Dubois County, Indiana - Chapter 17: Dubois County. Her Courts, Officiai.s and Ouasiofficials for One Hundred Years, 1910

Chapter 17: Dubois County. Her Courts, Officiai.s and Ouasiofficials for One Hundred Years

County court organized - Early county officials - Early court scenes - ^Jury spring - Early "president judges" - Fines remitted - Early prosecutors - Early law terms - Mill dams - Common law forms - Adoption of the code - Pioneer officers' salaries - President judges, side judges, squires - Court attractions - List of early lawyers - Biographies of early judges - Names of judges - Probate courts - Common pleas court - List of prosecutors in the court of common pleas - Walker murder trial - Death of Sheriff Woolridge - Weaver, and Thurman trials - A death penalty verdict - Death of deput}- sheriffs, the Reeves case - White Caps - Judge Welborn - List of prosecutors - List of attorneys - County officials - John McDonald, a justice - Early elections - Republican county officials - Voting power of the county in 1849 - Associate Judges - Probate Judges - Notaries public - Swamp Land officials - Sheriffs - Clerks - Recorders - -Coroners - Overseers - Surveyors - Councilmen - Justices - Commissioners - School officials - Appraisers - Assessors - County Board of Health - Judges - Superintendents - Truant officials - State Senators - Representatives - Slate officials - Congressmen - Elections - Leading Democrats of 1S50 - Voting power of the county.

In accordance with the act of the legislature creating Dubois count}', the first court was held at the house of William McDonald, in August, 1S18. It was a circuit court and the "president judge" was Jonathan Doty. Arthur Harbison was one of his associates, having served as such in Pike county. Judge Doty was born in Somerville, New Jersey, and he was a graduate of Princeton. He died February 22, 1S22, while judge of his circuit. Col. Simon Morgan was clerk and Adam Hope was sheriff. It is quite likely but one term of court was held at the " Mud Holes," the log court house having been completed, at Portersville, in t8i8.

From McDonald's house court adjourned to meet at Portersville. This village had but one hotel, then called a tavern. The judges and lawyers took possession of the tavern, while witnesses and jurors had to go elsewhere. Accommodations were not to be had, so when men were summoned as jurors they knew that they had to go prepared. It was before the day of matches, so each one took with him steel, flint, punk, and powder; balls, gun, salt, bread, a dog, a horse, and a blanket. The blanket frequently consisted of a bear's hide, such as is now called a robe.

The jurors spent the night at "Jury spring," about one-fourth of a mile south of Portersville, with no shelter save their bear skins and the blue canopy of heaven. They told jokes and played games until sleep overcame them. Early in the morning they were out for wild game, which was plentiful and furnished good meat. When court opened they were ready to serve as jurors and decide the "weighty case according to law and evidence."

In the center of the court house at Portersville a small space was railed off, and within the rails sat the judge, and Clerk Morgan, in all their original official dignity, while court was in session. After court adjourned dignity was laid aside and each was himself again.

During Embree's term the court house, at Jasper, was destroyed by fire. Since 1839, the court proceedings are easily obtained, hence are but slightly mentioned here.

In the pioneer days, governors of Indiana frequently remitted a fine that had been placed against a defendant in the circuit courts. The state records show that on April 11, 1820, the governor of Indiana "remitted a fine of twenty dollars inflicted on John Cherry for an assault and battery on George Mitchelton." On May 16, of the same year, he "remitted a fine of fifty dollars inflicted on Absalom Harbison for assault and battery." The Dubois county records on these two cases were lost by fire. In 1843, Wm. Spurlock was fined twenty dollars for betting. On March i, 1844, the governor remitted the fine. This seldom occurs at present.

Under the first constitution of Indiana the court dockets were filled with such cases as "covenant," "trover," "foreign attachment debt," "assumpsit," etc. The records frequently read "In the peace of God" "three times solemnly called" "defendant in mercy" "made oath on the holy evangels of Almighty God," etc. Suits to establish mill sites or "mill seats" were frequent and permission was generally given. After the legislature quit granting divorces, divorce cases soon found their waj^ into the local records.

Up to May 9, 1853, courts were conducted under the old common law forms and the celebrated and imaginary individuals, John Doe and Richard Roe, were banished from courts with the change. The new code required the cases to be conducted in the name of the real parties to the suit. With the passing away of the old form the courts have lost some of their grandeur, and perhaps some of the elements of justice and right. When the new code was adopted many attorneys retired from the practice. Some regarded the innovations as something next to a sacrilege. They never became reconciled to the new code, though the new code has resulted in good and made court proceedings easier.

