Wyandot County, Ohio - Civil History, 1884

Civil History

This Region Prior to 1845 - Organization, etc., ok Wyandot County - Act OF Congress Relating thereto - Public Sale of Town Lots in Upper Sandusky - Names ofPurohasers - Townships - Public; Buildings - Notable Proceedings of Courts- Results of Elections - Officers Elected.

As already explained, the Wyandot Indians were the acknowledged owners of all this region prior to September 29, 1817. They then ceded (with the exception of some small reservations, also heretofore described) their landed possession to the United States Government, and agreed to retire to, and re - main within their reservations, with the privilege granted them, however, of hunting over any and all parts of the broad domain so lately theirs, until the same was requii'ed for actual occupation, and improvement by the whites. During the two or three years immediately succeeding this cession of lands, certain officials, styled Deputy Surveyor Generals, acting under the orders of 'the Surveyor General of the United States, ran out the township and sectional lines over a large portion of this, the new purchase. A region, wMch it appears, remained without the limits of civil jurisdiction, until by an act of the State Legislature passed February 12, 1820, to take effect on the Ist day of April following, a number of counties were erected from the new purchase, or what was then termed the "Old Indian Territory." Among them Crawford, Hancock, Hardin, Marion and Seneca. As these counties (except Seneca) originally embraced the territory now known as Wyandot County, we will glance at the their original dimensions.

Hancock County, to include Townships 1 and 2 south, and 1 and 2 north, in Ranges 9, 10, 11 and 12. Hardin County to include all the last-mentioned ranges, south of said second townships, and runfiing south with the range lines to the northern boundaries of the organized counties. Crawford County to include Townships 1, 2 and 8 south, in Ranges 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17, and all that may lie between the same and the west line of Richland County. Marion County to include all of the last-mentioned ranges south of said third townships, and to run south with said range lines to the northern boundaries of the organized counties, and east with the township lines to Richland County line.

By the provisions of the same act - the act passed February 12, 1820 - Crawford County was attached to Delaware for judi^'ial purposes. The former county in part then embraced all that portion of the present county of Wyandot designated Townships 1, 2 and 8 south, in Ranges 13. 14 and 15 east, and it was while under the jurisdiction of the Delaware County officials, and by virtue of an order issued from the Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County, directed to the qualitied voters of Crawford Township, in (^rawford County, that the tirst election was held within the present limits of Wyandot County. Crawford Township then comprised the present townships of Crawford, Tymochtee and Sycamore. In pursuance of the order of court, the electors assembled at the house of Henry Lish (who then operated a ferry over Tymochtee Creek in the present township of Tymochtee), on the 1st day of April, 1821. After the appointment of a Chairman, and the election viva voce of Ira Arnold and Seth Crocker as Clerks for the day, John Gordon, James Richards and James Whitehead as Judges, the legal voters present, tliirteen in number, proceeded to elect by ballot .the following named township officers: Ira Arnold, Clerk; John Gordon, James Richards and Ichabod Merriman, Trustees; Elijah Brayton and Rufus Merriman. Appraisers; Elijah Brayton, Listor; Thomas Leeper, Treasurer; Philip Peer and Henry Lish, Supervisors; Myron Merriman and James Whitehead, Fence Viewers; Isaac Walker, Constable, and Ciprian Stevens, Justice of the Peace.

The county of Crawford remained under the jurisdiction of Delaware until by the passage of a legislative act of date December 15, 182B, to take effect May 1. 1824, Marion County was organized and Crawford was ordered to be attached to it for judicial purposes. During the same session, however, by an act approved February 17, 1824, it was further ordered " that so much of the county of Crawford as lies north of the Wyandot Reservation, including one tier of townships lying east and west, be, and the same is hereby, from and after the passage of this act, attached to the county of Seneca for judicial purposes, until the county of Crawford shall, be organized." During subsequent years a few other changes in jurisdiction took place from time to time, but no alterations in boundary lines occurred (where Crawford, Marion, Hardin and Hancock Counties joined each other), until the erection of Wyandot County.

By the provisions of an act of the State Legislature approved February 3, 1845, entitled " An act to erect the new county of Wyandott,* and alter the boundaries of the county of Crawford," Wyandot was formed from parts of Crawford. Marion, Hardin and Hancock Counties. The sections of the act which have an especial reference to this (Wyandot) county read as follows :

Section 1. Be it enacted bj' the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, That such parts of the counties of Crawford, Marion, Hardin and Hancock, as are embraced within the boundaries hereinafter described, be, and the same are hereby erected into a separate and distinct county, which shall be known by the name of Wyandott, and the seat of justice within and for said county shall be and is hereby fixed and established at, or in the immediate vicinity of Upper Sandusky to wit: Beginning at the southeast corner of Section 10, in Township 4 south, in Range 15, of the public survey of lands, in Marion County, and running thence north on the sectional lines, through Crawford County, to the north line thereof, between Sections 2 and 3, in Township 1 south, in Range 15, aforesaid; which line shall form the east boundary of said county of Wyandott, and the west line of Crawford County; thence west on the base line to the northwest corner of Section 2, in Township 1 south, of Range 12, in Hancock County; thence south on the sectional line to the northeast corner of Section 22, in the township and range last aforesaid; thence west on the sectional line to the northwest corner of said Section 22; thence south on the sectional line to the south line of said township as originally surveyed, between Sections 33 and 34; thence west on said township line to the northwest corner of Section 5 in Township 2 south, of the range last aforesaid; thence south on the sectional line through said Township 2, to the south line thereof, at the northwest corner of Section 5, in Township 3 south, of the range last aforesaid, in the county of Hardin; thence east to the northeast corner

* Before the organization of Wyandot County and the adoption of a county seal, this term had been written and printed in various ways as Wyandot, Wyandott and Wyandotte. Therefore, soon after the organization, the qufstion of adopting a uniform style of spelling the county's title was considered by the first county officials, when at the suggestion of John D. Sears, Esq., the form of orthography still in use - Wyandot - was approved and so entered upon the records.

of said Section 5; thence soutli on the sectional line to the southwest corner of Section 9, in Township 4 south, in the range last aforesaid; thence east, to the northwest corner of Section 13, in the township and range last aforesaid; thence south to the southwest corner of said Section 13; thence east on the sectional line to the southeast corner of Section 13, in Township 4 south of Range 13; thence north to the northeast corner of said last-mentioned Section 13; thence east, on the sectional line to the place of beginning: Provided, That the passage of this act shall not prevent the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad Company from extending an arm from the main track of said railroad to the town of Fiudlay in the county of Hancock, as was secured to said company in the original act of incorporation.

