Carroll County, Indiana - Railroads, 1882 (part 1 of 2)

Railroads

RAILROADS. Expressions of Intere.st in the Construction of Railroads in This County - Meetings of Citizens Held - Propo.sitions for Roads - Surveys Made - Location of the Camden Extension of the Richmond & Newcastle Road - Lake Erie, Waba.sh and St. Loui.s Railroad - Location and Construction - Log ansport, Crawfoijdsville & Southwestern - Indianapolis, Delphi & Chicago - Narrow Gauge- People' .s AID IN the Construction of Railroad.?, Etc.

TDRIOR to the year 1850, there had been in Indiana but little -*- agitation on the subject of railroad construction. True, during the existence of the internal improvement whirlwind, canals, railroads, and almost every other species of improved thoroughfares, were suggested, proposed, projected, or partially constructed, connecting the principal towns and villages of the State in a common network of avenues for the transportation of farm products, and for travel; but, many of the schemes being almost visionary, and the capital expended in those directions worse than thrown away, in the course of time there was a decided re-action in the current of public opinion touching the policy of canal and road construction, and the new movement looking to the introduction of a better road system required the experience of the many years intervening to give the enterprise a healthy impetus. The appointed time came, however, and the available opportunities for securing railroad connections were utilized, and county aid proposed to insure desired locations. In this particular, the people of Carroll County were alike affected by the prospects of a better outlet for the products of their farms and shops than was afforded by the slow-moving canal-boat. The prospective opportunities were subjects of frequent converse, and there was little or no adverse comment - anxiety was everywhere manifested. In August and September, 1851, and in October following, when the Logansport extension of the Newcastle & Richmond was in process of construction to the south bank of the Wabash River, and a further extension of the road through Carroll County in a southwesterly direotiou, to intersect the road afterward known as the New Albany & Salem Railroad, below, at or above La Fayette, was proposed, the people made common cause in the movement, and strove earnestly to secure the coveted prize. On the 10th of September, 1851, a public meeting of the citizens of Pittsburgh was held for deliberation on the subject. A like meeting was held at Delphi, on Saturday evening, Sej^tember 20, to consider the importance and practicability of connecting Delphi with one or more of the railways in actual or contemplated construction - particularly the extension by way of this point - of the proposed road from Newcastle to Logansport. An adjoiu'ned meeting was held a few days later, when steps were taken to raise funds to defray the expenses of a siu'vey through the county, inviting the co-operation of other parts of the county for the same purpose. On the 4th of October, a general meeting was held in Delphi, when the committee appointed by the citizens of Pittsbiu'g reported the entire willingness of the people of that locality to pay their proportion of the costs of the proposed sm-vey of a railroad route, and expressed great interest in the fvu'therance of the project. A meeting held at Delphi on the 11th of October appointed a committee to make a survey of the different proposed routes through the county, and make a map of the same, consisting of John Barr, Hiram Sampson, T. B. Helm, Henry P. Tedford and Christopher C. Greenup. A map was subsequently di-awn exhib- iting the direction of the several projected routes. A few days later, the Directors of the Richmond & Newcastle Railroad ordered the survey of a route through Delphi. On the 0th of November, the engineers of that company, accompanied by Williamson Wright, President, were engaged in making the survey through Delphi and Pittsburg, to be continued so as to connect with the New Albany & Michigan road above La Fayette. A meeting was held on the evening of that day, which, being largely attended, was addressed by Williamson Wright, Esq., in which he stated that the amount necessary to secure the location of the road through Delphi would be S40,000, which sum was afterward guaranteed. A further meeting to consider the matter was held at Camden, on the Oth of January, 1852, and the question thoroughly discussed. The result of these several surveys was the location of the extension from Logansport to Camden, which was soon after put under contract, and the road-bed. bridges, etc., substantially completed, when the work was abandoned. Afterward, however, the route was utilized by the location of the Logansport, Crawfordsville & South- Western Railway along its right of way.

Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific

The first and principal line of railroad passing through Carroll County, and which wrought the greatest change in the com mercial interests of the county, but particularly of Delphi, was the Lake Erie, Wabash & St. Louis, now known as the AVabash, St. Louis & Pacific. The company which constructed this road was originally organized in 1852. The line was surveyed and located in 1853, when work on the east end of the road was commenced, and forwarded with the greatest activity. In 1856, it was completed to Logansport, and the first train arrived on the 20th of March of that year. A few months later, the work of construction commenced within the limits of CaiToll County, and the work was so far completed that the iii'st train was annoimced in Delphi June - , 1856. ' From that time forward until the present, a continued stride of improvement has marked the progress of this road in the facilities for travel and for transportation in general it affords, the quantity and quality of the rolling stock, coaches, etc., which it maintains.

The Logansport, Camden & Frankfort Railroad, which subsequently became the Logansport, Crawfordsville & South- Western, was organized in the spring of 1869, and adopted, through the greater part of its route, the road-bed and right of way of thi Camden extension of the old Newcastle & Richmond Railroad. At the June session, 1869, of the Board of Commissioners of Carroll County, petitions were tiled by citizens of Jackson, Monroe and Democrat Townships, asking the board to authorize the holding of an election by the legal voters of said townships to determine whether a majority of such voters were willing the tovpnship should be taxed to the amount of 1 per cent on the valuation of property in those townships, payable in one and two years, for the purpose of aiding said company in the construction of its road through their territory. The board, considering the work one of public utility, and one that ought to be encouraged, ordered that an election be held on the 20th day of July, 1869, on the question presented in said petitions, whether or not the Commissioners should assess and levy upon all the taxable property of said three townships, 1 per cent, for a period of two years, as an appropriation to said railroad. The result of that election was as follows: Jackson Township cast 150 votes for and

36 against the appropriation; Monroe, 57 for and 7 against; Democrat, 84 for and 50 against - in the aggregate, 291 for and 93 against - a majority of more than three to one - and the appropriation was made accordingly. Subsequently, the rights and franchises of the road were sold, end the corporation became the Logansport, Crawfordsville & South- Western Railroad Company, since which time the road has been operated under that name. It traverses the eastern portion of the county, and, since its completion, has enjoyed a comparatively lucrative trade, increasing with the increased demands of trade along its route.

This road was originally projected by a company organized under the act of the Legislatui-e governing such corporations, in the spring of 1869. On the 16th of June, 1869, petitions were filed by citizens of Clay, Deer Creek, Tippecanoe, Jefferson and Madison Townships, freeholders and legal voters in said township, asking the board to take under advisement and order notice of an election in each of said townships to determine whether an appropriation of 2 per centum on the taxable property of the several townships named should be made, to aid the Indianapolis, Delphi & Chicago Raih'oad Company to construct its road through the aforesaid townships. The board, considering the work one of public utility, which ought to be encouraged, ordered that an election for that purpose be held in several townships on the 20th day of July then next succeeding, on the question whether the said board should assess and levy, upon all the taxable property in the district named, 1 per cent, for a period of two years, as an appropriation for the purpose aforesaid, pursuant to the act of the Legislature approved May 12, 1869. The election was held accordingly, a very large majority of the votes cast in the several townships, except Jefferson, being in favor of the proposition. In Jefferson Township, a second vote was had; 88 of the 151 votes oast for the appropriation. The assessment and levy were subsequently made in conformity with the prayer of the petitioners. Again, at a special session of the board, held on the 16th day of August, 1871, on application, a further election was ordered to be held in the townships cf Jefferson, Tippecanoe, Deer Creek, Madison and Clay, on the 26th of September, 1871, to determine, as in the previous instance whether a levy of 1 per centum on the taxable property, for a period of two years, to further aid in the construction of said railroad, Notice was given, and the election held pursuant thereto, the aggregate vote in the several townships being 734 votes for the ap propriation out of the 852 votes cast on that occasion. The prog ress made in constructing the road during several years succeeding the transactions just enumerated was not rapid, though greal earnestness and untiring industry were manifested on the part of those having in charge the construction of the road-bed, culverts, bridges, etc. In 1875 and 1876, a considerable portion of the work on the route between the White County line and the Wabash River at Pittsburg, and, indeed, on the east side of the river adjacent to Deljihi- had been done. This was a naiTow-gange road, and the work was so far completed in 1878 that trains ran fi'om Rensselaer to Delphi occasionally. At a later date, they ran regularly, except when, fi'om damage to bridges and other causes of obstruction, delays were occasioned. Subsequently, on the 4th of March, 1881, the road, stock, etc., of the Indianapolis, Delphi & Chicago Railroad was sold, and was pm-chased by the Chicago & Indianapolis Air Line Company, and since that time it has been merged in and known by the name of the latter company, and the narrow gauge has been enlarged to the standai"d gauge, and is now operated as such. The first through train from Deli)hi to Chicago passed over this road January 0, 1SS2.

Plank Roads

AND Approval ok a Plank Road Law by the Legislature - Organization ok the Delphi & Fkankkokt Plank Road Company - Preliminary Proceedings and Construction of THE Road - Organization of the Delphi & Pittsburg Plank Ro\D Company - Location of the Road - Stock Subscribed - Ferry' Established - Miscellany, Etc.

