Knox County, Illinois - Chapter 2: Important Labors of the County Commissioners' Court, 1878

Organization

In the spring of 1830, two years after the first white man had located in the county of Knox, it was thought there was a sufficient number of inhabitants to justify an organization. Accordingly a public meeting was held at the store of Samuel S. White, in Henderson township, May 15, 1830. This store stood near the residence of John B. Gum, and in the early days was known as a tavern, but at present such a place would be commonly known as a saloon. The building was a one-story log cabin, about 16 feet square, and contained but one room. Riggs Pennington was chosen Chairman and John G. Sanburn Secretary. The original minutes of the meeting are still extant, and in the possession of Mr. F. G. Sanburn, of Knoxville, who kindly loaned them to us. Among the pioneers present at this the first meeting looking forward to the organization of one of the wealthiest, most beautiful counties of the State, were Riggs Pennington, John G. Sanburn, Philip Hash, Stephen Osborn, Dr. Charles Hansford, Henry Bell, Jacob Gum, Nicholas Voiles and John B. Gum.

Dr. Hansford, Riggs Pennington and John G. Sanburn were appointed to draft a petition addressed to the Honorable Richard M. Young, Judge of the Fifth Judicial District, praying for the organization of the county. Another committee was appointed to present this petition to the Judge and address him in the interests of the organization. This committee was composed of Pennington, Hash, Hansford and Osborn. These gentlemen shortly afterward proceeded to Lewistown, Fulton county; and while the Circuit Court was in session, laid their petition before the Judge, who, believing the county contained 350 inhabitants, the number required by law, and that the majority desired the organization, did, on the 10th day of June, declare, by virtue of the power invested in him, the said county of Knox to be organized and entitled to the same rights and privileges as the other counties in the State.

affairs of the newly organized community. Accordingly, at Galena, shortly afterward, Judge Young issued an order for an election for the purpose of choosing three commissioners. This election was held on the 3d day of July, 1830, being the first election ever held in Knox county. Riggs Pennington, Philip Hash and Dr. Charles Hansford were elected County Commissioners without opposition. The judges and clerks of the election were Jacob Gum, Nicholas Voiles, Stephen Osborn, William JVIcMurtry and Jonathan Reed. These gentlemen, for services rendered at this election, were paid each 75 cents.

First Meetings Of The Court

Four days after the election the Commissioners held their first meeting. But little business was transacted beyond organizing the Court and electing John B. Gum Clerk. This session was held at the residence of John B. Gum, on section 32, Henderson township, about 4 miles northwest of Galesburg. This house was a one-story, double log cabin, each division containing but one room. This was the temporary seat of justice until the log court-house was built at Knoxville. The first term of the Circuit Court was also held there, with the generous and eminent jurist, Judge Young, presiding. At no distant. day the citizens of Knox county will note with pride the erection of a magnificent court-house. Then will a comparison with the little log cabin, used as a dwelling, court-house, hotel and postoffice, that stood near the south edge of Henderson Grove, be most striking.

At the second meeting of the Commissioners-' Court, held at the same place on the 9th, two days after their first session, John G. Sanburn was appointed Clerk, John B. Gum declining the honors. He was, however, on the same day appointed Treasurer of the county. A bond of $500 was required of him, which seems very small when compared with that of the present incumbent, J. L. Burkhalter, who is held under bonds to the amount of $240,000. Mr. Sanburn may properly be considered as the first County Clerk. He filled the office to the greatest satisfaction of every resident of the county for many years; and not only the office of County Clerk, but also those of Circuit Clerk, Recorder, Probate Judge, Notary Public and Postmaster. The latter office, it was often said, he carried around in his hat. The Court ordered that an election be held on the 1st day of August, 1830. The entire county, which was at that time larger than at present, constituted but one election precinct. Jacob Gum, Nicholas Yoiles and Thomas Maxwell were appointed judges of this election.

throughout the country then, as now. There was nothing, however, in the custom of drinking peculiar to this county. Many of the pioneers, no doubt, drank freely from the contents of the "little brown jug," which they regarded the elixir of life.

