History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 114

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899. [from old catalog]; Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1298


USA > Wisconsin > Richland County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 114
USA > Wisconsin > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 114


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 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155 | Part 156 | Part 157 | Part 158 | Part 159 | Part 160 | Part 161 | Part 162 | Part 163 | Part 164 | Part 165 | Part 166 | Part 167 | Part 168 | Part 169 | Part 170 | Part 171 | Part 172 | Part 173 | Part 174 | Part 175 | Part 176 | Part 177 | Part 178 | Part 179 | Part 180 | Part 181 | Part 182 | Part 183 | Part 184 | Part 185


799


HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY,


sessed $4.15 per aere; Henrietta, valuation $122,735, land assessed $4.25 per acre; Ithaca, valuation $214,564, land assessed $5.50 per acre; Marshall, valuation $150,735, land assessed $4.75 per acre; Orion, valuation $94,964, land assessed $3.60 per acre; Richland, valuation $320,163, land assessed $6.25 per aere; Rich- wood, valnation $209,236, land assessed $5.85 per acre; Rockbridge, valuation $140,452, land assessed at $4.50 per acre; Sylvan, valuation $118,755, land assessed at $4.25 per acre; West- ford, valuation $145,205, land assessed at $4.65 per acre; Willow, valuation $116,711, land as- sessed at $4.25 per acre.


In the report of the county treasurer, under the date of Nov. 15, 1873, appears the state- ment that the total receipts for the year just closed were 834,483.28; total disbursements, $32,348.59; total cash on hand, $2,136.69.


The following statement will show the taxes in the various towns of the county, as appor- tioned by the board of supervisors in Novem- ber, 1873 :


Totals.


Willow


Westford ..


Rockbridge.


Richwood ...


Richland


¡Orion ..


Ithaca


Forest.


Eagle.


Dayton ..


Buena Vista.


Bloom


Akan.


TOWNS.


87.010 00 85500 00 85535 00


316 54


393 82


322 09


380 93


567 59


868 31


+ 45


408 82


581 94


332 88


538 85


523 30


312 48


612 32


8302 48


383 82 477 53


300 54


15 00


400 00


350 00


150 00


200 00


250 00


180 00


200 00


-NE) (H)


170 00:


250 00!


250 00


$150 00


36 14 44 95


43 4%


61 70


99 11


29 330


46 65


37 89


40 30


50 73


41 80


119 88


$34 58


dent's salury. County Superinten-


$194 29


5 87


3 90


£184 52


Illegal certificates ...


$273 00 820,312 29


892 37


1, 166 30


941 40


1, 135 31'


1,520 46


2,370 37


742 14


1,216 19


1,603 99


1.087 28


1,4422 Du


1.087 09


1,674 67


1,233 44


81,088 31


PRODUCTS OF RICHLAND COUNTY.


In this connection is presented a statement of the crops grown and acreage thereof in Richland county, for the years 1873, 1882 and 1883. The statement is given at length, show- ing the results in each town, for the purpose of making the table valuable as a means of ref- erence.


In the year 1873, there were 21,346 acres sown to wheat in the county; 7,320, sown to oats; 18,240 to corn; 159 to barley; 1,019 to rye and 395 to hops. These amounts were distrib- nted among the various towns as follows:


TOWNS.


Wheat ...


Oats ...


Corn .....


Barley


Rye ..


Hops ....


Akan


889


208


925


Bloom


1,831


447


1,319,


31


8.18


Buena Vista


1,003


703!


1.758


327 73


Daytou


1,229


390


944


4 3


Eagle.


2,432


369


1,830


23 1014


Forest


1,317


401


947


6| 3 3


Heurietta


837


396


802


5


9 814


Ithaca


2,011


1,022


1,377


194 8411


Marshall


1,69]


529


1,186


4 1614


Orion ..


838


307


733


15 12


Richland


1,089


403


5


17 22


Richwood


1,460


283


1,739


159 22


Rockbridge.


1,056


378


1,034


10 15


Sylvan.


1.730


445


1,193


7


Westford


1,243


567


527


43


9 5544


Willow


690


374


629


27,47%


Totals


21,346


7,323 18, 240


159


1,019 395


634 54


475 91


412 47


479 16


8366 78


County tax including


County school tux ...


