USA > Indiana > Greene County > History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana > Part 8
USA > Indiana > Sullivan County > History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana > Part 8
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TOWNSHIPS OR TOWNS.
Congres- sional Revenue.
Common School Revenue.
Liquor License.
Total School Revenue.
Richland
$91 02
$1,442 36
$38 99
$1,572 04
Taylor
51 99
~23 80
22 09
867 88
Cass
23 20
367 72
9 86
400 78
Jackson
79 60
1,261 35
33 81
1,374 76
Center
55 40
877 96
23 54
956 90
Beech Creek.
61 43
973 45
26 10
1,060 98
Highland
33 10
524 50
14 06
571 66
Fairplay
20 15
319 26
8 56
347 97
Smith
26 17
414 75
11 12
452 04
Wright.
49 29
781 05
20 98
851 27
Stockton
47 40
751 12
20 13
818 65
Stafford
31 39
497 42
13 33
542 14
Washington
46 41
735 44
19 72
801 57
Jefferson
26 71
423 30
11 35
461 36
Worthington
37 06
587 22
15 74
640 02
Grant
25 90
410 48
11 00
447 88
Totals
$706 22
$11,191 18
$300 00
$12,197 40
In 1848, there were 4,917 children of school age in the county; in 1851, there were 4,928; in 1857, there were 6,004; in 1865, there were 6,723; in 1867, there were 6,942; in 1876, there were 8,218; in 1878,
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
there were 8,450: and in 1883 there were 7,852. The entire school rev- enue distributed to the townships in 1857 amounted to $6,043.01; in 1867, to $13,360.05; and in 1883 to $12,197.40. In 1882, there were nine brick schoolhouses, 134 frame and no log. Value of schoolhouses and grounds, $70, 700; value of apparatus, $5,840; volumes in township libraries, 2,378; number of private schools during the year, 23; number of teachers, 25; the decrease in school children from 1881 to 1882 was 158. Late in the decade of forties and early in the decade of fifties, Greene, with all other counties of the State, was called upon to vote on the question of having free schools. The following statement shows the result of these elections:
BALLOT ON THE FREE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
TOWNSHIPS.
1848 .*
1850.
1851.
For. Against.
For. Against.
For. Against.
Richland
86
163
187
55
188
44
Taylor.
136
62
148
47
Jackson
33
128
97
85
128
60
Center
11
211
37
185
101
123
Beech Creek.
6
161
23
137
81
82
Highland
20
134
54
97
81
61
Fairplay.
16
60
48
24
64
16
Eel River.
40
46
70
38
80
25
Smith
61
53
31
18
38
12
Wright
25
75
40
84
61
58
Stockton
41
62
64
47
76
34
Stafford
15
58
26
44
35
32
Washington
11
44
41
40
56
22
Cass ..
67
44
88
17
Jefferson
53
28
58
22
Plummer
109
165
Totale
474
1460
974
988
1278
655
* In 1848, Plummer Township comprised Taylor and Cass, and Jefferson was a part of Smith.
This table shows the change in sentiment in the county on the ques- tion of free schools from 1848 to 1851. The result in 1849 cannot be given.
In 1883, the number of acres in the county was 347,097.61; the value of land was $2,913,692; the value of improvements, $767,490; value of lots $87,135; value of improvements, $252,830; value of per- sonal property, $1,900,076; total value of taxables, $5,921,223; total tax, $108,287.99; number of polls, 3,683.
