USA > Indiana > Boone County > History of Boone County, Indiana : With biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of old families, Volume I > Part 40
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No one can look upon this achievement in art-unsurpassed anywhere in its class-without a sense of exaltation, and for years to come it will tend to shape the ideals of those who behold it, both the old and young; they will draw from it a sense of proportion and grace, beauty, utility, solidity and strength; it will impress them with the power and permanence of the government-the necessity of law and order. The people will rev- erence it because it will link them with the past; they will perceive in it the
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BOONE COUNTY, INDIANA.
splendid contribution which you their fathers, have made to them and em- phasize their duty to build also for the future. They will behold in it one of the rich trophies of civil liberty.
This is one of the assurances against social disorder and anarchy. To this sanctuary the oppressed may come for the redress of their wrongs; here men whether favored by fortune or otherwise, will stand equal before the law.
BOONE COUNTY JAIL.
The first jail in Boone county was built on the east side of the public square. It was made of hewed logs one foot square, with one door and one window. It was not a very imposing structure but sufficiently large and safe to house all the county boarders of that early date.
The second jail was built much after the pattern of the first. It was located on the north side of the public square on the lot where the first court house stood. It was of hewed logs one foot square. It was a little larger than the first jail and was considered at the day in which it was constructed, an improvement on the first building. It was larger and better ventilated and better adapted for its use.
The third jail was built of brick, stone and iron. The main thought in view was to make it secure and fire proof. There was not any increase in size. In fact at that period it was not thought that Boone county would grow any more and there had been little use of the former jails so there was no increase in size, in fact it was no larger than the first jail. The com- missioners concluded that the material of which it was made would make for any deficiency of size.
The fourth jail, the one now in use, stands on the northeast corner of the public square. It is a more modern structure built for the health, com- fort and security of its occupants. The sheriff's residence is constructed together with it and is of brick, stone and iron. It was built in 1877 by order of the county commissioners, Jesse Jackson, Nathan Perrill and James Coombs. The plans were drawn by T. J. Tolan and Sons and the contract was let to J. W. Hinkley. The cost was eighteen thousand dollars.
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439
BOONE COUNTY, INDIANA.
COUNTY INFIRMARY.
The county infirmary or poor farm of three hundred and twenty acres is located one mile southeast of Lebanon. It is choice land and the buildings are modern and excellent in every respect for the purpose for which they were designed. It is modern in structure and handsome in appearance. It was built in 1895 at a cost of fourteen thousand dollars by order of county commissioners Stucky, Shaw and Martindale. Very few counties in the state have better provisions for caring for the unfortunate than Boone, which speaks louder than words for the progressive generosity of its people.
ORPHAN'S HOME, LEBANON.
This home-like structure is adjoining to the poor farm on a forty acre lot. It is as homelike and comfortable as the best of homes in the county. The same commissioners that improved the poor farm, remodeled and im- proved the home for the children. When the county adds to these two institutions a home for the aged, she will have reached the highest mark in civilization in providing for the unfortunate poor, the childhood and the aged. The spirit of this county will doubtless take this step in the near future and provide a home for the worn out men and women in its service outside of the infirmary in the shape of a nice comfortable home.
THE CRAWFORD HOME, ZIONSVILLE.
Through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Edward C. Crawford, a large tract of land, part in Marion and part in Boone counties, just east of Zions- ville, was given for a Children's Home and Industrial School. This home is under control and management of the Baptist church. It contains three hundred and fifteen acres of splendid soil, productive and remunerative. It is open to children of all religious denominations, children of the Baptist having the preference, if there is not room for all that apply. It was open for the reception of children August 26, 1906. The children are received at any age and are kept until they are fourteen or fifteen years of age, unless placed
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BOONE COUNTY, INDIANA.
in desirable homes sooner. The system of the institution is to find suitable homes for the children as soon as desirable, keeping in touch with them until the above stated age. The children have three hours of school work each day and eight months of school work each year. In addition to the school work the girls receive practical training in household and domestic work and the boys are taught practical farming and manual training.
LIBRARIES.