Sec. 4. That all Justices of the Peace, within those parts of the counties of Crawford, Marion, Hardin and Hancock, which by this act are erected into the county of Wyandott, and also within those parts of the counties of Richland and Marion, which by this act, are attached to the county of Crawford, shall continue to exercise the functions and discharge the duties of their respective offices, until their time of service shall expire, and their successors be elected and qualified, in the same manner as if they had been commissioned for the counties of Wyandott and Crawford respectively. * * *

Sec. 5. That the legal voters residing within the limits of the county of Wyandott, shall on the 1st Monday in April, in the year 1845, assemble in their respective townships, at the usual place of holding elections (where the usual places of holding elections are within the limits of the county of Wyandott, and in cases of fractional townships, where the usual places of holding elections are not included within the limits of the county aforesaid, the voters residing in each of such fractional townships, shall assemble in the township immediatelj^ adjoining such fractional township, and lying toward the center of said county), and proceed to elect the different county officers in the manner prescribed in the act to regulate elections, who shall hold their offices until the next annual election, and until their successors are chosen and qualified.

Sec. 6. It shall be the duty of the Commissioners of Wyandott County when elected and qualified, to make the most favorable contract or contracts with the Government of the United States, or with any person or persons for donations of land, town lots, moneys, or other property, for the erection of county buildings, either in the town of Upper Sandusky, or on land adjoining the same, as they may think most advantageous to the county of Wyandott; p7'oz)irfe(7 that the county buildings of Wyandott County shall not be erected at a greater distance than one-fourth of a mile from the State road leading from Columbus through Delaware, Marion and Upper Sandusky to Lower Sanduskv *-»** ******

Sec. 8. The Commissioners of the respective counties from which territory is hereby taken, shall have power immediately upon the passage of this act, to attach fractionall townships to other townships in their respective counties, or to organize such fractiona townships into separate townships, as they may deem expedient, which power shall extend to the counties of Crawford and Wyandott, for the purpose of disposing of fractions coming within the limits of said counties made by this act.

Thus, by a scrutiny of Section 1 of the act just quoted, it is ascertained that Wyandot County was formed from Townships No. 1, 2 and 3 south, in Ranges 13 and 14 east, and the fractional or western two-thirds of Townships 1, 2 and 3 south, in Range 15 east, of Crawford County; from fractional parts of Townships 1 and 2 south, in Range 12 east, of Hancock County; from fractional parts of Townships 3 and 4 south, in the range last mentioned, of Hardin County, and from fractional Townships 4 south, in Ranges 13, 14 and 15 east, of Marion County.

In accordance with the provisions of Section 5 of the act above quoted, on Monday, April 7, 1845, the legal voters of the county assembled in their respective townships, at the several places designated for holding elections, and proceeded to the exercise of their rights as American freemen by voting for the various persons nominated to till the county offices. In the aggregate, 1,289 ballots were deposited, and as a result the following officers were in due time declared elected: William Griffith, Stephen Fowler and Ethan Terry, County Commissioners; Abner Jurey, Treasurer; Samuel M. Worth, Auditor; Lorin A. Pease, Sheriff; John A. Morrison, Recorder; Albert Bixby, Coroner; Azariah Root, Survej'or; and Chester R. Mott, Prosecuting Attorney.

Concerning the political complexion of the oflScers first elected we learn that Griffith, Jurey, Pease and Root were Whigs, while Fowler, Terry, Worth, Morrison, Bixby and Mott were Democrats. These gentlemen at once attached their signatures to the required oath of office, filed their bonds uf indemnity, etc., and within two weeks after their election were prepared for the transaction of public business in such apartments in and about the new and straggling built-up town as were found most convenient. In describing the initial proceedings, which took place in their respective departments, we turn to the records for the following items.

On the J 6th day of April, 1845 (nine days after their election), Stephen Fowler, William Griffith and Ethan Terry, Commissioners- elect of the County of AVyandot (the same having taken the i-equired oath of office before Abner Jurey, Esq.), first convened (the minutes fail to state where) for the transaction of business. Thereupon the bond of Samuel M. Worth, the Audi tor- elect, was presented and approved, with Zuriel Fowler, Joseph Shorb and Guy C. Worth as his sureties. The Commissioners then authorized Guy C. Worth (who was then officiating as Clerk of the courts, by appointment) to contract for the purchase of the necessary books and stationery for the use of the different county offices; also to purchase an "iron press" for the Clerk's office, "if, in his opinion, it be advisable to obtain the same." On the same day the following resolutions were considered and approved :

Resolved, That the proposition of Moses H. Kirby to transfer his possessory right to the Indian Council House at Upper Sandusky to the county of Wyandot be accepted, and the Auditor authorized to issue an order in favor of Col. Kirby for $30 in full payment of his interest in said house.

Resolved, That the different officers of Wyandot County be authorized to obtain the necessary cheap furniture for the use of their respective oflBces, and present their bill to the Board of Commissioners at the June session.

Resolved, That the Auditor of Wyandot, County is hereby authorized to procure the necessary abstracts from the tax duplicates of Crawford, Marion, Hardin and Hancock Counties, and that he procure, if need be, the services of the Auditors of the said counties respectively to assist him in obtaining the same.

Resolved, That the Auditor cause such repairs to be made upon the upper part of the Council House as will be required for the accommodation of the county officers."

