USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, from the earliest times to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, etc. > Part 6
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On the day appointed by law for the first meeting of the board of commissioners of the new county, March 9, 1818, James An- thony, David Brumfield and George Sirkle After accepting the report of the locating assembled at the designated place, and each | commissioners, by which Evansville was
48
COUNTY ORGANIZATION
selected as the seat of government for thenew county, the board of commissioners pro- ceeded to appoint a county agent and treas- urer. For locating the seat of justice the following allowances were made: Archibald Scott, $21.00; William Hargrove, $15.00; Wilson Bullett and Elias Barker, each $9.00: Thos. E. Casselberry, $6.00. All of this im- portant business was transacted in three days, after which an adjournment to May 11, ISIS, was ordered. The subsequent im- portant acts of the board of commissioners are mentioned in detail in connection with the subjects to which they relate, and fur- ther facts concerning the chief actors in the formation of the county are stated in con- nection with the early history of Evansville.
County Commissioners .- The board of commissioners is composed of three men elected by the people, one from each of three districts, with fixed limits, into which the county is divided. Without pretensions to legal exactitude, it may be said that it rep- resents and acts for the county as agent in all business transactions. Its duties are ministerial, being particularly prescribed by law, yet great latitude is allowed for the ex- ercise of discretion and judgment. As stated elsewhere, James Anthony, David Brumfield and George Sirkle, formed the first board. Others who served prior to 1824 were Benjamin McNew, William Olm- stead, Jay Morehouse, D. F. Goldsmith, and Kirby Armstrong.
The legislature of 1823-4 enacted a law which entirely changed the plan of trans- acting county business so far as concerned the personnel of the acting body. It pro- vided that the justices of the peace in the county should organize as a board and as- sume the duties theretofore discharged by ยท the commissioners. The first meeting of the board of justices in this county was held on the 2d Monday in September, IS24, at the
court-house, when there were present Leon F. Ragar, Daniel Miller, Benjamin F. Barker, Eli Sherwood, William Bingam, James Kirkpatrick and John Conner, the last named being chosen president of the board. At the expiration of Mr. Conner's term as a justice in July, 1825, Eli Sherwood was made president pro tem., and an election was ordered to be held in August following. Mr. Conner was elected by the people as his own successor, and upon the assembly of the justices in September was again chosen president, and continued to serve as such till September, 1828, when Nathan Rowley, Esq., was elected in his stead, who, being succeeded after one year's service by James Ross, Esq., was again elected in September, 1830. The transaction of the public busi- ness was somewhat retarded by this un- wieldy body. The large number made it sometimes difficult to get a quorum, and it became necessary at times to send the sheriff for delinquent members and adjourn from day to day until enough were brought in to proceed to business. In January, 1831, the legislature recognizing the difficulties incident to such a mode of doing business enacted a law providing for a return to the former plan of a board of commissioners. The board of justices divided the county into three districts at their May term, 1831, and held the last meeting in July following, when there were present James Ross, presi- dent pro tem .; Alpheus Fairchild, John S. Saunders, Martin Miller and Hiram Nelson. Their last official act was the appointment of Edward Hopkins as collector of taxes for 1831. On the first Monday in September, 1831, James Ross, John B. Stinson and Amos Clark convened at the court house, organized as a board of commissioners, adopted a scroll as a common seal and pro- ceeded to the dispatch of business. Those who have since served the public in this ca-
Jao. D. Garvin
51
COUNTY OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES.
