USA > Missouri > Jackson County > The History of Jackson county, Missouri, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., biographical sketches of its citizens, Jackson county in the late warhistory of Missouri, map of Jackson county > Part 29
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said county at my office, in the City of Independence, this 20th day of November, A. D. 1878.
WILLIAM J. HICKMAN, Clerk.
212
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
CHAPTER X.
FINANCES.
Introductory-Cument Expenses for the Years 1869, 1870 and 1871-Annual Report, January 1, 1872, showing all the Receipts and Expenditures for the Year-Jackson County Finances from November 1, 1875, to February 15, 1876-The Last Oficial Report of Jackson County Finances to the County Court-Indebtedness of the County-County Treasurer's Report- Township Railroad Funds-County Poor Farm-A Report for Ten Years Ago.
During the early history of the county, revenues were light, although the rate of taxation was very little, if any, less than at present. During the first four or five years the county expenses ranged from fifteen hundred to three thousand dollars. The books were not kept in a very systematic manner, and it is difficult now, even as it must have been then, to so far understand the system of book- keeping as to be able to determine accurately the exact condition of the county finances. This much we know, that with the very limited resources at their command, the persons whose duty it was to manage county affairs kept the ma- chinery in operation, and no large debts were contracted.
A complete account of the finances of the county would, of itself, make a large book, and the facts necessary for such an authentic history are not at hand, even though we might desire to record them. There are to be found at various places throughout the county records certain facts at our command, whereby we are enabled to form some idea of financial affairs from the first. It is our pur- pose, at this place, to give a brief insight at some of the more salient features of money affairs.
CURRENT EXPENSES OF THE COUNTY FOR 1869, 1870 AND 1871.
1869 $ 76,530 04 1870 90,325 23 I87I 109,592 00
The first is the clerk's official statement for that year. The second is the footing up of warrants issued in 1870. The third is amount of warrants issued in 1871.
FINANCIAL CONDITION OF JACKSON COUNTY.
In presenting the annual financial report of Jackson county for the year end- ing December 31, 1871, and in order that it may be clear and comprehensive, I propose in this preface to submit a report, the grand total of which will show, without a labyrinth of figures, the indebtedness of the county, including the bonds issued to the Kansas City Branch of the Tebo & Neosho Railroad, and the funding bonds of two hundred thousand dollars, and all other indebtedness of every kind :
Total indebtedness of Jackson county, December 31, 1871 $646,669 61 May be deducted from above-
There is in the hands of the treasurer, in cash, to meet the above indebtedness .
$ 47,352 67
Uncollected taxes for 1871 1870 98,840 27
43,568 50
I869 43,682 03
1868 22,079 20
Uncollected taxes for 1871 to 1867, inclusive . 76,642 54 Bonds subject to the control of Wm. Chrisman, financial agent
170,000 00 $502, 195 21
213
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
The above credits may be deducted or not, at the pleasure of the Court or the public generally, as they may choose. I deem it but right to set these facts forth in this preface and in this comprehensive form, in order that it may be un- derstood by the most superficial reader. It is but fair to say that the county has had to assume the delinquent school tax of 1868 and 1869, which amounted to about fifty-six thousand dollars, which they were compelled to do by an act of the legislature, passed in 1867, and compelled to bear the burden of running the criminal courts of the county, which perhaps amounts to eight or ten thousand dollars a year, the fines of which are absorbed by the public school funds of the county, and which already amounts to twenty thousand dollars. Hence it will be seen the revenue proper of the county is made to subserve the public school system in more ways than by direct taxation. In the foregoing statement is in- cluded the appropriation for repairing and building both our court houses. And another important item is about sixty thousand dollars which has been appropri- ated in building bridges over the different streams in the county.
RECAPITULATION.
To the honorable County Court of Jackson county :
I have the honor to report to you the financial condition of Jackson county on the first day of January, A. D. 1872, as follows : Amount of outstanding revenue warrants :
185I
$ 22 20
1852
4 40
1853
58 30
1854
4 50
1855
5 00
1856
11 00
1857
12 15
1858
00 50
1859
61 55
1860
66 15
1861
244 00
1862
7 50
r863
31 25
1864 .