The Commissioners then approved of the bond of Abner Jurey, Treasurer-elect, with John Jurey, Benjamin S. Welch, Christian Hoover and Jacob S. Staley as his sureties, and adjourned to meet in special session on the 28rh day of April following.

As determined, the Commissioners again met on Monday, April 28, 1845, when it was ordered that the area of Jackson Township be increased, and Marseilles Township be erected. On the following day, their proceedings were far more important, and as follows:

The Commissioners of Wyandot County this day met, and after a due consideration of the proposition for the establishment of the seat of justice of Wyandot County at the town of Upper Sandusky, adopted the following preamble and resolutions:

Chapter 23. - An act vesting in the County Commissioners of the county of Wyandot the right to certain town lots and outlets in the town of Upper Sandusky in the State of Ohio.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of .^^merica in Congress assembled, That the right to one-third part of the unsold town lots in the town of Upper Sandusky by the act entitled " An Act providing for the sale of certain lauds in the States of Ohio and Michigan ceded by the Wyandot tribe of Indians, and for other purposes," passed March 3, 184.3, directed to be laid out and surveyed, and to one-third part of the outlets of said town, be and hereby is vested in the County Commissioners of the county of Wyandot, in the said State of Ohio ; on condition, nevertheless, that said Commissioners, or other competent authorities of said State of Ohio, shall permanently locate and fix the seat of justice of the county at said town, and that the net proceeds of the sales of said town and out-

February, A. D. 1845, have granted to the Commissioners of Wyandot County, onethird part of the inlots and outlots of the said town of Upper Sandusky, upon the condition that the said Commissioners should permanently locate and fix the seat of justice of said county at the said town of Upper Sandusky.

Be it therefore Resolved, That the seat of justice of said county of Wyandot be and hereby is permanently located and fixed at the town of Upper Sandusky.

Resolved, That the Register and Receiver of the Land Office at Upper Sandusky be requested to advise the Board of Commissioners of Wyandot County what lot or lots in the town of Upper Sandusky embrace valuable improvements made by this Indian agency at Upper Sandusky.

Gentlemen: The following resolutions passed by your board have this day been duly placed in our hands, to wit: '-Resolved, that tlie Register and Receiver of the Land Office at Upper Sandusky be requested to advise the Board of Commissioners what lot or lots in the town of Upper Sandusky embrace valuable improvements made by the Indian Agency at Upper Sandusky." In reply to which we have to state that Outlot No. 49f , embraces all the valuable improvements made at Upper Sandusky for the use of the Indian Agency. Very respectfully,

Thereupon the following communication was prepared by the Commissioners, and at once sent forward, by mail, to the Secretary of the Treasury

Sir: We herewith transmit to you official information of the permanent location of the seat of justice for Wyandot County at the town of Upper Sandusky; and we are advised by the acompanying communication from the Register and Receiver of the Land Office at Upper Sandusky that Outlot No. 49 is the only one contained in the said town which embraces valuable improvements made by the Indian Agency at Upper Sandusky. And as it appears that this lot would not fall to the county by a selection of everv third lot in alternate and progressive numbers in pursuance of the second section of "^the act of Congress of the 26th of February, A. D. 1845, entitled " An act vesting in the County Commissioners of the county of Wyandot the right to certain town lots and outlots 'in the town of Upper Sandusky in the State of Ohio, no substitution will, therefore, have to be made.

We would respectfully request the Honorable Secretary of the Treasury to make the selection in pursuance to the said law as soon as practicable and transmit the same to us.

General Land Office, July 28, 1845. I, James Shields, t Commissioner of the General Land Office, do hereby certify, that the annexed is a true and literal exemplification of the original on file in this office, approved bv the Secretary of the Treasury, on the 12th day of July, 1845.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto subscribed my name and caused the seal of this office to be affixed, at the city of Washington, on the day and year above written. Ja.mes Shields, Commissioner of the General Land Office.

lots be applied by said Coiintv Commissioners, or other proper authorities, to the erection of public buildings, and the improvement of public squares and public grounds in said town.

Sec 2. And be it further enacted. That the town lots and outlots of said town of Upper bandusky, so to be granted and applied, shall be selected bv alternate and progressive numbers (every third town lot and every third outlot according to their numbers respectively, being granted and applied as atoresaid) under the direction and subject to the control of the .Secretary of the Treasury ; Provided, that nothing herein contained shall be so construed as to grant to and vest in said County Commissioners any lot or lots heretofore appropriated to and used by the Indian agency at Upper Sandusky, and upon which there may remain anv valuable buildings, orchard, or other valuable improvement belonging to the United States, and if any'such town lot or outlot, so bv its progressive number selected, should be found to comprise and include anv such valuable building, orchard or other valuable improvement then the said Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorized and directed to substitute some other lot or lots, of a fair and proportionate value.

List of town lots and outlots in the town of Upper Sandusliy, Ohio, selected under the provisions of the act of Congress entitled " An act vesting in the Commissioners of the county of Wyandot the right to certain town lots and outlots in the town of Upper Sandusky, in the State of Ohio, approved 36th of February, 1845."

At a subsequent meeting of the County Commissioners, held on the 2d day of June, 1845. the boundaries of Pit , Crane and Antrim Townships were defined, and Eden, Ridge, Richland and Sycamore Townships were organized as separate townships. During the same session, it was further ordered that a tax of $1 be assessed upon each lawyer and physician practicing in the county. That a tax of four and one half mills on a dollar be levied for county purposes, also a tax of one and one-half mills on a dollar be levied for road purposes, and that the Auditor " be authorized to serve a notice upon John Shrenk* to leave the council house forthwith."

The Commissioners again met for the transaction of business on Saturday, July 26, 1845, and as the result of their deliberations, the following orders, etc., w^ere made a matter of recoi'd:

Ordered, Tliat the lots vested in tlieir hands by the act of Congress, approved February 26, 1845, be exposed at public sale on the 2oth, 21st and 22d days of August, 1845.

