USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania > Part 81
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Peter Hoxworth, elected 184 ;. Adam Lutz, cleeted 1841.
Aaron Linderman, elected 1845. Peter Hoxworth, elected 1846. Adam Lutz, elected 1847. Henry Schuler, elected 1848. Samuel Miller, elected 1849. John B. Holland, clected 1×50. Henry Schuler, elected 1851. Samuel Miller, elected IN52. John B. Holland, elected 1853. Christian Markley, elected 1854. William Marknet, elected 1855. Adamı Kneedler, elected 1856. William Macknet, elected 1x57. Christian Markley, elected 1858. Adamı Kneedler, elected 1859. William Specht, elected 1860. Samuel Hendricks, elected IsGl. Uriah B. Shade, elected 1862. William Specht, elected 1863.
Samuel Hendricks, elected 1861. Uriah B. Shade, elected 1865. Jacob Kolb, elected 1866.
Henry Kneedler, elected Isti7. Daniel Haas, elected 1868. Joseph Kolb, elected 1869. llenry Kneedler, elected 1870. William R. Dettra, elected 1871. Grorgr Graber, elected 1872. Martia Ruth, elected IST3. William R. Dettra, elected 1874. Henry D. Wile, elected 1875. Martin Ruth, elected 1876. John Field, elected 1877. Jolin O. Clemens, elected 1878. Daniel Shuler, elected 1879. John A. Righter, elected 1880. John D. Clemens, elected 1881. Daniel Shuler, elected 1882. Harry S. Lowery, elected 1883. Benjamin C. Kraus, elected 1854, died December 30, 1884.
John U. Clemens, appointed to serve one year.
Auditors .- There are three auditors in each county, elected for a term of three years.1 They are elected in the same manner as the county commis- sioners. They meet at the county seat on the first Monday in January of each year, and audit, adjust and settle the accounts of the commissioners, treas- urer, directors of the poor and prison inspectors.
George S. Williams, elected 1839. David Evans, elected 1840. Thomas Bitting, elected 1841. No record, 1842. John Eidemiller, elected 1843. W. Richards, elected 1×44. Francis Kebr, elected 1×45. E. A. Schwenk, elected 1846. Jacob Prunner, Jr., elected 1847. George Lower, elected 18-18. Jacob F. Yost, elected 1849. Jacob Prunner, elected 1850. Abraham Carn, elveted 1851. Reuben Shively, elected 1×52. Jacob M. Hurst, elected 1853. Abraham H. Carn, elected 1854. Reuben Shively, electedl 1855. Jacob M. Hurst, elected 1856. William J. Buck, elected I857. George Bulger, electrd 1858. Jones Detwiler, elected 1859. William J. Buck, electedl 1860. George Bulger, elected 1861. Jones Detwiler, elected 1862.
Richard Young, elected 1863. Solumon K. Grimly, elected 1861. E. H. Shearer, elected 1865. Richard Young, elected 1866. Solomon K. Grimly, elected 1867. E. 11. Shearer, elected 1×68. George W. Shriver, elected 1869. William Gilbert, elected 1870. John S. Holloway, elected 1871. George W. Shriver, elected 1872. Allen W. Corson, elected 1873. John S. Holloway, rlected 1874. William Gilbert, elected 1875. Frederick Wagner, elected 1875. E. S. Stahlnecker, elerted 1875. Chas. Slingluff, elected 1878. William Davis, elected 1878. E. S. Stahlnecker, elected 1878. John II. Bergey, elected 1881. Isaac R. Cassel, elected Is81. Charles Slingluff, elected 1×81. Isaac R. Cassell, elected 1884. Abraham MI. Bergey, elected 1884.
Coroner .- The coroner is elected every three years. Vacancies are filled by the Governor.
The duties of the coroner are almost exclusively confined to holding inquests upon persons who have died by violence or accident, or in a sudden or mysterious manner. He impanels a jury of six men who inquire into the cause of death, after which a verdict is rendered. In cases of crime the coroner
has power to cause arrest and to commit to prison ; in other cases neither the coroner nor the jury have defined responsibility, and may only recommend. This office was filled by appointment till 1829.
