Allen County, Indiana - Chapter 4: Judiciary, 1880

Chapter 4: Judiciary

Circuit Court Organized - First Circuit and Associate Judges - Court Officers - Character of First Business for Adjudication - Probate Court - Its Sphere _ Court of Common Pleas - Jurisdiction - Officers - Length of Term - Abol¬ ishment - Criminal Court, etc.

The judicial system of the State of Indiana in force during the existence of the constitution of 1S16, prescribed that "the Circuit. Courts shall consist of a President and two Associate Judges." This Court, iu every county of the State, had common law and chancery jurisdiction, as also complete criminal jurisdiction, subject to the restrictions imposed by law. " The President alone, in the absence of t he Associate Judges, or the President and one of the Associate Judges, in the absence of the other, 'shall be competent to hold a court, as also the two Associate Judges, in the absence of the President, shall be competent to hold a court, except in capital cases and cases in chancery.

Under that system, also, the State was divided into as many circuits as the | exigencies of the State from time to time demanded, with a President. Judge for ! each circuit, who should be a resident therein, whose jurisdiction was co-extensive with his circuit. The Associate Judges were for the county only, and were elected by the people thereof at the general election, while the President., or Cir¬ cuit Judges were appointed by joint ballot of both branches of the General. Assembly^ each holding office during a term of seven years, if he so long behaved well. The Clerk of the Circuit Court was elected by the people of each county at the general election, and held office for a term of seven years. The Sheriff, however, held his office for two years only, and was elected by the people of one county. Prosecuting Attorneys, under the law in force from and after the first Monday in August, 1824, were appointed by the Governor, the term of service being one year only. At a later period, his appointment was by joint ballot of the Legislature, and his term of service fixed at two years.

Allen County, by the provisions of the law approved January 20, 1824, was placed in the Fifth Judicial Circuit, of which William W. Wick was Judge, who resigned, and Hon. Bethuel F. Morris was appointed in his stead, his com¬ mission bearing date January 9, 1825.

The first term of the Circuit Court in this county, was held at the house of Alexander Ewing, commencing on Monday, August 9, 1824, at which the President Judge of the Circuit was not present, the court being held by Samuel Hanna and BenJ. Cushman. The following is the official account of the first day's proceedings :

" Monday, the 9th day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand ei^ht hundred and twenty-four. This being the day appointed by an act of the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, entitled, ' An act to regulate the judicial circuits and fixing the time of holding courts, approved January 20, 1824,' for the meeting of the Circuit Court of the county of Allen and State afore¬ said. The Honorable Samuel Hanna and Benjamin Cushman produced com¬ missions from His Excellency, William Hendricks, Governor of the State of Indiana, appointing them Associate Judges of the Circuit Court in and for said county, on which said commissions were indorsed the oaths of office, as required by law; whereupon, they took their seats."

Anthony L. Davis, commissioned by William Hendricks, Governor, on the 15th day of June, 1824, for and during the term of seven years from said day, and until his successor be appointed and qualified, was duly sworn, having filed bonds in the penalty of S2,500, with John Tipton and Benjamin B. Kercheval as sureties.

To all who shall see these presents - Greeting: Know ye that I have commissioned, and do by these presents commission, Allen Hamilton, Sheriff of the County of Allen, until the next general election, and until his successor shall be appointed and qualified, should he so long behave well, and do hereby authorize and empower him to do and perform nil and whatsoever to the office and duty of Sheriff doth in anywise belong or appertain.

[L. S.] Given under my hand and the seal of the State, at Corydon, this 2d day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twentyfour, the eighth year of the State, and of the Independence of the United States the forty-eighth.

The Sheriff returned the venire before issued to him, with the following rrand jurors by him regularly summoned, to wit : John Tipton, Paul Jaber, William Suttonfield, Alexander Ewing, James Hackley, Charles Weeks, John is William Probst, Horace Taylor, James Wyman, James Cannon and L eter Felex. Peter Felex was discharged for the term, when, a sufficient number being present, the court ordered the Sheriff to fill up the panel from the traverse jury, whereupon Cyrus Taber and William N. Hood were summoned. The panel being full. John Tipton was appointed foreman, and then the first grand jury of AHen County was duly sworn and charged.

William G. Ewing was then admitted and sworn as an attorney of the Allen Circuit Court, and Alexander Ewing was licensed to keep a tavern in the town of

On the following day, which was the first business day of the first term, the case of A. Canada vs. Nathaniel Canada, on petition for divorce, was called, when, it having been shown that the defendant was a non-resident of the State, the court ordered that notice be given him by publication in the Richmond Enquirer. The first case upon the docket, however, was that of Richard Swain vs. Joseph Froutner, for trespass, which was continued. The territorial jurisdiction of the Allen Circuit Court at that period embraced the counties of Adams, Wells, Huntington and Whitley, as they are at present located.

At this first term, the grand jury found seventeen indictments - two tor adultery, one for assault and battery, four for playing at a game (of cards), and ten for retailing spirituous liquors. Upon return of these indictments, on motion of the Prosecuting Attorney, it was ordered by the court that a capias issue against the defendants named in the several indictments found as aforesaid, returnable instanter. In response to said writs, nine of the ten defendants for selling intoxicating liquors came forward, pleaded guilty to the charge, and were fined by the court 83 and costs, respectively, except one, whose hne was 84. Two of the defendants charged with " playing at a game" submitted their case to a jury, and were fined 870 and costs. One charged with adultery was also tried by a jury and acquitted, while another, a female, charged with a like offense, was tried by a jury, found guilty and sentenced to fifteen days imprisonment^in the county jail, but was released, on finding bail, in a penalty of 8100. The "rand jury attending at that term were allowed 81.50 each for their services, and, on motion of the Prosecuting Attorney, the court ordered that a capias issue against each person regularly summoned as a grand juror who failed to attend and serve as such, returnable at the next term.

Other allowances at that term were made to Robert Hars, as Constable of the Court, seventy-five cents per day, and Allen Hamilton 816.62, services as bheiift . .1. . mi.:, G.,,4 TVinrsdatt Alienist 1*2. 1824. having

At the second term, which convened on Monday, June 6,182o,Hon. Bethuel F. Morris, President Judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit of the State, was present, and presided. He had been previously appointed Judge of their circuit, January 9, in the place of William W. Wick, resigned, to serve as such until January 2, 1829, and had been sworn in by Hon. Isaac Blackford, on? of the Judges of the Supreme Court. This term was held at the residence of Alexander Ewing, Hon. Samuel Hanna acting as the Associate of Judge Morris. During that term, which lasted but five days, James Rariden and Calvin Fletcher, the former of Richmond, and the latter of Indianapolis, Ind., were admitted as attorneys. Iu after years, both of these gentlemen won an honorable distinction as lawyers, as legislators, and in other "departments of public business. At the same term, Henry Cooper, also, was admitted to the practice of law.

