USA > Ohio > Shelby County > History of Shelby County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 17
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Item. My gold watch to be given to the best daughter of Allen Cook, to be left to Wm. E. Cook, now of Rock Island City, Illinois, to decide.
Item. I do not wish to be buried on my land nor here, but make a place in some burying ground, or by my codicil to be left to certain M. D.'s to make an examination, etc.
Item. I leave my wife to the tender mercy of an everlasting God, and may he forgive as I have forgiven her, for I have forgiven her not only seventy times but one thousand times.
Item. I will not place on record my curse. God will do that. I pity a poor half-deranged woman whom I have loved, deeply loved, and truly love now, if pure and free from vice.
Item. In making this will I am not intending to cast any reflections on humanity. All have their faults. May God assoilzie the guilty. I am not.
This will made on Sunday the 10th day of April, 1853.
Given under my name on said day.
JAMES COOK. [SEAL.]
Witnesses present Monday, April 11, 1853 :- HENRY ROSE, JOSEPH THOMPSON, G. N. FURMAN. Sworn to and subscribed, October 10, 1855, by THOMPSON & FURMAN.
VOUCIIERS FOR WOLF SCALPS TAKEN WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF SHELBY COUNTY
To the State of Ohio, Shelby County, ss :
Before me, an acting justice of the peace for Turtle Creek township, per- sonally appeared Ebenezer Stevens, who being duly sworn according to law, produced a wolf scalp over the age of six months, killed within the state of Ohio, for which he is entitled to four dollars.
Given under my hand and seal this Ioth day of May, 1819.
JAMES LENOX, J. P. [SEAL. ]
The State of Ohio, Shelby County, ss :
Personally came before me, the undersigned, an acting justice of the peace of Turtle Creek Township, Cephas Carey, who being duly sworn according to law, produced two wolf scalps over the age of six months, killed within the State of Ohio, for which he is entitled to eight dollars.
Given under my hand and seal this 13th day of August, 1819.
JAMES LENOX, J. P. [SEAL. ]
155
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
July 19, 1819. I hereby certify that Thomas Young produced a wolf's scalp under the age of six months, and took the necessary oath according to law, that he killed it in Shelby county, Perry township, for which the law allows him two dollars.
JOHN HENDERSHOTT, J. P. for Miami Co. [SEAL. ]
Shelby County, Ohio, November 11, 1819:
I do hereby certify that James Pertu, living at Camp No. 3, near Fort Defiance, is entitled to receive sixteen dollars for killing four wolves over the age of six months, agreeable to an act of the General Assembly to encourage the killing of wolves.
Given under my hand the date above written.
ROBERT BRODERICK, J. P.
You, Benjamin Wallingford, do solemnly swear that the five scalps now produced are the scalps of wolves taken within the county of Shelby, Ohio, by you within twenty days last past and that you verily believe the same to have been over six months old and that you have not spared the life of any she wolf within your power to kill, with a design to increase the breed.
BENJAMIN WALLINGFORD.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this second day of June, 1847. C. W. WELLS, Clerk, by JONA. COUNTS, Dep. Clerk.
LIST OF WOLF SCALPS, SHOWING VALUATION. BY WHOM TAKEN, AND WHEN
1819. May I. Hezekiah Hubble, one wolf $ 4.00
1819. May 10. E. Stevens, one wolf. 4.00
1819. July 29. Thos. Young, one wolf. 4.00
1819. July 22. Z. Richardson, one wolf. 4.00
1819. August 13. Cephas Carey, two wolves. 8.00
1819.
September 22. John Plummer, two wolves 8.00
1819. October 22. Jesse H. Wilson, one wolf 4.00
1819.
October 21. John Hunt, one wolf. 4.00
1819. December II. James Pertee, four wolves. 16.00
1819.
December II. James Pertee, four wolves. 8.00
1819. December II. Michael Horner, one wolf 4.00
1819. December 13. Nathan Coleman, one wolf . 4.00
1820. January I. Charles Johnston, one wolf. 4.00
1820.
April 24. John Hebber, one wolf. 4.00
1820.
