the 15th of October, 1835. Solomon Sherwood, R. A. Spencer, Jonathan Harbolt and Oliver Hammond were employed to build the house, but the work was not fully completed until about May, 1837, the total cost amounting to about $800. The house erected was not in all respects as described above, as several quite important alterations were made. About this time the jail which had been contracted to be built by Wm. M. Kenton was progressing, but the same was not completed until late in 1838, the total cost amounting to about $600. This jail was pro- vided not only with criminal rooms, but also with a room for such persons as could not or would not pay their just debts. Such rooms were in de- mand in those early days, and even now we could appreciate the wisdom of such a law in many instances.
At a special session of the Board in February, 1845, the propriety of building county offices was broached, but definite consideration of the subject was postponed until the regular session in March. Then, ap- parently, the subject was entirely overlooked; at least nothing appears upon the records to show that the consideration was resumed as ordered. In June, 1846, however, the County Agent was ordered to take measures to have erected on lot 29 a frame building, sixteen by twenty feet, and one story high, to be completed by September, 1846, and the agent was further directed to call for sealed proposals for the erection of the building, and if no proposal was received, then to contract with any responsible person. 4 It was also ordered that the agent proceed to collect a sufficient amount of the outstanding donation fund as would cover the cost of constructing the house. Zachariah Van Buskirk was
25
HISTORY OF WHITE COUNTY.
employed, and the house was completed according to contract, the total cost being about $500. This building was called the "Clerk's Office."
In 1848 the work of building a new and much larger court-house was begun, George Brown taking the contract. No definite time was set for the completion of the house, as the funds of the county were very low, and the means of obtaining suitable additions to carry on the necessary expense were largely beyond the reach of the Commis- sioners. County orders which had been issued to the amount of sev- eral thousand dollars were selling at about five per cent. discount, and new ones gave no promise of selling for a better figure-just the reverse. Regardless of this discouraging condition of affairs the Com- missioners borrowed $2,000, and ordered the work to commence. But the progress of construction hung fire, and the building was not ready for occupancy until 1851. The total cost, including the furnishings, was nearly $8,000. The house was entirely paid for within a year after it was completed. In September, 1850, the " Clerk's Office" was ordered sold, the proceeds to be applied on the new court-house. On the 4th of December, 1851, more than three years after the house had been commenced, the Board ordered the offices of Clerk, Auditor, Re- corder and Treasurer removed to the new house. The Circuit Court oc- cupied the new court-room that fall for the first time. The quaint old brick building, with its long corridor, its heavy windows, and its front "stoop " supported by two massive columns, is yet occupied, and gives prom- ise of many more years of usefulness despite the crevices which have pierced its sides, and the decay which time has stamped upon its walls Could that old building speak, what a tale it could unfold.
In June, 1854, the Board gave the contract for a new jail to Michael A. Berkey and .J. C. Reynolds, the work to be begun immediately, and the building to be finished by the 1st of June, 1855. The site of the structure was fixed on the west end of the court-house square. The con- tractors faithfully performed their part of the agreement, though the building was not formally accepted by the Board until September, 1855. The cost was $1,640.
In 1864 it was found necessary to build a new jail. Specifications were exhibited, proposals were called for, and finally the contract was awarded to Jacob Hanaway and Charles Breckinridge, the price being $6,000. At this time the county was not embarrassed to provide funds notwithstanding the drafts made upon her for soldiers' bounty, relief of soldiers' widows and orphans, and road and bridge expenses. The build- ing was completed in 1865, and accepted by the Board in December. It was provided with strong iron cells for those who disobeyed the laws.
26
HISTORY OF WHITE COUNTY.
In 1875 it was decided to build a new jail, and plans presented by Ran- dall and Millard, of Chicago, were accepted. The contract was let to Ralph Dixon at $7,700. John Saunders was appointed to superintend the construction. The building was immediately commenced, and was carried to rapid completion, and in December the finished jail, with jailor's residence attached, was turned over to the County Board, and formally accepted by them. This building is yet in use.