The third term of the Circuit Court was held at the house of William Sut¬ tonfield, commencing on the 21st day of November, 1825, at which term, the President Judge being absent, Hon. Samuel Hanna and Benjamin Cushman, Asso¬ ciate Judges, presided. At this term, Charles W. Ewing reported a device for a seal to be used by the Clerk of Allen Circuit. A seal with a device was not, however, ordered to be procured until May, 182S, when the Clerk was authorized to order one, " with such a device as he may deem best." Calvin Fletcher pro¬ duced his commission as Prosecuting Attorney, aud was sworn as such at the same term. . .

The fourth term was held at the residence of Alexander Ewiug, during which, the President Judge being again absent, Messrs. HaDna and Cushman, Associates, presided, Mr. Fletcher acting also as Prosecuting Attorney. Hiram Brown, of Indianapolis, and Moses Cox, were admitted and sworn as attorneys. This term commenced on the 13th day of February, 1826. lhe grand jury found two bills of indictment at that, session, one of them against Sag-a-na, an Indian, for murder, the other against Elisha B. Harris, for larceny. Neither of these cases ever reached a trial, either on the ground of informality or for want of prosecution. There is remaining of record, however, something of a financial character, growing out of the capture and imprisonment of the Indian, who, it. seems, was the first prisoner confined in a county jail in Allen County. Cyrus Taber was allowed 825. 12^, for guarding jail and dieting prisoners.

On the 13th of August of the same year, the fifth term of the Circuit Court was begun, and held at the usual place of holding courts in Allen County,

I at, which Hon Miles C. Eggleston, of Madison, Ind., presided, with Benjamin I Cushman, Associate; Cyrus Tuber, afterward of Logansport, Ind., acting Sheriff, and Hon. Amos Lane, of Lawrenceburg, Prosecuting Attorney. At this term, j the grand jury returned a report of the condition in which they found the county jail, upon examination thereof. The following is the opinion expressed by them .

I " that the criminals' rooms are not a place of safety for persons committed thereto; that the debtors' room, upper d pgrtment of said jail, is not. in a suit¬ able condition for the reception of debtors, from the want of locks, floor aud j bedding."

record having been previously kept, Judge Eggleston, among other things, looking to the better management of business, prepared and presented, as a guide to the Clerk, forms for properly preserving records of marriages in the county. Following this, the next session of the court was held at the "house of William Suttonfield, on the 27th of August, 1827. Present, Hon M C E""les. ton, President Judge ; William N. Hood and Benjamin Cushman, Assolates; Abner Gerrard, Shenfl, and Oliver H. Smith, then of Connersville Ind. Prose¬ cuting Attorney. At this term, William Quarles, afterward a prominent lawyer at Lndianapolis, was licensed to practice in the courts of Indiana ton Af Se ne,lrornJ' Vhic|i 'Vfs held at the house of Benjamin Archer, on the 1-th of May 1828, Judge Eggleston being absent, Messrs. Hood and Cushman Associate Judges, presided. Charles H. Test, Prosecuting Attorney, and otheiofficers as at the preceding term. Hon. Andrew Ingram was admitted to prac¬ tice at this term. Judge Eggleston was again absent at the term commencing November 10, 1828, the Associates presiding as before. David Wallace, after¬ ward Governor, acting as special prosecutor of the pleas of the State, and suc¬ ceeded in the conviction of Joseph Doane, for felony - the first from Allen County. He was sentenced to the penitentiary for three years.

At the succeeding term, commencing on the lltli of May, 1820 Judge Eggleston, President, and William N. Hood, Associate Judge, presided, MartTn M. Kay acting as Prosecutor. Among the proceedings of the term, Joseph Carville was convicted of larceny and sentenced to confinement in the State Prison at hard labor for three years.

On the 14th of October, 1829, Anthony L. Davis, Clerk, resigned bis office, wl.ich made the immediate appointment of a successor necessary. Accordingly at a meeting of the Associate Judges. Joseph Holman was appointed in his stead to serve as such until the next annual election or until a successor was chosen, subsequently, Robert Hood was elected, his term commencing February 15, 1830.

May 10, 1830, another term of the-Cirouit Court commenced, with' Hon Charles H. Test, President, and William N. Hood, Associate Judge; Hubert Hood, Clerk, and James Perry, Prosecuting Attorney. At this term, Ne-weling-gwa, a Miami Indian, was tried and convicted of the murder of a half-Indian and half-negro woman, whom he recognized as his slave. Upon conviction the jury recommended him to mercy, and he was subsequently pardoned by the Gov¬ ernor and finally emigrated to Kansas in 1848, with others of his tribe.

" The first restraining case that came before the Court of Allen County, was that of Maria Caswell vs. William Caswell, to prevent the latter from sellin" cer¬ tain property during the pendency of a suit for divorce. This case came up at the September term, 1830, Judges Hood and Cushman presiding." At the April term, 1832, Gustavus A. Evarts and John S. Newman appeared as atcorneys, and David H. Colerick, producing a proper license, was admitted and sworn as a practitioner at law.

This much must suffice for the early history of the Allen Circuit Court, the after proceedings of this court having become so voluminous that a digest of them at this time would be entirely unnecessary.

Probate Court

The probate system of Indiana was not brought into practical operation in Allen County until the fall of 1825, more than a year after the organization had been otherwise perfected. Under the law in force at that date, the Circuit Court was vested with jurisdiction over "matters relating to the probate of wills, grant¬ ing letters testamentary and administration, the settlement and distribution of decedents' estates, the protection of minors, lunatics and idiots and the security of their estates, and the trusts, rights and interests arising from the relation of guardian and ward," in the several counties in the State; hence, no Probate Judge, as a separate officer, was elected at the time the other officers were chosen. The Associate Judges of the Circuit Court, however, by virtue of law, became ex officio Probate Judges. The following is the record of proceedings at the first term : °

"The Allen County Orphans' Court and Court of Probate, for the settle¬ ment of intestates' estates for the county of Allen, met at the house of Alexander Ewing, in the town of Fort Wayne, in and for the county of Allen and State aforesaid. Present, the Hon. Samuel Hanna and Benjamin Cushman, Associ¬ ate Judges of the Allen Circuit Court and sole Judges' of this Court, at which time Samuel Hanna produced a commission from His Excellency, William Hendricks, Governor, bearing date the 15th day of June, 1824, appointing him Associate Judge of Allen Circuit Court, for the term of seven years from June

William Cushman produced a like commission. Then the Sheriff pro¬ claimed the Probate Court of Allen County in session and ready for business. Letters were granted in vacation to Benjamin B. Kercheval, one of the executors named in the last will and testament of Adolphus Mariam, deceased, with Samuel Hanna as surety, which proceedings of the Clerk were approved, aud the business of the first term was closed.