One of the first acts of the Court was to grant to Samuel S. White a license to keep a tavern, or saloon, on payment of $2 and clerk's fee. They also established the following

Tavern Rates For The Regulation Of Samuel S. White

Samuel S. White was at that time a young man of bright intellect and withal a shrewd business fellow. He was a native of this State, came to this county in the spring of 1830, and opened his tavern on section 33, Henderson township. The principal object in taking out a tavern license was that he might legally sell liquors. It is true that occasionally a traveler would come along who would prefer sleeping in a house, but this was only the exception, for in most cases they would camp out. But White did not expect to make his money by keeping an inn, but rather from the profits derived from the sale of liquors. He left the county in 1834 and went to Iowa, where during the same year he laid out the present flourishing city of Burlington. While Major McKee was in that place a short time after, he met Mr. White, who offered him ten choice lots for four horses and a wagon the Major had with him. In 1S48 White went to Oregon, taking with him more than $10,000 in money. Thus we have a brief sketch of the first saloon-keeper of Knox county.

Although letter postage was exceedingly high, and the few settlers seldom received any mail, yet they deemed it necessary to have a postoffice established in the county. Accordingly, the Commissioners ordered the Clerk to notify the Postmaster General " that the county of Knox is organized and that the seat of justice for said county is at the house of John B. Gum, Esq., and request him to supply the said county with a mail, as soon as may be practicable."

July 17th. At this session the county was divided into two districts for the election of justices of the peace and constables, In each. The first, or Henderson District, included all that portion of the countylying north of the line separating Galesburg from Cedar township, and contained 14 townships. The second, or " Spoon River " District, included all that portion of the county lying south of the same line, and contained eight townships.

The house of John B. Gum was chosen as the place to hold the election in Henderson District. Jacob Gum, Nicholas Yoiles and Thomas Maxwell were appointed judges of said election, which was to be held August 7, this being the date on which the regular State election was held. The election in Spoon River District was held at the house of Abraham Swartz. Abraham Swartz, Hiram Palmer and Parnach Owen were appointed judges.

Until the organization of the county it was attached, for judicial purposes, to Fulton county, which had been organized some years previous. The assessment of taxes in the county had been made by Pulton county: but now that Knox had been organized, the libertyloving spirit of the Commissioners enkindled a desire to collect their own taxes. Accordingly they addressed a "memorial" to the Commissioners of Fulton county asking to be allowed to collect all taxes for the past year, the assessment of which had been made by that county. The request was granted, and accordingly Sheriff Osborn collected such personal taxes. He returned to the Treasurer the full amount collected, deducting his commission of $1.56f. Although the total amount of taxes collected was exceedingly small, yet this allowance seems a very meager compensation for riding over a large county in its state of native wildness. Mr. Osborn returned $19.32 as the sum total collected as personal taxes for the year 1830.

At the election held August 7, 1830, Riggs Pennington, Philip Hash and Alexander Frakes were elected County Commissioners. The new Court convened September 7th and proceeded to the election of grand and petit juries for the October term of the Circuit Court, being the first term. It required about two-thirds of all the legal voters in the county to constitute these juries. For grand-jurymen the following gentlemen were chosen: .Abraham Swartz, Hiram Palmer, Azel Dorsey, Perry Morriss, Parnach Owen, William Palmer, Benjamin Coy, Matthew D. Coy, James Reynolds, John B. Gum, Solomon Davis, William Lewis, John Vaughn, Charles Hansford, William McMurtry, James McMurtry, Alexander Robertson, Daniel Robertson, Robert Green well, Solomon Denbow, Alexander Osborn, Jacob

Gum and Wilson Brown. The petit-jurymen selected were: Nicholas Yoiles, Urban Reynolds, Thomas Maxwell, Zephaniah Gum, Jonathan C. Reed, Jesse D. Gum, James Gum, Morton McCarver, Peter Bell, Rees Jones, John D. Rountree, Josiah Fuqua, James Goff, John Norton, xVndrew Osborn, Turner R. Rountree, John Montgomery, Nicholas Rice, Humphrey Finch, Thomas Finch, Berryman Jennings, William Consland, Robert Nance and Michael Tybast. William McMurtry was chosen foreman of the grand jury.

