Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Indiana, Part 115

Author:
Publication date: 1876
Publisher: Baskin, Forster & Co.
Number of Pages: 472

USA > Indiana > Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Indiana > Part 115

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A tax of thirty. fice cents on cich $100 of taxable property nas lened for county purposes, and fifty cents on each poll.

THE FIRST COURTS.

Tho first term of the Benton County Ciremil Court began on the 4th duy of Norember, 1910, at the house of Boyil Jushuis. Tho I'residing Judge sig tbe lion. Isune Naylor ; David MeConnell nuit Notban Terwilliger were the Associnie Judges. The Clerk of the Court way Basit Justus, and the Sheriff, Henry Hoberison. The tuembers of the first grand jury nere: Agrou Wooil, Leiris Elias Smith, Benjamin Tiinmons, Jolin Wallace, lobo Lone, William P. Corson, William Smith, Jr., Saumnel Robertson, John Frost, William Fosfor, William F. Wakening, Thouns McConnell, Robert Pollock, Leivis and B. Williams. The jury was then charged, and retired for deliberation, John Wollnee buriug first been appointed foreuinn. The following nere the first Inisyers udmitted to proclice io the court, riz .: Daniel Mince, John l'ettit, Willinm &. Jenners, Robert H. Chandler, Benjamin 1'. Gregory und Zelmilon Barril

Jolin H. Nordorft, on alico, ives tilmitted lo citizenship during the first duy's session of the court, being the first foreiguer who was legally inade n citizen in the county after its orgninzation.

The first enil enee upon the docket was uu uction for debt, brought by Joseph W. Blackley el nt. vs. William Andrews and Claiborne Cocke. Judg- ment iros rendered in favor of the plaintiffs in the sum uf $246, But three criminal inilietincots were returned, all of them being for vielntions of the estrar lai's The court nuljourned after a session of nivo ilays.

THE COUNTY SEAT HAN.

The county seat was located nt Oxford in July, 1813, by the Locating Commissioners wamed in the net of the Legislature, approved January 31, 1843. The nnDies of the members of the Lacaling Commission nere us fol- lows . 'Thomns Smiley, William Coon, Willintu Sill, George Wollerd mul Samuel Milroy.

Iu consideration of what ivas to have been the permanent loention of the sent of justice, Durid Withinson art icife, residents of Ilnrlford, Conuceti- cul, ileeled to the county 1GO neres of fine Innd, in Ouk Grore, for the sum of $1. ltere tho comuty sent remained for thirty years until removed, in 1873, to Fowler, in the center of the county At the Time the loration aves mole, the most of the population in the counly nay in the southern part, and ne objection was, of course, unde lo the site selected by any considern- bje number. At that time, and, iwleed, until 1852, imuch of the Innd in the central nnil northern part of the county was held either by the United Sintes or the State of ludiana; consequently, a large portion of the lands thus held paidt no taxes, nor indeed, was here inuch revenue derned from them until 1867, thoy being free of luxes for five years ufer entry.

The first court house built in the county uns it temporary nonir, in the conri honse square, nt on carly duy. This uns remote] to munke room for n brick cunrl honse, oreeteil on ils sue, and compdeled in 1816, ut a cost of $19,000. This building nay conleamed in 1872, nuil tora dowu.

The first juil in the county stoud in the sonthuest part of Oxford, nnit uas burued by n prisoner, who hoped, in thil uny, to effeet Ins escape. The pour wretch, after being strangled by the smoke nud hilf roasteil, Was res- cucit with grent difficulty, und merely succeeded in destroying the jail with. out helping himself in the least. A brick juil wus ufternari erected, nud, npou the removal of the county went to Fowler, it, together with the court hanse square, was deedel to the corporation of Oxfordt

In 1872, a petition, signed by orer two-thirds of the rolers mu the conuty, irus presented to the County Commissioners, praying for the removal of the county sent to Fowler, in The geographical center of the couuty, ichile Oxforil was in the southenstern corner, being but three miles from the sontberu nnd right miles from the eastern boundary. As an inducement for The Commis- sioners to vote tho change, Moses Fowler, of Lafayette, the muer of it Inrgo traet of land neur the new conuly sent, suil its origiunl propriclor, offerel lo give $10,000 lo the county in cash, and the necessary grounds for the county building. The offer way not accepted, and the hud was raised to $10,000, which figure tho Commissioners mcopted, nud coted the removal of the seul of justice.

