USA > Indiana > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton County, Indiana : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 18
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The road, as now built, comes into the county on the cast sido from Madison County, about forty-five rods south of the northeast corner of the seathenst quarter of Section 29, Township 19 north, Range 6 cast ; running thence in a southwest direction to a point about one milo cast of Noblesville, where it changes and rons ia a westerly direction through Westfield to a point about three quarters of a mile west of Eagletown, from which point it bears to the northwest, leaving the county about one hundred rod- north of the southwest corner of Section 31, Township 19 north, Range 3 east, at a distance of about ono half mile west of Jolictaville.
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, INDIANA.
INIHANAPOLIS, DELTTHI A CHICAGO BAR ROAD.
As early as 1873, the question of a narrow-gange railroad, designed to ronneet, first Delphi, in Carroll County, with Chicago, traversing the vast extent of productive territory between those two points; then, so extending the line thereof as to connect, primarily, Indianapolis and Chicago, but remotely to utilize the intermediate points as important auxiliaries, began ( be extensively canvassed, with a view to the attainment of these objects, At a meeting held in Indianapolis, on the Fith uf February, Is75, it was made to appear that all the line of said road between Delphi and Chicago had already lwen placed under contract, Dr. Hayward, President of the road, making the Malement that $100,000 bad already been expended in the construction of the read-bed, and other preliminary wink. The road at that time was known as the Indianapolis, Delphi & Chicago Railroad, but more recently, by the terms of' a contract entered into, the branch between t'hieago and Indianapolis berate an important link
On the strength of this latter connecting link, an interest began to be developed in some of the townships of this county. This development took Torm, when the citizens of' Adams Township, on the 3d of May, 1875, filed their petition, praying for an order of the board, authorizing them to vote an appropriation of two per cent on the taxable value of all the real and personal property in the township, as a subsidy to aid in the construction of the Indian- spolis, Delphi & Chicago Railroad, by taking stock ; also, praying that an election be held by the citizens of the township for that purpose. The prayer wax granted, and the election hell par-nant to the request of the petitioners. The election was held on the 17th of July. 1875, the vote standing 266 votes for, and 251 against the appropriation. A like election was held in Washing. ton Township on the 15th of September following, the result of which way equally derisive, but in opposition to the proposed appropriation. The vote was, for. 312 votes, and 106 against, an adverse majority of ninety-four votes, This road, however, is not yet completed to the lines of this county, being in active operation between some of the intermediate points.
CHAPTER XIII. AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Lidly Movements Barand Oupraization - State and Load Legislation Theroom-County Fairs-Baconpay ments to Competition-Permanent Sadly Oppmind-The Status of Agriculture in the County.
FOR many years after the settlement of this county. the products of the soil were not so much cultivated with a view to preuniary gain as to seeming a sufficiency for family and home constoption ; hence, it was the exception, rather than the rule, to find the farmer's tillable grounds cultivated in accordance with the rules prescribed by the thrifty hin-bandman. The reasons for this are desjours : The first interest of the settler was to provide for the immediate and pressing wanty of his family for subsistence, planting and reaping with an eye single to the welfare of those dependent upon him, anticipating little, at first, beyond the demands of his own household. Sering his means were ample, however, and his prospects for abundance in the future eurouraging, ideas of inqueved husbandry began naturally to suggest the enlargement of his domain, and the development of new modes of culture. These wivanees were not so much the result of individual experience as the comparison of home with other experiences. In the course of time, legislation on the part of the State was had, recommending the Formation of sorieties as a means of enlarging the area of agricultural operations, and sreuring the bet- fer modes of culture. On the 22d of hanmary, 1829, statutory regulations for the organization of agricultural societies rerei ed the approval of the Gov- ernor. Not withstanding, however, the movies prescribed and the inducements offered by the State, little advancement was made in the processes incident to an improved agriculture.