Ordered, That 200 copies of sale bills be printed, and that the same be published in the Ohio Statesman, Ohio State Journal and Wyandot Telegraph.

Ordered, That the lots be sold for one-fourth of the purchase money in hand, one-fourth in one year, one-fourth in two years, and ihe remaining one-fourth in three years; the payments to be secured with notes bearing interest.

Ordered, That Inlot No. 147 be reserved from sale, and that Lots No. 145 and 146 be procured for the use of the countj^ to erect public buildings upon.

Ordered, That Peter B. Beidler be employed to copy from the records of the counties from whicli Wyandot County was taken, such records, surveys and field notes as may be strictly necessary to have in this county, also to make a plat of the county of Wyandot.

Public Sale Of Town Lots At Upper Sandusky

The Commissioners of Wyandot Countj" will offer the following valuable town property for sale at Upper Sandusky, Ohio, upon the 20th, 21st and 23d days of August next, to wit: The in and out lots in the town of LTpper Sandusky vested in the said Commissioners by act of Congress approved February 36, 1845, being eveiy third of the in and out lots selected by alternate and progressive numbers, amounting to 126 inlots and seventy-two outlots.

Upper Sandusky, a town laid out by the General Government, is delightfully situated on the Sandusky River, near the center of the Wyandot Reserve, and the seat of justice of the new county of Wyandot has been permanently fixed at said town.

Terms of Sale: One-fourth of the purchase money required in hand, the balance in three equal annual installments, secured by notes bearing interest.

* Shrenk was the publisher of the Wyandot Telegraph, the first newspaper published in the county, and had occupied the council house as his printing house, from the middle of February, 1845.

The Commissioners then adjourned to the 11th of Auc^ust following, for the purpose of appraising the lots. At the time designated, Augvist 11, 1845, the members composing the Board of Commissioners met, and made an appraisement of the value of each lot, varying from $25 for the lowest, to $500 for the highest. They again met on the 19th day of August, 1845, and agreed upon the following terms of sale for the lots advertised to be sold:

One-fourth of the purchase money to be paid in hand, the residue in three equal annual payments, with interest, to be secured by promissory notes.

The terms of sale to be complied with on the day thereof. A title bond to be given, conditioned for the making of a deed to the purchaser upon the payment of the notes. Delinquent bidders to be held subject to the liabilities and restrictions usual in such cases.

Commissioners further order that Wyandot County orders and current bank papers of the Ohio banks be receivable in payment of the first installment.

That the crops growing upon the outlets be reserved to the occupants putting them in, who are required to remove them bj' the 10th day of October next.

Chester R. Mott, Et-q., was employed as assistant clerk during the sales, and David Bishop, of Seneca County, as crier. The sale commenced at 10:30 o'clock A. M., on the 20th day of August, 1845, and continued three days. The following is a list of the lots sold, the names of purchasers, and the amount paid for each lot:

The total value of the lots sold during the three days amounted to ),176. 50, upon which cash or its equivalent was paid to the amount of $2,626.87i

On the 27th of August, 1845, the Commissioners again met, as per adjournment, when it was ordered, ." That the lots remaining unsold shall be open for entry until the 23d day of September next, with 50 per cent added to the appraisement heretofore put upon them by the Commissioners.

On Tuesday, September 23, 1S45 (as per order of the Commissioners), another public sale of town lots took place. The number of the lots, the names of purchasers, etc., being as follows:

On the 2d of October. 1845, it was ordered by the Commissioners " that four hundred and ten dollars be appropriated out of the moneys received from the sale of lots to pay for In Lots numbered 145 and 146," which, with Lot No. 147, were set aside and designated as the site for the court house and county jail. The following day (October 3), additional lots were sold, as follows:

A number of the lots first sold were declared forfeited to the purchasers and reverted back to the county by reason of the non-payment of purchase monej according to the terms of sale, and were afterward resold to other parties as late as 1853.

To June 11, 1853, the officials of the county had received in cash, for lots sold in the town of Upper Sandusky, the sum of $15,224.24, or in other words, the Govei'nment of the United States had donated to the county of Wyandot an amount sufficient to purchase sites, and to construct the present court house and jail building.

Antrim - Was first organized as a township in Crawford County in 1822. It contains thirty-two sections, and was formed as it now exists June 2, 1845, when the first Board of Wyandot County Commissioners ordered that the fraction (eight sections) detached from Township 4 south, of Range 15 east, or Grand Prairie, in Marion County, be attached to it.

Crawford - Was organized as a township in Crawford County in the year 1821 Its nominal boundaries then included all, or at least nearly all, of that part of the former county now forming part of the county of Wyandot.

The organization of Crawford County took place we believe, in the year 1825, when Crawford Township was reduced to its present area - a full surveyed subdivision of thirty -six sections, known otherwise as Township No. 1 south, of Kange No. 13 east.

Crane - We have not been able to ascertain when this township was so designated, though probably it was just prior to the formation of Wyandot. County. On the 2d of June, 1845, the Wyandot County Commissioners ordered that " the progressive numbers from Section 1 to 9 inclusive in Pitt Township be attached to Crane Township," and on the same day they likewise ordered, that "Sections 1, 12, 13, 24, 25 and 36 of the original surveyed Township No. 2 south, of Eange 14 east [Crane Township] be attached to Township No. 2 south, of Range 15 east." The same boundary lines prevail to-day, and thus Crane (it should be Tarhe) Township contains thirty-nine sections.

Crawford County, in March, 1838. On the 2d of June, 1845, Stephen Fowler, William Griffith and Ethan Terry, the first Commissioners of Wyandot County, ordered that Sections 1, 12, 13, 24, 25 and 36, of the original surveyed Township No. 2 south, of Range 14 east, be attached to Township No. 2 south, of Range 15 east, and called Ecle^i Township." The same boundaries have continued to the present time. It contains thirty sections.

