Crawford County, Indiana - Chapter 15: The Seventies, 1926

Chapter 15: The Seventies

Much agitation during the late sixties and the early seventics existed in Crawford County relative to the railroad surveys which were made. Two of these surveys crossed Crawford County.

It was the purpose of the company to get each county to take so much stock or donate to the railroad company so much to help build the road. The first proposition was submitted to the board of commissioners on September 11, 1869, by John 8. Sandrom. The petition read: We, the undersigned residents of Crawford County, do hereby petition the Honorable Board of Commissioners to order an election held in Crawford County to see whether the people wish to buy $82,000 worth of the railroad stock. The election to be held at the various voting precincts of the county. The stock was to be bought when the road was complete and the first train run over it.

The board being fully satisfied that one hundred of the list were frecholders, and being fully advised in the matter, ordered an election held throughout the county on November 1, 1869, to see if the people wished to buy the bonds.

Railroad Election

To the qualified voters of Crawford County: You are hereby notified that the polls will be open at the usual places in the various townships on Monday, November 1, 1869, to take a vote on the subject of said county aiding in the construction of the New Albany and St. Louis Air Line Railroad by taking $382,000 worth of stock.

Then began an earnest campaign for the road and against the road. When the election was over the vote was as shown below. The judges met at Leavenworth on November 4, 1869, and canvassed the votes. It appeared that 942 votes were cast, out of which 493 were for the road and 449 were against the road.

Nothing more was done with the matter until Tuesday, June 7, 1870. On that day J. J. MeCollister and N. C. Butler appeared before the board of county commissioners and asked that a special tax of one per cent. be levied upon all the real estate of the county to pay the sum of $32,000, but the board, after examining the poll books, tally sheets and the clerk's reports, decided that the majority of the votes were against the railroad.

The matter was taken to court. Tall Golden started the suit to collect the money. This made him very unpopular. Efforts were made to hang him. So he hid out of nights till he contracted consumption, from which he died. Ife was a good man, too.

One night a mob descended on Leavenworth and captured Bill Temple. Ile lived up on the Leavenworth hill. Ile told them to ride around the road and he would dress and come down the path the near way. They told him that they would not let him get away from them. So when he was ready they rode up and down the streets till they were tired. Then they forced him to open the office door so that they could tear up certain records in the office. The papers were burned. On that point the citizens were in the wrong. One may find the pages torn out of book eight, pages 396 to 399 of the comissioners' records.

The matter was taken to Vanderburg County. <A hearing occurred December 14, 1870. The county paid John M. B. Scott, one of the county commissioners, $50 to pay his expenses. [Later he refunded $17 which was not spent out of the $50. The clerk of the Vanderburg County court does not seem to have any record of the case. But the case evidently went to the Indiana Supreme Court and then to the Federal Court at Chicago. The case was decided in favor of the county commissioners. By May, 1871, the county had paid out $1,219.75.

Yet the people were not to be left without a railroad many years. The company was reorganized and steps taken to secure help from the county again. The county commissioners were summoned to meet on July 8, 1879, for the purpose of considering petitions from Whisky Run, Sterling, Liberty. Patoka and Johnson townships as to the propriety of calling an election in these townships for or against the appropriation of certain sums of money to the New Albany and St. Louis Airline Company. Comes now E. Ifostetter, E. F. Hostetter, J. M. Eddleman, G. W. Baylor, J. F. Sanders and many others, being in all over 25 and present the following petition :

"To the County Commissioners of Crawford County, your petitioners whose names appear below are citizens of Whisky Run township and are legal voters. That the Louisville, New Albany and St. Louis Railroad Company is an organization incorporated under the law of Indiana to build and operate a railroad which will run through Whisky Run township. Liberty township, Sterling township, Patoka township and Jolimson township, upon the appropriation of $3,200, which was less than two per cent. of the assessed valuation of the township. The $3,200 to be paid to the company when the road was completed and the first train run over the road. Also pray that the board order an election to ascertain the will of the voters. Signed:

After due consideration, Bennett H. Young, being duly sworn, states that the names and signatures are genuine, the board set August 13, 1879, for the election in Whisky Run township. The auditor put up the notices in due form and in the proper places.