AFTER many years of adverse experience in the construction and use of dirt roads as the thoroughfares over which farm products and the handiwork of mechanics and art.isans was transported to meet the demands of trade, the people of Indiana, encouraged by the advance movement in the State of New York and elsewhere, through their Representatives and Senators in General Assembly, procured the preparation, passage and approval of "An act authorizing the construction of plank roads," on the basis of the plank road law of New York, passed and approved on the 1 5th day of January, 1849. Under the provisions of that law, any number of persons so disposed were authorized to " form themselves into a corporation for the purpose of constructing and owning a plank road by complying with the following requirements: They shall unite in articles of association setting forth the name which they assume, the line of the route and the places to and from which it is proposed to construct the road, the amount of the capital stock and the number of shares into which it is to be divided, the names and places of residence of the subscribers, and the amount of stock taken by each, shall be subscribed to said articles of association. WTienever the stock ?ubsoribed amounts to 11,5(10 per mile of the proposed road, copies of the articles of association shall be filed in the office of the Recorder of each county through which the road is to pass." Not less than three nor more than seven Directors were authorized, under that law to be elected by the stockholders of the company. It was made the duty of these Directors to " determine the particular manner of construction so as to secure and maintain a smooth and jiermanent road, the track of which shall be made of plank, or timber, or other hard material, so that the same shall form a hard and even siu-- face." By a further provision, also, it was made their duty, "with the consent of the Board of County Commissioners of the county, to locate the same over and upon any State or county road, or other public highway and thereupon such State or county road, or other public highway, or such portion thereof as may be occupied and appropriated by said company, shall be and become the property of said company for the purpose of making and maintaining said road and the gates and toll-houses thereon."

By virtue of this law, a company was organized in Carroll and Clinton Counties, in February, 1849, for the construction of a plank road from Delphi to Frankfort, to be known as the Delphi & Frankfort Plank Road Company, and its articles of association were accordingly filed in those two counties, upon the subscribing of the requisite amount of capital stock. Having thus far complied with the provisions of the law pertinent thereto, upon application it was, on the 0th of March, 1849, "Ordered by the Board of County Commissioners of Carroll County, on the application of the President and Directors of the Delphi & Frankfort Plank Road Company, that the said board hereby grant the right of way to lay and locate a plank road on and along the Delphi & Frankfort State road, or on and along any other State or county road in the limits of said Carroll County, under the provisions of the act of the Legislature of the State of Indiana, incorporating said plank road company." Shortly after the right of way had been granted by the County Board, active work was commenced on the road, preparing the road-bed for receiving the plank, grading and adjusting irregularities of surface, building bridges and constructing culverts. Fair progress was made in this preliminary work, and, in the course of a few months, details of men began to lay the plank, pushing the roadmen as rapidly as the circumstances would permit. The date when the road first began to be used in sections, and when it was finally completed, is not apparent. In 1852 and 1853, portions of it were used, if not along its entire length, forming one of the most important thoroughfares for the benefit of the people of the two counties that could have been constructed at that period, afl'ording facilities for travel and for the transportation of farm products before unknown along the line over which it was constructed. Notwithstanding the planks were subjected to great wear, and had frequently to be replaced with new, and the road otherwise kept in repair, it continued to be used for many years, and was a soui-ce of revenue to the stockholders. At length, however, it was abandoned, and now a gravel turnpike occupies its right of way.

While the Delphi & Frankfort Plank Road was in process of construction and in partial use, another company was formed for the building of a similar road between Delphi and Pittsburg, connecting these two points, known as the Delphi & Pittsburgh Plank Road Company. Articles of association were filed in compliauce with the law in force upon the subject, on the 6th day of Januai-y, 1851. The capital stock required was $2,000, divided into 200 shares of $10 each. At the meeting of the stockholders held on the 16th of October, 1851, the permanent officers of the company were elected, including a Board of Directors, the latter being instructed, after locating the line of said road, to jiut the same under contract. The road, as located commenced at the east side of the public square, and extended westward along Franklin sti'eet in Delphi, to the canal, and across the same; thence in a direct line to the Wabash River, opposite Pittsbm'g, with instructions to establish a free ferry across the river, thus immediately connecting the same with Pittsburg. Among other proceedings had at the same meeting, the contract for building said road was uwai'ded to Messrs. John Ban- and Hiram Sampson, who, with the utmost dispatch, entered upon the work of gi-ading and preparing the roadway for the -.ooden superstructm-e subsequently placed upon it. An item in one of the newspapers of the county, published on the 30th of October, 1851, states that at that date the conti-actors were busily engaged pushing the work forward with all the energy and force at command. The stockholders were notified, also, that one-half the stock subscribed by them would be due and payable on or before the 10th of January, 1852. Not long after the time indicated for the payment of said stock, the road was completed, with the ferry attachment, and was in a short time the constant line of travel to and from the points of termination. So popular had the road become immediately after its completion, that, on the 17th of January, 1852, a joint meeting of the citizens of Carroll, White and Tippecanoe Counties was held at Pittsburgi to consider the projiriety of extending the Delphi & Pittsbui'g Plank Road to Monticello, in White County, by way of the bridge across the Tippecanoe Kiver at Spring Creek. The result of that meeting, while it failed to induce the subscription of stock necessary to insure the furtherance of the enterprise contemplated by the movers of the project, at least contributed largely to the formation of a healthy public opinion on the question of the utility of the plank road system generally, and for this one in particular.

The Delphi & Pittsburg Plank Road, though a short line, established more direct communication between the two points, and became the avenue of short and easy transit for the farm products of the region between the Wabash and Tippecanoe Rivers, which formed an important element in the commercial transactions of those portions of the county thus connected. It continued to be used for many years, yielding at least a revenue sufficient to reimburse the stockholders for the capital expended in its construction and keeping the same in repair.

Gravel Roads

GRAVEL ROADS. New Ee.\ in the Road Sr.sTEM of Carroll County - The Common OR Dirt Roads .Superseded by Gravel Roads ou Turnpikes - Effect OF THE New Departure on the Prospects of Business in Town and Country - The Range Line Road Pro- .iected - The Progress of its Construction - The Delphi & Wild Cat Road - The Delphi, Prince William and County Line Road - Other Roads Pro.jected and in Progress, Etc. /CORRESPONDING with the improvement spirit of the age, ^-^ the roads of the past have yielded to the common impulse, and are being transformed into the more modern style known now as the " Free Gravel Road " system. In this day, the old mud roads, corduroys, graded roadways, plank roads, and the old gravel roads or turnpikes, were models of then- kind, ideals of the roadmakers of the period during which they were respectively construc^jed ; but, progression rather than retrogression having been designated as the order of march in the passage of time, the better class of roads are gradually superseding thosi- of inferior classes, and the world is being benefited proportionately. Routes of travel that are recognized as those of greatest public utility, under the laws in force at this date, are liable to be constructed, and many of the neighborhoods interested in them are taking advantage of the opportunities afforded by the provisions of the legislative enactments for the construction of free gravel roads, by asking that those privileges be extended to them.

Range Line Koad

Moved by such a spirit, Robert P. Scott and others, by their petition filed in the office of the Ciouuty Auditor dm-ing the session of the Board of County Commissioners in June, 1880, asked to be empowered to construct a free gravel road along the route prescribed: "Beginning at the corporate limits of the city of Delphi, at a point where the line of said corporation crosses Washington street in said city; thence on and along the road-bed of what is known as the ' Upper or North Road from Delphi to Pittsbui'g,' to the east end of the iron wagon road bridge across the Wabash River; to continue from the west end of said bridge, running on the grade therefi'om to the center of Howard street in the town of Pittsburg; thence along and on said street in a northerly direction up the hill, and crossing the Indianapolis, Delphi & Chicago Railroad; thence to the top of the hill; thence northeasterly to the intersection of the range line, at a point where the present public highway kno\vn as the ' Range Line Road' in tersects said range line lying between Townships 25 north, Range 2 west, and 25, Range 3 west; thence north with said range line, on and following the road as at present located, to the quartersection comer of the west line on side of Section 19, Township 20 north. Range 2 west; thence east on the middle line of said Section 19, 240 rods, to the comer, at the north end of the line dividing the southeast quarter of Section 19, or near the house known as 'Dimmit's Schoolhouse; ' thence north with the line dividing the northeast quarter of Section 19, 100 rods, terminating at the corner between the east half and the west half of the northeast quarter of Section 19, on the north line of the section," and that appraisers be appointed to assess the benefits and damages to the lands aftected by it. The prayer of the petitioners was granted, and the board appointed Andrew Robeson, William R. Stewart and James Haslet such appraisers, and John W. Fawcett, engineer, to view and examine the premises aforesaid, and make report of the result of their deliberation according to law. As a preliminary step they were required to meet on the 2d day of August, 1880, and, after being first duly qualified, to commence their review, examination and assessment, as by their instructions required.