Jackson - Was organized as a township in Hardin County prior to 1840. By the organization of Wyandot County in 1845, the major part of the township became a portion of the new county, and for that reason, perhaps, it retained its original name. At a special meeting of the Commissioners of Wyandot County, held April 28, 1845, it was ordered " that Sections 3, 4 and 9, in Township No. 4 south, of Range 12 east [Goshen Township] be attached to Jackson Township." The same boundary lines are still maintained, and the township contains twenty-seven sections.

Marseilles - At a special meeting of the Commissioners of Wyandot County, held on the 28th day of April, 1845, it was ordered " that Sections 1, 2, 10, 11, 12 and 13, in the aforesaid township and range [meaning Township No. 4 south, of RaDge 12 east], be attached to that portion of Township No. 4 south, of Range 13 east, taken from Grand Township, Marion County, and that the two fractional townships hereby attached shall constitute one township, and be called Marseilles." It will thus be observed that the present township consists of eighteen sections, or the northern half of the original township of Grand, Marion County, and six sections (1, 2, 10, 11, 12 and 13) taken from Goshen Township in Hardin County.

Mifflin - Although this township lay mostly within the Wyandot Reservation, it was so named and organized as a township in Crawford County prior to 1840. AVe have not been able to ascertain the precise date of its organization. It is a full surveyed township of thirty-six sections, and is designated in the United States surveys as Township No. 3 south, of Range No. 13 east.

Pitt - This township also lay mostly within the Wyandot Reservation, but it was known as a township in Crawford County before the beginning of the year 1840. Soon after the organization of Wyandot County, or on the 2d of June, 1845, the County Commissioners ordered "that the

Township No. 4 south, of Range 14 east, formerly part of Marion County] be attached to Pitt Township, and that the progressive numbers from Section 1 up to 9 inclusive, in Pitt Township, be attached to Crane Township. These boundaries are still maintained, and the township thus contains thirty-nine sections.

Richland - Now comprising thirty sections of surveyed Township No. 2 south, of Range No. 12 east, was organized as one of the divisions of Hancock County in 1835. Ten years later, the same township, with the exception of the western tier of sections, became part of the then new county of Wyandot. On the 2d of June, 1845, the Commissioners of the last-mentioned county directed " that Richland fraction be organized into a separate township and called Richland.''

Ridge - A fractional township of only fifteen sections, was detached from Amanda Township in Hancock County by the erection of the county of Wyandot. On the 2d of June, 1845, the first Board of Wyandot County Commissioners, ordered that " Amanda fraction be organized as a separate township, and called Ridge."

Salem - This township comprises thirtv-six sections, or the whole of surveyed Township No. 2 south, of Range 13 east. It was largely embraced by the Wyandot Reservation and ^probably, was not organized and so named until just jjrior to the erection of Wyandot County.

Sycamore - Containing twenty- four sections of surveyed Township No. 1 south, of Range No. 15 east, was organized as a township in Crawford County in 1825. On the 2d of June, 1845, the first Board of Wyandot County Commissioners ordered " that the fractional township of Sycamore be organized into a separate township."

Tymochtee - Embraces the whole of surveyed Township No. 1 south, of Range No. 14 east. Formerly attached to Crawford Township, it was organized as a township in Crawford County, 1825. It was settled at an early day by an enterprising set of pioneers, and for a number of years was the most populous district in either Crawford or Wyandot Counties.

Public Buildings, Etc

The present court house and jail of the county stand upon grounds designated in the original plat of the town of Upper Sandusky as lots No. 145, 146 and 147. How these lots were acquired has already been shown. For several years the Indian council house was utilized for holding courts, etc., while the small block- house, known as the Indian Jail, answered for the incarceration of malefactors awaiting trial for or convicted of minor infractions against law and order.

However, early in the autumn of 1845, it was determined to build a county jail. Thereupon, contractors and builders, through the public press, were invited to send in sealed proposals for the construction of the proposed building. On the 30th of October of that year, the Commissioners met, opened and examined the proposals sent in. It was then ascertained that eight proposals had been made as follows: Adam Bear, $3,800; Speelman & Donnell, $2,890; Vincent G. Bell, $4,000; John McCurdy, $2,740; Henry Ebersoll, $4,475; Sylvester Alger, $3,435; Kerr, Rambo & Osborn. $4,250; Jacob Ronk, $4,150. As McCurdy's bid was the lowest, the contract was awarded to him and he at once entered into an agreement, by which it was stipulated that he should complete the jail (the building still in use) on or before the 1st day of November, 1846. It appears that Mc- Curdy's contract was not a very good one - for him; for on the 9th day of March, 1848, he was allowed, by the Commissioners, " $500 over and above the contract price for building the jail." On the same day, too, that is, March 9, 1848, the following was made a matter of record: "Ordered, That the north bed-room in the back part of the jail, up-stairs, be appropriated for the use of the Recorder for an office. That the Auditor be authorized to purchase stove and pipe for the use of the same, and that he engage Judge McCurdy to finish the room in a suitable manner for said purpose."

On the 4th day of June, 1846, the first step was taken for the erection of the present court house. The County Commissioners then authorized the Auditor to cause a notice to be .published in the Democratic Pioneer. Ohio Statesman, and Ohio State Journal, offering $50 for the best draft and specifications for a court bouse building, to cost from $6, 000 to $9, 000. ' ' The draft and specifications to be forwarded to the Commissioners by the first Monday of August next, and the contract for building to be awarded on the 10th day of September following." On the 11th day of September, 1846, an agreement was entered into between the County Commissioners and