Early in the history of the schools of Indiana the law provided for pub- lic school libraries. After the organization of the State Teachers' Associa- tion early in the fifties the agitation of all questions pertaining to the wel- fare of the schools came to the front and were discussed and recommenda- tion made to the legislative body for advancement in legislation. The State Superintendent was established, State Board of Education created, provi- sions for building school houses, institutes, State Normal, county super- vision and many other steps were taken for the advancement of the educa- tional interest of the state. Not the least among these was the provision for public libraries. Each township was to provide a township library where the children could have access to the books. This system spread until each township of Boone county, was supplied with a circulating library and all the children of the county had access to a well-selected class of books for gen- eral reading and information. In the report of the state superintendent of 19II and 1912, Boone county is given as having 2.567 volumes in her town- ship libraries, 1,750 in her towns, and 6,100 in her cities, making the total of 10,417 in the county, and there was an addition of 1,350 books made to the libraries the last year. In addition to these public school libraries there were other private libraries in Sunday schools and other organizations in the county.
There are also two Carnegie libraries established in the county. One at Lebanon that has been in operation for several years containing 9,500 vol- umes and one at Thorntown under construction and intended to supply the children of Sugar Creek township and Thorntown with reading matter.
Boone county has made ample provisions for her young people to im- prove their minds with knowledge and general information through books
CITY BUILDING -- LEBANON.
-Patriot.
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BOONE COUNTY, INDIANA.
and other educational advantages. In fact this county has left nothing un- done that is necessary for physical, intellectual and moral wants of her chil- dren. Most liberal provisions have been made for the comfort and advance- ment of her children. This advancement and public spirit for the comforts and luxuries of life are remarkable, when we consider the great hardships and privations through which her citizens came.
CHAPTER XVIII.
POLITICS OF BOONE COUNTY.
Boone had politics and she had it pretty bad along with her sister counties. Old Hickory was the chief man of the Nation, when she was born, and as he signed most of the deeds granting lands to the pioneers of the county, the political complexion of the county was marked by Presi- dent Andrew Jackson, and the pioneer babes of the woods were sung to sleep in the sugar trough cradles, by the lullabies of Jefferson and Jackson. The sound democratic principles of the father of democracy and of the emphatic expounder of its doctrines, were faithfully impressed upon the minds and hearts of the rising generation; and the county was not only born, but also trained along the lines of these two illustrious leaders of the party. Is it any wonder that the principles of these fathers became im- bedded in the character of the men of Boone and that it stuck and is to this day a prominent element in her character. It is a forcible illustration of the axiom, train up a child in the way he should go and he will not depart from it. The citizens of the young county stuck faithfully to Jackson all through the eight years of his administration, and on through the term of Martin Van Buren. The crisis that came in 1837, in monetary disaster of that day, was all laid at the door of the President, and it brought on the disturbance that elected William H. Harrison as captain of the Whig band, president of the United States. In the crash some of the Democrats went down, and part of the officers of the county were elected by the Whigs. These conditions did not last long. The war with Mexico arose, the spirit of Jackson came to the front, and James K. Polk was elected President, and the Democrats followed the trend of National politics, and restored that party into power in the county. They continued to bear the scepter until the storm of 1854 arose. The political arena had been stirred by the slavery issue, and the American idea had come to the front, so everything was ripe for a political revolution, and it came. That year
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BOONE COUNTY, INDIANA.