February 23. Wm. Groove, one wolf
4.00
1820. February 7. Daniel Flinn, one wolf.
4.00
1820. September 18. John Gallant, two wolves 8.00
1820. June 23. William Bush, one wolf 4.00
1820. August 22. John Bush, one wolf . 4.00
1820. February 23. Thos. McClish, two wolves 8.00
1820. March 9. John Gallant, one wolf 8.00
156
HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
1820. March 9. Charles Johnston, one wolf 4.00
1820. November 23. John Gates, two wolves. 8.00
1820. December 22. Samuel Hanson, one wolf
1820. February 26. William Ike, two wolves 4.00
1820. December 26. William Ike, two wolves
8.00
1820. June 13. William Ike, one wolf. 4.00
1820.
December. Thomas McClish, one wolf
4.00
1820.
October. Michael Horner, three wolves
12.00
1820.
December. John Hunt, one wolf. 4.00
1820. December. Nathan Coleman, one wolf. 4.00
1820.
April. Thos. McClish, two wolves. 8.00
1820. February. John L. Steinberger, one wolf 4.00
1820. March. Thos. McClish, one wolf .
4.00
1820. November. Isaac Larrison, one wolf
4.00
1820. May. John Gallant, one wolf.
4.00
1820.
February. Thos. McClish, two wolves 4.00
8.00
1820. January. Samuel Tilberry, one wolf
1820. June. James Coleman, two wolves 4.00
4.00
1820. April. Benj. Coleman, one wolf
4.00
1820.
April. John Carey, one wolf .
4.00
1820.
April. Thos. Coleman, one wolf .
4.00
1820. February. Richard Cannon, one wolf
4.00
1820. April. Wm. Robinson, one wolf
4.00
1820. April. Nathan Coleman, two wolves 8.00
1820. March. Isaac Larrison, one wolf.
1821. January. Samuel Howell, one wolf 4.00
4.00
1821. January. Cephas Carey, one wolf.
4.00
1821. January. Josiah Sclosen, one wolf
4.00
1821. February. Thos. McClish, one wolf 4.00
1821. February. John Stevens, one wolf
4.00
1821. February. James Coleman, two wolves 8.00
8.00
1822. March. James Coleman, two wolves
1822. April. Thos. McClish, two wolves 8.00
1822. May. William Hicks, one wolf. 4.00
1822. May. James Coleman, one wolf. 4.00
1822.
December. Nathan Coleman, one wolf. 4.00
1822. December. Samuel Washbur, five wolves 20.00
1822. December. Benj. Coleman, one wolf. 4.00
1822. December. Thomas Coleman, one wolf 4.00
1822. December. Thomas Coleman, one wolf 4.00
1823. May. Ebenezer Lucas, two old, eight young .. 18.00
$264.00
1821. January. Benj. Skillen, one wolf. 4.00
1821. January. Thos. McClish, one wolf 4.00
1820. March. William Sturm, one wolf
4.00
157
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
NUMBER OF WOLVES KILLED AND AMOUNT PAID IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR :
In
Wolves
killed.
Amount paid.
In
Wolves killed.
Amount paid.
1819
20
1820
45
1821
19
1834
$816.00
1822
15
1835
1823
66
1836
5
20.00
1824
33
$132.00
1837
I3
46.00
1825
.51
204.00
1846
6
1826
.44
176.00
1847
7
1827
.22
1848
1828
18
1849
2
1829
II
1850
1830
35
1851
I
1831.
17
1854
I
COMMISSIONERS' OFFICE, 1825.
Records of the metes and bounds of the different townships in Shelby county, as they have been established by the commissioners, and entered by their orders.
PERRY TOWNSHIP
Begins on the southeast corner of section 4, town. 2, range 13. east line of Shelby county; north with the aforesaid county line to the northeast corner of the county; thence west with the county line to the line between sections 29 and 30, town. I, range 7; thence south with the line between the aforesaid sections, continued on to Miami river, and across the river; thence with the river down to the land between sections 10 and 9, town. I, range 13; thence with the last said line east, to continue on to the place of beginning.
GREEN TOWNSHIP
Begins at the southeast corner of the county; thence north to the south line of Perry township, between sections 3 and 4 of town. 2, range 13; thence west with the sections line to the east line between sections 33 and 34 in the aforesaid town. 2, range 13; thence south to the country line between sections 34 and 28, town. 2, range 12; thence with the county line east to the beginning.