The appraisers, having completed their work, filed their report of the same on the 7th day of October, 1880, when notice was ordered and given that the same would stand for hearing and adoption on the 22d day of November following. A heai'ing was accordingly had at the time indicated, but, no formidable objections being made, the report was approved, and, after proper notice to contractors, the contract for the construction of said road was awarded, on the 18th day of December, 1880, to Thomas H. Scott and John Snyder, at their proposal, for 110,944. For the completion of said work within the prescribed period, the contractors filed the necessary bond, with security, to the approval of the board. As soon as the requisite aiTangements had been made and other conditions complied with, the contractors commenced work, subject to the superintendence and inspection of the engineer in charge, John W. Fawcett, who had also been appointed Superintendent

This road was projected under the provisions of the act approved March 3, 1877, and the bonds issued by the county to create a fund to be appropriated to the construction of said road, were so issued, pursuant to the terms of Section 7 of that act, the essential portion of which is as follows: " That, for the purpose of raising the money necessary to meet the expense of said improvement, the Commissioners of the coimty are hereby suthorized to issue the bonds of the county, payable in installments, or at intervals not exceeding, in all, the period of eight years, beai'ing interest at the rate not exceeding 7 per cent per annum, payable semi-annually, which bonds shall not be sold for less than their par value; and said assessment shall be divided in such manner as to meet the payment of principal and interest of said bonds, and so be placed upon the duplicate for taxation against the lands assessed, and collected in the same manner as other taxes, and, when collected, the money arising therefrom shall be applied to no other purpose but the payment of said bonds and interest: Provided, That no bonds shall be delivered, or money paid to any contractor, except on estimate of work done, as the same progresses or is comjileted; said road or improvement to be kept in repair, as other State and county roads are." The bonds issued by the board were made payable in four years, with 6 per cent interest. "SVhen these

Since the work was commenced, it has progressed steadily and rapidly toward completion, large portions of it having been sublet and the work done by under- contractors, superintended by the engineer, to whom that additional duty was assigned by the Commissioners. At this time, nearly the entire length of said line has been gone over, and, in many instances, is in a state approaching completion.

Delphi & Wild Cat Boad

At a special session of the Board of Commissioners of Carroll County, commencing on the 17th of January, 1881, on a petition filed by Paul Black, the board appointed Isaac T. Tinkle, Levi W, Dougherty and Robert Million, appraisers, with John F. Meighan, engineer, to view the route prescribed by the " Delphi & Wild Cat Gravel Road," as set forth in the petition therefor, as follows : " Commenci Dg at a point in said road on the south side of Deer Creek, ten rods west of the northeast corner of the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 29, Township 25 north. Range 2 west; thence southwestwardly along said road, up the hill, intersecting the section lines between 29 and 30, near the old graveyard; thence on and along the road-bed of said road, through the village of Pyi-mont, terminating at the west end of the bridge across the North Fork of Wild Cat Creek." Said appraisers were thereupon instructed to present themselves before the Auditor on the 14th day of February, 1881, and be then and there sworn to the faithful discharge of their duties, and thereafter were directed to view, examine and lay out said road, and assess and determine the damages sustained by any person or persons through whose premises said road was proposed to be laid out and improved, and make report of their proceedings in the premises to the said board at the next session thereof, showing the public necessity for the contemplated improvement, the damages claimed and by whom, the amount assessed, and an estimate of the expenses likely to be incurred in the construction of said road, together with the lands that will be benefited thereby. Having discharged that duty according to the prescribed method, tbey made their report and filed the same on the 14th day of April following, and notice was given to all whom it might concern, that, on the 16th day of May next ensuing, a hearing on said report would be had on the questions involved in, and the subject matter of said report. Such hearing being had, and the questions in issue fully determined, notice was given to contractors, as required by said law, and, on the KHh of June, when the several proposals presented had been examined by the board, the contract for constructing said road was awarded to Thomas H. Scott and John Snyder, at their proposal of 115,783.78. Subsecjuently, 03 per cent was added to the appraised value of the lands assessed, for the purpose of meeting the increased demand for expenses of construction, arising out of the great acciuuulation of interest on the bonds issued for the payment for said work. These bonds were issued, payable in eight years, with 6 jjor cent interest thereon. The aggregate amount of the principal and interest that will have accrued at the maturity of said bonds is estimated at the sum of $25,600.

At a session of the board commencing on the 6th of June, 1881, a petition was filed by Elias Morkert and others for the construction of said road under the name of the Wild Cat &

County Line Gravel Road, to extend from the outer extremity of said Delphi & Wild Cat road to the county line, " beginning," as in the petition set forth, " at the east end of the bridge over the North Fork of Wild Cat Creek, where said road crosses the same near the mill owned by John J. Cripe; thence in a southeast direction on and along said road across the mill-race; thence in a southerly direction on and along the line of said Delphi & Dayton road, imtil the same intersects the line between the counties of Carroll and Clinton, terminating on said county line at the sec tion corner between Sections 17, 18, 19 and 20,' in Township 23 north, Range 2 west," being one and thi-ee-fourths miles in length. At the session when said petition was filed, the board appointed Charles Carrigan, William H. Weaver and Andrew H. McDonald, appraisers, and John F. Meighan, engineer, to view said route on the 17th of August, 1881. This extension has not yet been fully placed under construction.

Delphi, Pkince William & County Line Road

On the 3d day of January, 1881, a special session of the board was held, at which time, a petition having been filed by Charles Harley and others for the construction of a free gravel road from Delphi by way of Prince William to the county line between the counties of Carroll and Clinton, to be known as the Delphi, Prince William & County Line Gravel Road, under and pursuant to the laws in force at that date, the board appointed Isaac T. Tinkle, Levi W. Dovigheny and Robert Million appraisers, and John W. Fawcett engineer, to view, examine and locate said road along the route, in said petition set forth and described, as follows: "Commencing at the south end of the bridge across Deer Creek at the foot of Washington street, in the city of Delphi, running on and along the line of the Delphi & Frankfort road, which runs in a southeastwardly direction through the townships of Deer Creek, Madison, Clay and Democrat, of said county. Said proposed improvement to terminate at the intersection of the said Delphi & Frankfort road with the line between Carroll and Clinton Counties, the point of intersection being about the center of the south line of Section 18, Township 23 north. Range 1 west, west of the quai'ter-section corner." The report was filed on the 14th of April, 1881, and notice given that the same would be heard and the objections thereto canvassed and investigated. Upon the hearing and determination of the questions presented, notice was given that the contract for the construction of said work would be let on the 23d of June. Accordingly, the boai-d met, and, having examined the several proposals submitted by conti'actors, awarded the contract for the building of said road to Messrs. Thomas McGreevy and E. Berry, of Ohio, and Squire McGreevy, of Carroll County, at the amount proposed, of |19,- 471, to pay which bonds were issued by the county, payable in eight years, with 6 per cent interest. Soon after the letting of the confract work was commenced under the direction of the principal and sub-contractors, and has since progressed with reasonable activity, and is now approaching to completion. John W. Fawcett. as engineer, has the superintendence over all the work on the line.

At a regular term of the Board of County Commissioners of Carroll County, commencing on the 7th day of March, 1881, and continuing until the 14th of March, on the petition of John A. Cartwrighl and others for a free gravel road from Delphi to Flora, to be known as the Delphi & Flora Gravel Road, tlie route of which, as in the petition described, is as follows: "Commenc- ing at a point on the section line between Sections 29 and 30, in Township 25 north, Range 2 west, where said road intersects the DeljAi & Frankfort road; thence] east on and' along said Delphi & Burlington road until it intersects the west end of Main street in the town of Flora," the board appointed Isaac T. Tinkle, Levi W. Dougherty and Andi-ewH. McDonald, appraisers, and John F. Meighan. engineer, to view, examine and locate the route of said proposed road. Said appraisers were directed to present themselves before the Auditor on the 25th day of April, 1881, and be sworn to the faithful performance of the duties imposed upon them by law, and inmiediately thereafter to proceed to the active discharge of those duties. Having thus complied with their instructions, the appraisers made report of their doings in the premises on the 25th of August, 1881, when notice was given by the Auditor that the matter of said report would be heai'd and passed upon the 21st of October following.

Flora & Michigan Boad Gravel Road

At the same term of the Board of Commissioners, on the petition of K. R. Bright and others for a free gravel road commencing at the terminus of the Delphi & Flora Gravel Road, at Flora, and extending to the point of intersection at the old Michigan road, to be known as the Flora & Michigan Road Gravel Road, the route of which, as set forth in said petition, is as follows: " Commencing in Flora, at the corner of Sections 3, 4, 9 and 10, in Township 24 north, Range 1 west; thence east on the section line until it intersects the old Michigan road at the corner of Sections 2, 3, 10 and 11, in Township 24 north. Range 1 east," the road and tenninal points being in Can-oil County. The board appointed Isaac T. Tinkle, Levi W. Dougherty and Andi-ew H. McDonald, appraisers, and John F. Meighan, engineer, to view, examine and locate said road. Said appraisers were directed to appear before the Auditor on the 25th of Ajjril, and, after being first duly sworn, entered immediately upon the discharge of the duties assigned them. These two latter roads properly constitute but one road, though appealing under different names. In consequence of an insfficiency of fimds in the treasury to construct said roads, the contracts for building the same have not been let.

Chaptee Xxi Iron Bridges

Impediments in the way of Iron Bridges - Enekgy Required TO Remove them - The Results of Determined Effort- Bridge Across the Wabash at Pittsburg Projected - Some of the Preliminary Work in the Premises - Superintendent Appointed - Examination and Determination OF Site for the Bridge - Contracts Let - Work Forwarded - Cost, ETC. - Bridge Across the Tippecanoe at Spring Creek - Contracts and Work - Survey, etc. - Bridges Over Middle Fork at Prince William - Markert's Mill - Rockfield - Woodville, ETC.