150 00


:50 00


461 901


#58 11


952 92


311 30


498 79


705 63


403 63


4229 04


#4 00


64 00


$64 00


2181


17 00


tioned by board in JoddR sumup pron


Total amount of all


...


1000


64


. .


Marshall


Henrietta


395 17


State Tax ...


45 11


The following table shows the aggregate num- ber of aeres of land assessed in the several towns of Richland county, with the price per acre as fixed by the county board of supervisors at their annual session, 1883; also their aggre gate valuation, the valuation of village and per- sonal property, and the aggregate valuation of all property in said county, as cqualized ; to- gether with the State, county, county school and county superintendent's salary tax as appor- tioned to the several towns ; also the amount of delinquent personal property and illegal tax sale certificates charged back to towns, and the amounts due the State on loans to school districts :


954 45


800


HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.


STATEMENT FOR 1883.


Land ..


equalized.


Value per acre as


acres of land ....


Value of aforesaid


Property ....


Value of Village


al Property ...


property ...


State Tax ..


County Tax.


County School Tax.


dent Salary Tax ...


County Superinten-


Tax charged back ..


Personal Property


tit. charged back.


Illegal tax sale cer-


Loans to School Dis-


Akan.


23.000


$4 00


$ 92,000


$ 1,310


8116,223


167 40


522 45


250 00


31 42


23 14


$994 41


Bloom


23,964


5 50


131,802


31,829


213,559


307 56


959 98


300 00


57 75


3 93


284 97


1,914 19


Bu'na Vista


22,623


5 65


127,820


13,145


208,037


299 60


935 16


275 00


56 26


3 96


26 94


1,596 92


Dayton .....


22,861


4 75


108,590


8,095


154,253


222 15


693 40


250 00


41 72


13 24


1,220 51


Eagl


22,200


7 50


166,500


14,031


223,556


321 95


1,004 90


300 00


60 46


12 00


2 27


114 00


1,815 58


Forest ..


22,718


5 00


113,590


4,920


2,970


140,055


201 70


629 56


275 00


37 88


4 83


1,148 97


llenrietta ..


21,106


4 25


93,500


5,825


10,882


229,903


331 10


1,033 43


300 00


62 18


59


3 28


2,096 01


Marshall


23,078


5 75


132,699


13,573


185,361


266 95


833 22


275 00


50 23


11 67


1,437 07


Orion.


18,619


3 25


60,512


169,960


41,553


433,481


624 25


1,948 52


600 00


117 20


35 23


3,367 28


Richland ...


22,439


7 00


157,073


20,766


12,701


216,314


311 52


972 37


450 00


58 50


29 57


2,042 96


Richwood ..


26,643


5 50


146,537


2,026


6,280


156. 424


225 28


703 15


350 00


42 30


17 65


1,397 98


Sylvan ...


23,035


5 00


115, 175


10,563


157,463


226 77


250 00


42 48


14 17


1,241 12


Westford.


20,575


5 00


112, 875


6,424


2,529


144,268


207 77


648 50


250 00


39 01


10 66


1,155 94


Willow ....


22,112


4 00


88,448


1,910


1,636


115,270


166 02


518 17


200 00


31 06


9 11


174 50


1.098 86


Total


367,043


81, 925, 141 8262, 624 8190, 995 $2, 959, 045 84261 50 $13, 301 18 84750 00


$800 00


8211 04


85 55 81369 30 824,698 57


. ..


-


Value of all Person-


Total value of all


Total.


TOWNS.


Number of acres of


..


$ 8,775


26,816


6,650


12,705


172,590


248 56


775 82


225 00


46 67


4 05


16 87


1,316 97


lthaea ...


29,450


5 60


164,920


4,502


7,193


92,288


132 92


414 85


200 00


24 88


17 24


63 911


42 08


221 00


Rockbridge


22,620


5 00


113.100


59 60


Dated, Richland Centre, Wis., Nov. 20, 1883.


H J. CLARK, County Clerk


tricts


365 43


853 80


4,050


801


HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.


STATEMENT


Showing the Principal Farm Products Growing in Richland County in July, 1883.


Number of Acres.


Milch Cows.


