USA > Indiana > Tippecanoe County > Past and present of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, Volume I > Part 16
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The present court house was erected between 1881 and 1884. The base- ment was put in under a contract with a contractor who was to build the superstructure, but he failed and a new contract was let with Charles Pierce at two hundred and forty-one thousand dollars, but when finally completed ready for occupancy, the building cost the tax-payers about half a million dollars. The building contract was made by Elias C. White and J. W. Scott, as county commissioners. The cornerstone was laid under direction of the Masonic fraternity, October 26, 1882, and September, 1884. it was first occu- pied. It is a stone building in the heart of the city on the site where the other court houses stood. When first erected it was counted as being one of the best county buildings in Indiana, but with the passing of years, it begins to show some marks of decay, especially its steps of approach and some of the basement sections, both of which would scarce pass in present day systems of building. Its interior is well planned for the various county offices, in- cluding its court rooms.
At the northeast corner of the public square there stands a memorial fountain, where both city water and mineral water flows through constantly. On the sides of the fountain are numerous historic tablets, relative to the settlement of county and city ; also dates of the construction of the three court houses the county has had and surmounting this handsome drinking fountain is a bronze statue of General Lafayette, for whom the city was named.
The four corners of the court house square are provided with silent yet suggestive defenders, in the way of Civil war and other cannon, while near by may be seen a pyramid of cannon-balls and shells.
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TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND.
From the curbing to the crest of the statue of "Justice" on the court house the distance is two hundred and twelve feet.
The drinking fountain already mentioned was erected by the council committee on public improvements, with T. J. Levering, chairman, who made the design. It cost two thousand two hundred dollars.
The dome of the court house is supplied with a town clock that strikes off the hours of passing time.
THE COUNTY JAIL.
But little can be given concerning the first county jail of Tippecanoe county, more than to say it was made of logs and stood on the southeast corner of Fifth and Columbia streets, where the Yeakel building was after- wards erected. Prisoners were let down into it and taken out by means of a trap-door from the second floor. Most of the persons confined there were imprisoned for debt. Verily the world has grown wiser and more considerate of the people who become involved in debts and they are at least given a chance to earn money with which to pay their indebtedness.
This log jail served until 1842, when it was deemed unsafe and the county commissioners' books show that in June, 1841, stone had been con- tracted for for the purpose of erecting a jail. The building was erected and much expense put on the same. It served the county until the present jail was constructed in 1868. It stands on the corner of Fourth and Alabama streets and is a large two-story brick building, with residence apartments for the sheriff. The whole building cost one hundred and five thousand dollars. It was built under the superintendency of County Commissioners O. P. Evans, John Opp and Samuel Favorite.
THE COUNTY FARM.
The records of Tippecanoe county, as well as the record found in the various newspapers of the county, show that from the earliest date the "county fathers," backed by the general sentiment of a humane and Chris- tian people, have ever sought to properly provide for the unfortunate poor in their midst. While this is true. they have never encouraged shiftless, aimless people by providing for their wants when able to work for the same themselves. It may be truly recorded for the citizens of Tippecanoe county that they have never begrudged the taxes levied and spent in the support of their worthy poor population, but have always provided for them as best
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they could, and in keeping with the decades in which they have been found needy of help, but never to encourage pauperism.
For a number of years the poor of this county were cared for in the various parts of the county, by their families receiving a certain sum for their support, and were boarded out for a time. But as the country was settled up and this class increased, the county purchased land in the center of Tip- pecanoe township and established a "county farm." There small frame buildings were constructed and the pauper poor were there cared for, having prior to that had a county home at Linwood. About 1872 the commissioners then in office believed that it was best to relocate the county farm in Union township, hence purchased a quarter section of land there and set about burn- ing their own brick from which to erect suitable buildings. But after that work had been finished, there was elected a new set of county commissioners, for a part of the board, and they held that the farm in Tippecanoe township was good enough and the work of opening the farm in Union was forever abandoned. It was an ideal site, having excellent water supply from a never- failing spring and was near the railroad track, which would have saved a large annual expense of drawing fuel and supplies to the county house. It is now believed that it was a great blunder ( brought about by personal inter- ests) in not utilizing the Union township site.