22 75
I865
32 80
1866
534 00
1867
1, 185 00
1868
342 IO
1869
505 45
1870
56,082 07
1871
18,826 45
Poor House warrants
783 49
Bridge
9,502 00
Road
290 00
Total amount of warrants $88,657 61 The bonded debt is as follows :
To the Tebo & Neosho Railroad Company $300,000 00
Funding bonds of Jackson county 200,000 00
Missouri Pacific Railroad
14 000 00
Bond No. 16.
12,000 00
Bridge bonds held by John Lewis
5,000 00
Borrowed school money .
27,012 00
Total warrants and bonds
$646,669 61
214
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
Of the above item of $300,000.00, issued to the Tebo & Neosho Railroad, the sum of $170, 000 is in the hands of the financial agent of Jackson county and sub- ject to the order of this court.
The receipts for the year 1871, from all sources, is as follows :
County revenue
$72,275 91
. Railroad
37,909 32
Special interest
47,329 93
Poor House
8,626 18
Bridge
21,705 37
Road
16,903 44
Total
$204,760 18
The amount of expenditures for same time is as follows :
County revenue
$66,745 13
Special interest
6,138 27
Poor House
10, 848 92
Bridge
12,402 32
Road
1,944 68
Total
$98,079 32
The amount in the hands of the treasurer to pay protested warrants is as follows :
County revenue
$3,000 00
Bridge
9,874 60
Road
3,924 85
Poor House
1,667 91
Railroad
8,920 85
Special interest
19,964 46
Total $47,352 67
All special interest and road warrants have been paid on presentation, and there is money enough on hand to pay all Poor House warrants protested to Jan- uary, 1872.
All interest on borrowed money has been paid up promptly, and leaves a balance, as before stated, of $19,964.46 to be applied on interest falling due in July next.
The difference between receipts and expenditures on the road fund has been worked out by the overseers.
Our resources are as follows :
Delinquent list of 1871- .
County revenue
$27,872 07
Railroad .
20,916 95
Special interest
27,875 07
Poor House
4,357 76
Bridge
11,656 71
Road
6,158 71
Total
$ 98,740 27
Delinquent list, 1861 to 1879 inclusive 186,002 27
Total
$284,842 55
215
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
The following is a financial statement of our indebtedness for and in behalf of Van Buren township :
For bonds issued to the Lexington, Lake & Gulf Railroad . $50,000 00
Delinquent tax on the same for 1871 1,735 00 For and on behalf of Kansas City and Westport Horse Railroad 25,000 00
Delinquent tax on same for 1871.
533 25
The indebtedness created by the two last named townships is not a part of the county indebtedness at large, but is set forth for the satisfaction of the court and the residents of said townships :
The assessed value of real estate property of Jackson county for 1872, is $12,930, 585 Personal . 3,552,035
Merchants' goods
1, 100,000
Total . $17,581,620
In the foregoing report it will be borne in mind that I have in all instances deducted the State tax, and reference is only made to county indebtedness.
It will be observed that the outstanding warrants for the year 1870 is much larger than for any other year given, which may be accounted for in the fact that warrants were in March of said year for the delinquent school tax already referred to. All of which is respectfully submitted.
E. R. HICKMAN, Clerk.
JACKSON COUNTY FINANCES FROM NOVEMBER IST, 1875, TO FEBRUARY 15TH, 1876.
State tax .
$44,997 62
County tax
48,925 45
Special interest tax .
28,175 07
Poor House tax .
11,740 50
Bridge tax .
9,291 05
Van Buren Township Railroad tax
1,968 86
Blue Township Railroad tax
2,504 97
Kaw Township Railroad tax .
13,558 87
Westport Horse Railroad tax
917 60
Penalty 176 30
Kansas City School 51,456 06
Independence School
4 154 77
Westport School
1,966 88
Lee's Summit School
1,826 85
Total .
$221,760 85
RAILROADS.
State tax .
$1,051 48
County tax .
1,161 19
Special interest
290 29
Bridge
232 24
Road
339 43
School
1,285 19
Kaw Township Railroad
219 97
Blue Township Railroad
144 17
Total
$34,723 96
216
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
AMOUNT COLLECTED ON BACK TAXES.
State tax
$10,514 39
County revenue
8,500 89
Special interest .