1\T0TWITHSTANDING the necessity for substantial bridges -'-^ and other similai- works to accommodate the public convenience had long existed without being supplied, no positive action in the premises was had, because it would seem that there was either an indisposition so to do on the part of those having the management of county affairs, or otherwise, a fear of their accountability to the people, in case these improvements were made at the public expense, the funds therefor being drawn from the County Treasury without a special levy for the purpose. Whatever the cause, however, the demands for that class of public improvements were not met and the works were not constructed. It was not until 1868 that decided action was taken toward supplying the long. neglected need. At the June session of that year, the County Board, then consisting of John G. Troxell (then recently elected and seemingly taking the initiative in inaugurating a new departure in the matter of forwarding needed improvements in the county), with Preston Calvert and J. W. Glasscock, on " the petition of sundry citizens for the erection of a bridge across the Wabash at Pittsbm-g, under a tax to be levied upon the taxable property of said county to build the same * * * being sufficiently advised, ordered that surveys and estimates be made as to the cost of said bridge, and that the same be built in accordance with the surveys and estimates thereafter to be approved by the Board - and that it be paid for out of the funds of the county, as the same might be appropriated by the board- -and ordered a tax of 25 cents on each $100 valuation, to be levied accordingly." To carry into effect the orders aforesaid, the board then appointed " John S. Case, Superintendent, and J. C. Lane and Joseph D. Cowden, assistants, to make such survey and estimates, and submit the same for the approval of the board."

In the meantime, the commission before appointed, having made the necessary surveys and estimates, reported the same on the 20th of June, ten days after the making of said order, for the consideration of the board, to the following effect: "They find the crossing from Washington street, in Pittsburg, to be most direct and the shortest, requiring a bridge of 000 feet in length, and recommend tive piers and two abutmentij to be built therefor, which will make the spans 100 feet each; each pier an average of twenty-eight feet high, which will raise the bridge six feet above high-water mark - piers at base to be twenty-eight feet wide by twelve feet thick, and at the top, twenty feet wide by six feet \ thick. The abutment in the west side will require to be twentyj eiglit feet high and base 28x8 feet - at the top, 20x6 feet, with wings on each side to protect the embankments, twenty-eight feet high - average length, fifteen feet. The east side abutment, I twenty and a half feet high - base 20ix8 feet thick; top, 20x6 feet; wings for same, twenty and a half feet high - average length, fifteen feet, six feet thick at the base - top, three feet - each pier to contain 224 cubic yards - all, 1,120 cubic yards; west abutment to contain 174.22 cubic yards; two wings of same, 140 cubic yards; east abutment, 107,63 cubic yards; two wings of same, 102.50 cubic yards. Total masonry, 1,644.35 cubic yards. Suitable stone obtainable at Georgetown, in Cass County."

On the 2d of July, the Board, having on the previous day examined the premises reported, being fully advised, they accepted the report and recommendations of the Commission, ordered that notice be given for proposals for the construction of the masonry for said bridge as above reported - to be received fiom the 15th to the 81st of July and opened August 1, 1808 - payment therefor to be made one-third, June 1, 1869, 1870, one-third, and the remaining installment, June 1, 1871, with interest at the rate of 7 per centum per annum. August 1, all bids for masonry were reported, and, on the 3d, the proposals presented for the building of an iron superstructm-e were examined by the board. August 4, the contract was awarded to D. H. and C. C. Mori-ison, of Dayton, Ohio, for the building of said supersti'uctm-e on the plan of "Morrison's Wrought-iron Truss " - the bridge to be eighteen feet wide in the clear, with a four-foot sidewalk on one side with wooden hand-rails; 600 feet in length; consisting of four spans of 150 feet each, and, when completed, to sustain a weight of 1,000 pounds per lineal foot, besides its own weight, without producing a strain of more than 8,500 pounds on the arch - all materials to be first quality - for $20,000, for length of 000 feet, and $34 per foot for each additional lineal foot - $6,666.66f when bills of iron are presented, payable June 1, 1869, interest at 7 per cent - the balanee in two like installments - when completed. The contract for fui^nishing materials and building two abutments and three piers was awarded, August 7, 1868, to John Ball and Henry S. Mayor, of La Fayette, Ind., at $1.50 per cubic yard for excavation above and below water mark, and $12.75 per cubic yard for stone work - all to be completed January 1, 1869.

An estimate for work done by J. Ball & Co., on contract for masonry, was made October 30. 1868, for $9,739.45, for which a warrant was drawn upon the Treasurer. On final estimate and acceptance of the work, October 6, 1869, they were allowed $14,- 347.50.

Upon the completion of the abutments and piers, the iron superstructure was erected without imnecessary delay, according to the plans, specifications and contract on file in the Auditor's oflfice.

At a meeting held on the 14th of December, 1869, the Board of Commissioners of Carroll County, ujjon due consideration of the matter, declared its willingness to unite with WTiite County in building a bridge across the Tippecanoe River, at Springboro, on the county line between White and Carroll Counties, as by the statute provided. An adjom'ned meeting was held on the 28d of the same month, when action was had on the petition of A. H. Bowen, James P. Dugan and others, with reference to the same object. It was then and there "Ordered - provided the Commissioners of White County concm- - that B. F. Schermerhorn be appointed to make a survey and estimate of cost of bridge, plans and specifications" - of which proceedings the Auditor of Carroll County was directed to notify the White County Board. The latter board, at a meeting held on the 6th of January, 1870, concurred in the proceedings of the former, ratified the appointment made and suggested a joint meeting of the two boards at Springboro on the 9th of February for final deliberation and action in the premises. The suggestion being accepted, such joint session was held, at which the report of Mr. Schermerhorn was accepted, and a bridge ordered to be built - the superstructure to be of wood - to be paid for by the two counties jointly, according to the proportionate value of taxable property in each. A subsequent joint meeting was held on the 30th of March, 1870, when the proposition for a wooden bridge was rejected, and an iron one substituted, to be composed of three spans of 140 feet each, and paid for - 695 1126 by Carroll County and 431-1126 by White County. Plans and specifications were presented and accepted. The bid of W. Winslow for the erection of an iron bridge, and the bid of Morrison, Mitchell & Morrison for the masonry, were accepted, and the contracts awarded accordingly - the mason work to be completed by the 1st day of October, 1870, and the superstructui-e of iron and the flooring of said bridge, to be placed upon said abutments and piers within sixty days after the piers and abutments are ready to receive the same; said abutments and piers to be 128 feet apart, fi-om center to center. As compensation, the contractors were to receive for their work $9,998.98, in three equal installments, one third in one year, one-third in two years and one-third in three years from the date of completion and acceptance of said work, the

The superstructure was contracted to be of the pattern of King's latest improved patent, wrought-iron tubular, or channel arch bridge. Whole length, 512 feet, consisting of four spans of 128 feet each; the roadway, sixteen feet wide; depth of arch at the ends to be twelve inches and in the center from nine to ten inches - all to be capable of sustaining 2,000 pounds per lineal foot; Lake Superior iron of the best quality, and the work to be thoroughly done within forty days from the time the abutments and piers are ready to receive the same - the contractors to recieve for said superstructure $24.50 per lineal foot, payable one-third in one year, one-third in two years and one-third in thi'ee years from the completion and acceptance of the same. The whole work was completed and accepted within the period prescribed.

At a special session of the board, held on the 14th of July, 1870, four similai- bridges were proposed to be erected - one across the Middle Fork of Wildcat Creek, near Prince William; one across Wildcat Creek, at Markert's Mill; one across Rock Creek, near Rockfield, and another across Rock Creek, near Woodville. The contract for the bridge near Prince William was let July 15, 1870, to R. W. Smith, for ^Vheelock's Patent Iron Abutments, for $3,420; the excavation for 43 cents per cubic yard, and 30 cents per cubic yard for the filling. The superstructure was let to D. H. & C. C. Morrison, for Morrison's Wrought-iron Arch Bridge, of one 100 feet span at the rate of $26.40 per lineal foot.

The contract for the Markert Bridge was let to John McCarty, for the abutments, which were to be of Georgetown stone, at $13.- 25 per cubic yard : also for the excavation for 95 cents per cubic yard, and filling at 29^ cents per yard. The superstructure to R. W. Smith, to be of wood, covered and weather boarded and painted, at the rate of $21.50 per lineal foot, the span to be 150 feet in length.

The Roekfield Bridge to be of iron, was let, also, to R. W. Smith, at $2,060 for the abutments; for the excavation at 23 cents per cubic yard, and fill at 30 cents. The superstructiu^e was let to Winslow & Co., a 120 feet span, of iron, at $23.50 per lineal foot.

For the construction of the Woodville Bridge - to be of wood - the contract was let to R. W. Smith & Co. - for patent iron abutments, at $2,025: for excavation, at - cents per cubic yard, and the superstructiu-e, for a span of eighty feet in length, at $14 per lineal foot - the abutments to be completed by October 1, 1870, and the superstructure within sixty days thereafter. These, with other bridges, since constructed, constitute the bridge system of Carroll County.

