USA > Indiana > Carroll County > History of Carroll County, Indiana : With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 10
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At the same session, the following persons were selected to serve as Petit Jurors, during the November term. 1828, to wit: Alexander Scott, Eli Cotner. Isaac Martin. William MeCord, Thomas R. MeCain. Johu Hall. Nathaniel Hamilton. Moses Ald- ridge. Samuel Wells, James Odell. David Baum. Jeremiah Bal- lard, Manuel McCombs. Joseph Jackson. David Lucas. Moses Standley. James Miller, Daniel Bell. Graham Roberts, William Hughes, Aaron Dewey. Jacob Cluster. Daniel Baum and Henry Bingerman.
To serve as Grand Jurors at the May term. 1529. the follow- ing persons were selected by the board, to wit: John Mikesell, Daniel Knus. Stephen Miller, Daniel MeCain, Jr .. Ira Bacon. Joseph Beckner, Lewis Neff, John Bozarth. Jolm S. Metcalf, Dan- iel McCain, Hugh B. MeKern, John Odell. John Carey, John Little, Geo. J. Baum, Thos. Birk. Geo. Moyer and John Moyer.
And the following persons were selected to serve as Petit Jurors during the same term, te wit: Jolm Phillips, James Cum-
mons. Samnel Wise, John Adams. John Chilson. John Kistler. Samuel Milroy, Martin Kee. Elisha Brown. James Hood. Jacob Knus. Jacob Woodcock, Lemuel Marsh, Aaron Hicks. James Mc- Cain, William Wilson. John Kuns. Nathan Rose, Frederick Hoover. William G. Bishop. Alexander Chamberlain. John Giv. ens, Aaron Merriman and James McDowell.
The November term. 1528. of the Carroll Circuit Court was began and held at the house of Danie! Baran. as before. com- After adopting a seal, which was ordered to br a " cirenlar miqueing on Thursday, November 6. The court officers present scrawl. with the words. Carroll County Seal inserted therein," the ; were Hons. Isaac Griffith and Christopher MeCombs, Associate
Judges, the Presiding Judge being absent : Daniel F. Vandeven. ter. Clerk. and Henry B. Milroy. Sheriff. In addition to the at torneys admitted aml practicing in this court at the May torm. Joseph Tatman and David Patton were admitted at the Novem- ber term. The first case submitted at this term. and the first civil case submitted and disposed of. since the organization of the conit. was one in which " Charlotte Ewing, executrix of the estate of Alexander Ewing, deceased." was plaintiff. and " Joseph Bar ron and Joseph Hobman" wore defendants in an action of " Tres pass on the case upon promises." The case being called. the de fondauts did not appear to the action and file an answer or de marrer thereto, as commanded by the notice of the plaintiff's, but made default, wherefore the allegations of the complaint were taken as confessed and true, and damages were adjudged against them in favor of the plaintiff, for $189.21. and costs of shit. The second case was one against Henry Robinson. in favor of Alexan. der Grimes. assigner of Jesse Clarke, in an action of debt. These two cases were the ouly oues adjudicated upon at that torm. which occupied but one day. The business being di-posed of. court adjourned until court in course. During the term, how- over, the Grand Jury selected as aforesaid, was summoned. and in attendance, but, there being no bn-iness for tion to inquire into, they were discharged and allowel for one day's service.
On Monday, the 11th day of May. 1529, the Probate Court of Carroll County commenced its first session. all business of a pro- bate nature presented for consideration having been disposed of in the Circuit Court. This court. also held its session at 1h house of Daniel Baum, at which Hons. Isaac Griffith and Chejs- topher MeCombs, Associate Judges of the Circuit Court. who. by virtue of their position. were authorized to transact probate bu-i. ness. in the absence of a Probato Judge. Their first bisiness Was to approve and confirm the letters of administration before that time issued by the Clock, on the estate of Fouris Lafontain. late of said county, deceased. and the bond of sabl administrator. including all the vacation acts of the Clerk in that behalf. Their second act was to grant letters of administration to Elizabeth MeConde. on the estate of Manuel MeCombe. deceased: and the third. to appoint John Orell guardian of the persons and effects of Sarah Angell. Samuel Angell. Ruth Angell. Charle- Angell and Mary Angell. minor children and heirs at law of Benjamin D. Angell. then late of Carroll County. decreased. With these brief proceedings, the first session of the Probate Court of Carroll Conuty was closed.