5,178 90
Poor House .
897 38
Bridge .
2,378 81
Van Buren Township Railroad
244 4I
Blue Township Railroad
132 25
Kaw Township Railroad .
451 96
Westport Horse Railroad
137 48
Penalty
5,724 62
Advertising
446 56
Independence School tax
230 97
Lee's Summit School tax
61 14
Westport School tax .
633 22
Kansas City School tax .
9,651 08
Total
$45,154 07
RECAPITULATION.
Total amount collected on merchants' tax and regular tax books for 1875
$221,760 85
Total amount collected on railroads for 1874 4,723 96
Total amount collected on back taxes
45,154 08
$271,638 89
We give the foregoing figures in full, in order that all who are interested specially in any of the funds, may have a better knowledge of their status, and that the people at large may see what their servants are doing.
For the first time in twenty years we are told county warrants are at par. This, too, has been accomplished through the management of those having the finances of the county in their hands, without funding. The collector turned over $26,000 cash, the other day, to the treasurer, on county revenue, a fact worth remembering, in connection with the never-to-be-forgotten grasshopper year. The total collections on the tax books are about 70 per cent. of the whole, and collections on the delinquent or back taxes, as will be seen above, run up to the handsome sum of $45, 154.07. This is a splendid showing, and is worthy of the good old county of Jackson.
An official report of the financial affairs of .Jackson county for the year 1879 : To the Honorable County Court of Jackson County, Mo .:
I hereby submit my annual report of the receipts and expenditures of Jackson county for the year 1879, and also giving the amount of the indebtedness of said county. The outstanding indebtedness of said county is as follows : $300,000 bonds issued to the Tebo & Neosho Railroad Company; $200,000 funding bonds of Jackson county ; $150,000 Kaw township bonds, issued to the Wyan- dotte, Kansas City & Northwestern Railroad Company ; $100,000 Kaw town- ship bonds issued to the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Topeka Railroad Company ; $100,000 Blue township bonds issued to the Wyandotte, Kansas City & North- western Railroad Company ; $48,000 Van Buren township bonds issued to the Lexington, Lake & Gulf Railroad Company; $1,300 Westport bonds issued to the Westport Horse Railroad Company. Of the above bonds, those issued on the Tebo & Neosho Railroad Company, to the amount of $300,000, are bearing 8 per cent. interest. No interest has been paid on the same since February, 1876, and as your Honors are well aware suit has been entered and judgment rendered
217
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
against Jackson county for the sum of $48, 549.54, in the United States Circuit Court for the Western District of Missouri, on the part due coupons of said bonds, and mandamus has been issued to enforce the collection of the same. There have also been judgments rendered against Jackson county on behalf of Kaw township to the amount of $7,398.22 and Blue township to the amount of $6,586.87, in favor of the bondholders on past due coupons, both of which townships are be- hind on interest since August, A. D. 1876. No suit has been begun by the bond- holders of the Van Buren township bonds, but it is understood that the decision of Kaw and Blue township cases also decides theirs. In the Westport & Kan- sas City Horse Railroad bonds, suit has been brought in the United States Court and decided against the bondholders. Whether they have been appealed to the United States Supreme Court, I am not informed.
There are no outstanding warrants against the county, all having been paid on presentation to the county treasurer, and there is in the hands of the treasurer the following amounts to the credit of the following funds, to-wit :
County revenue fund $47,839.95
Special interest fund .
20, 166.98
Poor House fund . 8,084.78
Bridge fund .
6,345.64
Road fund .
3,450.08
Indebtedness fund
1,597.92
Van Buren township railroad
2,671.04
Westport Horse Railroad
462.75
Blue township railroad .
839.77
Kaw township railroad .
2,779.61
Making a total of . $94,288.52
In addition to the amounts on hand to the credit of the township funds, there are the following amounts loaned out on real estate security, which can be called in when wanted, to-wit :
Kaw township railroad fund $10,969.95
Blue township railroad fund . 2,731.68
Van Buren township railroad fund . 619.81
Total . $14,321.44
For a detailed statement I refer your Honors to the following accounts of each fund made out separately :
REVENUE FUND.
To balance on hand last year $ 39,236 81
To amount received as per schedule "A" 69,761 20
$108,998 01
Credits.