pacity are here named in the order of ser- vice: C. D. Bourne, Vicissimus K. Phar, J. B. Stinson, Edward Hopkins, Wm. R. Barker, Thos. F. Stockwell, Everton Ken- nerly, Simpson Ritchey, D. D. Grimes, Willard Carpenter, Edmund Maidlow, Ever- ton Kennerly, Ezekiel Saunders, Ira P. Grainger, John Burtis, Michael P. Jones, Leroy Calvert, Simeon Long, Jr., Alanson Warner, Edmund Maidlow, Alexander Mad- dux, Cassimer Schlamp (appointed in 1853 to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of A. Warner), William Pruitt, John Rhein- lander, Michael Muentzer, James Neel (ap- pointed in 1855 to fill the vacancy caused by resignation of J. Rheinlander), Robert Par- rett, John Hogue (appointed in 1860 to fill the vacancy occasioned by death of R. Par- rett), M. W. Foster, John Bumb, John Hogue, Bernard Nurre, Charles Knowles, Joseph B. Parrett, Philip Decker, Thomas Bower, Henry W. Hawkins, Samuel Barker (appointed in 1869 to fill vacancy caused by resignation of H. W. Hawkins), James Erskine, James D. Fair, Clark Cody, Benja- min Young, George Peva, Christian Hod- derich, A. A. Swope, Jacob Bennighof, Samuel Barker, John Laval, Wm. Dean (appointed in 1882 to fill vacancy caused by resignation of J. Laval), Henry Brommel- house, Wm. E. Bauer, Henry Mesker, J. F. Saunders, Christian Wunderlich, Wm. Bower, James L. King, and Henry H. Boeke.
County Treasurer .- This officer is charged with the safe-keeping and proper disburse- ment of all money belonging to the county. At first he was appointed by the county commissioners, but later the office became elective, the term extending two years. The first treasurer of the county was George W. Jacobs, appointed March IO, ISIS. His bondsmen were Robert M. Evans and Luke Wood. So faithful was he to the trust com- 3
mitted to him, that he was annually ap- pointed until his death. His successor was Maj. Alanson Warner, who assumed the duties of the office January 1, 1829. Alexander Johnston served during 1830, but in the following year Maj. Warner was again appointed and served until IS41, ex- cept during the four years from 1833 to 1836, inclusive, when John M. Lockwood held the office. B. Royston, by election and appoint- ment, served from September, IS4I, to March, 1845. Subsequently, the people have chosen from their number, to fill this important and responsible position, the fol- lowing citizens: Robert W. Dunbar, 1845 to I854; Theodore Venemann, IS54 to IS58; Leroy Calvert, 1862 to 1864; John Rhein- lander, 1864 to 1866; F. Lunkenheimer, IS66 to IS71; William Warren, Jr., 1871 to 1875: Emil Rahm, 1875 to 1879; Thos. P. Britton, 1879 to 1883; John J. Hays, ISS3 to 1887: August Leich, ISS7 to IS91. The death of Mr. Britton in July, ISS3, caused a vacancy, which was filled by the appoint- ment of his deputy, Martin Mann, Jr., who served from August to October of the year named.
County Auditor .- The office of county auditor is of comparatively recent creation. It is elective, the term being four years. The auditor is the fiscal agent and book- keeper of the county. He is cx-officio clerk of the board of commissioners, and is entrusted with the management of the common school and congressional township funds. James M. Johnston was the first to hold the office; he was appointed in August, IS41, and resigned in January, 1843. His successor was H. C. Gwathney, who also resigned in June follow- ing his appointment. William H. Walker was appointed to the office in IS43, and in the next year was chosen by the popular vote as his own successor, and continued in the office until March, 1862, since which
5.2
COUNTY ORGANIZATION.
time it has been held by Victor Bisch, from 1862 to 1870; Philip Decker, 1870 to 1874; Joseph J. Reitz, 1874 to 1878; William Warren, Jr., 1878 to 1882; Charles F. Yae- ger, 1882 to 1886; James D. Parvin, the present incumbent, whose term will expire in 1890.
County Agent .- This officer, at present unknown, was in early times an important public functionary. As the name implies he was an agent, his principal being the county personified in the board of commis- sioners. He sold property belonging to the county, executed papers in its behalf, made purchases for its use, and in a general way superintended its affairs. The first agent was Daniel Miller, appointed March 10, ISIS. His bondsmen were William Wagnon, and William R. McGary. Among those en- trusted with the discharge of duties per- taining to this office were Harley B. Chandler, Jacob Zimmerman, Amos Clark, Levi Price, James Lockhart, Jay More- house and many others. The last to hold the office was Hon. Thomas E. Garvin, who made his final report and surrendered the books and papers of the office in December, 1852, the legislature, in the preceding May, having abolished the office by trans- ferring its duties to the county auditor.