In 1874 the work of building and improving the old site went forward and from time to time ever since the building of needed structures has been carried forth, until now there is a fine collection of buildings, including those for men, for women, for the insane and a good hospital. It is said that Indiana affords but one better county home than this and that is the one near Indianapolis.
Among the latest of the county home buildings is the old men's build- ing, erected recently at quite an expense. The last report of the county com- missioners shows that the farm now has forty-four males, fifteen of which are in the insane ward ; and thirty women, eleven of whom are in the insane ward. The farm has a fifteen-acre bearing orchard and ten acres of berries of various varieties. This farm is under the immediate charge of a suitable superintendent who keeps the place up and cultivates the soil in a workman- like manner, so that the farm is partly supporting itself.
The county expended, in 1907, as per state reports, $19,000 for its un- fortunate poor at the county farm; for insane subjects, $1,222; for benevo- lent institutions, $2,106; for the Orphans' Home, $3.640; other poor in the townships, $4,329, making a grand total for the poor and homeless of $32,- 4,72.
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TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND.
Tippecanoe county had, as per state reports, in 1907, taxable property to the amount of $34.383.165. It was divided up as follows: $14,078.470 in lands and improvements on same ; $8.841,025. in town lots and improve- ments on same : $7.500,000 in personal property ; railroad property, $3.800,- 000.
The 1907 tax levy in the county was as follows: For county revenue purposes, twenty-four mills on a dollar ; gravel roads, seven and four-tenths mills ; bridges, six and a quarter mills; making a total of thirty-seven and sixty-five one-hundredths mills on a dollar of valuation.
Tippecanoe county enjoyed four hundred miles of excellent gravel roads in 1908-all free of toll.
ABSTRACT OF ASSESSMENT FOR COUNTY-1909.
The subjoined table shows the assessed valuation on lands and improve- ments in Tippecanoe county, in 1909, together with the total of real estate and personal property held, as shown by the county auditor's abstract sheet. for the year named :
Lands and improvements.
Total valuation.
Lauramie township
$ 1.464.675
$ 1.886,250
Randolph township
599.115
102.000
Jackson township
1.132.090
1.338.520
Wayne township
792.375
1.040.760
Union township
738.810
890.370
WVea township
961,035
1.140.170
Sheffield township
1.302.260
1.303.305
Perry township.
840,650
1.070.800
Washington township.
573.790
847,600
Shelby township
1.213.365
1.469.125
Fairfield township
764.365
1. 183,815
Lafayette City.
972,250
972.250
West Lafayette
69.880
1.653.105
Battle Ground.
12,395
160,640
Clark's Hill
12.850
150.200
Total
$ 14,052.120
$ 30.674.445
CHAPTER VII.
POLITICAL.
The election returns for 1836 shows the vote in Tippecanoe county to have been, total number of votes cast two thousand three hundred and eighty- five, of which Gen. William Henry Harrison received one thousand two hun- dred and forty-four and Martin Van Buren one thousand and forty-one.
Since the date mentioned in the preceding paragraph Tippecanoe county has been liberally represented in various official capacities, both at home and abroad, as may be observed by the following appointments to important posi- tions, all held with credit to the individuals and the county from which they were selected :
Henry L. Ellsworth served as commissioner of patents, from 1836 to 18.45.
Godlove S. Orth served as envoy extraordinary and minister plenipoten- tiary to Austria, from 1875 to 1876.
Henry L. Orth served as charge d'affaires, at Stockholm, Sweden, from 1845 to 1849.
