USA > Wisconsin > Richland County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 112
USA > Wisconsin > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 112
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In explanation of this action, it would seem, the next day the board passed the following :
" WHEREAS-Ira S. Ilaseltine has donated to the county of Richland, in the State of Wiseon- sin, a certain house situated on village lots No's. 3 and 6, in block 6, in the village of Richland Centre, in said county, to be used for a court- house and other purposes as said county board may direct, for and during a term of five years, from the first day of May last: Therefore, it is ordered that said house be, and is hereby designated as the said county building, for the uses and purposes as above specified. Also, it is ordered that a notice be served on the various
county officers to remove the books and . papers of the county forthwith to Richland Centre, the county seat of Richland county. Also or- dered that the county raise $100 to furnish the new court house."
Nov. 9, 1852, the first meeting of the board of supervisors in the new court-house took place. At this session, it was ordered, that "town 10 north, range I east, be, and is hereby set off as a separate town and election precinct. and shall be known as the town of Richland; and that the court-house in Richland Centre be designated as the place of holding the first town meeting."
It was at the same time ordered, that towns 11 and 12 north, range 1 west, be attached to the town of Rockbridge, and the house of Orin Haseltine was designated as. the place of hold- ing the town meeting.
Either the progress of the country was quite rapid or the developement of crime had in- creased largely, for we find, that at this meet- ing of the board, the salary of the prosecuting attorney was made $100 per annum, an increase of 100 per cent.
At the session of the board held in March, 1853, it was determined to build a county jail and it was decided to erect the same on lot 5. in block 14, in the town of Richland Centre, the building to stand thirty-three feet from the east line of the lot, and central as to north and south lines. The proposition to raise the sum of $300 to build the said jail, the same to be paid in three equal yearly installments, was enter- tained, but was finally laid over until the next meeting of the board.
At this session it was ordered, that, "all the territory embraced in towns 9 and 10 north, of rauge 1 west, except one tier of seetions from the east side thereof, be, and is hereby set off, as a separate town and election precinct, to be known as the town of Eagle, and that Rodolf's mill, in said town, is designated as the place for holding the first town meeting."
786
HISTORY OF RICIILAND COUNTY.
The board of supervisors, at the annual ses- sion held in November, 1853, were presented with a bill by Amasa Cobb, the prosecuting attorney of lowa county, for locating the county seat of Richland county, in the year 1842, when the county of Richland was attached to the county of lowa This bill was for some $3, and its receipt at this time provoked much indignation. After dne deliberation the board made and returned the following answer:
"This board would respectfully say to the honorable board of supervisors of Iowa county that they do not find any indebtedness to said county. Said county claims having paid Abner Nichols and John Ray for making a location of the county seat, under an act to establish the county seat of Richland county, approved Feb. 18, 1842. Now, said aet in section 1 describes the limits of said county. In section 2, it at- taches said county, for judicial and county por- poses, to the county of lowa; gives the county commissioners, assessors and collectors, the same power over Richland county as over their own, to assess and collect the taxes thereof, in the same proportion, so that it made it, temp. - rarily, but one county.
"In sections 3 and 4 it constituted the county commissioners of Iowa county, commissioner. to locate a permanent county seat for Richland county.
"Then follows an act to organize Richland county, approved Feb. 7, 1850.
"In this law it gives the people of Richland county the right to vote for a county seat; and it does nowhere refer to a settlement between the two counties. Now, in our opinion, under the first law, we think that it was the intention of the Legislature, that Iowa county, with Rich- land county attached, should pay the cost of lo- cating the county seat, out of revenue arising from property assessed in said county. And as the county commissioners of Iowa county have never heretofore rendered any account between the two counties, of what they collected, and report what they paid out, we concluded that.
they considered, under the law passed, that we were, as long as attached to them, but one county. Also we think it the duty of Iowa county if they thought they were wronged in this last act, to provide through their represent- ative, some act for a settlement between the two counties. Having this view of the question, we deem it unnecessary to answer the extrava- gant claim set up against us; but upon this and other grounds, disallow the claim presented."