Circuit Court

On Fr.iday, the first day of October, 1830, the first term of the Circuit Court was held. There were present in attendance on the Court, Honorable Richard M. Young, Judge; John G. Sanburn, Clerk; Stephen Osborn, Sheriff. In the absence of Thomas Ford, State's Attorney, James M. Strode was appointed pro tern. This term lasted but one day, and was held in the house of John B. Gum, temporaiw county-seat of Knox county. But little business was transacted, the grand and petit juries being discharged without performing any duties.

At the next term of the Circuit Court, which was held in June, 1832, the grand jury returned into Court the report " that they had no business before them, and knew of no violation of the law, which it was made their duty to notice." This report is certainly highly complimentary to the pioneers; for, even without the refining and elevating influence of schools and churches, without wealth or aristocracy, they lived in peace, in strict obedience to law; and by the most charitable and neighborly acts and universal good- will for mankind they won the love and respect of all who knew them. It is true, they occasionally had their fights, but the animosity toward each other disappeared long before the scars and effects of the blows and scratches. They had their encounters, all enjoyed them, and when over, the principals shook hands, all took a drink and the trouble was thought of no more. For many years the only cases before the justices of the peace were of assault and battery. These dignitaries enjoyed the fights as much as others, but the law must be enforced, so thev, in their dignity as officers, sat in judgment upon the participants, and usually imposed a severe- penalty.

The first case before the Circuit Court of Knox county was a bill for divorce. This action was brought by Rhoda Tanner against her husband, John Tanner, who at that time was not a resident of the State of Illinois. After a long process of law a divorce was granted to the complainant. Her attorney was James W. Whiting, who by the

Revenue

In December, 1830, the Commissioners' Court held another session, beginning Monday the 6th. The Commissioners, as the supreme officials of the county, did not appropriate to themselves exorbitant salaries. Indeed, we find the compensations received for their public services were quite small, even for that early time. For instance, at this meeting the sum of $3 was allowed Philip Hash for attendance at four terms of the Commissioners' Court; $1.50 to Charles Hansford for his attendance at three terms; to Riggs Pennington as payment in full for his services at the several terms, including the present, $4.50, and to Alexander Frakes $3. Stephen Osborn, as Sheriff, was paid $3 for attendance at all the terms of the Court. John G. Sanburn declined to accept any compensation for his services as Clerk previous to the present term. Nor did Mr. Gum charge an extravagant price for the use of his cabin for public purposes. The sum of $4 was appropriated as payment in full to him for the use of his house for Circuit Court, Commissioners' Court and election purposes to the year 1831.

The source of the largest revenue at that time was from the State. The tax on personal property was at the rate of \ of 1 per cent. The following very interesting report was made by Treasurer Gum, March 7, 1831, and is the first one ever made by a Treasurer of Knox County.

First Court-House

The citizens of the county soon aspired to the erection of a courthouse and the building of a town. They accordingly procured from the Legislature an act defining the location of the county-seat and the town in which the court-house should be built was on the southwest quarter of section 28, township 11 north, 2 east, Knox township. This place was christened "Henderson" by the Legislature, at the same time; but in two years thereafter it was changed by that body to " Knoxville," in honor of General Knox of Revolutionary fame. This act, which also defined the boundary lines of the county, was approved by Governor Reynolds, January 15, 1831.