the Know-Nothings swept the field and elected most of the county officers. This was the second storm that swept over the county, and made a break in the ranks of the followers of Jefferson and Jackson. It did not last long, for the forces of 1856 led by the Bachelor, James Buchanan, knocked the Know-Nothings out, not even sparing those of Boone county. Only a few remained, and they were set aside in 1858, and Boone was back in her native element again. The agitation in politics became more furious. The slavery question that was back of all, and each political faction was afraid to touch it in any shape. It would not down. The spirit of 1856 came to the front in 1860, and stirred the whole country, as it had never been stirred before in its history. Boone county was drawn into the whirl, and was torn from its moorings. Some of the Democratic officers went down with the tide, and the flood of 1862 and 1864 swept it clean. The war settled the slave issue; and the old Jacksonian and Jeffersonian Democracy in the North went down with it and out of Boone county. New issues came to the front, and the men of Boone lined up along the new lines, and began to make inroads upon the ranks of the Republicans. The Green- Backs were an entering wedge, and helped break the phalanx. There was a division of the political spoils of the county so that, when the storm of 1884 came and was led by Grover Cleveland, the officers were divided. The county now became a close county in politics, and the result of the elec- tion depended much upon the personality of the candidate. This continued until the campaign of 1896, when the Republicans came into power again and remained so until the administration of Theodore Roosevelt, when it began to weaken and has continued to swing off until now it has full sway in the county, controlling almost everything political. Thus the political pendulum has swung back and forth during our history, and has made what we term a close political county. This has been beneficial to the county in more ways than one. No political party has a walkover in the county. They cannot afford to put dead-beat political riders on any ticket, and hope to carry him through on party strength. Hence, the very best men must be placed on the ticket as candidates. The result of this is that our best men are put to the front. The county has had a few men that have fallen through personal weakness, but none have ever wronged the county by de- faulting. This speaks well for the political history of the county. Few counties in the state can produce a better record. Her officers have been
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BOONE COUNTY, INDIANA.
true and faithful, and her people have been wise and fortunate in selecting them. This record of Boone county is evidence, that it is best for a com- munity to be closely divided in its party lines. This principle will hold good in the Nation as well as in the county. It would be well if the different branches of our state and National legislative bodies were never all of one political complexion at the same time. If this was the case, legislation would be for the good of the Nation, instead of for the party. They would watch each other more closely, and be held in the line of rectitude and patriotic duty. Few counties in the state can boast of a cleaner record than Boone county. The charge of fraud or rake-off has never been preferred against any of her officers. After all, a person's political and religious complexion has little to do with his virtues as a citizen and a neighbor. If he has in his heart love for God and love for man he will be able to keep the "Golden Rule" and faithfully discharge all his obligations to his fellow-man, and be faithful and true in all positions and relations of life. About every political complexion in the land has had following in Boone and as our citizens have stood as advocates of these different political views, it did not change their character as neighbors or as citizens. In fact, our county is an object lesson that men of independent political and religious views can live together harmoniously, and put in practice the teachings of the Great Master of Judea. It demonstrates the fact that no matter what may be the peculiar religious beliefs and political notions, men do right and are men. No matter what style of hat one may wear, it is the same head under it; and whatever may be the color or texture of his vest, it is the same heart that beats and throbs underneath. These very differences in views elevate men into higher intelligence and they are able to think better and to love better. The friction of views polishes, and makes the virtue in us shine, with more burnish, and we become more cultured and refined. These very refining influences have worn away the Hoosier, cut out the web-foot so that Boone- ites today will measure up to the standard of culture and refinement of a free and independent citizen of the world in the Twentieth Century Civiliza- tion. Through hardships and privations of pioneer life, we developed muscle and vitality; through the friction of contact with men of different views, all the corners have been smoothed and polished into the similitude of ideal men and women. We can thank our stars for different views in religion and
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BOONE COUNTY, INDIANA.
politics, for it is the process of making of us just such types of men as the world needs for social and civic development.
The following shows the vote for governor and secretary of state from 1888:
Date.
Office.
Democrat.
Republican.
1890
Secretary
3,063
.2,957
1892
Governor
3,097
.3,126
1894
Secretary
3,029
3,350
1896.
Governor
3,668
3,439
1898
Secretary
3,630
3,106
1900
Governor
3,692
-3,34I
1902
Secretary
3,352
3,337
1904
Governor
3,276
-3,606
1905-
Secretary
3,610
3,462
1908
Governor
3.519
3,452
1910
Secretary
-3,519
-3,25I
1912
Governor
-3,356
3,288
1914 Secretary -2,820 1,88I
The Progressive vote for governor in 1912 was 2,026, and in 1914 for secretary was 1,619.
REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS.
No. of Dist. and Representative.
Date.