County Seminary .- About the time the county was organized in 1834, a legislative enactment was passed, providing that certain fines, penal- ties, etc., such as for swearing, breaking the Sabbath, rioting, etc., should be appropriated and applied toward the maintenance of a County Semi- nary. On the 5th of May, 1835, Jonathan Harbolt was appointed Semi- nary Trustee to serve for one year. In January, 1836, the amount of funds on hand was $34. The law provided that when $400 had been obtained, the Board might proceed to erect a Seminary building. The increase of funds was very slow, there having been collected by the year 1847 only $211.30; by 1849, $274.69 ; by June, 1850, $315; by June, 1851, $360.62; by June, 1852, $403.28 ; by March, 1854, $440 ; and by 1857, $781.43. Just about the time the Board was making preparations to build a Seminary, the new school law came into effect, and the funds were turned over to the common schools. Thus the Seminary project ended.
County Library .- Another scheme of a similar character was that for securing and maintaining a County Library. Funds were secured in much the same way as for the Seminary. A few books were purchased as early as 1838, and from time to time were added to, until in 1845 several hundred volumes were scattered over the county in the homes of the early settlers. In 1845 the Board of Commissioners organized them- selves as Trustees of the County Library, Allen Barnes becoming pres- ident, and Charles W. Kendall, librarian and clerk. The clerk was directed to gather in by public notice all the scattered books, and prepare a suitable catalogue, and keep the binding in repair ; also purchase, as the funds would allow, additional books. He was likewise instructed to pre- pare a constitution and by-laws, to be submitted to the Trustees for their adoption, if satisfactory. All this was complied with. J. C. Reynolds was appointed treasurer of the library. C. W. Kendall refused to serve as librarian and clerk, and J. M. Rifenberrick was appointed. John R. Willey became librarian in 1849. At last the scheme was abandoned by the State, and the books became scattered, lost, and were not re- placed. Township libraries took the place of the old county library. A number of years ago the McClure bequest furnished the county with mis- cellaneous books. The splendid system of newspapers throughout the
MONTIGELLO PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDING.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASSGR IKNOJ . . TILDEN FOUNDOr ER
29
HISTORY OF WHITE COUNTY.
United States, and an abundance of cheap books, have obliterated the conditions requiring the continuance of the old systems of county and township libraries. The larger towns and many of the smaller ones have extensive circulating libraries, but the newspaper is the great " book" of the American people. Its usefulness has tripled within the last twenty years. The effects will be seen fifty years hence.
The report of John Barr, County Agent, of the sale of county lots in Monticello from the 7th of November, 1834, to the 28th of April, 1837, was as follows :
RECEIPTS.
Total, including $110.00 donated by sundry persons $5,120.95
EXPENDITURES.
Amount transferred to Mr. Rifenberrick, present agent 3,738.77
Vouchers on file 1,180.00
Note, with interest to date, to Mr. Rifenberrick 202.82
Total $5,121.59 .
The sale of county lots was for many years an important source of revenue. When the Commissioners were in a strait, they would authorize the sale of a specified number, and the immediate collection of the proceeds of former sales. Many years sometimes elapsed before lots were paid for, and in a few instances the lots were returned to the Com- missioners, the purchaser utterly failing to pay as promised. These lots were donated to the county by the proprietors of Monticello in consider- ation of having the county seat located there.
Miscellaneous Items of Interest .- In 1846 the annual expense of the county officers had risen from almost nothing to $425.47; in 1848 to $496.04 ; in 1850 to $580.51 ; in 1851 to $819.17 ; in 1852 to $1,378.96 ; in 1855 to $916.15 ; in 1859 to $1,557.09 ; in 1864 to $2,597.46 ; in 1868 to $2,736.32 ; in 1872 to $3,210.32 ; in 1876 to $5,851.23 ; in 1880 to $3,462.72.