EARLY JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
Edmund Jean, John B. Kelshaw, William Clark, James Warnick, Peter Ingersoll, O. T. Barker, Frederick Slinkard, John Seaman, John Breece, Abel Burlingame, John Gardner, 1821; Joseph Kirkpatrick, Henry Littlejohn, Peter Arlester, 1822; Benson Jones, Robert Bartley,
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Samuel Hite, John Hill, J. W. Hines, 1824; James Storm, John Crooks, John Goldsley, 1825; Leonard Wines, E. P. Cushman, William Clark, Samuel Daugherty, John Storm, Frederick Slinkard, 1826; P. V. Hollis- ter, 1827; John F. O'Neall, Elijah Veach, Henry Littlejohn, Richard Wright, Micajah Rust, John Robeson, Benjamin Herry, David Deem, John B. Kelshaw, Elisha Graves, 1828; Elisha P. Cushman, Thomas Clark, 1829; Charles Walker, John Burch, Frederick Hendricks, Stephen Stone, Jesse Rainbolt, John Goldsley, Aaron Brewer, James W. Riley, 1830; George Sarver, William Johnson, Leonard Wines, George K. Tay- lor, J. B. Ferrel, Raleigh Hopper, 1831; Jacob Dobbins, Abe Bugher, 1832; Isaac Anderson, F. O. Donald, Daniel Harrah, W. F. Williams, L. D. Ellis, J. A. Pegg, J. F. O'Neal, Samuel Markley, Andrew Wood- ruff, 1833; Moses Ritter, Martin Wines, Ephraim Owen, Amos Owen, John Bullock, John Cochran, Jacob Young, 1834; James M. Gaston, John Abrams, Lewis Story, E. P. Cushman, Elisha Knox, 1835; Joseph Smith, Samuel Ferguson, John M. Coffey, Alexander Poe, Drury B. Boyd, John B. Ferrel, 1836; Jesse Brasher, Eleazer Spooner, Jacob Dobbins, W. M. Norris, Samuel Batman, 1837; Samuel Freeman, Abner Goodwin, Richard Wright, James M. Gastineau, J. F. O'Neall, Andrew Caress, W. F. Williams, J. S. Osborn, James B. Spooner, John Hill, P. M. O'Haver, 1838; W. J. McIntosh, Vincent Lester, Amos Owen, Martin Wines, John Cochran, Henry Strickland, Henry Owen, Ephraim Jackson, James S. Freeman, George Johnson, Harmon Hartley, Drury B. Boyd, 1839; James M. Gaston, Levi Chapman, John Burch, Thomas Butler, William Burch, E. P. Cushman, 1840.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
Thomas Plummer, David Deem, Peter Herrington, March, 1821; Jon- athan Lindley, May, 1822; Hiram Hayward, 1823 (at the September term, 1824, the County Justices began doing county business, continuing until 1827); Jonathan Lindley, Benson Jones and John Crooks, Novem- ber, 1827; Stephen Stone, 1828; James Warnick, 1829; Samuel Simons, 1830; Benson Jones, 1830; Joel Sexson, 1832; Benson Jones, 1833; Samuel Simons, 1833 (in September, 1834, the County Justices again took control and continued until 1837); Samuel Simons, 1837; William O'Neall, 1837; Jesse Rainbolt, 1837; William O'Neall, 1838; Jesse Rain- bolt, 1839; Samuel Simons, 1840; William O'Neall, 1841; Frederick Slinkard, 1842; James Fuller, 1842; Samuel Simons, 1843; Alfred L. Kutch, 1844; James Fuller, 1845; Samuel Simons, 1846; A. L. Kutch, 1847; Jesse Rainbolt, 1847; Adam Stropes, 1847; Jeremiah Stone, 1847; Samuel Simons, 1849; A. L. Kutch, 1850; Jeremiah Stone, 1850; Sam- uel Simons, 1852; Aaron Hagaman, 1853; Abraham Spainhower, 1853; Jeremiah Stone, 1853; Aaron Hagaman, 1854; Adam Stropes, 1856; An- drew Raper, 1857; Aaron Hagaman, 1857; Aaron Bland, 1858, Abra-
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
ham Spainhower, 1858; Aaron Hagaman, 1859; J. F. Jamison, 1860; Abraham Spainhower, 1861; John Jones, 1861; G. C. Morgan, 1862; J. F. Jamison, 1863; John Jones. 1864; G. C. Morgan, 1865; William Hert, 1866; John G. Owen, 1866; David Bonham, 1867; John R. Hud- son, 1869; Wilson Humphreys. 1870; J. M. Cravens, 1870; Jacob Nel- linger, 1872; William C. Winters, 1872; Frank Stalcup, 1873; J. M. Cravens, 1873; Elijah Robbitt, 1875; Carpus N. Shaw, 1876; Frank Stalcup, 1876; John R. Hudson, 1878; Abraham Spainhower, 1879; Wilson Humphreys, 1879; Moses Crockett, 1881; John Miller, Jr., 1882; Robert T. McKee, 1882; Moses Crockett, 1884.
TREASURERS.