Wheat ..


Corn ..


Oats


Barley.


Rye.


Potatoes.


Root Crops.


Aeres.


trees ..


bearing


Number of


·


Akan


772


1,453


631


2


54


4412


19


909


1,144


234


4,432


Bloom


1,894


2,048


1,065


26


61


62


70


3,281


1,350


437


7,340


Buena Vista


217


1,469


933


4


314


53


13


919


11%


4,367


3,590


770


18,500


Dayton


914


2,506


537


15


46


47


2.430


7.352


320


3,707


Eagle.


1,215


2,781


891


40


65


3,669


2,018


4,919


428


12.840


Forest.


1,600


1,401


1,046


3112


5934


2,805


1,468


8,390


360


6.500


Henrietta


813


877


716


8


9


5312


19


1,198


1,052


4,365


302


3,634


Itlinca


327


851


841


11


143


520


722


7,034


20


2,488


3,690


975


19.500


Marshall


1,521


1,575


1,165


34


62


7316


3,495


1


1,483


462


6,041


Orion


505


1,150


634


3


82


52


451%


1,522


886


2,727


258


3,547


Richland


575


1,411


700


8


36


79


4134


1,269


557


14,085


Richwood


987


2,531


1,152


4


230


114


8


33


1,651


1,384


9,026


425


10,389


Rockbridge.


860


1,228


978


44


73


34


1,200


1


1,857


374


6, 166


Sylvan


1,701


1,230


813


1441/2


5521


9216


3,191


2,157


9,916


416


6,511


Westford.


650


450


.750


65


150


10


80


600


20,200


368


5,520


Willow


578


1,132


800


38


48


2,091


1,543


412


8,240


Totals.


13,526


22, 784


12, 636,231


1,340


1,430


858


70931


32,600


2


24


211


30,941


58,8331


6,738


$130,452


Flax


Hops.


Tobacco.


Grasses ..


Growing Timber.


Number ...


Value.


Apple Orch's


TOWNS.


.. ..


. .


802


HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.


PRINCIPAL FARM PRODUCTS OF RICHLAND COUNTY FOR 1882.


Wheat.


Corn.


Oats.


Barley.


Rye.


Potatoes.


Root Crops.


ries ...


TOWNS.


Ac's Sown.


vested ...


Bush. Har-


Acres ...


Bushels.


Aeres ....


Bushels ....


Aeres.


Bushels ....


Acres ..


Bushels ..


Acres.


Bushels .. ..


Acres.


Bushels ...


Akan.


846


8,641


1,172


35,550


461


15,900


32


12


298


17


3,863


325


Bloom


1,931


22,180


2,285


46,225


1,002


23,565


15


305


19


233


72


4,012


Buena Vista


150


1,846


1,369


49,410


-82


25, 189


188


1877


1,739


56


3,408


Dayton


986


15,289


1,684


30,597


878


20,903


262


20


225


90


5,737


308


Eagle.


1,111


17,556


3,449


113, 740


909


21,395


100


49


200


68


4,934


Forest


1.467


17,795


1,606


52,940


1,085


31,265


Henrietta


428


9,776


794


18, 140


495


18,381'1


18


170


19


350


60


352


2,997


Ithaca


467


7,151


1,620


45,660


1,168


28,332


32


120


95


1,665


79


6,008


380


Marshall.


1,327


20,024


1,60)


37,316


783


17,475


572


14,169


46


60


709


44


3,752


Richland


580


7,568


1,455


42,155


601


17,043


12


28


46;


73


5,574


Richwood.


977


10,025


2,800


90,341


874


24,871


25


260


1,783


75


6,653


67


Rockbridge.


970


9,387


1,848


37,040


845


19,943


5


24


100


107


4,921


1/2


297


Sylvan


1,695


16,259


1,825


44,390


1,472


27,084


13


84


104


397


95


3,359


75


Westford


718


6,195


808


19,885


83%


24,205


102


85


128


115


5,615


Willow


593


4,892


756


27,205


802


21,438


75


306


101


5,308


14,691


162,214


26,368


669,467


13,511


319,886


204. 2,492


1,039


8,758


1,191


68,249


416


5,251


2


70


45


3,915


550


Orion.