For the year 1834, the county receipts were $202.06} ; expenditures, $202.064. For the year ending May, 1836, receipts, $290.38}; expendi- tures, $267.86}. In 1839, receipts, $717.47; expenditures, $717.09. In 1842, receipts, $1,477.13 ; expenditures, $1,136.81. In 1845, receipts, $2,416.99 ; expenditures, $2,337.79. In 1849, receipts, $5,931.82; expenditures, $7,018.72. In 1855, receipts, $10,948.79 ; expenditures, $11,800.29 ; balance on hand, $993.78. In 1858, receipts, $19,662.30; expenditures, $20,797.15. In 1864, receipts, $44,572.17; expenditures, $48,311.51. In 1868, receipts, $78,551.47; expenditures, $72,353.70. In 1872, receipts, $82,908.27; expenditures, $78,629.27. In 1876,
30
HISTORY OF WHITE COUNTY.
receipts, $87,110.96 ; expenditures, $108,516.05. In 1880, receipts, $120,895.07; expenditures, $119,674.52.
The auditor's report of receipts and expenditures for the financial year ending on the 31st of May, A. D. 1882, was as follows :
RECEIPTS.
Balance in Treasury June 1, 1881. $42,326 23
Net amount of State tax of 1881,
3,450 00
New State House tax of 1881,
522 43
State School tax of 1881,
4,649 16
County tax of 1881
11,278 68
Township tax of 1881,
1,554 09
Road tax of 1881,
8,091 47
Tuition tax of 1881,
5,716 03
Special School tax of 1881,
5,041 71
Dog tax of 1881,
552 19
Delinquent tax 1880 and previous years 41,572 01
Common School Revenue from State,
11,992 70
Redemption of real estate,
4,236 30
University Fund, Principal,
135 00
" " Interest,
26 25
Swamp Land Sales,
50 00
Circuit Court Docket fees,
277 55
Jury fees,
64 50
Bailiff fees, 32 75
Railroad tax, 15,487 00
Receipts from other counties for court expenses, .. 794 05
Received from Ex-treasurer Rothrock's bondsmen,
1,900 00
Sale of stock from county farm,
98 10
Miscellaneous Receipts,
365 39
Received from Ditch Assessments,
589 16
Total Receipts $160,802 75
EXPENDITURES.
Net amount of State tax of 1881, paid over
$3,450 00
New State House tax of '81,"
522 43
State School tax of '81,
4,649 16
Delinquent State tax
3,819 35
Del. State House tax
595 70
" School tax 66
5,357 40
Circuit Court docket fees 66
277 55
University fund, Principal
135 00
Interest 66
26 25
Swamp land funds
66 50 00
Specific
Expense
2,624 81
Prisoner
501 03
County Officers
4,964 17
Jurors
2,317 20
Bailiff's
403 00
Court
66
.
1,922 42
1
1
31
HISTORY OF WHITE COUNTY.
Pauper
2,273 66
Poor Farm
66
1,810 59
Attorneys
292 50
Coroner's Inquest
106 70
Road
535 50
Ditch
2,870 28
Fox and Wolf scalps
348 00
Public Printing
357 97
Stationery
2,022 50
Assessing
1,431 25
Blind and Insane
298 82
Fuel
66
808 80
Bridge
2,492 89
Deaf and Dumb
66
43 75
Surveyor's fees
4 55
Estray
66
443 04
Public building
1,100 52
County Sup't
736 41
Redemp'n of land
4,098 34
Township
fund
paid
Trustees
5,268 48
Road
66
12,250 83
Special school
"
66
9,845 98
Tuition
66
9,229 07
Common school
66
12,212 88
Dog
66
968 76
Interest paid on County Orders
30
Bonds Redeemed
5,000 00
Ditch Certificates Redeemed.
980 65
Total Disbursements
$110,148 49
RECAPITULATION.