The following served as consuls to foreign countries: J. Park, to Aix la Chapelle. Prussia, from 1869-73 ; G. Ulrich, to La Guaira, Venezuela, 1864- 65; N. S. Wilson, to Tobasco, Mexico; Frederick H. Schenk, to Barcelona, Spain, appointed in 1874; Eugene J. Ball, to Pesth, Austria-Hungary, ap- pointed 1878: Gen. R. P. De Hart was appointed by President U. S. Grant as consul to Santiago de Cuba, but declined to accept the position.
Miscellaneous Appointments .- John Pettit was appointed chief-justice for the territory of Kansas. by President James Buchanan, in 1859, serving until 1861. James P. Luse was appointed collector of ports at Louisville, Kentucky, by President Grant in 1869, serving until 1877. Albert S. White was appointed district judge for the district of Indiana, in 1864 and died the same year. Jolin Pettit was U. S. district attorney, for the district of Indiana from 1839 to 1843. Daniel Mace filled the same office from 1845 to 1847. Godlove S. Orth was president of the state senate and acting lieu- tenant-governor in 1845. Charles H. Test was secretary of state for Indiana from 1847 to 1853. George B. Williams was supervisor of internal revenue for Indiana from 1868 to 1869, and deputy commissioner of internal reve-
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J. Lynn V
Van Natta Treasurer
Hon. Alva O. Reser Recorder
John P. Foresman Auditor
Robert Prass. Clerk
Darius H.Frazer Sheriff
TIPPECANOE COUNTY OFFICIALS 1909
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND.
nues from 1869 to 1871. He was also financial adviser for the Imperial government of Japan. from 1871 to 1876, his name having been suggested by President U. S. Grant, upon the application of that government to him for a suitable person to adjust their finances. In 1877 the Japanese govern- ment sent him to Europe as a special agent to negotiate a large loan.
John Pettit. Othneil L. Clark and Joel B. McFarland were members of the constitutional convention of Indiana in 1852.
Prominent regular army officers from this county were: Brig .- General Joseph J. Reynolds, Lieutenant-Colonel Lewis Johnson and Henry G. Ells- worth, major Marine Corps.
Colonel John Williams was third United States auditor under President Cleveland.
COUNTY, STATE AND NATIONAL REPRESENTATION.
Tippecanoe county has been represented in the various capacities herein- after named, as connected with the county, state and nation.
UNITED STATES SENATORS.
From this county have gone forth the following who served from Indiana in the United States Senate. at different dates: Albert S. White, from 1839 to 1845: John Pettit, from 1853 to 1855: Daniel Voorhees and Joseph E. McDonald. The latter learned the trade of a saddler and harness maker in the city of Lafayette.
CONGRESSMEN.
The following is a list of the representatives in congress, from the various congressional districts in which Tippecanoe county has been situated :
1827-29-Thomas Blake. 1847-49-John Pettit. 1829-31-Ratliff Boon. 1849-51-Joseph E. McDonald.
1831-33-Ratliff Boon. 1851-53-Daniel Mace.
1833-35-Edward A. Hannegan.
1853-55-Daniel Mace.
1835-37-Edward A. Hannegan.
1855-57-Daniel Mace.
1837-39-Albert S. White. 1839-41-Tilghman A. Howard.
1841-43-Henry S. Lane. 1843-45-John Pettit. 1845-47-John Pettit.
1857-59-James Wilson. 1859-61-James Wilson. 1861-63-Daniel W. Voorhees. 1863-65-Daniel W. Voorhees. 1865-67-Henry D. Washburn.
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PAST AND PRESENT
1867-69-Henry D. Washburn. 1887-89-Joseph B. Cheadle.
1869-71-Godlove S. Orth. 1889-91-Joseph B. Cheadle.
1871-73-Mahlon D. Manson. 1891-93-Daniel Waugh.
1873-75-John P. C. Shanks.
1893-95-Daniel Waugh.
1875-77-Thomas J. Cason.
1895-97-Jethro A. Hatch.
1877-79-Michael D. White.
1879-81-Godlove S. Orth.
1897-99-Edgar D. Crumpacker. 1899-01-Edgar D. Crumpacker.