John Owen, April 6, 1821; Hallet B. Dean, February, 1824; Norman W. Pearce, January, 1827; Moses Ritter, 1832; Samuel D. Chipman, 1834; Elisha P Cushman, 1835; John Hill, 1841; William Mason, 1843; Joseph Lyons, 1852; James Harrah, 1856; J. B. Stropes, 1858; D. A. Bynum, 1862; Henry C. Owen, 1866; David Butcher, 1870; H. V. Nor- vell, 1874: H. T. Neal, 1878; E. R. Stropes, 1882.
AUDITORS.
Thomas Warnick (ex-officio), 1821; Samuel R. Cavins (ex-officio), 1835; Thomas Carson (elected), 1841; Samuel R. Cavins (ex-oficio), 1846; John Jones, 1853; Joseph Lyons, 1859; O. T. Barker, 1867; Jason N. Conley, 1871; William R. Stropes, 1874; John L. Harrel, 1878.
CLERK8.
Thomas Warnick, April 27, 1821 (commissioned for seven years, but continued to serve until 1830); Thomas Warnick, 1830; Samuel R. Ca- vins, 1835; John M. Humphreys, 1855; John J. Milam, 1859; John T. Smith, 1865; D. Whitaker, 1870; J. F. Slinkard, 1878; Henry Gasti. neau, 1882.
RECORDERS.
George Shroyer, 1821; Thomas Warnick, 1827; Samuel R. Cavins 1835; E. P. Cushman, 1855; John B. Cushman, 1858; Hughes East, 1859; J. T. Oliphant, 1867; Daniel B. Hatfield, 1870; John A. Pate, 1878.
SHERIFFS.
Thomas Bradford, January 5, 1821; John Seaman, August 1821; George Baber, 1824; Cornelius Bogard, 1828; John Crooks, 1830; G. R. H. Moore, 1834; John R. Dixson, 1838; James Vanslyke, 1842; E. E. Beasley, 1846; William J. McIntosh, 1850; William G. Moss, 1856; John D. Killian, 1860; William G. Moss, 1864; F. M. Dugger, 1866; H. S. Slinkard, 1870; F. M. Dugger, 1872; Daniel M. Bynum, 1876; Joseph J. Sexson, 1880; E. A. Bonhaver, 1882.
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
CORONERS.
Eli Dixson, January 5, 1821; Cornelius Bogard, August 1821; J. B. Landers, 1824; Vincent Lester, 1825; Stephen Stalcup, 1828; John A. Pegg, 1830; Samuel Steel, 1834; W. T. Wright, 1836; W. C. Hicks, 1837; Henry Kelsey, 1838; W. C. Hicks, 1839; Samuel C. Greene, 1843; John Cole, 1845; Jacob Bland, 1848; Eli Sparks, 1850; Edward West, 1852; William W. Gamey, 1854; John W. Osborn, 1856; Squire Flinn, 1857; John Bledsoe, 1860; J. G. Warnick, 1861; Doctor Holt, 1862; George Steele, 1864; Robert.Baker, 1866; Richard Hardesty, 1870; Rob- ert Baker, 1872; David Armstrong, 1876; Newton Heaton, 1878; J. O. Burbank, 1879; William Axe, 1880.
SURVEYORS.
John Stokely, 1821; Mark O'Neall, August 1821; Hance Stalcup 1831; Philander Burr, 1853; Alexander Plummer, 1855; C. M. Moss, 1861; James D. Knapp, 1865: Alexander Plummer, 1870; W. W. Clug- ston, 1876; Frank Shepard, 1878; F. M. Parker, 1879.
SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS, EXAMINERS AND SUPERINTENDENTS.
Carpus Shaw, 1835; William Mason, 1842; W. D. Lester, 1843; A. S. Rhodes, 1847; John B. Stropes, 1847; W. D. Lester, 1848; Elisha P. Cushman, 1850-53 (end of Commissioners). John R. Hudson, June 1853; E. H. C. Cavins, December 1853; William Mack, March 1854; S. L. Stoddard, 1856; A. J. Axtell, 1856; William Mack, 1856; same three for 1857; David L. Osborn, 1858; William Mack, 1858; A. J. Axtell, 1858; H. C. Hill, 1859, vice Mack; H. C. Hill, 1861; A. J. Axtell, 1861; James A. Dagley, 1861; John T. Smith, June 1861 (under the new law ap- proved March 11, 1861); Henry C. Hill, September 1861, vice Smith gone to the war; John R. Isenhower, 1864; Lewis B. Edwards, 1867; R. O. Hilburn, 1871-73 (end of Examiners); R. C. Hilbarn, first County Su- perintendent, June 1873; S. W. Axtell, autumn of 1876-84.