Recorder .- This officer keeps the records of deeds, mortgages, etc., and is elected by the people for a term of four years. The incumbents of the office have been: Hugh McGary, ISIS-1821; W. M. Lewis, 1821- 1832; W. T. T. Jones, 1832-1836; C. D. Bourne, 1836-1843; S. T. Jenkins, 1843- 1852; George H. Todd, May to November, I852; Christian Bippus, 1852-1856: John Farrell, 1856-1860; F. Lunkenheimer, 1860-1864; C. Tomhemelt, 1864-1872; S. B. Sansom, 1872-18So; Charles T. Jenkins, ISSO-1884; Louis Sihler, the present in- cumbent, whose term expires in 1892,
Clerk .- Formerly the clerk of the circuit court was ex-officio clerk of the board of commissioners. The duties of the office are now limited to the business of the cir- cuit and superior courts, the issue of mar- riage licenses, and some other transactions. The clerk is elected every four years. The office has' been held by Hugh McGary, 1818-1821; James W. Jones, 1822-1836; C. D. Bourne, 1836-1843; Samuel T. Jenkins, 1843-1852; Ben Stinson, May to November, I852; Jacob Lunkenheimer, 1852-1857; Louis Richter, 1857-1864; Blythe Hynes, 1864-186S; Soren Sorenson, 1868-1876; Jesse W. Walker, 1876-1884; Charles T. Jenkins, 1884, term expires 1892.
Sheriff .- John B. Stinson, ISIS; Hazael Putnam, August 24, ISIS: Alanson Warner, IS22; James Newman, 1824, Alanson War- ner, February, 1827; Daniel Miller, Sep- tember, 1827; Levi Price, 1831; Edward Hopkins, 1834; Daniel Miller, 1835; Thomas F. Stockwell, 1839; William M. Walker, IS43; John Echols, 1847; John S. Terry, 1849; John S. Gavit,. 1853; John B. Hall, 1857; John S. Gavit, 1859; George Wolflin , 1861; George Wolflin, 1863; Robert Early, August, 1865; Alex Darling, October, 1865; Jacob H. Miller, 1867; Adolph Pfafflin, 1870; C. Wunderlich, 1874; J. A. Lemcke, 1878; Thomas Keith, ISSo; Charles Schaum, ISS4; Frank Pritchett, IS88.
Surveyor .- Joseph M. McDowell, June 17, 1819; (The records in regard to this office are incomplete.) Charles G. Omsted, 1853; Azariah T. Whittlesey, I855; James D. Saunders, 1856; J. R. Frick, 1860; James D. Saunders, 1862; S. C. Rogers, 1864; Charles B. Bateman, 1870; August Pfafflin, 1872; James D. Saunders, 1876; Robert S. Cowan, 1880; George W. Rank, IS82; George W. Saunders, 1884; Franklin Sours, 1886; August Pfafflin, ISS8.
Coroner .- Lewis Tackett, August 24,
53
COUNTY OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES.
ISIS; Alanson Warner, September, 1819: Daniel Avery, IS22: Jesse C. Doom, IS24; Alanson Warner, IS25; John Shaver, 1827; David H. Stevens, 1829: Seth Fairchild, 1831; Z. B. Aydelott, 1836; Adrian Young, IS38; Seth Fairchild, IS42; Lewis Howes, 1844; John Cupples, IS47 ; Allen C. Hallock, IS49; John Trible, 1851; James G. Hatch- ett, 1857; John Wayman, 1859: Ira A. Fairchild, 1862; John Beschman, 1864; Sam- uel P. Haylin, IS66; George F. Sauer, 1868; Robert Smith, 1872; George F. Sauer, 1874: Fred Woseger, 1878; John B. Hermeling, ISSO: Elijah L. Carter, ISS2; Fred Wahn- seidler, ISS4; Alfred Andrews, ISSS.