As has been already noticed. Andrew Ingram. afterward Judge, was a practicing attorney in the courts of this county. The following incident, which he relates of himself, occurred just before the commencement of the November term. 1925, of the Carroll Circuit Court. when he was on his way to the county seat to attend its session. In his route thither. he got lost in the woods, below Delphi, some seven or eight miles, when. after wan- dering about for some time, night overtook him. There being
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
no track save the Indian trace. he was compelled to make his . that election was as follows; For Governor, Israel.T. Canby, re- way, withont compass or chart, as best he could, for several hours . ceived 25 votes: James B. Ray, 4 votes; and Harbin H. Moore. 27 votes: for Lieutenant Governor, Abel C. Pepper received 28 votes; and Milton Stapp, 28 votes; for Congress. Ratliff Boon (Jackson) received 26 votes; and Thomas H. Blake (Adams), 28 votes: for Sheriff, Henry B. Milroy received 33 votes; and Ste- phen Miller. 20 votes; for Coroner, Benjamin Baxter received 15 votes: and Robert Cade. 1 vote. At the same time, in compli- ance with the provisions of an act of the Legislature, at the ses- sion of 1827 and 1828, the sense of the people was taken for and against calling a convention to revise and amend the constitution of the State: that sense was expressed by the people of Carroll County. in a vote of nine for and forty-four against. such a.con- vention. This vote does not include the vote on that question by the people of the township of Eel, because it was not, except for jurisdiction. a part of Carroll County.
-how long. he searcely knew -- sometimes having to feel for the path. to ascertain whether he was on the right track. At length, hearing a dog bark somewhere in the neighborhood. he made his way in the direction whence the sound came, which led him to the house of William McCord. By that time it was midnight. or after, and he was well-nigh exhausted. He was received. how- ever, with the characteristic hospitality of the times, and comfort- ably entertained during the remainder of the night, which, under the circumstances, amply compensated him for the annoyance and discomtiture of his evening's ramble. In the morning, after : partaking of a refreshing meal, he proceeded on his way to the place of holding court, without further serions impediment This incident will serve. also. to carry back the memories of the rem- nant of the primitive settlers who still survive, to the times when roads were anomalons. and the Indian trail afforded almost the only guide to the traveler passing through from one settlement to another. with the attendant contingencies thereof. Some of the attorneys, especially those who came a long distance to at- tend court. had, necessarily. to travel under a great many disad- vantages, and be subject to mmerous inconveniences. in the way of warm dinners, very often getting no dinner at all, and travel- ing inny miles during the day. being compelled, oftentimes, to , votes: Tippecanoe. 14 votes: and in the township of Eel. 31 lay out all night. It was requisite, therefore, that all should go prepared to encounter snch emergencies.
Judge Ingram relates a case in point. He and James Rari- den. of Wayne County. afterward a member of Congress from his district. laid ont one night. some six or soven miles above Logans- port, while on one of those expeditions to attend on distant courts. and that Mr. Rariden was provided with a tin cup and with venison; that they struck fire from a flint, lighting a piece of " punk;" got some spice-wood and other fuel. which furnished a sufficiency of heat to cook their provisions and to keep them selves comfortable. They slept during the night withont waking. scarcely dreaming, except of rattlesnakes, which were abundant in the spring season. but they were not molested nor made other- wise afraid.
CHAPTER IV. AFTER PROCEEDINGS.
FIRST GENERAL ELECTION HELD IN THE COUNTY-THE RESULT -FIRST ELECTION FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT-AN ABSTRACT OF THE VOTES CAST, AND FOR WHOM-LICENSES. GRANTED TO SAMUEL MCCLURE AND TO WALKER. CARTER & CO. TO SELL FOREIGN MERCHANDISE-H. B. MCKEEN TO KEEP. FERRIES-BOUNTIES FOR WOLF SCALPS-CHANGES OF TOWN- SHIP BOUNDARIES, ESTABLISHING CORNERS, ETC.