STATE SENATORS AND THE COUNTIES REPRESENTED.
Thomas H. Blake, 1821, Greene, Sullivan, Vigo, Owen and Parke; John Jenckes, 1822-25, Greene, Sullivan, Vigo, Owen, Parke and Put- nam; John M. Coleman, 1825, Greene, Sullivan, Vigo, Parke, Putnam, Hendricks, Morgan, Owen, Montgomery, Vermillion and Clay; David H. Maxwell, 1826-30, Greene, Owen and Monroe; James Whitcomb, 1830- 36, Greene, Owen, Monroe; David M. Dobson, 1836-44, Greene and Owen; John F. Allison, 1844-47, Greene and Owen; Lovell H. Rousseau, 1847-50, Greene and Owen; Jesse J. Alexander, 1850-58, Greene and Owen; Jason N. Conley, 1858-63, Greene and Owen; George W. Moore, 1863-67, Greene and Owen; John Humphreys, 1867-71, Greene and Owen; Wiley E. Dillemore, 1871-75, Greene and Owen; Andrew Hum-
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
phreys, 1875-77, Greene and Daviess; David J. Hefron, 1877-83, Greene and Daviess; Jacob F. McIntosh, 1883-, Greene and Daviess.
STATE REPRESENTATIVES AND THE COUNTIES COMPOSING THE DISTRICT.
Hugh Barnes, 1822, Greene, Owen and Morgan; Eli Dixson, 1823, same; David Harris, 1824, same; John Sims, 1825, same and Clay; Eli Dixson, 1826, Greene and Owen; Thomas F. G. Adams, 1827, same; John M. Young, 1828, same; Eli Dixson, 1829-30, same; James Galletly, 1830, same; George Baber, 1831, Greene; Drury B. Boyd, 1832-33, Greene; Joseph P. Storm, 1834-37, Greene; Drury B. Boyd, 1837, Greene; John F. Allison, 1838-40, Greene; James S. Freeman, 1840, Greene; John F. O'Neall, 1841-44, Greene; Lovell H. Rousseau, 1844-46, Greene; John Jones, 1346, Greene; Stephen Lockwood, 1847, Greene; Richard H. Rousseau, 1848, Greene; Andrew Humphreys, 1849-51, Greene; A. Ham, 1851-52, Greene; John W. Ferguson, 1853, Greene; Andrew
Humphreys, 1857, Greene; Elijah H. C. Cavins, 1858, Greene; # William G. Moss, 1861-62, Greene; John M. Humphreys, 1863;
Thomas Mason, 1867-71, Greene; James A. Minick, 1871, Greene; John R. Isenhower, 1872-75, Greene; M. C. Fulk, 1875-76, Greene; James R. Baxter, 1877, Greone; - Humphreys, Greene; Jacob P. McIntosh and Enoch Fuller, 1881, Greene; Alexander S. Helms, 1882, Greene.
POLITICAL BUMMARY.
The early political history of the county is enveloped in comparative obscurity. No records were kept, and the early actors are gone; so that nothing but the names of a few of the prominent county politicians of that day can be given. John F. O'Neall was a prominent Democrat, and it is said afterward became a Whig. Martin Wines, of Linton was a leading Whig. J. F. Allison came on the stage a little later, as an in- fluential Whig. Eli Dixson, Thomas Warnick and Thomas Bradford were strong Democrats and excellent men. They served the county in various official positions with fidelity. Samuel R. Cavins was a prominent Whig, and occupied the offices of Recorder Auditor and Clerk, for a long period of years, regardless of the fact that the county was strongly Democratic. He was one of the most exemplary citizens ever a resident of Greene County. W. C. McIntosh was one of the foremost of the Democrats. Drury B. Boyd was also a politician of the same party. The Stones of Jackson Township were Democrats. Joel B. Sexson and Jesse Rainbolt were Whigs. The Rousseaus and H. L. Livingston were Whigs, and men far above the average in mental comprehension. Andrew Hum- phrey took part in county politics as early as late in the forties, and since that day to the present has wielded powerful influence in not only the county but in this portion of the State. His activity and fitness in
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
the game of politics has been excelled probably by no other resident of the county. He is highly respected as a standard bearer of Democracy. Frederick Slinkard, an excellent man was a Democrat, and John Yarnell was another. John Ferguson, Ed Beasley, S. H. Lockwood were Whigs. William G. Moss has for years been a leading Democrat. The county has no better citizen or politician. E. H. C. Cavins came into the arena as a candidate for the Legislature in 1858. He was elected and became at once popular. Ladies flocked to hear him. His presence and location were made known on public occasions by collections of crinoline. He became the author of several important laws, one having the summoning of juries in the Common Pleas Court on the third day instead of on the first day as previously, a practice which is yet followed. On another important bill, his minority report in committee was accepted by the majority, and became the law. John Thomson and John C. Ferguson were two of the very few Abolitionists in comparatively early times; George Ritchey was another. N. C. Parker was a Free-Soiler; much more of a similar character might be said. The county was Democratic until the close of the last war, at which time the Republicans gained the ascendency. Several changes have since been made. The following in tabular form is the result of every Presidential election since 1844, given by townships:
NOVEMBER, 1844.