COUNTY BUILDINGS.
The court-house, being two small for the pur- pose intended, owing to the rapid increase in population and the consequent swelling of the volume of business done at the county offices, the question of erecting new buildings began to be agitated about this time, and although nothing seems to have been done at this term of the board, still the question of court-house was quite a factor in the coming election.
The assessed value of property in the county, in 1853, was as follows:
Buena Vista, $64,663 00
Eagle, 18,256 00
Richmond,
26,465 00
Richland,
14, 685 00
Richwood, 20,809 00
Rockbridge, 13,310 00
Total $158,188 00
The rate of tax, as laid by the board this year, was fifteen mills for county fund, six mills for State purposes and one and one-half mills for school fund, or twenty-two and one- half mills on the dollar for all.
When the board of supervisors met at the annual meeting, November, 1854, the first busi- ness transacted by them was the organization of towns 11 and 12 north, of range 2 enst, into a separate town and election precinet, under the name of Willow; the first elcetion to be held at the house of R. B. Stewart.
It was also decided to erect towns 11 and 12 north, of range 1 west, into a separate town, under the name of Marshall, and the first elec-
787
HISTORY OF RICIILAND COUNTY.
tion was ordered to be held at the house of Josiah MeCaskey, on Fancy creek.
By order of the board at this meeting, sec- tions 1, 12, 13, 24, 25 and 36, of town 10 north, of range 1 west, were set off from that town (Richmond) and attached to Richland; also the order for the organization of towns 11 and 12 north, of range 2 west, into a separate town, to be called Forest, was issued, and the resi- dence of William Ogden was assigned as the place for holding the first election. It seems, from the records, that this was all the business that came before this board, except the audit- ing of the various bills and claims against the county.
Nov. 15, 1855, the new board of supervisors held their annual meeting. The first business brought before them being the matter of county buildings. It was reported to the assembled Solons that Ira S. Haseltine and his wife had deeded to the county, as a fee gift and donation, the east half of block 13, all of blocks 14 and 22, and the north half of block 23, all in the vil- lage of Richland Centre. This gift was made that the county might have a place whereon to build the said buildings. The board in accept- ing the deed, appointed themselves committee of the whole, to view the lots and select a suit- able site thereon on which to place the struc- ture to be known as the court-house.
Considerable wire pulling and maneuvering was now displayed to determine the board to favor certain interests and to locate the build- ings to suit the wishes of this or that party. James B. Cling offered to donate to the county five acres of ground, provided, that the county erect the new buildings on blocks 22 and 23. At first the board seemed to favor this, but after mature deliberation, by vote, it was do- cided not to accept the offer, and to leave them- selves untrammelled in their choice of the site of the public buildings. By resolution, a com- mittee was appointed for the purpose of fixing the amount necessary to be appropriated for the erection of the buildings. This committee,
consisting of B. L. Jackson, Alden Haseltine and E. L. D. Moody, reported to the board next day in the following words:
"Upon due consideration your, committee are of the opinion, that, it would be advisable to appropriate the sum of five hundred dollars ($500) for the purpose of building a jail in Richland county, and would advise that the building be 18x26 feet, to be divided into two rooms. The building to be built on the block house plan, with weather-boarding on the out- side and lined on the inside with sheet iron; and your committee are of the opinion that the interests of the county demands the appropria- tion of the sum of fifteen hundred dollars ($1,500) for the purpose of building a court- house, and would further recommend that the four lots on block thirteen (13) be under suita- ble regulations and at a proper time put on sale, as a means of raising a part of the fund; and would still further recommend that the court- house be built 28x36 feet, with posts twenty- one feet long, the lower story to be finished in accordance with a plan accompanying this re- port; and would call the attention of the board to the propriety of appointing three commis- sioners who shall have power, as a building committee, to award contracts, under suitable restrictions. Your committee are of the opinion that it is not necessary at the present time to raise more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) if the lots aforesaid are placed on sale at the proper time.
B. S. JACKSON, E. L. D. MOODY, ALDEN HASELTINE.
Committee."