ORANGE TOWNSHIP
Begins at the south line of the county, on the Miami river; thence east to the west line of Green township. on the line between sections 34 and 28, town. 2, range 12; thence north to the south line of Perry township, in the middle of the 13th range; thence west with the line through the middle of the 13th range aforesaid to the Miami river; thence down the river to place of beginning.
year.
year.
1832.
1833
158
HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
CLINTON TOWNSHIP
Begins at the northwest corner of Perry township, on line between sections 29 and 30, town. 2, range 5; thence with the line between said sections south, and continued on to the Miami river; thence down the river to where the line between sections 15 and 18, town. 7, range 6, intersects the same river ; thence north between said sections 15 and 16, and continued on to the county line ; thence east with said line to the beginning.
TURTLE CREEK TOWNSHIP
Begins at the Miami river, between sections 15 and 16, town. 7, range 6; thence north with the west line of Clinton township to the county line; thence west to the line between sections 35 and 36, town. II, range 5; thence south hetween sections 34 and 35 to the south line of the county, between sections 26 and 25, town. 9, range 5; thence east to the river, and thence up the river to the place of beginning.
LORAMIE TOWNSHIP
Begins between sections 25 and 26, town. 9, range 5, at the county line at southwest corner of Turtle Creek township; thence north with said Turtle Creek township line to the line between sections 35 and 36, town. 10, range 5 ; thence west to the county line ; thence south to the southwest corner of the county ; thence east to place of beginning.
CYNTHIAN TOWNSHIP
Begins on the west line of the county, between sections 27 and 34, town. II. range 4; thence east to the west line of Turtle Creek township; thence north to the county line ; thence west to the northwest corner of the county; thence south to the beginning.
On June 18, 1825, the description of Cynthian township proving to be inaccurate, was corrected, as set forth in the following entry :
Record of Cynthian township, agreeable to the petition for the organiza- tion of the same : Beginning at the west line of the county, on the line between towns. 10 and 41, range 4 east ; thence east to the west line of Turtle Creek township; thence north to the county line ; thence west to the northwest corner of the county ; thence south to the place of beginning.
The record of this township was found to be incorrect, and ordered by the commissioners to be corrected. All the numbers marked to be on the north line of the county are on the old Indian boundary, there being no numbers known on the north line. Still, in that case the north line of the county is to be considered the north boundary of such townships.
Examined and approved by the commissioners.
159
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
PIONEER CONDITIONS
In pioneer days there was not a top buggy in Shelby county and but very few spring wagons, even fifty years ago, the highways being so execrable, that the sturdiest kind of a farm wagon did service for church or market or pleasure outings or joy rides, although an alleged turnpike, thinly graveled, subject to toll, had been constructed for 20 miles north to Wapakoneta.
The rich earth, shaded by the primeval woods, were avenues of mud and the corduroying of them with logs of various sizes made it possible to travel only at the slowest pace. Grain had to be hauled to Cincinnati or Sandusky .100 miles distant and the trip took more than a week. The price obtained was very low and only the necessities of life were purchased with the scant receipts.
In 1865 a toll turnpike was built from Sidney to Palestine, eight miles east, but in the latter part of the sixties a state law was passed permitting the building of free turnpikes to be paid for by taxing lands two miles each side of the pikes to be paid in yearly installments. This started pike building and a boom in real estate. At this time there are about 300 miles in the county, costing nearly two millions, so that now joy riders, in their automobiles raise the dust at a speed of twenty miles an hour, or more, where jaded horses at a snail's pace with lumber wagons bounced over the corduroy or mired in the mud. These pikes in many instances provided outlet for farm under- drains and there are now thousands of miles of tile drainage and the swampy lands, worthless in an undrained condition are the richest in the county. Farms can not be bought under $100 an acre, some bringing $150, where buildings are good. The luxuries of civilization on a higher plane have come to stay, with high cost of living. Those who have to buy grumble, while those who have things to sell rejoice.
Since pioneer days, fever and ague, with break-bone accompaniments, has become a thing of the past, of which the present generation know nothing and mosquitoes are on the road to ultimate extinction.