. DEMOCRAT. WHIG.
TOWNSHIPS.
Polk and Dallas.
Clay and Frelinghuysen.
Richland
159
259
Plummer
116
38
Jackson
72
37
Center
116
54
Beech Creek.
72
75
Highland
34
42
Eel River
40
82
Fairplay
43
76
Smith.
33
29
Wright
83
11
Stockton
54
23
Stafford
47
31
Washington
40
5
Totals
909
762
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
NOVEMBER, 1848.
DEMOCRAT.
FREE-
TOWNSHIPS.
Cass and Butler.
WHIG. Taylor and Fillmore.
Van Buren and Adams.
Richland
75
176
2
Plummer
158
95
4
Jackson
85
92
Center
111
98
Beech Creek.
74
92
Highland
70
80
Fairplay
22
47
Eel River
29
70
Smith
94
64
Wright.
65
17
Stockton
59
44
Stafford.
31
28
Washington.
47
15
-
Totals
921
918
6
NOVEMBER, 1852.
DEMOCRAT. WHIG.
FREE-BOIL.
TOWNSHIPS.
Pierce and King.
Scott and Graham.
Hale and Julian.
Richland
69
166
-
Taylor
104
83
4
Jackson
104
86
Center
126
75
Beech Creek
52
67
Highland
50
88
Fairplay
21
32
Eel River
34
52
Smith
19
26
Wright
71
40
Stockton
88
49
Stafford
44
26
Washington.
55
9
Cass
84
32
Jefferson
30
53
Totals
950
884
4
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
NOVEMBER, 1856.
DEMOCRAT. REPUBLICAN. AMERICAN.
TOWNSHIPS.
Buchanan and Breckinridge.
Fremont and Dayton.
Fillmore and Donaldson.
Beech Creek
93
60
18
Highland.
72
32
50
Eel River
27
36
27
Jefferson
29
51
43
Smith
21
25
24
Wright
93
21
20
Stockton
116
58
20
Fairplay
24
4
22
Richland
100
31
139
Center
179
54
Taylor
127
49
41
Jackson
85
5
40
Washington.
90
1
19
Stafford
73
6
17
Totals
1,129
379
534
NOVEMBER, 1860. REPUBLICAN. DEMOCRAT. DEMOCRAT. UNION.
TOWNSHIPS.
Lincoln. and Hamlin.
Douglas
Breckinridge. and Lano.
Bell and Everett.
Richland
217
96
2
3
Taylor.
122
144
18
.1
Jackson.
138
71
79
4
Center.
83
148
62
3
Beech Creek
143
111
11
Highland
84
97
-
1
Eel River
54
44
4
Jefferson.
121
56
1
-
1
-
Smith
72
37
5
Wright.
71
97
19
Stockton.
127
117
3
Stafford
36
71
2
1
Washington
56
107
Cass
33
92
2
3
Totals.
1,420
1,316
204
20
-
-
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Fairplay
63
28
Cass
Johnson.
80
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
NOVEMBER, 1864.
REPUBLICAN.
TOWNSHIPS.
DEMOCRAT. Mcclellan and Pendleton.
Lincoln and Johnson.