445


5,425


1,288|


31,813


5


64


4,753


4


Bushels of Cranber-


...


802


-


803


HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.


Principal Farm Products for 1882- Continued,


Apple Orchards.


Flax.


Hops.


Tobacco


Grasses.


of Acres ..


Raised .....


Bush. of Clover Seed


Bu. Tim. Seed Rais'd.


for Sced.


Ac's h'y'a ! Timothy


Number ...


Value ..


Pounds of


Cheese ...


Pounds of


Akan


35


783


577


11,200


737


1,252


12, 760


463


$5,556


12,440


Bloom


80


3,170


1,700


1,735


1,380


1,986


10,720


95


65


432


6, 048


28,550


Buena Vista ...


1114


843


215


4,072


3,184


2.772


75


117


50.20


730


18,250


43,595 238, 397


Dayton


74


2,691


2,094 112


2,798


823


1,162


10,225


25


4


1


404


8,555


28,190


Eagle


48


2,419


1,301


500


2,297


1,22]


9,910


23


475


7,140


40,000


1,500


Forest


25


1,482


1,910


1,341


1,045


8,496


4016


49


357


7,270


24,480


llenrietta


170


245


129


1,670


10,413


Ithaca


40


1,308


933


2.100


5,909


2,627


4,532


43


11


1


956


23,940


64, 900 120, 000


Marshall


3,797


1,850


300


370


1,301


1,638


8,252


9


15


445


8,605


35,905


Orion


68


2.131


820


1,000


808


939


2,985


10


15


3,921


14,630


Richland


55


2,023


1.038


912


1,692


1,534


4,849


435


7.718


57,330


Richwood ..


90


3,055


3,278


1,550


1,360


1,485


6,036


135


1.27


330


4,732


37,560


Rockbridge


65


1,493


235


1,309


1,441


7.450


441


7.825


32,145


Sylvan


178


7,119


2,547


3,480


1,309


7,650


80


362


4,245


25,615


1,200


Westford


128


1,175


100


1,243


1.127


12, 848


6,330


14,145


Willow


20


1.357


3


77


6 1,000


1,016


1,749


2.892


277


6, 123


37,683


1,01014 35, 075 16, 933 13% 11, 200 912 2, 477 151/2 8, 953


29, 446 23. 692 121, 027 35212


277 241 72 6, 760 $127. 928 483, 101 361, 097


TOWNS.


Number of


Trees ....


BearIng


Number of


Bushels ..


Yield in


Acres. .


Pounds.


Acres


Pounds ..


Acres.


ed ..


Lbs. Yield-


Acres ..


Yield Tons


Growing Timber. No.


Milch Cows Dairy Prod'e.


Acres ....


Butter ..


. .


8,650


15


6


Clover ...


804


HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.


ABSTRACT OF ASSESSMENT FOR THE YEAR 1883.


TOWNS.


No. of acres of Land.


Equalized.


Value per acre as.


Value of said Lands.


City Lots as equal-


Value of Village and


Horses.


Neat Cattle.


Mules and Asses.


Sheep and Lambs.


Number. ..


Value.


Number ..


Value. ..


Number.


Value.


Number ...


Value.


Akan


23,000


$4.00


$92,000


$


311


$9,330


942


$9,420,


8


$360


1,485


$1,850


Bloom


23,964


5.50


131,802


7,175


536


16,080


1212


12,120


8


360


3,475


4,340


Buena Vista


22,623


5.65


127,820


22,916


368


11,040


1684


16,840


9


405


1.287


1,609


Dayton ..


22,861


4.75


108,590


4,300


421


12,630


1037


10,370


1,215 1, 870


2,330


Eagle


22,200 1


7.50


166,500


572


17,460


1600


16, 000


29


990


1,805


2,250


Forest


22, 718


5.00


113,590


5,330


417


12,510


1216


12,160


4


180


3,258


4,073


Henrietta


21,406


4.25


93,500


4,570


367


10,060


1040


10,400


7


315


3,596


4,495


Ithaca


29,450


5.60


164,920


5,520


462


13,860


1862


18,020


23


1,035


1,945


2,431


Marshall


23,078


5.75


132,699


464


13,920


1149


11,490


8


360


6,043


7,554


Orion ..


