History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc, Part 9

Author: Goodspeed Brothers
Publication date: 199-?]
Publisher: [Salem, Mass. : Higginson Book Co.]
Number of Pages: 954

USA > Indiana > Orange County > History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc > Part 9
USA > Indiana > Washington County > History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc > Part 9
USA > Indiana > Lawrence County > History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc > Part 9

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Approved February 9, 1925.

REPORT OF THE LOCATING COMMISSIONERS.

One month later the Commissioners appointed by this act to re-locate the county seat, having met at Palestine, made their selection and secured the donation of land by certificate, made the following report to the County Board, which was accepted:

To the Board of Justices of the County of Lawrence, State of Indiana:

The subscribers, being the Commissioners appointed by an act of the General Assembly of said State entitled "An Act appointing Commissioners to re-locate the seat of justice of Lawrence County," approved February 9, 1425, make the follow. ing report, to wit: That we all met at Palestine of said county of Lawrence, on the second Monday of March, instant and were duly sworn as the law provides for the faithful discharge of our duties, and immediately proceeded to the discharge of the same, and have continued therein from day to day nutil the present time, and have obtained by donation the following described triet or parcel of land for the permanent seat of justice of sald county, to-wit: Beginning on the dividing line of Sections 23 and 24 in Township 5 north, Range 1 west. 100 poles south of the corner of Sections 23, 24. 13 and 14; thence west 160 poles 19 a stake: thence north 200 poles: thence east 160 poles to a stake on the line dividing Sections 13 and 14: thence south 200 poles to the beginning, containing 200 acres of land. for which said tract we have taken a bond for the conveyance to the Board of Justices of said county as the law provides within twelve months from the date hereof in the penal sum of $20,000, conditioned also that the donors shall within six months from the re-location or survey of sald town plat, dig and stone ou the pub- lic square of said town a well of living and durable water, and within the same time erect and finish in a suitable manner a temparary court house of hewn logs to be at least of equal dimensions with the old temporary court house in Palestine. which bond is executed by Samuel F. Irwin, Joseph Glover, John Owens. Reuben Kilgore. Moses Woodruff and Isaac Stewart as principals, and Moses Fell, Joseph Rawlins. Robert M. Calon. Marquis D. Knight, John D. Laughlin and John Lowrey As

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY.

sureties, and which we now give to the board as a part of our report. We have therefore agreed on the tract of land before mentioned, and selected the same for the permanent seat of justice of said county. We have also valued the donation which was given to the said county of Lawrence for the county seat at Palestine, agree- able to the provisions of the act first aforementioned, and have appraised the value thereof at the sum of $3 per acre. In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands this 9th day of March, A. D. 1825.

JONATHAN LYON. AMASSA JOSELYN. JOHN KETCHUM. WILLIAM MARSHAL. E. S. RILEY.

INCIDENTS OF THE RE-LOCATION.

Immediate arrangements were made to erect the necessary building at the new county seat, and to dispose of the property at Palestine, such as conld not be removed. The name Bedford was selected for the new seat of justice. The public square was ordered sold to the lowest bidder to be cleared. At this time county business was transacted by the Board of Justices. A committee of these Justices was appointed to assist the County Agent to lay out the county seat, March 30, 1825. Roads were projected in all directions from the county seat like the spokes from the hub of a wheel. The County Clerk was directed to remove his office to Bedford at the earliest moment after the completion of the temporary court house. Committees were selected to value the corresponding lots in Palestine and Bedford in accordance with the legislative enactment. The county buildings at Palestine were ordered leased to merchants or others. Numerous claims were filed against the county-differences between the valuation of corresponding lots. The men (Benjamin Black. well. Ezekiel Blackwell, Henry Speed and Henry H. Massie) who had donated the 200 acres at Palestine to the county were to be paid accord- ing to the above enactment $3 per acre for their land. Every lot owner in Palestine could transfer his claim to the corresponding lot in Bedford by complying with the law. Many did not do this through neglect, or through the fact of their non-residence, and their ignorance of the neces- sary requirements. Much trouble was cansed by this neglect, and sundry lawsuits arose over the settlement of the complications. The fol- lowing act was finally passed by the Legislature to furnish relief:

An act supplemented to an act entitled " an Act appointing Commissioners to relocate the Seat of Justice of Lawrence County " approved February 9. 1925.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, That John Raw- dry and all such other persons, their heir, and legal representatives and iawful attorney's, as may have been, on the 9th day of February, 1825, owners of any lot or lots in the town of Palestine in Lawrence County, for which the purchase money has been paid to the agent of said county, and who may have neglected to apply for the benefit of the act to which this act is a supplement, shall and may within eighteen months from the 1st day of February, 1829. apply for an exchange of lot or lots so by him or them owned in said town of Palestine, for the corresponding lot or lots in the town of Bedford !. according to the provision of -aid act. And if such corresponding

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY.

lot or lots shall have been sold. such owner or owners shall be entitled 10 receive from the county treasury of -aid com.ty by order drawn by the Board of Justices of said county. the price such corresponding lot or lots sold for.