William Young, by the terms of which the latter agreed to build and complete a court house, on or before October 1, 1848 (according, to "a plan and specifications ") for the sum of $7,000. Young's sureties for the faithful performance of his contract were Andrew McElvain, David Ayres, John A. Morrison, Daniel Tuttle and T. Baird. However, in July, 1847, another agreement was made, relative to building a court house, between the County Commissioners and John W. Kennedy and John H. Junkins, which, after reciting that Young had assigned his contract to his sureties, who in turn had re-assigned it to Kennedy & Junkins, stipulated that Kennedy & Junkins should complete the structure according to the original contract, and for the original consideration of $7,000, less the amount already paid Young. Notwithstanding two separate agreements had already been made for the completion of the court house, and that nearly three years had passed since the work was commenced, the spring of 1849 found the lastnamed contractoi's still struggling under a non-paying, disheartening contract. The Commissioners then entered into a third agreement, and therein agreed to pay John H. Junkins for the completion of the building the sum of $9,800, less the amount already paid to Young, and Kennedy & Junkins. It is probable that the structure was finished during the last days of 1849, for on the 16th day of January, 1850, the Commissioners authorized the Auditor to sell the Council House (which to that time had served for holding courts, etc.), " for the sum of $250, and that the same time be given on the payments as other county lots." In October, 1851, John H. Junkins was allowed an extra compensation of $2,200 for work on the court house, thus making the total cost of the building, complete, $12,000.

In October, 1870, A. H. Vanorsdall, to serve for three years; Tilman Balliet, to serve for two years, and George Harpei', to serve for one year, were elected as the first Infirmary Directors of the county of Wyandot. Soon afterward, the present Wyandot County Infirmary was established on the Carey road, four miles north of Upper Sandusky. To that time the poor were " farmed out," a most wretched and heartless mode of procedure, which had been abandoned in many localities for at least half a century before. The farm consists of 200 acres, bfting in part the property once owned by Noah Eby. It occupies a beautiful and healthful location, and is amply supplied with water by a branch of the Tymochtee Creek. In the rear of the buildings are a few laige apple trees, said to have been planted by the Wyandot Indians. The principal building is constructed of brick, with a length of eighty feet and a width of forty-five feet. It contains two large halls - one on the first and the other on the second floor - on each side of which are the dormitories occupied by the inmates. On the first floor are the large and well-arranged dining room and kitchen. Generally speaking, all of the rooms are spacious and well lighted, and during the winter are made comfortable by the use of steam. In summer, cozy porticos afford pleasant resting places for those who find here their only home on earth. Since its establishment, the infirmary has been well managed, and its farm and garden products, always of the best, largely supply the wants of its occupants. /

A Few Notable Proceedings Of Coukts

The first court held within the county of Wyandot was a special term of the Court of Common Pleas. Its members - Abel Renick. William Brown and George W. Leith, Associate Judges - convened at the office of Moses H. Kirby, Esq., in Upper Sandusky, on Tuesday, April 8, 1845, or the day fol-

The same Judges again met in special session on the 14th day of the same month and year, when a considerable and varied amount of business was transacted. Thus, the last will and testament of Adam AVeininger was admitted to probate; Jacob Smith, Aaron Welch and Charles H. Dewitt were appointed appraisers of the estate of Tobias Kneagel. deceased; Moses H. Kirby, Esq., Dr. Joseph Mason and John D. Sears, Esq., were appointed School Examiners* within and for the county of AVyandot, to serve for the term of three years; the bonds of Lorin A. Pease, Sheriff- elect, to the amount of $3,000, with William Griffith, Ransom Wilcox and Benjamin Knapp as his sureties, were approved; Chester R. Mott, Esq., Prosecuting Attorney elect, was sworn into office, and the bond of Albert Bixby, Coronerelect, was also approved.

However, the lirst regular term of the Court of Common PJeas, beginning July 1, iS-to, was held in the old Indian council house, which stood on the grounds now occupied by the old public school buildings, near the bluff, in the eastern part of Upper Sandusky. There was then present as officers of the court Hon. Ozias Bowen, Presiding Judge; Abel Renick, William Brown and George W. Leith, Associate Judges; Lorin A. Pease, Sheriff, and Guy C. Worth, Clerk, pro tempore. The court ordered that a ' ' special venire be issued, commanding the Sheriff to summon forthwith fifteen good, true and lawful men. to serve the pi-esent term as grand jurors. Thereupon, the Sheriff returned into court the following panel:" Orrin Ferris, Enoch Thomas, Alvin J. Russell, Benjamin Knapp, Rodney Pool, John C. Dewitt. George W. Sampson, John Stokes, Hugh W^elch, Andrew M. Anderson, H. Montee, Joseph E. Eouke, William J. Clugston, John Gormley and William Jones. Subsequently, Daniel Tuttle was granted a license as auctioneer by the payment of $8.

The first case brought before this court was entitled "Peter B. Beidler vs. Azariah Root, contested election of Surveyor for W^yandot County." The court decided that Beidler was entitled to the office, and that the contestor should pay the costs. During the same term, the grand jury found true bills against some ten or twelve persons for keeping tavern without license, gaming houses, nine-pin alleys, assaults, etc. Before final adjournment, Samuel Kenan, William J. Clugston, Daniel Straw, Moses H. Kirby, John Houck, Reuben Savage and Andrew McElvain were granted permission to retail liquors, etc., by the payment of S2 each.

The undersigned Judges of the Supreme Court, of the State of Ohio, do by these presents constitute and appoint Guy C Worth, f Esq.. of Wyandot County, Ohio, Clerk of the Supreme Court, for said county, until the lirst daj^ of the next term of said Supreme Court, and no longer. Before entering on the duties of his office under this appointment he is required to take the oath required bj' law, to give bonds in the sura of $10,000, conditioned as the statute requires, to the satisfaction of the County Audi tor, with two good and sufficient sureties, and deposit the same with the County Treasurer and record tliis appointment on the journal of said court.

fWorth was re-appointed Clerk of Courts from time to time, until July 22, 1S47, when he was appointed Clerk for the full constitutional term of seven vears.

commencing Monday, July 6, 1846, but when the time arrived it was ascertained that a quorum would not be present. Thereupon, the Clerk was directed by Hon. Matthew Birchard, one of the Judges present, to make an entry of the fact herein stated, and "that the said court stands adjourned without day."