The Board of Commissioners of Hamilton County, at their May session. 1537, ordered " that there be hell, at the court hense in the town of Nobles. ville, on the last Saturday in the present month, a meeting of the citizens of the county for the purpose of organizing a County Agricultural Society. And it is ordered that notice of the above meeting be given by three successive publications in the newspapers published in this place." What the result of this meeting way, if, indeed, one was netunlly hell, the records at our com- mand do not now disclose. Whatever the immediate result, it was, remotely at least, the opening wedge for the organization of the societies that have since
followed. Prior to the passage of the act approved February 17, 1852, little progress had been made toward securing permanent organization of societies for the promotion of agriculture. Under this latter law, however, the farmers of Hamilton County, having sufficiently appreciated the advantages to be derived from concentrated effort, some time anterior to the year 1855, possilily about the beginning of that year, organized the Hamilton County Agricult- ural Society. In their report to the State Society, in 1856, it is shown that " at a regular meeting of the society, hell on the 14th of April. 185G, the follow- ing persons were elected as officers: Dr. T. T. Butler, President ; Samuel Colip and JJohn Burk, Vice Presidents; D. C. Chipman, Serretary ; H1. W. Clark, Treasurer ; E. B. C'ule, Librario ; with niue Directors, one for cach township in the county. The outly and expenditures of 1835 were so consid- crable that the society concluded to have no fair during 1856." In 1857, becoming discouraged from the want of a permanently inclosed fair ground, and from other causes, the society agaio failed to hold their annual fair. Taking courage again, in the spring of 1858, some of the more faithful friends of agri- cultural improvement met, and elected new officers and a Board of Directors, who went vigorously to work, and in due time arranged for holding a fair, which, not withstanding the adverse circumstances impending, was sufficiently stteressful to give encouragement to the society in the future. After a transi- tory existence, however, in which there was a want of interest, and a want of the practical knowledge necessary to maintain a healthy organic movement premotive of snecess, the society disbanded for a season, to be reorganized under more favorable auspices.
Whatever may have been the state of interest in the ranka of provident farmers in the cwan time, we find oo evidence of any well-digested action in the premises, until 1870, when, oew life having been injected into the system, a reorganization was effected under the name and style of the " Hamilton County Agricultural, Mechanical and Horticultard Joint Stock Association." The Secretary, in his report to the State Board, For the year 1571, makes the following statement, which is, perhaps, a reasonable explanation of foruser failures :
"The county faire had been so managed at the county seat that they had come into disrepute, and fair- had not been held for three or four years in our county, until the organization of this society on the stock plan. Such is not only the surroundings of this organization, but at this, their second annual exhibition, there appeared to be a fixed determination on the part of a very small portion of the citizens at and surrounding the county seat to so crifgde this organization financially as to compel it to succumb. But, thanks to the liberal spirit of the citizens of this and adjoining counties, where honesty of purpose is manifested in agricultural matters, they will be patronized and sustained against all opposition."
In the sune report the Secretary gives some valuable data indicative of what the society had then and has since accomplished. He says : " Alamt lifteen arres of gromudl have been leased, and surrounded by a good plank fence, seven and right fert high, with proper gates and entrances. The buildings within the grounds consist of two balls-one twenty by forty feet, the other twenty by sixty feet, an office, together with one hundred and sixty cattle and horse stalls, and fifty sheep and hog pens, and such other fixtures as are common to anch gunds. A track of one-third ( since increased to one-half') nif'a mile in circuit, was graded within the stock yard, for the necommodation of equestrians and for the exhibition of horses in harness and under the saddle. Three wells were sunk, walled, and furnished with pomps." These grounds are on the south side, and within the corporate limits of the pleasant town of Cierto, six miles north of the county seat. The fair was held during four days, commencing on the 19th of September, 1870, and was in every way n reasonably successful enterprise. There was received Iren the sale of tickets nt the fair, refreshment stand, etc., the sum of 81,7 10 30, and paid ont for premiums, painting and help, the sum of $1,618 02.
