USA > Indiana > Cass County > History of Cass County, Indiana : From the earliest time to the present > Part 23
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
ber of familes, were out digging a root which they substituted in place of the potato; and about one hour before my arrival, all the war- riors, except eight, had mounted their horses and rode up the river to a French store to purchase ammunition. This ammunition had arrived from the Miami village that very day, and the squaws in- formed me was stored about two miles from the town. I detached Maj. Caldwell in quest of it, but he failed to make any discovery, although he scoured the country for seven or eight miles up the river. I encamped in the town that night, and the next morning I cut up the corn, scarcely in the milk, burned the cabins, mounted my young warriors, squaws and children in the best manner in my power, and leaving two infirm squaws and a child, with a short talk I commenced my march for the Kickapoo town in the prairie."
CHAPTER III.
ORGANIZATION OF CASS COUNTY-LOCATION OF COUNTY SEAT-SALE OF LOTS-CREATION OF TOWNSHIPS-PUBLIC BUILDINGS -- COUNTY FINANCES -POOR EXPENSES-ROADS-RAILROADS-WABASH & ERIE CANAL- AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY-MEDICAL ASSOCIATION-OLD SETTLERS' ASSO- CIATIONS-ORPHANS' HOME-ELECTIONS-COUNTY OFFICES, ETC.
C YASS COUNTY was named in honor of Gen. Lewis Cass, who was one of the commissioners of the United States, and did much to consummate the treaties with the Indians, by which the Government became the possessor of the lands that now constitute the county. After the consummation of the treaty of 1826, immi- gration increased, and in 1828 the settlers were sufficiently numer- ous to warrant the formation of a new county, and in consequence the following enabling act was passed by the Legislature:
AN ACT FOR THE FORMATION OF CASS COUNTY. APPROVED DECEMBER 18, 1828.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, That from and after the second Monday of April next, all the territory included in the following boundary to wit: Beginning on the west boundary line of the great Miami Reservation, at the intersection of the township line dividing Townships 25 and 26; thence north three miles; thence west eight miles to the southwest corner of Section 15, Township 26 uorth, of Range 1 west; thence west three miles to the range line dividing Ranges 1 and 2 west; thence north to the boundary line of the purchase of 1826; thence east with said line about twenty-eight miles to the bound-
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
ary of the Five-Mile Reservation, extending from the Wabash to Eel River; thence crossing the Wabash to a point due east of the place of beginning; thence west to the place of beginning, shall form and constitute a county to be known and designated by the name and title of Cass.
SEC. 2. The said new county shall, from and after the second Monday in April next, enjoy all the rights, privileges and jurisdiction which to separate and independent counties appertain and belong.
SEC. 3. That Henry Restine, of the county of Montgomery, Erasmus Powell, of the county of Shelby, William Purdy, of the county of Sullivan, Harris Tyner, of the county of Marion and Samuel McGeorge, of Tippecanoe County, be, and they are hereby appointed commissioners for the purpose of fixing the seat of jus- tice in said new county agreeably to the provisions of an act entitled "An act for fixing the seats of justice in all new counties hereafter to be laid off. " The com- missioners above named, or a majority of them, shall convene at the house of Gillis McBean in said new county, on the second Monday of August next, or so soon thereafter as a majority of said commissioners may meet, and shall procced to dis- charge the duties assigned them by law.
SEC. 4. It shall be the duty of the sheriff of Cass County, to notify the com- missioners herein above named, by written notification, of their appointment, on or before the 15th day of June next; and for such services, the board doing county business of the said new county, shall allow him a reasonable compensation out of. the county treasury thereof.
SEC. 5. The circuit court and other courts of said new county shall be held at the seminary in the town of Logansport or at any other place therein, to which the said courts may adjourn until suitable accommodations can behad at the seat of jus- tice thereof, when the courts shall adjourn to meet at said county seat.
SEC. 6. The agent who shall be appointed to superintend the sale of lots at the county seat of said new county of Cass, shall reserve ten per centum out of all donations of said county, and shall pay the same over to such person or persons, as may be appointed according to law to receive the same, for the use of a county lib- rary for said new county.