P PRIOR to the adoption of the present State Constitution, in 1852, the day fixed for holding general elections through- ont the State, was the first Monday in Angust, of each year, and was known as the Angust election. to distinguish it from the Spring election, held in April, for choosing township and other local officers. The organization of the county having taken place in the early part of the year 1828, it was some tune in advance of the stated period for the selection of permanent officers. other than those required by the provisions of the organizing act itself. Accordingly, the first general election held in Carroll County was on the first Monday, being the 4th day of August, 1828. at the several precincts or voting places in the county. The result of
At the election held at the several precinets of the county. in- eluding the township of Eel. on the 3d day of November. 1828. for the choice of Electors for President and Vice President of the United States, there were, in the aggregate, 185 votes cast. as fol- lows: For (Adams) Electors. Joseph Orr, John Watts, Joseph Bartholomew, Isaac Montgomery and Amaziah Morgan. received. respectively. in Deer Creek Township, 21 votes; Rock Creek, 7 votes: total. 78 votes. For (Jackson) Electors. Benjamin E: Bockes. Ratliff Boon. Jesse B. Durham. William Low and Ross Smiley, received, respectively, in Deer Creek Township. 27 votes; in Rock Creek, 17 votes: Tippecanoe, 3 votes: and in the town- ship of Eel. 65 votes: total. 112. a majority of 39 votes.
At a session of the Board of County Commissioners. on the 11th of Angust, 1828, the following, among other proceedings. were had: "Samuel MoClure, having satisfied the board that his stock of merchandise does not exceed $1,000. and. having pro- dneed the Treasnrer's receipt for $10, the board licenses the said Samuel MeClure to vend merchandise for one year from the 1st day of September next." On the second day of the same session. another license was granted in these words, to wit: "Hugh B. McKeen, having given notice, as the law requires, and. having produced the Treasurer's receipt for 82.50, which sum the board established as his rates therecn, the board authorizes. and licenses the said MeKeen to keep a public ferry across the Wabash River, at the town of Logansport, for one year from this date." On the same day, they made the following further order, to wit: " Hugh B. McKeen, having given notice, as the law requires, and. having produced the Treasurer's receipt for $2,50, which the board es- tablished as his rate, thereupon the board anthorizes the said H. B. MeKeen to keep a ferry across Eel River, at the town of Lo- gansport, for one year from this date."
At the same time, the board granted the following license to vend foreign merchandise, to wit: " Walker. Carter & Co., hav- ing satisfied the board that their stock of merchandise does not exceed $1,000, and, having produced the Treasurer's receipt for $10, the board licenses the aforesaid Walker, Carter & Co. to. vend merchandise in this State for one year from the 12th day of August, 1828."
On the first day of the term. November 11 .. 1828. the. follow- ing other order was made: - -
Ordered, That William Wiison receive off, the northeast corner of the donation for the town of Delphi, four neres. two quarters, and twenty-two rods of ground, the west line running parallel with the town plat-in cx- change for the like quantity of ground, for' a public grave-yard, in the northeast corner of the land the said Wilson bought of Henry Robinson
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
in the northeast quarter of Section 23. Township 25. Range 2 west, to take place. "to the lowest bidder. the undertaker to be bound to lie in a square form.
Among the other proceedings of the board at that term. Aaron Dewey, having been employed to survey and lay off the town of Delphi, into lots, streets and alleys, and locate the public square, he was allowed the sum of $10 for the service. It was further, "ordered. that a permanent corner be made at the southwest cor- ner of Lot No. 1, and at the northeast corner of Lot No. 63. in Delphi," as a means of accurately determini ig. in the future, the true lines of lots, streets and alleys, in said town.
The following change of boundary, from that originally pre- scribed for the townships designated, was ordered to be made at the session of the Board held on the 9th day of February, 1829:
Ordered, That one tier of sections be taken off the south side of the township of Rock Creek, and be attached to the township of Deer Creek.
It was also ordered, that. in the future. elections in Deer Creek Township, be held at. the schoolhouse. in Delphi. At the same session it was ordered that a Frame building be erected in the town of Delphi, on the public square, twenty two feet wide and twenty-eight feet long, for a Clerk and Recorder's office. " the Clerk to occupy the front room in said building, for a store- room, by paying a reasonable rent." This, it is believed, was the first public building erected in Deiphi, for the use of a connty officer.
The Comity Board, at its session of May 11. 1829, directed as follows:
Ordered, That any person holding a certificate for a wolf's scalp taken from the large kind of wolves, and taken within the bounds of Carroll County. for a full grown wolf [will be allowed] 50 cents, and any one un- der six months ofl. 5 cents-to be paid out of the County Treasury.
Ordered, That Aaron Dewey have for a brick-yard, all the ground- southwardly of the town lots the said Dewey owns in Delphi, and full width of said lots running southwardly, to within 50 feet of Deer Creek. with the exception of Front street, for which the said Dewey is to pay at the rate of $25 a lot for all the ground contained in the above-mentioned premises, each lot to be the same size of the lots in Delphi-payable in materiads, at the customary prices of the country. for the public buildings in said town-when required.