Old Settlers' Society

SETTLEE.S - Organization Cossm,! i;i h-Notice of a Meeting to Form a Society XwiM 111 iNioNs Agreed Upon - Organization PERFKiirn Ki\iiw of the Proceeding.s ON the Occasion - Sursecjuent Meetings Noticed - Abstracts of Proceedings Had from Time to Time - Names OF Members. These Re-Unions Become Holiday Gatherings - Notices AND Comments - Incidents - Brief Mention,

TpROM a very early period in the history of the pioneer settlors -L of Carroll County, the disposition was manifested, as if by a common impulse, to frequently meet together and recall the in- dividual and common experiences incident to the first settlements, and renew the friendships of other days, cementing more firmly, if need be, the bond of union acknowledged among them as an inseparable obligation which should be transmitted to their children and to coming generations. The natural consequence of this prevailing sentiment was a desire to pei-jietuate in some form, the memory of events connecting them with the past - when this county was almost in a state of nature, ready to emerge from the trackless wilderness; when the few adventm-ous spirits, fresh from the haunts of civilization, came and settled here in seeming defiance of the inclemencies of winter, and of the hardships and privations - the siore attendants upon pioneer life; when, during more advanced jieriods, the germs of civilization brought from the homes of the advance guard away toward the region of the rising sun and planted in this goodly soil, had begun to develop into forms of hopeful progress consecrated to patient toil, and the forest wilds to be transformed into cultivated fields decorated with the emblements of successful husbandry; and again, when the remnant of that band of brave, self-sacrificing spirits, who had been instnimental in conducting the revolution of the previous third of a centviry in Carroll Coimty, were rapidly descend ing the hillside of life. This desire, strengthened by the obligations to their posterity and to the commimity in which they mingled, prompted them to cause the organization of a society of the old settlers, as a means whereby those laudable purposes would assuredly be accomplished. Accordingly, the following notice was published in the newspapers of the county:

Old Settlers Meeting

The undersigned hereby request all the citizens of Carroll County who settled here prior to the year 1831. to meet at the court house in Delphi at 10 o'clock A. M., on the 9th day of June next, for the purpose of spending a social day in reviewing the scenes of the olden time; and also with a view of forming a society to perpetuate the early history of this county. All persons who have been inhabitants of this county prior to the time above named, are requested before the day of meeting to reduce to writing the history, so far as they may remember it, of this county, up to the 1st of .January, 1831, and, particularly, anecdotes of the early settlement, and incidents calculated to throw light upon the early history of the county: Abner Robinson, J. R. Ball.\rd,

Piu'suant to that notice, a large meeting of the old settlers of the county assembled in the court house, when, for the purposes of preliminary organization, Hon. James Odell was called to the chair and James H. Stewai-t a]3pointed Secretary. When the meeting had been called to order, the President, in stating the objects for which they had assembled, among other things, said that the details of the early history of this county were now known to comparatively few persons, and none, save the participants in them, were aware of the trials and hardships to which the early settlers had been subjected, and none, perhaps, would be likely to remember them with greater particularity; hence, as a means of preserving from oblivion many of the facts and incidents which, in their time, made up the essentials of what are now the leading and most interesting features of our pioneer history - it is proposed to organize an association, composed of the old settlers of Carroll County. In many of the other and older counties of the State, the pioneers of those localities have held meetings of this kind to organize societies, and through that agency collect material for local history. To accomplish what is desired in this direction, it is necessary to meet together, as we have done, and have an accurate, complete record made of what is said and done, and, from time to time, publish the same for the benefit of the rising generations, who would be astonished at the recital of what the early settlers had endured. For the purpose, therefore, of gathering together and perpetuating the recollection of the incidents connected with our early history, this meeting has been called. It is recommended that a committee be appointed to collect facts, and any person might wi-ite down such incidents as he might be in possession of, and hand the same to the committee. In this way important facts could be collected and recorded in proper form to be preserved.

In compliance with the terms of this resolution, old settlers to the number of thirty-one came forward and signed the roll as prospective members of the society in process of organization. A nearly complete list of the names of members at that time and subsequently enrolled will be found in an appropriate place.

On further motion, a permanent committee, consisting of James H. Stewart, Abner Kobinson, James Odell, Thomas Stirlen and John M. Ewing, was appointed to collect historical and other facts connected with the early settlement of the county. Subsequently, an opportunity having been afforded for the purpose, several of the old settlers gave brief statements of their experiences as pioneer men in this locality, interspersed with numerous anecdotes, incidents and trials, illustrative of what was done, seen and endured by these representatives of a past age.

Abner Robinson, who appears to have been not only the oldest settler present, but best prepared, for a strict compliance with the terms imposed upon the committee, then gave a carefully prepared review of his own career and that of his father and family, which, under the head of " Reminiscences," has been given almost in its entirety, as a fair recital of the occurrences that form the basis of a lai'ge proportion of our early history.

Mr. Robinson had all his life been a close observer of men and things, and hence was well qualified to take the initiatory step in presenting, for the consideration of those present, an example of what might be reasonably expected from the others.

William McCord was next called, and, after con-oborating the statements of Mr. Robinson, added that he had been a resident of the county for about one year prior to the removal of his family hither; that there were then only twelve heads of families in the entire ai'ea of Carroll County; in July. 1827, there were about seventeen.

Remarks were severally made by James Odell, Thomas and John M. Gillam, Thomas Stirlen and others, the substance of whose statements have been already given in previous chapters. As a concluding portion of the proceedings of this first stated meeting of the "Old Settlers of Carroll Coimty," Abner Robinson was chosen President of the society for the ensuing year. He was afterward, however, made President for life. The meeting then adjourned until the 4th day of August, 1855, with the suggestion that at the next gathering, each person bring his family and a basket of provisions in anticipation of enjoying a grand re-union. A speaker, also, was provided for the occasion.

for the reason that it was the first, and gives, perhaps, a better conception of the spirit that moved these men and their families to lay the foundation of a society, the most popular and enjoyable of its kind, without doubt, in the entire State. In its subsequent history will be found much valuable and interesting matter, which, but for the existence of this peculiar organization, would have, erelong, been swallowed up in the great ocean of oblivion. A second meeting was held, pursuant to adjom-nment, and was, indeed, an occasion of great social enjoyment, and was participated in with almost religious zeal. A prepared address was delivered on the occasion by Dr. J. M. Ewing, elsewhere given at length, which was followed by the personal nai-ratives and memory sketches of John B. Mihoy, George Koyster, James McDowell, Daniel Baum, Sr., Thomas Smith, James H. Stewart and some others, many of them reciting incidents of like tenor, all interesting and well calculated to revive the half-forgotten memories of the participants concerning transactions of the past, causing them to live over again, in fancy, at least, the realities of pioneer life. The third and fourth meetings of the society were held on the second Saturday in June, 1856 and 1857. Subsequently, the second Saturday in August of each year was fixed as the day for the annual meetings, which regulation since that time has been generally observed, though varied occasionally by adverse circumstances. To attempt a connected review of the proceedings of these meetings severally, would be unnecessary, since, in many instances, they presented a sameness of matter and method that would mar the enjoyable variety imparted by changes of scenery. In what maybe said hereafter of the doings of the society, it will be the purpose, chiefly, to mention transactions of special interest and the occasion that called them forth.

In this connection an important item of history is presented, which settles a question of fact concerning the occupancy of the " Old Trading House " on the Wabash, a little way above the mouth of Rock Creek, in this county. Some time in the fall of 1820, Col. John B. Duret, then recently fi-om Detroit, established a trading-post at that point. In his relation of the matter of his early business career, he states that, in August, 1820, having been employed as clerk in an extensive "Fur Company," he left Michilimackinac with goods for the purjiose of trading with the Indians on the Wabash. Transporting his goods from that island by means of pirogues along the southern shore of Lake Michigan to the mouth of the St. Joseph's River, he ascended that stream to the trading-house occupied by Alexander Coquillard, an Indian trader of considerable notoriety, at the present site of the city at South Bend, Ind; and thence he conveyed them by Indian pack-horses to Fort Wayne. At this point, he remained a short time only, and, in the fall of the same year, he descended the Wabash and erected his trading-house on the left bank of the river, a little above the mouth of Rock Creek. Just across the Wabash and a little below, there was quite an extensive Pottawatomie village, which, with some others more remote, furnished him a very lucrative trade, supplying him with furs and peltries in exchange for such commodities as were most in demand by them. He was very popular among the natives and won their confidence by his fair dealing and characteristic suavity of manner, continuing in (rade there diu'ing the three years succeeding. Leaving this point, he abandoned the Indian trade altogether retiu'ned to Fort Wayne and remained there until the sjiring of 1828, when, upon the removal of the Indian agency, he went to Logansport, at the instance of (ien. Tipton, then in charge of the agency, and became the principal clerk of the agent. Subsequently, upon the organization of Cass County, he was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court, and continued to hold that position imtil the time of his death, on the 5th of December, 1855.

The fifth annual meeting of the Old Settlers' Society, was held on the 14th of August, 1858, on the bluff of Deer Creek, near the Milroy mansion. Upon the meeting being called to order, the President announced that all persons who had come to Carroll County prior to the 1st day of January, 1835, and desired to become members of the society, should come forward and enroll their names as such, when thirty three persons availed themselves of the opportunity - among them some of those who were of the first settlers of the county, but had hitherto neglected to become members. At this meeting, Abner Robinson, the oldest settler of the county, having been annually chosen the President of the society, was again elected, and the succeeding meeting, held on the 20th of August, 1859, he was elected President for life.

From 1862 >uitil 1866, during the existence of the war, the regular meetings of the society were suspended. On Saturday, August 4, 1866, however, these annual re-unions were renewed, and again the spirit that actuated the movements of the pioneer fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, in the early days of our county's history, manifested itself with accustomed vigor. Since that time meetings have been held with almost uniform regularity, continually enlarging the area of social enjoyment among that class of settlers especially in whose interest the society was organized, that the memory of the part taken by them in the developing process that had been going on in the laboratory of time during the long years preceding, might always be kept fresh and vigorous in the minds of the present and succeeding generations.