On the 13th of August, 1827, the third term of the Allen County Probate Court met as usual, at the house of Alexander Ewing, and then adjourned to the house of William Suttonfield. Benjamin Cushman and William N.' Hood appear¬ ing as Associate Judges, the commission of the latter bearing date April 3, 1827, and signed by James B. Bay, Governor, and for a term of seven years. The first business was the appointment of Joseph Holman as guardian of Andrew II. Stinson, a minor, aged twelve years, the 24th of August, 1827, until he should be twenty-one years old. Then the court adjourned until Wednesday morning, August 15. At that time Benjamin B. Kercheval, guardian of Jane S. Wells, having removed from the State, his letters were revoked, and Allen Hamilton

(not at her request) was appointed and required to file bond in $3,00li with Suree. " rDe" " securitie3- The eourt then adjourned to On the first Monday, being the 5th day of May, 1828, the fourth term usual place of holding the same. At this session Samuel D. Taber was appointed administrator of Paul Taber, deceased, with Cyrus Taber as his scourity ; at the same time also, filed an appraisement of the personal property of Hie decedent, amounting m the aggregate to 81,159.50, together with an account of

t ° l ' T aTU"tin« thc sum of W3G.93J. As a part of his report, he filed vouchers for payments made, in thc sum of 8291 721 leavim- in his hands, of the proceeds of said sale, a balance of *445.711, vet to be accounted for. Among the further proceedings at that term, letters of administration on the estate of James Hack ey were issued to Joseph Holman, and Rebecca Hackley, the widow, hating filed the necessary bond. In this estate, owin', to thc complication of its affairs, on the petition of the administrator, George B.° Walker ami Joseph Holman were appointed commissioners to adjust and settle the claims nlod against it.

.1 aAt. th! Sa,m° term' because of the removal of Benjamin B. Kercheval from tile State, the letters testamentary before issued to him on the estate of Idolnlius Mariam were revoked aod Samuel Hanna ajipointed in his stead.

Letters testamentary, on the estasc of Abraham Burnett, bavin" been issued in vacation, by the Clerk, to Samuel Hanna, the proceedings were "ippioved by the court ; and, afterward, on application of the executor of that trust, he was directed " to expose at public sale, as soon as may be convenient, after the consent of the President of the United States is obtained, all the right and title of the said Abraham Burnett, in and to one section of land granted 'to said Burnett at a treaty held on the Wabash River, ill the month of October, 1826, between Lewis Cass, James B. Ray and John Tipton, Commissioners on the part of the United States, and the chiefs of the Miami tribe of Indians, lying on the north¬ west side of the Wabash River, at the Winemao Prairie, appraised at the sum of « . 125 per acre; * * * another by the same Indians, on the enoo! L®>ver' neilrIy opposite the mouth of Deer Creek, appraised at the sum of Sl.ba per acre. And further ordered by the eourt, that previous to the sale Sha" b° advertised in the countJ' as the law directs, and returned to this

Robert. Hood, representing the estate of Alexander Stinson, late deceased, produced, also, in open court, an inventory of the personal property of the deccdent, amounting to 8104.12J, also, vouchers for a like sum disbursed iu that behalf, showing a final settlement, which was approved. Then, with an order to the Commissioners appointed to settle the claims against James Haekley, deceased to file a report at the next term, the business of the court was completed.

Tlie fifth term commenced on the first Monday, November 3, 1829, at thc house of Alexander Ewing ; present, Benjamin Cushman aod William N. Hood, Judges. There was no business and the 'court adjourned until Friday, the 7th' to meet at the house of William Suttonfield. On that day, letters of administra¬ tion were issued to Joseph Holman on the estate of La Gro, u Miami chief ; and on Saturday, the 8th, Messrs. Holman and Walker, Commissioners, to settle the claims against James Haekley 's estate, filed a report of their proceedings. This was the business of the term, and with it the probate management by the Circuit Court was concluded also.

At the next term, commencing on Monday, May 3, 1830, William G. Ewing filed his commission as Probate Judge of Allen County, and continued to act as such until the close of the August term, 1833, when he resigned, and was succeeded by Hugh McCulloch, who was appointed by Gov. Noble, to serve in his stead until the election in August following. He was then elected his own suc¬ cessor, aud served as such- until November, 1835, when he resigned, and Thomas Johnson succeeded him by appointment, dated November 17, lS35, who served until the August election in 1836. Lucien P. Ferry was the successor of Mr. Johnson, and served until 1839, when Keuben J. Dawson became Judge, and held the position one year. After him, Samuel Stophlet was Judge until May, 1844, and was followed by George Johnson, who held the position until Febru¬ ary, 1847. The next and last Probate Judge of Allen County was Nelson McLain, who occupied the bench until January, 1853, when the Probate Court was abolished and the jurisdiction transferred to the Court of Common Pleas, upon the incoming of the new State Constitution adopted in 1852.

Court Of Common Pleas

This court was organized under the Common Pleas act of 1852, which took effect in January, 1853 ; but the act defining the time of holding courts in the several counties of the State, being passed at the session of 1853, did not go into effect uutil March 19, 1853. Of this court, Hon. James W. Borden was elected the first Judge, his first term commencing on the 3d day of November, 1853. The jurisdiction of this court was concurrent with that of the Circuit Court with¬ in certain prescribed limits, and, in addition, had exclusive jurisdiction of probate matters. The Clerk of the Circuit Court was also ex officio Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, and the Sheriff of the county was alike the executive officer of both courts, but thc Common Pleas had its own District (or Prosecuting) Attorney. Judge Borden held this position until November, 1857, when he was succeeded by J. Brnekenridge. The Common Pleas Court was abolished by the act of February 8, 1873, since which time the Circuit Court has had probate jurisdiction.