Approved December 26, 1828.

ACTS OF THE COUNTY AGENT

The following report was spread upon the records:

The subscribers, being a committee of the Board of Justice- of the county of Lawrence, appointed to settle with. the agent ot sald county. have attended to that duty. and now make the following report. to wit:

That the agent be charged with the following amount.

being the amount of the sales of lots in Palestine, as appears by the sale bills of said town. $17.826 00

Also to interest received on money collected. 172 301

Total. 17.009 30;

They find also that the agent is entitled to the following credits. to wit : On orders heretofore filed in the Clerk's office, and now examined by us. $12.720 00

New orders now exhibited. and now filed in the clerk's office. 1.009 53

Amount of notes now exhibited, and in the hands of the agent, after deducting the credits thereon .. 2,553 82

Amount of sales of the following lots on which no pay- ments have been made, and which have forfelted to the county, to-wit: lots No. 95. 96. 268. 264. 275. 239. 240. 227, 196, 188. 184. 148, 144, and fractional lots Nos. 32. 25 and 3, the amount of the sales of said lots being ..... 435 00 Receipts exhibited by the agent for notes In officers' hands for collection after deducting therefrom the amount indorsed thereon as paid over by said officers ... 978 48₺

Total. 17.702 83+

Leaving a balance due from the agent of.

295 73

To offset against the shove, It appears by an order on the books of the Board of Commissioners of said county, that the agent is entitled to a compensation of 3 per cent on all moneys received by him, for his services; which amount received as appears by the foregoing. Is .. 13,908 09 and the per centage thereon is .. 417 24

Leaving a balance due to the agent of. 121 51

All of which Is submitted. SAMUEL G. HOSKINS, LOUIS ROBERTS , ROLLIN C. DEWET,

Dated March 24, 1825. Committee.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS OF INTEREST.

Richard Evans hauled the county records from Palestine to Bedford. In September. 1825, the public well was reported finished at Bedford in accordance with the above enactment and was received by the County Board. Abraham Music was paid $29.50 for work done in clearing the public square at Bedford. Several slight changes were made in the boundaries of

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some of the townships at this time. Marion Township was created Jan- nary 3, 1826, with its present limits, eight miles east and west, and from Orange County to the river, north and south. John Owen assisted to clear the public square. In May, 1826, all the townships were laid off into road districts for the first time. Tax was levied upon brass clocks, gold watches, silver or pinch-back watches, etc. John Brown was County Lister in 1825 and 1826. Samuel S. Francis was paid $55 for a pump for the town well.

In 1827 it was found necessary to bring suit on the bonds of the doners of land to the county at Bedford, to enforce the signing of the deeds of conveyance. Town orders were ordered received in payment for town lots. At this time the Clerk's office was in a building furnished by Winthrop Foote. Considerable money began to be paid out for wolf scalps. In 1830 the County agent was authorized to dispose of the county property at Palestine, including the land, on credit if no better terms could be obtained. Moses Fell was School Commissioner at this date and had been for many years. In September, 1831. the Legislature re-established three County Commissioners in place of the Board of Jus- tices. William Kelsey was appointed agent of the three per cent fund. John Brown made another map of the county, which showed all the water. courses, section lines, etc. In November, 1834, the postoffice, which for some time had been kept in the County Clerk's office, was ordered removed. In January, 1836, George G. Dunn, who had been appointed by the Board to settle with R. M. Carlton, County Agent, reported that the total debits of the agent were $20,168.093, and the total credits $20,018.37}, leaving a balance due the county in the hands of the agent of $140.72}. The proceeds from the sale of lots in Bedford were of course not near so large as from the sales in Palestine. owing to the fact of the transfer of ownership of lots from Palestine to Bedford. The first sale in Bedford took place June 12. 1826, the proceeds being 81.849.25, of which 8201.01 were in notes, a portion of which was not realized.