A glance at the records on file in the office of the Clerk of courts clearly indicates that during the nearly forty years which have pa.ssed by since the county was organized, a vast amount of business has been performed; that Wyandot has possessed its full share of those who apparently delight to indulge in litigation; yet to their credit be it said, the percentage of violently vicious inhabitants seems to have been remarkably small. But a trivial number, comparatively speaking, have been placed upon trial charged with murder, mfinslaughter, or assault with intent to kill, and its residents have yet to witness the tirst public execution within the county limits.

Among those, however, whose trial for murder excited much public in terest, we cite the cases of Henry Gammell, Mrs. Bowsher. and James Wilson. It appears that during the year 1849, Henry Gammell and another man named McMullen (both of whom lived in or near Crawfordsville), drank whisky and played cards together. Finally they quarreled, and in the hand to hand struggle between them which followed, McMullen received a knife wound from the effects of which he died. Gammell was at once arrested and confined in the county jail. His case was continued through several terms, but finally ho was tried and acquitted on the plea of self-defense.

At the February term in 1868, Mary L. Bowsher, a resident of Upper Sandusky, was indicted for the murder of William, Olive and Frances Bowsher, her children. Upon being arraigned, she pleaded not guilty. Thereupon it was ordered by the court that Robert McKelly and John Berry, Esqs., be appointed to assist the Prosecuting Attorney in the prosecution of the case. During the May term, she was tried and acquitted on the tirst indictment - charging her with the murder of William Bowsher; but on the second indictment, charging her with the murder of Frances Bowsher, she was held to bail to the amount of $4,000, and on the third indictment, charging her with the murder of Olive Bowsher, she was also held to bail in the sum of $4,000. Finally, however, at the September term, 1868, a nolle prosequi was entered respecting the last indictments, and she was discharged "to go hence without day." It was supposed that she hastened the death of her children by administering poison. Her own death occurred recently.

The murder of George W. Hite on the night of August 28, 1879, and the arrest, trial, conviction, and suicide of his murderer - Thomas Mc- Nurty, alias Patsey King, alias James Wilson - are events yet vividly impressed upon the minds of all present residents of the county. According to his confession. McNurty (he was tried and convicted under the name of Wilson), was a fair representation of a class so largely produced in the chief cities of our country - a class, usually direct descendants of foreign- born citizens, which takes to petty thieving, jockeying, gambling, drunkenness, prize-tightiDg, burglary and murder as naturally as a duck takes to water.

He was born in the city of New York in 1853. Ten years later, he was left to his own resources, and then began his career as a vender of newspapers, oranges, etc., in the city of his birth. His associations were of the vilest from the beginning, and it is probable that he could be termed a thief from the time he began to perambulate the streets of the great city. Next, he was known as a prize-package boy, on the lines of the Hudson River boats and railroad, then as a jockey rider at races, a brakesman on the New York Central Railroad, and a. hack driver at Niagara Falls. From thence he moved westward. Failing to get such positions as he wished, yet always stealing and fighting, he passed up and down the Mississippi Valley; thence to Omaha, and in the winter of 1873 and 1874, to San Francisco, Cal. Returning from the las^-named place to Cheyenne, not many days elapsed ere he was at the Black Hills, and from that time until the spring of 1879 his life was passed on the frontier, or at various points from the Missouri River westward to Pike's Peak, Leadville, etc. Meanwhile, he had continued his career of thieving and fighting, and had assisted in killing two or three men for their money, besides others out of mere revenge.

Early in 1879, he returned to Chicago, and at that place engaged to work as a laborer on the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad. With some others, he was sent to Upper Sandusky, but, after a few weeks, railroad work became irksome, and he abandoned it to engage in farm work for John Sell, who resided some distance to the eastward of Upper Sandusky. On the morning of August 28, Wilson and Sell effected a settlement. The farmer endeavored to "drive a close bargain" with his late assistant. The latter knew that Sell had money in his house, and out of revenge determined to return the same night and secure it, even if murder were committed. However, Wilson took the pittance due him, proceeded to the town of Upper Sandusky, and with other companions indulged in drinking whisky throughout the day. During that time, he met George W. Hite, a farmer, who resided about two miles south of the town of Nevada, and the two men partook of refreshments together. The result of Wilson's visit to town and his casual acquaintance with Hite are told in his confession, as follows:

" I did see Hite several times that afternoon, and ate some crackers and cheese with him, when he blowed about his wealth. I led him out to talk about his money, but made up my mind before we parted that it was all wind. I had no intention of injuring Hite or attempting to find any money about him. I had seen Sell put some money away in his house, and I thought that there was a pretty good roll of it, and in the absence of something better, I concluded to call on Mr. Sell that night. I got rid of Cawthorn in the evening, and this was as I desired. I then went west on the railroad to see whether my pistol would refuse. The first trial was a saccess, and that one satisfied me.

" At Julian's saloon I had talked trade, in the hope that it would enable me to test it then, but that failed. When I came in from trying my pistol on the railroad, I stopped at O'Donnell's saloon, and I think took a glass of beer and sat down, and while there Hite went west, but I don't recollect the talk related by the Agent Holdridge. My mind was engaged with John Sell, his family and his money. I thought that Sell and his family would not refuse me shelter for the night, and when once peaceably in the house, I felt sure that I could secure the money quietly some time in the night, but if I failed in this I intended to crowd matters, and if necessary, get away with the whole Sell family in order to get the money.