'The splemitid court house in the new county pent wns comploled in 1874, at u cost of over $00,000, aud the couuly ofhees nul records were inovell into it in Jnounry, 1875. The court house is bnill of reil brick with freo-stune freings, and is bnely finished inside and out. A plan for n juil was ndopled early in 1876, miuit propesals inviled for its erection The estimated cost is $25,000,

The following is a list of the county officers for 1876-6 : Andilor, William Suyder; Clerk, Simon F. Carler ; Sheriff, Henry C. Hurris; Treasurer, Win. Morrin ; Recorder, Isine 11. Phares, Curoner, J. F. Kinney , Superinlenl. enl, B. F. Heaton ; Surveyor, T A. Ballarin ; Commissioners, R. M. Alkin- seu, J. V. Boswell and Thouuns Wilcox.

HAILAFAY'S -- THE COUNTY AQUICULTURAI. SOCIETY.

The construction of the Lafayette, Muncie & Bloominglon and the Cin- cinonti, Lafayette & Chiengn Railways hns heon an imperfont fueter in the pragress of the county, and should not esenpe n brief mention. The ronds were compleled in 1872. The former raus from enst to irest through the county ; the last dingonally neross it, from the sonthenstorn to the north- western extframily. The ino nlfard much needed outlets for the products raised in sich profusion in all parts of thy enunty, mid their construction bus neorly doubled the value of taxables, und caused fur more towns te spring up in fire years then during the quarter of n century preceding

The Chiquesaloughi Park Association was organizeit in 1872, for The pur- pese of bolding steek shows aml hoporting improred breeils of onille mid horses. This was The first organization in The county Thal held an munual exhibition. The jdnee nf meeting was at Templeton, in 1872, since which time exhibitions linve been hell each year. The first President of the nssoeintion ins W J. Peropleton ; the first Secretary, Joseph F. Sleoper. The nssocinhon, in 1878, milopteil the umuo of Benton Agricultural Socioty, and hins a fine fair ground of 40 acres, near Templeton.

TIL: PRESS

The first paper in Benteu County was the Oxferit Evening Mfait, sinrted by J. W. Jnckyon, in the spring of 1855. It was Republican in politics. la 1818, it was sold to S. F. Carter, who made it neutrol as to politics, bul ilis- continued the publientien in nine months.

M V. B. Cewnn next atorleit tho Chrometype, iu 18hd, and continued it until the war excitement caused its suspension.

Aboul 1965, The Oxbird Pobune was started is a llepublicon paper, by .r. R. Lucas. In 1870, Alonzo L'mwgill, the presout propriolor ( 1870), took charge of it.

The Benton County Herald was Blurted in Fowler, in the winter of 1871-2, by D MeA Williams. The paper afterward passeil into the hands of Max. LYell & Ingram, irbo, al the present time of uriling, aro the proprictorx. The Benton Democrat was started in June, 1876, by W. D. atmidiluck.

The Boswell Leader is the only remaining paper in the county. 11 is non In its second volume : C. Goult, edilor

OXFORD.

The old connty seat, is delightfully silunted in Onk Grove, in the southeast- ern parl of the couply For minny years it was not only the political capital, but also the only toiro and the sole business poiut iu the county, a position it any be considered to hace hell notil 1870, in which year it lind o pop- lation of 620 people. It lins a tonn goverlinient.

The Oxford Academy, the most prelealiona institution of learning in the county, wus estabilisheil here in 1815, but it has since been inade n perl of the common school system, aud the billing is now used for Ibo union scheols of the loin.

The Presbyterians, Methodisty, I'hristins and Catholics bare house's of iworship in the place.

was Inid out in 1871, hy Moses Fowler, of Lafayette, iu whose honor it was natoed. The foun Inin, in 1876, nearly a thousand inhatuinnts, and is receiving constant necessions. There are muy fno buildings in the place, and everything wears o look of thrift and comforl, which speaks well for the publie spirit amul industry of its inhabitants.