In 1840 the following rates for liquor license were established: Bedford, 840; Leesville, $40: Bono, $30; Lawrenceport, $30; Fayette. ville. $30; Springville, $30; Paris, 825; Port William, $25; Piuhook, $25; Helton's store (Pleasant Run Township), $25, and each of all other places in the county $25. In this year Moses Fell. School Commissioner, died. and was succeeded by Michael A. Malott. A fence was built around the court honse by Robert M. Alexander and William Stone, at a cost of $140. Richard Butler was paid $100 for laying a stone pavement around the court house. The presence of the Branch of the State Bank at Bedford made the town quite a financial center, and several brokers established offices, their licenses being fixed by the County Board at $100 per annum. George G. Dunn was agent of the surplus revenue, which in 1840 amounted to $10.202.91. In 1544 Henry T. Templeton was selected as .

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY.

student to enter the State University free of tuition to represent the county. Ambrose C. Parks was also sent as a student. In 1845 G. G. Dunn was given the south jury room in the court house for an office. The Masonic lodge was privileged to occupy the room one night in each week In 1846 the pressure for appointment to the State University became so great that the following selections were made: W. M. Davis, 1849-53; F. M. Dixon, 1850-54; J. B. Armstrong, 1851-55; Newton Dixon, 1852-56; Levi Hanson. 1853-57: Wiley Dixon, 1854-58; W. G. Hastings, 1855-50; W. A. Burton, 1856-60; James Reed, 1857-61; John Q. A. Blackwell to Wabash College, 1852-56. County offices were built in 1848 by B. F. Huston. All shows and dances for exhibition were excluded from the court house. In about 1849 John Reed suc- ceeded MI. A. Malott, as School Commissioner.

In 1S51, the Sons of Temperance, the Masous and all other secret societies were ordered excluded from the court house. A lot in Bedford owned by the county library was ordered sold. In 1852 J. W. Thomp- son, County Treasurer, became ex-officio School Commissioner. IL 1933 G. A Thornton, County Clerk, was paid 817 for registering seventeen negroes and mulattos; he also bought for the county a new set of weights and measures. June 4, 1S55. the township of Marshall was create.l. its limits being all and no more of Congressional Township 6 north, Range 1 west, all southeast of Salt Creek, was afterward (1856) attached to Shaws- wick. Elections were ordered held at the town of Marshall. In 1555 the Congressional school fund amounted to $14,701.61, and the common school fund to $16.238.12. A new jail was built in 1950 by John X. Miller. As early as August. 1861, the County Board began to furnish means from the county treasury for the relief of soldiers' families: but this act soon met with considerable hostility, and the question of appro- priating county funds for that parpose was submitted to the qualitied voters of the county at the October election, 1861, and was carried by a large majority. Under the call of December. 1864; for volunteers. the county quota was 149 men. To raise this number a bounty of $100 was offered by the board for each volunteer, and bonds to the amount of $14,. 900) were ordered sold. Large amounts of funds were distributed for the relief of soldiers' families. In March, 1566, a petition signed by 150 residents of the territory concerned was presented to the Board asking for the formation of a new township out of the townships of Shawswick, Bono and Flinn, and asking that the same might be called Morton Town- ship. After due deliberation the township was created, but was named Guthrie, after the prominent family there of that name. It was boundled alinost exactly as at present, and in June of the same year was made exactly as at present. In 156S the Board paid $150 for a county map for each of the four leading county offices. In the summer of 1 69 it was decided to commence preparations for the erection of a large court house

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY.

COURT HOUSES AND JAILS.

At the first meeting of the County Board, in March, 1818, a temporary court house was ordered built of logs, on some suitable lot in Palestine prepared for that purpose, the structure to be 20x24 feet, of logs "that will face one foot front," and to be two stories high "built in a good workmanlike manner," with a substantial cabin roof, and the contract to erect this building was ordered sold to the lowest bidder April 11, 1818. Samuel Dale took the contract, but at what price cannot be stated, though at about $500. The house was completed late in the fall after several stoppages from unknown causes. This building was used about two years, or until the first real court house was completed.

THE PALESTINE COURT HOUSE.