Representatives .*- Donaghe, Hugh M.,'21; Lane, Joseph, '22; Evans, Robert M., '23; McCrary, John, '25; Fitzgerald, Thomas, '25; McJohnston, Charles M., '27; Trafton, Wm., '28; Evans, Robert M., '29; Lane, Joseph, '30; Brackenridge, John A., '33; Graham, Christopher C., '35; Jones, Wm. T. T., '36; Lane, Joseph, '38; Butler, Wm. B., '39; Clark, Amos, '41 ; Butler, W. B., '42; Miller, Daniel, '43; Walker, James T., '44; Baker, Conrad, '45: Battell, Chas. I., '46; Blythe, James E., '47; James, Nathaniel J., '48; Greathouse, William R., '49; Hutchins, Isaac, '50; Carpenter, Willard, '51; Stock- well, John M., '53; Hardin. Grampee W., '55: Denby, Charles, 57; Stinson, Ben, '59: Blythe, James E., 59; Edson, Joseph P., '61; Hopkins, John S., '61; Garvin, Thomas E., '63; Reitz, John A., '63; Sullivan, Ed- ward T., '65: Cook, Fred W., '65; Bischof, Emil, '67; Hopkins, John S., '67; Calvert, Leroy, '69; Welborn, Jos. F., '69; Hooker, Robert P., '71; Heilman, Wm., '71; Riggs, James D., '73; Wolflin, George, '73; Pfafflin, Adolph, '75; Miller, Wm. H., '75; White- head, John, '77; Dannettelle, John, '77;
Hopkins, John S., '79; Messick, Jacob W., '79: Roelker, John H., 'SI; Pruitt, John F., '83; Spain, James W., '83; Pruitt, John F., '85: Murphy, Christopher J., 'S5; Klein, Philip, '87; Mackey, Robert L., 'S7; Co- vert, Jacob, 'S7; Covert, Jacob, 'S9; Nolan, John J., 'S9; Nugent, John R., 'S9.
Senators .*- Boon, Ratliff, 'IS; Harrison, Elisha, '19; Given, Thomas, '25; Battell, Charles I., '33; Casey, William, '35; Lane, Joseph, '39; Roberts, Gaines H., '40; Pitcher, John, '41 ; Lane, Joseph, '44; Stock- well, Wm. 11., '46; James, Enoch R., '47; Greathouse, Wm. R., '53; Drew, Cyrus K., 55; Carnahan, Mangus T., '59; Finch, George M., '63; Jacquess, Thos. C., '67; Morgan, Daniel, '69; Gooding, Henry C., '73; Heilman, William, '77; Rahm, Wm., Jr., 'SI; Kerth, Thomas, 'S9.
The Public Square .- The public square, comprising the four quarter-blocks corner- ing on Main and Third streets, running from the several corners on each of the streets named 150 feet, or to the alleys, was in ISIS in its natural state, except that the road from the north to the river passed through its limits. In June of that year the county agent was directed to have the square cleared. He immediately entered into con- tract with Chauncey Smith, who, during the summer cleared the land at a cost to the county of $55.75. It was not until 1837 that the natural topography of the place was in any way altered. At that time the half along the east side of Main street, on which the court-house and jail stood, was graded and paved. In IS20 a public pound or stray pen was built where the court-house now is, by Julius Gibson, for $40.00. It was four rods square, was built of white oak posts and rails, and stood for many years. On the op- posite corner across Third street but near the alley, stood for many years the market house facing Main street, the out-buildings
* The above list of senators and representatives was fur- nished by Hon. W. H. English, of Indianapolis, to whom the publishers are under obligations.
.
54
COUNTY ORGANIZATION.
around the main structure reaching to the street.