2d-John Carr
1831 to 1833
6th -- George S. Kinnard 1833 to 1837
6th-William Herod 1837 to 1839
6th-William W. Wick 1839 to 1841
6th-David Wallace 1841 to 1843
8th-John Petit
1843 to 1845
8th-John Petit
1845 to 1847
8th-John Petit
1847 to 1849
8th-Joseph E. McDonald 1849 to 1851
8th-Daniel Mace
1851 to 1853
8th-Daniel Mace
1853 to 1855
8th-Daniel Mace
1855 to 1857
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BOONE COUNTY, INDIANA.
No. of Dist. and Representative. Date.
8th-James Wilson 1857 to 1859
8th-James Wilson 1859 to 1861
8th-Albert S. White 1861 to 1863
8th --- Godlove S. Orth 1863 to 1865
8th-Godlove S. Orth
1865 to 1867
8th-Godlove S. Orth 1867 to 1869
7th-Godlove S. Orth 1869 to 1871
9th-John P. C. Shanks 1871 to 1873
9th-John P. C. Shanks 1873 to 1875
9th-Thomas J. Cason 1875 to 1877
9th-Michael D. White 1877 to 1879
9th-Godlove S. Orth 1879 to 1881
9th -- Godlove S. Orth Died in office
Charles T. Doxey To fill vacancy
9th-Thomas B. Ward 1883 to 1885
9th-Thomas B. Ward 1885 to 1887
9th-Joseph D. Cheadle
1887 to 1889
9th-Joseph D. Cheadle
1889 to 1891
9th-Daniel Waugh
1891 to 1893
9th-Daniel Waugh
1893 to 1895
9th-J. Frank Hanly
1895 to 1897
9th-Charles B. Landis
1897 to 1899
9th-Charles B. Landis
1899 to 1901
9th __ Charles B. Landis
1901 to 1903
9th-Charles B. Landis 1903 to 1905
9th-Charles B. Landis 1905 to 1907
9th-Charles B. Landis 1907 to 1909
9th-Martin A. Morrison -1909 to 19II
9th-Martin A. Morrison
19II to 1913
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
1853-Stephen Crane, First District; William M. Burroughs, Second; Noah Chitwood. Third.
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BOONE COUNTY, INDIANA.
1854-Stephen Crane, First District; William M. Burroughs, Second District; Noah Chitwood, Third District.
1855-William Thompson, First District; William M. Burroughs, Sec- ond District; Noah Chitwood, Third District.
1856-William Thompson, First District; Sol. Beck, Second District; Noah Chitwood, Third District.
1857-William Thompson, First District; Sol. Beck, Second District; F. C. Gillaspie, Third District.
1858-William Staton, First District ; Sol. Beck, Second District; F. C. Gillaspie, Third District.
1859-William Staton, First District; John A. Potts, Second District ; F. C. Gillaspie, Third District.
1860-William Staton, First District; John A. Potts, Second District; Levi Lane, Third District.
1861-Samuel H. Schenck, First District; John A. Potts, Second Dis- trict ; Levi Lane, Third District.
1862-Samuel H. Schenck, First District; Stephen Gapen, Second Dis- trict; Levi Lane, Third District.
1863-Samuel H. Schenck, First District; Stephen Gapen, Second Dis- trict; Levi Lane, Third District.
1864-Samuel H. Schenck, First District; Stephen Gapen, Second Dis- trict; Levi Lane, Third District.
1865-Samuel H. Schenck, First District; James L. Hickerson, Second District ; Levi Lane, Third District.
1866-Samuel H. Schenck, First District; James L. Hickerson, Second District ; A. Robinson, Third District.
1867-Manson Head, First District; James L. Hickerson, Second Dis- trict : A. Robinson, Third District.
1868-Manson Head, First District; Stephen Gapen, Second District ; A. Robinson, Third District.
1869-Manson Head, First District; Stephen Gapen, Second District; A. Robinson, Third District.
1870-William Staton, First District: Stephen Gapen, Second District ; William Stephenson, Third District.
1871-William Staton, First District: Geo. Conrad, Second District ; William Stephenson, Third District.
