USA > Indiana > Cass County > History of Cass County, Indiana : From the earliest time to the present > Part 24
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Township No. 7 is composed of all that part of Township 28 north, Range 3 east, which lies in Cass County, except Little Charley's reserve, and is known as Adams Township.
Township No. 8 is composed of all that part of Township 27 north, Range 3 east, which lies in the county of Cass and north of the Wabash River, all of Little Charley's reserve and the islands of the Wabash River, and also that part of Township 27, north of Range 2 east, which lies between the Wabash and Eel Rivers and east of the section line dividing Sections 21 and 22, and 27 and 28
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275
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
in the last mentioned township and range, and is known as Miami Township.
Township No. 9 is composed of all that part of Township 27 north, Ranges 1 and 2 east, which lies between Wabash and Eel Rivers, and west of section line dividing Sections 21 and 22 and 27 and 28 in Township 27 north, Range 2 east, and all parts of Town- ship 27 north, Range 1 east, within the limits of the town plat of West Logan and the additions thereto, also all that part of Barron's reserve in said last mentioned township which lies between the Wabash River and the Wabash & Erie Canal, also the islands in Wabash River adjacent to said Township No. 9, and is known by the name of Eel Township.
Township No. 10 is composed of that part of the county of Cass south of the Wabash River and west of section line dividing Sec- tions 34 and 35, Township 27 north, Range 1 east, and the section line dividing Sections 2 and 3, and 10 and 11, and 14 and 15, Town- ship 26 north, and range last aforesaid, and is known as Clinton Township.
Township No. 11, is included in the following bounds, to wit: Commencing at a point where the section line dividing Sections 34 and 35, Township 27 north, Range 1 east, strikes the south side of the Wabash River; thence south on section line to the southwest corner of Section 14, Township 26 north, Range 1 east; thence east to the southeast corner of said section, town, and range last aforesaid; thence south on section line to the southwest corner of Section 36 in the town and range last aforesaid; thence east on the township line to the southeast corner of Section 34, Township 26 north, Range 2 east; thence north on the section line to the Wabash River; thence down said river, with the meanders thereof, to the place of beginning: Said township to be known as Washington.
Township No. 12 is included in the following boundary, to wit: Commencing at the northeast corner of Washington Township; thence south with the eastern boundary of Township No. 11 to the township line dividing Townships 25 and 26; thence east on said line to the eastern boundary of said county; thence north along the said eastern boundary to the Wabash River; thence down said river, with the meanders thereof, to the place of beginning. Said town- ship to be known by the name of Tipton.
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276
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
Township No. 13 is included within the following boundary to wit: Commencing at the northeast corner of Section 2, Township 25 north, Range 2 east; thence west to the northwest corner of Sec- tion 1, Township 25 north, Range 1 east; thence south with the section line to the township line dividing Townships 24 and 25 north; thence east on said township line to the southeast corner of Section 35, Township 25 north, Range 2 east; thence north with the section line to the place of beginning. Said township to be known by the name of Deer Creek.
Township No. 14 is composed of all that part of Cass County south of Tipton Township and east of Deer Creek, and is known as Jackson Township.
The above descriptions are in some instances ambiguous, but they are in each case given in the language of the record.
Court House .- The second public building erected in Cass County was a clerk and recorder's office. This was a frame build- ing and stood on the court house square. Bids were received for the erection of said building May 12, 1831, and were as follows: William Scott, $1,297; Craddock & Collins, $924.87; Horney & An- derson, $1,287.87, and Turner & Campbell, $896. The contract was awarded to Turner & Campbell, with the provision that it should be completed and ready for occupancy by December of the same year. Commissioners' court was sometimes held in this building. Prior to the erection of the court house meetings were held at various places, viz. : Seminary building, Presbyterian Church, Methodist Church, Thorp & Wilson's hotel, and the Canal Mansion House.
" At a special session of the county board, on the 14th of May, 1839, the clerk was ordered to give notice for 'sealed proposals ' for the erection of a court house in Logansport; and a further order, accepting the plan submitted by Joseph Willis.
"Accordingly, on the 15th day of June, 1839, notice having been given, the proposals were opened by the board, and, upon mature consideration, the contract was awarded to Joseph Willis at $13,190, to be completed for that sum, the contractor furnishing all the ma- terials, by the 30th day of December, 1841.