Now that the location of the county-seat had been determined, the Commissioners, with the same energy and enterprise which has since marked the great strides of both public and private improvements of this county, proceeded to lay off the town and build the court-house. At a special meeting held March 12, i831, they submitted the plans to the public, setting forth that the contract would be let to the lowest responsible bidder. The first contract for the erection of the building was let to William Lewis for $78. The second, for the completion, was given to Parnach Owen, his bid being $100. The total cost of this, the first court-house of Knox county, and its furniture, was:

This court-house was rather an imposing structure for the time, being two stories in height and containing several large windows. True, the architecture was not of ancient grandeur or elegance, nor of our more modern style; but we doubt not, when the building was completed, it was looked upon with^as much pride as the people of to-day view the showy structures built after the latest and most approved plans. The site selected was the southwest corner of lot 10 in block 5, fronting south on Main street, or more intelligibly speaking, just to the rear or west of the First National Bank building, standing on the northwest corner of West Main street and the Square. Apparently the contractors did not have the means to carry on the work, fur we find the Commissioners paid one-third of the amount of all contracts before the work began. The contractors, however, were required to furnish bonds in the penal sum of double the amount o contract price.

County Seat

The contract for furnishing posts and stakes for laying out the new town was let to Andrew Osborn for the sum of $15. Parnach Owen was employed to make the survey, for which he received the sum of ]2^ cents per lot of one-quarter acre each. The full compensation he received for laying off the town of Henderson (Knoxville) was $18.25, and as payment for this amount he was obliged to take town lots.

The State Legislature had designated the quarter section upon which the county-seat should stand, but that body had not the power to convey to the county of Knox the title to this land, being what was known as "Congress land." The United States Government alone had the power to make such conveyance. It could, however, be pre-empted by the County Commissioners for county purposes. In order to comply with or take advantage of this right and privilege, Rees Jones was appointed to go to the land office at Springfield, and in behalf of the county pre-empt the said quarter section. The price of this, as of all other Government land, was $1.25 per acre.

Thus the county purchased the land upon which the business and much of the residence portion of the city of Knoxville now stands, for the sum of $200. Rees Jones was paid $8 for making the trip to Springfield as agent for the county. He was compelled to give bonds for the faithful performance of his mission. The new town having been surveyed, large, hard-wood stakes were driven, designating the corner of each lot, and being also the only guide to the location of streets. Everything was then in readiness for a grand sale. Saturday, April 23, 1S31, was the day appointed for the sale of lots at public auction. The settlers assembled from all parts of the county upon the site of the proposed village, each anxious to become the owner* of a town lot. Lots seem to have met with a ready sale at fair prices, which is the best evidence that the pioneers were not only enthusiastic in sentiment in relation to the bright prospects and future greatness of the town they were about to found, but were also willing to lend all the material aid in their power to the consummation of the much desired end. At this sale there were 79 lots sold, for an aggregate of $1,256. The highest price received for a single lot was $61, and the lowest was $2.

Judicious And Libkral Commissioners

The Commissioners werej evidently liberal and hospitable. They would not invite the people to a wild, uncivilized place to attend the sale without providing refreshments. This they did, and at their next meeting paid out of county fi*nds $1.75 to Morton Carver for providing the same. We imagine that corn-dodgers and whiskywere the luxuries furnished on this memorable occasion. Not only would we call them hospitable, but also wise and judicious, for they clearly adhered to what they believed to be for the best interests of the whole people. They paid out but little money. Indeed, we find that many bills were paid in town lots. So judicious were they, and so carefully did they use the public purse, that even with the exceedingly small revenue at command, they were enabled, as early as 1835, to accumulate and loan the sum of $900. In a new country, where it was necessary to survey and make all roads, to bridge streams, build ferries, to erect public buildings, and to provide many other public conveniences, this showing is surely creditable to the business ability and personal integrity of the Commissioners. Undoubtedly the public affairs were as judiciously managed by these rough and sturdy pioneers as they would have been by a more refinedfand cultured people. They read the law, accepting a plain, common-sense interpretation. They did not attempt to manipulate the wording into various meanings, nor place upon it a construction to suit their own particular views. They could construe it but one way. The plain statement of law had to them but one meaning, and that must be strictly followed. Everything was done as the law required,. as nearly as they could comprehend it. As an illustration showing that these were the cardinal principles of the early fathers, we refer to one especial act, taken from the records of the Commissioners' Court. Roads were laid out by the county, as required by the people of various sections. A resident would present a petition, signed by " sundry citizens," for a road, on depositing $10, to defray the expense of viewing. Should the road prove not to be of general utility, a commission was appointed to ''view out" the desired road. They then made a report to the Court whether or not the road was required. In 1832 a petition was presented by some of the citizens for a road from Henderson toward Rock Island, as far as. the county line. Yiewers were appointed, who, after carefully examining the proposed route and surroundings, made a report to the Commissioners recommending the laying out of the road. Indeed, they urged that the road would be of the greatest possible utility. On that point, however, the Commissioners were fully satisfied, but after a close examination of the report they decided that it was not made out according to law, and the law must be' rigidly followed. The people all with one accord desired the road, but as the report failed to comply with the strict letter of the law in its construction, the Court refused to grant the request.