By amount county warrants paid off $ 51,728 58
By criminal scrip paid off 5,768 53
By law and Equity Court scrip paid off 2,219 50
By Circuit Court scrip paid off. . 1,082 75
By commission on railroad taxes 16 39
By coroner's accounts allowed
196 61
By W. T. Wright, wolf scalp . I 50
By J. Pendleton, damages on road
64 60
By G. W. Adams, 64 60
By W. A. Cunningham, damages on road . 15 00
By balance on hand . 47,839 95
$108,998 01
218
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
SPECIAL INTEREST FUND.
To balance on hand last year $13,686 55 To amount received as per schedule "A" 24,924 14
$38,610 69
Credits.
By 399 coupon funding bonds .
$15,960 00
By warrants paid off
2,458 05
By exchange and express charges 20 25
By commission on railroad taxes 5 41
By balance on hand
20, 168 98
$38,610 69
POOR HOUSE FUND.
To balance on hand last year $ 7,660 37
To amount collected as per schedule "A" 9,286 08
$16,946 45
Credits.
By amount warrants paid off $ 8,859 04
By commission on railroad tax . 2 63
By balance on hand
8,084 78
$16,946 45
BRIDGE FUND.
To balance on hand last year . . $1,002 40
To amount collected as per schedule "A" 7,917 33
$8,919 79
Credits.
By warrants paid off
$2,574 15
By balance on hand
6,345 64
$8,919 79
ROAD FUND.
To balance on hand last settlement .
$ 2,833 43
To amount collected as per schedule "A" . 7,897 06
$10,73º 52
Credits.
By warrants and road receipts paid off $ 7,273 95
By commission
6 49
By balance on hand
3,450 08
$10,730 52
INDEBTEDNESS FUND.
To balance on hand last year . $ 877 44
To amount received per schedule "A" 720 48
$1,597 92
Credit.
By balance on hand . $1,597 92
219
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP FUND.
To balance on hand last year . $2,739 25
To amount received as per schedule "A" 181 79
$2,921 04
Credits.
By amount loaned'
$ 250 00
By balance on hand .
2,671 04
$2,921 04
Dr.
WESTPORT HORSE RAILROAD FUND.
To balance on hand last year . $387 33
To amount received, schedule "A" 75 42
$462 75
Credit.
By balance on hand . $462 75
BLUE TOWNSHIP RAILROAD FUND.
To balance on hand last year . $ 832 03
To amount received as per schedule "A" 557 74
$1,389 77
Credits.
By amount loaned $500 00
By balance on hand . 889 77
KAW TOWNSHIP RAILROAD FUND.
To balance on hand last year . $6,139 II
To amount as per schedule "A"
2,040 50
$8,179 61
Credits.
By amount loaned out . $5,400 00
By balance on hand . 2,779 61
$8, 179 61
Below is given the financial statement of Collector Murphy's final settlement with the County Court. For current year 1880, collections on real estate and personal property were :
State $ 54,038 76
County
40,700 78
Tebo and Neosho special interest 27, 138 51
Special interest
13,566 79
Poor House
6,782 45
Bridge
6,781 0I
Road .
5,085 II
County schools
20,124 12
Independence schools
3,347 98
Lee's Summit schools 598 10
Kansas City schools
68,702 99
Westport schools
1,962 29
Interest .
212 38
Collections
$248,032 20
.
220
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
State
$ 65,254 26
County
49,184 79
Tebo and Neosho special interest
32,789 82
Special interest
163,955 59
Poor House
8,203 80
Bridge .
8,205 20
Road .
6,145 IO
County school
23,754 52
Independence school
3,759 54
Lee's Summit school
701 30
Kansas City school
83,571 90
Westport school .
2,729 47
Total assessments for current year
$300,908: 13
DELINQUENT TAXES OF 1880.
State
$ 11,215 50
County
8,484 0I
Tebo and Neosho special interest
5,651 31
Special interest
2,828 80
Poor house
1,420 35
Bridge
1,424 19
Road .
1,059 99
County school
3,630 43
Independence school
4II 96
Lee's Summit school
103 20
Kansas City school
14,868 97
Westport school .