In the pioneer days of Dubois county the circuit court was composed of a "president judge," elected by the legislature, w^ho presided at all the courts in the circuit, and two associate judges, elected in each county by the people. These "side judges," as they were then called, made no pretensions to any particular knowledge of the law, but still they had the power to overrule the presiding j udge, and give the opinion of the court. No great amount of knowledge was required to qualify one for duty as a clerk of the court, still those in Dubois county were well qualified for their work. They were good scribes with goose-quill pens. The sheriffs were elected by the people, and seemed to have been selected as officials on account of their fine voices to call the jurors and witnessess from the groceries on the public square, and their ability to run down and catch offenders.

Young lawyers were then called "squires," by everybody, old and young, male and female. A squire was an important personage, and generally became a member of the state legislature.

There were no caucuses, primaries, or conventions then, and each candidate brought himself before the people, and if defeated could blame no one but himself. Citizens in early days thought the holding of a court a great affair. People came miles to see the judges and hear the lawyers plead, as it was called. Lawyers were licensed as such, and the license was signed by the judge of the circuit. The first courts were held under the first constitution. The present code did not go into effect until May 9, 1853.

It is said, to the credit of young lawyers, who practiced under the first constitution, that they almost committed to memory the few law books they had, not forgetting the constitution of Indiana and that of the United States.

Among the earlier lawyers who practiced law at the Dubois county bar were Judge Richard Daniel, Judge Davis Floyd, Judge James R. E. Goodlet, Judge Samuel Hall, Hon. Thomas H. Blake, John Fletcher, John H. Thompson, Ebenezer McDonald, Hon. Jacob Call, Lieut. George R. C. Sullivan, Hon. William Prince, Judge David Raymond, Hon. John Law, John Pitcher, of Rockport; John Mclntire, of Petersburg; Reuben Kidder and Charles Dewey, of Paoli; John A. Brackenridge, of Boonville; A. J. Simpson, of Paoli; Eben D. Edson, Elijah Bell, Elias Terry, of Washington; John Engle and L. Q. DeBruler, of Jasper.

In the above list are found some of the best lawyers of their daj' in Indiana. Many of them lived in Vincennes. Practically all named above became prominent in early Indiana politics. A few brief biographies follow:

Judge John Uaw

Hon. John Law was a native of Connecticut. As a lawyer he stood deservedly high. He was kind, courteous, and popular; large, fine looking, urbane, hospitable, and generous. His mind was of a high order, and he did much to bring the state up to its present standard of prosperity and general intelligence. He is the author of "The Colonial History of Vincennes." (1858). Judge Law was born October 24, 1796. He died at Evansvillle, October 7, 1873, and his remains are at rest at Vincennes. Judge Law was prosecuting attorney, judge of Knox county, receiver of public moneys for his district, United States Commissioner to adjust land titles in the Vincennes land district, and twice a member of Congress.

Judge James Lockhart

Judge Lockhart became a member of Congress, like his predecessor. His home was at Evansville. In person Judge Lockhart was much above medium size, large and portly, forehead prominent, hair and eyes dark. He was a man of acknowledged talents, a forcible speaker, a sound lawyer, and a good judge. He made no pretense to what is called eloquence, but was rather a matter of fact, straight-forward speaker, and much endeared to his friends. He was a valuable member of the last Con.stitutional Convention of Indiana, one who stood by the ancient land marks with great firmness. He was a stong advocate of the grand-jury sj'stem. In one of his speeches before the convention, in support of the grand-jury system. Judge Lockhart said:

"During my brief career at the bar I have prosecuted for the state, and can bear testimony to the high and honorable bearing of the citizens who usually compose the grand-juries. Let them receive the charge of the court, examine the statute law of the state, hear the evidence of the witnesses, and, my word for it, ninetj' out of a hundred of their decisions will prove correct. Malicious prosecutions, to be sure, may sometimes be preferred, but abolish the grand-jurj^ system and there will be ninety-nine malicious prosecutions preferred to one made by the grand-jury."

When Judge Lockhart was on the bench in Dubois county. Judge Wm. Cavender and Judge Thomas Shoulders were his " side judges." At that time Lockhart' s circuit embraced the counties of Crawford, Dubois, Gibson, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburg, and Warrick.

Judge Hovey was a good lawyer, a member of the last Constitutional Convention of Indiana, a United States District attorney, a member of the Supreme Court of Indiana, a general in the Civil War, and died while Gov- ernor of Indiana. His remains lie buried near Mt. Vernon, in Posey count}', which was his home. During the Civil War he was commander of the 24th Regiment mustered at Vincennes July 31, i86r, in which were many soldiers from Dubois county. By the close of the Civil War Judge Hovey became a brevet major general U. S. A\ He was our first judge under the new code. (1S53). Judge Hovey had no "side judges."