It was also ordered that a capitation tax of 50 cents be assessed and collected on each poll -for county purposes.
Afterward, at a session of the Board, held on the 10th of August, 1829, the following, among other proceedings, wore had. to wit:
Ordered, That the agent establish a permanent corner as by law di- rected, at the southwest corner of the putdie square, and, also. a perma- nent corner at the southeast corner of the public square. in the town of Delphi; and, that the order heretofore made, at the November session. 1828, requiring permanent corners to be established, be and the same is . the county, in the route from the principal village of the Thorn- hereby revoked.
Ordered. Also, that the agent immediately take the necessary steps to procure a sufficient deed for that part of the donation which has not yet been deeded to the county, and that he survey the land proposed to be ex- changed with William Wilson, for a burying ground, and take the neces sary steps to complete said exchange.
have the building completed by the 1st of March, the Agent to pay one-third the amount when the frame is raised."
On the 10th of May, 1830. the propriety of a public well hav- ing been previously discussed and determined upon, it was
Ordered, That a public well be dug in the public square in Delphi, 50 feet south of the center of said square; and the Board order $10 to be paid out of the monies arising from the sale of the lots in Delphi, the said $40 to be refunded ont of The county reverne, when the same is wanted to build a Court Honse, and that William Gray be appointed to superintend the digging of the same, and that he make use of any timber on the dona tion that may be wanted for the same.
At the session on the Sth of November following, the former order. offering a bounty for wolf-scalps, was "revoked and ro- praled."
CHAPTER V. THE AVENTES OF TRAVEL.
INDIAN TRAILS-THEIR EARLY UTILIZATION BY THE WHITE PEO- PLE-MODIFIED- NEIGHBORHOOD ROADS SUBSTITUTED FOR THEM-COUNTY AND STATE ROADS-THEIR CONSTRUCTION- CORDEROY AND GRADED ROADWAYS-MISCELLANY.
INDIAN TRAILS.
A MONG the Indians, as among all other people, whether sav- age or civilized. there were accepted routes of travel estab- lished by common consent. Of these there were different grades, depending upon the importance of the points connected and their distance from each other, and whether the inter-route stations were of sufficient consequence to justify modifications. The trails, one and all, were not so much the ontgrowth of legisla- tion, by conseils of chiefs and head men. or a commission of engi neers and road-builders, as by common consent and established by immemorial usage. They became, thus, fixed thoroughfares. connecting special points of greater with those of less consequence. and the reverse. The principal trails derived their specialty from the tribe-vahio of the great center of connunication - much after the methods adopted and practiced by white people. Some of them, even. became international, being accepted and reeog- mized by other tribes and nations, because of their adaptation to the purposes of general intercourse. In this country. those gen- eral trails were not numerous, neither were those of minor conse- quence frequently to be found. There was a trail of somewhat special importance, extending along near the eastern boundary of town Indians, in the direction of Winamac's village, with branches connecting it with towns lower down on the Tippecanoe. and another running up and down along the right bank of the Wabash, and still another in the western part of the county, con necting, perhaps. Thorntown with the villages farther to the north or west, or forming a junction with the great trail that passed
At the same session of the board, the County Agent was directed to let out the building of the jail in contemplation, with : to the eastward of Monticello, in the direction of Chicago. Bo specific instructions as to the plan, materials, etc. By a subse- sides these, there were, of course, by-paths of less nse. conureting smaker villages and settlements, the identity of which it would be difficult now to locate. All these trails, in the carly settle- ments of the e muty, were more or less used. until opportunities were afforded better. by the white people, in passing from neigh- quent order, however. made at a special meeting, on the 26th of September, the plan of construction was changed as to size and form. Among the proceedings of the same special session. at which the change of plan in the construction of the jail building, the order before made, for the erection of a Clerk and Recorder's ; borhood to neighborhood. Not according with the demands of a office, was also materially changed, and the Agent was further more civilized age, they were abandoned by the settlers, and an- other class of thorough Fares adopted. which better conformed to directed to give notice to contractors for proposals to construct ! both said buildings, puesnant to which notice a letting was to the necessities of those having occasion to use them.
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY. :
The first road, perhaps, which was the outgrowth of civiliza- tion in Carroll County, was that blazed and ent out by Henry Robinson, at the time of his coming from the Wea settlements, to build his cabin, of which some account has been already given: and this one. if we mistake not. was quite extensively used by hose having occasion to pass to and from the settlements named.