Then came Liberty township, John M. Johnson, W. H. Byrum, Thomas Heeston, James M. Weathers, Daniel Weathers, John R. Land, George Conrad, James Walts, R. Mitchell, W. T. Walts, P. S. Taylor, Ben N. Sloan, M. If. Sloan, John Taylor, Joseph Boyd, Calvin White, William Creatch, - - - Byrum, J. N. Breeden, Joseph Weathers, John Vandiver, H. H. Weathers, J. D. Hedrick, Vincent Weathers, Robert Walts, F. P. Walts, Chesterfield Weathers, John Jameson, Joab Stroud, Eph Jones and Jacob Crecelius on a petition for Liberty township. Board ordered the polls open on August 13, 1879, to vote on whether they would give $2,200 to the company to help with the railroad.

Then came the following citizens from Johnson township and asked that an election be held to see if the majority there wished to donate $1,400 to the railroad company :

In Whisky Run township the railroad lost, but another election was held. A bitter campaign was waged. The yote on the question was: For the donation, 125; against donation, 120.

Christian Atz and John Benz did some hard work for the railroad. Liberty, Sterling and Patoka townships voted for the donation. Records are not clear about Johnson, but think the people voted against it. Anyway, the railroad hardly touches Johnson township as it runs through the county.

Many amusing stories are told about the people who came out to see the train. At English a large crowd was gathered on the little hill south of the station. When the engineer was ready to start, he called out to the people on the hillside and said that they must get out of there for he wanted to run up on that hillside and turn around. Ile blew the whistle and the people ran like mad _ persons.

Tile Seventies 317

Much complaint was made about the Dry Run bridge. On March 5, 1874, James R. Lambdin, Logan Miller and Alexander Trotter being the county commissioners, awarded a contract to W. T. Masher and W. P. Everdon to erect the walls and wings out of good stone. And to erect on the abutments a number one ''Davenport patent wrought iron bridge'' IIam truss arch bridge. The price of the masonry at $8.65 per cubic yard. The dry filling was $2.75 per cubie yard, and the digging at 26 cents a cubie yard. The dirt filling in the approaches was 2214 cents a cubic yard. The iron cost $21.50 a linear foot. They must keep the old bridge in repair till the new one was complete. The old bridge was very dangerous. On September 5, 1865, John Wolf's horse walked over the cdge and fell to the ground, killing itself. He made claim for $75, but the board allowed him $65. No banisters were up then and horses might easily run too near the edge and fall over.

There were two bonds, No. 4 and No. 5, struck for $1,000, to be paid on March 5, 1875, with interest at ten percent., to get money to build this bridge. The men who built the bridge did a good piece of work. It is still standing now (1925).

The Dry Run bridge was ordered condemned December 4, 1872, by Commissioners Jacob Tucker, Logan Miller and John Archibald. The supervisor was ordered to close the road leading to the bridge and notify the trustee of the condition of the bridge. Our people were so careless that the commissioners had to take such strict methods before anything was done with the old bridge.

Another bridge much needed in those early days was the bridge over Slick Run, where the ereek coming down 'Devil's Hollow'? runs into Slick Run, near where Jenners' mill stood. At present Rogers lives near where Slick Run runs into Big Blue. The board ordered the bridge March 2, 1874, at a regular meeting of the board. The specifications and plans were: Two good substantial stone abutments, pillars, or piers on each side of the stream sixteen feet wide by five feet deep at the base, fifteen feet from the bed of the creek to the top of the pier with onehalf inch batter to the foot with the corner up stream circled over said stone must be of a fine variety. The span was to be forty feet from pier to pier. The roadway was to be fourteen feet wide. The bridge was to have seven sills, each 7 inches x 14 inches x 40 feet of good seasoned oak. The floor was to be 6 inches x 2 inches and laid crosswise, well spiked with four-inch spikes.

Edward Perkins filed a claim for $95 for extra work. The board rejected the claim and he appealed the suit to the circuit court at the request of the board, but later he was allowed $49.25 for the work.

Trustee Joseph Brown, of Sterling, who had spent the money of the township for unauthorized purposes, was accused by the good people of Sterling township. The rumors had been current for some time, and finally the board ordered him to appear before them and submit his books. The books showed that when school closed he gave his teachers due bills against the township and secured their receipts for the same.

The board ordered him to be removed from ihe office and all the papers handed over to his suecessor, who was Mr. Goodson. The matter was finally settled.

During the seventies a new Jaw was enacted by the General Assembly, providing for a county superintendent of schools, whose duty it was to look after the school funds of the county. Stated elsewhere in the chapter on education, one may read of the election of J. W. C. Springston, who was our first county school head.