John Major, appointed by the Governor, 1810. William Bean, appointed by the Governor, 1820. George W. Coulston, appointed by the Governor, 1520. Jacob Ramsey, appointed by the Governor, 1823. John Brant, appointed by the Governor, 1829.
Andrew Hess, clected Is40.
George Settsenderfer, elected 1×43.
John Keesey, elected 184G.
Samnel Hoffman, elected IS49. Sammel Hoffman, elected 1832.
Daniel Jacobus, elected 1855.
John C. Snyder, elected Iras.
Daniel Jacobus, elected Isal Jacob F. Weber, elected 1864
Joseph (. Beyer, clerted 1885 Win. HI. MrEwen, elected 1x Jacob Strahley, elected 1871. Isaac Fry, elected 1874.
Harry B. Long, elected 1877. Samnel Akins, elected Isso. Sanmel Akins, elected 1883.
County Surveyor .- The county surveyor is elected for three years. He surveys all unclaimed land and adjusts the boundaries of townships. In this county his duties are little more than nominal. This office was made elective by act of Assembly, 1850.
Elijah Beans, elected 1853.
John Eidemiller, elected 1871.
Ahel Rambo, elected 1859. Charles K. Aiman, elected 1875. William Sibley, elerted Ist2. Charles K. Aiman, elected 1878. Joseph W. Hunter, elected 1881. John Eidemiller, elected 1865.
John Eidemiller, elected Is68.
Jury Commissioners .- There are two jury com- missioners elected for a term of one year. Each elector votes for one person, but the two having the highest number of votes are elected. They, with the judge of the courts and sheriff; fill the jury-wheel with names of citizens of the county to be drawn as jurors of the different courts. These names are drawn from time to time by the sheriff in the pres- ence of the jury commissioners, as jurymen are needed for the different sessions of the courts.
William Earnest, Edward D. JJohnson, clerted 1867.
John L. Ogden, Isaac L. Shoemaker, elected 1870. Joseph Beerer, Henry S. Smith, elected 1873. Jonathan M. Hart, Linford S. Preston, elected 1876. William II. H. McCrea, Davis 8. Sill, elected 1879. Francis Baxter, Charles L. Preston, 1882.
ROSTER OF PRISON OFFICERS, 1851 TO 1884. .
1851 .- Warden, Mehelm McGlathery ; Matron, Henrietta McGlathery ; Physician, Dr. William Corson.
1852-54 .- Same.
1855 .- Warden, John Boyer; Matron, Anna Buyer ; Physician, Dr. William Corson. 1856-57 .- Same.
1858 .- Same warden and matron ; Physician, Dr. J. B. Dunlap.
1859-60 .- Same.
1861 .- Warden, Mehelm MeGilathery ; Matron, Henrietta McGlathery ; Physician, Dr. J. B. Dunlap.
1862-63. - Same.
1864 .- Warden, Harry G. Hart ; Matron, Elizabeth D. Hart ; Phy- sician, Dr. J. B. Dunlap.
1865-66 .- Same.
1867 .- Warden, John M. Hart ; Matron, Elizabeth D. HFart ; Physi- cian, Dr. J. B. Dunlap.
1 Prior to the amended Constitution of 1874 one was elected each year.
324
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
1868 .- Warden, John Cowden ; Matron, Charlotte Cowden ; Physi- cian, Dr. J. B. Dunlap.
1869,-Same warden and matron ; Physician, Dr. William II. McEwen. 1×70 .- Warden, John Getty ; Matron, Ann E. Getty ; Physician, Dr. William Il. MeEwen.
1871 .- Sante.
1872 .- Same warden and matron ; Physician, Dr. C. N. Honpt.
1873 .- S.r.
1874 .- Warden, Joseph C. Byer ; Matron, Mary Byer ; Physician, Dr. C. N. Houpt.
1875-77 .- Same.
