USA > Indiana > Shelby County > History of Shelby County, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, notes, etc., together with a short history of the Northwest, the Indiana Territory, and the State of Indiana > Part 24
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In IS24, the law creating a board of county commissioners was repealed and a board of justices with similar duties created instead. The board was composed of justices of the peace from each town- ship. and organized by the election of one of its members president, the clerk of the court being ex-officio secretary. The first board was composed of the following gentlemen : Alex Vanpelt, Merry McGuire, Willis Law. H. H. Lewis, John Kennedy. Nathaniel Davis, Joseph Hough, James Wray, John B. Morgan, Lewis Hen- dricks, John M. Goung. David Layman, David Brawn, Richard Williams, William Hawkins, Adam Wright, Nathan Wheeler and Josiah Williams. The first meeting was held at the house of Ben- jamin Williams, and Josiah Williams was elected president. After four years this law was repealed and the old system re-established.
Organization of Townships .- At the first meeting of the board of commissioners of Shelby County, held at the house of David
277
COUNTY ORGANIZATION.
Fisher, April 9, 1822. the territory of the county was divided into the following townships: Town 14. formed and constituted the civil township of Union; Town 13, the township of Marion; Town 12, the township of Hendricks, and the Town II, the township of . Noble. At a special term held in May of the same year, the name of Union was changed to Harrison, and that of Marion to Shelby. Addison Township was organized February 11. 1823; Sugar Creek, May 13, 1823: Liberty, March 5, 1827, and Monroe, May, 1831; Fleming, Hanover and Moral were other townships that were organized prior to 1840.
At a regular meeting of the board held on the first Monday in January, 1840, the townships of the county were reorganized and new townships created - Jackson Township was formed out of the territory of Township II, Range 6 east, and all of Township II, Range 5 east, lying in said county.
Noble Township .- Township II, Range 7 east, and that part of Township II, Range S. lying in Shelby County.
Hendricks Township .- All that part of Township II, Range 5. lying in Shelby County, and that part of Township 12, Range 6, contained in the following boundary: Beginning at the southeast corner of Section 34; thence north on the section line to the north- east corner of Section 3: thence west to the northwest corner of said township: thence south to the line dividing townships II and 12: thence east four miles to the place of beginning.
Sugar Creek Township .- Beginning at the southeast corner of Section 34, Township 13. Range 6: thence north on section line to the northeast corner of Section 3. in the aforesaid township; thence west along the line dividing townships 13 and 14, to the west line of said county: thence south to the line dividing townships 12 and 13: thence east to the place of beginning.
Moral Township .- Township 14 north, Range 6 east; that part of Township 14, in Range 5. lying in Shelby County.
Marion Township. Beginning at the southeast corner of Sec- tion 23, Township 13 north, of Range 7 east; thence north on sec- tion line to the northeast corner of Section 35, in Township 14 north, and Range 7 east; thence on section line to the range line, dividing ranges 6 and 7 at the northwest corner of Section 31, Township 14, Range 7; thence south to line dividing townships 13 and 14: thence west two miles to the northwest corner of Section 5, Township 13, Range 6; thence south on section line to the south- west corner of Section 23, Township 13, Range 6; thence east on section line to the place of beginning.
Hanover Township .- Beginning on the east line of Shelby County, at the southeast corner of Section 28, Township 14, Range
278
SHELBY COUNTY.
S: thence west on section line to the line dividing ranges 6 and 7 at the southwest corner of Section 30, Township 14. Range 7; thence north on county line: thence east to northeast corner of said county: thence south to the place of beginning.
Union Township .- All of Township 13, Range S, lying in Shelby County; also sections 1. 12. 13, 24. 25 and 36, in Township 13, Range 7, and sections 31, 32 and 33, in Township 14, Range S, and Section 36, Township 14, Range 7.
Liberty Township .- All of Township 12. Range S. lying in Shelby County, and sections 1, 12, 13. 24, 25 and 36, in Township 12, Range 7 east.
Addison Township .- Beginning at the southeast corner of Sec- tion 35. Township 12. Range 7: thence north on section to the northeast corner of Section 26. Township 13, Range 7; thence west seven miles to the northwest corner of Section 26, Township 13, Range 6; thence south eight miles to the southwest corner of Section 35, Township 12. Range 6: thence east seven miles to the place of beginning.