SEC. 7. It shall be the duty of the qualified voters of the county of Cass, at the time of electing a clerk, recorder and associate judges, to elect three justices of the peace, as well as three county commissioners, agreeably to the provisions of an act entitled " An act to establish a board of county commissioners," approved Jan- uary 30, 1824, who, when elected and qualified as prescribed by said act, shall have all powers and perform all duties prescribed by said act, which act is hereby revived, and decreed and taken as in full force as relates to said county of Cass; and also the county commissioners shall have all the power and perform all the duties pre- scribed by law as relates to the board of justices in the several counties; said com- missioners shall have power to hold special sessions, and to do and perform any duties required at any previous regular session. This act to take effect and be in full force from and after the first day of February next.
AN ACT SUPPLEMENTAL TO THE FOREGOING. APPROVED JANUARY 19, 1829.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, That the lines of said county of Cass be, and they are hereby, corrected in the boundaries thereof, as described in the first section of the act, to which this is sup- plemental by the insertion of the words "thence north three miles" next after the words " north of range west " and previous to the words " thence west three miles," and the same as hereby amended shall be and remain the boundary of Cass County,
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
as fully as if the above amendment had been originally inserted in the description thereof in said act.
SEC. 2. That the territory included in the following boundaries, to wit: Be- ginning on the western boundary line of the Great Miami Reservation, at the corner of Cass and Carroll Counties, in Township 25, Range 1 east; thence south with said boundary line to the line dividing Townships 24 and 25; thence east on said two townships' line to the eastern boundary of said reservation; thence north with the eastern boundary line of said reservation, and iu a line due north, in continuation thereof to the State line; thence on the line of the State west to a point where a due south line will strike the western boundary line of said county of Cass; thence south to the line of Cass County, and thence east with the line of said county of Cass to the place of beginning, be, and the same is hereby, attached to the said county of Cass for civil and criminal jurisdiction; and the citizens residing within the bounds so included shall be entitled to all the privileges and immunities, and be subject to all taxes, impositions and assessments of the citizens of the county of Cass.
Following the supplemental 'act of 1829 various other changes were made and new counties formed out of the attached portion, but it was not until 1852 that the boundary as it now exists was fixed by statute. The following is the description: Beginning on the west side of the great Miami Reservation line, where township line dividing Townships 24 and 25,intersects the same; thence north nine miles to the northeast corner of Section 23 in Township 26 north, of Range 1 east; thence west eight miles to the corner of Sec- tions 15, 16, 21 and 22 in Township 26 north, of Range 1 west; thence north three miles to the southeast corner of Section 33, Township 27 north, of Range 1 west; thence west three miles to the south- west corner of said Township 27 north, Range 1 west; thence north twelve miles to the northwest corner of Township, 28 north, of Range 1 west; thence on the township line dividing Townships 28 and 29, east twenty-two miles, to the northeast corner of Section 3, Township 28 north, of Range 3 east, that being the western line of Miami County; thence south on the Miami County line twenty-four miles to a point in the great Miami reserve which, when it is sur- veyed, will be the southwest corner of Section 34, Township 25 north, of Range 3 east; thence west eleven miles to the place of beginning.
The first term of commissioners court was held at the old semi- nary building in Logansport on Friday the first day of May, 1829. James Smith and Moses Thorpe, who had been elected April 13, constituted the first board. Chauncy Carter was elected at the same time, but did not file his certificate of election until July
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
25, of the same year. The first act of the board was the division of the county into townships, which was as follows: That all that part of Cass County lying south of Tippecanoe River, and west of the western boundary of the Five-Mile Reservation shall form and constitute Eel Township. That all that part of the territory attached to said county of Cass lying south of Eel River and east of the west- ern boundary of the Five-Mile Reservation shall form and consti- tute Wabash Township. That all that part of territory attached to said county of Cass lying north of the Tippecanoe River to the north line of the State shall form and constitute a separate town- ship, to be called and known by the name of St. Joseph Township. The townships were divided into road districts, and John Tipton, James Oldham and Lewis Rodgers were appointed supervi- sors.
Hugh B. McKeen was appointed lister for said county, and Cyrus Taber, county treasurer, and William Scott, collector of county revenue. After appointing election inspectors, overseers of the poor and various other townships officers, the board proceeded to fix the tavern rates for the county as follows: For keeping a horse one night, hay and grain, 50 cents; for "victualling," per meal, 25 cents; lodging 123 cents; brandy, per half pint, 50 cents; wines, per half pint, 50 cents; rum, per half pint, 50 cents; Hol- land gin, 50 cents; whisky, per half pint, 25 cents.
