USA > Indiana > Carroll County > History of Carroll County, Indiana : With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 12
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T THE place designated by the act authorizing the organization of the county of Carroll, for holding courts therein, until accommodations could be had elsewhere, was at the house of Daniel Baurun; accordingly. all the courts of the county were held there during the year 1828 and the early part of 1829. The May session of the Circuit Court met there, on the 15th day of May, 1829, and remained in session until noon, when court was ad journed to meet again at 4 o'clock P. M .. at the public schoolhouse in Delphi, a new hewed-log building recently erected for school purposes. Subsequent sessions were held at this schoolhonse until the May term. 1830, which was held at the Clerk's office, a frame building situated on the public square, finished just a few weeks before Here the county courts were hold for a number of years, and until better accommodations were provided, as contem- plated by the law enacted for the county organization. In the meantime, the question of building a court honse on the public square, with the funds realized from the sale of the property do- nated by the proprietor of Delphi, in consideration of its selection as the seat of justice of Carroll County, by the Commissioners appointed by the Legislature, as elsewhere shown. was settled.
Some time in the spring of 1831. the Commissioners of the county directe.l notice to be given to " contractors and builders," that proposals would be received. with plans and specifications. for the erection of a court house for Carroll County, from that time until the proposed special meeting of the board for that pur- pose, on the 18th of July. 1831. On that day, a special session was accordingly hold. when the bids presented were examined and duly considered. The result of that examination is exhibited in the following extract from the record of their proceedings on that occasion :
Ordered. That the bid of Theophilus Hardman, for the building of a court house in the center of the public square, in Delphi, be received, and that a contract be entered into for the completion of the stone, agreeable to the Exhibit A : the bond made by the said Hardman. Samuel Milroy. Thomas Pike and James H. Stewart, and filed in the Clerk's office, and the boud made by the Commissioners to the said Hardman and marked Exhibit. B.
At the same session, Mir. Hardman was authorized to receive from Aaron Dewey, the County Agent, $100 worth of materials, to be used in building the court house. For some reason, not now apparent, Mr. Hardinan, being unable to proceed satisfactorily with his work, surrendered his contract, and asked, with his sure- ties, to be released therefrom. He was released accordingly, the contract taken off his hands and awarded to John Dolason, at the September session, 1831. From that time forward, the building progressed gradually but not very rapidly. Under the new ar- rangement, Mr. Dolason was allowed, at the same session, on his contract for building the court house, the sum of $275, to be paid out of the donation fund, appropriated for that purpose and in the hands of the County Agent. The agent was also directed to
execute a deed to him for certain town-lots embraced in the dona tion-except the lot mimbered $7, which was ordered to be con- veyed to Mr. Hardman, the original contractor-in part consider- ation for the building of the court house. At the session, in Jan- uary, 1832, a further allowance of $200, was made, part of lis second installinent for buikling the court house, payable, also, out of the donation fund. The third installment, of $500, was allowed at the September session, 1832, and ordered to be paid out of the same fund.
When the brick work ou the court-house building was ap- proaching completion. it was deemed advisable by the board to appoint a committee with instructions to examine the same and report as to its sufficiency and whether the work had been done in substantial compliance with the terms of the contract. Such examination having been made. a report was made recommending its acceptance. At the September session, 1833, in consideration of the premises, the board
Ordered, That Joli Dolason be allowed, for building the court house in the town of Delphi, the sum of $200 as a part of the last installment
Subsequently, at the Jannary session, 1834, he was allowed the further siun of $200. Again. at the March session, he was allowed the further sum of $75.03. and. at the May session, $20. Finally. at this session. the board made the following order in the matter:
Ordered, That John Dolason be allowed, for work done on the court house. SKI, it being in full for all demands that the said Dolason has against the county for completing the court house, as agreed upon by Theophilus Hardman and all extra work done by said Dolason.
From all that appears to the contrary, the original contract for building the court house did not embrace the complete con- struction: hence, those branches of the work not included therein were directed to be done under separate and independent agree- ments . For' example, the board, at their session in May, 1836. " entered into a contract with Samuel R. Hughes and Thomas C. Hughes, to complete the painter's and joiner's work on the inside of the court house, and have agreed to make them an order for $100 in advance on their contract. It is therefore
Ordered, That the agent of Carroll County be directed to pay to Samuel R. Hughes and Thomas C. Hughes $100."