The sixth annual fair of the association was held during the three days commencing on the 24th of August, 1875, which was io n measure satisfactory. On the Ist of Detober, of the same year, Adams Township Agricultural Association, organized early in the season, held a fair at " Teeter's firove," one and a half miles south of loxley. It was strictly n local farmers' organi- sation, and as such made a respectable showing.
As the result of a meeting held on the 28th of December, 1-75, participated in by representatives from the soveral townships, the " Hamilton County Agricultural Association " was organized oo the 5th of January, 1876, npon the joint-stock plan, with n capital of $10,000, divided into one thousand shares of $10 each, with the privilege of increasing the capital to 815,000, if
59
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, INDIANA.
80 determined by the vote of a majority of the stock represented. No individual member was entitled to hold more than twenty-five shares of stock. The grounds of the Association were located on the " Clampitt faro," three and three-quarters miles west of Noblesville, on the Noblesville and Eagletown gravel road. Twenty acres of ground were proposed to be purchased for 81,000. In consequence of numerous and positive differences of opinion existing, this last effort seems to have been abortive, hence, to reconcile those differences, it was finally determined, upon consultation, to organize under the regulations prescribed by the State law authorizing county agricultural societies.
Accordingly, " The Hamilton County Agricultural, Horticultural and Me- chanical Association," was duly organized on the 12th day of February, 1876, with a capital stock of $10,000, in shares of 810 each; the stock to be increased to $15,000 by a majority vote of the association. Articles of associa- tion were duly filed and recorded, pursuant to which, whenever it should appear that 85,000 of bona-fide stock had been subscribed, the association was author- ized to perfect their organization and proceed to business, Stockholders were entitled to hold no more than twenty-five shares individually. There were nine Directors, one from ench township. They constituted the board, and were to be elected annually. It was also the province of this board to eleet anni- ally, a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and General Superin- tendent. The society thus organized has since held its annual fairs, during four days of the last week in August, with most satisfactory results.
HAMILTON COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AND FAIR ASSOCIATION.
A joint-stuck company bearing the above title, was organized on the 11th of February, 1879, with a capital stock of $5,000, in shares of $10 each, the whole managed on the plan recommended by the experiences of the past, and io substantial conformity with the law upon the subject. The first fair was held by the association in September, 1879, and the first annual meeting on the 1st of November, 1879. There were thirty-three original stockholders, representing fifty-tive shares of $10 each. In addition, the several town- ships took stock to the amount of 201 shares. The following report of the Treasurer, submitted on the day of the annual meeting, represents its financial condition :
Received from stock.
$1,935 19
Received from Harrison's note ..
500 00
Received from gate and entry fees. 1,607 00
Total
.. $1,012 19
Paidl for lumber contracts.
$2.821 15
Paid to H. M. taylor
I'nid expense of fair
203 61
I'nid for premimins.
076 74
Total.
$1,071 17
Directors . A. L. Hanghey, Charles Hlintt, I. A. Conden, T. Stanford, George Wheeler, L. B. Tomlinson, John E. Hioshaw, John Harrison, David Neal.
President, L. B. Tomlinson ; Vice President, A. L. Hanghey ; Secretary, A. J. Ball ; Treasurer, John Harrison.
CHAPTER XIV. REVIEW OF FINANCES.
Abstract of the Early Reports of County Treasurers-Rates of Turation- Tarables, Etc., Half a Century Ago-Resume of School Fonds-Later Receipts and Disbursements-Statistics of County Resources, Etr.