One of the first important duties of Springston was to eatch Preston O'Bannon, trustee of Ohio township, who had been embezzling the school funds for some time. After the suit was started O'Bannon eseaped to Tlinois and lived there many years under an assumed name until a question arose relative to certaim insurance and the Masonic lodge, of which he was a member. Doctor Hawn of Leavenworth went on the hunt of him. awn found him down in IIlinots where he had been elected judge. When he saw Hawn he cried out: 'Oh, my God, Hawn, if you tell on me [ am ruined.'' Hawn persuaded him to come back and appear on the streets of the town of Leavenworth where the men could see him. Then his widow could not prove he was dead and draw his life imsurance. The amount of the money Jost was made good by his bond. After appearing on the streets he left.

March 4, 1879, Thaddeus Kelso appeared before the commissioners and reported that he had filed 1,958 ballots cast at the April election in 1878 in the county. Le charged $121.50 which was paid him by two orders issued by A. M. Sipes, dated December 10, 1878, for the sum of $71.50 and $50. Of the above sum $97.90 was for filing the ballots at five cents apiece. He said that he thought the law allowed the sum, but later he learned that the attorneygeneral ruled against the matter. So he begged the commissioners to receive the sum which he was refunding. The board being fully advised, accepted the sum and closed the matter.

The poor farm of Crawford County has never been run on a very satisfactory record. On September 3, 1875, William Lynch was allowed the sum of $22.75 for taking the Dunham family back to Pike County. At the same meeting N. N. Morgan was granted $3.50 for making a coffin for a pauper. The same year the insurance on the house was $15.00.

At the December meeting in 1874 Fielding L. Priest was allowed a claim of $225.85 for articles furnished the paupers and for caring for the poor farm.

In April he received $321.75 for keeping and caring for the paupers. John D., Shaffer was allowed $175 for underpinning the poor farm house December 3, 1875.

The county court house was much in need of repairs during the seventies. Business was at its greatest then. The trade of all the north part of the county came through Leavenworth.

One finds the commissioners giving John J. McCallister and W. P. Everdon the right to build a house on one corner of the court house lot. They agreed to pay $12 a

Also William II. Peckinpaugh was allowed to erect a building on the southwest corner of the eourt house lot near the Presbyterian church. Ife was to pay $12 a year as long as he used the house. He may move it away any time he wishes.

For the comfort of the people a new rest room, 12 feet x 14 feet x 8 feet, was erected on the back side of the court house. The building was to be constructed of oak and well built.

E. M. Tracewell was allowed to erect an office on the court house lot No. 217. He was to pay $12 a year rent. The board was to give him two months' notice hefore he had to move the building.

Peter Neal was paid $4 for boxing the shade trees around the court house, and Martin IT. Tucker was paid for putting a new shingle roof on the jail in 1860.

Joel Lyons, who furnished the cotton and the batting to make quilts for the county jail, was paid $14.50 for the quilts on December 8, 1863.

A new cell was made to the jail by II. 11. Hosmer June 6. 1864, for which he was paid 4290. . That same month George W. Whitten, who had euarded the prisoners while the new cell was being built, received $16. Josiah Long furnished the irons for the county jail for which he received $40. Jeremiah Collins laid the stone in the hearth for which he received $3.50. C, A. Mathus was allowed $6 for whitewashing the rooms in the jail.

peared before the county superintendent and made complaint against James Faulkner, who was a teacher in Union township. The general charge was that he was very immoral and not a fit person to teach school. The specific charge was that Faulkner had on August 10, 1876, bought of James M. Duffin of West Fork a gallon of liquor which he took up to the schoolhouse one night at a school election. At that time the law allowed the patrons to elect their teacher. So Faulkner was accused of getting behind the house in the dark with a tin cup and the jug of liquor. Ile was said to be giving it freely to the voters. Of course, there was no doubt about how the election went. Faulkner defeated Duffin for the school by a handsome vote.

Superintendent Springston set a day for trial on October 18, 1877, at his office in Fredonia. On the said day the men appeared before John Springston and the trial was on.

The Democrats held a mass meeting in Hartford on August 6, 1864, at which more than a thousand men are said to have been present. Honorable J. A. Cravens and Judge Parroit addressed the convention. The county ticket was selected as follows: Clerk, Jim Lemonds; auditory 'C. C. Lambs treastrery: M. Monk;«shertf,; MT. 1. Tucker; representative, J. T. Sanders. But the party was not very successful. Governor Morton, who was very popular in the county, helped defeat the Democrats. The vote for Governor was: Morton, 787; MeDonald, 735. For President: Lincoln, 706; MeClellan, 709. The county ticket was divided. The Republicans elected Ben TT. Goodman, representative; Dunbar Patrick, auditor, and Walter Seacat, treasurer. Probably the remainder of the ticket was Democratic.