For making the assessment of taxes for 1831, John G. Sanburn received $8, which is only about one-tenth the amount now paid for assessing a single township. The city of Galesburg alone pays nearly eighty times that sum for assessing its own taxes. The total amount of taxes collected for that year was $43.47; for the year 1877 the amount was $340,000. Sheriff Osborn collected 15 cents unjustly from Joseph Hoff, who was a resident of Warren county. The Commissioners ordered the Treasurer to return 15 cents to the Sheriff, and gave him public instructions to convey the same to Hoff.

The unfortunate and helpless ones of our race appeared in the county simultaneously with civilization ; and that spirit of charity which is so nobly evinced to-day by the people of this county in the care of its poor and helpless, was implanted in the hearts of the fathers, and as far back as 1831 manifested itself in noble and generous deeds. On the 2d day of May of that year first mention of a pauper is made on the public records. Joshua Stinson was that day let out to Stephen Osborn, "he being the lowest bidder." The benevolence, the desire to relieve the sufferings of man, that was displayed in the infancy and poverty of the county has kept pace with its wonderful progress in public improvements, in wealth and in refinement.

School Commissioner

By an act of Congress the 16th section of land in each township was set apart, and the proceeds of its sale used, for common-school purposes. A Commissioner was accordingly appointed in each county to superintend the sale of such land and take charge of its proceeds. On the 5th of September, 1831, Abraham Swartz received the appointment from the County Commissioners as Commissioner of school lands. Although fully as remunerative as any other official position in the county, evidently Mr. Swartz did not desire it, for we find he did not furnish the required bond. This he could have easily done, no doubt. The Commissioners who appointed him would have as willingly become his bondsmen. A little over a year elapsed before anything further was done in regard to this office. Then (September, 1832) William McMurtry, long one of the most popular citizens of the county, was appointed to fill the position. He served in that capacity for many years, and by his excellent judgment and personal integrity, together with the studious attention he gave to the advancement of our common-school system, much good was done for the progress of the educational interests of the county, and a large revenue derived from the sale of school lands. He gave bonds in the sum of

That elections were not as expensive in the earlier years as at present is plainly shown by tbe cost of the election in 1832. The expense for the entire county was but 50 cents. The general elections were held in August during the first few years of the county's existence, or until 1849. ~No tickets were used, each voter casting his " ballot" in the old viva voce way.