W HIEN the county was organized, in May, 1823, the population was meager, and the sources of public revenue were wholly undeveloped, requiring a lapse of time to get the machinery in motion wherewith to open the avenues to prosperity by utilizing the material in store awaiting the demands of skillful operatives in primitive economy. The pecuniary require- menta were more than equal to the means on hand ; even some of the carly expenditures were made upon personal responsibility in anticipation of future inemnes. Before the revenues from taxation were paid in, the chief source of income was first from licenses te vend general merchandise, " keep tavern," keep ferries, etc., and from appropriations, the item of appropriations being generally in the way of a bonus offered by the proprietors of town sites eligible as candidates for the location of the "seat of justice," as inducementa for selection as such. The deficiencies of funds to meet these pressing wants were
usually made up from temporary loans, instances of which have been already noticed. The first official exhibit of the receipts and disbursements of the county, covering the period from the organization until the date of the report, was filed by the County Treasurer at. the January session of the Hoard of Justices, for the year 1826, as follows: Receipts und expenditures since the organization of the county : Expenditures, 8589.773, receipts $156.403, show- ing the debt of the county to be 8133.37-comparatively n fuir showing for the first two years and a half of the county's independent existence ; the separate exhibit for the year 1824, giving the receipts for that year at $224.373. expenses, 8170.623 ; balance in the Treasurer's hands, $h3.75.
Among the proceedings of the January session, 1829, we find the follow- ing atntement of the financial condition of the county for the year 1828, to wit :
RECEIPTS.
Balance due from Treasurer
Amount received from license4 31 584
Amount of taxey received doring the year 268 08
Total
$307 724
EXPENDITURES.
For election returns.
$1 00
For support of paupers.
31 17
For house rent for courts
For holding inquest on dead body.
11 50
For stray horses claimed.
10 15
For furniture for county
18 1M1
For t'aunty Agent
5 00
For viewers of roads.
12 00
For Jailor
7 811
For Sheriff
Før Clerk
67 74
For assessing ..
20 70
For estrny-peu keeper.
# 374
For County Commissioners,
16 25
Total. . .$201 001
Balance in the treasury. $43 11}
This statement was ordered to be published for the inspection of the puh- lic, and was published accordingly. At this time taxes were distributed as follows : "At this session of the board the following rates of taxation were fixed and the property named ne hring subject to taxation for the year 1828: For county purposes, on each 100 neres of first-rate land, 10 cents; on each 100 acres of second-rate land, 30 cents ; on each 100 acres of third-rate land, 18; cents ; on each horse or mule over three years old, 50 cents ; each work - ox over the age of three years, 25 cents; on each silver or pinchbeck watch, 25 cents ; on each gold watch, $1; on cach brass clock, 83; en cach two- wheeled pleasure carriage, 81; on each four-wheeled pleasure carriage, 81.50 ; on cach poll, 50 cents.
At the November session, 1831, npon settlement with the Treasurer, the following exhibit was filed, showing the receipts and disbursements of the county for the current year, 1831, to-wit :
Amount in hands of l'ollector. $515 69
Rond Inx on non-resident lanils.
20 824
Delinquent list for 1800, collected in 1831 .. 16 76
Due from Treasurer at last settlement.
153 #1
Received for store license ....
39 474
Received by AAgent for lots soll ....
:15 174
In hands of flerk for jurors' fees taxed on writs 31 60
Toll
$848 031
RAPESDITURES,
Illegal assessments.
For return judges of election ... 75
56 00
For Sheriff's annual allowance.
12 75
For Collector ..
5 00
For Associate Judges
28 00
For rent for conrt-room.
8 00
For allowance to County Commissioners ...
37 70
For allowance for roul expenses.
26 00
For allowance for erecting court house. 180 00
12 00
For poor expenses ....
35 71
For Superintendent of school section ...
5 75
For Jurora.
61 70
For Bailiffs.
6 00
For wolf scalpe.
15 50
For listing for 1831
10 00
For stationery and sealed measure ...
6 77}
Total
.. $564 615
Balance io the trenanry
$288 52
For Clerk's annual allowance
For allowance to County Agent.
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, INDIANA.