This contract seems to have included. among other special work. the building of a cupola on the court house, since, from the : papers on file in the Auditor's office, a plan, with estimates of cost. was submitted to and accepted by the board; and, for the further reason, that, at the May session. 1836. the record shows:
The Comand sioners now having examined the cupola built on the court house by Thomas C. Hughes, do accept the same. Also, further
Ordered. That the Agent of Carroll County be directed to pay to Thomas C. Hughes the sum of $300, out of my moneys in his hands unex- pended, and that he he paid the further sum of $15 for tin around the enpola roof.
When the entire work, under the contract with Samuel R. and Thomas C. Hughes, was entirely completed. the question of valne was referred to mechanical experts for determination, as shown by the following record of proceedings, had at the Jannary session, 1837:
WHEREAS, The terms of the contract between the Commissioners and Hughes, being, that, when the carpenter work on the court house was completed, that it was to be left to disinterested mechanics to fix the price. The Commissioners on their part appointed Jonathan Harbolt, of White County, the said S. R. and T. C. IInghes appointed William Ferguson on their part, who. if they disagree, are hereby directed to call to their assistance a third person as an umpire. Said persons are directed to meet at the court house in Delphi, between this time and the 12th inst., to
PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDING,
CARROLL COUNTY JAIL & SHERIFF'S RESIDENCE DELPHI, INDIANA.
ABNER SINES SUPT.
-/ COUNTY INFIRMARY K DEER CREEK TP CARROLL CO. IND.
HIRAM GREGG; JAMES HANNA WILLIAM SMITH
COMMISSIONERS.
CARROLL COUNTY COURT HOUSE DEI PHI IND.
GEORGE W. PIGMAN. CLERK ISAAC R.KENNARD .. . TREAS. HIRAM KERIIN
SHERIFF
RES. OF J.C. BRIDGE CORNER OF INDIANA AND MONROE STS. DELPHI, IND.
131
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
measure and examine the work done by said Hughes on the court bons. and affix the price to the same, and make their report to the board on the 1lth inst.
Said referees having met and measured the work as by said agreement required. determined the aggregate vahie thereof to be $972.63, wherenpon the board, on the reception of that report, made the following record:
The workmen appointed to examine the work done by Hughes on the court house, now report that they have examined the work, and on fair terms, and said report is accepted.
It was then
Ordered. That the Treasurer pay to Samuel K. Hughes $ $0 out of tlu. Treasury.
Afterward, at the March session, ISST. the board, upon "set- tlement with T. C. Hughes, for building the cupola, find as fol- lows: For building enpola. 800; by cash and note from Mettill- Hard. 8481.25: due-said Hughes. $215.75." On general account with S. R. and T. C. Hughes, for amount of work and materials. 8972,63: by cash to date. 8700; balance. 8272.6%. For this bal. ance, the board directed the issue of an order, thus balancing the accounts.
At the March session. 1534. an agreement was entered into between the Commissioners and Thomas Galliard. to paint the out- side of the court house and the tops of the chimneys, and the , summated a contract with Thomas C Hughes, " to make good and brick-work withont oil, and pencil the same with lime, for which the contractor was to receive $40; for paving the floor of the court house, from the west side of the doors to the east side of the house, and build a wall from door to door across the house, a. brick and a half thick and five brieks high. for which latter work he was to receive $30 -the work to be completed by the Ist of Jnne following.
This branch of work being incomplete on the 30th of May, 1836, the Commissioners entered into " a contract with John Phil. lips and Milo Dibble, to paint the ontside walls of the court house a straw color. the roof red: the whole to be completed by the Ist of September next. for which they are to pay $150." At the Septem. ber session, the Commissioners having " inspected the painting done by Phillips and Dibble, under the contract entered into at the May session last.
Ordered, That the Agent of Carroll County pay to John Phillips and Milo Dibble, for painting walls of the court house. at ... $150, out of any money> not otherwise appropriated.