There is u Methodist, a Catholic and n Prosbyterinn Church in the pluce. The Benethetine Order are preparing to lmild & seminary, south of town, to cosl not less than $10,000. ltere sindents may receive u guoil business, scientific or classical education. The buildings aro lo be begun in 1876, on s fine comtu iniling piece of ground, donated fur the pilrpose by bloses For ler.

FARI PARK

is n lown of considerable note, nnined after Adams Fart, of Lafayelte.

al the junction of the L , M. & B. and C., I .. & C. Huilways, was unmed as n compliment to l'ol. W. J. Templeton.

after W. J. Alkinson,

after Mr. Talbott, the Civil Engineer in charge of the construction of the railways through the county, and

4 JIANI SIATION.

after lliram W Chase, of Enfayette The remaining tuwns nre

RAPB. VIDELOTT AND OTHERELIN,

nlt ot whleh owe their unigin to the construction of the two lines of rmitway. Aydeloti only excepted.

At none of theso towns is there any mannfhetaring worthy of the nume, bnt nn immense business is done in the shipmont of grain and calllo, and large elevators, like the one al the county seat, with a capacity for handling A milliou bushels of grain onanally, are not uncommon

There is no hauk in the county, but n considerable retail trade in carried on in the vorions tourny, which, together with the shipping intoreste, will Soun create a demaud for sererol al no ilistant day

WARREN COUNTY.

This is a triangular-shaped conuly, between the Wabash River unil the Ilhuois bne, wud not fur north of the middle of the State. The county con- tajus an area of 301 square miles, nud, in 1870, lind n population of 10, 161 The surfoco of tho conuty is direwsified and in places romanlie. Its goneral features are those of an extended rulliug tuhlo-Innil, sloping to the soul licost.

Noir the Wabash River-which forms the entire southeastern boundary of the county-the lund, in places, is frequently ent by deep r

cep ravines and precipilons liluif's, from 60 to 180 feet in height, which giro variety ta the lundscape.

313

COUNTY HISTORIES .- CONTINUED.

Beniveen the bluffs and the streams ure fuund tho fortile Wohash bottoms. Inek of them-after leaving a fringe of simhor, varying in width-the rieb Falling prairie is found, covering orer hinif the surface of tho county. The ilrainngo of the county flows inte the Wahnsh. lis principal tribu- tary is llig l'ine Creek, whichi flows in a general north and south course through the county, and empties near its center. Among the other strcanis aro Redivuoil, Kickapoo, Little Pine and Rock Creeks, furnishing, with the suuller streuns, an abundance of water. Springs are frequently met ivith. On the uplamls, oak, beech, sugar free, hickory, walnut, ash and poplar ure found in the greatest ahumlance; while on the bottoms the more prov- ulent growth was originally wulaut, burr ock, linckberry, soft maple, cotton- uooil, Plin und buckeye.

Tho surface, geologically speaking, is composed of olluviat and drift Denenthi are found the coal measures, tho conglomerate sand-rock of the car- boniferous era, Anil the Chester sundstone.

Four veins of coal are found, amit, as given in tho Sinte geological survey, the thickest of these average from thirey feet two inches to three feet ciglit inches. Goed eont is found in numerous localities, and is mineil fer local use to n considerable extent, being used in preference to the Illinois coal, av if toutnias less sulphur.

Geld is found ocensionally in the sand.hurs of the Wabash, nad it is mid ns much ns $15.00 per ilay has been inken out by n single miner. The anuply is not, however, of sufficient richness to justify mnuch mining, as the yielil mentioned is exceptional.

Virgin copper and nuggets of lend ure nro nlyo lound, but in minute qual- tities.

Irou ore is more abundant and will sometime, perhaps, beeonie an artiele of expert

Good building stone is found in abnudnuer, and is exporteil to a consider- able extent. The supply is practically inexhaustible.