Van Buren Township .- Beginning at the southwest corner of Section 26. Township 14. Range 6: thence east to the line of Sec- tion 27. Township 14. Range 7: thence east on said line to the county line; thence west on said county line to the northwest corner of Section 2, Township 14, Range 6: thence south to the place of beginning.
Brandywine Township .- Beginning on the range line dividing ranges 6 and 7 at the northeast corner of Section 36, Township 14, Range 6: thence two miles west to the northwest corner of Section 35, Township 14. Range 6; thence one mile south to the township line dividing townships 13 and 14; thence two mile west on said line to the northwest corner of Section 4, Township 13. Range 6; thence south six miles to the township line dividing townships 12 and 13; thence two miles on said line to the southeast on said line to the southeast corner of Section 34, Township 13, Range 6; thence north two miles to the northwest corner of Section 26, Township 13, Range 6; thence two miles east to the range line dividing ranges 6 and 7: thence north on said line to the place of beginning. Organ- ized March 7, 1843.
Washington Township .- Beginning on the township line divid- ing townships II and 12, Range 6, at the corner of the northeast quarter of, and the northwest quarter of Section 3, Township II, Range 6; thence running south on said open line of sections 3, 10, 15, 22, and 27 to Flat Rock River, to the county line; thence east on said line to the southeast corner of Section 33, Township II, Range 7: thence north on said section line to the township line
279
COUNTY ORGANIZATION.
dividing townships II and 12: thence west on said line to the place of beginning. Said township was organized on the first Monday in April, 1845.
Shelby Township .- Beginning at the southeast corner of Section 35, Township 12, Range 6, which point is the southwest corner of Addison Township; thence north on the line dividing the townships of Addison and Hendricks to the northwest corner of Section 14 in said township and range: thence east on section line to the north- east corner of Section 13. and also range line dividing ranges 6 and 7: thence north on range line to the northwest corner of Sec- tion 8: thence east to the northeast corner of Section 14, Town- ship 12, Range 7 : also to the west line of Liberty Township; thence south on the section dividing the townships of Addison and Liberty to the southeast corner of Section 35, Township 12, Range 7; thence west on section line dividing the Township of Addison from Noble and Washington to the place of beginning. Organized, June 26. 1882.
fail. - The necessity of providing a prison for the confinement of those who refused to obey the laws, became manifest early in the existance of the county. Indeed, the county had been organ- ized but a few months until the Board of Commissioners, which met at the house of Hiram Alldredge, in November, 1822, ordered that a contract for the erection of a jail be sold on the Ist day of January, 1823. James Gregory was appointed architect, and to Nathan Johnson was awarded the contract for the erection of said building. The plans and specifications as prepared by the archi- tect, provided for a hewed log structure 16x16 feet and two stories high. The first story was to contain the prison room or dungeon in which the most vicious class of criminals were to be incarcerated, while in the second story was an apartment less securely con- structed, and set apart as a debtor's room. Under this operation of the law, which was one of the first enactments of the new State, any person who failed in the payment of his debts, either from inability or otherwise, might at the pleasure of the creditor be thrown into. prison. It is remembered by many of the old settlers that not a few of the most honorable and respectful people were victims of the law, that like many other relics of the " dark ages " had been promulgated by that little band that landed at Plymouth Rock, in 1620. The location of this building was the northeast lot of Public square, and cost about $600.
This old structure stood for a few years, when it was abandoned and a new jail erected on the corner of Harrison and Broadway. This building was of logs and more substantially constructed than
280
SHELBY COUNTY.
the first, and was built at a cost but little in excess of the amount paid for the first jail.
The contract for the third jail was awarded to John Craig, Michael West and Jacob Parris, at the March term. of court, I845. This building stood near the site of the present jail and was built of stone. Attached to said jail was a Sheriff's residence 20x24 feet and two stories high. This building was of a very substantial char- acter and during the thirty-three years of its use there was confined within its walls some of the most vicious criminals of that period.
In the fall of 1872, in accordance with the instructions of the board, D. A. Bohlen prepared and submitted plans for a new jail and Sheriff's residence. In accordance with a notice previously given the following bids were recorded at the November meeting: Norris & Hinkley, $55.824: Travis Carter & Co., $70,500; Wingate & Hester, $55,998: Travis L. Farmer, $55,500, and Victor & Springer, $54.000. The contract was awarded to Victor & Springer. The building is a two-story' brick and is ninety-five feet long and fifty feet wide. The prison apartment is provided with eighteen cells and two hospital rooms, while the Sheriff's res- idence contains nine rooms.