"Subsequently, by an article of agreement between the board and Joseph Willis, an addition was made to the estimated cost of the
277
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
building, making the contract price $14,666.80, instead of the for- mer sum. This subsequent agreement was made in vacation, on the 8th of January, 1840.
"Measurements and estimates were made from time to time for work and labor done and materials furnished by Mr. Willis, as provided by the contract, until the 3d of March, 1841, when it became appar- ent that he would be unable to complete the building in the manner and by the time specified in the contract. He was, accordingly, re- leased on that day by the board, Mr. Willis, likewise, 'executing a release to the county commissioners," "for aud in consideration of an allowance of three hundred and fifty dollars," "all claim to the ten per centum on the amount of work done upon the court house in Logansport," the said sum so allowed being in full of the final estimate, that day made to him, on his said contract therefor. The aggregate of estimates so made to him amounted to the sum of $4,063.75. This sum had been paid him, in cash $876, and $3,187.75 in county bonds, drawing 10 per cent interest, payable in ten years from the dates thereof, as follows: $337.50, from November 7,1839; $1,895.85, from May 7, 1840; $562 from July 7, 1840; $647.40, from September 10, 1840, and $250 from March 3, 1841.
" A further contract for the completion of the building was en- tered into on the 23d of March, 1841, with Job B. Eldridge, Thomas J. Cummings, and Isaac Clary, at the sum of $11,598, on terms of payment and conditions similar to those with Mr. Willis. By this contract it was stipulated that the building should be fully com- pleted on or before the 1st of December, 1842. Under this con- tract, which was confirmed and regularly executed on the 10th of June, 1841, Messrs. Eldridge, Cummings & Clary progressed with the work as rapidly as the circumstances of the case would permit, receiving estimates quarterly, until the final completion of the build- ing, in December, 1844. In the meantime, extras had been allowed for changes made to the amount of $731.11, the contractors thus re- ceiving the aggregate sum of $12,329.11, including an allowance of $85 for putting up the spire and lightning rod. This sum, with the $4,063.75 allowed and paid to Mr. Willis, makes the cost of our court house foot up the gross sum of $16,392.86, exclusive of the interest paid on the bonds issued for the liquidation of the debt created by reason of the erection of this edifice, so long recognized
278
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
as one of the finest and best buildings of its kind in the State. It has answered well the purpose contemplated until within the past few years, when the immense accumulation of business has demon- strated the fact of its growing insufficiency to meet the demands of the period."
The Jails .- "At a session of the board, convened on the 14th of October, 1829, the preliminary order was made directing the county agent, Gillis McBean, Esq., to 'cause a jail to be erected on Lot No. - , in the town of Logansport, of the following dimensions, to wit: Twelve feet square, of hewn logs one foot square, one story high; also a jailer's house, of round logs, sixteen feet square, and one story high.' When the building was completed, and the bills for labor and mate- rial received, audited and paid, the aggregate cost, on the plan pro- posed, was found to be $60.50.
" The insufficiency of the first building was soon clearly manifest, and the necessity of a more substantial one, with an enlarged capac- ity, well established. On the 5th of July, 1832, the board 'ordered that a jail for the county of Cass, in the town of Logansport, be built of the following size, dimensions and manner: Twenty by thirty- eight feet square, two stories high, and each story eight feet in the clear; first story of good hewn rock; front walls two feet thick, the balance equally strong. Three apartments: Criminal, fourteen feet square; middle, 8x14 feet; for female criminals, 8x14 feet.'
" Proposals were to be received July 21, following, but none ap- pear to have been received. On the 14th of January, 1833, another effort was made and a plan submitted: 'Hewn timber one foot thick, and so long as to make the house 14x27 feet in the clear; partition in center of hewn timber; under and upper floors to be laid with hewn timber, one foot thick, edges straightened and corners completely dovetailed.' The criminal room was to be additionally strong, as per specifications. Notice of the letting was given for the first Mon- day in February, when the time was extended to March 5, at which time the contract was awarded to Thomas Richardson for $394.50. It was completed substantially as prescribed, and the work accepted. This building continued to be used for several years until superseded by the prison rooms in the basement of the new court house.