1881-83-Godlove S. Orth (died.) 1901-03-Edgar D. Crumpacker. 1881-83-Charles T. Doxey ( vacancy) 1903-05-Edgar D. Crumpacker.
1883-85-Thomas B. Ward. 1905-07-Edgar D. Crumpacker.
1885-87-Thomas B. Ward. 1907-09-Edgar D. Crumpacker.
STATE SENATORS.
The following have represented Tippecanoe county in the state senate :
1826-29-James Blair. 1876-78-B. W. Langdon.
1829-30-Joseph Orr. 1878-80-B. W. Langdon.
1830-31-Joseph Orr. 1881-83-Francis Johnson. 1831-36-Othniel L. Clark. 1836-39-Othniel L. Clark. 1839-40-Thomas Smiley. 1840-42-Samuel Hoover.
1883-85-Francis Johnson.
1885-87-B. Wilson Smith.
1887-89-Jasper M. Dresser. 1889-91-Jasper M. Dresser.
1842-43-John W. Odell.
1891-93-Job Osborn.
1843-49-Godlove S. Orth.
1893-95-John F. McHugh.
1849-52-John W. Odell. 1895-97 -- W. S. Haggard.
1852-54-Alexander W. Gordon. 1897-99-Will R. Wood. 1854-58-D. H. Crouse. 1899-01-Will R. Wood. 1858-66-Moses C. Culver. 1901-03-Will R. Wood.
1866-70-Henry Taylor.
1903-05-Will R. Wood. .
1870-74-John M. LaRue.
1905-07-Will R. Wood.
1874-76-John M. LaRue.
1907-09-Will R. Wood.
STATE REPRESENTATIVES.
The subjoined have served as members of the house of representatives from Tippecanoe county :
1828-29-Robert Taylor.
1826-27-Henry Restine. 1827-28-John Beard. 1829-30-John Beard.
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TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND.
1830-31-John Beard and A. Claypool. 1831-32-William Heaton and Aaron Finch.
1832-33-M. Shortridge and Aaron, Finch.
1833-34-Thomas B. Brown. 1834-35-James Davis and Benjamin Henkle.
1835-36-James Davis and T. B. Brown. 1836-37-John W. Odell, T. H. Brown. 1837-38-Samuel A. Huff, Thomas Watson.
1838-39-John Pettit, James Earl. 1839-40-James White, W. M. Porter. 1840-41-O. L. Clark, M. Shortridge. 1841-43-Isaac Shelby, W. L. Lay- man. 1843-44-I. Shelby, P. H. Foresman, S. F. Clark. 1844-45-I. Shelby, P. H. Foresman, J. W. Odell. 1845-46-WV. L. Leyman, S. McCor- mick. 1846-47-P. McCormick, Thomas Smiley.
1856-58-John M. LaRue. 1858-60-Chris Miller. I. N. Stiles. 1860-62-William H. Bryan, J. J. Jones.
1862-64-J. M. Hershey, S. Mustard. 1864-66-J. M. Hershey, J. M. Miller. 1866-68-Jolin Roser, J. L. Miller. 1868-70-Reubeni Baker, R. Brecken- ridge. 1870-72-B. Ray. R. P. Davidson. 1872-74-James W. Cole, E. H. Hol- lingsworth.
1874-76-Samuel Shortridge, J. H. Anderson.
1876-78-B. W. Langdon, W. R. Oglebay.
1878-80-C. B. Baker, Ed. Robeson. 1880-82-John K. O'Neal, Henry Westfall. 1882-84-B. W. Smith, Job Osborn. 1884-86-Job Osborn.
1886-88-Job Osborn.
1888-90-A. T. Wells.
1890-92-W. S. Haggard. 1892-94-W. S. Haggard. 1894-96- 1896-98-E. D. Randolph.
1898-1900-A. O. Reser.
1900-02-A. O. Reser.