A special session was held at the house of Gillis McBean, on the 25th of July. At this time Cyrus Taber was granted a license to vend merchandise in the town of Logansport. Various others had, however, preceded him. John Scott was appointed inspector of flour, beef and pork for the county of Cass. The first allowance made by the board was $7 to J. B. Duret for county seal, and rec- ord books $3, total $10. The first tax was levied at this session, and consisted of 50 cents on every animal of the horse, ass or mule kind over three years old, and 25 cents on work-oxen three years old. Gillis McBean was appointed agent for the county of Cass August 10, 1829, services to begin as soon as seat of justice is located. Two days later the board met in special session to re- ceive the report of the commissioners who were appointed by the foregoing act of the Legislature to locate the seat of justice. The following is the report:
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
To the Board of County Commissioners of Cass County, Ind .:
The undersigued three commissioners, appointed by an act of the General As- sembly of the State of Indiana to locate the seat of justice of Cass County, met at the house of Gillis McBean, in the town of Logansport, on Monday, the 10th day of August, 1829, and selected the town of Logansport as the seat of justice of Cass County, the court house to be on Court Square, as designated ou the plat of said town. We have further received, of Chauncy Carter, the proprietor of said town, as a donation, a bond drawn in favor of the county commissioners of said county for a deed in fee simple for town lots in the said town of Logansport designated on the plat of said town by Nos. 61, 63, 64, 83, 83, 85, 90, 91, 99, 100, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108 and 23, also a note drawn in favor of Gillis McBean, agent for said county of Cass, or his successors in office, by the said Chauncy Carter, for $530, pay- able the 20th day of September, 1829.
Given under our hands and seals this, the 12th day of August, A. D. 1829.
Signed:
HENRY KESTINE, ERASMUS POWELL, HARRIS TYNER.
The first public sale of lots was advertised for Friday succeed- ing the third Monday Tin November, 1829. The price of lots was fixed as follows: Nos. 61, 64, 85 and 106 shall not sell for less than $65 each. Nos. 82, 90, 99, 102, 104, 105 and 107 shall not sell for less than $75 each, and Nos. 83 and 100 shall not sell for less than $100 each. The conditions were that one-fourth of the purchase money be paid at date of sale, the balance in three equal install- ments of six, twelve and eighteen months.
The November term of court was held at Thorp & Wilson's ho- tel, the principal business being the inspection of the reports of county agent and county treasurer. The report of Cyrus Taber, county treasurer, for the six months ending November 3, 1829, shows that $61.44 had been received for licenses, and that the ex- penditures for the same period was $54.69, leaving a balance of $6.75. Gillis McBean, county agent, submitted the following re- port: Received of Chauncy Carter, $530; expenditures for same period was $143.75; which left a balance of $386.25. Several per- mits were granted to operate ferries across Wabash and Eel Rivers, and the following rates established: For each man, 6} cents; for man and horse, 25 cents; for each horse, mule, or ass, 182 cents; for each wagon, 50 cents; for each horse attached to a wagon, 12} cents; for any number of horned cattle more than four years old, 6 cents each; for each swine, 3 cents; for each yoke of oxen, 25 cents, and for each sheep, 3 cents.
At the January term, 1830, it was ordered that for each wolf
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
scalp presented at the county clerk's office $1 should be paid. - -
The following grand jurors were each paid $1.50 for their services at the May and November terms of the circuit court of 1829: John Scott, William Scott, Samuel Ward, Daniel Bell, Ephraim Dukes, Cyrus Taber, John K. Hinton, Moses Barnett. Anthony Martin, James Thompson, Edward McCartney, S. S. Roocker, I. W. John- son, Alexander Chamberlain and N. D. Grover. The traverse jurors for the same term were Alex. Wilson, George Smith, J. K. Hall, Atchison Aaron Speeks. Samuel D. Taber, James Wayman, Joshua Merryman, Ira Evans, David Patrick, William Speaks, I. Washing- ton and Joseph Guy.