Eel River
34
47
Stafford
80
32
Cass
93
23
Stockton
158
88
Fairplay
38
42
Wright
153
44
Center
169
96
Smith
33
59
Beech Creek
127
137
Taylor.
140
85
Richland
107
187
Jefferson
47
99
Washington
116
135
Highland
94
77
Jackson
127
161
Totals
1515
1212
NOVEMBER, 1868.
TOWNSHIPS.
DEMOCRAT. Seymour and Blair.
Grant and Colfax.
Smith
39
95
Eel River
29
62
Wright
140
126
Beech Creek
123
219
Richland
115
292
Jefferson
94
128
Jackson
147
197
Washington
178
65
Highland
112
134
Stockton
223
152
Stafford
121
56
Cass
132
26
Fairplay
48
93
Center
207
131
Taylor
152
157
Totale
1860
1933
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REPUBLICAN.
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. NOVEMBER, 1872.
LIBERAL
BOURBON
REPUBLICAN.
REPUBLICAN. DEMOCRAT.
TOWNSHIPS.
Grant and Wilson.
Greeley and
O'Conor and
Richland
269
105
1
Taylor
162
133
3
Jackson
183
162
Center
123
186
2
Highland
125
91
Beech Creek.
210
125
Eel River
59
17
Wright
133
120
Fairplay
99
29
-
Smith
87
36
1
Stockton
90
121
5
Stafford
72
98
Washington
96
158
-
Cass.
43
98
38
Jefferson
198
119
Grant
54
42
-
Totals
2,003
1,640
49
NOVEMBER, 1876. REPUBLICAN. DEMOCRAT. INDEPENDENT.
TOWNSHIPS.
Hayes and Wheeler.
Tilden and Hendricks.
Cooper and Cary. 66
Center
153
158
Washington.
110
197
11
Grant
53
72
9
Fairplay
111
64
8
Cass
48
146
2
Richland
300
153
29
Eel River
52
26
-
Smith
74
52
25
Wright
160
172
7
Stockton
117
173
3
Jefferson
227
149
9
Jackson
201
196
38
Taylor.
173
145
7
Highland
114
108
29
Beech Creek
235
155
23
Stafford
79
137
3
Totals
2,107
2,203
269
-
-
-
-
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Brown.
Julian.
82
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
NOVEMBER, 1880.
REPUBLICAN. DEMOCRAT. INDEPENDENT.
TOWNSHIPS.
Garfield and Arthur.
Hancock and English.
Weaver and Chambers.
Richland
367
186
18
Taylor
168
159
14
Jackson
268
163
23
Center.
137
159
72
Beech Creek
254
152
17
Highland
128
123
-
Eel River
49
30
Fairplay
95
73
6
Smith
90
69
21
Wright
150
166
9
Stockton
122
200
5
Stafford
99
158
Washington
137
196
1
Cass
49
140
2
Jefferson
253
154
3
Grant
9.0
87
1
Totals
2,456
2,245
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CHAPTER VI.
BY COL. B. H. C. CAVINS.
FIRST TERM OF THE CIRCUIT COURT-" FIAT JUSTICIA RUAT COELUM"- EARLY PRACTICES-FIRST JURY TRIAL-FIRST NATURALIZATION PA- PERS-THE MURDER OF ISAAC EDWARDS-SLANDER-FIRST COURT AT BLOOMFIELD-DIVORCE CASES-THE PROBATE COURT-PENSIONS-NEW COURT HOUSE-FIRST CASE " AD QUAD DAMNUM "-JOHN DOE VS. RICH- ARD ROE-EMINENT MEN-AN " AFFAIR OF HONOR"-THE ROUSSEAUS- WOMAN'S RIGHTS THE BLACK CREEK MILL DAM-THE MURDER OF PHOEBE GRAVES-MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS-THE MURDER OF WILLIAM WALKER-EXECUTION OF HIRAM BLEND-REMINISCENCES.
THE first term of Circuit Court held in Greene County was held at
T the residence of Thomas Bradford, one mile south of Bloomfield, in September, 1821. J. Doty was President Judge; John S. Buskirk, Associate Judge; Thomas Warnick, Clerk; and Thomas Bradford, Sheriff. The Clerk was not required to give surety on his bond. Henry Merrick and Amory Kinney were admitted to practice as attorneys. Henry Merrick was appointed Prosecuting Attorney. Amory Kinney was after- ward well known throughout the State as an eminent Judge The first
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
grand jury was composed of thirteen jurors-John O'Neall, John Slink. ard, Benson Jones, John Goldsberry, Reuben Hill, James Smith, Levi Fellows, Jonathan Lindley, Benjamin Hashaw, Cornelius Bogard, Cor- nelius P. Vanslyke, Eli Faucett and Joseph Ramsomers.