The statement submitted five years later, at the November session, 1536, gives the following abstract of the condition of the county finances, to wit : Receipts of the county for 18:30. .$2.861.56
Disbursementy .. 1.649.78
Remaining in the Treasury $1,201.7%
At the June session, 1811, the receipts were shown to be $1,535. 12, and the exportalitures $1,509 77 ; balance on hand, $25.65. This statement cov. ered a period of only six months, the time of settlement being changed from November to June. The annual settlement in June, 1812, made a better showing, as fidlows : Total receipts of the county from June, 1811, to June, 1812, 83,036,32; expenditures for a like period, $2,011.28; ; balance on hand, $1,012 031. "It having been made known to the bard that the Trens- urer has taken, on collections for taxes, in 1811, a considerable number of Illinois Bank paper, and a small quantity of other paper which was deemed good at the time, but has since depreciated, the Treasurer suggests that he en exchange the same for State script, dollar for dollar; he is ordered to make said change, provided the same is practical."
The following exhibit shows the amount of taxes levied, collected and expended during the ten years from the June settlement, 1862, to the June settlement, 1872.
Amount levied for county purposes and interest. $1 5.922 04
Amount levied for soldiers' bounties and Punilies, etc ... 177.818 12
Amount levied for railroad and other debts .... 52,41 :1
Amount levied for bridges, 18.717 84
Tutal
Deducted for delinquent, refunded and released taxes, 11,590 62
Tola! collectedt. 8610,514 50
Liabilities paid ont of county fund. :24,311 64
Linbilities paidl on account of soldiers' families, bounties, interest, and Stair quota .....
213,10: 40
Linbilities paid on bridges.
68, 713 GG
Liabilities paid on soldierd' monument.
6,000 00
Linbilities pail on real estnie (60-nerea)
1.800 00
Liabilities paid on improvements 2,50 00
Liabilities poid on railroad debts, interest and cost, 15,200 DO
Amount paid in excess of collections.
Cash claims in treasury, deducted from June settlement .. 17.711 20
Total debt, loss neuets in treasury, as per Auditor's statement, June, 1472 .. 41,651 74
The following is a recapitulation of the condition of the general finances of the county, as appears by the annual report of the Auditor, May 31, 1879:
Cash in treasury, June 1, 1878. $86,970 30
For State purposes ...
88,508 91
For township and corporations.
For county purposes.
For court house purposes. 1,311 01
For jnil fuud.
0,119 72
For Irnet funda ..
7,680 50
For less account 5,649 31
For debt and interest necount.
5,180 5G
Total.
.$286, 164 48
МИЧПОПMENT
l'ail townships and corporations. $61.559 62
I'nid county expenses. 42.804 02
J'aid from county fund on court house 13, 713 H
I'nid on court house account. 67.002 37
Pail omn trust funds. 5,952 80
I'nid State ... 38,71 133
Paid misceHancons.
10,207 14
T'ash in treasury.
43,0123 78
$286,161 14
STATEMENT DY IMUNTY PEUT.
$112,220 00
Amount paid during the year ..
5,240 00
Total handed deht. $105.500 00
STATEMENT OF ASSETS TO APPLY IN LIQUIDATION.
'I'axes collected for jnil delt.
15,906 75
Solvent elnims.
8,003 25
Total.
$21,000 00
Indebtedneue leve novels.
83,600 00
$30,000, of the above debt, is duc September 1, 1880.
CONDITION OF SCHOOL FUNDS, JUNE, 178.
Auditor's report of the common school fund, no follows : Amount of funds loaned, $31,359 87
Cash in treasury.
Total fond to date ...
Ansmint uf funds lonned at last report. 80,237 04
Cash in treasury. 147 11
l'ees from Justices.
Fres From Clerk
716 00
Total fund at this date .. $11,122 42
Township 18, Range 3 enst. Amount loaned, $1,795 00
Amount dne on lots ...
165 00
Total funds $1,960 00
Received and Inaned since last report .. 1.000 00
Township 18, Range I enst. Amount loaned 58,891 81
Amount due on lots,
176 09
Cash in treasury.
$
Toinl fund ..
84.231 0#
Received and loaned since. 283 50
Township 18, Range 5 east. Amount loane.I $2.216 (0)
Total fund ..