The county treasurer submitted a report for the two months end- ing January 4, 1830, which shows that he had received $2, mak- ing the total amount in treasury $8.75. At the same time Anthony Gamblane was allowed $16 for services of himself and horse in car- rying the returns of senatorial election to Winchester. Jordan Vigus was appointed county treasurer, and Dr. Hiram Todd received the first allowance for medical aid to the paupers. J. B. Turner was appointed superintendent of the school sections of the county. J. B. Richardville and J. B. Eldridge were granted a license to vend foreign and domestic merchandise in said county. In May the fol- lowing tax levy was made: On each poll, 50 cents; each horse, 50 cents; each ox, 25 cents;[four-wheel carriage, 50 cents; each brass clock, 50 cents; gold watch, $1. and each silver watch 25 cents. A capital of $1,000, invested in foreign merchandise, be taxed $10, and $5 for each additional $1,000.
Commissioners' Districts .- At the May term, 1831, the county was divided into commissioners' districts, as follows: That Miami and Wabash Townships shall constitute the First Commissioners' District; and that all the territory lying east of a line drawn due north through the mouth of Eel River to the county line north and south, and east to Miami Township, shall constitute the Second Com- missioners' District; and that all the territory west of said line drawn through the mouth of Eel River shall constitute the Third Commis- sioners' District.
Other Acts .- It was ordered by the board, September 6, 1831, that a pound be constructed on the jail lot in the town of Logans- port. of the following dimensions: Eighty by forty feet to be en-
-
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
closed with post and plank fence, the posts to be 6x10 inches, and 8} feet long, the plank to be 12 feet long and 1 inch thick; and it was further ordered Samuel Ward be superintendent thereof. William Scott was appointed commissioner of the three per cent fund Janu- ary, 1832. The report of Gillis McBean shows that he had received $587.72, and had paid to J. B. Turner, for work on clerk's and re- corder's offices, $525, leaving a balance of $62.72. Each person selling wooden clocks was ordered to pay into the treasury $8. Of the $500 of 3 per cent fund allotted to Cass County for the year 1833, $250 was ordered expended for the building and repair of bridges between Logansport and the county line west, and $250 in the same manner between Logansport and the county line east. May, 1835, a second pound was ordered built. The plans provided that it should be fifty feet square, the fence to be of good white oak lumber not less than six feet high. S. Ward was appointed to su- perintend the construction of said pound. It was further ordered that each person presenting wolves' scalps to the county clerk should receive, $2; prairie wolves, $1.
The commissioners, having advertised for bids for a court house to be erected in Logansport, found that it would be necessary to borrow money to complete the work, and accordingly appointed Samuel Hanna, of Fort Wayne, to negotiate a loan from the Bank of the United States, in Pennsylvania, or from individuals, as he may think proper, said loan not to exceed $10,000, with interest at 6 per cent, payable annually, and the whole redeemable in twenty years, at the pleasure of the county.
Gillis McBean, county agent, made a report of receipts and ex- penditures for the whole time of his incumbency, which was as fol- lows:
Received from sale of lots. $1,750 75 One not given by Chauncy Carter 530 00
Expenditures.
$2,280 75 2,095 93
Balance
$ 184 82
The clerk of the board was authorized to purchase the following weights and measures: A measure of one foot, a measure of thirty- six inches, a half-bushel measure, containing 1,075.85 cubic inches; a gallon measure, and a set of weights, commonly called avoirdupois.
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
Said weights and measures to be kept in the office of the county clerk.
The report of Cyrus Taber, commissioner of the three per cent fund, shows that there was appropriated by the Legislature in 1834, $100; 1836, $2,000, and in 1837, $2,000, making a total of $4,100. This fund was expended for the building of bridges and locating and grading roads.
Surplus Revenue .- Thomas J. Wilson, commissioner of said fund, submitted the following report for the four years ending April, 1841: Whole amount of principal in the hands of commissioners, $6,963.20. Of this amount $557.05 had been loaned.
ORGANIZATION OF TOWNSHIPS.
That all that part of Cass County lying east of the line dividing Ranges 2 and 3, east to the western boundary of the Five-Mile Res- ervation, form and constitute Miami Township .- January 3, 1831.
Jefferson Township .- That all that part of Cass County lying west of the east line of Section 16 and north of the Wabash River, form and constitute a township to be named and styled Jefferson Township .- September 6, 1831.
Clay Township .- That all territory bounded by Eel River south, west by range.line dividing Ranges 1 and 2, on the east by range line dividing Ranges 2 and 3, on the north by the county line tak- ing in the attached part, shall form and constitute Clay Township .- May 7, 1832.