Log Jail

Necessarily, as faithful historians, we must mar the pleasant progress of this chapter by reference to prison bars. Among the pioneers there were wicked and vicious people, - those who wantonly violated law and order, thus making themselves odious and dangerous to the community. Such characters must be restrained and punished. To accomplish this a place of confinement must be erected wherein they might be incarcerated. Accordingly, Sept. 14, 1832, a contract was entered into with John G. Sanburn to build a jail, the stipulated price being $250. However, for some unexplained reason, the Commissioners deducted $5.25 from the original amount. The building was not accepted and the money paid over until June 7, 1838, although it had been completed and in use for several years. This primitive prison was constructed of logs, and was about 20 feet square. It stood on the west side of the square, north of the court-house. After the old brick jail at Knoxville was erected the log structure was abandoned, and some years afterward was moved into the country on the northwest quarter of section 20, Knox township, owned by Chris. Burrell, and used for a corn-crib. This old jail served in its day as well perhaps as the modern and much more costly structure. It is quite certain, however, that the experienced criminals of to-day would be confined in its wooden walls but a short time ere they would effect their liberty. Various attempts were made by prisoners to make their escape from this, the first jail building in the county. One effort, long remembered by the earlier residents of Knoxville, was made by a Mr. Dingle, a blacksmith, who had been incarcerated unjustly for the alleged crime of obtaining cattle under false pretenses, at Henderson. It was on Sunday forenoon, while a majority of the people of the quiet little village of Knoxville were attending religious services. Rev. William Clark, an old soldier of the Cross, now residing at Abingdon, was preaching. During the discourse the alarm of fire was given; the jail was burning. Everybody rushed from the meeting. Dingle, in order to liberate himself, had set fire to the wooden door, and in the

Knoxville Named

Apparently the people soon grew to dislike the name by which their county-seat had been christened. Perhaps, however, it was not because they really disliked the name "Henderson," but because they had greater love for another which they desired their town should wear. Steps were taken as early as 1832 to make this change. During December of that year an act was passed by the Legislature, and approved the 22d, chauging the name of the town of " Henderson" to that of "Knoxville." Since that time the little log settlement has grown into a neat and beautiful city. The first mention, however, of the new name on the records does not occur until Monday, March 4, 1833.

The rate of tavern or saloon license was advanced in 1834 to $5, while the price of whisky was reduced from 12|- cents to 6 J cents per half pint. This seems, without explanation, to be an injustice to the vendors of ardent spirits; but the sagacious Commissioners evidently saw in the traffic too great profit, and with the same fidelity to the interests of the county always manifested they deemed it well to make this change. While it might appear to the reader that the fathers acted from personal motive in making this reduction, yet a glance at their past official acts would convince the most skeptical that the interests were above personal gain. License for peddling clocks- was raised in 1835 from $12.50 per year to $50 a quarter. The Commissioners no doubt thought this class of dealers were imposing upon their constituency, and evidently charged this exorbitant license fee for the purpose of keeping them om of the county entirely.

Dealers in general merchandise paid $8 per year for the privilege of supplying the people with the necessities of life, that being the standard price for this license (excepting the first year, when it was $10) until 1837, when all traffic and trade was commenced to be carried on without license. Even "taverns" - the saloons of early days - were not restricted by any county enactments. The amount charged for ferry license was small, being only $2. It was the minimum of all licenses ever issued excepting those granted to run taverns the first year. There being no bridges over the streams, there was a large field for the ferry business. With each license the Commission- ers made special rates. In doing this they took into consideration the location, the amount of travel, etc. As a specimen tariff for ferries we copy from the records the one regulating Asa Crook's ferry on Rock river near Prophets town: " Wagons with 4 horses or 4 oxen, $1- Wagons with two horses, 75 cents. Wagon or carriage with 1 horse, 50 cents. Man and 1 horse, 25 cents. One person, 12^ cents. Cattle 5 cents a head. Sheep 3 cents a head."

It was one of the curious provisions of the law, in the times of which we are writing, that each person could let his cattle and hogs run at large, and that he could identify them by certain ear-marks, which were to be recorded in a book kept by the County Clerk. The vast prairies were then in their native condition, free from fences, cultivation or any sort of improvement. By many they were thought to be worthless for all practical farming purposes, except to furnish grazing for stock. Horses and cattle often wandered into adjoining counties. There was, however, means by which such stock might be recovered. In each countv-seat was an estrav pen wherein all unclaimed and unknown stock was confined. Notice was made quite often of the number, kind and marks, of the stock taken up. In 1 832 an estray pen was built upon the same lot on which the courthouse stood, at a cost of $17.50.