18,619


3.25


60,512


3,850


264


7,920


642


6,420


10


450


901


1,126


Richland.


22,439


7.00


157,073


136,060


15,660


1314


13,440


11


495


2, 178


2,723


Richwood ..


26,643


5.50


146,537


9,130


561


16,830


1471


14,710


11


495


2,272


2,310


Roekbridge


22,620


5.00


113, 100


1,920


457


13,710


1165


11,650


990


3,532


4,415


Sylvan


23,035


5.00


115, 175


407


12,210


974


9,740


315


3,052


3,815


Westford


20,575


5.00


110,875


6,861


309


9,270


809


8,090


9


405


673


811


Willow


22,112


4.00


88,448


2,115


287


8,610


810


8,100


11


495


2,060


2 575


Total,


367,043


$1,925,141


229,690


6,725


$201,750


18,897


$188,970


197


$8,865 39, 432


1


$49,291


ized.


805


HISTORY OF RICHILAND COUNTY.


Abstract of Assessments for 1883 .- Continued.


Swine.


Wagons, Carri- ages and Sleighs. Watches.


Gold and Pianos, Melo- al. Merchandisell deons, Organs and Manufact'rers Silver


Stock.


sonal Property ....


Value of all other Per-


sonal Property .....


Total Value of Per-


Akan


917


$ 917


94


$ 940


3


30


$ 60


$


$


$ 1,310


$ 116,223


Bloom


1,799


1,799


319


3,190


32


320


18


540


1,835


4,000


31,8229


213,559


Buena Vista


827


827


213


2,130


45


450


53


1,855


8,785


9,000


13,145


208,037


Dayton


1,545


1,545


226


2,260


13


130


6


180


871


2,600


8,095


154,253


Eagle


2,189


2,189


255


2,550


26


260


14


420


1,200


1,200


14,031


223,553


Forest ..


1,212


1,212


187


1,870


13


130


11


330


10,400


8,500


12, 705


172 500


Henrietta


1,065


1,065


185


1,850


8


80


10


300


845


9,500


2,970


140,055


Ithaca


1,480


1,480


299


2,990


45


450


49


1,715


6,600


6,600


10,882


229,903


Marshall.


1,475


1,475


170


1,700


220


1


120


1,545


2,250


13,573


185,361


Orion


1,187


1,187


215


2,150


35


350


21


630


513


500


7,193


92,288


Richland


1,347


1,347


269


2,690


1,220


82


3,280


29,320


58,000


41,553


433,481


Richwood.


1,471


1,471


268


2,680


39


300


34


1,330


16,825


7,200


12, 500


216,314


Rockbridgo


1,519


1,519


162


1,620


15


150


9


500


800


6,280


156, 424


Sylvan


1,575


1,575


198


1,280


11


110


6


180


3,120


2,500


10,568


157,463


Westford.


594


594


52


520


. .


1


30


2,000


2,250


2,529


144,268


Willow.


1,241


1,241


105


1,050


?


20


6


180


800


800


1,636


115, 270


Total.


21,443


$21,443


3,147


₴31,470


431


$4,310


330


$11,420


$92,724


$115,700


$190,995


$2,959 045


TOWNS.


Number ...


Value


Number ..


Value.


Number ...


Value ..


Number ...


Value ..


Asssessed ......


Equalized ..


..


..


806


HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.


POSTOFFICES AND POSTMASTERS.


According to the first number of the Riel- land county Observer, published Nov. 20, 1855, there were thirteen postoffices in the county, which are given here for the satisfaction of the curious, together with the respective postmas- ters: Richland Centre, Leroy D. Gage, post- master; Orion, B. Ferris, postmaster; Rich- land City, C. B. Pearson, postmaster; Sand Prairie, H. M. Miller postmaster; Sextonville, E. M. Sexton, postmaster; Loyd, B. Hileneoek, postmaster; Cazenovia, A. Perkins, postmaster; Neptune, J. Sippy, postmaster; Siresville, M. Satterlee, postmaster; West Branch, D. Bar- rett, postmaster; Fancy Creek, Josiah MeCas- key, postmaster; Forest, R. J. Darnell, post- master; Sylvan, A. Savage, postmaster.