1878,-Warden, George Schall ; Matron, Mary H. Schall ; Physician, Dr. C. N. Iloupt.
1879-80 .- Same.
1881 .- Same warden and matron ; Physician, Dr. II. II. Drake.
1882-84 .-- Same.
1883 .- Same.
1884 .- Same.
THIRTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF IN- SPECTORS OF THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY PRISON, MADE TO THE COURT OF QUARTER SESSIONS, MARCHI TERM, 1884.
Board of Inspectors .- John Slingluff (president), James Tracy, B. F. Sully, Edward A. Kite, Samuel Rittenhouse, David Schall.
Officers of the Prison .- George Schall, warden ; MIrs. Mary HI. Schall, matron ; Bernard Fox, first assistant keeper ; Hugh O'Farrell, second assistant keeper; John Bennett, watchman ; Dr. H. H. Drake, physician. Secretary of the Board of Inspectors,-Nathaniel Jacoby.
Treasurer .- Jacob R. Yost.
" To the Honorable B. Markley Boyer, President Judge of the several Courts of Montgomery County, Pa.
" In compliance with the Act of Assembly approved April 8, 1851, for the regulation 'and government of the Montgomery County Prison, the Inspectors thereof
" Respectfully submit their 32d Annual Report for the approval of said Court :
" Since their last Annual Report was presented to the Court, Mr. James Tracy was reappointed by said Court, and the Commissioners of the County appointed Mr. David Schall, the term of service of Abraham Schwenk having expired.
" At their stated meeting in January, 1884, the Board of Inspectors re- elected Mr. George Schall, Warden ; Mrs. Mary II. Schall, Matron, and Dr. II. Il. Drake, Prison Physician, each for one year.
" By the Act of Assembly it is made the duty of the Board of Inspec- tors to present with their Annual Report their views and observations in regard to the efficiency of the Penna. system of separate and solitary confinement at lahor. The Board reiterates what they have so often re- ported to the Court, that that system has been more successful in preventing the commission of crime, and exerts a more Inumane influence on the reformation of prisoners and convicts than any other system of punish- ment of which the Board has any knowledge.
" The Board repeats their opinion expressed, in many of their former Reports, that the Prison is too small, and recommend an early enlarge- ment of the une. When two or more prisoners must be confined in one cell, our system can not be faitbfully and successfully carried out. The Board again recommend an early enlargement of the Prison.
"The Annual Report of the Prison Physician is hereto annexed. It shows the sanitary condition of the Prison is in a good condition.
" From the statistical tables it appears that the whole number of com- mitments during the year 1883 was 1444; in the year 1882 there were 850, showing an increase of 594.
"The contract for the manufacture of stockings with Messrs. D. M. Yast & Co. was renewedl for another year, and upon the same conditions. The statement showing the receipts and expenditures for the year 1883 exhibit a profit in the stocking department amounting to $1294.16.
"The average cost of keeping prisoners for the year has been 39 cents per day for each prisoner, which sum includes all the expenses of the Prison, and the actual cost of maintenance is 10 cents per day for each prisoner.
" All of which is respectfully submitted.
" JOHN SLINGLUFF,
" JAMER TRACY,
" B. F. SOLLY,
" SAMUEL RITTENHOUSE,
" DAVID SCHALL,
" EDMUND A. KITE,
" Prison Inspectors."
PHYSICIANS' REPORT.
" To the President and Members of the Board of Prison Inspectors, Mont- gomery County Prison.
"GENTLEMEN,-I respectfully sulunit the following as muy official re- port for the year 1853 ;
" The number of cases treated was forty-one ; of this number one re- quires special mention, as the majority were, with few exceptions, acute affections which soon yielded to treatment. During the month of Nov. I vac- cinated all prisoners except those who bore marks of recent occurrence.
" Two deaths occurred,-one snicide by hanging, the other from par- alysis. This patient, while intoxicated, sustained an injury to the spine by accidentally falling from a bridge. He was sent here rather for treat- ment, but died the day following his commitment. I annex a tahle showing the number and cases treated, -
Bronchitis 3
Aural catarrhı.