The clection of 1872 was a queer one. Notwithstanding the many rude remarks and the criticisms Greeley had made about the Democratie party, that party had nominated him for President with the vain hope that he might defeat General Grant. Despite his many faults Grant was not a bad man at heart. The vote in 1872 was:

The campaign of 1892 was a remarkable one: Harrison, Republican, 1,276; Cleveland, Democrat, 1,529; Weaver, Peoples' party, 200; Bidwell, Prohibition party, 18.

The campaign of 1896 was the most hotly contested one ever held in our county. Political lines were drawn very tightly. Old neighbors became mad at their best neighbors. The free silver idea had torn up the old parties. The vote:

Besides the figures for President these trustees were in office in 1877: Boone, R. H. Fullenwider; Jennings, John Bahr; Johnson, Lewis Walls; Liberty, John Breeden;

The board ordered the elections held at these places: Boone, Alton; Jennings, Leavenworth; Johnson, in section 34; Liberty, Big Springs; Ohio, Fredonia; Patoka, School No. 2; Sterling, Hartford; Union, Roberson's school; Whisky Run, Milltown.

Big Plue River Bridge At Milltown

At a meeting of the commissioners on March 7, 1860, it was ordered that William Gibbs and Isaiah Berkshire be allowed $1,000 for building or repairing the bridge over Big Blue at Milltown. William McKinley, of Perry County, who had the original contract, appeared and demanded that the county should keep its original contract on condition that he would withdraw the appeal which he had made to the circuit court when they refused to grant him money. The contract read that William McKinley of Perry County agreed and contracted with the county commissioners of Crawford and Ilarrison Counties to build a bridge over the Big Blue River where the New Albany and Jasper road crossed. Ile gave Wilson Daniels, Ballard Smith and Job Iatfield as bondmen. He must comply strictly with every part of the contract. The bridge was to cost $17.60 a foot. He must begin July 1, 1860, and complete the work by July 25, 1860. Mr. McKinley engaged John Frazicr of Ilarrison County to survey the bridge and draw up the plan of work. Our county paid $25 for this work on June 4, 1861. The construction did not proceed as fast as some thought and the county commissioners appointed James Lemmons and B. P. Douglas of Ilarrison County to investigate the matter, get the facts about the bridge, and report at the next court. The above order was given on June 6, 1861. Not satisfied, the board of commissioners held a mecting at Milltown July 1, 1861, at which meeting it was agreed that the original contract signed May 15, 1860, is cancelled. McKinley surrendered all his claims and the timbers on the ground, for which the board paid him $75, in addition to what the board had already paid him.

The part of the contract by which the board had agreed to pay James Harvey for getting out the stone was also cancelled. The board paid him $500 for what he had done and the stone on the hill and on the bank of the river. So far nothing definite was done till June 4, 1862, when Harrison County was then anxious to help. So the board of commissioners appointed Edward C. Powers to act in conjunction with the commissioners and estimate the cost of such a bridge. On June 13, 1862, a joint session of the commissioners of Jlarrison and Crawford Counties was held at Milltown. Powers being present, the boards examined his plans and agreed that a good substantial bridge ought to be built over the river there under the direction of Powers and Douglas at a cost not to exceed $2,000.

Fullenwider'S Bridge

The board of county commissioners on June 2, 1863, pppointed Edward C. Powers and Perry Riddle to supervise the construction of a bridge at Fullenwider's Mill. On September 9, 1863, the board held a special session where the men were building the bridge. The work went on eradually for several years. On September 6, 1866, Perry Wilks was authorized to sell all the surplus stone and wood. James Tadlock was appointed to supervise the bridge and see that the work was done well. On September 4, 1867, William Wilks reports that the bridge has been completed and received. The board accepted the report and paid William Wilks $50 for his services.

Poor Farm

At a meeting of the commissioners of Crawford County held at the court house in the town of Leavenworth on March 7, 1860, the county poor farm was rented to Richard Weathers for $85 per aere. The county was to pay hun $1.25 a week for each pauper kept. At that time the house was a double log house with broken window panes in whieh old rags, carpet and old clothes were stuffed to keep out the cold. Squire Weathers, G. I. Shaw and Leonard Shaw were on his bond for $700. The contract was to last two vears,

On July 3, 1861, the board of county commissioners engaged James Shaw and Alvin B. Shaw to clean out the fence rows. They were to receive 40 cents for every hundred rails re-set and $1.00 for every hundred rails made and laid up. They were paid $52.70 on December 4, 1861,

When the commissioners met on December 6, 1861, Weathers had joined the Army, Mr. Shaw was dead, and the rent paid, so the contract with Richard Weathers was cancelled. Thomas Lynch appeared and agreed to take the poor farm on the same contract as Richard Weathers.