Criminal Court

By the Legislative enactment of 1S67, a Criminal Court was created having general criminal jurisdiction iu Allen County. It was established here in the early part of that year, of which, in the month of April, Hon. James A. Fay was appointed Judge, and 11. S. Taylor, Prosecuting Attorney. At the election in October of that year, Hon. James W. Borden was chosen for that position, and tilled it satisfactorily to his constituents. He holds it now.

This Court was organized under the provisions of an act of the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, approved March 5, 1S77, consisting "of one Judge, who shall hold his office for four years, and until his suc¬ cessor has been elected and qualified, if he shall so long behave well. The Clerk of the Circuit Court and the Sheriff of the county shall be respectively the Clerk and Sheriff of said Court." As provided by Section 10 of that act, said "Court, within and for said county, shall have original and concurrent juris¬ diction with the Circuit Court in all civil cases, and jurisdiction concurrent with the Circuit Court in all cases of appeals from Justices of the Peace, Board of County Commissioners, and Mayor's [or] City Courts in civil cases, and all other appellate jurisdiction in civil cases now vested in, or which may hereafter be vested by law in the Circuit Courts, and said Court shall also have concurrent jurisdiction in all actions by or against executors, guardians and administra¬ tors." The Hon. Robert Lowry is the Judge of said Court, the sessions of which are held in one of the rooms of the Court House.

Branch At Fort Wayne

By the provisions of an act of Congress, passed at the session of 1878-79, a Branch of the District Court of the United States, for the District of Indiana, was authorized, subject to location? as Judge Gresham might deem expedient and for the best interest of the cause of prompt justice. Under that provision, the court was established here early in the spring of this year (1879), when Judge Gresham came here to hold the first session, but not finding a room suited to the purpose, no court was held; subsequently, however, suitable rooms being found, the court was located, and now holds regular sessions at stated intervals. On the 6th day of October, 1879, the first case was filed for adjudication. "Thomas Sharfc and Alonzo Sharfe vs. Alfred Stoll ; Note, demand 82,000 ; Plaintiff from Kosciusko County, the Defendants from St. Joseph's County. Process to issue as soon as Marshall Dudley appoints a Deputy. This is the first case filed in the court." [News item, October 7, 1S79.]

This Court was organized under the law appertaining thereto, in the early summer of 1879, aud is held in the office of Robertson & Harper, west of tbe Court House.

Court House

It appears to have Been contemplated by the framers of the law for the selec¬ tion and location of eligible sites for seats of justice in new counties, that the pro¬ prietors of new towns or owners of eligible sites for such, so located as to be deemed within the purview of the law defining what constitutes an eligible site, should donate a number of lots, suitable tracts of land, or otherwise appropriate money, sufficient fur the location of the first public buildings and the expenses incident thereto, as a consideration or inducement for the location of the seat of justice on the site so deemed to be eligible. The observance of this method in selectin'' Fort Wayne as the shire town of Allen County, was not without its motive. The consideration in this instance was the donation of a large number of lots adjacent to the proposed public square, and thfc appropriation of a considerable sum of money, which, with the proceeds of the sale of those lands, was to be appropriated toward the erection of public buildings suitable for the purposes of the new county. The management of this original fund was placed in the hands of a County Agent, to be expended in the method prescribed by law. Before the erection of the necessary public buildings, the courts were usually held in the principal room of one or another of the primitive tavern buildings, either that of Mr. Suttonfield, on the northeast corner of Barr and Columbia streets, or of Alexander Ewing, on the southwest corner of the same streets. The first term of the Commissioners' Court was held at the house of Alexander Ewing, but where the first session of the Circuit Court was held, the record does not disclose; probably at the residence of William Suttonfield. Courts were thus held for several years succeeding the organization of the county.

The first steps taken toward the erection of a Court House, so fur as has been ascertained from the record, were at the May session of the County Board in 1831. On the 7th day of that month, it was decided to build a Court House, a plan was 'agreed upon, and the Clerk was ordered to advertise for bids. Notice having been° given, the Board let the contract for the building of a new Court House, to John S. Archer "to furnish the brick, James Hudson to lay up the brick and furnish the lime and stone, and Hanna & Edsall to do the car¬ penter work and furnish all lumber, timber, nails, glass, etc., for §3,321.75. The citizens of Fort Wayne subscribed §499 in material and labor, and 8149 in cash toward the erection of the Court House." The rest was paid out of the county treasury.

This building, which was illy adapted to the purposes contemplated, was never fully completed, being little more than a shell, with some of the rooms par¬ tially finished, while others were scarcely tenantable. The first meeting of court in this new edifice was on the 7th of May, 1832, just one year from the date of its original projection, though the building was not completed, as the record shows. Afterlhat date, however, it was nominally completed, but was never a substantial building, though used, in the absence of a better, until the fall of 1841, when, it having become apparent that the old building was totally unfit for the purpose and insufficient in capacity, action was taken by the Board preparatory to the building of a new one. On the 9th of September, 1841, " it was ordered that an allowance be made to A. Miller for the best draft or plan for a Court House in Allen County, Indiana, the cost not to exceed 815,000. Said draft was pre¬ sented by A. Miller, and drawn by Porter & Rice, of Hudson, Ohio, as architects for said Miller, builder, and in answer to an advertisement by the Commissioners for drafts and plans."

As a further preliminary step in the process of rebuilding, " the County Agent," September 10, 1841, "was authorized and required to sell the 'Allen County Court House ' to the highest bidder, after having given due notice of the sale. The building to be removed from the public square in thirty days after sale."

December 8, 1841, "the Board ordered that John Spencer be allowed the sum of 8300 and the old Court House for his buildings on the public square. The Court House to be removed in one year from this date." [Payment to be made, 8150 down and S150 next March]. "Possession of the buildings to be given in March next."

Dnring the existence of this uld building, and after it became unfit for occu¬ pancy, a one-story edifice, designed as a temporary Court House, the principal room suitable for holding courts, with jury and other rooms, was built on the southeast corner of the Court Square, fronting on Berry street, in the summer of 1843, the contract for which was let by the County Board on the 11th of March of that year, to Benjamin Mason, Charles French and John Ocanour. The price was not named, the order stating that it should be " suitable fur one court¬ room and two offices." At the same time, a further order was made for a " building to be put up on the northeast corner of the public square," to be used as offices for the Treasurer and Auditor. The old Clerk's office was on the north¬ west, and the Recorder's office on the southwest corner of the square. The court building contemplated by the foregoing order was erected by Samuel Edsall, the contractor, and completed in 1847. This was a two-story edifice, of brick, and designed for court and general public purposes.

corner of the square." On the 3Uth of April, 1853, a contract was let to Charles G. French to build a Clerk's office on the northwest corner of the public square, to be completed on or before the 15 th of October j 1853, at a price of 81,856.20. It was completed accordingly, and accepted at the time prescribed.