Clinton Township .- All that part of Cass County lying south of the Wabash River and west of the east line of Section 16, form and constitute a new township, to be known and designated by the name of Clinton .- May 4, 1834.
Chippewa Township .- All that part of Cass County lying north of the lines of the purchase of 1826 shall form and constitute a new township, to be known and designated as above .- March 4, 1834.
Adams Township .- All that part of Cass County, commencing at the old boundary line, at the section line dividing Sections 23 and 24 in Township 28 north, Range 2 east; thence south to Eel River; thence up said river, with the meanders therof, to the county line; thence north to the said boundary line; thence west to the place of beginning, shall form and constitute a new township, to be known and designated by the name of Adams .- May 6, 1835.
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
Harrison Township .- That all that part of Cass County lying in Township 28 north, of Range 1 east, form and constitute a new township, to be known by the name of Harrison Township .- March 7, 1836.
Bethlehem Township .- Ordered that all that part of Cass County lying in Township 28 north, Range 2 east, shall form and consti- tute a new township, to be known by the name of Bethlehem .- May 7, 1836.
Noble Township .- Ordered that all that part of Cass County lying north and west of the plat of West Logan, in Township 27 north, Range 1 east, shall form and constitute a new township, to be known and designated by the name of Noble .- March 8, 1836.
Boone Township .- Ordered that all that part of Cass County lying in Township 28 north, Range 1 west, be organized and con- stitute the township of Boone .- May 8, 1838.
Tipton Township .- Ordered that all that part of Cass County lying south of the Wabash River, in Townships 26 and 27 north, Range 2 east, shall form and constitute a new township, to be known and designated by the name of Tipton .- March 3, 1840.
Deer Creek Township .- Ordered that all that part of Cass County lying in Township 25 north, Ranges 1, 2, 3 east, shall form a new township, to be known by the name of Deer Creek .- July 26, 1842.
Wild Cat Township .- Ordered that all that part of the territory attached to the county of Cass, which lies south of the line dividing Townships 24 and 25 north, shall constitute a new township, and that it shall be known by the name of Wild Cat Township.
Washington Township .- Ordered that a new township, bearing the above name, be created, with the following boundary: Com- mencing where the section line dividing Sections 34 and 35, Town- ship 27 north, Range 1 east, strikes the Wabash River on the south bank; thence to the corner of Sections 14, 15, and 22 and 23, in Township 26, Range 1 east; thence east to the corner of Sections 14, 13, and 23 and 24; thence south to the corner of Sections 35 and 36; thence east with the township line to the corner of Sections 33 and 34, Township 26, Range 2 east; thence north with section line to where said section line strikes the south bank of the Wabash River, in Township 27, Range 2 east; thence west, with the mean- ders of said river, to the place of beginning .- September 7, 1842.
274
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
The foregoing described townships, with the three original, viz. : Eel, Wabash and St. Joseph, elsewhere mentioned, shows the bound- ary and date of organization of each township prior to the year 1847, at which date the townships of the county were reorganized. The attached portion of the county, described in the act of the Legislature creating the county of Cass, had previously been organ- ized into new counties, leaving the boundary as it now exists. The townships, according to the reorganization June 9, 1847, are de- scribed as follows:
Township No. 1 is composed of Congressional Township 28, Range 1 west, of the principal meridian in the State of Indiana, and is known as Boone Township.
Township No. 2 is composed of Township 28 north, Range 1 east, and is known as Harrison Township.
Township No. 3 is composed of Township 28 north, Range 2 east, and is known as Bethlehem Township.
Township No. 4 is composed of all that part of congressional Townships 26 and 27 north, Range 1 west, which lie north of the Wabash River, and is known as Jefferson Township.
Township No. 5 is composed of all that part of Township 27 north, Range 1 east, which lies north of Wabash and Eel Rivers, except that part of Barron's reserve between said rivers and the Wabash & Erie Canal, and also except that part of Cicott's reserve and fractional Section 25 in said town and range, which is included in the town plat of West Logan, said township to be known by the name of Noble Township.
Township No. 6 is composed of all that part of Township 27 north, Range 2 east, which lies north of Eel River and included the whole of Metchineqa reserve, and is known as Clay Township.
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