There was no surplus money in Shelby county when it started on its career. The earth, by dint of labor, ministered to life's necessities but luxuries had no place on the daily bill of fare which probably inspired the poet to give birth to the immortal stanza "Bean porridge, hot, bean porridge, cold in the pot, nine days old." The wardrobe was in keeping with the homely diet, "neat, but not gaudy." Some money had to be obtained to get the country under headway, pay the officials. etc. The first financial exhibit, the debts and credits were a little more than $1,100, with a deficit of $708 in the year 1819, which remained the same until June, 1820. The county treasurer's settlement for 1822 made a better showing and the sum of $769 was on each side, no surplus and no deficiency. In 1823 there was a credit surplus of $5.91 and in 1825, $128.
160
HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
LAND ENTRIES
The numerous land entries prior to 1822 show that the settlers were not adventurers but came for permanent homes, and here follow the names of the Joriginal proprietors :
Jonathan Nichols, Robert Gibson, Daniel Vandemark, Azariah Julian. William Johnston, John Kennard, David Hendershott, James and John Len- nox, James Marshall, Joseph Mellinger, John Mellinger, Rebecca Earl, Wil -. liam Stuart, John Decker, Hezekiah Hubble, Robert Hurley, David Henry, Conrad Pouchers, William McClure, Eleazar Hathaway, Abraham Hathaway, Robert Houston, John Houston, William Honston, William Bush, James Buchanan, Thomas McKey, Philip Smyser, William Berry, Thomas Butt, Cephus Carey, Fred Steinberger, Moses Vale, John Hendershott, Rufus Carey, Elias Carey, Philip Coleman, James Cannon, George Chiles, Joseph Defrees, Patrick Doak, James Dingman, James Dingman, Jr., John Mathers, John Cowan, David Henry, Wmn. Marrs, Thomas McClish, Azariah Julian, Robert McClure, Samuel McClure, John Miller, Wm. Morrow, Samuel Marshall, Robert McClure, John Johnston, Wm. Berry, Samuel Marshall, John Peck, Thomas Plummer, McMillen and Belderback, Parks and Brandon, Samuel Robertson, John Redinbaugh, Wm. Robertson, George Chiles, Thomas Rob- ertson, Azariah Julian, Wm. Robertson, John Stephens, John Hendershott, Charles Sterrett, Henry Sturm, Joseph Steinberger, Ebenezer Stephens, Rod- ham Talbott, John Underwood, Daniel Valentine, Harmon Dildine, John Wilson, James Logan, Charles Weeks, Jeremiah White, James Cannon, Con- rad Pouchers, Michael Young, John Bronson, Win. Bothel, Joseph Brown, Benjamin Bayless, Isaac Ballinger, Nathan Bull, McMillan and Belderback, Hezekiah Hubble, Moses Vale, David Hendershott, Joseph Darlington, Chris- topher Telker, Robert Gibson, Wm. Griffith, Wm. Townley, Francis John- ston, John Johnston, James Jackson, James Johnston, Moses Kain, Nathan Kelly, James Logan. John McClintock, James Marshall, John. Mathers, Adam McClintock, Wm. Townley, Thomas Norman, John Orbison, John A. Parr, Charles Helyard, Isaac Swaringer, Henry Sturm, O. M. Spencer, D. Talbott, James Cannon, Wm. Wells.
POPULATION
The population of Shelby county in 1820 was 2,142; 1830, 3,671; 1840, 12,153 ; 1860, 17,493 ; 1880, 24, 137 ; 1890, 24,707 ; 1900, 24,625 ; 1910, 24,663.
The population per square mile is 59.7; the rural population per square mile is 43.7.
The taxable valuation of property in Shelby county in 1911 was $37, 108,- 660: personal, $8.589,340; real, $28,519,320. . According to the census of 1910, the population of Sidney, the county seat, was 6,607; taxable valuation of property, 1911, $6,511,400 ; personal, $1,959,850; real, $4,551,550.
161
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
The total amount raised for taxation in Shelby county for the year 1912 was $335,462.48.