The Court House, erected in 1S47, had been in use about eleven years, when, the necessity for a building of greater capacity and better adapted to the public want having definitely manifested itself, the County Board, in view of the situation, on the 11th day of June, 1858, made a levy of 15 cents on each 8100 valuation of real and personal property for the purpose of building a new Court House. Upon this levy, the Treasurer, on the 1st day of June, 1859, reported that he had collected the sum of 87,183.56, at which term an additional levy of 20 cent on each 8100 valuation was made. The tax collection for this purpose, as reported by the Treasurer on the 6th day of June, 1860, was 812,271.03. The condition of the finances being such as to warrant further pro¬ ceedings, the Board, in the mean time, had requested the presentation of plans and specifications for a building of suitable proportions to meet the present and anticipated wants of the public for court purposes and county offices. Many such plans were received, and on the 21st of June, 1859, "the Board, after examin¬ ing some plans presented for a Court House, defer the same for future examina¬ tion." Three days later, " the Board now proceed to examine the plaus and specifications submitted for the erection of a Court House, and, as none of the plans submitted have full specifications, and are not accompanied with an estimate of the cost in whole or in part of said building, and the Board wishing further information upon the subject, do, for the purpose of obtaining, hereby postpone the further consideration and examination of the subject until the 26th day of July next, and order public notice to be given by publication in the Fort Wayne Sentinel, and * * * inviting further plans and specifications,

At a special session on the 28th day of July, further proceedings were had concerning the matters under consideration, as follows: "The Board, after having examined the plans and specifications for the building of a Court Rouse submitted to them for their inspection, and having received a report from the Advisory Committee, heretofore appointed at the request of some of the citizens, upon the same subject, was of opinion that no one of the plans examined was satisfactory to them to adopt ; but, in the plans of Edwin INI ay, Esq., and Samuel McElfatrick, Esq., are points desirable for the purpose of forming a plan differing from either, the Board hereby agree to purchase each of said plans and the specifications accompanying each, for the sum of 81UU each. And the County

Auditor is hereby authorized to issue sajchMay a county order for §100 for his plans and specifications ; and, also, to said McElfatrick the sum of $100 for his plans and specifications."

Again, on the 12th of August following, at a special session, " the Board of Commissioners now resume the examination of new plans for the erection of a Court House, and, after mature deliberation and examination, a majority of the Board (T. M. Andrews dissenting) do approve and adopt the plan having a central tower, presented by Edwin May, Esq.; provided that, upon examination of the detailed drawings and specific estimates of the same, hereafter to be made by said May, the whole cost of said building does not exceed $65,000."

At a subsequent special session, on the 25th of August, the aforesaid plan and specifications having been adopted, it was " Ordered by the Board that the Auditor be and he is hereby authorized and required to give public notice by pub¬ lication in the Fort Wayne papers and the State Sentinel, that sealed proposals will be received by the Board of Commissioners, at the Auditor's office, until the 12th day of January, 1860, for the building of a Court House in Fort Wayne, Allen County, according to the plans and specifications furnished by Edwin May, Esq., and heretofore accepted and adopted by the Board, payment to be made quarterly upon the estimate.

" Ordered by the Board that Edwin May, Esq., be and he is hereby appointed architect to superintend the erection of the Court House, to be built after the plans and specifications which he has this day furnished the Board."

"I protest to the appointment of Mr. May as architect, for the reason that it is contrary to the agreement made between the Board at the August special session for 1859. Signed, Thomas M. Andrews."

On the 12th of January, 1860, the Board met in special session to open the bids that had been received in answer to their advertisements. Previous to the consideration of the bids, the Board propounded the following interrogatories to each of the builders, to be answered in writing :

These requisitions having been complied with, the Board, on the following day, opened the bids in the presence of the bidders, but, not arriving at a conclu¬ sion, they adjourned until the day following, at which time the several bids were read in the presence of the bidders and ordered spread on the minutes. There were thirteen of them. The highest was $94,000 ; the lowest was for $62,700, which was evidently not considered a responsible bid.

The contract was awarded to Samuel Edsall & Co. (Samuel Edsall, Virgil M. Kimball, Ochmig Bird and Lewis Walkie), at their bid of $63,613, and they gave bond in the sum of S100,000 for its fulfillment.

For all services rendered by him, Edwin May was allowed 8875, including plans, specifications and estimates, and the $100 before allowed him. He was then employed as Superintending Architect, at the rate of 3'. per cent on the entire cost of the building. He was, however, discharged from that position, by order of the Board, on the 15th of March, 1861. On the 22d, Samuel McEl¬ fatrick was appointed Superintending Architect, for the consideration of 3 per cent on the estimate cost of the building.

Finally, at a meeting of the Board on the 23d of July, 1862, the building having been completed in accordance with the contract, the announcement was officially made by the Superintending Architect in the following :

Gentlemen - I do hereby certify that the Court House built by S. Edsall & Co. is completed according to the plans and specifications, except such alterations as were acknowledged by your Honorable Board and indorsed on the contract for building said Court House.

Some differences of opinion having arisen between the contractors for build¬ ing the Court House, Messrs. Edsall & Co., and the County Commissioners, Joseph K. Edgerton, E. R. Wilson, Jesse L. Williams, I. D. G. Nelson and Pliny Hoagland were selected as arbitrators, each party agreeing to abide their decision. When the report of these gentlemen was submitted, a final settlement was madawith S. Edsall k Co., showing that they had been paid the aggregate sum of $74,271.

The total cost of the Court House, including the amount paid the architects and Superintendents and for the bell, etc., was about the sum of $78,000.

On the 1st of August, the Board ordered the issue of Court House bonds to the amount of $10,000, and sold to meet the indebtedness thus incurred, redeemable in 1867, with legal interest.

County Jail

Of the public buildings contemplated by law, and for the erection of which the funds placed in the hands and under the control of the County A-rent, after the public " Pound," for the safe-keeping of estray animals above two years old taken up within twenty miles of the C »urt House, the attention of our county legislators appears to have been next directed to the building of a County Jail, for reasons best known to themselves, having in view the well-bein"- of society! The first action taken by the Board in reference thereto appears of record amon,r their proceedings at the August term, 1824, where it is " Ordered by the Board ot County Commissioners that the Agent for the county of Allen be authorized. to have a jail erected, let out to the lowest, bidder, on the public square in the town of Fort Wayne, at his discretion as to size and kind."