Hon. William Prince

William Prince was a state senator in 18 16. He at one time was leading attorney of Vincennes and was elected "president judge" of the Knox county circuit court in 18 17. Princeton is named in his honor. After a noteworthy career he died in 1824, after being elected a member of Congress.

Lieut. George R. C. Sullivan

G. R. C. Sullivan was a Kentuckian, and lived at Vincennes. He was several times a member of the legislature and also served as prosecuting attorney, coming to this county over the old "Buffalo Trace" from Vincennes. He died at Quincy, Illinois. G. R. C. Sullivan was a member of Capt. Dubois' company in the battle of Tippecanoe, and was a lieutenant, May 16, 1812.

Gen. W. Johnson

Gen. Johnson was a Virginian and located at Vincennes in 1783, being the first member admitted to the bar of Knox county. He filled many public offices, and compiled the first code of laws of the territory of Indiana. Gen. Johnson was one of the commissioners appointed to organize Dubois county. He was the "father of Masonry" in Indiana, being the prime mover in establishing Vincennes Lodge No. i, F. & A. M., March, i8c9 He died October 26, 1S33. [See pages 29 and 32.]

Hon. Richard Daniel

Richard Daniel's home was in Gibson county and he represented his county in both branches of the Indiana legislature. He it was who, at the second ses.sion of the Indiana general assembly, presented the petition of Thomas Case, Jacob Harbison, and others praying for the formation of Dubois county. He presented the petition on Wednesday, December 10, 18 17, at Corydon, then the capital of Indiana. It was read and committed to a select committee, with leave to report by bill or otherwise. The committee was composed of Daniel and Campbell of Gibson county; McClure and Buntin of Knox county; Chambers, of Orange county; Lynn, of Posey county; and Holman, of Waj^ne county. [See page 31.]

Hon. Jacob Call

This attorney came to Indiana soon after the organization of the state government. He served as "president judge" of Knox county. He was a member of Congress, being elected in 1824.

Hon. Thomas H. Blake was a widely known attorney and a member of Congress, in 1827 and 1829, serving in the district in which Dubois county is situated.

Hon. Wm. E. Niblack

Hon. W. E. Niblack, born at Portersville, was one of the most prominent attorneys ever connected with Dubois county. He was a circuit judge, congressman, and for years a prominent member of the supreme court of Indiana. Extended mention is made of Judge Niblack on pages 109 and 1 10.

These few biographies will serve to show the high standing of the men who early practiced law at the Dubois county bar. Doubtless they had much to do toward the excellent records that were kept by the officials in the earlier days of the county.

When the court house was destroyed by fire, in 1839, a considerable part of the records were perpetuated by the affidavits of different persons. This was mostly concerning titles to land and many deeds were recorded a second time. Judge Elisha Embree was "president judge" at the time. His "side judges" were Judge Henry Bradley, and Judge Willis Hays, the founder of Haysville. While the first brick court house was under construction courts were held in the house of Condict, and in the old Cumberland Presbyterian church.

The complete list of judges connected with the courts of Dubois county is given in connection with other officials of the county. Judge Niblack followed Judge Hovey, and after Judge Niblack came Judge Ballard Smith, of Cannelton, said to have been polished, educated, and possessed of literary ability. Judge M. F. Burke, of Washington, became judge in February, 1859. He died May 22, 1864, and Judge James C. Denny held the July term of court, in that year. John Baker became judge in January, 1865, and served six years. Newton F. Malott, of Vincennes, became his successor. The district was changed in 1873, and Oscar M. Welborn, of Princeton, was commissioned judge. Judge Zenor, Judge Ely and Judge Bretz have succeeded him, in the order mentioned.

The settlements of estates were attended to, originally, by a probate court, which had exclusive jurisdiction and control. Probate judges were men gifted more in good sense and judgment than in the intricacies of law. The first commission issued, as shown by the state records, to a probate judge in Dubois county, is dated August 25, 1829, and bears the name of B. B. Edmonston, Sr. There were but four probate judges in the county, during the existence of that court, namely, B. B. Edmonston, Sr., Daniel Harris, Moses Kelso, and Andrew B. Spradley. The probate court ended with the new constitution, and all probate matters went to the court of common pleas, which existed for twenty years. There was also a "court of conciliation." Probate judges were ex-officio its judges. Lemuel Q. DeBruler was the first judge of the "common pleas court" of Dubois county. It was held in January, 1853. His successors were Col. John James Key, Judge Charles H. Mason, Judge David T. Laird, Judge Mason, and Judge M. S. Mavity.

Since 1S73, when the court of common pleas was abolished, the circuit court has jurisdiction over practically all cases, except those in which justices-of-the-peace have exclusive jurisdiction. Outside of such cases and offenses which did not amount to a felony the common pleas court had original jurisdiction, in its day. The "common pleas court" did not need the intervention of a grand jurv, state prosecution beirg instituted by affidavit and information.