767 22
Total delinquent $ 51,865 93
OTHER COLLECTIONS.
Merchants' and manufacturers' license . $ 28,369 39
Dramshop, billiard and auctioneers' license 21,311 19
Total $ 49,680 58
Total collections
$267,712 78
CREDITS.
Delinquent list
$ 51,865 93
Abatements by County Court
6,759 37
Commission on current tax .
4,240 OI
Commission on dramshop tax, etc
372 92
Commission on merchants tax .
496 43
Total credits $ 63,734 66 Cash paid county treasurer $286,854 05
County Revenue.
Special Interest.
Poor House.
Bridge.
Road.
Indebt- edness.
R. R. Van Bu- ren Tp. port H. R. R.
Blue Tp. R. R. Bonds.
Mid. Kaw Tp. Narrow K.T. R. G. R. R. Bonds.
M. Pa- cific R. R.
Interest.
Balance on hand March 1, 1879. Amt. rec'd from D. Murphy on taxes .. Amt. collected on del. personal list ..... Amt. collected on taxes for 1879 ..
$ 39,236 81 $13,686 55
$7,666 37
$1,002 46 $ 2,833 43
$ 877 41
$387 33
$832 03
$6,139 11
$297 04
$638 00
$6,168 65
12,410 67
5,837 69
2,153 69
1,322 01
1,892 84
681 01
48 77
97 70 .
655 53
14 00
961 84
327 46
160 08
3 55
135 10
2 44
1 96
35,592 61
11,865 32
5,934 38 656 37
5,932 37 657 23
15 40
6 00
2 00
1 00
7,223 71
6 03
3 69
2 17
323 41
Amt. collected on auctioneer license ...
123 35
Amt. collected on peddlers license ..
6 50
Amt. collected on del. road tax.
406 47
Amt. rec'd Wallace Laws, jury fees ..
380 40
Amt. from railroad tax.
1,638 84
545 97
373 00
656 73
Amt. from J. O. Day ...
15 20
Amt. from O. P. W. Bailey, sheriff
120 00
Amt. from City of Independence.
133 00
Amt. from John Murray ..
5,000 00
Amt. from Gates & Wallace.
49 33
24 60
9 87
37 00
Amt. from D. Gregg
94 00
Amt. from Jno. R. Oldham
Amt. from interest on bonded money
28 33
26 65
458 08
1,384 97
45 00
Total
$102,177 36 $38,610 69 $16,946 45
$8,919 79 $17,730 52 $1,597 92
$2,921 04 8462 75 $1,389 77
$8,179 61 $342 04 $638 00 $6,182 65
221
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
4,776 55
3,945 69
1,315 62
Amt. collected on merchants' tax 1879 Amt. coll. on del. merchants' tax 1879. Amt. collected on dramshop license ... Amt. collected on billiard license.
$2,739 25 153 46
West-
14 00
222
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
Below will be found a report submitted to the County Court ten years ago : I have the honor to report the indebtedness of Jackson county on the first Monday, A. D. 1870, as follows :
WARRANTS OUTSTANDING. $ 25 20
For the year 1851 .
For the year 1852 .
4 40
For the year 1853 .
58 30
For the year 1854 .
15 30
For the year 1856 .
II 00
For the year 1857
12 14
For the year 1858.
12 55
For the year 1859 .
61 70
For the year 1860 .
96 93
For the year 1861 .
765 25
For the year 1862 .
7 50
For the year 1863 .
42 25
For the year 1864 .
55 54
For the year 1865 .
156 47
For the year 1866
869 58
For the year 1867
3,814 81
For the year 1868.
4,891 45
For the year 1869.
3,265 54
Making a total of $ 17,212 21
Borrowed school money .
20,174 II
Bond No. 16 held by Sawyer & Chrisman
12,000 00
Bond No. 7, held by Fletcher
1,000 00
63 bonds of Pacific Railroad .
63,000 00
Interest on the same .
8,600 00
II bonds to Louisiana and Missouri R. R.
5,506 00
Bridge bonds due February 1, 1871 . .
19,600 00
Grand total $147,086 32 The amount of receipts from all sources, for the year 1869, amounted as follows :
County revenue . $ 56,362 89
Poor House . 6,868 94
Special interest
13,070 06
Bridge
14,096 99
Road
15,145 65
Railroad.