"In the course of time, this latter proving unequal to the public expectation, the plan of the present one was projected, and, in the
279
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
fall of 1870, was completed after numerous modifications, the ulti- mate cost reaching the sum of $40,011.17. Since its completion and occupancy numerous improvements have been made on the original plan and construction. The contractor for this building was David D. Dykeman."
Northern Indiana Hospital for the Insane .- Pursuant to an act of the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, providing for the erection of additional hospitals for the insane, the board of commis- sioners selected Logansport to be the site of the Northern Indiana Hospital. Said board, on the 4th of October, 1883, for the sum of $14,500, bought of Andrew Y. Shanklin, 160 acres of land, lying one mile and a half west of the city of Logansport, and received as a donation to the State from the citizens of Cass County 121.86 acres adjoining, to be used as a site for another of the hospitals named.
This place lies on the south bank of the Wabash River. Its 281 acres form a square block, excepting ten acres in the northeast corner, which should be a part of the hospital property also. Its surface is broken by a long rocky ridge, which passes through its center; and this affords a remarkably commanding site for the buildings, with views in every direction over the broad and here very picturesque valley of the Wabash, including the city of Logans- port. A considerable creek passes through the farm, having about thirty feet of fall available for domestic use and fire protection. Nearly half the land is densely wooded, and the building site is adorned by a beautiful grove of maple trees. The opportunities for drainage are excellent. The main line of the Terre Haute & Logansport Railroad passes through the south half of the place. An excellent gravel road along the river front connects it with Logans- port very conveniently.
Plans and specifications for the hospital near Logansport were submitted to and adopted by the board, with certain modifications, May 26, 1884; and after due advertisment, as required by law, the following bids were received for the construction of the hospital : Chas. Pearce & Co., total work, $383,354.72; Sweeny Bros., total work, $392,839.54; McCormack & Hege, total work, $362,802.29.
That of Messrs. McCormack & Hege, of Columbus, Ind., being the lowest, it was accepted, and on June 12 a contract was made
280
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
with this firm to supply the materials and do the work of said con- struction, according to the original plans and specifications as adopt- ed by the board, for the sum of $362,802.29, more or less, accord- ing to any changes in the plans or specifications which might be made by the board, and according to a schedule of quantities and prices forming a part of the contract.
The hospital will be ready for occupation in the spring of 1887, and when completed will cost about 8400,000.
In accordance with the act of the Legislature the insane of the following named counties will be provided for at this hospital: Cass, Dekalb, Elkhart, Fulton, Huntington, Jasper, Kosciusko, Lake, La- porte, Lagrange, Miami, Marshall, Newton, Noble, Porter, Pulaski, Steuben, St. Joseph, Starke, White, Whitley and Wabash.
Finances .- Owing to the incompleteness of the early records it is impossible to give a trustworthy report of the finances for the first decade of the county's existence. Many of the reports were never recorded, while others were so unsystematically arranged as to ren- der them unintelligible. After the report of the first year, which is elsewhere given, the county revenue increased very rapidly, and in the following year (1830) the total receipts, not including the pro- ceeds arising from the sale of lots, were $368.90, and the expendi- tures were but $1.25 less than the receipts. For many years orders were issued for work, and these were discounted at almost any per cent named by the purchaser. This worked a hardship on the poorer classes, who were compelled to sell, in order to provide for the daily wants of the family. The principal source of revenue for the first several years was from the sale of lots, which furnished the necessary funds for the erection of all the early public buildings.
The following statement will show the probable annual receipts and disbursements of the county for the dates given:
Date.
Receipts.
Disbursements.
1829
$61 44
$54 00
1830
368 90
367 65
1840.
4,828 55
4,137 19
1850
13,182 08
11,007 35
1860
73.252 21
63,932 59
1861.
65,407 45
56,803 53
186:
60,114 35
46,284 34
1863.
100,647 59
79,764 61
1864.
106,690 93
89,141 14
1865.
169,287 53
134,560 99
281
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
Date.
Receipts.
Disbursements.
1866.
. 274,344 39
230,801 97
1867
212,710 98
157,769 77
1868
236,366 85
178,153 90
1869.
222,553 98
154,666 24
1870.
214,836 00
176,633 00
1871.
180,975 00
124,585 00
1872
277,704 00
183,776 00
1873.
289,556 00
217,823 00
1874
204,836 00
166,878 00
1875
205,305 00
163,012 00
1881.