.$2,246 00
Township 19, Range 3 cast. Amount loanel. $4.319 75
Amount of cash in hand. #1 25
Total fund . .....
....... >1,5$1 00
Township 19, Range 4 east. Amannt loaned .. $1,962 60
Total fund ....
Township 1, Range 5 cast. Amount Loaned. $1,365 29
Total fund ........ $1,865 29
Township 20, Range I east. Amount loaned. 81,029 75
Lots ....
106 25
Total fond ...
Township 20, Range 5 cast. Amount lonned ..
$2,100 00
Tolal fund.
$2,100 00
SUMMARY OF SCHOOL FUNDS, 1879.
Amount of funds hell in trust ns per last report ............. 25,-151 82 Amount since added from the sale of lands,
Amount of funds received frin other counties on necount of
divided congressional township fund since last report ..... 25, 181 82
Deduct amount of formuly distributed to other counties on
account of divided congressional township fund, since Inst report,
Tolal in trust at this date ... .. $25,181 82
Amount of funds held in frust by county as shown af Inet report ..... .$30,384 15
Amaid of fines and forfeitnres by flerk of Court .. 710 00
Amount of Gnes and forfeitures by Justices of the l'ence ... ... #22 27
--
Total amount of common school fund held in trust ...... $1,428 42
CONDITION OF PHOOL FUNDA.
Cing T'p. Com Schwel,
Amount of finde anfely invested.
.$96,287 07
$:11 859 87
Amount of funds in treasury, not inverted ...... 104 75
62 06
I'ninl funds na above ..
820,481 82
$31.122 42
Amount in trenaury at last report. 108 50
117 11
Amount of loans paid within the year ...
1,770 32
3,!#41 34
Amount of funds loaned within the year. 1,600 07
1,078 00
Amount of interest on funda collected,
2,573 59
2,109 14
Amount of interest on funds delinquent ..
247 89
Total interest bearing date at last report.
61
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, INDIANA.
CHAPTER XV. UNDERGROUND RAILROAD.
An Account of its Operations, with Something of History, Routes, Etc.
MONG the principal workers in the 'underground railroad ' movement
A were the Baker family, Asa Bales, Dr. Whatt, James L. Hiatt, Jacob L. Manff, of Westfield; James M. Thompson, now living in Adams Township ; O. C. Lindley, of Adams Township ; JI. Roberts, of Washington Township; Daniel Haskett, of Tipton County ; n Mr. Wells, and his son, the latter a youth spf same twelve or fourteen years of age, in 1SES and 1850, was quite active in the service, doing the part of driving a wagon under the cover of night, from his father's house, a 'station' on the route to the 'station ' farther north.
" Mr. Bales was among the warmest supporters of this organization, if organization it can be called. There was no regular society, so far as we have bren able to learn, in the county. Westfield, as n ' station' on the route from the Ohio River north, became quite famous, and was known and held in terror by the hunting slave-holders of the South, when they set out in quest of n fugitive. Here, the colored man, having taken advantage of opportunity wonhl set out withont money, with but here and there only a friend. The law of the land claimed him as an escaped ' fugitive from justice ; ' his fellowman, made by the laws of his country an enemy and a special deputy, as it were, to return him shackled to his master and, to pay the penalty of the 'runaway nigger,' as he was termed-sent to Alabama and sold, the terror of all slaves in the South, and the retribution sure to follow. When this slave in quest of freedom had made good his escape, and landed safely at Westfield, he found friends. He was, almost as a rule, piloted through withont further molesta- tion or danger, to Canada, whither he had set ont to go, with the north star as his guide, depending on the tender mercies of friends along the route. Those fearless old men and women who stood up and dared the danger, and demanded the removal of the shackles off four millions of souls-they that ' gave them to cat, and shelter to protect and rest them, and guided them safely, refreshed, to the next ' station '-we may say to them, not only here, but throughout this broad domain, 'Well done, thou good and faithful servants.'
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