1
Chronie ulcer
1
Serofula
1
Dyspepsia
2
Cephalalgin.
Diarrhea
3
Rheumatism
Tonsillitis.
Neuralgia
Alcoholisni.
Intermittent fever
3
Cardiac dropsy
1
Eczema
General debility
2
Pleurisy
Ringworm .
1
Lumbago.
Contused wounds
2
Conjunctivitis
Gleet
Gunshot wound .
1
Syphilis .
" Respectfully submitted,
" JI. II. DRAKE, M. D.
" NORRISTOWN, Pa., January 7, 1884."
STATEMENT
Showing the Receipts and Expenditures in the Manufacture of Stockings for the year 1883 :
Cash received for knitting 14,94512 dozen pairs of stockings . $1525.49
for toeing 5,122 dozen pairs stockings
358.54
for spooling 605 pounds yarn 60.50
$1944.53
Cash paid prisoners for over-work . 650.37
Profit . $1294.16
The total number of prisoners committed to Mont- gomery County Prison for the year 1883 was 1444. Of these 1428 were males and 16 females.
The following table shows the number of commit- ments to the prison each year, from the beginning of the present system.
1852.
194
1868
309
1853
120
1869
277
1×54
177
1870
263
1855
169
1871
492
1856
169
1872
1126
1857
238
1873
1334
1858
218
1874
.1851
1859
276
1875
1838
1860
269
1876
1293
1861
224
1877
1379
1802
180
1878
1207
1803
207
1879
802
1864
205
1880
756
1865
182
1881
666
186G
237
1882
850
1867
258
1883 1444
The receipts from all sources, including $7700 ap- propriated by County Commissioners, were $9821,07 ; disbursements, $9665,54; and the actual net cost of maintaining institution, 87697,89.
The "Country Squire."-The ancient and honorable office of justice of the peace has long been conspicuously associated with the forms of law necessary to preserve the quiet and good order of the people and the pro- tection of property. The office was originally by ap- pointment of royal authority, and the early commis- sioners 1 emphasized with particularity the duties and
1 "George the third, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, king, defender of the faith, and so forth. To A, B, C, D, &c., greeting.
L 1133311 1 I
Gonorrhea
Ache. .
I
I
Paralysis.
325
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.
responsibilities enjoined upon the incumbent, and illustrates the confidence reposed in the favored ap- pointee. They were originally selected from " those most sufficient knights, esquires and gentlemen of law." They were " first given power to hear and de- termine" by statute the 18th Edward, 3d chap., sec. " cial office.1
2. Subsequently their powers were extended, and
" Know ye that we have assigned yon, jointly and severally and every one of you, uur justices to keep our peace in our county of -, and to keep and cause to be kept all ordinances and statutes, for the good of the peace, and for the preservation of the same, and for the quiet rule and government of our peuple, made, in all and singular their articles in our said county (as well within liberties as withunt) according to the force, formi and effect of the same : and to chastise and punish all persons that offend against the form of those ordinances or statutes, or any one of them in the aforesaid county, as it ought to be done arcording to the form of those ordinances and statutes, and to cause to come before yon, or any of you, all those who to any or more of our projde concerning their bodies or the firing of their Houses have used threats, to find suth- cient security for the peace, or their good behaviour toward us and our peuple ; and if they shall refuse to find such security, then them in our prisons until they shall find such security to cause to be safely kept. We have also assigned you, and every two or more of you (uf whom any one of you the aforesaid A, B, C, D, &c., we will shall be one, our justices to enquire the truth more fully, by the oath of good and lawful men of the aforesaid county, by whom the truth of the mat- ter shall be the better known, of all and all manner of felonies, poisonings, inchantments, sorceries, art magick, trespasses, forestallings, regratings, ingrossings and extortions whatsoever ; and of all and singular other crimes and offences, of which the justices of our peace may or ought law- fully to inquire, by whomsvever and after what manner sorver in the said county done or perpetrated, or which shall happen to Ir there done or attempted. And also of all those who, in the aforesaid county, in companies against our peace, in disturbance of our people, with armed force have gone or rode, or hereafter shall presmine to go or ride : and also of all those who have there lain in wait, or hereafter shall presume to lay in wait, to maim ur cut or kill our people; and also of all vietnallers, and all and singular other persons, who, in the abuse of weights or measures, or in selling victuals against the form of the or- dinances and statutes, ur any one of them therefore made for the common benefit of England and our people thereof, have offended ur attempted, or hereafter shall presume in the said county to offend ur attempt, and also of all other sheriff's, bailiff's, stewards, constabiles, keeper