A number of mounds aro found in the county, and so numerous are they in the southeast that Meund Township derives frem them its name. Notable among the larger mounds aro tive on the bluff worth of Kickapoo Creek. Stone implements left by the Mound Buildors are frequently found, some of slem being of fine work manship.

SETTLEMENT OF THI. COUNTY.

The first lanils in the county were entered about the year 1825. Until alien, the inlimbitanis-with the exrequion of traders and trappers, few in number-were Kickapoo ludans, with which tribe n few Pottawattomies were intermingled.

The Inuds were principally sold at the Crawfordsville Land Office, und the first settlers invariably svlected the higher nud poorer quality of land. This irny, in a measure, ilue to the timidity shown about venturing out on the open prairie.

Then again, mnny of the pioneers wore immigrants from Ohio, North Curalinn, Virginin and Kentucky, and whonevor they found fair timhor and n good spring, neur which to locate n homesteril, they were generally cou- 1elt.

Considering the sickness and hardships eudured by the first settlers in br inere lei el and ivet portions of the State, it must be conceded that those u lin chose the high uphands on the Wabash showed wisdom in their choice, for when many other localities in Indiana were struggling along at a great distance from market, the pioneers on the Lower Wabash wero flonting their surplus down that sirram to profitable markets in ibe South. This was, hunorer, not the only cutlet, for produce was often hauled to Chicago, on Lake Michigan, for n Inore profimble market.

Justances aro related of inen who took the finest Wabash four to Chicago, irhere is was sold for $1.00 n barrel, which was considered at that time a rury fertunnte sale for the producer.

Salt-which formeil the bulk of the imports in return-ins, at the same time, just one-fifth higher than flour.

Among the first settlers iu the county, areerding lo Saudford C. Cox, himself a pioneer peilagogue, wero the following: Juines Cunningbniu, the first Clerk of the county; William Harrison, one Ullery, William Search und " Wild Cat" Wilson, as be wny known, lived in Williamsport of the line of Cox's armiral; and Jelin Seuins, the Sheriff of the county, and a wun others, were all that fired bear the infant county seat. On the edge of the Grand Prairie und along Redwuod Creek wero John B. King, l'urriance slid others. On the Kickapoo urre tho Roggses, and a dozen more, perhaps . mud near Independence lived Zachariah ricott, u French trader among the lodlions, born near that place in the previous century Among the first set- alers uear Rainsville, on line Crrek, ins lenne Bains, and abore Cicoit's Here Samuel B. Clark and half n score of others.

T'ho first physician to locate in the county was Lemuel Boyd, of Williams- I'ort. The first prenchers in the county ivere the missionaries who, af rare interruls, anil mestly hy chance, visited tho French traders on their jour- neys along the Wabash. After the comlug of the settlers, the first ministers were of the Methodist denomination ; muong them Hliclinrd Hargrares ins the first Presiding Elder. One of their enrly houses of worship iras at Lit- tle's school house, nflerinrd known as Union Chapel. The Methodisis were nten the first ilenomination te bold a enmp- meeting in the county.

The first will erceted in the county nas en Spring Branch, and was otrued by lange Rains. Burr mill, on Pine Creek, wis also erected at an virly iluy. Before tho construction of these, tho settlers had been in the hubit of going ie mill 10 as great a distanco as Eugene and Bear Creek.

About the first school lieuse buits iu thu county ins one erected in 1820 ut 1830, nenr Perrin Kent's, in Mound Township. One of its first jenchers nas Col. E F Lucas. A number of school luiblings were erected, bonerer, titurly at the same timo, in the county, aml ull were of the rudest descrip- tins.

ONOANIZITION DI THE COUNTY.

Tuy serritury embraced in Warren County wus originally untuched 10 Fountain for civil aml judicial purposes. Tho county uns organized, aud the fire official business irnusacted, mi n meeting of the Board of Justices bubl at the heuso of Bueeb Furwer, un the Brat Mundny iu Norouler, 1817. Lemusel Bayıl, Thonies Kearny, Kilwarii Mace auund Thomas Cunningham #11- pureil, unul, proilucing their commissions from Juines B. Ray, Governor of Thu Stato, us .Instices uf tho l'eser fur Warren County, enrolled their names Mint rutier upon their duties by the election of Lemuel Boyd as President of the Beurd.