Distributed as follows :
State fund
$ 16,419.29
County fund
109,145.01
Township fund
25,628.55
Local School fund
94,821.00
Special taxes
32,830.43
City and Village tax
54,918.00
Dog fund
2,100.20
POLITICAL, PARTIES
The politics of Shelby county date back to the organization of the county, though for some years the voting population was small and elections were not held in all the townships as they are constituted today. About the first elective officers of the county were justices of the peace, or "squires" as they were commonly called. These officers were selected from among the most intelligent citizens; they were known as the peacemakers of their respective localities and often settled neighborhood disputes out of court. They held "court" in the largest room of their houses, and the yard was taken up with the vehicles of those who came to hear the trials. There was very little "wire- pulling" for the early settlers met irrespective of party and put the best men in the field, then went to the different polls, traded horses, voted and went home. However, excitement rose to a high pitch when it came to state and national elections and Shelby county could generally be depended upon to give a whig majority.
The first real exciting campaign in this county was the presidential cam- paign of 1828. Partisanship became very bitter; there were Jackson and Adams meetings everywhere, the schoolhouses resounded with praise and defamations and before this campaign closed there were many bloody noses and blackened eyes.
The next great contest was that of William Henry Harrison in 1840. Har- rison was the idol of the whig party and his name raised the greatest enthusi- asm. / The county did not see another great campaign until that of 1866 when the political club came into existence. There were barbecues, torchlight procession's, turpentine balls, and the air was made melodious with the singing clubs and their political songs. But the most exciting political battle ever waged in the county took place in 1864. Meetings were held day and night ; the highways were thronged with political processions and gaily decorated wagons filled with girls were a part of the parade. The following episode may give its reader an idea of the state of the times. It was during the Brough- Vallandigham campaign of 1864, when Ohio was still an October state, that Frank Mckinney, of Piqua, an ardent democrat, who represented this district in congress, and C. L. Vallandigham, of Dayton, member of congress, and candidate for governor on the democratic ticket, were advertised to address
162
HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
A meeting at Sidney. Thousands were gathered to hear the speaking. A regiment of soldiers was in the town awaiting transportation to their homes in Michigan and were encamped in Poplar street. When the carriage con- taining Mr. Vallandigham and Mr. Mckinney passed by the soldiers they commenced yelling and shooting their guns over the top of the carriage which frightened the horses causing them to run down a bank and almost upset the vehicle. However, the carriage reached the hotel. Mr. Vallandigham was hurried in and the doors were closed. Mr. MeKinney remained on the side- walk and addressed a mob of sokliers who demanded the surrender of Valland- igham and attempted to enter the hotel. A riot was imminent. More than two thousand democrats, armed, surrounded the hotel waiting for the soldiers to make an attack. . \ message was sent to S. B. Walker. the mayor of Sid- ney, and he and the leading republicans were informed by Mr. Mckinney that if blood was shed and property destroyed they would be held responsible. The mayor persuaded the soldiers to return to camp: they were gotten on trains and rushed out of town and the meeting was held. When the soldiers departed they took with them a cannon named the "Swamp Angel," which the democrats were using for the celebration and which was cast by Philip Smith in his own foundry for the occasion. This cannon was thrown into a pond up in Michigan and years afterwards was raised by Philip Smith him- self and brought back to Sidney. The feeling against Vallandigham was caused by the fact that he was a southern sympathizer and had been sent through the rebel lines and found refuge in Canada.
This campaign represented the high-water mark of political excitement, for Shelby county is overwhelmingly democratic and but few times since the birth of the republican party have any members ot that faith been elected to county offices. The instances are: Jacob S. Conklin, prosecuting attor- ney. 1858 to 1880; James .\. Irwin, recorder, 1856. clerk, 1860; J. P. For -. sythe, auditor from 1873 to 1875: G. E. \llinger, sheriff, 1887 to 1889: John P. Brown, commissioner, 1895 to 1898, and J. C. Rosser, auditor from 1905 to 1909.
The townships of Orange, Perry, Salem, Turtle Creek and Washington give reliable republican majorities, while Cynthian, Dinsmore, Green, Jackson, Loramie, McLean and Van Buren are almost unanimously democratic with Franklin and Clinton furnishing smaller majorities for the party of Jefferson.
The county is in the Fourth Congressional District composed of the counties of Auglaize. Allen, Mercer, Darke and Shelby and is now repre- sented in congress by J. Henry Goeke. Democrat, of Auglaize, whose plurality in the district at the last election was 11,245; majority 3,020. It is in the Twelfth Senatorial District made up of Miami, Darke and Shelby counties and has just elected to the legislature Dr. I. C. Kiser, of Miami, whose plurality in the district was 3.517 for the 1912 election.