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BOONE COUNTY, INDIANA.
1872-William Staton, First District; Geo. Conrad, Second District; William Stephenson, Third District.
1873-William Staton, First District; Geo. Conrad, Second District; Levi Lane, Third District.
1874-William Staton, First District; Jesse Jackson, Second District; Levi Lane, Third District.
1875-William Staton, First District; Jesse Jackson, Second District ; Levi Lane, Third District.
1876-Nathan Perrill, First District; Jesse Jackson, Second District ; James Coombs, Third District.
1877-Nathan Perrill, First District; William Curry, Second District ; James Coombs, Third District.
1878-Nathan Perrill, First District; William Curry, Second District; James Coombs, Third District.
1880-Nathan Perrill, First District; William Curry, Second District; G. W. Campbell, Third District.
1882-Nathan Perrill, First District; B. C. Booher, Second District; G. W. Campbell, Third District.
1884-Nathan Perrill, First District; Jacob Miller, Second District; W. C. Crump, Third District.
1886-Nathan Perrill, First District; Jacob Miller, Second District ; W. C. Crump, Third District.
1888 Bell, First District; J. C. Stucky, Second District ; W. C. Crump. Third District.
1890-George Stephenson, First District; J. C. Stucky, Second Dis- trict ; Isaac S. Adney, Third District.
1892-George Stephenson, First District; J. C. Stucky, Second Dis- trict; M. L. Martindale, Third District.
1894-George Stephenson, First District; J. C. Stucky, Second Dis- trict ; M. L. Martindale, Third District.
1896-John A. Dulin, First District J. C. Stucky, Second District; James A. McLean, Third District.
1898-John A. Dulin, First District; J. H. Caldwell, Second District ; James A. McLean, Third District.
1900-2-4-The same as 1898.
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BOONE COUNTY, INDIANA.
1906-Littleton B. Walker, First District; Marion A. Davis, Second District; James A. McLean, Third District.
1908-Thomas O. Cash, First District; Marion A. Davis, Second Dis- trict ; James Cobb, Third District.
1910-Thomas O. Cash, First District; John A. Potts, Second District ; James Cobb, Third District.
1912-James A. Smock, First District; Charles W. Bristley, Second District ; James Cobb, Third District.
1914-F. A. Staton, First District: C. W. Bristley, Second District; C. Creasy, Third District.
Since 1832 the following have been circuit judges in this county: 1832- 35, B. F. Morris; 1835-39, William W. Wick; 1839-42, James Morrison; 1842-43, F. M. Finch, James Morrison ; 1843-48, William J. Peaslee; 1849- 52, William W. Wick; 1852-53, Isaac Naylor; 1853-59, William P. Bryant ; 1859-71, John M. Cowan; 1871-73, T. F. Davidson; 1873-84, T. H. Palmer; 1884-90, T. J. Terhune; 1890-96, C. F. S. Neal; 1896-1908, Barton S. Hig- gins ; 1908-14, Willett H. Parr, who was re-elected in 1914.
From 1832 to 1852 there was what was known as associate judges, and the following held such positions: 1832-37, William Kenworthy, Jacob Johns; 1837-39, Samuel Cason, Jacob Johns; 1839-46, Samuel Cason, Sam- uel Dooley ; 1846-52, Samuel Cason, Nash L. Pitzer.
Since 1830 the following have been probate judges in this county : 1830- 35, William Rodman; 1835-36, William Rodman, C. Westfall; 1836-37, C. Westfall, Samuel McLean; 1837-43, Samuel McLean ; 1843-44, Samuel Mc- Lean, Seaman Buckles; 1844-45, Seaman Buckles, William McDaniel and J. H. Rose; 1845-46, William McDaniel, Samuel McLean; 1846-51, Samuel McLean ; 1851-53, James A. Thomson ; 1853-61, L. C. Daugherty ; 1861-62, John Coburn ; 1862-65, Charles A. Ray; 1865-67, Sol Blair; 1867-1871, T. J. Cason ; 1871-72, T. H. Palmer.