This report was adopted, with the amend- ment of making the $1,000 to be raised $500 and the building committee (to be appointed) here to be authorized to contract to pay interest on the balance on one-half the sum for one year,and on the other half two years, at seven per cent.
The following resolution was presented in re- Ilation to the matter under discussion, and in
788
HISTORY OF RICHILAND COUNTY.
accordance with the recommendations of the committee's report, as given above.
"Resolved, That the board proceed to elect three commissioners, to act as a building com- mittee, and their duties shall be, first, prepare a draft and fix specifications for the building of a jail and court-house on the plans reported, with such internal alteration as may be found necessary, which alterations shall not increase the cost. Next, to advertise such plans, for a period of four weeks, and upon the expiration of such time, to award the contract to the lowest and best bidder. Also, it shall be their duty to examine the work while under construction, and to accept the work when done, if it shall be finished according to contract. Such contract shall be completed as follows: The jail to be completed by the first day of October, 1856, and the court-house by the first day of April, 1857."
On the above resolution being submitted for a vote, the result was a tie, but the chairman, by virtue of his office, gave the casting vote in its favor, and it was declared adopted.
The committee appointed under it, as the building commission, consisted of Josephus Downs, Milton Langdon and B. L. Jackson. It was also,
"Resolved, That the lots in block thirteen (13), shall be advertised for eight weeks, and put up at public sale to the highest bidder, for cash, the first Monday in July, 1856 ; also, that the county's lots, on the west side of Pine river, be sold at the same time."
The ways and means having been provided, it was "Ordered, That the building committee be empowered to draw orders on the county treasurer, from the building fund, to pay the sum of $500 on the completion of the jail, and the sum of $500 when the said court house shall be enclosed and doors hung, floors laid and stairs built; if the work is done according to the terms of the contract."
At this meeting, also, the town 11 north, of range 2 west, was set off from the town of Forest,
and ordered to be organized as a separate pre- cinct under the name of Sylvan, and the school house in distinct No. 6, was named as the first town meeting place. Also town 12 north, of range 1 west, was set off from the town of Marshall and christened Bloom, and was ordered to perfect organization and vote for town officers at the house of Isaac Pizer. Town 12 north, of range 1 cast, was also detached from the town of Rockbridge, and under the name of Henrietta was instructed to elect the necessary officers to complete the organization thereof, the voting place being at the house of HI. B. Miller. Town 10 north, of range 2 east, and sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, and the north half of sections 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12, in town 9 north, of range 2 east, and section 1 and the north half of section 12, in town north of range I east, were ordered to be organized into one separate town under the name of Ithaca, and the first election was ordered to be held at Mr. Thomas' school house.
The committee appointed to investigate and audit the books of the county treasurer, reported that they had done as instructed and found all in good order, and that the treasury contained money to the amount of $725.78.
While the board were discussing the financial affairs of the county government, Israel S. Sanderson, came into the room and presented to each member of the board, a copy of the first issue of the Richland county Observer, the first newspaper published within the limits of the county. This was Nov. 17, 1855. The board immediately passed the following resolution: "Resolved, That the board tender their sincere, thanks to Israel S. Sanderson, the editor of the Richland county Observer, for his kindness in presenting them with the first copies of his paper."
Town 10 north, of range 2 west, having asked for a separate organization, the prayer was granted, and the town named Akan and the house of Martin Munson was designated as the place of voting. at the first election.
789
HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.
The assessed value of the entire county this year shows a marked inerease, being $399,- 185.83.
In November, 1856, at the annual meeting of the board of county supervisors, the organization of the two remaining towns was ordered, as follows: Town 12 north, of range 2 east, to be known as the town of Westford, and the first election for town officers to be held at the house of Asa Lincoln, in the village of Cazenovia. Town 10 north, of range 1 west, to be organized and known as the town of Dayton, and the first election to be held at the residence of Henry McNelly.