On March 10, 1870, a new contract was let with Mr. Lynch for three years. Ie was to pay the county $75 a year and keep the buildings and farm in good repair. He was to board all the paupers for $1.45 per week. He was to have a fair compensation for all improvements made. luynch's bond was signed by Gilbert Shaw, Jesse Addis, James 8. Shaw and Alfred Bybee. .

On December 6, 1870, the county paid Thomas Lynch the sum of $85.90 for washing, boarding and caring for the paupers on the poor farm. <At that time not all the paupers were in the poor farm. The board of commissioners ordered the trustees on December 5, 1871, to transfer all the paupers to the farm. No allowances were to be granted to them from that time on.

Fielding Priest was elected to care for the poor farm in September, 1872. Ife was granted a fee of $1.40 for each one. Ile was to make two thousand rails the first year and one thousand the second year. He must pay the commissioners a rent of $55 a year.

On April 23, 1869, Andrew M. Seott contested the election of Oliver N. Beals for trustee of Jennings township. The sheriff was ordered to call the county commissioners, John M. Scott, Ilouston Miller and M. C. Fro- man, to meet at the court house in Leavenworth for the purpose of trying the cases of John Shaffer for justice of the peace and Andrew M. Scott, trustee of Jennings township. Mr. Seott claimed that at the election held April 5, 1869, John S. Whitten, inspector, and W. P. Everdon and Charles L. Lamb were judges. Oliver N. Beals and Caspar Kehrer were clerks, neglected, failed, and refused to count all the votes. He claimed that he received 213 legal votes, but the board refused to count all the votes, but certified that he had received only ninety-nine votes. Mr. Scott further certifies that the board counted many illegal votes which had distinguishing marks.

The county commissioners met and listened to the arguments of the attorneys. After due consideration the members agreed that no votes should be counted unless they were written or printed on white paper as required by law. After examining the ballots cast at the election on April 5, 1869, it was found that Andrew M. Scott received the highest number of votes received at the election. Scott received 104 legal votes and Beals 34.

Under the old law men cast their votes publicly. The Australian ballot was not used. They secured their ballots downtown or from candidates and went up to the polls and handed the ballot in to the inspector.

To-day men can not be on the board if they are candidates. The above case was a queer affair. They probably just quit counting the votes when Beals was ahead of Seott.

On December 5, 1870, Houston Miller appeared before the board and presented the following report: Whereby by order of the board a bridge was ordered to be built across Patoka Creek at the crossing of the New Albany and Jasper road in Patoka township. In compliance with said order he advertised and awarded the contract to William King and Company for the sum of $422.50. The work being done and the bridge built according to the specifications, the board received the report and paid William King for his work.

Sibert Spring Branch

On September 8, 1869, the citizens petitioned the county commissioners to have a bridge erected over the Sibert Spring Branch just south of the Wyandotte Cave. The bridge was not to cost over $300. Zebulum Leavenworth was appointed to view a site for a bridge and draw up plans and report at the December term of the court. Mr. Leavenworth reported favorable and the contract was let to William Rothrock of Harrison County. The bridge was to be built on one abutment and one rock pier, the abutment to be twelve feet high and built on the south side of the Spring Branch. The base was to be 14 feet by 4 feet. It was to have a gradual slope and be built out of good substantial stone. The span between the pillar and the abutment was to be 45 feet long. There were to be five sills of poplar reaching the whole distance from the pier to the abutment, said sills were to be 16 x 8 inches. The floor was to be laid out of oak two inches thick.

William Rothrock built the bridge with care. After due examination the county commissioners allowed him $125 for his services on December 8, 1870.