Since 1830 the following have served as circuit court clerk in this county : 1830-36, David Hoover; 1836-44, Samuel S. Brown: 1844-45, John Chris- man; 1845-46, John Chrisman, Levi Lane; 1846-51, Levi Lane; 1851-59, W. C. Kise; 1859-61, Henry Shannon, Silas A. Lee; 1861-69, Silas A. Lee ; 1869-71, A. O. Miller; 1871-76, Jesse Neff ; 1876-80, Lindley M. Cox; 1880- 86, George Houser ; 1886-90, Dr. Jesse Reagan; 1890-98, Charles W. Scott; 1898-1902, Samuel M. Good; 1902-06, Clark Lindsay; 1906-10, George E. Adams; 1910-14, James Gardner ; 1914, Leonard Titus.
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BOONE COUNTY, INDIANA.
AUDITORS.
1841-44, A. J. Boone; 1844-49, F. A. Gilmore; 1849-59, James A. Nunn ; 1859-63, Joseph B. Pitzer; 1863-67, A. C. Daily ; 1867-72, Robert W. Mathews; 1872-76, John M. Ball; 1876-77, J. W. Hedges; 1877-90, Lindley M. Cox; 1890-98, James P. Staley ; 1898-02, David H. Shockley; 1902-06, B. F. Simmons; 1906-10, B. F. Herdrick; 1910-14, David M. Clark; 1914, Cleveland Goodwin.
TREASURERS.
1841-51, James McCann; 1851-60, Thomas P. Miller ; 1860-64, Sanford Daily ; 1857-60, A. H. Shepard; 1860-63, David Kenworthy; 1863-64, John Kenworthy; 1864-68, Francis M. Busby ; 1868-72, John H. Dooley; 1872-76, Samuel S. Daily ; 1876-80, William D. Hudson; 1880-84, G. F. L. Essex; 1884-86, Eli Smith; 1886-90, J. H. Harrison; 1890-92, Preston Smith; 1892-96, David W. Osborn; 1896-98, William H. Stewart; 1898-02, Charles A. Gochenhour; 1902-04, Lafayette Wilson; 1904-06, George C. Shirley; 1906-08, Walter Porter; 1908-10, John B. Routh; 1910-12, John A. Flaning- ham; 1912-14, J. T. Frank Laughner ; 1914, Nelson J. Parr.
RECORDERS.
1841-51, James McCann; 1851-60, Thomas T. Miller ; 1860-64, Sanford Peters ; 1864-68, John Thomas; 1868-71, F. M. Davis; 1871-75, John W. Kise; 1875-80, William F. Morgan; 1880-86, S. Peters; 1886-90, F. M. Moody; 1890-02, John Masters; 1902-06, A. W. L. Newcomer; 1906-10, John Huber; 1910-14, Wilford Hooton; 1914. John T. Brown.
SHERIFFS.
1830-32, A. Davenport; 1832-36, Jacob Tipton; 1836-40, William Zion; 1840-44, John S. Forsythe; 1844-45, Samuel Daily, Jacob Tipton; 1845-47, F. Utterback; 1847-51, William Staton; 1851-53, John Hazlett; 1853-57, A.
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BOONE COUNTY, INDIANA.
W. Larimore; 1857-59, John H. Rodman; 1859-63, Riley Colgrove; 1863-67, John Kenworthy; 1867-69, L. B. Edwards; 1869-71, William R. Simpkins; 1871-75, R. S. Camplin ; 1875-80, Edward Reynolds; 1880-84, M. C. Moore; 1884-86, Isaac T. Davis, Jacob S. Cobb; 1886-88, Nathaniel C. Titus; 1888- 90, James G. Edwards; 1890-92, Joseph S. Miller; 1892-94, John M. Trout- man; 1894-96, Beck Hull; 1896-98, William E. Price; 1898-1900, Robert N. Etter ; 1900-02, Allen Gardner; 1902-04, Douglas Neas; 1904-06, Samuel M. Storms; 1906-08, B. B. McRoberts; 1908-10, George M. Mangus; 1910-12, George J. Goodwin ; 1912-14, B. B. McRoberts; 1914, C. Roberts.
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