McCormick, Thomas 1847-48-P. Smiley, John Doyle. 1848-49-John Doyle, P. Goldsberry. 1902-04-H. W. Marshall. 1904-06-Thomas M. Andrew. 1849-50-T. H. O'Neal, A. L. Patter- son, I. Shelby. -Stansbury ( joint.) 1906-08-Thomas M. Andrew. -J. F. Simison (joint. )
1850-51-A. L. Patterson.
1851-52-Godlove O. Behm.
1852-54-S. McCormick, A. F. Chapin. 1908-10-W. S. Haggard. 1854-56-Thomas H. Clark.
-J. F. Simison ( joint. )
CIRCUIT JUDGES.
John R. Porter, 1826-37; Isaac Naylor, 1838-51; William P. Bryant, 1852-54; John Pettit and David Turpie, 1855; Andrew Ingram. 1855-56;
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PAST AND PRESENT
John Pettit, 1857; Charles H. Test. 1857-69; David H. Vinton, 1870-90; William C. Taylor, 1890-98; R. P. De Hart, elected 1902, still on the bench.
ASSOCIATE JUDGES.
William Jones, 1826; James Wylie, 1826-39; John Provolt, 1826-46; Cyrus Ball, 1840-41 ; John L. Pifer, 1842-46; Joseph D. Dennitt, 1847-49; John Peters, 1847-50; John L. Pifer, 1850-51 ; John Connolly, Sr., 1851-52, when the office was abolished by act of the legislature and the adoption of the new constitution.
PROBATE JUDGES.
From 1826 to 1829 the associate judges were ex-officio judges of the probate courts : John T. Davidson, 1829-31; W. M. Jenners, 1832; John Kil- gore, 1832-52, when the business of the office was merged into that of the common pleas court.
COMMON PLEAS JUDGES.
Samuel A. Huff, 1852-53; David Turpie, 1854; Gustavus A. Wood, 1854; Mark Jones, 1855-56; Gustavus A. Wood, 1857-60; David P. Vinton, 1861-66; James Park, 1867; J. M. LaRue, 1867-73, when the business of the office was transferred to the circuit court.
JUDGES OF THE CRIMINAL COURT.
David P. Vinton, 1867-69; B. K. Higginbotham, 1870-75. This court was established by the legislature in 1866-67 and was soon superseded by the superior court.
SUPERIOR COURT JUDGES.
T. B. Ward, 1875-76; J. M. LaRue, 1876-88; F. B. Everett, 1888-94; W. DeWitt Wallace, 1894-1901 ; H. H. Vinton, 1901, still serving.
PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS.
E. M. Huntington, 1826; John Law, 1827-29; E. A. Hannegan, 1830- 31 ; Andrew Ingram, 1832-33; William P. Bryant, 1834-37; Joseph A. Wright, 1838-39; Samuel C. Wilson, 1840-42; Joseph E. McDonald, 1843-
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TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND.
46; William F. Lane, 1847-49; Gustavus A. Wood, 1850; Lewis Wallace, 1851-52; Daniel W. Voorhees, 1853; Samuel W. Telford. 1854: Charles A. Naylor, 1854-55; John L. Miller, 1856-61; William D. Lee, 1862-63; Frank B. Everett, 1864-67; J. M. Justice, 1868-69; Frank B. Everett, 1870-71; Simon P. Thompson, 1872; William E. Uhl, 1873-74; Isaac Parsons, 1875; Charles D. Jones, 1875-76; James L. Caldwell, 1877-79; C. D. Jones, 1879- SI ; J. T. Davidson, 1881-83; Walter Powell, 1883-85; R. P. DeHart, 1885- 87; George P. Haywood, 1887-89; Edgar D. Randolph, 1889-92; C. E. Thompson, 1896-98; E. D. Randolph, 1898-1902; Daniel P. Flanagan, 1902-07 : Frank Kimmel, 1907, and at present.
COMMON PLEAS PROSECUTORS.