Total Receipts to June 1, 1882
Total Expenditures to June 1, 1882 110,148 49
Balance in Treasury June 1, 1882
$50,654 26
Of the amount of balance in Treasury, there is due
the
Townships and Corporations
$17,582 67
Railroad Tax
16,208 58
County Bond Fund
10,943 17
County Funds
5,919 84
Total
$50,654 26
H. VAN VOORST, Auditor, M. T. DIDLAKE, Treasurer.
County Paupers .- The first expense incurred by the county in the care of public paupers, so far as can be ascertained, was in April, 1839, when the Commissioners ordered paid to James Mill the sum of $25 for taking care of a helpless person named Robert Ellison. The total pauper expense for the year ending May 1, 1839, was $39; for the year end-
Bonds
1,200 00
$160,802 75
32
HISTORY OF WHITE COUNTY.
ing June 9, 1841, $40.77 ; for the year ending June 1, 1846, $161.79 ; for the year ending June 1, 1847, $212.68; for the year ending June 1, 1852, $184.19; for the year ending June 1, 1854, $581.73; for the year ending June 1, 1856, $817.36 ; for the year ending June 1, 1858, $1,217.40 ; for the year ending June 1, 1860, $1,578.98 ; for the year ending June 1, 1864, $2,083.45 ; for the year ending June 1, 1868, $1,867.56 ; for the year ending June 1, 1873, $1,177.31 ; for the year ending June 1, 1878, $2,625.09, and for the year ending June 1, 1882, $2,273.66. The poor were at first taken care of by individuals to whom they were confided, the lowest bidder assuming the responsibility. Pro- posals for the care of the indigent were received from any respectable family. The expense was borne by the county. This plan was called " farming out " the paupers, and probably was a class of husbandry simi- lar to " baby farming," as sung of by Little Buttercup :
" A many years ago When I was young and charming, As some of you may know I practiced baby farming."
Some years the crop was almost a failure, owing doubtless to the pov- erty of the soil ; but at other times the yield satisfied the most exacting producer, though the Commissioners on such occasions were usually blue. The first farm for the poor was purchased in 1857 of J. C. Reynolds, and consisted of 160 acres, a portion of the present farm. Small tracts have been added from time to time since, until at present there are about 280 acres. At the time the first land was purchased, there was standing upon it an ordinary dwelling of that period, which was fitted up for the care of such indigent persons as could not be " farmed out." This building was much improved as the years passed, and new structures were erected to keep pace with the demand of the poor for care. Notwithstanding the home thus prepared, many of the county's helpless have not been removed to that haven at all, but have been kept by private individuals through- out the county, often from motives of delicacy, they not wishing to incur the considered disgrace of a removal of their relatives to a public poor- house. At the same time an allowance for the care of such helpless per- sons was made by the County Board. In the Autumn of 1875 it was de- cided to erect a more commodious poorhouse. The contract was awarded to Harbolt and Tilton, the house to be a frame, and to cost $3,000. The work was begun, and the building was ready for occupancy in December. The present facilities for the care of the poor are surpassed by but few counties in the State. The superintendents of the poor farm have been as follows : Charles Rider, 1858; Samuel Downs, 1859-60; Gordon
33
HISTORY OF WHITE COUNTY.
Mc Williams, 1861 ; Samuel Downs, 1862; Gordon McWilliams, 1863- 64; Samuel K. McClintock, 1865-66 ; Daniel Wall, 1867-69; John Steen, 1870-71 ; John W. Snyder, 1872; Abraham Ballantine, 1873; Benjamin H. Brusie, 1874-79; John Snyder, 1881-82; Isaac Amick, 1883.
Agricultural Society .- A few years after the county was organized, attempts were made to organize an agricultural society pursuant to an enactment of the State Legislature approved about the year 1838. Meet- ings were held for that purpose, and something in the way of organiza- tion was effected, but there all effort died without hope of early resurrec- tion. The citizens of Reynolds and vicinity deserve great credit for early action in the direction of a promotion of agricultural, horticultural, and stock breeding interests. The People's Agricultural Society was or- ganized there twenty-five years ago, and much interest was manifested, and it was no doubt largely due to this interest that the county at large took up the matter. So far as can be learned, nothing further was done until October, 1857, at which time the citizens of Big Creek Township assembled, called A. S. White to the chair, appointed E. D. Smith, Secretary, and adopted the following resolution :
Resolved, That this meeting deem it expedient that an effort be made to organize an Agricultural Society in White County, and that the citizens of the county be required to assemble at Monticello, Saturday, November 14th, at noon, to consult upon the subject, and if deemed admissible to take proper steps for the organization of such society. A general attendance from each township is requested.