Court-Houses .- At times antedating the formation of this county, the Warrick county courts were held at the house of Hugh McGary. Even after the seat of justice had been removed to Darlington near the mouth of Little Pigeon creek, the hospitable home of McGary remained a favorite place with the judges. The new county of Vander- burgh during the first two years of its ex- istence continued the use of this house for its courts. Very naturally the need of a court-house was immediately recognized, but steps toward building it were not taken until late in the summer of ISIS, when the agent for the county was directed to contract for such material as might be used in its erec- tion. Little progress was made and definite plans were not adopted until February 15, . 1819. It was at first proposed to locate the building in the center of the streets so as to completely block Main and Third. The ground was broken and preparations were made to commence the actual construction, when the board of commissioners met and concluded to abandon the purpose of so ef- fectually inconveniencing the public as to place a barrier to all travel on its most pub- lic thoroughfare. The site finally chosen was the southeast quarter of the public square as it then existed - now the south- east corner of Third and Main streets. The building stood about ten feet from the streets on which it faced, and was probably the first brick house in the city, the bricks being burned on the corner where the court- house now stands. It was a heavy-looking, substantial building with thick walls and strong timbers. The foundation was of stone three feet thick. It was 34x46 feet in size, two stories high, the eaves being about twenty- five feet above the ground. The shingles were heavy and scalloped; and battlements
at either end gave it somewhat of an im- posing aspect. The whole was painted a Spanish brown and penciled with white lead. In the upper story there were five windows on each side and two in each end, and below" there was the same arrangement except that a door took the place of a window in the end fronting on Main street. The first floor was of brick except about the bar in the end most distant from the street, where it was of heavy timbers a foot wide, and four inches thick. The contract for the substantial part of the structure was let to Elisha Harrison and Daniel F. Goldsmith in April, 1819, and in May, 1820, the building was ready for the examination and acceptance of the com- missioners. In providing for the payment of these contractors the county was forced to devise various makeshifts. Money was very scarce. The receipts at the treasury were small and loans could not be negotiated. Notes of hand issued by individuals in favor of the county for lots sold were assigned by the county agent to the contractors. They were authorized to collect the money prom- ised by the town proprietors as an induce- ment for the selection of Evansville as a permanent seat of justice, which, after much trouble, they succeeded in doing. Orders were issued to them -but they were orders on an empty treasury, and because of long deferred payments were disposed of at heavy discounts. When received by the commis- sioners there had been paid in values of different kinds, $5,425.00, but this by no means ended the matter. On one order is- sued in 1820 for $528.06, interest amount- ing to $358.83 was allowed in 1831. The order was still unpaid in 1836, and the inter- est was again compounded. From such facts the ultimate cost of this court-house" may be approximately reckoned.
David Negley entered into contract to make the doors, jury rooms, floors and do
2
55
COURT HOUSES.
other carpenter work, for which he was to be paid in town lots, the value of which should be determined by disinterested parties should he and the commissioners fail to agree. While this work was progressing during the winter months the commissioners met at the court house and adjourned to some warmer place for the transaction of business, sometimes to the clerk's office and again to the houses of Everton Kennerly or Presley Pritchett. In August, 1822, the county agent was directed to make a deed of conveyance to Jones and Walker for lots Nos. 167 and 168, being lots given to the county of Vanderburgh by the town of Evansville. They were estimated at the value of $150.00, which sum was to be en- tered as a credit for work done by Mr. Negley on the court house; provided he should consent to the transaction in writing. These lots had been disposed of at the sale by the county to James Stinson and Presley Pritchett for $170.00. Daniel Miller as agent for the county had taken their notes in payment and had given a bond for a deed. When this triangular transaction between Jones and Walker, the county, and Negley, was made, the notes of Stinson and Pritchett were surrendered and they in turn gave up their bonds for deeds. The matter was not wholly settled until November of the next year, when at Negley's request a small al- lowance was made to Wm. Walker, in full payment for the former's work. Such were the expedients resorted to. The county has never since found itself in just such straits. The times did not improve, however, and much needed repairs were from time to time neglected. In IS37 the vestry of St. Paul's church expended a considerable sum in repairing the court-house, for which the church was permitted to use the building as a house of worship, not, however, so as to interfere with the holding of courts. In
making this arrangement with the church the county reserved the privilege of refund- ing the amount used in repairs and taking exclusive possession. The walls of this old court-house are still well preserved. The building is used as a clothing store on Main street near Third. The records of the county had been kept at the house of Mr. James Newman. The treasurer and county agent were not provided with offices. The clerk of the courts, who was also ex-oficio clerk of the board of commissioners, took care of the books and papers of his office at his residence or place of business. This condition of affairs remained for some years after the erection of the court-house, but in 1837 a fire-proof brick office, 18x30 feet, for the offices of the clerk and recorder, was built on the public square, facing Main street, about twenty feet south of the court house, by Thomas F. Stockwell, at a cost of $818.50.