Big Blue Bridge

The history of the construction of the bridge over the Big Blue River 1s rather complicated. William M. Ellsworth on September 8, 1869, appeared before the county commissioners of Crawford County and presented the following paper: ''I, Samuel Wright, Auditor of said County, and ex-officio, clerk of the Board of County Commissioners of Harrison County, due certify that the following is a true report of an order passed at the September meeting of the County Commissioners of Harrison County : Comes now R. M. Craig with others and files a petition asking that the Board of County Commissioners take the necessary steps to erect a bridge over Big Blue River, near where the Leavenworth and Corydon road crosses the said where the Leavenworth and Corydon road crosses the said river. The County Commissioners, not being fully advised, ordered Attorneys S. K. Wolf and B. P. Douglas to examine the petition for them, and locate where would be the most successful point for such a bridge. Requested that Crawford County take similar steps in the matter and report all facts to the Board of Commissioners at their next meeting. Signed: SaMueu J. WRIGHT.''

At the same time Mr. Ellsworth presented a petition to the board of commissioners of Crawford County, praying that the board of commissioners of Crawford County take the proper steps to build a bridge across Big Blue River, near or at the crossing of the State road.

The board, after due deliberation, appointed William Ellsworth and James Sloan to act in conjunction with the parties appointed by the board of commissioners of Harrison County to examine the subject matter of the petition, the most suitable place for the bridge, its length, height, and probable cost, and the kind of bridge needed, if any, and report at the next meeting.

At the next meeting of the board of commissioners on December 8, 1869, Messrs. Ellsworth and Sloan appeared and reported that they had made a careful examination as they had deemed necessary to arrive at an approximate conclusion at four different points: At William Rothrock's, at David Cole's, at a point below Joseph Cole's, on Zebulum Leavenworth's farm, near the mouth of Big Blue River. They had examined the river at all these points and no other point was suitable.

At Rothrock's it will require a span 120 feet upon two abutments 48 feet high. The cost of the bridge at this point they estimated at $5,000; at Cole's farm it will require a span of 140 feet or 170 feet upon two abutments 55 feet high, the cost of which is about $6,500. At the point below Joe Cole's farm the length will be 125 feet and upon two abutments about 62 feet high; the cost here is about $6,000. The site near Leavenworth's farm will be about 120 feet long and upon two pillars about 65 feet high. The cost is estimated at about $8,000. All of the estimates above were made after careful examination and getting the pieces of bridge material.

About the same time William Rothrock brought the following report: We, the undersigned county commissioners of Ilarrison County, have received the report of a majority of the commissioners appointed to examine the sites and estimate the cost of a bridge across Big Blue. Besides the four points considered there were two more applications for bridges so the board of commissioners of Harrison County thought best not to go any farther in the matter till they could investigate and see if some of the cost could not be raised by subscription. Signed: Peter Hottel, Amos Johnson, Samuel B. Davis, County Commissioners. The board of commissioners of Crawford County examined the report carefully and decided to wait till the next meeting to see what sum could be raised by subseription, if any.

When the board met Thursday, March 10, 1870, the board agreed that a bridge ought to be constructed at or near the crossing of the state road. Sinee Harrison County was willing to assist in the work the board of commissioners of Crawford County was willing to assist in the work and agreed to inyite the commissioners of Tfarrison County to meet with the commissioners of Crawford County the residence of David Cole on Monday, March 21, 1870, for the purpose of examining said premises and deciding upon the propriety of constructing the bridge.

As stated above, the commissioners held a joint meeting at the home of David Cole on March 21, 1870. Those present were Peter Ilottell, Amos Johnson and Samuel Davis of Harrison County and John M. B. Seott, M. C.

Froman and Ilouston Miller. The petitions were received begging for a bridge over the Big Blue River to be erected at some suitable point on said river. Then David Cole presented a subscription list to the board stating how much each would give if the bridge was located near Cole's ford. The board having examined the estimates, and being fully advised, decided that the bridge ought to be built near Cole's ford. It is ordered that the bridge be erected sufficiently high to be above the high water mark of 1832. The abutments were to be of good substantial stone. The opening across the stream was to be of 100 foot lay. The superstructure was to be of good strong material and the bridge wide enough to let two teams pass.

On May 23, 1870, the board of commissioners of, Harrison County met with the board of commissioners at the court house in Leavenworth. All of the members were present. For Harrison County: Peter Hottell, Amos Johnson and Samuel B. Davis. For Crawford County: Houston Miller, John M. B. Scott and M. C. Froman. They met to receive proposals for the masonry and the superstructure of the bridge at Cole's ford over Big Blue. On advisement it was agreed to postpone the time of the opening till the third Monday in June; until said time the two boards adjourned.