The contract for this building was let to David Irwin, Robert Douglass and William N. Hood. The cost, as nearly as can now be ascertained from the data at command, was $579, and was ready for occupaucy in the early summer of 1825. At the August term, 1826, of the Circuit Court, a little more than a year after, the grand jury, in their report of an examination made, find :

We. the Grand Jury empaneled for the county of Allen and State of Indiana, after examining the County Jail, arc of the opinion that the criminals' rooms are not a place of safety for persons committed thereto : that the debtors' room, upper department of said Jad, is not in a suitable condition for the reception of debtors, from the want of locks, floor and bedding. John P. Hedges Foreman

Which shows very conclusively that the building was of very little conse¬ quence, considered as a place of confinement. This condition was almost unchanged two years afterward, for, on the 5th of July, 1828, the Board " Ordered that M. K. Taylor be and he is hereby authorized to contract with some person to put glass in the debtors' room of the County Jail, and to lath and plaster the same, and make any 'necessary repairs." This buildiug stood on the southwest corner of the Public Square. Having served its purpose for a period of twenty years, it was destroyed by fire in 1847.

About that time, Lot No. 518 had been purchased, with the design of erect¬ ing another jail building thereon, but at the June term, 1847, this lot was directed to be sold and another lot purchased in its stead. It was sold accordin"ly, and Lot No. 577 purchased, the consideration for which was $500 cash, and Lot 518, valued at $500 - equal to $1,000. Upon this lot the new jail was built, the same upon which the present jail is located. At the same session, the Board ordered the levy of twenty cents on each $100 valuation of the real and personal property in the county, for the purpose of creating a fund to erect a County Jail, this levy to be made upon such property for the years 1848 and

Having taken these preliminary steps, the Board, being in regular session, on the 8th day of May, 1849, entered into a contract with Charles G. Frenck John B. Coneannon and Aaron J. Mershon, for the erection of a Jail and Shcr- 1 iff s residence on Lot No. 577, for the sum of $4,955.34, the building to be com- ) pleted on or before the 1st day of May, 1850. The building was completed in j substantial correspondence with the proposed plan.

County Asylum

The first positive steps taken toward the erection of an asylum for the poor of Allen County, is shown in the purchase of the northeast quarter, and the west half of the southeast quarter, and the east half of the east half of the north¬ west quarter of Section twenty-nine (29), Township thirty (30) north, Rauge twelve (12) east, in the month of June, 1853. On the 24th of June, of the same year, a contract was entered into between the county and John A. Robin¬ son, to build a house suitable for present use, for the sum of $750. Subsequently, on the 9th of December, George L. Parker was employed to keep the paupers at the Poor-Farm, one year from December 20, 1853, for the sum of $600.

On the 14th of June, 1854, William Robinson was appointed agent to super¬ intend the building of an addition to the Poorhouse, and $300 was appropriated for that purpose.

J. B. Reinicke, on the 30th of December, 1854, was employed to keep the paupers on the Poor-Farm for a period of three years, for $400 per annum, with the use of the farm. He was re-employed in March, 1858, to keep them for an additional period of six months, for $1.75 per week, and to pay $250 for the use of the grounds to put in a spring crop.

This method was continued with occasional changes until 1860, when the necessities of the situation required an enlargement of dimensions and increased facilities for taking care of the poor and infirm.

On the 5th of July, 1860, the Board made the following order in the prem¬ ises : The Board, after some consultation on the proposals for letting the County Asylum, do not accept any of the same, not deeming it prudent or advisable to continue the present system any longer. " The Board now appoints James M. Read, Superintendent of the County Asylum, two years from the 2d day of Sep¬ tember next." Mr. Read to superintend the farm, to take care of the inmates, to furnish a team of horses, wagon and harness, lour cows, and farming -utensils, sufficient to cultivate the farm, and receive $800 per annum. The county to . furnish provisions and clothing. This arrangement appears to have been quite satisfactory, for an examination of the record shows that on September 3, 1862, James M. Read re-appointed Superintendent for two years, from September 2 ; same terms as above. It was, however, soon demonstrated that the capacity of the buildings already erected were insufficient; hence, on September 10, 1863, the Commissioners resolved to build a new building for an asylum or infirmary, and purchased a plan of Edward Burling, an architect of Chicago, Ill., for $100, when the plan and dimensions of the new asylum were fully determined upon. The Board, in view of the fact that the farm belonging to the. county (on which the asylum was situated) is distant from Fort Wayne and not adapted to pauper labor, purchased, on the 14th of December, 1863, a tract of land of Robert E. I Fleming, on the west side of the St. Mary's River, near Beauer's Mill, for §50 per acre, on which to erect the new asylum, which was better adapted to the pres¬ ent wants of the county in quality as well as in area.

Afterward, on December 14, 1863, the Auditor was ordered to advertise for proposals for the erection of a new asylum. Notice was accordingly given, and numerous plans were submitted for the consideration of the Board. Having agreed upon a plan March 16, 1864. a contract for the building of the new asy¬ lum was let to David J. Silvers, he to build and complete the same for $14,468. Mr. Silvers at once began to collect materials and prepare for the erection of the main building, on the grounds recently purchased for the purpose.

Subsequently, at the June term, 1864, the Board sold 140 acres of the old farm to William Craig, for the sum of $5,500. Afterward, at the September session of the Board, in 1864, Mr. James M. Read, formerly in charge of the Poor Farm, was appointed Superintendent of the Asylum, for a term of four years from September 2, of the same year, at a salary of SI, 000 per annum.

On the 8th of June, 1865, the new Asylum having been fhlly and satisfac¬ torily completed, the Board settled with Mr. Silvers and paid him in full for the work, the original contract price, $14,648, and the further sum of $1,028.12, for extra work occasioned by necessary changes of plan and structure, making the whole cost of the building at that date, $15,676.12.

The building thus constructed was sufficiently large for the immediut needs of the county, with arrangements and appliances equal to the most approved suggestions of the day. But, having taken the one step in advance of the old order of things, other additions and reformations became necessary, as new expe¬ riences developed other elements of improvement. In the course of time, under the impulses of an enlarged domain of humanity, it was determined to construct additional wings to the main building, and notice of such determination was given accordingly, and on the 26th of June, 1871, a contract was let for the erection of such wiogs, at the price of $15,100, and. in due time, they were com¬ pleted and ready for occupancy.