In connection with the painting of the court house walls, the following incident occurred: As indicated in the foregoing order, the color of the walls was to be a yellow, or straw color. This . vation of fifty-six and three-fourths fort. color was not altogether satisfactory, and the Commissioners wore presented with a petition. signed by sixty-fom citizens of the town : and county, asking that sneh order be rescinded, and " that red. with proper penciling. is the only color that is calenlated to give a brick building the proper appearance and tasteful finish." As a remonstrance against changing the original order, another peti- tion was presented. signed by forty one citizens several of whom bad previously signed the other. praying to have no change made in the color first proposed. suggesting that, generally. they were " willing to yield all possible respect" to the opinions of the worthy citizens who had petitioned for the change. It is suffi- cient to add that the building was painted as originally ordered -a straw color.
was to receive 8275. Owing to the failure of Mr. McGilliard to comply with his contract and complete the work. the contract was, by mutual agreement. rescinded, and the work already done by him forfeited to the county: and, on the Bth of September fol lowing, a new contract was made with Lewis Mooney. for the completion of the work for $300. To furnish all materials except those in and around the court house, plaster all the rooms, put- ting three coats on the same, all in a neat and workmanlike man- ner. and complete the upper rooms by the third Monday in Oeto- ber, and the third Monday in April following. Mr. Mooney bound himself in a penalty of $300.
At the September session, 1987. the board allowed Mr. Mooney. as a part of the balance on his contract for plastering the court house, the som of $25, which also included the sum dne him for furnishing the brick and laying the lobby in the court house, und for white-washing the upper rooms, the latter being done para- ant to an order of the court. At the same session. he was al- lowed for fall balance on his contract, the sum of 822%.
The contract for painting the inside work of the court house was awarded to Messrs. Olvey and Connolly. for which work they were to receive the sum of $230, at the September session. At the November session. of the same year. the Commissioners con- substantial Venetian blinds for every window in the court house. and hang the same." and have the work completed by the 1st day of April, 183S, at which time he was to receive as compensation, 810,50 for each window. The work of making these blinds hav- ing been completed, the board, at the May session. 1988. allowed him, therefore, $200, and the further siun of $55.60 for painting and glazing the windows and attaching springs to the shutters. The aggregate cost of the court house, not including the value of the lots donated and appropriated for that purpose. was, as nearly as can now bo rendily ascertained. about the sum of $3.500- - and not including the improvement- on the public square.
The dimensions of this building were about fifty feet square. two stories in height. being thirty-two foot from the foundation to the square, and covered with a four-sided shingle roof, sur- mounted by a cupola twelve feet square at the base. and twelve foot high. This square was surmounted by an octagonal tower, or bel- fry, eight feet in diameter and eight feet high. and resting upon a water shed of fifteen inches rise. Resting upon this structure was a bell-shaped cone, nine and a half feet high, surmounted by a spire twenty-six feet in height- all making a total cupola ele
CHAPTER LA. THE NEW COURT HOUSE.
CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO THE PROPERTY OF ERECTING A NEW BUILDING-AGENCIES AT WORK IN SECURING THE MOST SATIS- FACTORY PLANS OF CONSTRUCTION-NOTICE OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS-FOR PHOTO-ALS-BIR RECEIVED AND EXAM- INED-THE CONTRACT AWARDED -- AA SPPERINTENDING ARCHI- THET APPOINTED-SOMETHING OF THE DETAILS AND THE PLAN AND PROGRESSOF THE WORK-THE WORK COMPLETED-SETTLE- MENT WITH THE CONTRM TOR -- Tur COST. ETC.