In November, ISIS, steps were taken to build a large court house. John McLane was appointed to superintend the erection of the building, which was to be octagonal, with stone foundation and brick walls and with forty-five windows of twelve lights each, and to be two-storied and twenty three feet to the square. In December this order was rescinded. In January, 1810, the sale of the building of the court house was ordered advertised in the Salem Torsin and the Indiana Gazette at Corydon, the plan of the building to be drawn by Robert M. Carlton and John Lowrey. In general the building was to be two stories high, of brick, the hight of the first story sixteen feet, and the second fourteen, the foundation to be of stone 45x 15 feet, the walls of brick, two feet thick, three doors, thirty. six windows, four chimneys, six tire hearths, each window to have twenty- four lights of 10x12 inches each, the judges' bench to be fifteen feet long and five feet wide, the building to be surmounted with a cupola bearing an iron rod and two brass balls with a brass eagle between the latter three feet from tip to tip. "the boly to be hollow and the engle to he curiously and artistically wronght." the building to have four rooms above and to have a steel lightning rod and a bell weighing 300 pounds and to be ready for occupancy within two years. The contractor was to receive $1.500 in advance, $2,000 when the roof was on, and the balance when the structure was completed. James Gregory and John Anderson took the contract, and were allowed the privilege of making brick and dressing stone on the public square. Work was immediately begun. changes being made from time to time in the building as above described. The contractors received their advance payment of $1,500 in February, 1419. Sixteen windows were omitted from the original plan. The sec. ond installment was paid the contractors December 17, 1819, showing that the roof was on the court house. After this work on the house lan- guished. The contractors for some reason failed to go on with the build- ing and in July, 1521. the Board appointed a committee of three brick- layers and three masons, William Rodman. Peter Nagle, Lemuel Ford,

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY.

James S. Means, John E. Clark and Jabez Anderson, to examine the building and estimate the value of the work already done. They reported it worth $3,670.70. Samuel D. Bishop was then appointed special agent to finish the house. He did so during the fall of 1821 at a cost of $1,791.37. This made the building cost about $5.291.37, exclusive of the finishing and foundation, which increased the cost to about $5,500. Winthrop Foote plastered the house, and in August, 1822, it was ready for occupancy.

The old court house-the temporary building-was ordered leased, which was done to Kelsey & Mitchell, merchants, but a little later to Isaac Stewart, merchant, for $50 per year. It was weather-boarded and painted with Spanish brown. Later, the price was reduced to $33 per annnm.

THE JAIL AT PALESTINE.

In May, 1818, the construction of a combined jail and jailor's resi- dence was sold at auction to Thomas Beagley. The building was to be 15x17 feet 9 inches, two stories high, to be of heavy logs one foot square, eight feet between floors in each story, to be lined with heavy planks spiked on perpendicularly. In February, 1819. Thomas Beazley was paid $1,000 on his contract, and in August $500 more; but after this further work on the building was dropped. In 1820, upon petition of twelve citizens suit was brought upon the contractor's bond which, after search, could not be found, and proceedings were therefore suspended. In July, 1821, the same committee appointed to value the court house also valued the "gaol and gaoler's house, " making a reduction of #237 .. 03] on the contract price, which was $2,000. The contractor had previ. ously been paid $1,500, and he was now paid a balance of $262.96}. The building was immediately finished and occupied.

FIRST COURT HOUSES AT BEDFORD.

Early in 1825 a temporary court house of logs, 22x26 feet, two stories high, and in all other essential respects similar to the temporary court house in Palestine was built at Bedford, the cost being about $500. This house was used for many purposes for several years. School was taught therein, and religious gatherings occupied it. In 1927 it was weather. boarded by Samuel D. Bishop for $34.66. No thought was entertained for a new house until 1831, when in March the Board called for propos- als to construct a court house similar to the one in Salem. Robert M. Mitchell went to Salem in May, and procured complete plans of the structure there. The old buildings at Palestine were ordered sold, the proceeds to be used in the construction of the new house. John Lowrey took the contract at $5,000, to be paid in installments of $1,000 in ad- vance; $1,333.33} in May, 1832: $1.333.33} in January, 1833, and the remainder upon completion of the building, which time was set for May,

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY.

1834. Lowrey's bond bears date May 3, 1831, with Winthrop Foote, William Kelsey and Moses Fell as sureties. The contract was in all re- spects complied with by the contractor, and the building was accepted in May, 1834. Baker & Phelps, who did extra work on the house, were paid extra.

THE JAIL OF 1828-29, AND OTHER ITEMS.

In May, 1829, proposals were called for to build a jail in Bedford, and in July the contract was awarded to Samuel D. Bishop for $660. The house was of logs, and was paid for in installments of $200, and completed late in 1829. The Building Committee were Rollin C. Dewey, Francis Williams and Robert Mitchell. This building was used many years. The old court house lot in Bedford was sold in 1833. In the spring of 1848 B. F. Huston took the contract to build on the square a small structure for county officers. On the 7th of March his first install- ment of $300 was paid. The house was completed the same year at a cost of about $1,000. The following memorial was presented to the County Board, January 9, 1839:

To the Honorable, the Board of Commissioners of Lawrence County:

We. the undersigned citizens of the town of Bedford and county of Lawrence, respectfully represent 10 your honorable body that that portion of the public square immediately contiguous 10 the court house is in such a condition that the quantity of diri washed away at every rain is materially injuring the court house. In behalf, therefore, of the citizens of Bedford, and to protect the court house, we hereby petition your honorable body to appoint a suitable Commissioner with authority to fence in and grade such portion of It Immediately around the court house (not less than one hundred feel) as you may think necessary, and we. the said citizens of Bedford, will grade and finish the remainder of said square. Janu- ary 8, 1839.