Court House .- Before the location of the seat of justice at its present site, all county business was transacted at the little village of Marion. The first courts were held at the house of David Fisher, but it is authentically stated that when the weather was not too inclement, the judge and jury would adjourn either to an un- finished barn that stood near by, or to the top of a large oak tree which had fallen-the branches answering the purpose of both bench and jury-box. After the location of the county seat, all county business was transacted, and courts held first at the residence of Benjamin Williams, and later the residence of Hiram Alldredge.
The first action taken toward the erection of a court house was an order made by the board January, 1, 1823, authorizing the county agent to contract for the erection of a temporary frame building 20x30 feet and two stories high. This order was recorded at a subsequent meeting of the board, and on the 3d of. July, of the same year, the agent was directed to give notice that a substantial brick building would be erected instead. In March, of the follow- ing year, it was declared to be the sense of the board that the ex- penditure of a large sum for the erection of a court house was at that time both unwise and inexpedient, and the matter was accord- ingly postponed. The matter was not again considered until March, 1825, when the contract for the erection of a two-story, brick build- ing fifty feet wide and sixty long, was purchased by William Bush-
2SI
COUNTY ORGANIZATION.
field and Arthur Major, for $2,240. According to the plans prepared by the architect. John E. Baker, the first story was set apart for a court room, and although the furniture and appointments were in no way extravagant, they served the purpose. The sec- ond story was divided into four apartments, and was used for county offices. The house was located in the center of the public square ( which had been but partially cleared of the heavy growth of trees ) and was not completed ready for occupation until 1830. The present court house was built in 1852, by Edwin May, con- tractor, at a cost to the county of $27,000. The superstructure is of brick and stone. The building is two stories high and 100 feet long and seventy-five feet wide. It was remodeled in 1878, according to the plans and specifications of R. P. Daggett, architect. The con- tract for the reconstructure was awarded Osborne, Carlisle & Jones for the sum of $31,000. In order to meet the payment of the debt thus incurred, bonds aggregating $30,000 were issued in denom- inations of $500, payable in one, two and three years, and bearing interest at the rate of eight per cent.
Finances. To give a correct statement of the condition of the finances for the first decade of the county's history is almost impos- sible : but so far as the records reveal the facts its true condition will be seen in the subjoined exhibit. The principal source of revenue for the first few years was from the sale of lots which were donated to the county as a consideration for the location of the seat of justice at its present site. The first sale of lots occurred September 23, 1822. The cash received at said sale was $15.75, the balance be- ing in notes and accounts. The proceeds from the several sales of lots probably exceeded, in the aggregate, $3,000, but on account of county agent being a defaulter, the true condition of the funds could never be ascertained. The first tax levied was in 1822, the rate upon each horse or mule more than three years old, 37 12 cents: each two-wheel pleasure carriage, $1.00; each four-wheel pleasure carriage, $1.50; each voke of oxen more than three years old. 1834 cents: each brass clock, $1,00; each pinch back or silver watch. 25 cents; and on each gold watch, $1.00. The first collec- tion of tax was in 1823, and the treasurer's report for said year shows that there were taxes collected to the amount of $314.75; merchant's licenses. $7.50, and tavern licenses, $20. The same report shows that $386.12 was dispersed during the year; thus it will be seen that at the close of the first fiscal year there was a cash balance against the county of $43.87.
The following statement will show the expenditure of the county revenue for the first and last ten years of the county's his- tory:
282
SHELBY COUNTY.
I823,
-
-
$386 12
1877, 1878,
36.380 00
IS25,
2,715 00
1879,
- 35.062 00
1826,
392 4I
ISSO,
60.521 00
1827.
227 25
ISSI,
- 60.544 00
IS28,
1,256 66
1882.
56.599 00
1829,
-
725 64
ISS3.
-
- 59.236 00
IS30,
1.370 24
1884,
43,867 00
I831,
757 28
1885,
- 59.787 00
I832,
I.198 39
1886,
80,584 00
Total,
-
- $9,876 06
Total,
-
-
$552.639 00
By an addition of these amounts it will be observed that for the first ten years the expense of running the county, including amounts paid for state and school purposes, was $9,876.06, while for the ten years ending with 1886, and not including state and school funds, the amount is $552,639.00. The receipts (including all funds ) for the fiscal year ending May 31, 1886, was $239.036.39; and the expenditures but $4.640.45 less. A careful comparison of the figures will show the growth in wealth of the county from the date of its organization to the present time.