On the day the Commissioners made a contract with Messrs. AS early as 1851, if, indeed. not prior to that date, the public necessity for a court house of huger dimensions than the one at that time occupying the public square, became a subject of Phillips and Dibble to do the painting, a contract was also made with Thomas Medilliard to plaster the inside walls of the court house. to be completed by the succeeding October, for which he ; serions consideration, and the propriety of building another of
132
: HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
greater, area and better adapted to the improved condition of witnesses' and Sheriff's rooms, and through the remaining parts, into a hall, by placing the walls back; the hot-air dnets to be car- ried into;all the offices on the first floor from one furnace, and the court-room and other rooms to be heated by ducts from an- things, was the subject most frequently agitated among the. peo- ple. . The matter, however, did not assuune a definite form until the spring and summer of 1855. . At the session of June, 1855, the Commissioners of Carroll County, by their order of the 7th of : other furnace similar to the first, making but two furnaces in the that month, made an order, directing Thomas C. Hughes,: a repu- building. In ascending from the lower story, a spiral staircase to be placed in the rear passage up to the floor of the court-room; then stairways to the jury-rooms above. As compensation, the architect was to receive $125. $50 cash, and the balance when the : plans were completed. table architect. and builder of the county, to visit and take views of several of the best court, houses in this and adjoining States. for the purpose of maturing plans for a new court house in this county; also. to take drafts of such buildings as he might deem necessary in acquiring the information sought for: DIMENSIONS. .
At the same session, also, the Auditor was directed to advertise
The stone work to be 65 feet and 8 inches by 95 feet and 8 for plans and specifications, the board recommending that archi- , inches: the base of the towers, 18 feet and 8 inches square. The brick work above to be 65x95 feet, including the towers, and the greatest. projection of the brick work. The walls of the main building to recede 6 feet from the face of the towers-the divis- ion walls as set forth.
tects submit plans for a court house, to include the following rooms and accommodations: Four cells or prison rooms in the basement. On the first floor, one large public hall and four connty offices, two of them to be provided with fire-proof vaults; said offices to be of not less than 300 square feet floor surface each. The second story to contain one spacious court room of not less than 2,700 square feet of floor surface; two jury-rooms and one witness-room, for the accommodation of female witnesses and others, during the session of court, provided the last-named room can be included without inconvenience -- the building so arranged as to coutain a clock and room for a bell; the basement to be of stone and the balance of brick -the whole to be covered with a tin roof.
At a session of the board, held on the 6th of September, 1855. notice was ordered to be given to architects that plans and specifications would be received and examined by the board, on the Ist of December of that year, for the construction of a new court house, the building to contain one spacious court-room and a sufficient number of county offices and jury rooms, a bell and clock-tower : but no jail or prison attached. The size of the ground on which the building contemplated was to bo erected. was 252 feet square -the entire cost, when completed, to be $30,- 030, no cost being paid for any plans or drafts not accepted. At the same time, Mr. Hughes, who had been employed to view and select plans, as elsewhere shown, was allowed the sun of $35.30, for traveling expenses and for time spent, including that consumed in the preparation of plans, etc.
When the board met, in December following, a number of plans wore submitted for their examination and consideration. the board present boing composed of Thoinas C. Hughes and Theodore Smoyer. Among others, a plan was submitted by ML. J. MeBird, of Logansport, which was adopted. after some minor changes had been made, and Mr MeBird employed as architect, to prepare the working plans in conformity with those adopted. for the details of the work, as preseribed in the following explan- atory statement: The foundation, offices and court-room floors, front and back elevations, transverse and longitudinal sections -- all to be in accordance with certain plans presented by the said McBird at the early part of this session- - with such alterations as have on this day been agreed upon and specified as follows: The building to be enlarged laterally five feet. and longitudinally fif- teen feet, the towers to remain the same size as designated on the plaus. The excavation for basement under the whole building to be made two feet below the present surface of the ground: the trenches for the foundation walls to be excavated one foot below the said basement floor, or to the solid strata of clay or gravel; npon the first floor. a wall, as marked across the Clerk's and Au- ditor's offices, making these rooms, the rooms in the rear towers,
HEIGHT OF STORIES.
The basement S feet in the clear; the first story, to the finish, 14 feet in the clear; the court-room, to finish, 28 feet in the clear - the roof to ineline eighteen degrees. The first story of the rear towers is 14 feet 8 inches in the clear; the second story, 13 feet 8 inches in the clear; the third. 22 feet. The first story of the front tower is 15 feet 9 inches in the clear; the second and third stories each, to the finish, 14 feet in the clear.
STONE WALLS.
The external longitudinal walls, under the main front and sides, and under the safe-vanits, are 2 foot 6 inches in thickness; the footings under said walls are 4 feet wide, projecting equally each way. Under the towers, the walls are 26 inches thick, and made of brick, while the side walls are only. 20 inches thick: the cross-walls, under the safe- vaults, are 18 inches: the other walls are 16 inches. The external walls of the towers are 22 inches thick; the side- walls in the main building are all the same thick- ness to the court-room floor; then there is an offset of 4 inches. leaving the walls from the floor to the eaves 18 inches thick; the . rear walls are also IS inches thick.