Col. Levi Fellows was appointed foreman of the jury. The first court docket has written on the back and first leaf, in prominent and bold letters, this motto: " Fiat Justicia Ruat Coelum"-(Let justice prevail if the Heavens fall).
. The docket for this term of court contained two cases only. The first was Thomas Mounts against Zebulon Hogue, and the action was styled, " Trespass on the case for slander." It appears that even in that early day, when only a few settlers had gathered together, and when they needed each other's sympathy and assistance, that the strong passion of malignity invaded the settlements, and arrayed one neighbor against another, and that they finally resorted to the courts for redress. But in this instance it also appears that finally " the better angel of their nature" prevailed, and the cause was dismissed. The probability is, that these litigants made friends, as on the same day Mr. Hogue went on Mr. Mounts' bond as surety for his appearance at the next term of court. The other case on the docket at the first term of court was Benjamin Hashaw against Thomas Mounts, and was styled, "Trespass on the case for debt." This case was also dismissed. At this term of court, Mr. Mounts seems to have monopolized the business of being defendant in court. The grand jury returned four indictments, and they were continued until the next term. The Associate Judges were paid by the county. The firet action of the Commissioners in 1822 was to issue an order to pay the salary of Judge John S. Buskirk for the year 1821. His salary was not as large as Judges' salaries were at a later period in history, his salary for the year being $2. Judge Buskirk was a prominent and leading man in the early settlement of the county, and a relative of the numerous family of Buskirks who have ornamented the bench and bar of the State.
THE SECOND TERM OF COURT.
The February term, 1822, of the court was held at the same place as the preceding term. It was held by Associate Judges Thomas Bradford and John S. Buskirk. Thomas Warnick was Clerk, and was continuously Clerk until 1835. John Seaman was Sheriff, and continuous!y so until 1829. Addison Smith was appointed Prosecuting Attorney. Craven P. Hester, Thomas H. Blake, Joseph Warner and Addison Smith were ad- mitted to practice as attorneys, "they having produced their proper license." The grand jurors were Robert Anderson, Alexander Plummer, Richard Benson, Hiram Hayward, William Clark, Edmund Gillum, John Breece, Jonathan Sanders, Peter Ingersoll, Samuel C. Hall, Eli Faucett, Isaac Hubbell and William Bynum.
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
At this term four indictments were returned. On two of the indict- ments returned in 1821, the Prosecuting Attorney entered a nolle pros- equi, one was continued, and on the other there was a trial by jury. This was the first trial by jury ever had in the Circuit Court in the county. It was on a charge of assault and battery, and against Daniel Carlin. The assault and battery was said to be on Peter C. Vanslyke. The jury was composed of Joseph Smith, Orange Monroe, James Stalcup, William Scott, Isaac Hicks, Thomas Stalcup, John S. Warner, David Deem, Abel Burlingame, Aaron Stepam, Stephen Dixon and Jonathan Osborn. Craven P. Hester appeared for the defendant. The jury found the de- fondant guilty, and assessed his fine at $1. A motion for new trial was made, and overruled, and excepted to. A motion in arrest of judgment was made, and held under advisement until next term, at which time the motion was sustained and the defendant discharged.
At this February term, 1822, one man pleaded guilty to an indictment that was returned, and was " censured by the court," and fined $1.50. Philip Shintaffer, one of the earliest settlers, was a man of considerable notoriety. He was famous for ox driving, and it is said at one time, he owned sixteen yokes of oxen, and could drive as well without as with a road. He was noted for having a quick temper, which often brought him to grief. At this term, he appeared in court, and caused to be spread upon the record a retraction of a slander against one of his neighbors. He figured extensively as defendant in State prosecutions, and Judge Kinney, his attorney, realized that in one respect he was a law-abiding man, in this, that he always paid his attorneys' fees at the end of a law suit, and that suit was his attorneys' suit.
At this term Robert Anderson, an emigrant from Scotland was natur- alized, being the first person who received naturalization papers in Greene County.
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