The County's Poor .- Probably no question in the political economy of a county deserves more thoughtful attention from those to whom the management of public affairs is intrusted, than the care of those who have through misfortune become the proper ob- jects of charity. To provide those unfortunates who are unable or incompetent to take care of themselves. against want, has called forth various methods of treatment. The first provisions made by law was the appointment of overseers of each civil township, whose duty it was to provide for the wants of the poor of their respective townships. In accordance with the provision of the law the board of commissioners, at a meeting held in May. 1822. made the follow- ing named persons overseers: Noble Township. William Shaw and Josiah Williams: Ilendricks Township, Henry Logan and George Adams: Marian Township. Benjamin and Abel Summers; Union Township, Jonathan Hill and Joshua Wilson. The general provis- ions governing the duties of such overseers were as follows: "It shall be the duty of the Overseers of the Poor, every year, to cause all poor persons who have or shall become a public charge, to be farmed out on contract to be made on the first Monday in May, annually, in such manner as said Overseers of the Poor shall deem best calculated to promote the public good. Provided, That nothing herein contained shall prohibit any overseer from receiving
$40,059 00
IS24.
847 07
-
-
-
283
COUNTY ORGANIZATION.
and accepting propositions at any time for the keeping of the poor and others who may at any time hereafter become a county charge." It was further provided that the overseers should keep a record in which should be transcribed the names of all persons in their respective townships who were unable to take care of themselves, and who in their opinion were entitled to the benefits provided for the maintenance of those unfortunates. A further provision made it necessary then to put as apprentices all poor children whose parents were dead or were found to be unable to maintain them - males until the age of twenty-one, and females until they attained the age of eighteen years.
During the first thirty years of the county's history but little progress was made toward the development of a more practical method of providing for the wants of the poor and indigent of the county. For many years succeeding the organization of the county the farming-out system was adopted by the commissioners, and the result, while at first satisfactory. later became impracticable. Profit- ing by the experience of older counties, the commissioners bought a farm in 1847, upon which was erected a suitable building for the comfort of the poor of the county. This plan was adopted as a matter of economy. the purpose being to utilize the personal labor of such inmates as were physically able to work. This plan was found to be beneficial because it offered proper exercise for such inmates, besides contributing to their own sustenance. The county farm, which was bought of John Lemasters, July 3, 1847, is five miles south of Shelbyville, in Shelby Township. It contains 160 acres and cost $1.Soo. The contract for the erection of a brick building. 40x20 feet. was awarded to Benjamin & Jackson Maple, for the sum of $550. As the county increased in population there was a corresponding increase in the number who were entitled to its benefactions. and the old building was soon found to be inade- quate. In May, 1861, the commissioners contracted for the con- struction of a brick building with enlarged capacity and the necessary appointments to accommodate all who were entitled to enter. The annual expense of keeping the poor was for the first several years merely nominal. According to the records the aver- age annual expense from 1828 to 1836. inclusive. was $140, or an aggregate, for the period. of $1.260. If this amount be compared with the following exhibit of annual expenses for the last twenty years. the contrast will show an alarming increase in this element of society:
284
SHELBY COUNTY.
I867,
$1,213 24
1877,
-
- $7,057 38
I868,
9,428 51
I878,
8,465 30
I869.
8.078 64
I879,
6.790 00
1870,
S.870 44
ISSO,
IO.299 45
I871,
9.251 00
.ISSI,
8.821 85
IS72,
9-759 00
ISS2,
II.567 25
I873,
9.166 38
1883,
-
-
10.014 69
IS74,
11.060 50
1884,
10,568 99
1875,
6,038 25
1885,
-
- 12,000 4I
I876,
-
9,435 74
IS86.
14,049 43
This shows an aggregate expenditure for the ten years ending May 30. 1886 (not including the erection nor tepair of buildings) of $99.634.75.