of gaols and other officers who in the execution of their office- alumit the premises, or any of them have unduly behaved themselves or hereafter shall presume to behave themselves unduly, or have been, or shall happen hereafter to he careless, remiss, or negligent in our afuresaid county ; and of all and singular articles and circumstances, and all other things whatsoever that concern the premises or any of them, by whomever, and after what manner soever in our aforesaid county done or perpetrated, ur which hereafter shall there happen to lu done or attempted, in what manner soever. And to inspect all indictments whatsoever so before you or any of you taken or to be taken, or before others, late our justices of the peace, in the aforesaid county, måde or taken, and not yet determined ; and to make and continue processes thereupum, against all and singular the persons an intheted, or who before you hereafter shall happen to be indirted, until they ran be taken, surrender themselves, or le outlawed ; and to hear and determine all and singular the felonies, poisonings, in- chantments, sorceries, arts magick, trespasses, forestalling-, regratings, ingrossings, extortions, unlawful assemblies, indictments aforesaid, and) all and singular other the premisses, according to the laws and statutes of England, as in the like case it has been accustomed, or onght tu be done. And the same offenders, and every of them, for their offenres, by fines, ransoms, amerciaments, forfeitores and other means as according to the law and custom of England, or form of the ordinances and statutes afuresaid, it has been accustomed, or ought to be done, tu chastise and punish. Provided always that if a case of difficulty, upon the determina- tion of any of the premises before you, or any two or more of you, shall lajien to arise ; then let judgment in no wise he given therron, before you or any two or more of you unless in the presence of one of our justices of the one or other bench or of une of our justices appointed to hold the office in the aforesaid county. And therefore we command you and every of you, that to keeping the peace, ordin inces, statutes, and all and
they had jurisdiction over many cases now triable by juries. It has not been a hundred years ago since justices of the peace unlearned in the law as a pro- fession were frequently designated to holl courts for jury trials and perform all the functions of the judi-
Justices of the peace, under the old common law of England, were judges of record, appointed by the King, to be justices within certain limits for the con- servation of the peace and for the execution of divers things comprehended by their commission and withiu divers statutes committed to their charge. A record or memorial made by a justice of things done before him judicially in the execution of his office was of such verity that it could not be gainsaid. One man could affirm a thing, and another may deny it ; but if the record once said the word no man should be re- ceived to aver or speak against it ; for if men should be admitted to deny the same, there would never be any end to controversies. And, therefore, to avoid all contention while one said one thing, and another said another thing, the law reposed itself wholly and solely in the report of the justice. Lord Coke says, "The whole Christian world hath not the like if it be duly executed." Justices of the peace in the reign of He iry the Eighth were of three kinds,-first, by act of Parliament, as the bishops of Ely and York ; by charter under the great seal as mayor of a town or city ; and by commission. During our colonial ex- istence, justices of the peace were appointed by the Governors, Lieutenant-Governors, and during the peri xl between 1779 and 1788 they were appointed by the Supreme Executive Council of the State. Upon the election of the Governor under the Constitution of 179) that officer commissioned this officer, when his election was duly certified, to the office of the secre- tary of the commonwealth.
singular otber the premisses you diligently apply yourselves; and that at rertain daysand places which you or any such two or more of you as in aforesaid, shall appoint for these purpose, into the premises ye make in- yniries, and all and singular the premises hear and determine, and per- form and fulfil them in the aforesaid form, doing therein what to justice appertains, according to the law and custom of England, saving to ns the amerciaments and other things to us therefrom belonging. And we evinmand, by the tenor of these presents, our sheriff of -- that at cer- tain days and places which you, or any such two or more of you, as is aforestid, shall make known unto him, he canse to come before you or such two or more of yon as aforesaid, so many and such good and lawful men of his bailiwirk (as well within liberties as withont) by whom the truth of the matter in the premises shall be the better known and in- quired into.