Luke Reilly, 1852-53; John L. Miller, 1854-55; Israel N. Stiles, 1856- 57; W. C. L. Taylor, 1858-59; Lewis C. Pierce, 1860-63; W. DeWitt Wal- lace, 1864-67; Samuel R. Hiett, 1868-69; Joseph M. Rabb, 1870-72. The office was then abolished and the business of the same turned over to the circuit court.
PROSECUTORS FOR THE CRIMINAL COURT.
Godlove O. Behm, 1867; James R. Carnahan, 1867-71; Austin L. Kumler, 1872-73; James L. Caldwell, 1874-75; then the office was discontin- ued and the work accomplished by the circuit court.
SHERIFFS OF TIPPECANOE COUNTY.
1826-27-David F. Durkee. 1863-64-Henry C. Bryan.
1828 -James Thornton.
1865-68-David G. Smith.
1828-31-Morgan Shortridge. 1869-70-James Colgrove.
1832-35-Augustus Wylie. 1871-72-James Murdock. 1836-39-William Skinner. 1873-76-Christian M. Nisley.
1840-43-M. L. Pierce. 1844-45-John B. Michaels. 1846 -Edward T. Jenks. 1883-85-Alfred F. Manning.
1877-79-James W. Baird. 1879-83-Stephen O. Taylor.
1847-50-Matt H. Winton. 1885-87-John B. McCutchin. 1851-54-Thomas J. Chissom. 1887-89-Thomas G. McKee.
1855-58-Edward T. Jenks. 1889-91-James Gladdis.
1859-62-John W. Goodman.
1891-94-William C. Gaddis.
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PAST AND PRESENT
1894-96- King. 1896-98-J. Foresman.
1898-1902-J. Foresman.
1902-07-John R. Ray. 1907-II-D. H. Frazer.
COUNTY CLERKS.
1826-39-Samuel Hoover.
1882-86-William C. Mitchell.
1839-40-Elma Shaw. 1886-90-Henry C. Tinney.
1840-53-Mark Jones. 1890-94-David H. Flynn.
1853-57-Otho K. Weakly.
1894-98- Samuel C. Moore.
1857-65-William R. Ellis.
1865-73-Daniel Royse.
1873-82-James T. Chute.
1907-II-Robert Prass.
COUNTY AUDITORS.
The office of auditor was included with that of clerk until 1841. 1841-47-David Webb. 1878-82-Cyrenius Johnson.
1847-55-Nathan Webb. 1882-90-Thomas J. Barnes.
1855-61-Charles A. Naylor.
1890-98-J. F. Byers.
1862-65-Chris Miller.
1898-1902 -- G. A. Jamison.
1866-69-A. J. Castater.
1902-07-Henry H. Cheney.
1907-10-John P. Foresman.
COUNTY RECORDERS.
1826-30-Daniel Bugher. 1831-53-Sanford C. Cox. 1854-61-Joseph Yundt. 1884-SS-David Bryan. 1862-65-Z. M. P. Hand. 1888-90-Joseph McCrea. 1866-67 -- John W. Vance. 1890-94-William Rush. 1868 -Darwin H. Hull. 1894-98-Albert Yost. 1868-71-John A. Carr. 1898-1903-C. C. Cann. 1872 -Abraham Koontz. 1907-II-A. O. Reser. 1872-75-James H. Jones.
COUNTY TREASURERS.
1826-35-Samuel Black. 1836-47-Jesse Anfrew. 1848-52-Abraham Fry.
1853-56-John W. Martin. 1857-60-Salem F. Fry. 1861-64-William J. Roseberry.
1876-80-William Wilgus. 1880-84-N. I. Throckmorton.
1870-73-Smith Lee. 1874-78-Primus P. Culver.
1898-1902-Samuel C. Moore.
1902-07-Q. A. Earl.
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TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND.
1865-66-S. C. Kirkpatrick.
1867-70-Jacob F. Marks.
1892-96-Henry A. Miller.
1896-1900 -- - Baugh.
1900-04-WV. E. Beach.
1877-79-Bennett Foresman.
1879-83-M. L. Peck. 1883-85-John Stair.
1885-89-William Stair.
