History of Dekalb County, Indiana, with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of old families, Part 7

Author: B.F. Bowen & Co., Pub
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Indianapolis : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1182

USA > Indiana > DeKalb County > History of Dekalb County, Indiana, with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of old families > Part 7

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HYDROPHOBIA.

During 1838 hydrophobia alarmingly prevailed, and cattle, hogs and even wild foxes "went inad." In this connection it is related that Daniel Coats, of Wilmington, was attacked by a rabid fox while passing through the woods and succeeded, after a well-contested race, in securing a club and slay- ing his pursuer. A drop of blood from the head of the fox alighting on Coats' cheek burned like fire. Such is the power of imagination, and the in- terest of the old tales that enlivened the pioneer firesides.

PIONEER FARE.

Food in the early day was neither abundant nor of high quality. Appe- tite controlled and made edible a fare which in these days would seem im- possible. The families of Daniel Altenburg and Walsworth, while en route to Auburn, regaled themselves for a breakfast in the new county upon the

DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA.

flesh of a raccoon which they had caught on the previous day. Wesley Park and Joseph Miller, passing a rainy night in the woods of Butler township, made a meal upon "new milk fresh from the cow," and the pioneers of that locality in 1834 ate heartily of "coon steak" prepared by their cook, Charley Crouse, not even John Surface being excepted since he, impelled by hunger, finished what the others had left over after breakfast.

MOUND BUILDERS.

The presence, in the valleys of the Ohio and Mississippi, of numerous earthen tumuli-the memorials of an age long past-indicates the existence of a pre-historic race. There are claimed to be several mounds in this county, but the facts have not been learned, yet the presence of stont axes, flint arrow- heads, spear-points and other mementoes of this singular people, prove that at least they were accustomed to traverse this section.

INDIANS.

The lands of which DeKalb county forms a part originally belonged to the Pottawatomies, whose title was procured by treaties made with them from time to time by officers of the United States government. The energetic Jesuit came among them towards the commencement of the eighteenth cen- tury, and found plastic material. The Pottawatomies of Northern Indiana numbered about four thousand. The Catholic priest who first came among them paid the price for his temerity with his life, but when finally converted, these Indians became firm Christians. In compliance with an order from the general government, the tribe was removed to the Indian territory beyond the Mississippi. With a grief akin to despair they took their melancholy journey and many deaths along the route proved their love of the home of their fathers. By 1840 most had departed, and save a few who lingered, their lands were left to the incoming whites.

AN EXPENSIVE 'COON.

In an early day 'coon hunts were numerous, but later, after the lands of the county were all under private ownership, it was sometimes a hazardous pastime. A crowd of young fellows near Newville in 1876 engaged in one of these 'coon hunts. They "treed" an animal in a dry oak tree on the premises of Dr. Emanuel, and, in customary fashion, cut down the tree. The doctor

DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA.

immediately entered suit in the circuit court for satisfaction and damages. The defendants compromised during the trial by the payment of seventy-five dollars in the way of costs, lawyers' fees and damages.

FOX HUNTS.

In the early part of 1875 for hunts became the vogue, and many were organized among the citizens of the county. Marshals and other field officers were chosen, hunters were detailed on the different lines prescribed, no fire arms were allowed, and all dogs were loosed at the appointed time. One of the first hunts was held at Corunna on Saturday, January 23, 1875, and six foxes were caught. An immense crowd was present. February 6th, follow- ing, another hunt was held in Richland and Fairfield townships. Only three foxes were caught, but a number escaped from the lines. The trophies were sold at auction, and the proceeds given to the poor.

THE LAST BEAR.

As late as October, 1874, a bear was killed in Richland township. The following account is from the Waterloo Press of October 29, 1874: "On Sunday last a black bear was seen coming out of the Baughman marshes, southeast of town. It was fired upon by several parties, but none of them seem to have injured it. Monday morning early large parties of men, with dogs and guns, turned out to hunt the game. The animal was followed to the swamps south of Sedan, where the dogs brought it to bay, and it was shot to death by Messrs. Charles Rempis, James Booth and others."

CHAPTER IV.

ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNMENT OF COUNTY.

ORGANIZATION.