A very satisfactory meeting was held on the second Satui-day of August (8th), 1868, on the Milroy farm. The principal speaker of the occasion was George Bowman, Esq., who, in the forty minutes occupied by him, reviewed with considerable minuteness the details of the educational system of the past, comparing it with the more modem and exhibiting in his practical way the advantages possessed by that generation over the preceding ones in the opportimities presented for intellectual and moral culture. The address was replete with valuable suggestions and was every way worthy of the man and the occasion. " His re marks on the benefit of a correct education were excellent, and, if carried out, would instill into the minds of children loftier and better ideas than they are in the habit of possessing themselves with in the fast age in which we live."

Impromptu speeches were also made by Gen. R. H. Milroy, Henry C. Dibble, Rev. Mr. Beckner, Isaac Jackson, Maj. John B. Milroy, Austin Williamson and others, in which they dwelt upon the occurrences of the past, in individual experiences and anecdotes, reminders that we live now in a different age, with customs and characteristics so much at variance with those of the past as scarcely to be recognized as realities.

At the annual meeting of the society held on the 14th of August, 18()9, Hon. Henry C. Dibble, a native of Carroll County,, but subsequently a resident of New Orleans, was the chosen orator, and he acquitted himself most creditably. For a full hour or more he held his vast atidience enchained, as it were, while he traced with vivid ponoilings the movements of the Star of Empire from the extreme East to the boundless West, in the rise and fall of the governments of the Old World, presenting with great force his ideal of a perfect government in which the intelligence of the masses constitutes the gi'eat bulwark of freedom - distinguishing features of our own National Government - asserting that, with the experiences of the past before us, there was no good reason why we, the people of the United States, should not avoid the breakers upon which other ships of State have been wrecked, and make our own Union perpetual.

Besides Judge Dibble, other speakers from time to time occupied the attention of the interested hearers - among them Hon. C. B. Lasselle, of Logansport, and Hon. Godlove S. Orth, of La Fayette. Altogether, the re-union was a grand success, many visitors coming from Cass, White, Tippecanoe and other adjoining counties. A similar meeting in many respects was held on the 12th of August, 1871, at Milroy's Grove. On that occasion the society was addressed by Sanford Cox, of La Fayette, one of the very old settlers of Tippecanoe County and quite familiar with the early settlements in this. His address was well received and left an impression that suggested the possibility of another call upon the author's fund of information. At this meeting preliminary steps were taken toward seciu-ing a permanent jilace of meeting in the future. Subsequently, arrangements were made by which the use of Lenon's Grove was secured as a meeting-place, and since that time the re- unions of old settlers have been held there annually, the grounds having been prepared with especial reference to the comfort and convenience of the immense throng that regularly congregates there on the second Satiu'day in August of each year to renew their vows of friendship and live over again the scenes of pioneer life.

On the second Saturday in August, 1873, true to the custom instituted in the past, another reunion was held on those gi'ounds. Of this meeting, the Delphi Journal of August 13, 1873, thus speaks: "Saturday, the 9th inst., was the time appointed for the old settlers' meeting in Carroll County. Such a meeting as a festal occasion would strike a stranger as nothing more than a re-union of a few old people to enjoy a good dinner and revive the memories of the privations, struggles and joys of pioneer life. One would naturally suppose that such a meeting would be less year by year, until the last of the old settlers had slept with the dead. But the last meeting gave assm-ance that the old settlers' meeting has become, and will continue to be, the greatest and most enjoyable festival of the people of this county. Very early in the morning the streets of oiu- beautiful city were thronged with the carriages and vehicles of every description of those who had come to attend this feast. At 10 o'clock the assemblage had met in a beautiful grove about one mile from the city. It is estimated that during the day there were not less than 10.000 persons present.

" The exercises of the meeting were of the most interesting character. The Delphi and Camden bands announced the commencement of the occasional exercises, and the President, Abner Robinson, then called the meeting to order. * * * Prayer was offered by Rev. Prof. G. W. Rice. The address by the Rev. Aaron Wood, D. D., could but have delighted and instructed all who heard it. Before the settlement of Carroll County the speaker had been conversant with the different settlements of the whole State of Indiana. He spoke of what he had seen as well as of what he had heard. In his exhibition of pioneer life, to use his own words, he spoke of a happy people, in happy times and in a most happy frame of mind. * * * it was heard with attention and satisfaction.

John Lenon, Robert Holt and lady, Thomas Stirlen, David Baum, Clark Gwinn, Rev. A. Wood, D. D., and Mrs. Lake. They sang such good old tunes as Lanox. Boylston, O^ean, etc., in a manner that carried us back to the good old days of buckwheat notes, long before the days when fashionable choirs tickled the ears of fashionable audiences. They carried the mind back to the religious meeting in the log schoolhouse, and the first humble structures for religious worship. More than this, they can-ied the minds of some to the high galleries in the meeting-houses among the New England hills. If there had been just the faintest perfume of fennel or caraway seed, the illusion would have been complete. The dinner was a large private picnic under the shades of trees by families, or as gatherings of friends in groups of three or a dozen or more, and all partook of a bountiful repast. There was the utmost freedom and enjoyment, but perfect order. It seemed like a revival of the Feast of Tabernacles of the ancient Church of God."

The next annual meeting was held on the second Satm-day in August, 1874, with the usual interesting ceremonies. The same is true of the meeting held in 1875, on the 14th of August, a special feature of which was the address of Judge Baldwin, of Logansport, entitled, " A Cure for Hard Times '' - a few brief extracts from which will not be out of place. "The cure for hard times is to double oiu- industry and quadruple oiu- economy. Beware of politicians. They live upon the discontent of a country. Nothing suits them so well as hard times, for they can turn that fact to their advantage and get into fat places by promises of a change that they will never make. They cannot make a cure if they would, because they have no power over natural laws. All the legislation in the world won't give us any relief unless we relieve ourselves. The snap must be in the horse and not in the whip. Legislature has no power to make water run up hill. If the people have backbone in them the best thing the Government can do is to let them severely alone. My doctrine is, that Government is best that governs least. I had rather have people that lived up to the maxims of Poor Richard's almanac - a people where every man is his own statesman - than an army of leai-ned political economists.

" Finally, I warn you against getting into debt If in debt, I counsel you to improve upon the Scripture rule - ' Agree with thine adversary double quickly.' The borrower is the slave of the lender. There is no enemy so dreadful as interest. Man can only work a third of the time. Machinery wears itself out. But interest gi'ows night and day, and perpetually renews its youth. It thrives by what it feeds upon. It is like water dropping upon a rock. Nothing can resist its remorseless tooth. * * * Friends, these are no doubt very disappointing words. I could readily mystify you with an array of figiu'es and conceal my own ignorance in a cloud of leai'ned words and fine talk about balances of trade, measiu-es of value and laws of ciu'rency. AMien through, we would be just where we started No man ever paid his debts, no people ever got rich by talking about it. Talk is the life of politics and the death of industry. The cure for hard times is hard work."

On the same occasion, a very excellent address was delivered by Hon. Samuel C. Willson, of Crawfordsville, one of the pioneer lawyers of the Wabash Valley, and a man of great practical information. Addressing the younger portion of his audience especially, he said: "The younger portion of this audience can hardly realize the toils, the dangers aiid privations of the early settlers. They know nothing of frontier wilderness life. My young professional brethren would look upon the practice as a hard way of making a living if, to attend to a case at La Fayette, they had to swim their horses through two bayous, between the Wabash and La Fayette, as well as the swift and swollen Tippecanoe, as I have had to do since I came into the district, only my travel was fi-om La Fayette here, instead of from here to La Fayette, and I have sat in my saddle the livelong day to make the trip. Swimming streams and miring down were common occurrences to the practitioner in early times. Ours was, however, mere boy play, compared to what our early settlers had to endure. If you had to live for weeks, aye, months, upon cracked corn or hominy, and pound it yourself, you would think it hard times. I don't believe there is one in a hundred of you that ever saw a mortar for making meal and hominy."

The twenty-second annual meeting of the society was held at Lenon's Grove, on Saturday, the 12th of August, 1876. "For several days previous, the continued rains caused many to think that the attendance would be quite slim; notwithstanding there was a very good attendance." The late Senator, Hon. D. D. Pratt, of Logansport, was the chosen orator of the occasion. An abstract of his remarks will be found in the following item from the Logansport Journal: "Mr. Pratt occupied something more than an hour in his remarks, which, while they were replete with facts and abounded with numerous illustrations, were presented with characteristic force and begat an interest not always exhibited on similar occasions. He compared the suiToundings, the appliances of pioneer life, the usages of society and facilities for travel, to be met with fifty years ago, with what are to be met with to-day? Passing along from point to point, introducing facts patent to the careful observer, he availed himself of these to exhibit the elements of that success with which their progress from those primeval days to the present had been marked."

On the 21st day of August, 1880, the twenty-sixth annual meeting was held, as usual, in Lenon's Grove, attended by an unusual outpoui-ing of the people, evidencing the increased interest manifested by the people in these re-union gatherings. Abner Robinson, the venerable President of the association of old settlers, having died on the 5th of February, 1879, the place became vacant, and Vine Holt, Esq., was chosen to fill his place. Mr. Holt presided at the meeting last mentioned and called the assembly to order. The speaker at this meeting was Hon. J. C. Suit, of Frankfort, who delivered an eloquent address in which he reviewed the wondrous development of this county, State and Nation, since the evening when Henry Robinson and his sons built their first camp-fire in the primitive forest that then covered the vast area now teeming with the evidences of civilization. He reviewed the toils, the dangers, the trials and privations incident to pioneer life, and then, in a most impressive and eloquent manner, contrasted the past with the present.