Beside these wings, other buildings for the convenience and better manage¬ ment of the different classes of inmates, as well as fbr the comfort of all, have since been constructed, so that to-day, there are, probably, few buildings in the State better adapted to the purposes for which it was intended, than the new Asylum of Allen County.

From the recent report of the Superintendent, exhibiting the condition of the institution for the six mouths ending September 1, 1879, we are permitted to make the following extracts : " Condition of inmates - idiots, 9 ; insane, 40 ; blind, 2; all other causes, 25 ; total, 76. Of these, there are males, 41 ; females, 35 ; total, 76. Average daily number, SI ; number of days' relief furnished in six months, 14,672; average cost per day, 20 cents.

* And finally, as a very appropriate addenda to the description and plan of the institution, it is proper here to state that, under the superintendence of Mr. John Spice, the present incumbent, the several departments are kept in remarkably good order, cleanly and economically, and, as such, is a credit to the county, and an excellent model from which other counties may well copy.

Chapter Yi Agricultural Society

The question of an organized movement on the part of the farmers of Allen County to secure to themselves the advantages to be derived from the combined experiences of others in the department of agriculture, was agitated for a consid¬ erable time in Allen County, as in most other counties, before there was a suf¬ ficient unity of sentiment and action manifested to form the necessary nucleus for such a society. The first effective movement in this direction was in the spring of 1841. At that time, as a result of much canvassing, a meeting was called to take the matter into consideration. The following is a statement of the proceedings of that meeting :

At a public meeting of the farmers of Allen County, held at the Court Mouse in Fort Wayne, on Saturday. May 29, 1841, in pursuance of public notice, Elias Waters, Esq., was called to the chair, and R. E. Fleming was appointed Secretary.

Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to give the necessary notice of a meeting for the organization of an Agricultural Society, and to report a constitution, to be submitted to the meeting, for the government of said society.

The Chairman appointed the following persons: Marshall S. Wines, Henry Rudisell, Samuel Hanna, F. P. Randall and R. E. Fleming, as the committee. On motion, the fol- ! lowing were added to the committee: Robert P. Rrownwell and John S. Archer.

Ruolved, That it be the duty of the committee heretofore appointed to request some individual to address a meeting of the citizens at such places as the said committee des¬ ignate, on the subject of agriculture.

The following editorial notice in the Sentinel of the Saturday preceding, was the first formal announcement of the intention to hold such a meeting:

"A meeting of the farmers and agriculturists of Allen County will be held at the Court House, in Fort Wayne, on Saturday, the 29th of May, at 1 o'clock P. M., for the purpose of forming an Agricultural Society. All who feel an interest in the advancement of that noble science are invited to come."

" Notice to Farmers. - Whereas, The citizens of Fort Wayne, making a practice of monopolizing all the institutions of the county under their own especial supervision ; and, as another^attempt is about to be made in the forma¬ tion of an Agricultural Society, it is proposed that the real farmers of Allen County meet at the American House, in Fort Wayne, Saturday, the 26th of June, at 11 o'clock A. M., to take such measures as may be thought necessary to secure their interests in the formation of a County Agricultural Society. Signed, William Hamilton, L. S. Bayless, George Bullard. R. B. Clark, Thomas Griffith, N. A. Woodward. June 7, 1841."

"At the iigricultural meeting, held in Fort Wayne City, on Saturday, the 26th of June, the following persons were elected officers and Directors for the following year: Col. N. A. Woodward, President; Hon. Samuel Hanna, Vice President ; J. Barkey, Treasurer ; Henry Rudisell, Secretary. Directors - Joseph Morgan, William Hamilton, Elias Waters, L. G. Thompson, Marshall S. Wines, Rufus McDonald, John Valentine, W. S. Reid. Adjourned to meet at the office of Daniel Reid, on Saturday, July 10, 1 P. M."

After this organization, meetings were held with considerable regularity for a few years, and occasional fairs were held, which had the effect to create an emu¬ lation among the more enterprising of the Allen County farmers. The organi¬ zation and the meetings held under its auspices, had another effect, also, in the inducements offered, to cause the better class of farmers to examine and compare the experiences of others with their own, and to observe more carefully the con¬ sequences of improvident farming in contrast with the results obtained from cul¬ tivating the soil in the light of science, which imparts a knowledge not only of the properties of the soil, but of the processes of cultivation best adapted to the common products of the country.

While, a few years subsequently, the interest waned, yet the good seed already sown had taken root so effectually that the early efforts to maintain a healthy society were not wholly lost. It was not, however, until after the legis¬ lative action of 1852, when the current of public opinion spread abroad, that a healthy awakening was manifested among the farmers of Allen County.

From that time forward, more rapid advances were made in the practical application of new methods of culture, whereby better results were obtained in the increased productiveness of the soil. Four years after the organization of the Society, the staple productions were shown to be, for the year ending June 1, 1856,110,333 bushels of wheat, worth an aggregate of $146,303; 408,913 bushels of corn, valued at $98,273; 12,080 pounds of wool, valued at $2,853; 193,285 bushels of oats, valued at $41,765; 38,975 bushels of potatoes, valued at $19,389; 11.055 tons of hay, valued at $59,352, and nearly all other farm products in like proportion.

During that year, the Allen County Horticultural Society was organized, with I. D. G. Nelson as President ; Dr. M. W. Huxford, Treasurer, and H. J. Rudisell, Secretary. For many years afterward, in this department, meetings were held weekly, at which times the discussion of horticultural and kindred subjects were quite animated, as they were found to be intrinsically profitable. The condition of the Society and its influence are thus spoken of in the report to the State Society in 1857 :

" Farming operations have been much improved in this county within the last five years. Many labor-saving implements and much improved stock have been introduced. This improvement is due in a great measure to the influence of the Society, and this is expected to increase until the Society occupies the high position its soil and climate justify it in assuming - the equal to the best in the State."

The following year, owing to an unusual amount of wet weather, the prod¬ ucts of principal crops were comparatively less than some others, yet, aside from this, the interest and competition in the county fair of that season were greatly in advance of former experiences, the fair being " very well attended, and giving very general satisfaction." The aggregate value of farm products was estimated at $658,573 - a fair showing.

In 1865, on invitation of this Society, the Indiana State Fair was held in this county, which, it is said, proved one of the most successful ever held in the State. These circumstances did much toward giving encouraging impulse to the movements promotive of agricultural economy. On the same day, the State Horticultural Society met here by special appointment of Mr. I. D. G. Nelson, the t President. The occasion elicited much interest, many visitors from neighboring States being present, among these a large number of prominent horticulturists from New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and other States. Newspaper reporters from Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, Cincinnati, and other noted places, were also present, who, in their respective journals, gave a glowing account of the proceedings, discussions of the occasion, in addition to a very clever view of the people of the county and city, and of the business as well.