The building committee, having made their re- port, that they had let the contract, for erecting the county buildings, to Ira Andrews whose bid was $1,325, and that he had built the buildings in accordance with the plans and specifications as laid down in the contract ; the board, in ac- cepting the edifices from his hands, passed the following resolution, by a unanimous vote :
" Resolved, That the county board of super- visors tender their sincere thanks to Mr. Ira Andrews, the contractor, for the faithful dis- charge of his duties, and for the energetic spirit and action which he has manifested in the speedy completion of the county buildings."
Much of this county lying on hillsides, and the wash of rains destroying them, the question of plank roads is found, at this time, to come to the front. In answer to several pe- titions asking that companies might be empow- ered to build such roads, and enjoy the bene- fits and emoluments thereof, the board appoint- ed a committee to look into the matter, The report of the committee is given in full as it is a complete history of the plan upon which com- panies were formed.
"We, your committee in the matter of plank road companies, would report : That it is the opinion of your committee that it is for the best interests of this county that the prayer of said petitions, with restrictions, be granted; and
your committee would recommend that Gar- wood Green, Joseph C. Clark and J. W. Coffin- berry, of the town of Buena Vista; D. L. Downs, Charles G. Rodolf and Napoleon Gra- ham, of the town of Richmond ; R. M. Miller, Jacob Rhodes and Reuben Powers, of the town of Richwood, be appointed commissioners to draft and compile charters, open stock or sub- scriptions for one, two or three plank and turn- pike companies.
"One road may commence at Richland City, one at Richwood and one at Port Andrew, to run northerly in the direction of such terminus, as said commissioners shall determine, with a capital to each charter not to exceed $20,000, with shares of $20, payable in cash only, by per centum or otherwise.
"If the commissioners accepted, they were to hold their first meeting at Richmond, Dec. 20, 1856, and there pass such rules for their government as snited them, so as not to conflict with any State law. Provided, however, that the commissioners shall not have any demand on this county for their services.
"It is made the duty of the said commission- ers to report, in a summary manner, all their doings in the premises, except the charters by them compiled shall be reported at length to the county board of supervisors, at any regular session, for approval, modification or rejec- tion."
It was probably at this session of the board that the name of the village of Richmond was changed to that of Orion.
At an extra session called Jan. 5, 1857, for the purpose, the board ordered the purchase of a safe for the treasurer's office.
In November, 1857, at the annual meeting of the board, the extravagance that has character- ized the various legislative bodies of later days, is foreshadowed by the board voting that each member be supplied with a lead pencil at the expense of the county.
790
HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.
The treasurer's report, submitted Nov. 13, 1857, gives the financial standing of the county at that date:
TREASURER OF RICHLAND COUNTY, Dr.
To cash received from clerk of circuit court, as State tax 24.00
To cash received from clerk of circuit court, as fines and forfeitures 30.00
To State and county taxes received from town treasurers. 10,323.26
To school fund froui State. 2,078.21
To cash from tax certificates sold 458.34
Total
$ 12,913.81
Cr.
By State taxes paid. $ 4,109.00
By State paid for fines 41.00
By amount paid contingent expenses. 39.98
By amount paid for safe, etc. 231.50
By amount paid school fund. I,651.98
By unpaid taxes ou hand 1, 666.95
By amount paid for making returns of delinquent tax ..
27.02
By making out tax sale certificates
496 .. 5
By treasurer's fccs.
507.19
Total.
$ 12,926.12
Balance due treasurer. $ 12 31
The committee appointed to ascertain the amount of outstanding warrants of the county, reported at this session. Their report declares that there were then outstanding of warrants issued from 1852 up to Jan. 1, 1857, $1,479.27; since Jan. 1, 1857, $1,796.66; making in all, $3,275.93.
The court house at Richland Centre having been destroyed by fire in the spring of 1860, an account of which is detailed elsewhere, the board of supervisors, at a special meeting held May, 1860, passed the following resolutions in regard to re-building the same:
"Resolved, That we build a court-house 28x38 feet, the court room to be on the lower floor, with two jury rooms above; and that we also build four fire-proof offices outside the c urt house, each 12x16 feet in dimension.