The following is an abstract of votes cast at the presidential and guber- natorial election for 1912 in Shelby county :
163
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
Democrat.
Republican. 1613 1466
Socialist. 245
8
8
Prohibition. 52 63
625
The vote of Sidney and the fourteen townships for president, November 5, 1912, was as follows :
Democrat.
Republican.
Socialist.
Social Labor.
Prohibition.
Progressive.
Sidney
844
550
154
204
4
II
Clinton
463
99
25
42
I
5
Cynthian
194
28
I
27
O
2
Dinsmore
368
81
6
II
O
I
Franklin
143
68
6
14
0
O
Green
IOI
85
14
40
I
4
Jackson
266
81
5
61
O
5
Loramie
225
73
II
33
I
I
McLean
287
38
I
I
O
2
Orange
93
55
7
49
I
I
Perry
132
96
2
30
0
IO
Salem1
I46
92
3
32
O
4
Turtle Creek
82
56
4
51
O
2
Van Buren
199
48
I
46
O
O
Loramie
225
73
II
33
I
I
Shelby county, as it exists today with its fertile farms and nearly one thou- sand miles of turnpike of gravel, of which there is abundance to keep them in repair, with its happy prosperous people, is in strange contrast to what it was a century ago.
From 1805 to 1812 at the advent of the first pioneers what is now within its limits was an unbroken forest, a free run-way for wild animals and the untutored Indian. Much of the surface was covered with water in a rainy. time and got dry by slow evaporation, as most of the land was level, with little natural drainage. It was a paradise for mosquitoes and frogs and a delightful abode for the festive turtle.
The bravery, which verged on desperation, of the original settlers, may well excite wonder, for it is almost impossible to conceive of any induce- ment for their removal from the environment of civilization with its comforts and social pleasures. They were almost uniformly men of superior type, who had been comfortably situated, and were not men who had suffered from penury or escaped from crime, nor did they come to seek a life of ease, for their arrival here only meant the beginning of the most arduous toil, with little prospect of any immediate reward.
They came to carve out their own destiny-the forerunners of civilization, the pioneers of progress-with a stern determination to cope with the vigors of nature, to rear homes in the wilderness, and to dedicate temples of religion, education and justice in the midst of savagery and wildness. They sub- jugated the new conditions which confronted them and conformed to the better ideas and stern principles which prevailed in the communities which they had left, renouncing all their old associations. They came to build 10
Social Labor.
For
president-3305
Progressive. 678
For governor-3433
24I
164
HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
homes and that meant to plant the seeds of civilization and enjoy the benefits of organized society. Gradually the wilderness gave way to the sturdy arm and untiring frame of the pioneer, who never knew rest until the forest was made to blossom with fruit and grain. Along the stream he built his mill and in the protected valley he laid out his village-now the city with its thousands of people. He met the howling wolf with defiance and dined upon venison and wild turkey. As the virgin forest yielded before his axe, cattle, sheep, hogs and horses flourished in his meadows. The meadows in turn gave place to the corn, and later to the wheat and we have the snow-white loaf super- seding the "johnny cake." Their only garments were "linsey-woolsey" made by their own hands. The mothers were as untiring as the fathers-the daugh- ters as capable as the sons for everybody worked from daylight until late in the night. The pioneer was his own manufacturer. He could build a chair or a house. He could shoe a horse or "iron" a wagon. He could make his children's shoes or a spinning-wheel and the female contingency of the house- hold could cleanse and card the wool, hackle the flax, spin and weave the cloth for the family and make the garments without the aid of a sewing machine or any other labor saving device. These garments, if not pretty, had amazing strength and durability. The pioneers had little aesthetic or agricultural taste and but scant knowledge of hygiene, and had it not been for their huge fireplaces would have well-nigh suffocated for lack of pure air by ventilation. It was a pioneer, but perhaps not a Shelby county one, who, when his family were all sick with typhoid fever, and his doctor said the trouble was caused by a faulty drain, replied that it could not be, for there wasn't any drain.
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