In the winter of 1836-7 the act was passed by the Legislature organizing DeKalb county and immediately a strenuous competition began for the loca- tion of the county seat. The legislative act named the boundaries of the county as follows: "Beginning at the southwest corner of township 33 north of range 12 east, thence east to the east line of the state, thence north with the state line dividing townships 35 and 36, hence west to the line dividing ranges II and 12, thence south to the place of beginning." The county was named DeKalb in honor of Baron DeKalb, a German noble, who espoused the cause of colonial independence, joined the American army, and was commis- · sioned a general. He fell at the battle of Camden, fought near Sanders creek, South Carolina, on August 6, 1780.

DeKalb county is a part of the thirteenth congressional district. In the state Legislature DeKalb and Steuben counties constitute the tenth judicial district. The length of DeKalb county from east to west is twenty and one- half miles, comprising an area of three thousand six hundred and ninety acres. The length from north to south is eighteen miles. When organized the county had a population of nearly one thousand.

LOCATION OF COUNTY SEAT.

As mentioned before, the competition for the location of a county seat grew very strong. Messrs. Rogers and Hamilton, on one side, and Park and Howe, on the other, were the contending forces. The former bought up land, laid out a town plat, staked off lots and named the site Centerville. The site laid out by Park and Howe was on the west bank of Cedar creek, two miles south and three miles west of the center of the new county. This location seemed to carry the most favor, and when Littlefield, of Lagrange, Gilmore, of Steuben, and Robert Work, of Allen, were appointed commissioners to

DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA.

select the site of the new county seat, Auburn was promptly chosen. Center- ville passed to her death after the defeat.

FIRST ELECTION.

The first election in DeKalb county was held in July, 1837. The river settlers voted at the home of Washington Robinson, at Vienna, or later called Newville. Three county commissioners, two associate judges, and a clerk and a recorder were to be elected. A bit of humor came to the surface when the ballots were being counted out. One voter, evidently of poetic propensi- ties, had cast his ballot thusly :

. "For Commissioners

I'll tell you,sirs ; The old Major- Or Johnny Blair ; William Roger And Peter Fair. For Clerk and Recorder, too,

John F. Coburn, sure, will do; Arial Waldon for a judge, And James Bowman for a drudge."

FIRST COMMISSIONERS' MEETINGS.

On July 25, 1837, the first meeting of the board of commissioners of DeKalb county, consisting of Peter Fair and Samuel Widney, was held at the house of Wesley Park at Auburn. The meetings were held at this place for several years afterward. The first official step of the board was to ap- point Wesley Park clerk pro tem, also county treasurer for a year. Byron Bunnel was selected as county agent; John Blair was made assessor; and Lanslot Ingman was named collector of taxes. The first legislative act was then executed, naming the boundaries of Franklin township, as follows: "Commencing at the northeast corner of said county (DeKalb) ; thence west to the corners of ranges 13 and 14 east, townships 35 and 36 north; then south six miles to township 34 north, ranges 13 and 14 east ; thence east on the town line to the east line of the said county; thence north to the place of beginning ; the above shall constitute the first township in DeKalb county." Provision was made for organizing the township by an election to be held the

DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA.

first Monday in August following, and Peter Boyer was appointed inspector of elections, Isaac T. Aldrich, constable, and John Holton, supervisor.

The office of judge was a singular one. Some of the judges of the day could not carry on court unless they had, at stated intervals, a little dram of whiskey. The drudge acted as an accommodation : he kept the judge sup- plied with the spirits. Samuel Widney, Peter Fair and Isaac F. Beecher were elected county commissioners; Arial Waldon and Thomas L. Yates, judges of the court; and John F. Coburn, clerk and recorder. John P. Widney carried the returns of the election to Auburn, as the cabins of Wes- ley Park and others were called. The journey was made on foot, following an old Indian trail, as there was no road. En route all the swamps were waded. Thomas L. Yates, one of the judges elected, was a very peculiar character. He wore a coarse huntin'-shirt and fox-skin cap when he took his seat on the bench, but for all his eccentricities, made an excellent judge.

The "second session but first regular" was held at the same place, Sep- tember 4, 1837. A full board was present, including Peter Fair, Samuel Widney and Isaac F. Beecher. John F. Coburn was clerk and Wesley Park sheriff. "Being detained by unavoidable circumstances from transacting business," they adjourned until the next day. On reassembling Samuel Eak- right was chosen road commissioner for the county; after which an order was passed "that the congressional township 34 north, range 13 east, be or- ganized as a township for judicial purposes, to be known as the name of Union township, and that townships 34 and 35 north, range 12 east, and townships 33 and 35 north, range 13 east, be attached thereto." It was also "ordered that Wesley Park be appointed supervisor for the road district No. I, comprising the whole of Union township, and all the lands lying within said township are allotted to said district."