Preliminary, however, to the commencement of the business of the day, the annual election for officers was held, resulting in the choice of James Odell, President, and Enoch Cox, Secretary. At this meeting, about fifty additional names were enrolled by the Secretary. "The day in all its features, ceremonies and entertainments, was a matchless success. Everything on the bills went off as announced and everybody was hapjiy. Competent judges place the crowd at 8,000."

the gathering was less large and conspicuous than on former occasions; yet, notwithstanding the gloomy foreboding of the early morning, there were not less than four or five thousand in attendance and excellent feeling was manifested. At the election held among the first proceedings of the day, John B. Milroy was chosen President and Enoch Cox was continued as Secretary of the society. No stated addi-ess was delivered, but numerous brief impromptu speeches were made, with exercises in the buckwheat note system by the remnant of the old settlers' choir, completed the day's entertainment.

At one of these meetings, among the many incidents related appertaining to the pioneer age in Carroll County, John Baum related the following, which will illusti-ate some of the inconveniences to which the settlers in the early days of the county were frequently subjected. "He said that their blacksmi thing of necessity had to be done many miles distant in older counties below, being the most easy of access. In earlier times, that is to say, in 1826 or 1827, they nearly all went to Crawfordsville to get their work done - a long distance, to be sure, but the necessity existed nevertheless, and they had to go there or do worse.

" At the time, however, of which Mr. Baum speaks, in the sjiring or summer of 1827, there was a blaiksmith located somewhere near the present site of Covington, in Fountain County, to whom the settlers here went whenever it was necessary to have such work done. On the occasion in point, his father, Daniel Baum, Sr., had some horseshoeing to be done, and he, desiring the opportunity to visit that neighborhood for a definite purpose, best known to a young man looking for a wife, proposed going to the Fountain County shop to have the work done, and accordingly went. While there, jirospectmg generally, he ascertained that a wheelwright, or a person who could repair small spinning-wheels, lived in the neighborhood. This information afforded him peculiar gratification, for he wished to repeat his visits down there, and it occurred to him just then that his mother and some other of the neighbor women up here had some broken "flyers' belonging to their ' little-wheels ' for spinning flax, which he was sure they wanted to get mended, because the flax season would soon come on. It can well be imagined by any person acquainted with, backwoods life fifty years ago, that the economical housewife of those days could scarcely conceive of a more unpropitious mishap than breaking or having broken the flyer of her little wheel - for it always involved much deliberation and a tedious jom-ney to get a new one, or have the old one mended - and the opportunity of getting those repairs done with so little trouble would be hailed with delight. He was fully aware of this and calculated accordingly. When he came home from getting his horse shod, he related to his mother, as a dutiful son always should, the important discovery he had made. The information to her was well timed, and soon she acquainted some of the neighbor women of the fact, so that by the time he wished again to visit Fountain County, opportunities were numerous for him to go without further excuse, that they might get their flyers mcuded in season. He went, of course, and profited by the information he had obtained somewhat clandestinely. He fi-equently refers to it as an incident of his early C(iurtshi[) in the backwoods country. This incident, with many others, might be adduced in illustration of the hardships, trials, difficulties and inconveniences, those settlers were subjected to during the years of toil that succeeded the first settlement of Carroll County, which, though it was no wor.se, nor perhaps as bad as many other new settlements, was full of examples showing that its pioneers were not behind others in meeting and surmounting adversities in whatever shape they presented themselves." Mr. Baum's experience in this instance, illustrated some of the brighter features of pioneer life.

Members Of The Old Settlers' Society

Physical Indications - Classification - Carroll County Belongs TO THE Devonian Period - Remains of the Upper Silurian Period, ivith a Preponderance of the Devonian - Effects of the Glacial Action in this Locality - Subsequent Disturbances - Recent Condition - Analysis of Soils - Limestone and Other Formations - Black Slate- Prospective Coal-Bed - Some Mineral Deposits - Economic Geology - Miscellany.

TNVESTIGATIONjhas shown that the geological construction -*- of this county places it in the Devonian period, notwithstanding distinct traces of Silurian remains are abundant, indicating that the formations belong to an era properly encompassing the major part of the Devonian and a minor proportion of the Silurian, the former having the preponderance. A reconnaissance made by Dr. Owen, State Geologist, in 1859, furnishes the following data from which to determine something of the ti-ue situation. From an examination of an exposure near Delphi, the following section is obtained: ''Soil and loose gravel, etc., ten to fifteen feet; Quaternary hard-pan and conglomerate, fifteen to twenty feet; Devonian black slate, fifty to sixty feet; Devonian limestone, twenty feet; Upper Sihirian pentamerus beds, twenty feet. At the limekiln just below town, we found a local dip to the southeast amovmting to forty degrees. The black slate has been washed out in the valley between Deer Creek and the Wabash, and the detritus scattered over the Devonian limestone, which contain Emmonsia hemispherica, and other fossils, overlying the Stromatopora concentrica and Pentamerus occidentalis limestone. Between two and three miles fi-om Delphi, considerable samples of gold have been washed fi'om the drift in the bed and bank of the creek, a locality well meriting further examinations.

" On Deer Creek, a few miles from Delphi, vast quantities of calcareous tufa have formed, by filtration of water through the overlying quaternary deposits, and subsequent evaporation and consolidation, while trickling slowly over the black slate bluffs of the stream. The stalactitio and columnar forms, often ornamented by distinct impressions of leaves on the soft tufa, with cavernous niches decked out in the rich profusion of cryptogamic vegetation, chiefly of the liver-wort family, added to the rippling streamlets forming cascades, as they are precipitated from cedar-clad di'ift hills, finally, over thirty to forty feet of black slate, into the meanders of Deer Creek, all conspire to form a highly picturesque scene." Ascending the north bank of the Wabash below the dam, at Pittsbm-g, the heavy quaternary deposits are found made up of alternate clay and gravel beds. The town is from twenty to twenty-five feet above low water. On the general level beyond, toward Monticello, about one hundred feet above low water in the Wabash, the section is made up of di-ift bowlders and gravel, sometimes forming ridges, giving growth to black jacks and small hickories and white oaks, hazel bushes, sumachs, etc., while ten to fifteen feet lower, moderate areas of rich swampmuck prairie intervenes.

Further information on the subject of this local formation is imparted in the report of an examination made by Prof. Cox, State Geologist, in 1871 and 1872, an abstract of which is found in the following review:

"At the close of the glacial epoch, this county was probably a level plain. Since that time, the Wabash River and its tributaries have crowded a very considerable amount of clays and bowlders deposited by the great ice flow, forming a valley in this natural plain from ten to twenty miles wide, and from 100 to 200 feet in depth, and cutting their channel down into underlying rocks about ninety feet. Hence, a great variety of soil is found to exist, ranging from the stifi' clays of the bowlder drift, through many modifications, to the ancient and modern alluvial loams which are found on the terraces bordering these rivers.

"The rocks exposed in this county belong to the Devonian and Silurian age, but it is probable that in the southern parts the conglomerate knobstones (Waverly sandstone) will yet be found. The following connected section, combined from measurements taken at several localities near Delphi and at the bluff below Pittsburg, will give a general view: Bowlder drift, fifty to two himdred feet; terraces and gravel beds thrown upon and against the last, twenty to ninety feet; Louisville - Delphi, black slate, Devonian, fifty feet; white alluvium, hard, two feet; black slate, eighteen feet; clay shale, light color, four feet; blue slate, eight feet; band of large concretions, two feet; black shale, twelve feet; band of concretions, one foot six inches; drab shale, ten feet; gray shale, three feet six inches; Devonian limestone, twenty-two feet; Pentamerus limestone, siliceous, thirty feet; petroleum limestone, siliceous, twenty feet - 474 feet.

" The black slate is a prominent feature of the foregoing section. Although the exposures were disconnected, yet combined they afford a view reaching from the bottom to within a few feet of the upper layer. The name is established in geological nomenclatm-e, but is hardly significant. The slate is, at exposures, a brownish gray shale with considerable iron finely disseminated. Bituminous matter is present, with petroleum in small quantities, and bituminous tar, or albertite, in fissures and partings. No fossils were noticed in the upper beds. In the lower beds. Mi-. George A. Vandeventer reports having found some fern leaves. Breaking open the concretions locally kno%vn as ' bowlders,' obscurely marked trunks of Lepidodendron and stigmaria'jweTe found, the spines of the latter containing petroleum. Both were probably of new species. In another bowlder, I found large teeth of a fish belonging to the shark family. This horizon is rich in fish remains, and further explorations will richly reward 'the scientific worker.

"Immediately below the slate, a coarse, impure limestone is found, twenty-two feet thick, when seen. It is of little economic value, but has been used for foundations and rough walls. It contains Cyrathaphylloid corals, Spirifer auritisma, Atrypa reticularis and Chonetes setigara.