The result of this joint meeting of these two State societies was a joint encouragement, also, of the kindred interests developed in these two departments of industry. In 1870, official reports show that there were in Allen County 4,916 farms regularly cultivated; that the yield of wheat was 432,752 bushels ; of butter there were 543,322 pounds. The appraised value of the real estate of the county was $9,930,000 ; of personal property was $3,133,500, and the total estimated value of all real and personal property was shown to be for the year 1870, $39,135,500.

For greater efficiency in the management of the separate departments of agncnltnre and horticulture, in 1S73 the Allen County Agricultural Society jri tle BoiW aial Society were merged in one, under the corporate name of lhe Northern Indiana Agricultural and Horticultural Association," with headquarter at Fort Wayne The officers were F P. Randall, President ; Alien Link, Treasurer and William Lyne, Secretary. This Association held its third annual fan- in 187-6, on their grounds within the corporate limits of the city of i ort Wayne. These grounds comprise about sixty acres of land, peculiarly adapted to the purpose. Though the season was especially unfavorable, the fair was successful beyond expectation. The report says : - Bad as the weather was, however, the receipts from all sources amounted to over $7,000 - the nre m.ums awarded, a little over S5, 000. Our exhibition in every department was large and fine, and if the society is successful in getting its debts paid, it will doubtless be one of the most useful associations of the kind in the State as the attendance is always large from neighboring counties, having all the railroad facilities required for such a purpose. Great improvements in stock of all kinds have been made in this county within the past year, as was evidenced at exhibition." In this connection, the following item, descriptive of the "eolo<ncal formations of the county, will be of special interest : being sprinkled with bowlders deposited during that period. It varies as to pro duct.iveness In the western portion, along the Toledo, Wabash & Western Railroad, there is a large amount of wet prairie land, which can only be culti vated at. great expense, but when once put in order, it is inexhaustible The uplands are rather unproductive, while the bottom lands and a greater portion of the remainder of the county yield immense crops of all the cereals and other staples common to this climate. The county is abundantly supplied with water and St, Joseph s Rivers, at the city of Fort Wayne. The area of the county is 670 square miles, with a population of 50,000. Fort Wayne, the county seat does an extensive manufacturing and wholesale business, and contains a nnnulation of 30,000 " - in 1876. * ^

In September, 1877, the Association held its fourth annual fair which is represented as having been a very fine one, notwithstanding the weather' was very unfavorable The report says . " We hud a very fine show of everything that goes toward making up an agricultural fair. Gov. Williams honored us with his presence, and gave some excellent advice, especially to the young, which was well received. * * This is the fourth annual fair under the auspices ot the new organization, which, in consequence of extensive and costly improve¬ ments, had become seriously embarrassed. The Association, however is now out of debt, and lias a small surplus in the hands of the Treasurer. It is' hoped and believed that the experience of the past will enable the managers to steer the ship so as to avoid similar breakers in the future." r

From the tabulated statements accompanying the Annual Report of the State and County Fairs for 1877, we gather the following interesting and valua¬ ble statistics : The number of acres of improved land in Allen County, reported was 155,211, and the total acreage given was 507,441 the acreage of wheat, 27,636 ; of corn, 37,274; of oats, 16,543 ; of meadow land 29°1 50 of pasture land, 95,702. There were 194,821 bushels of wheat- 807 946 of corn; 376,615 of oats; 87,269 of potatoes; 277,371 of fruit, and 25 391 tons of hay."

From the report of 1878 we glean the following facts of value in determin¬ ing the true status of agricultural affaire in this county during that year The Secretary of the Association, Mr. I. D. G. Nelson, furnishes the followin-' statement :

_ " The Northern Indiana Agricultural and Horticultural Association held their annual fair at Fort Wayne for 1878 during the second week of September The show, in every department, was very full. The receipts at the gate amounted to §4,896.91. The weather was favorable, and the exhibition highly favorable to the county. For, although the name indicates a great deal more, still it is under the auspices and in the main an Allen County show.

The show of stock was about- as follows : Number of entries - horses 60 - cattle, 113; sheep, 54; poultry, 106; agricultural, 110; horticultural, 268- mechanical, 308; textile fabrics, 419; fine arts, 175; educational (Normal School) 21.

" The improvements in Allen County, during the past few years, in agricult¬ ure has been very great, and it is increasing with wonderful rapidity. Its horti¬ cultural products have been well understood for many years. Horses, cattle sheep and hogs of the best- breeds are now raised in all parts of the county' whereas, a few years ago, but few farmers gave special attention to stock-raisin «r. The stock exhibited at our last fair was nearly all raised and owned in Allen County, and would go very far toward making up a creditable State fair. Total receipts for the year, about §8,000, and expenditures about the same." In the statistics of that year. Allen County stands as follows : Bushels of wheat, 549,- 838; of corn, 942,224; of oats, 611,540; of potatoes, 167,970; grass-seed, 16,151 ; flaxseed, 24,996; tons of hay, 23,346 ; pounds of bacon, 161,875 - of bulk pork, 1,663,937 ; of lard, 180,340; of wool, 41,431.

On the 8th of November, 1879, the annual election of the Association took place, resulting in the election of William A. Kelsey, President; Wright Rockhill, Secretary.

The following report of the proceedings of that meeting, copied from the fort Wayne Daily Gazette of November 10, 1S79, gives a very complete detail of the transactions, as well as a full statement of the condition of the affairs of the Association :

" The annual meeting of the Northern Indiana Agricultural and Horticult¬ ural Association was held in the Court House on Saturday morning, President

,, Th? Secretary's l-eport called attention to the healthy financial condition of the Association. It goes on to state that the last exhibition was successful a°l premiums having been paid and quite a number of old claims. The Treasurer's fr°f8I'19li'0S' Hc caIlMl «»ention to the improve ment of tile stock of the county, as well as the agricultural and horticultural products, as shown at the late fair. He predicted that the impetus given to farm products by the last fair would be productive of great good.

tion durWblnS8Parafa!!h 'V-'l rel'°rt waa,Ta short statement of the Associa¬ tion during the Secietary s official career. How it had seen dark days but eventually eared^the difficulty, and was now in a prosperous condition* ' He announced that the documenta-would. bo bis last official act, but that he would have all the solicitude of past years for the greater success of the Associa-