POOR FARM.


It is not to be wondered at, that the hardy pioneer of these grand old forest lands, in his desperate struggle for very existence with the forces of adverse nature, should be ever ready to extend a willing hand to the poor and needy brother man, whose needs and necessities ex- ceeded his own, when we consider that his own condition was but one remove from that of pennry and want. The many deeds of kind- ness, the thousand acts of brotherly charity, done in those early days by. the hardy band of immigrants, who first essayed to hew them- selves ont homes in the vast primeval forest of onr county, are borne upon the page of no earthly annals. But the memory of their charity ex- hales around them like the sweet incense upon the altar. "The poor ye have with ye always" fell from the lips of the Incarnate Son of God coupled with the injunction of "help one an- other," and the promise that "whosoever gave unto these poor, were it but a cup of cold water" should be particularly blessed. And when we look around us and mark the fortunes of our fore- fathers, we know that they, many of them at least, have" gathered of life's fair sheaves," through the blessing of giving to their failing, fainting fellow creatures. Never once did the primal set-


tler hesitate to share his last erust with the poor and necessitious; never once did the cry of the widow and orphan fall upon deaf ears, but heartily and readily was the provision made for their comfort, and they were not suffered to linger in abject poverty and want. Many a deed, done in the dark by those rugged sons of toil, should be engraved in letters of gold, were they but known; but the dark mantle of time has covered them up to our finite sight, and earthly annals will never bear their impress, but let us hope that in the hereafter their good deeds may be returned to them.


After the organization of the county, the various towns took measures for a more regular and sustained effort for the relief of the poor and needy; and as the number of those seeking relief necessarily grew greater as the popula- tion increased, the members of the county board thought that by concentrating these charities it could be performed more satisfactorily and at a less expense. In pursuance of this idea a reso- lution was adopted by the board of supervisors, Nov. 20, 1865, which after stating that, "being de- sirous of ascertaining whether a majority of the people of the county wish to abolish the dis- tinetion between town and county poor, and purchase a poor farm," it was determined to submit the same to a vote of the qualified voters of the county at the next general election. The estimates made at this time showed that the probable eost of the purchase would be about $5,000. This was accordingly done, but the people of the county seemed to think that the old way was preferable and declined to sanc- tion the measure, and the matter was allowed to rest, for the time being.


In 1870 the matter again came to the front, and after much discussion the following resolu- tions were adopted on July 20, of that year.


"Resolved, That economy and duty de- mand the adoption of a county poor system, and the abolition of the present town system.


"Resolved, That a committee of three be ap- pointed to make inquiry, of other counties, re-


807


HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.


lating to the county poor system, procure esti- mates of cost of farm and buildings, and report to this board at its next meeting.


Under this resolution, the chair appointed T. C. Clark, J. S. Elsworth and Vincent Harter, as the committee.


For some reason this committee failed to make any report, as far as the records show, and on Nov. 14, 1871, another committee was appointed for the same purpose, consisting of five members: J. S. Ellsworth, JJacob Brimer, William J. Bowen, O. H. Mallette and P. II. McCarthy. The gentlemen, after due consider- ation, returned two reports, the majority one being in these words:


"We, the undersigned, a committee appointed for the purpose of taking into consideration and reporting upon the subject of abolishing the distinction between the town and county poor system, beg leave to report as follows:


"We would recommend that the distinction now existing between the town and county poor system, be abolished, and that all poor persons in the county be supported at the cx- pense of the said county.


Signed, J. S. ELLSWORTH. W. J. BOWEN. J. BRIMER.


O. H. MALLETTE."


And the following resolution was placed be- fore them for action:


"Resolved, That the distinction between the town and county poor, in this county, be, and the same is hereby abolished."


This was, on motion, referred to a committee, consisting of William Dixon, James Washburn and J. W. Jones, who, after due deliberation reported that they labored under too great a difficulty in procuring any reliable data, upon which to base an opinion in regard to the dif- ferent systems, and recommended that the mat- ter be taken into consideration by the committee ' of the whole. On the reception of this report, the board, by vote, laid the subject on the


table, from whence it was not taken during the balance of the session.


The subject seems to break out chronically, all along through the records abont this time, for we find, that at the November session of the board, 1875, another resolution was presented, abolishing the town system of taking care of the poor.