'- I wanted then to get to Sell about 9 o'clock, so as to avoid suspicion, for I wanted them to receive me. So I was about O'Donnell's and along the railroad until about dark, when I took a big drink of whisky and went down to Main street, and when I passed Hunt's stable Hite had his horse out ready to start, but I paid very little attention to this, and went straight ahead to the next street, on which I turned east. My object then in leaving Main street was to avoid Cawthoi*n, or any one else who would likely want to detain me. I got out of town without being noticed, and got somewhere near the river bridge when Hite overtook me, and at once drew up and commenced his gab. I was annoyed at this, and in view of what might take place at Sell's, I wanted no truck with anybody else on the road. I thought he was riding a livery horse, and told him so, and this seemed to nettle him, and he wanted me to understand that he had a lot of horses, and good ones, too. I inquired about the size of his farm and the quantity of his stock and of his business generally, and he gave me such good, square rich answers that I thought my first opinion of him was wrong. He volunteered to tell me about turning oft" stock, I think that day, and collecting bills that day, so that I made up my mind soon after we turned into the Nevada road to investigate the matter. I walked along by his side to keep him company, and tried to interest him, and gave him my coat to carry for me, because it was too warm to wear it with comfort, and I knew that he would not run away and leave me while he had it. We then talked no more about money matters, but confined our talk principally to fast walking, fast horses, etc., until we got down to the woods beyond Sell's, when I took his horse by the bit and stopped him. I presented my revolver and demanded his money. He had not dreamed of any trouble, and this sudden turn in aflairs completely unstrung him.

' ' We were both pretty drunk at the time. He trembled so that he could hardly get out his pocket-book, but he made no resistance, but handed it out at once, and spoke not a word. His purse was small, and I could tell from the feel of it that there was little or nothing in it. I was disappointed and vexed. Still holding the horse, I opened the purse to assure myself of about the amount, and when I saw so small a sum to reward me for all this trouble, I was mad. Of course this work was all done in a hurry. The moment I looked into the pocket-book, I said to Hite: 'You son of a b - h, is this all the money you've got? ' and he faintly said ' Yes.' Then I said: ' You son of a b - h, take that,' and fired.

" I held the horse by the bridle when I shot. I did not intend to kill him, and did not think of trying to avoid killing him. I fired without thinking of where I would hit him, and caring as little. I blame my drunken condition for this dreadful \y\ece of foolishness. The instant I shot, it struck me that I had hit him too hard. He tried to speak after I fired, and could not or did not. I slapped the horse under the belly and started him myself, and then jumped over into the woods and walked several rods, when I recollected that I had forgot my coat. Hite was still on the horse, and I began to hope that his injuries were not serious, but I dare not then attempt to recover my coat. He was nearing a house, and I withdrew deeper into the dense woods, and laid down. I had got a half pint of whisky in the evening, I think at Julian's, and I had about half of this left, which I drank, and threw the bottle away. I emptied the contents of the purse into my pocket and threw it away. I was not in sight of the house at this time, but I soon heard confusion over there, and I concluded that it was time to pull out. So I started I know not in what direction, but I reached an open field an<l came to the raih'oad, where I got the direction all right again, and started east at a five-mile gait. Before reaching the railroad, I heard a farm bell ringing back in the neighborhood of the trouble, and took it for the alarm.*'

It appears that Hite was shot through the heart, at a point on the Nevada road about two miles east of the Upper Sandusky. He kept his seat in the saddle until near the residence of Henry Keller, where, from appearances, he fell to the ground and at once expired. At 10 o'clock A. M. on the following day - Saturday, August 29 - two suspicious-looking characters were arrested in Nevada, taken to the county seat and lodged in jail. One of them proved to be McNulty alias Wilson. At September term of that year, the grand jury found a true bill against him, charging him witli the murder of George W. Hite. He pleaded not guilty, whereupon Hons. Chester R. Mott and Curtis Berry, Jr., were assigned as counsel for his defense. The trial came on at February term, 1880, before Judge Beer and a jury of twelve men, and at its conclusion Wilson was found guilty of murder in the first degree. The judge then delivered his sentence, and ordered that he be hanged by the neck until dead, on the 18th of June following. The death warrant was duly issued by the State Executive, and all preparations were completed for the execution of the decree of court. But the condemned prisoner cheated the gallows and saved the county a little additional expense by committing suicide on the night of June 2, 1880. Cyanide of pottassi was found to have been the poison used, and a small vial containing somoi of the drug was found on the stand in Wilson's cell. His body was buried in the southeast corner of the Old Mission Cemetery, but ghouls - those who delight in grave-robbery on the plea of science - carried it away before the dawn of the next day.

Result Of Elections

Under this head will be found a resume of nearly all general elections which have taken place in the county since it was organized. When the county started out upon a separate state of existence, there were amoncr its early inhabitants many who cherished fond anticipations that it would prove to be a W^hig district. The first newspaper - Shrenk's - was an able exponent of Whig principles, and the times seemed quite propitious for an organization which could boast of such leaders as Webster, Clay, Corwin and a brilliant host of others; but, as it proved, too many of the "original" inhabitants had already been rallied under the lead of "Old Hickory;" they were fresh from Democratic victories under Polk and Dallas, a hickory cudgel was yet the symbol of true Democracy, and when the smoke from the first political battle-field in the county uplifted, young Wyandot was found in alignment with the Democratic counties of the State. She has ever remained a Democratic stronghold, although occasionally a popular candidate from the ranks of the Republican party manages to secure an election to a county office.

Senatorial Delegate to Convention - John Ewing, Democrat, 764. Representative Delegate to Convention - John Carey, Whig, 809; Benjamin P. Smith, 689; Peter B. Beidler, 8; Carey's majority, 120.

Election Alopting The New Constitution

June 17, 1851, the State adopted the new constitution by 125,564 votes against 102,976 in opposition, and at the same time gave 104,255 votes for license, and 113,239 against it. In this contest Wyandot County gave 836 for the constitution, 567 against it; and, 958 in favor of license, and 487 against it. The aggregate votes on the new constitution do not contain the vote of Sycamore Township, the poll books of that township having never been returned.

Commissioner - Jonathan Kear, Whig, 979; David Miller, Whig, 988; John Myers, Democrat, 765; Clark R. Fowler, Democrat, 651; Henry- Peters, Whig, 1; Kear and Miller were elected.

constitutional amendments. Judicial Amendment - For, 2,064; against, 1,357; majority for, 707. Regulation and taxation of the liquor traffic - For, 771; against, 2,351; majority against, 1,580.