" The Pentamerus bed is an irregular deposit, variable in its mode of occurrence and thickness, evidently deposited by currents flowing across inequalities in the sm-face of regularly deposited rocks below. It is generally found thrown upon or against these inequalities, and consequently this deposit exhibits remarkable peculiarities of false bedding. The lines of deposit are never horizontal, sometimes nearly vertical, and at all angles between their directions. This phenomenon is often pointed at as the effect of subsidence and upheaval, but may be easily and more truthfully accounted for by studying the mode of deposit peculiar to this bed. The stone is crowded with casts and fossils, the animal matter being wholly removed, as Pentamerus Kniglitii, large and very abundant; Halysites catenulata, corals, crinoid stems and Bryozoans. The lower part of the bed is burned for lime and furnishes an article of high grade in the market. The lower bed is but partially explored at the quarries. It is similar to the last, but being free from animal and mineral impurities, presents a superior article of lime. Only a few fossils have been found, all being of the Niagara epoch of the Silurian age.

Economic Geoloqy

About two thirds of the area of Carroll County is upland variety, the modified material of the bowlder drift. Descending from the highest table-land 250 to 270 feet above the Wabash, we find on approaching that river the soil becomes more loamy, with beaches and gravel traces, marking the ancient channel of the river from eighty to one hundi-ed and ten feet above its present bed. The whole county was originally clothed with a good growth of excellent timber, including white, black and red oak, walnut, poplar and maple. Good crops of corn, wheat, oats and hay are produced. Blue grass thrives, and apples, sound and of large size, were abundant."

Brick Clays

" The clays of this county are largely composed of the pulverized debris of the black slate. This gives placticity to the material and adds a perceptible amount of iron, which paints the bricks here made with an indelible ruddy color. A stranger will at once notice that the city of Delphi has the appearance of a new town. Although some of the houses have been exposed to the weather for twenty-five years, the brick walls are as fi-esh and as brightly colored as of yesterday. This building material deserves the notice of architects, as it is believed to furnish a product equal to any in the Union."

Limestone

" Several mines are opened and extensively worked in and near Delphi, for burning. The lime produced is of good quality, and is a specific article of trade known as ' Delphi Lime.' It sets slow, or, in mechanical terms, 'works cool.' allowing the mechanic time to spread his plaster, or lay mortar over a large space before ' setting ' and thus secm-es complete contact with adjoining surfaces. On ' setting,' the cement adheres well, and becomes as hard as stone, often more compact than brick. The burned stone does not air-slack readily and consequently affords ample time to facilitate transportation. Seventy poimds of this lime, I am informed, is considered equal to eighty pounds of other Ohio or Indiana limes."

In this county, especially in and around Delphi, lime-burning has been and is a very extensive branch of trade, yielding a large revenue with good profits to those engaged in the business. In another place, devoted to the different industries of Delphi, something more in detail will be found giving a brief history of the trade and manufacture of lime, as conducted by the more extensive operators in that depai'tment.

The question of the existence of coal in Carroll County at no great depths below the beds of the Wabash Biver and of Deer Creek has been frequently canvassed: at this time, however, no very satisfactory developments have been made - at least, none sufficient to justify any active movement toward an investigation of the matter to determine how much merit there is in the " outcroppings " and " blossoms " that have been from time to time discovered along the margin of Deer Creek Prairie, on the lands of George A. Vandeventer, where they approach the Wabash River, and on the banks of Deer Creek east of Delphi. In these two localities especially, specimens of coal of a quality that has been used successfully in blacksmiths' furnaces, have been found upon the surface of the ground and in considerable quantities, sufficient, it would seem, by the exercise of ordinary energy, to justify the experiment of testing the question whether coal is im bedded within a reasonable depth below the surface to warrant the opening of a mine. Indeed, it has recently been stated on apparently good authority, that a company, consisting chiefly of practical coal workers, stands ready to undertake the sinking of a shaft, by which the query may be solved at their own risk, and awaits the assent of the owner of the lands to make the necessaiy reconnaissance - and that Mr. Vandeventer has signified his willingness to afford this company all needed facilities at once. From personal observations and examinations made by the writer more than thirty years ago; from casual examinations made by others within that period, and from the geological reports of the Drs. David Dale and Richard Owen, and of Prof. Cox, of Indiana, there is little question that coal of a good quality and in considerable quantities may be foimd within one hundred feet of the surface in the banks of the Wabash in the vicinity indicated. The introduction of this additional branch of industry within the bounds of Carroll County could not fail in being a valuable acquisition.

Arch.Eology

In this dejiartment the progress of investigation has not been very extensive nor has it made many very important developments. Among those made, the discovery of mastodon remains is, perhaps, best attested. Some time in the year 1877, while Samuel H. Robinson, residing on the northeast quaiter of Section 5, Township 24 north, Range 2 west, was digging through a piece of low ground for the purpose of straightening a small branch that ran through his premises, a little north of east and about twenty rods distance from his residence, he discovered, or rather uncovered, some five feet under ground, two large teeth - one the back tooth, a grinder, six and one-half inches in length, four and a half inches across at the widest part and three inches at the narrowest part - the greatest length across the roots being seven inches, and the roots three and a quarter and three and three quarter inches in depth. The weight was five and three- fourths pounds. It had nine grinding points, four on either side and one back, the two pairs being separated by a cavity more than one inch in depth. It is in a good state of preservation, and appears, from its great size and strength, to have been capable of immense execution in the process of crushing whatever may have been placed between this giant masticator and its fellow. What the history of the owner of this tooth was dui'ing its active career, must, at this late day, be left wholly to conjecture. The numerous discoveries of the remains of these monsters in different parts of Northern Indiana, renders it appai'ent that this region of country was well adapted to the habitation of these animals, since so many of them have found sepulture within its borders.

Other remains have been found of extinct animals of the class noted, as well as those of a different class; but, since no sufficient details have been furnished concerning them, it has been found omit any further accounts of such.

Chaptee Xxiv County Finances

TTTHEN Carroll County was organized, the chief expenses in- ' ' curred were those which grew out of the selection of a site for and the selection and location of the seat of justice for the new county. These expenses were considerable, but under the provisions of the law relating to the location of seats of justice of new counties, it was customary for the projirietors of eligible sites to agree with and propose, thi'ough the instrumentality of the Commissioners appointed by the Legislature, that, in consideration of selection of a particular site upon which to locate the seat of justice, a donation would be made of lands and lots - sometimes money, in value or amount sufficient, not only to pay the expenses incident to the location and establishment of the county seat, but enough sometimes to pay for the erection and completion of the first public buildings required for county purposes, including the site for the public squai-e and the lands and moneys as well were placed in charge of an officer called the County Agent, whose duty it was under the law to receive all such donations, and, under the direction of the County Board, to cause the lands and lots so donated to be converted into money, and, upon their order, to pay out of the fund thus created all the expenses in any way growing out of the location of the seat of justice and the erection of public buildings. In the chapter apjjropriated to the organization of the county and the proceedings relating to and connected with the assumption of the powers of a separate and independent jm-isdiction by the people of the county, these matters are set forth in substantially complete detail, and to which reference is made. Therefore, this County Agent, so tar as those expenses were concerned, was the treasurer and custodian of that class of funds - made so by the law authorizing the formation of a sepai-ate jurisdiction. Samuel Milroy was the first agent of the county of Carroll, appointed pursuant to the organic act, and discharged the duties of his office with fidelity and skill.

Here, the appointment of a County Treasurer preceded the appointment of a County Agent; the office, however, at that time was little more than nominal, there being no moneys in his hands except such as were received from the County Agent. Daniel Baum, Sr., was first appointed Treasurer of the county, on the 12th of May, 1828, while Mr. Milroy was not appointed agent imtil the 24th - twelve days later. The penalty affixed to Mr. Baum's official bond was |1,000, yet his report, filed on the 10th of November, 1829, showed that his receipts amounted to the aggregate sum of $495, and he was allowed, as his full percentage for receiving'_that sum, only $7.40.

On the 8th of February, 1830, Mr. Baum was again appointed Treasurer, and in his further report, submitted on the 14th of February, 1831. there was a balance of |72.87i found to be in the treasury upon settlement with him at that date. He was allowed, for percentage that year, $7.50. The office certainly was not a very lucrative one in those days, and he resigned the trust, the vacancy being filled by William George. Upon settlement with the new Treasiu'er, on the 2d of January, 1832, a balance of $132,264 was found to be remaining in the ti-easury- At the settlement on the 7th of January, 1833, it was shown that of the funds received by the Treasiu'er during the preceding yeari there remained in his hands imdisbursed the siun of $323.80|.

The following exhibit presents a classified statement of the receipts and disbtvrsements of the County Treasurer as shown by his report submitted May 31, 1850:

By the report of the Treasurer, filed May 31, 1805, it was shown that within the year preceding, he had received $99,976.62, and had paid out $7,7495.40, leaving a balance of $31,481.16.

By the report of the Treasurer of Carroll County, submitted and approved by the Board June 1, 1881, the finances of the county for the year ending May 31, 1881, is shown in the abstract as follows:

Receipts

Balance in the Treasury of State tax. State House tax. State school tax, county revenue, bridge revenue and all other funds, June 1, 1880 $ 61,321 62

Introduction

INTRODUCTION. Military History as an Adjunct of Civil History - War THE Forerunner of Civilization - Review of Military' Operations Incident to the Early Settlements of this coitntry- - re.sults of the old french and indian war - War of the Revolution - The Indian War Succeeding the Revolution - The War of 1812 - Conclusions.