M. A. Malott, Matthew Borland, Henry Hendricks, N. D. Glazebrook,

R Mitchell, James W. Freeman, Thomas Owens, F. W. Dickson.

Mortimer Bostick. Jean Hall. H. Edwards. Isaac Rector.

Michael W. Houston. Alphous Phelps.

John Brown, William M. Hunter,

S. F. Irwin. L. Q. Hoggatt.

E. C. Moberly,

William M. Mason,

Daniel Dunihue, John B. Buskirk, Marquis D. Knight, Zeno Worth,

William McLane,

Turner Sullivan, R. W. Thompson, John Vestal,

James T. Smith, Joseph Rawlins.

R. M. Carlton, Isaac Fish,

Isaac Denson, S. Rankin,

George G. Dunn,

John Edwards, Jr.,

William H. Pro, Richard Evans,

H. J. . Acoam,

Lewis Younger.

Andrew Owens. D. R. Dunibue.

This proposition was accepted by the Board, and the work was car- ried into effect.

THE JAIL BUILDING OF 1858.

In December. 1857, the work of building a new combined jail and jailor's residence was begun. Specifications were prepared calling for a brick jailor's residence and a stone jail to be built together, and proposals were called for. During the winter the contract was awarded to John X. Miller at 89.900, and early in the spring work was begun. It was found necessary to issue county butels to carry on the work, which was done to

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY.

the amount of $4,300. The year 1858 saw the building go up, but it was not fully completed until September, 1859, at which time it was for- mally accepted by the Board, and the remainder of the contract price paid. This building is yet in use, is substantial, with strong rooms for prisoners and a comfortable home for the jailor or sheriff, and bids fair to last many years.

THE PRESENT COURT HOUSE.

In the summer of 1869, bids were called for from contractors for the erection of a new court house. Plans were prepared and in July the work was let to William and George Muir for $12, 700. It was advertised that the old court house could be used in the construction of the new. The contract with the Muirs was not consummated, and July 16, 1869, Napo- leon B. Wilson's bid to erect the building for $16,900 was accepted, but he soon withdrew his offer. August 11. 1869, Thomas N. Stevens and Thomas A. Whitted proposed to erect the building according to the plan. for $18,300, and gave bond for the faithful discharge of the contract. A strong effort was made at this time and later to have the new building erected elsewhere than on the public square. for the reason that the loca- tion at the latter place, being contiguous to the depot. was too noisy and dusty. and that the buildings then standing were valuable, but would not be so if torn down This was opposed by others, but the County Board bought Lot 27 of W. C. Winstandley for $700 and Lot 28 of Clarissa Acoam for $1,000, intending to erect the building thereon, and made preparations to carry that intention into effect. The matter ran on until April, 1870, when the Board were petitioned to erect the house on the public square, and a donation of about $1.500 was offered as an induce." ment to change the location. This offer was at last accepted, and arrangements were made to erect the building where it now stands, and an entirely new plan was prepared and contracts entered into with Thomas N. Stevens for $75,000 including the two lots 27 and 28, which had been bought by the Board and which were now turned over to Stevens at their purchase price, $1, 700 .. Prior to this Hall & Harrison had erected the foundation of the present court house for nearly $5,000. In September. 1870. court house bonds to the amount of $10,000 bearing 10 per cent interest were issued and sold at par. June 5, 1871, court house bonds to the amount of $50,000 in denominations of $1,000 each, bearing 10 per cent interest, $12,000 due in two years. $12,000 in three years, $13,000 in four years, and $13,000 in five years, were issued and sold at par, $48,000) to Joseph Rawlins and $2.000 to E. D. Pearson. With the money thus promptly realized. the work was rapidly pushed and was completed in 1872. The old court house was sold June. 1871, to Davis Harrison for $1, 100. If the author mistakes not. the money donated by the citizens as an inducement to have the building erected on the square. was refunded to the donors. September 3. 1872. 87.000 bonds were

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History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc, Part 9

Author: Goodspeed Brothers Publication date: 199-?] Publisher: [Salem, Mass. : Higginson Book Co.] Number of Pages: 954

Author: Goodspeed Brothers
Publication date: 199-?]
Publisher: [Salem, Mass. : Higginson Book Co.]
Number of Pages: 954