280,259 27
238,505 34
1882.
302,252 00
227,369 08
1883.
292,076 00
219,227 60
1884.
315,403 00
259,793 88
1885.
339,576 00
245,388 59
1886
363,600 00
251,931 90
GENERAL STATEMENT FOR YEAR ENDING JUNE, 1885.
County bonds outstanding June 1, 1885.
$30,000 00
County bonds redeemed June 1, 1885. 30,000 00
Orders outstanding .
9,109 44
Orders issued June 1, 1885.
121,282 37
Orders paid June 1, 1885.
130,391 81
County indebtedness.
nothing.
Reduction of indebtedness
39,109 44
Poor Farm-County Asylum .- "The experience of older coun- ties having demonstrated the fact that the poor and unfortunate, who are necessarily supported at public expense, can be better and more economically provided for on a farm, with sufficient build- ings and other appliances to utilize their labor, managed by a competent overseer, than, perhaps, by any other method; in the course of time, the county board, also, having taken cognizance of these facts, steps were taken to make that system an element of county economy.
" Accordingly, on the 5th of March, 1845, the county board hav- ing closed a contract with Henry H. Helm, for ninety acres off the south part of the southeast quarter of Section 17, Township 27 north, Range 2 east, for a consideration of $1,300, a deed was exe- cuted to the county for those grounds, thenceforward to be appro- priated to the purposes of a 'poor farm.' "The buildings necessary to meet the demand of the times were soon after erected, and the utility of a public enterprise of this character became daily more ap- parent, as the improved economy of the county in providing for its
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282
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
poor and infirm, compared with its former experiences, was fully demonstrated by later developments.
" From that time forward, such additions to the working appli- ances of the institution as were required by the increased demands for admission received the ready attention of the board controlling its operations. "Within the past few years, the provision made for utilizing pauper labor has added greatly to the revenues derived from that source, while it has in a like ratio reduced the per capita expenses of its management and maintenance.
" As early as 1871, the board had in contemplation improvements upon the county farm, in the way of infirmary, or county asylum, which it was expected would not only be a matter of economy in taking care of the poor and infirm, but would add greatly to their facilities for rendering the inmates more comfortable. It was the purpose, then, to go on with the work at once. The im- provement was deferred, however, for further consideration.
"Finally, on the 3d of March, 1874, bids having been received in pursuance of a notice for sealed proposals for the purpose, and the several propositions fully considered, the contract was awarded to R. D. Stevens & Bro., on their bid of $12,548, for the completion of the work. The work was completed in compliance with the con- tract, with a small additional advance on the contract price, for extras, changes of detail, etc. The main structure is of brick and heated by steam, the dimensions, at present, being fully equal to the demands made upon it. In detail, the plan of the building is such as to blend economy, comfort and safety with satisfactory har- mony; the separate departments for different classes of inmates be- ing arranged and furnished with especial reference to the condition and requirements of the occupants. Altogether, the plan of the building, with its appliances, its structure and management, reflects credit upon the projectors and managers."
The following is the annual expense of the poor:
Date.
Expense.
Date.
Expense.
1860
$3,671 09
1867
11,811 21
1861
3,899 92
1868
8,282 12
1862
2,493 94
1869
9,102 00
1863
3,803 98
1870
8,372 20
1864
5,986 81
1871
17,774 91
1865
8,676 51
1872
7,524 65
1866
10,386 02
1873
9,138 71
283
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
Date.
Expense.
Date.
Expense.
1874
$11,556 55
1881
19,488 12
1875
23,065 86
1882
16,394 12
1876
13,644 70
1883
16,583 80
1877
13,092 37
1884
14,163 76
1878
13,206 64
1885
14,142 79
1879
14,422 19
1886
14,162 19
1880
14,624 23
Michigan Road .- " By the provisions of the act of the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, approved January 21, 1828, 'John McDonald, of Daviess County, and Chester Elliott, of Warrick, were appointed commissioners to survey and make a road from Lake Michigan to Indianapolis, agreeably to the late treaty with the Pot- tawattomie Indians, and the act of Congress in confirmation thereof.'
" Under that authority, work was immediately commenced and the line of road, making Logansport a central point, was accordingly surveyed, located and marked out the succeeding summer and fall. As a general business thoroughfare, it was one of the most valuable improvements of its day, opening up a line of trade that tended, perhaps, most largely to develop the vast natural resources of Cass County.