When the boards met in joint session June 20, 1870, the commissioners voted to build an iron bridge over Big Blue. The members agreed to postpone the opening and letting of the bids till the second Monday in October. IIouston Miller was chairman of the session. The boards adjourned to meet in the town of Leavenworth on the second Thursday in October. On October 13th the board met at the court house in Leavenworth and agreed to let the contracts for said bridge over Big Blue River. After examining the different bids the boards thonght best to award the contract to Julius Barbaraux and Company for the sum of $9,810, they being considered the lowest bidder. The contract and specification were to be drawn up in the future. The boards adjourned to meet in joint session at Corydon on October 28, 1870. At this session John B. Seott, M. C. Froman, Peter Hottell and Sam Davis were present. On motion Honorable John M. B. Seott was appointed chairman of the meeting. The contract was awarded to John Barbaraux, who presented written specification for the masonry for said bridge; also a drawing for the bridge on the abutments and piers which was filed with the auditor of Harrison County. The board ordered the superintendents appointed to contract with said company to erect the piers 45 feet high, or higher if necessary, to 'support the bridge which is known as ''Z, King's Patent Wrought Iron Tubular Arch'' in one span whose length is 130 feet. The bridge must be 14 feet wide, furnished with joists and floor ready for use. The bridge was to be completed on or before the 15th day of October, 1871. The superintendents were to exact a sufficient bond from the company and pay the company as follows: When the bond was approved they were to pay them $2,452.50. On the first day of May, 1871, they were to pay $2,452.50 more; $2,452.50 on the Ist of July, 1871. and the balance on completion of the bridge.

It was agreed that the sum of $5,000 should be appropriated out of the funds of Harrison County and Crawford County such that Harrison County paid $3,744.50 and

Crawford County paid $1,255.50. In all, Harrison County was to pay $7,346.71 and Crawford County was to pay $2,463.29. Samuel J. Wright was auditor of Harrison County then.

The commissioners of the two counties held a joint meeting at the residence of David Cole on September 12; 1871, to consider a matter relative to the bridge over Big Blue River. It was agreed that the approaches to the Big Blue bridge be made of wood after the form of trestlework used for railroads as far as possible. The contract to erect the approaches to said bridge was let to William P. Everdon who was to receive $32 a thousand feet board measure. Bolts, spikes and lumber to be furnished by Mr. liverdon, who being present, proceeded to execute said bond for its faithful performance. The boards adjourned to meet on December 7, 1871, at Leavenworth.

On October 12, 1871, another meeting was called which was held at the house of David Cole. At this meeting John Archibald was elected president. A careful examination of the piers and the bridge was made. The commissioners being satisfied that Barbaraux and Company had constructed the bridge according to the specifications, voted to receive the bridge. On October 18, 1871, the commissioners of Crawford County met at the court house in Leavenworth and borrowed from John S. Whitten enough money to pay $400 which Crawford County owed on the Big Blue River bridge. The note was due January 8, 1872. Interest on the note was $12.20.

The board of commissioners of Crawford and Harrison Counties met at Dave Cole's house on December 7, 1871. After careful examination of the approaches to the bridge,

Several years after the Civil War there grew up in the county of Crawford an organization known as the Ku Klux Klan. They were the descendants of the old Klan in the South. These members wore white caps when they were out on their beats.

Several men in Crawford County were severely beaten by these raiders. On one occasion they went south and west of Magnolia to what was then the John Cosby farm and whipped about ten one night. On their way back they came through Magnolia and called at the home of Mr. Hosmer. Hearing the hollowing, he went to the door and saw about one hundred and fifty of the men sitting on horseback. The captain told him what they had done and told him to go out next day and tell all the people whom he saw about the affair. Hosmer stood still and looked at the crowd. The old captain told him again what they had done and told him to go out next day and tell the people about the affair. He stood still in the door. Suddenly the captain yelled out at him with a terrible bass voice and said: ''Do you hear me?'' Hosmer then answered, ''Yes.'' Then he cried out, ''Are you going to do it?'' Hosmer answered, ''Yes.'' '' Well, you had better do it,''

Probably the hardest whippings ever given to the men was administered to Bill Toney of English, Bill Tower of near Magnolia, Bill Saltsgover, Sam Stroud and Frank Coleman.