Treasurer elect-Lee Duncan, to take office January 1, 1910.
COUNTY SURVEYORS.
1826-35-Lawrence B. Stockton.
1866 -Philemon C. Vawter.
1836-40-Ezekiel Timmons. 1866-90-S. K. Richards and Ever- ett B. Vater.
1841-42-John A. Slayback.
1843-53-Ezekiel Timmons.
1890-92 -- Cory.
1854-55-William J. Snoddy.
1892-96-MI. Miller.
1856-61-John Levering. 1896-1904-MI. Miller.
1862-65-Achilles J. Mawter.
1904-10-Alba G. Arnold.
COUNTY CORONERS.
There is no record of the coroner's office prior to 1834 in this county. 1834-37-Robert Heath. 1870-71-John H. Punghorst.
1838-39-Martin L. Pierce. 1872-75-William W. Vinnedge.
1840-41-Hugh J. Mulford. 1876-82-George F. Beasley.
1842-46-Edward T. Jenks.
1882-86-Moses A. Rush.
1847-48-Matt S. Scudder. 1886-90-William R. Moffit.
1849-50-Joseph Goldsberry. 1890-92-L. M. Irwin. 1851-52-Elias Max. 1892-96- Davidson.
1853-54-Jonathan Lewis.
1 896-98- Tea.
1855-56-John E. Bate.
1898-1900-Dr. W. H. Miller.
1857-58-George W. Short. 1900-02-S. L. Baugh.
1859-60-Thomas R. Steele. 1902-06-John S. Morrison.
1861-66-B. F. Ingersoll. 1906-08-Dr. Guy P. Levering.
1867-69-George F. Beasley.
1908-Charles W. Shill.
IMPORTANT POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS.
Tippecanoe county and Lafayette have been the "storm center" of several very interesting and important political campaigns-especially those before the Civil war. There were many great gatherings.
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1871-72-Martin Lucas.
1873-76-Richard H. Godman.
1906-10-J. L. Van Natta.
1889-92-Thomas A. Flerer.
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PAST AND PRESENT
The first of these great political gatherings was in the campaign of 1840 when the Whig party had for its successful candidate Gen. William Henry Harrison, who was nominated at the convention held on the old Tippecanoe Battle Ground, where he had made himself a military hero in November, ISII, against the "Prophet" chief. Then an immense audience assembled, consisting of at least forty thousand people, from many states of this Union. A general contribution of oxen, hogs, sheep, poultry and other provisions were brought in, on which to feed the hungry multitude. Again, in 1844 was held another great Whig convention at the same place, at which many eminent men of the nation were present and made able speeches on the polit- ical issues of the times. This was the "Polk and Dallas" campaign, in which the Democrats were successful. Polk favored the annexation of Texas, and was of the pro-slavery element.
But before passing on to later political campaigns, it may be of interest to the reader to learn more of the "Tippecanoe and Tyler Too" campaign, in which Harrison was elected president, against Martin Van Buren.
"Tippecanoe Clubs" were organized and in evidence all over the country -especially West. From the files still in the Courier office at Lafayette, may be seen the chief facts, as herein set forth.
The paper was then known as the Free-Press and mentions the follow- ing resolutions passed by one of these clubs in Tippecanoe county :
"Resolved: That the citizens of this state be informed through the newspapers, that no pains will be spared by the Whig party of Tippecanoe county to accommodate in "Log Cabin" and "Hard Cider" style, upon the camp grounds. those delegates to the coming convention who do not have other accommodations.
"(Signed) "March, 1840."
J. D. SMITH, Secretary.
The great convention assembled. May 29, 1840, on the Tippecanoe bat- tle ground.
Another item is found in the newspaper mentioned above :
"Three hundred acres of excellent pasture, enclosed, and convenient to the Battle Ground is all at your service, free of charge.
"(Signed) P. & S. BABCOCK & HENRY PATTERSON.
"P. S. Invite the Whigs and their editors of this and other states to give publicity to this notice."
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