The minority report was signed by P. H. Me- Carthy, and dissented from the opinion of his colleagnes.


Nothing further was done in the matter, however, and the question was left in abeyance, nntil in November, 1873, when a resolution was introduced, at a session of the board of supervisors, to adopt the county system of tak- ing care of the destitute and penniless of the county; but the vote, when taken, was against its adoption, being ten against the measure and seven in favor. This was for many years the vexing question, and opinions were so divided upon the utility and economy of it, that it seemed impossible for it to be accomplished, but its friends never onee gave up but upon every and all occasions brought it up for con- sideration.


The next year, November, 1874, it was once more presented to the board.


"Resolved, That the board should purchase a poor farm for the support of the poor and needy of this county;" but action on the matter was again indefinitely postponed.


There is an old proverb, that "constant drop- ing of water will wear a stone," and it is re- corded, that, at the session of the board, held November, 1877, a resolution was finally adopted abolishing the town poor system and substituting the county relief plan; the clerk of the board being also instructed, at the same time, to file the resolution with the register of deeds. The towns were, however, instructed to take care of their own poor, at the expense of the county, until the board had provided suita- ble buildings for the reception of such indigent persons.


808


HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.


The first superintendents of the poor were also appointed by this board, Nov. 19, 1877, and were: A. M. Grumbeck-r, T. C. Clark and L. M. Thorp. The salaries of these officers were affixed, as being, 82 for every day of actual service, and mileage at the rate of six cents for every mile of actual travel. At the same time the following was adopted:


"Resolved, That the sum of $2,000 be, and the same is hereby appropriated by the board of supervisors of Richland county, to make part payment on a county poor farm, and to pro- vide suitable buildings for said farm." It was also


"Resolved, By the board of supervisors of Richland county, that the superintendents elect- ed by the said board to purchase a poor farm, and erect suitable buildings thereon, for the use of the county poor, be, and they are hereby in- structed not to purchase or locate said poor farm within two and a half miles of any village in said county." A tax was also ordered to be levied of $2,500, for the support of the paupers for the ensuing year.


At a special session of the board of super- visors, held Feb. 6, 1878, the superintendents of the poor made the following report :


" We, the superintendents of the poor for the county, most respectfully report to your honora- ble body, that under the directions and resolu- tions of the board passed in November last, we have spent several days in viewing places and situations, and are unable to procure a suitable and advantageous location for a county poor farm outside the limits prescribed for the loca- tion of the same; and we most respectfully submit for your consideration the recommenda- tion that the restriction be removed.


"Second, that the $2,000 appropriated for purchasing a poor farm, we deem inadequate for the purpose, as it necessitates the following expenditures :


" First, to make first payment on farm ; sec- ond, erecting necessary buildings; third, for furnishing the house ; fourth, to stock the farm;


fifth, to purchasing implements and seeds ; sixth, to paying overseer and labor on the farm. We, therefore, most respectfully recommend that the $2,500 appropriated at the last session for the support of the poor, be placed at the disposal of the superintendents to meet the above expenditures. All of which is most re- spectfully submitted.


A. M. GRUMBECKER, L. M. THORP, T. C. CLARK, Superintendents of the poor."


On motion, the report was received and the recommendations contained therein adopted by a unanimous vote of the board, leaving to the judgment of the superintendents the location of the poor farm, and placing at their disposal the money asked for.


T. C. Clark having tendered his resignation as superintendent of the poor, S. P. Kanable was elected in his place.


The land for the farm was then purchased by the superintendents, and consists of the north- west quarter of section 36, and the north- cast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 35, in the town of Bloom, and contains 200 acres. The price paid was $5,000, of which amount $1,000 was paid down, and the balance was to be made in two equal payments, in one and two years. The date of the purchase was March 9, 1878. The contract for digging the cellar, for the house, for the use of the indigent wards of the county was let to William Akan, Ira Monroe and W. H. Waters ; who agreed to do it for the sum of $250. The contract for the frame erection was let to Wil- liam Shepherd, whose bid for the same was $1,700. The following may be of some inter- est as showing the manner of ontlay of so much money, by the so-called servants of the people.




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