" Resolved, That a committee of three be ap- pointed to receive plans and specifications and bids for the building of the court-house and county offices ; said plans, specifications and bids to be received on or before the 15th day of May, A D. 1860, and that the said committee
be, and is hereby empowered to let the building of the same to the lowest and best bidder."
D. L. Downs, James Barnes and William J. Bowen were appointed the committee under this resolution, and soon made their report to the board, saying that they had made the fo'- lowing plan for a court-house : "The building to be built of brick, the lower story with sixteen- inch walls, the upper twelve, with one inch hol- low space therein. The lower room to be twelve fect from floor to ceiling, while the second floor should be nine feet between the same. The edifice to have a common roof, about one quarter pitch, and to be covered with good oak shingles, on hardwood sheathing. To be lighted with twelve windows below and twelve above. The whole structure to be sur- mounted by a cupola, as on the old court-house. The court room, being on the ground floor, to be floored with bricks placed on edge ; the jury rooms, with good oak flooring ; all inside wood- work and finishing to be in hardwood, and to be painted with three good coats of paint."
This plan was adopted by the board, and the committee instructed to proceed with the work, by the following resolution :
" Resolved, That the building committee build, or cause to be built, a court-house, 28x38 fect in size, and fire-proof buildings for county offices, for the sum of $1,200, now in the treasu- rer's hands, and $1,000 in county orders, and as much better and larger as they ean, with the amount to be raised by the subscription of the citizens of Richland Centre ; said committee to be restricted to the said sum and the said $1,000 in county orders, which are to be issued and paid to the contractor, on the completion and accepting of the building, by the county board, and that all money remaining in the hands of the committee after the buildings are finished, be appropriated for furnishing the county offices."
The contract to build the county building was thereupon signed with Tra S. Haseltine, who immediately commenced the erection of the
791
HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.
present edifices, and completed them before the fall of the same year.
In the meanwhile it was necessary that the county officers have some place for their books, papers, and for the transaction of their business. The board appointed Alden Haseltine, Allen Tinker and O. II. Malette a committee to pro- vide suitable rooms for that purpose, and for a temporary court room ; which committee next day made the report that." They had rented the rooms of D. Pease for sheriff, clerk of the courts and clerk of the board, for $7 per month, and they had hired the Lybrand hall for the holding of court, for $3 per day, lights and fuel included, and that the register of deeds be allowed to furnish his own room, at an expense not to exceed fifty cents per week ; and the proposition of Dr. Gage, to furnish a room for the treasurer free of charge, be accepted."
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Matters being arranged in this manner, the board ordered that for all intents and purposes, Lybrand hall should be the county court house, for the time being.
At the next meeting of the board of super- visors, held in November, 1860, the new court house was so far completed that the assembled wisdom of the county conld occupy the same for their deliberations, and the first business was to apportion the offices to the officers of the county, which was done, and the matter regula- ted as we now find it.
At this time a petition was presented by the citizens of the town of Richmond, praying that the name of that town be changed to that of Orion. This prayer was granted, and the town has ever since been known by that cognomen.
The citizens of Richland Centre being de -- sirous of removing the county jail to the court house square, petitioned the county board for permission to do so, at their own expense. This was immediately granted, and the building com-
mittee ordered to expend the sum of $25 in erecting a suitable foundation therefor.
At a special session of the board, held in July, 1861, a committee, consisting of W. J. Bowen, A. Loveless and W. Ketchum, was ap- pointed to re-district the county into three pre- eincts ; the intention being to try and govern the county by three supervisors, instead of by the rather cumbrous machinery of the chairmen of the town boards, sixteen in number. This committee made its report, and on their recom- mendation the following resolution was adopted:
" Resolved, That Richland county be divided into three supervisor districts, as follows : Rich- wood, Eagle, Orion and Buena Vista, to be called district number one; Richland, Rock- bridge, Henrietta, Westford, Wil'ow and Ithaca, to be called district number two ; Dayton, Bloom, Marshall, Forest, Sylvan and Akan, to be called district number three."
Several resolutions were passed at this and succeeding sessions, in regard to the relief of the families of the volunteers then going and gone to the front, which will be found under their proper head, in the chapter devoted to the war record of the county.
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