Of the roads in this county first located and established by the authority of law, was one extending from Terre Haute to Fort Wayne, a State road, anthorized by an act of the Legislature, approved, January 19, 1826, the Commissioners on which, under the appointment of that act, were Josephus Collett and John ML. Coleman. For some reason, these gentlemen were not continned in office nntil the completion of the road, since the act under which they were appointed was repealed by a subsequent act passed and approved Jannary 24, 1828, by which, also. Samuel Milroy. of Carroll County, and Francis Comparet. of Allen County, were appointed Commissioners, and the road " declared to be a publie State road, and, by the same act. established and extended. through Fort Wayne. to the Ohio line. on a direction for Fort Meigs." This road. being in ronte with the general line of travel, was. no doubt, more extensively used than any other in consegnonce.
At a session of the Board of Commissioners of Carroll County, on the 11th of Angust. 1825, upon the application of sundry citi- zens interested along the line proposed. it was
Ordered, That a public road be laid out as follows, to wit: Comment- ing at Delphi, from thence the nearest and best route to Logansport, and that Alexander Chamberlain. William Scott and William G. Bishop, he appointed to view and make the same, and report to this Board at their next meeting.
At the same session, and, as a part of the same act. this road was extended by the following anthority:
Ordered, That a public road be laid out as follows, to wit: Commene- ing at Logansport, from thepee the nearest and best route by way of John Mediregot's to Champion Helvy's, and that Daniel Bell, Samuel MeClure and Sommel Taber, be appointed to view and make the same, and report to this board at their next meeting.
.At the same session, but on the day following, petitions being filed for two country roads, one from Delphi to Benjamin Baxter's, and the other from Delphi to Nathaniel Hamilton's, viewers were appointed to view and examine the routes proposed and report. A road of more general importance, was. on the same day, peti- tioned for. connecting, at the county line. a Jaid-ont road from La Fayette to that point, thence running direct to Delphi, apon which the board appointed Moses Standley. Robert Caid and John Adams. Viewers, with the usual instructions. Another country road was also proposed, to run from the public square in Delphi. the nearest and best route to where the meridian line crosses Deer Creek. npon which David Baum. William McCord and Samnel Wells, were appointed Viewers. The same Viewers were directed to view and report npon a proposed road from the public square, in Delphi, to Elisha Brown's, on Bachelor's Run.
The next regular session of the board, commencing on the 11th day of November, 1828, at which time Samnel Mcclure, Daniel Bell and Samuel D. Taber, Viewers, appointed at the pre- vions term, reported "that they had viewed and marked a road from Logansport, by way of John Mettregor's, to Champion Hel- vy's, at the month of the Salamony River," which, being read and not objected to, was accepted, and the ronte "established as a publie highway, and divided into districts, as follows, to wit: No. 1, 2 and 3, north; District No. 1. to commence at Logansport and continue to John McGregor's; District No. 2, to commence
at the house of John McGregor and continue to Sammel Mc- Clure's: District No. 3, to connnence at Samnet McClure's and continue to Champion Helvy's. at the month of the Salamony."
On the presentation and filing of the report of William G. Bishop, Thomas Stirlen and Alexander Chamberlain, Viewers, appointed for the purpose, no objection being made thereto, the route viewed and marked by them, "commoneing at the public square, in Delphi, and running thence eastwardly with Main street to the termination of said street: thence northeastwardly, on a direct line to the ford of Rock Creek, above Merriman's, making the necessary variations to obtain good ground; thence, from Rock Creek to a point on the Wabash, known by the Old Trading House: thence, from the Old Trading House, up the Wabash. as near said river as good ground can be had. to the ford of the Wabash, opposite to the town of Logansport." was es- tablishod as a public highway in conformity with law.
The report of Moses Standley, Robert Caid and John Adams. Viewers. appointed at the preceding August session. being pre- sented, and,-no objection being made to it, the route so viewed and marked by them, "commencing at the west end of Water street, in Delphi; thence to a stake ten rods from the corner of Daniel Baum's lane fonce: thence down said lane to the crossing of the Indian track over Deer Creek; thence, to intersect the county road. loading from La Fayette, in Tippecanoe County, at the line dividing the conuty aforesaid, from Carroll, marked with three hacks with an ax," was "established as a public highway." and William MeCord was appointed Supervisor to open said road according to law.
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