The county was diridel into four townships, namely, Mound. Warren, Piko and Medlina Tho first unmed includeil all of sho county botwern tho Wabash auil the Illinois line, lying south of Congressional Township 20, the northern houndory running wear Marshbeld. Fiko Township Iny north of Mount, and extendeil frout the Wubush to the Illineis lino, and ns far north as the worth lino of Congressional Township 21. The remainder of the county uns divided betu een Warren und Medius, hoth being in the northern art of the county, with Warren on the wrest nul Medina on the east.

The first rood petition grauteil whs for n thoroughfare beginning at the south Uno of the county, where the Vermilling County Rotul thon intersecteil thi amine, amil lending slienco to Warrenton. Nathaniel Butterfield manl Luther Tiltutsan nere appointul Viowers fer tho reud.

THE MINT COUNTY.

"The first courts hold in the county were unilor the obil law proriding for Circuit Courts, muuil for Justices' Courty instrail of County Boards of Con- quewieners, us is How tho ease. The mothery of tho ,luisticeq' or Commis- sionerd' Court aro girou olsowhore, under the ilrtails roucorning the organ- ization of the county.

"The first term of Circuit Court held in the county opened-May 1, 1827, a1 the house of Enoch Farmer, in Warrenton, the first county scat.

Nothing was done, except to call the firat grand jury and then auljourn. The members of the grand jury ivere ns follows : Perren Kent, Amos Clark. Holden Sissen, Peter Fleming, Lewis Stephens, Daniel Benjamin, Jolin l'ugli, James McCoril, John Case, John Cox, lohn S. Read, Edword Moore, .lobn Jackson and James Bedivell.

The next term of court ivns hield in September, 1828; present, John R. l'orter, l'reyiding ludge of tho District ; Nathoniel Butterfield ond Sonuc! B. Clarko, Associato Juilges.

Tho first ense on the docket iras ihint of the State of Indiana rs. Eliza. heth Connor, charged with A breach of the peace. The case was, hoiverer, dismissed hy tho court.

The first divorce case was that of l'olly Birordy Ds. Azariah Broady.

THE COUNTY SEAT AND COUNTY BUILDINGS.

The seat of justice for Warren County was first located at Warrenton, In o miles up the Wabash from the present county sent. At this place a donation was made by Encch Former, in consideration of the location of the shire tewn, and a number ef lets were sold on the land gronted to the county In 1829, an net was passed for the relocation of tho seat of justice, and in consequence of n liberal donntion of land by William Harrison, where the present town of Williamsport now is, that site was selected.

In January, 1839, the County Agent wan orilered, by the Board of .lus- tices, 10 Iny out an dilition on the county land near Williamsport. The Benrd cnused an order to he made in July following, directing that all money und uotes given for Warrenton leia should be refunded.

A temporary court house was used until 1833-1, until the old brick en the lower part of the court house square uns completed. This building, irhon erceted, was considered a valuable acquisition to Williamsport, sadl Las on the almost universal model used in early days, namely, a square tive-story hrick, with a spire springing from the center of the roof It u'as replaced by a suhatantial and valuable building, on the top of the hill ivest of it, in 1872.

It is a large and fine building of briek, trimmed with yellowish-gray sand- stone, quarried near hy. The eest uns erer $10,000.

The first jail was a log structure, with a trap-ilcer on top, through which eril-doers were dropped fer incarceration. The present jail is built of sione, and cost about $10,000. ls stands not far east of the court house.

The county officers, in 1876-6, were as follows : Auditer, William Mofht; Clerk, Fry Bryant; Sheriff, Mablon 1. Haines, Treasurer, Samuel Bitfinger; Recorder, James D. Livengood ; Superintendent, Alonze Nebeker ; Commissioners, Samuel M. Frame, Andrew Brier and Zimri Atkinson.

NOTEWORTHY EVENTS.