The conveniences afforded by this small building and the court-house soon became entirely inadequate. The volume of the public business was annually increasing. The population was growing; an era of pros- perity was begun; many causes had con- trived to give an impetus to commercial and mercantile affairs which improved the fi- nancial condition of the individual and the community. In June, 1852, after various plans had been submitted and discussed, an agreement was made with James Roquet, a French architect and contractor, for build- ing a new court-house, jail and jailor's resi- dence. The design was substantially that of the present court house, convenient and sufficiently commodious for the times. The northeast quarter of the public square was selected as the site for the new building. The three remaining quarters were to be transferred by the county to Mr. Roquet as compensation in full for erecting the build-
56
COUNTY ORGANIZATION.
ings required. The contracts for the work and amendments in the plans were drawn by James G. Jones and Hon. Conrad Baker, then attorneys practicing in this county. The commissioners were Leroy Calvert, Alanson Warner and Simeon Long. Some changes were made in the plans when the work was in progress, by which a slate roof and a dome were provided at an additional cost of about $1,000. When the lot on which the old court-house stood was conveyed, the consideration named was $14,000, from which fact by making allowance for the two buildings thereon, an estimate, fairly accur- ate, of the cost of the court-house and the value of the property used in payment for it, can be arrived at. The work was not finished within the time specified, and the commissioners were in every possible way urging it forward. It was so far completed that the auditor, clerk and recorder, in June. 1855, moved into the offices prepared for them under its roof. In the following Sep- tember the contractor was urged to com- plete the building within thirty days. On his failure to do this, a suit on his contract was threatened. Unavoidable delays fol- lowed. On the day before Christmas, 1855, a fire, originating in a lumber-yard east of the court-house, burned its way unchecked toward the new building and soon enveloped it in flames. The records were nearly all removed in safety, but the building, except the fire-proof walls, was completely de- stroyed. The commissioners accepted $150 from the contractor as payment in full for the uncompleted portion of the building, thus showing how little remained to be done to perfect it when accidentally destroyed. The sympathy of the entire community was with Mr. Roquet. About 500 leading citi- zens and tax payers petitioned the commis- sioners to release him and his sureties from any liability which they might "be supposed
to have incurred," and they were accord- ingly released. Somewhat dejected, the recorder and treasurer, who were just be- ginning to appreciate their new quarters, on Christmas day moved back into the little office previously vacated, and which had been occupied later by the town officers and its council. The Crescent City hall was rented for the use of the courts; rooms over the Crescent City Bank for the clerk ; and an isolated office on the street for the auditor. After the unfortunate fire no time was lost. Plans were immediately adopted for the re- pair of the damage done. They were pre- pared by a committee appointed for the pur- pose, consisting of Peter Sharpe, James G. Jones, J. S. Hopkins, W. Carpenter, J. T. Hugo, John Henson, James Lockhart, James D. Saunders, and Michael Muentzer. In March, 1856, Francis D. Allen agreed with the commissioners to rebuild the court- house and complete the other buildings for $14,300. Upon its completion in 1857, dif- ferences arose between the contractor and commissioners as to extra work done and damages sustained by reason of defective work. A committee of citizens, composed of John S. Hopkins, Peter Sharpe, Michael Muentzer, James Rogers and James Steel, was appointed to settle the matter by arbi- tration. After thoroughly examining the premises, the committee awarded the county over $700 for damages and the contractor about $35 for extras. Its conclusions were satisfactory to the interested parties and a final settlement was made. This court- house is still used, though somewhat dilapi- dated and of forbidding aspect. It is of brick, two stories high, surmounted by a dome. The main entrance, leading into a paved corridor along which are the offices of the auditor, clerk, sheriff, recorder and treasurer, is through a lofty portico sup- ported by massive columns, in the Grecian
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