Further, it was "ordered that the congressional township 34 north, range 14 east, be, and it is hereby organized as a civil township, to be known by the name of Wilmington township." Byron Bunnel was appointed super- visor.

And again it was "ordered that the congressional township 33 north, range 12 east, be, and it is hereby organized as a civil township, to be known by the name of Butler township." Andrew Surface was appointed supervisor.

It was at this meeting that money was first appropriated for current ex- penses of the county. The first order drawn was for $50.84, in favor of Wesley Park, and was to pay for these items: $8.00 for services as sheriff previous to the first session of the board, and as clerk during that session ; $16.69 for services as commissioner in laying out the Fort Wayne and Cold-

DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA.

water state road, and $26.15 for services as commissioner in laying out the Goshen and Defiance state road. Wesley McCan was allowed $2.96 for services as axman in laying out the road : Martin Van Fleet, $2.96 for acting as chairman at the same time; Lanslot Ingman, 311/4 cents for similar work; William Park, 311/4 cents as chainman, and $4.75 for laying out the Goshen and Defiance state road ; Seth W. Murray, $7.23 for service as commissioner in laying out the Fort Wayne and Coldwater state road; and Joseph Miller, $26.211/2 for surveying both the above mentioned roads. Joseph Miller was appointed the first county surveyor.

The only other business transacted at this first regular meeting was the allowance of the commissioners per diem, an item which comes up as regu- larly as the board meetings, several times each year. While the present sys- tem seems to cost quite a sum in the course of a year, it nevertheless is much less expensive than that in practice in Michigan, Illinois and other states, where, instead of three commissioners, there are from fifteen to twenty-five supervisors to draw mileage and pay.

The second regular session of the board was held in November, and, the governmental machinery of the county being now fairly set in motion, was pretty much like the sessions that have since been held at the appointed times for the transactions of routine business. At this second meeting Wesley Park was appointed school commissioner for the county.

At the January session, 1838, Jackson township was erected out of township 33 north, range 13 east, and John Watson was named as inspector of elections. An unique scale of licenses was adopted, fixing a tavern license at $20.00; each license to vend wooden clocks, $60; each license to exhibit a caravan, menagerie or other collection of animals, or show of wax figures or circus for each day, $40. The license of $60 for selling wooden clocks seems strangely large to us, who can go to any jewelry store and buy a clock for a dollar and a half, as far superior in value as inferior in price to the sort dis- tributed by the shrewd Yankee peddler of three-quarters of a century ago.

During the latter part of 1837 DeKalb county was organized, including the present township of Concord, and the fractional townships of Stafford and Newville. In March, 1838, the fractional township 34 north, range 15 east (now Stafford), was detached from DeKalb and annexed to Wilming- ton for civil purposes, and the name of DeKalb was changed to Concord.

In those days nearly all business men were obliged to pay licenses of various amounts, in addition to their ordinary taxes. Grocers, even, were laid under contribution, for March 7, 1838, in the commissioners' record an order was entered that the tax assessed to Thomas J. Freeman, for a license

DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA.

to vend foreign merchandise and foreign and domestic groceries for the cur- rent year be 85 cents, it appearing that the amount of his capital employed therein is $170.

Wesley Park, resigning the office of school commissioner, Robert Work was appointed his successor.

At the May session, 1838, the amount of bond for each constable in the county was fixed at five hundred dollars. The sum of two thousand dollars was also appropriated from the three per cent. fund for roads, as follows: Eight hundred dollars for the Goshen and Defiance state road; eight hundred dollars for the Fort Wayne and Coldwater state road; and four hundred dollars for the state road on the northwest side of the St. Joseph river. Several bridges were also ordered built. At the same session the commis- sioners fixed the poll tax for 1838 at seventy-five cents, and the property tax at a dollar thirty-five on each one hundred dollar valuation. Of this one dollar and thirty-five cents, eighty-five cents was for county revenue, and fifty cents for road purposes.

COUNTY JAIL.