"The history of this road, during the first fifteen years of its use, is full of interesting incidents, as they illustrated the experiences of those who, from necessity, were compelled to traverse its line through bottomless mud or endless ' corduroy.' Its reputation was not limited to Cass or other counties along the borders, but was co- extensive with the settled districts of the entire Northwest. In- deed, its name was abroad as far east as the Alleghanies and be- yond, for the whole tide of emigration passing from the eastward to populate the newly acquired domain in Indiana and the more Western States and Territories, must flow along this great thorough- fare, because no other was so direct, and none affording better in- ducements for travel."
Plank Road .- Under the provisions of an act authorizing the organization of plank road companies, a company was organized in Cass County, and in the early part of the fifties a plank road was built on the line of the old Michigan Road. These roads proved to be impracticable, and after a few years were abandoned.
Gravel Roads .- Logansport & Burlington Turnpike Company was organized in June, 1867, with an authorized capital stock of
284
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
$56,000. The entire length of this road is fourteen miles. The officers of the company are Thomas H. Bringhurst, president; W. H. Brown, treasurer, and S. L. Tanguy, secretary. Logans- port & Western Turnpike Company was organized December 12, 1881, and four miles of road built, at a cost of $7,500. The officers are D. D. Neff, president; Dennis Uhl, treasurer, and D. W. Tom- linson, secretary.
Logansport & Marion Turnpike Company was organized May 19, 1882. The capital stock of said company is $10,000. The road is completed a distance of five miles. The following are the offi- cers: Henry Puterbaugh, president; Samuel S. Helvie, treasurer, and D. W. Tomlinson, secretary.
Logansport & Northern Turnpike Company was organized with a capital stock of $16,000. The road leads from Logansport to Meta, a distance of eleven miles. The officers are Tobias Julian, president; and W. E. Haney, secretary and treasurer.
The Logansport & Wabash, Logansport & Royal Center, Logans- port & Pleasant Grove, and Logansport & Rock Creek Turnpike Companies have each constructed roads bearing the same name as the company. These pikes were constructed upon some of the principal highways leading to the city. The aggregate length of these roads is about twenty-five miles. These roads have added materially to the wealth of the county and have immeasurably bene- fited the business interests of Logansport.
Railroads .- In contrast with the historic Michigan Road as an ave- nue of transportation, we place the more modern railroad, and with it the greater facilities for supplying the demands of the present age. True, Cass County was not the first in the State of Indiana to em- bark in the enterprise of building railroads, nor was she the last. It required the stimulus of a few roads in the older counties of the southern part of the State to excite the necessary estimate of pub- lic opinion to warrant the preliminary action in the premises. This was not long wanting, and the year 1848 found our people moving, with no uncertain purpose, toward the incorporation of " The Lake Michigan, Logansport & Ohio River Railroad Company, " with such men as James W. Dunn, Williamson Wright, and George B. Walker of Cass County, among those composing the board of directors. The capital stock of this company was fixed at $1,000,000, divided into shares of $25 each.
285
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
New Castle & Richmond, now known as the Richmond & Logans- port Division of the Pauhandle Railroad .- The result of this pro- ceeding was first manifested in an agreement with the New Castle & Richmond Railroad Company, dated December 11, 1852, whereby the line of the latter road was extended from its western terminus to the south side of the Wabash River, opposite Logansport. This extension was immediately surveyed and the work put under con- tract. Its completion to that point, in 1855, was hailed as the in- auguration of a new era in the history of Cass County in general and Logansport in particular.
A further extension of this line, known as the " Camden Exten- sion, " was authorized by subsequent legislative enactment, but, when almost completed, was abandoned. Its track and roadway have since been purchased and utilized by the Logansport, Craw- fordsville & Southwestern Railroad.
Logansport & Chicago Railway, later known as the Columbus & Chicago Division of Panhandle .- By a resolution of the Lake Mich- igan, Logansport & Ohio River Railroad Company, dated March 12, 1853, the name of that company was changed to the Logansport & Chicago Railway Company. Soon afterward, the preliminary line of that road was surveyed, but the location was temporarily deferred until some necessary modification of the route had been made. It was subsequently put under contract and completed in good time.
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