On one occasion they came to the house of John N. Pleasant and knocked on the door. When told to come in, the door opened and two or three masked men entered, whom Mr. Pleasant asked in a courteous manner what he could do for them. The captain said that he would be pleased if Mrs. Pleasant, who they had heard was an excellent scribe, would write a notice for them. Mrs. Pleasant arose and said that she would be delighted to write the notice for them if they would give her a few minutes' time to get some paper. Using paper and pencil, Mrs. Pleasant sat down at the table and wrote in a bold handwrite what the captain dictated. The note was something like this: ''My dear Mr. Coleman: If you do not quit going into the town of Leavenworth and staying till after dark, and stealing from people on your way home, we shall visit you in the near future with our compliments. Signed, K. K. K.'' Then the captain thanked Mrs. Pleasant for the writing and requested Mr. Pleasant to follow him out to the road. On reaching the highway he was much surprised to find a large number of men on horseback, none of whom he had ever remembered seeing before. Suddenly a rattling was heard in the corner of the fence and a man came out with a large bundle of hickories and told the captain, by curious signs, something. Then the captain told them to tie the notice to the bundle and designated three of the men to carry the bundle and requested John Pleasant to help them carry the bundle and set it against the door of Frank Coleman's house. Without changing words the three with the bundle, assisted by Mr. Pleasant, left for Coleman's house which was about half a mile away. On arriving at the house Pleasant heard Cole- man and his wife talking, for they had not gone to bed yet, so he took the bundle, and stepping to one side, so that if Coleman shot out he would not hit him, he struck the door three terrible raps, and then as he set the bundle down against the door he heard Coleman crawling under the bed. Turning to leave he was surprised to find that the three men had run away down in the field and were waiting for him. The men came back, none of whom would talk to Pleasant, and the captain wanted to know if the duty was performed and he said that it was. The three nodded their heads, too. Then Pleasant told the captain that if he did not have any braver men than those three who ran, that it would not do him much good to go after Coleman. There was a general laugh on all sides. They bade Pleasant and his wife good-bye and rode away.

Frank Coleman lived about. one mile southwest of the Tower postoffice. Coming home of nights he would put a neighbor's corn shock into his wagon. When that gave out he would take his sack and visit some neighbor's field and break off a sack full of corn. Seeing a sack of potatoes in the patch during the night he carried it away. One of the neighbors who suffered the worst was Harry Melcom and his son, Willard Melecom. One night Coleman took his sack and went to Meleom's cornfield. Just as he came to the edge of the field he heard Willard Meleom entering the field on the other side with his gun to watch the corn. So he sat down in the fence corner where he could watch Meleom. Later Uncle Harvey Melcom came too. He crowded into a shock of corn near where Coleman lay concealed. After he had been in the shock awhile, Coleman heard a terrible commotion in the shock and loud oaths sworn. Then Harvey Melcom came out of the shock. When Willard heard the trouble he came across to where his father was still rubbing his head and swearing. On inquiry Willard was told that a big mouse had bitten his father through the ear while he was hiding in the corn shock. Then Frank heard Willard tell him to go home and sleep and he would watch all night. About daybreak Mrs. Melcom came to the edge of the field and called Willard to breakfast. Frank Coleman, who had been watching all night, sprang over the fence and ran into the field. Breaking off the big ears and running from shock to shock he soon had a sack full of large ears which he could easily get on the outside of the shocks. Then he left with his sack of corn just about the time the Melcoms came back after breakfast. When the men saw his tracks in the frost and the missing corn ears from the shocks they were furious.

One night about a month after he received the K. K. K. notice the Whitecaps visited him. His house was built on the side of the hill, making one side rather high. Coleman jumped out at the back window and escaped. After about six weeks they came for him again. Two big men were stationed at the window. He leaped from the window but lit in the arms of one of the men, who held him until the others got there. Then they tied him to an apple tree and gave him a terrible flogging. Coleman stayed at home a few days and then left his family. No one knows what became of him. Before leaving he told several people about his episode with the Melcoms and the mouse.

When Billie Tower was whipped there were four or five other men working for Charles W. Tower. They were taken out into the yard and held. From them the writer has the following account: ''No one did any talking but the captain. He went around asking the men their names. When he came to Billie Tower (William Henry Tower) he eried out: 'Here he is, boys. Tie him up.' His arms were raised and put around a walnut tree as high as he could reach. Then his wrists were tied with a strong rope. When all was ready the captain said: 'No. 1, step out and lay on ten!' A tall man with a mask over his face arose, selected a good hickory about like an old-fashioned buggy-whip, and adjusted his cap on his head, taking his time like some man going to bat in a game of ball, began whipping him over the hips. There were about five numbers out before it was over. Tower said that No. 3 hit the hardest. Then Tower was taken back and put into bed. The crowd left. The men who witnessed the affair knew none of the men. Tower became a good citizen after that. This happened late in the eighties.''