Byron Bunnel, county agent, on May 9, 1838, was authorized by the commissioners to contract for the building of a jail at Auburn, if he could sell enough of the county lots, which had been deeded to the county by Wesley Park, to pay for the work. The following is the plan of the pro- posed jail: "Said jail to consist of one ground room, sixteen feet square in- side of the walls. The upper soil where the jail stands shall be removed and three sticks of timber one foot square and twenty feet long shall be bedded ten inches into the ground, twenty feet apart from the outside of the two extremes, upon which a floor shall be laid of timber, a foot thick and eight to sixteen inches wide, making a floor twenty feet square, upon which said jail shall be built of double walls on each side two feet thick. The inside wall shall be eight feet high between floors." The jail was to have a shingle roof and be lighted by one four-light window of eight by ten glass. It was to be secured by iron grates of inch-square bars running at right angles, three inches apart.

Bunnel proceeded to erect a jail, but he did not please the board by his methods. He was accused of selling the town lots at too low prices, and contracting debts before having the money to settle them. So, in March, 1839, he was summarily dismissed, and Thomas J. Freeman appointed in his

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DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA.

place. All orders for selling town lots and for building a jail were rescinded, although Bunnel was paid for what he had done. Freeman, Wesley Park and Nelson Payne were appointed as a building committee for the jail. This jail was completed on time, and was used by the county authorities for about twelve years.

On December 5, 1851, Jefferson Wallace contracted to build a county jail, gave bond, and was authorized to draw on the county funds to the extent of one thousand dollars. B. G. Cosgrove was the architect, and was allowed thirty dollars for his plan. In December, 1852, the board of com- missioners examined the completed building and accepted it. W. K. Streight, then sheriff, was instructed to bank the jail. Joshua R. Steves, later a resi- dent of Auburn, acting for Wallace, did the painting required and the county had a fairly secure place. Many notorious criminals were confined in this building, such as Mrs. Knapp, who murdered her husband, and while in jail attempted to kill herself by the "hara kari" method; "Michigan Bill." who made good his escape from the jail.

When the next jail was contracted for in 1875. the old building was moved east to the northeast corner of Cedar and Ninth streets, and was fitted up for fire quarters, and a meeting place for the town board.

The next jail was contracted for on January 16, 1875, by William Crane, James R. Duncan and Harmon Lydecker. T. J. Tolan & Son, of Toledo, were the architects. The structure was completed at a total cost of $28 .- 647.78, and was equipped with triple grates, and the most modern Scandi- navian locks. Twenty-nine thousand dollars worth of ten per cent. short time bonds were issued by the county, to cover the expense of building. The first man imprisoned in this jail was George Hobnich, then serving a term of ninety days for larceny. Lewis Abbott, who murdered Francis Houlton on March 18, 1878, was incarcerated here prior to his trial, and conviction, and sentence for life in prison. Levi Kessler, who murdered Alexius T. Harner on December 14. 1885 was also kept here.

Upon the erection of the new DeKalb county court house, arrangements are being made to remove the old jail from the court yard, and on the lot just north of the new city hall to construct a new and modern jail. Ap- propriations have not yet been made, but plans have been asked for, and active work will soon begin.

DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA.

COURT HOUSE HISTORY.

The first court of DeKalb county has already been described as being held in the cabin owned by Wesley Park, the pioneer of the town of Auburn. A schoolhouse was afterward erected, and for a time court was held in this building. A dilapidated stove in this place supplied the heat, and a rough platform of boards was built at one end, and given the name of the "bar."

FIRST COURT HOUSE.

At the May session, 1840, of the commissioners court, the county officials having determined to build a court house on the public square, Thomas J. Freeman, Wesley Park and Nelson Payne were appointed super- intendents for the construction of such a building. Its dimensions were to be "thirty feet north and south, and forty feet east and west, six feet of which shall be a portico, four feet to stairs and wood rooms, leaving court house thirty feet long. Two front doors and an alley from each to circle fronting the judge's bench which was to be elevated a few feet above the floor. The clerk's seat and table to be in front of the bench. The criminal's box also to be in front of the bench. The rooms to be lighted by eleven twenty-four-light windows above and below. The front of the portico to be supported by four turned pillars fifteen inches in diameter." The cost of this building was to be defrayed by the sale of lots belonging to the county, excepting those required to pay for the jail or set aside for other reasons. In the commissioners session, 1841, the plan of the court house was received, entered into detail of structure, and date of July 1, 1842, selected as the time to begin work on the structure. Bids were called for, and James Hite, a carpenter, living southeast of Auburn, took the contract for eight hundred dollars. He was assisted by Lyman Chidsey to put up the frame. The work seems to have dragged, as Judge Mott said that when he came here, in the summer of 1843, the public square around the court house was partially logged, but burned off, and the frame of the court house was up, but not inclosed. In the fall of this year the frame was completed, and on April 29, 1844, the court held their first session in the new structure.