On the 2d of April. 1856, the Board of Commissioners. con- sisting of Mossrs. Smoyor. Hughes and Crowell, met for the pur- pose of opening the bids and awarding the contract. The bid of James Woods, of Logansport. Ind .. in which he proposed to build the court house according to the plans and specifications on file in the Anditor's office -- none of the work to be done by machin- ery, except the flooring and the sheeting of the roof -for $32,300, was accepted. April 9. 1856, the contract was awarded to James Woods and James Rodifer for $32,300 -to furnish all materials of every kind, according to the plans and specifications prepared by M. J. MeBird (who. as superintending architect, was author- ized to accept or reject any work done in the progress of con- struction). Messrs. McBird, Reed, Case and John G. Vail, were at the same time constituted a Building Committee, with power to accept or reject any and all materials prepared or used in the construction of the building. within the space of two years from May 1, 1856.
According to the terms of the agreement, the contractors were to receive their first payment at the succeeding June session, and quarterly thereafter until the March session, 1858, said payments to be made for the full value of the work done and materials fur- nished excepting 20 per cent on the value of all materials fur- nished and accepted by the Building Committee; when fully
133
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
completed and accepted by said Building Committee, the full halance was to be paid -noextras to be paid for except as agreed upon.
In the meantime. the Conunissioners were to remove the old court house, and have everything ready for the new building by the 1st day of July. 1856. At the time of consumating the aforesaid agreement, Messrs. Woods and Rodifer. contractors, filed the required bond with Sammel L. McFadin. James W. Dann. Thomas S. Dann, William Wilson, Isaac N. Partridge. Joseph Culbertson and Sammel A. Hall. as sureties, which was accepted and approved by the board.
The foregoing preliminary proceedings being had. Jonathan Barnett was anthorized to sell. at public sale, the old court house. together with the buildings used for county offices. separately, on a credit of twelve months, with interest from date, the purchasers binding themselves to remove the buildings from the publie square by the 20th of June: the court-house bell was directed to be sold also, and upon the samo torms.
Some misunderstanding's having arisen between the Commis- sioners and contractors, in relation to certain details of work and the payment therefor, on the 14th of March. 1860. an agreement was entered into between the parties " to submit. for arbitrament and adjustment. the entire claim of Mr. Woods against the county. on account of extra work about the construction of the court honse. and all claims arising out of the same to William Barnett. Archibald Stane, Joseph Evans, James H. Stewart. John Crowell and George Gilliford." As the result of that arbitration. on the 9th of June, 1860. James Woods was allowed 81.087. and. also. for the further sum of $113. when the lien of William McCain was shown to have been legally settled and released by said Me- Cain. This having been done, as of the date last named. the Commissioners entered of record among their proceeding's the fol- lowing acceptance:
The Commissioners hereby accept and receive from linnes Woods, the builder the court house, and the said Woods accepts the orders ordered on the preceding page. in full satisfaction for his claim against the comty for the building thereof, and the amount found to be due him on the arbi- tration heretofore made therein. WHIJANM CROOKS.
WITAM LOVE. JOHN G. SUVERMIN.
When the building had been otherwise completed. a town-clock was placed in the tower, at the southwest corner of the edifice, at a cost of $800, by William Bradshaw. and. abont the same time, a bell was also placed in the same tower. Nol far from the same period, the square, upon which the court house was created, was artistically graded, with a regular descent from the building to the four streets fronting the same, at a cost. for labor and super- intendence, of abont $2.000. It was subsequently sodded and ornamented with mimerons shade and evergreen trees, and is now one of the most tastefully decorated areas in the city of Dolphi.
During the summer of 1859, a contract was entered into by the Commissioners, with T. J. Gaylord & Co. for the construction of an iron fonce around the square. After the work was com- pleted and partially paid for, before the matter could be fully ad justed between the contracting parties. a settlement was had. Oe- tober 20. 1859. the record of which is as follows:
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