For many years, or until 1837, Henry county was attached, for judicial purposes, to this county. It was much larger then than at present, including, as it did, a greater portion of Whiteside county. All taxes were assessed and collected over this large territory by Knox county authorities. Elections were ordered and judges appointed by the Commissioners of this county. Licenses were granted, roads opened and all other matters were attended to by them. In 1835, owing to high water, the Assessor of Henry county was unable to reach Knox county with his books within the legally required time. They were, however, accepted on arrival.

The house of Asa Crook on Rock river was generally, if not always, appointed as the place for holding the elections. Crook was allowed mileage for 60 miles travel, at 5 cents a mile (this being pay for but one way), for bringing election returns from his house to Knoxville. He, living near Prophetstown, Whiteside county, then known as Prophet's village, Henry county, ran a ferry-boat across Rock river> about 20 miles below the present city of Sterling. The license being issued to him by the Commissioners of Knox county, they also granted to William A. Cushman the privilege of running a ferry across the same river, on section 19, township 19 north, 4 east, being some miles below Crook's ferry.

Thus we see the Commissioners, although unlearned in law and unacquainted with science and literature, had jurisdiction over a large territory, and that they conducted the public affairs rightly, and built a firm and solid foundation upon which the future prosperity and greatness of this portion of our beloved State should rest. This is plainly evident from the unparalleled strides made in agricultural and mechanical progress; from the more than 100,000 busy inhabitants now dwelling within this territory; and from the vast stores of wealth accumulated solely from resources within it. Those great and unconcealed wonders reflect honor and credit each day upon their founders; and as days and years multiply, when the same territory over which they presided shall be teeming with millions of earnest and energetic people, then will greater honors and more exultant praise and adoration be expressed for the brave, sturdy pioneers who explored and opened up a region so prolific, and founded a community that for genius, enterprise and wealth will in the near future out rank many older settled countries, and indeed will vie with many kingdoms of the earth. Then these vast prairies will be cultivated as a garden. Every forest tree and woodland will be utilized, and populous cities with numerous factories and vast stores of commerce may be numbered by the score. Then will the modes of travel be superior to the remarkable railroad facilities of to-day, and transport the increased products with greater facility. Indeed, everything shall then be as different and as superior to what they are at present as the things of to-day are as compared with those of fifty years ago. Our readers may regard this as wild and unreasonable speculation - as wholly visionary; but they are only the conclusions deduced from a careful study of history, - of a comparison of what has been accomplished, with certain advantages, with the results that the superior advantages now enjoyed will as certainly accomplish.

Brick Court- House

By 1836 the county had become quite populous; at least it was then so regarded, for so many new comers had arrived that several of the earlier pioneers concluded they were becoming too greatly crowded, and accordingly pushed further westward. However, as early as these years the people began to regard the old log court-house as wholly inadequate for the increasing business, and also unworthy of this fair county. They now aspired to a more pretentious structure in which to transact the public business, and consequently began the agitation of building a new court-house. September 6, 1836, the Commissioners ordered the clerk to advertise for plans for a new court-house. On the 10th day of March. 1838, the contract was let to Alvali Wheeler and Zelotes Cooley of Hancock county, Illinois, the consideration being $15,450, and the contractors stipulating that they would complete the building by May 1, 1810.

According to the original plan, the building would contain no cupola. The Commissioners however, in January, ordered that one be erected, at a cost of $725. They also decided to paint the walls* selecting cream color as the most appropriate. Eldert Runkie, a Commissioner, was appointed inspector, whose duty it was to inspect all material which entered into the construction of the building, and to see that the work was performed according to contract. This court-house was erected in the center of the northern portion of the public square at Knoxville, where it still stands. It is a two-story brick structure, 42 feet 5 inches by 62 feet 5 inches in size, and contains six rooms and a hall. In earlier times it was considered one of the finest court-houses in the State, and indeed it was a building of more than ordinary pretentions; and, although more than forty years have passed since it was begun, it is yet a good and substantial building. Since the county-seat has been removed from Knoxville it has been used as an opera-house and office building.