29,43º 14
Total $135,904 47 The amount of expenditures for the year 1869, for all purposes, amounted as follows :
County revenue $ 44,423 73
Poor House 9,002 32
Special interest 5,406 64
Bridge
7,813 61
Road .
3,419 24
Railroad.
6,404 50
Total
$ 76,530 04
6 00
For the year 1855 .
223
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
Leaving a balance of receipts over expenditures of $59, 374.43, which has been applied to the payment of old debts.
It will be seen that the receipts of the county revenue have exceeded the expenditures by $11,939. 10, leaving a balance of that much to be applied to the payment of the outstanding warrants that have been protested.
The expenditures of the Poor House fund have exceeded the receipts by $2, 133.38, which has been expended in erecting a new and additional building on the county farm.
The receipts on the road fund have been $15, 143:65, while the expenditures in road warrants have been only $3,419.24, the balance has been expended by the road overseers in the various districts, and as they have not, as yet, made settlement, it is impossible for me to lay before your honor the result of their labors.
The special interest fund shows receipts of $13,976.06 and expenditures of $5,406.04. As this is a new fund created out of the old county bounty fund, the expenditures have not been so great, but will mostly be consumed in paying off the interest due on borrowed school money and railroad bonds due February Ist, 1870.
The receipts on the railroad fund have been $29,460. 14, and expenditures have been $6,404.50, of which amount $5,500.00 was issued to Samuel L. Saw- yer, as one of the directors of the Louisiana & Missouri River Railroad Company for the purpose of making the survey through the County of Jackson, and for which the said Jackson county is to have credit on the subscription of $250,000 to the capital stock of said road.
The interest on bonds No. 7 and 16 have been paid by Jackson county up to January Ist, 1870.
The interest on the bridge bonds has been paid (or money set aside to pay) up to April Ist, A. D. 1870.
Of the amount of interest due on old warrants I am unable to state, as I have no knowledge of the date of presentation of the same to the treasurer for payment, and can, therefore, form no idea of the amount necessary to pay the same
I find after careful examination there is due on the delinquent list of 1869, and the same lists of 1861 to 1868 inclusive the following amounts :
County revenue . $35,754 80
Special interest .
10,980 08
Poor House 5,277 27
Bridge
9,941 21
Railroad
30,555 00
Road
6,214 73
Total .
$98,722 73
So that it will be seen if all delinquent taxes were paid it would leave our gross indebtedness only $48, 345.58.
There would also be in the treasury money as follows :
County revenue $18,541 79
Special interest 10,980 50
Poor House 3,143 67
Road. .
6,214 73
Making a general total of . $37,960 73
And the balance due on the railroad debt to be only $46, 545.00. All of which is respectfully submitted,
E. R. HICKMAN, Clerk. By W. Z. HICKMAN, D. C.
224
1
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
COUNTY POOR FARM.
There were few applications in early days for county aid by persons who were poor and unfortunate. In those days few persons were very rich, and it is likewise true that there were few very poor. The history of Jackson county in this respect was not different from that of other counties. As the county settled up, farms were improved, elegant farm-houses erected, and the natural resources of the county developed; the more industrious and economical and fortunate became richer, and those who were less energetic or fortunate became poorer. After the lapse of some time the number of paupers was so great, and the expense of maintaining them so large, that the taxpayers began to clamor for some more economical method of relieving the deserving poor. Not only had the number of paupers increased rapidly, but exorbitant prices were frequently demanded for maintaining such, and, when accommodations could not be procured elsewhere, the authorities were compelled to pay the prices demanded. Under these circum- stances the people began to inquire after some plan whereby the poor could be more economically cared for. In 1852 there seemed to be a general feeling in favor of purchasing a farm and erecting buildings suitable for an infirmary. The County Court had been, previous to that time, frequently petitioned by various individuals, and the feasibility of the undertaking, doubtless, had frequently sug- gested itself to that honorable body.
Jackson County Poor Farm is situated ten miles south of Independence, and contains 160 acres. It was bought in the year 1852. A summary of the annual reports of Superintendent D. Gregg for 1879 and 1880 will be sufficient to show the practical workings of the institution :
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.