A respectable attendance of the citizens of the county answered the call on the 14th of November, on which occasion David Turpie was made Chairman and Abel T. Smith, Secretary. A. F. Reed, Lucius Pierce and Abel T. Smith were appointed a committee to draft articles of asso- ciation, and report at the next meeting. Adjourned until the 7th of De- cember. On this day the White County Agricultural Society was fully organized. The following members were elected the first officers : Al- bert S. White, President ; Lucius Pierce, Vice-President; Randolph Brearly, Treasurer. Directors, R. W. Sill, of Honey Creek ; Anderson Irions, of West Point ; John A. Bunnell, of Princeton; C. Hayes, of Prairie ; John C. Hughes, of Liberty; W. H. King, of Cass ; James El- liott, of Jackson ; Peter Price, of Union ; A. A. Cole, of Monon, and George A. Spencer, of Big Creek. Over one hundred persons signed the constitution, and paid the fee of membership. At meetings held the following spring all necessary committees for the first fair to be held the Autumn of 1858 were appointed. A respectable premium list was pre- pared, and a really fine display resulted. Not only were all departments 3
34
HISTORY OF WHITE COUNTY.
of the farm represented, but the arts and the mechanical industries were required to contribute to the general success of the occasion. After this, fairs were held quite regularly, often with abundant success, but some- times with but little display or interest, for about ten years ; since which time, all efforts for a revival of this very important enterprise have en- countered flat failure. Before this society was organized, a local Agricult- ural Society, called " The Farmers' Association," was instituted (probably in Jackson Township), the objects of which were about the same as or- dinary societies for the promotion of agriculture, etc. The organization was completed in February, 1857, and on the 7th of November following a fair was held where horses, cattle, sheep, swine, vegetables, grain and fancy household work were exhibited. The Agricultural Society that was organized the same fall, as stated above, was the legitimate outgrowth of this " Farmers' Association." Unfortunately the names of the mem- bers can not be given. It is, perhaps, unnecessary to call attention to the importance of having in the county a society of this character. The County Commissioners should purchase the ground, and fit it with suitable buildings and accommodations. This would insure a permanent organiza- tion.
Medical Society .- On the 26th of April, 1864, pursuant to notice, eight members of the medical profession of White County met at the office of Dr. Haymond for the purpose of organizing a medical society. Dr. Anderson was made chairman, and a constitution previously prepared was read and adopted. An election of permanent officers resulted as fol- lows : Dr. Haymond, President ; Dr. Medaris, Vice-President; Dr. Blackwell, Secretary. The time of meeting was fixed for the second Tuesday of cach month. Various committees were appointed, and Dr. Anderson was selected to prepare and read at the next meeting, an essay on any medical subject he might choose. The society then adjourned to meet at Reynold's the second Tuesday in May next. Among other things the constitution provided that none but " Regular Physicians " liv- ing in the county could become members ; that three members should constitute a quorum ; that at each regular meeting the President should appoint a member to prepare an essay on some subject connected with medicine to be read at the next meeting; that physicians of other coun- ties might become honorary members. Some of the early members were C. A. Barnes, H. P. Anderson, W. H. Ball, John A. Blackwell, W. S. Haymond, John Medaris, J. R. Skidmore, John A. Wood, William Spencer, J. H. Thomas, William Mote, A. V. Moore, H. D. Riddile, C. E. Lamon, R. A. Harcourt and A. B. Ballou. Other members were A. B. Jones, F. A. Grant, R. H. Delzell, R. S. Black, W. Tracy, W. V. Trowbridge, John Harcourt, M. T. Didlake, W. Holtzman, R. J. Clark
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