SECOND COURT HOUSE.

On June 4, 1863, the contract for the second court house was awarded to A. Wheelock, William Valleau and John A. Mckay. The consideration

DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA.

was $23,372, half in cash and the balance in county orders, and it was to be completed December 1, 1864.

Nothing much was done until the spring of 1864, at which time work on the building was resumed, and was pushed forward rapidly. On July Ist, the bell, weighing six hundred pounds, was brought by rail to Waterloo, thence by team to Auburn. It was manufactured by B. W. Coffin & Com- pany, at the Buckeye Bell Foundry, Cincinnati, Ohio. By the last of July, the dome of the court house neared completion, and on contract time the work was finished and accepted by the county commissioners. The building completed, contained six hundred thousand brick, three thousand perch of field stone, or boulders, one thousand superficial feet of cut stone, thirty- three thousand six hundred pounds of iron joists. The foundation was laid to the top of the ground with common field stone, and faced with Sandusky limestone. The building was divided on the first floor into four offices, twenty-one by twenty-four feet, each with fireproof vaults. The court- room was in the second story. The tower was eighty feet high, and sur- mounted by a flagstaff, supporting a metallic eagle at one hundred and fifteen feet above the sidewalk.

THE NEW COURT HOUSE.

Now in the process of erection, and to be finished during the early months of 1914, the county of DeKalb has a truly magnificent court house. The building, architecturally, is worthy of the ancient Greek and Roman art. The beauty of design, richness of ornament, and quality of material, is un- surpassed in the state of Indiana.

The old court house had been for many years deemed unfit for use, and the floor space inadequate for the increasing need. In 1910, the subject of a new court house, one that might stand for decade after decade, combining the most modern and efficient features, was talked of by the county officials and inhabitants.

The first appropriation for the new structure was made on September 9, 1910, when two hundred dollars was set aside for use in inspecting build- ings in other counties of the state, with the view that a court house best suited to the needs of DeKalb county might be secured. The county commission- ers duly set forth on a tour of inspection through Indiana. Several of the leading cities were visited on the trip. On February 13th, the board met with several architects, and after thoroughly going over with them the proposed plans, Mahurin & Mahurin, of Fort Wayne, were decided on for

DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA.

the drafting of the plan. On February 15, 1910, the plans were formally accepted, and filed with the county auditor. At the August meeting, 1910, a requisition for two hundred and fifty thousand dollars was made for the con- struction of the new court house. Bids were asked for on May 4, 1911, and there were ten different bidders for the work. J. B. Goodall, of Peru, was successful, having bid one hundred and eighty-five thousand seven hundred and fifty-seven dollars, with an allowance of three hundred dollars for the old court house.

On May 8th, the workmen began to raze the old court house, using dynamite in places. This work of destruction was completed in two weeks.

The corner-stone was laid with fitting ceremonies on July 27, 1911. Thomas R. Marshall, then governor of the state, delivered a pleasing address.

The court house dimensions are: North and south, one hundred and forty-six feet ; east and west, one hundred and thirty-two feet; height, eighty feet. The stone used in the construction of the building is Bedford oolitic limestone, quarried near the city of Bloomington, Indiana. The handsome marble used in the interior of the structure is Vermont marble of number one quality, not a slab of number two being in use. Grenito floors, composed of cement and marble chips, are laid and in the lobbies and rotundas there is a well designed tile floor. The court room, commissioners' room, and libraries, are laid with a cork floor, to heighten the accoustic properties, and at the same time insure silence. The dome is capped with art glass, illum- inated by sixty electric lights in a surrounding trough at the base. The woodwork in the building is all of quarter-sawed oak; this includes the paneling in the courtroom. The court room is decorated with pure leaf gold, and is constructed with the aid of the most modern accoustic arrange- ments with a minimum of silence. Electric light, gas, water, and the latest vacuum cleaning apparatus are installed. Lavatories are on each floor, and washstands in every room of the building.

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History of Dekalb County, Indiana, with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of old families, Part 7

Author: B.F. Bowen & Co., Pub Publication date: 1914 Publisher: Indianapolis : B.F. Bowen Number of Pages: 1182

Author: B.F. Bowen & Co., Pub
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Indianapolis : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1182