Warren County was the scene, about 1850, of an interesting venture in the imy of a manual labor school. The enterprise is mere nofabie for the character of the men who were engaged in it, however, than the success which followed the effort. It laul its inception during the period when social and communistic referms were agitating people to a considerable degree, aud was no outgrowth of the same spirit that led to the formation of Owen's Com- munity, nt New Harmony.

The principal promolers of the scheme were L. A. Hine and John A. Wanles.

A One tract of about 500 acres of proitie lund was purchased in Prairie Township, and the title was taken in the name of the Grand Prairie Har- monial Manual Labor Institute.

Carpenter Morey donateil $2,1100 toward the enterprise, and John Komeyn also aided it with a considerable gift. Each of the Trustees of the institution ulse gare some money toward the scheme, their names being ns follows: Hernce Greeley, enudiluty for the Presidency iu 1872; Atrin lline, Carpenter Morey, Leroy Templeton, Thomas Scott and George Brier.

Tive bnililinga were erected, trees irere set out, fences and other improve- ments inade, und at one time it seemed ns if the question of manual labor and eduration would be fairly tested. The plau uns countenanceil, and its project- ors encouraged hy such men as Robert Dole Owen. Albert Brisbin and other ulvaneed thinkers. Dr. Childs, a finely educated nad talented man, iras brought from the East and placed in charge of the school, but the peopte iu the rieinity locked upen is with distrust, and after a few years' trinh it was nbanilenel for urant of money and pupils. The title to the land was a few venes ngo seenred hy the heirs of John .A. Wattles, and thus ended the Grond I'murie Harmonial Manual Labor Justitutr.

The most noteworthy educational institution in the county, since the fuilure of the first numed, in the Green Hill Aendemy, started about the close of the Inte wnr. The institution is uniler the patrouage of the United Breth- ren. It is located in Poolesville, and the buildings and groends pre worth some $12,000. In 1876, it was in charge of the Rev. Dr. Jackson, nssisteil by n small corps of professors.

The first annual fair of the Warren County Agricultural Seciety was held in Orlober, 1849, at Williamsport. The first President uns P. Schoonover ; Secretury, Il. C. Johnson ; Superintendent, K D. Thomas. The officers, in 1875, were James Goodwin, President ; George T Bell, Secretary.

There are no banks of issue or ileposit in the county, sud manufacturing is confined to a weelen-mill and some feir touring-mills, scattered over the county

NELYSPAPERS.

The first paper printed in Warren County, and also one of the first erur issued west of the Wabash, was established at Independence, in 1844, by Enes Chuutt. The name of the paper, which ivns W'hig in politics, was in a few yeurs changed to that of tho Wabash Commercial, alul its place of publication removed to Williamsport. It uns merged in the Warrou Republican in De- comher, 1834, with A. S. Fostor ns editor, after passing through the lnnils of Warren & Whinnery. Canuit uguin took charge in 1858, and controlled the paper notil his death, in 1961. John A. Canutt, Jesso & Orrin E. Hurper, tho Ropublican Company, John A. & leury F. Culintt followed each other as proprietors, until 1870, at which time J. Grugory took charge of it us editor mul proprietor, n position he still holdy at the time of this uriting.

Warren County bus alirnys giren largo majorities against the Democratie pirty, sc that the papers advocating its enuse linre been feu am) far hotweeu. Some tiluo before the outbreak of the Rebellion, the Chronotype was estab- lished as a Democratie organ hy Count & Miller, but it was remored in n short simno.

The Leader, Republican in politics, was issued by Jesse & Edvard Ilar- per in 1871-2, but suspended in a year

The . lifeance iras started m' West Lebanon in 1810, in order to advoente the change of tho county seat in slint point. Tho editor irus S. P. Counor. It tyus luilopendent-Republican in politics The name was changed to W'ne- ren Thunes, with 11 H. Gregory as eilitar, but the paper suspended publien- tion in 1976.

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Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Indiana, Part 115

Author: Publication date: 1876 Publisher: Baskin, Forster & Co. Number of Pages: 472

Author:
Publication date: 1876
Publisher: Baskin, Forster & Co.
Number of Pages: 472