Avenues of Travel .- The roads traversed by the pioneer set- tlers of Shelby County were first the Indian trails, which were the only avenues of travel established by the Delaware tribe, which in- habited this county at the time of the coming of the first settler. These were succeeded by neighborhood roads until the organization of the county, when county roads were established according to the demands of public convenience. The primitive roads were little more than a path " blazed out." by which travelers might with some degree of confidence, go from one settlement to another with- out fear of losing their course. These roads often traversed low, wet land and marshy districts, and in order to make them passable were cross laid with logs and rails, and were generally known as " corduroys," which, according to an eminent American humorist, " has decreased the length of many a spinal column." When the necessities of enlarged travel became apparent, the demand for bet- ter constructed roads became quite universal, and in response to this demand State roads were surveyed and located at the expense of the State.
The first of these important avenues of commerce and travel was The Old State Road, which was located about the year 1821. The road extended from Indianapolis to Lawrenceburg, passing through Shelby County from northwest to southeast. and afforded those living along the line of said road communication with the Ohio River, which enabled the people of central and southern Indiana to reach with their products the markets of the world. The Michi- gan Road was in many respects the most important thoroughfare established in Indiana at an early day. This road was built largely by the proceeds of the sale of land relinquished to the State by the Pottawattamie Indians by the treaty of 1826. The northern term- inus of the road was Michigan City, and for several years extended
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
285
COUNTY ORGANIZATION.
no further south than Indianapolis, but in the latter part of the thir- ties, was built to Madison, by the way of Shelbyville.
After many years of experience with dirt roads, which until 1850, were the only public thoroughfares in the State, it was thought proper to authorize by legislative enactment, as many older states had done, the construction of roads whereby the products of the farm might be transported to meet the demands of trade. In response to this demand the General Assembly of 1849. authorized the incorporation of Stock Companies for the construction of Plank Roads. In all but few of the counties of the State such roads were built and operated, but after a few years were abandoned as im- practicable.
Since 1860, there has been constructed on all the principal thor- oughfares leading out of Shelbyville, as well as on many of the cross roads in various parts of the county, gravel roads, of which the following is a complete list :
Shelbyville & Morristown, ten miles; Edinburg. Flat Rock & Norristown, eleven miles and a half: Mount Auburn & Lewis Creek, nine miles and a half: Jackson Grand Road, three miles: Shelbyville, Flat Rock & Norristown. twelve miles; Hope & Norristown. one and a half miles: Flat Rock & Waldron, five and a half miles: St. Paul & Norristown, nine and a half miles; Shelbyville & Cynthiana, four miles: Shelbyville & Chapel, seven miles; County Line & Chapel, five miles; Waldron & Middleton, one mile; Shelbyville & Columbus, four and a half miles: Shelby- ville & Rushville, four miles; Shelbyville & Manilla, ten miles: Lewis Creek & Shelbyville, three miles: Shelbyville, Smithland & Marietta. seven and a half miles: Michigan Road, six miles: Shelbyville & Brandywine, two and a half miles: Brandywine, Boggstown & Sugar Creek, four miles: Fairland Company, four and a half miles: Shelbyville & Indianapolis, four miles; Fairland & Shelbyville, two miles: Fairland & Brandywine, one and a half miles: Northern County, one mile: Brandywine Junction, one mile; Morristown & Hanover, five and three-fourths miles: Blue River & Chapel, four miles; Marion Township, five and a half miles; Morrison Turnpike Company, four and a half miles.
Railroads .-- From the year IS22, forward for a series of years, the question of internal improvements was the all-absorbing theme of discussion. In his message to the General Assembly, in 1822, Governor Wm. Hendricks urged strongly the necessity of construct- ing state roads, improvement of the rivers, etc. This sentiment became strong among the masses, and no sooner had the practica- bility of railroads been demonstrated to the world than there was among the most intelligent and progressive citizens a desire to give
ยท
286
SHELBY COUNTY.
it a practical test. The first action taken with this object in view was by the people of Shelby County, early in the thirties. Judge Peaslee, at that time a citizen of Shelbyville, was the projector of the road which extended from the top of the hill in the southeast- ern suburbs of the city. to Lewis Creek. a distance of one mile and a half. The road was constructed entirely of wood, and the car was pulled by horses. It was put into operation on the Fourth of July, 1834. and passengers were taken the "round trip" for twenty-five cents. William Ford was the conductor. This was the beginning of what the projectors hoped would be a line ex- tending to Cincinnati, but failing to interest capitalists, and not hav- ing the means of their own, the project was abandoned. This was the first road. if such it may be called, that was built west of the Alleghany mountains.
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