" Lastly, we have assigned you, the aforesaid A, B, keeper of the rolls of onr peace in our said rounty. And therefore you shall cause to be brought before you and your said fellows, at the days and places afore- said, the writs, precepts, processes, and indictments aforesaid, that they may be inspected, and by a due course determined as aforesaid.
"In witness whereof we have caused these, our letters, to be made patent. Witness our self at Westminster, &c."
1 That the courts consist of justices of the peace, whereof three to make a quorum and to have the power of a Court of Sessions and decide all matters under twenty pounds without appeal, in which court the oldest justire to presile, unless otherwise agreed amongst themselves, and for crime extending to life, limbs or banishment to admit appeal to the Court of Assizes .- Duke of York's Luis, p. 155.
326
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
=
MONTGOMERY COUNTY COURT-HOUSE, NORRISTOWN, PA.
justices enjoyed the confidence and respect of a wide-
The old-time "country squire" was a conspicuous character in the early days of Montgomery County. i circle of acquaintances, and in many instances trans- His influence was second only to the "country par- acted the business of large communities. Many of them were, and still are, practical conveyancers, ex- cellent penmen, correct orthographists, and from long experience were capable of drawing wills and instru- ments of writing that compare favorably with those of the legal profession. son," and often the two dignitaries were hand and glove in their communities. The statute law im- posed upon them some extraordinary duties, and gave them the exercise of very arbitrary power.1 The " country squire " was esteemed an oracle of the law, and his rules of practice were often suggestive of re- Time has greatly modified their official duties. As late as 1819 they were required to examine all trappers of wolves and panthers, and certify their returns to the treasurer of the county in order that the reward of twelve dollars for each head could be collected. Prior to the revised Constitution of 1838 justices of the peace were appointed by the executive of the State, and for the term of good behavior. At that. period they were commissioned for a certain distriet, embracing several townships. 2 sults greatly at variance with the pretensions of "members of the bar," who in former years frequently rode long distances to conduct important cases before them. It was no unusual experience for a country squire to be in commission for a quarter of a century, sometimes for life. Experience taught them wisdom, and they often adjudicated cases intent only upon doing even-handed justice, without reference to the well understood forms of law and with a seeming con- tempt for superior courts of review. These senior
1 " Whereas, it has been the practice of tavern-keepers, ale-house keepers, and inn-holders to exart excessive rates for their beer, cyder, and other liquors, and also provender for horses without regard to the plenty or cheapness thereof ; Be it therefore enacted that the Justices of the Pence of the respective counties of this Province shall have full power four times in the year, to wit : at the general sessions of the peace, held for the said counties respectively, to set snch reasonable prices in all liquors retailed in public-honses, and provender for horses in public stables from time to time as they shall see fit ; which prices shall be pro- claimed by the cryer at the conclusion of their said respective sessions and fixed upon the Court-House doors for public view. "-Smith's Lairs, vol. i. p. 1114.
Seal.
" PENNSYLVANIA, SS.
" In the name and by the authority of Pennsylvania, George Wolf, Governor of the said commonwealth, to John D. Apple, of the county of Montgomery, sends greeting. Know you that reposing especial trust and confidence in your integrity, judgment and abilities, I, the said George Wolf, have appointed and commissioned you, the said John D. Apple, to be a Justice of the Peace in and for the district numbered five, composed of Upper Hannover, Marlborough and Upper Salford in the county of Montgomery, hereby giving and granting with you full right and title
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