Now that the new court-house was about ready for occupation, some disposition must be made of the faithful log building which had sheltered the official heads of the county for ten years. At a meeting of the Commissioners, March 7, 1840, the Clerk was ordered to give notice that it would be sold on the first day of April. On that day it was bid off to Alvali Wheeler for the sum of $89.50, giving him the privilege of letting it remain upon the lot for two years. It was then moved one mile and a half west of Knoxville, upon the farm of Alvah Wheeler, now owned by Chris. Burrell, and converted into a dwelling-

In 1836 the court-house was removed from its original site to a lot on the corner of South and West streets, near the present location of the barn in the rear of the residence of John Cams, Esq. Charles Price took the contract of moving the building for the consideration of $67.50. In November of the same year the lot upon which the log court-house originally stood, being lot 10, block 5, was subdivided into nine lots. Eight of these were sold for an aggregate of $3,901- The adjoining lot, at the first sale, brought $37.50. This advance in value of real estate was marvelous, and scarcely has a parallel. Reckoning its value upon the basis of the price of lots, at the first sale, we find the enormous increase of 10,000 per cent, within five years, or an average of 2,000 per cent, each year. While the price of property had advanced rapidly, yet this is an exceptional case, and does not fairly

Jail At Knoxville

The new court-house had scarcely been completed before it was thought best to build a new jail. At the January term of the Commissioners' Court in 1841 they let the contract for erecting the proposed prison to Zelotes Cooley for $8,721. This contract, however, was rescinded shortly afterward and re-let to Alvah Wheeler, who in 1845 completed the building. Lot 3 of the subdivision of lot 10, block 5, the lot upon which the jail stood, together with the jail building, was exchanged some time before this to Jonathan Rice for the south half of lot 1, block 5, which is at the northwest corner of the square. Upon this lot the new brick and stone jail was erected. It is no longer used for the purpose for which it was built, but as a tenement house. It is a two-story brick, 30 by 50 feet in size, and contained six cells.

It appears that the new jail was scarcely more secure than the log one, and that the people soon wanted it replaced by one more substantia], as evinced by the following article taken from the " Knox Republican" of Wednesday, March 18, 1857:

Escape Of Prisoners

" On Saturday evening, while the Sheriff was from home on business, five persons escaped from our insecure county jail. The prisoners were all locked up in their cells at dark. The gentleman in charge examined the lock that was put on the door, - one of the best locks about the jail and the most difficult to be picked, - and found it all safe, and left the premises for a little while ; and on returning found a door opened, which he had left fastened; and, on entering the prison, found that all the doors had been opened, the prisoners had fled, and no traces of them could be found. The night was exceedingly dark. The only conjecture we can form from an examination of the circumstances and the premises is, that one of the prisoners must have had a false key and unlocked the door with his left hand, and then procured the keys from a table in the dwelling, and with them must have unlocked the rest of the doors and let his fellow prisoners free. If the county intends to hold the prisoners taken for crimes, and secure the citizens from the marauding thief, they must elect such supervisors as will have the courage to build a new and substantial jail. As some parts of the jail could not be used, from their insecurity, the

Sheriff was compelled to put two into one cell and three into another, together; and when thus permitted to associate, they were able to concoct and execute their deliverance."

Horse-Thieves

The earlier settlers were greatly troubled with marauding bands of thieves. Horses were generally the desired booty. So numerous and bold had these desperadoes become that to protect themselves the citizens banded together, forming the " Knox County Society for the Detection of Thieves." Yearly meetings of this society were held in June. The Commissioners, in order to aid this society and to shield the people, in 1845 offered a reward of $50 for the detection of a person stealing a horse.

Last Meeting

Taxes were very light in 1845, being only 10 cents on the $100. This is perhaps the minimum per cent, of taxation ever reached in this county. The last meeting of the county Commissioners' Court was held October 12, 1849. Many weather Brown, Alfred Brown and Amos Ward, being members, were all present. After the transaction of such business as properly came before them, they adjourned "until court in course," but never re-assembled. And so passed away the time-honored and economical system of county management by three commissioners.