One of the first great murder trials in Dubois county was that of the state against Jonathan Walker, a well known pioneer. He was accused of causing the death of Henry Hudeman, a citizen of Huntingburg, but was acquitted by the jury.

Once during a term of court pioneer Jonathan Walker, a hero of Tippecanoe, made a wager that he could crawl, on his hands and knees, in the snow, mud and slush, from the court house south to Patoka river, swim the river, and then return to the court house, on his hands and knees. Walker won.

In the summer of 1842, Sheriff Thos. Woolridge was shot by Zachariah Dillon. Both were very prominent, and the trial was a noted one. Dillon was sentenced for two years in the state prison, but was pardoned, greatly to the joy of his friends.

At the September term, 1893, John J. L. Thurman was found guilty of shooting W. Henry Wright, near Kyana, September 3, 1893, and the jury placed his punishment at death. He was granted a new trial, and at the January term, 1894, he entered a plea of guilty of murder in the second degree, and Judge Zenor placed his punishment at life imprisonment. While in prison he killed a fellow convict. There seemed to be a question of his soundness of mind. It was the judgment of Judge Welborn that he should be given a new trial. The jury that found him guilty of murder in the first degree was composed of good and lawful men, citizens of Dubois county, namely: George Schnaus, Joseph Kuebler, Martin Lampert, Andrew Gerber, Joseph Friedman, Sr., George Wenning, John Jackie, Bernard Burke, I^ouis Pfister, John T. Corn, Charles Sollga, and John Geier. Their verdict read as follows:

We the jury find the defendant guilty as he stands charged in the indictment and fix his punishment that he suffer death. - Joseph Frikdman, Foreman.

On Monday afternoon, June i, 1885, deputy sheriffs John E. Gardner and William Cox attempted to arrest John and George Reeves, on the New Albany road two miles east of Jasper. The two deputies were fatally wounded and the Reeves escaped, only to be captured sixteen years later. In the second arrest, George Reeves lost his life while attempting to escape. In 1901, John Reeves was tried for the killing of the two deputy sheriffs and was sentenced to the state prison, at Michigan City, the jury finding him to be forty-four years of age. The case was tried under Judge Duncan, called specially, and the trial was one of the most noted criminal cases ever before the Dubois county court.

In many of the cases in the courts of this county the questions involved are as fine and as difficult to handle as those found in courts more prominent in the state.

Dubois county has the distinction of being one of the first counties in Indiana to relieve itself of "whitecap cases." A few cases of this kind in the county eliminated the tendency of its citizens in that direction.

During the many years in which Judge Welborn presided over the circuit court of Dubois county the members of the bar had a training probably second to none in the state. He was a man whose mind was well trained for the position and he commanded the respect and confidence of all. He was clear, logical, painstaking, patient, and considerate. He had great respect for the verdict of a jury, but would set it aside without hesitation, if he thought it to be wrong. He tempered justice with mercy, and had an abiding faith in the common people. He was judge of the Gibson county court until October 24, 1909. He served thirty-six years.

Among the men who lately served as prosecuting attorneys were John C. Schafer, Wm. Trippet, Arthur H. Taylor, John ly. Bretz, Thomas H. Dillon, Wm. E. Cox, lyco H. Fisher, Kerr Traylor, Bomar Traylor, and Harry W. Carpenter.

The bench and bar of Dubois county have been represented by men who have made their mark in the affairs of the state and nation, in arts of peace, and upon the field of battle. They have found their way to the legislative halls of state and nation, to the supreme bench and to the executive chair.

Within the period of time since 1875, the following practicing attorneys have been identified with the Dubois county bar, and at the time were residents of the county:

Charles H. Schwartz. The rulings of the courts in Dubois county have been generally accepted as correct and just, very few appeals having been taken to the supreme court. The first appeal appears to have been heard at the May term, 1S32, in a case of Harbison against the heirs of Jacob Lemmon, deceased. It seems that Jacob Lemmon conveyed to Harbison a tract of land for a valuable consideration; and that on the same day, Harbison bound himself by bond to re-convey the land, etc.

The supreme court entered into a learned discussion of the case, quoting English laws and doctrines, and finally reversed the decree of the lower court.

Since Its Organization

Names of many men who have been preferred by the voters of Dubois county or appointed by the proper power, and who have served the countj' as commissioned civil ofiicers since its organization follow.

It is but proper to remark that the specific duties of various officers changed since the organization of the county. Some offices have been abolished, and others were not created until the present constitution went into effect, November i, 1851. Formerly the offices of county coroner, county surveyor, and justices-of-the-peace were more important or more preferred than they appear to be at this date.

Associate judges were elected to assist the "president judge" in the early courts. Justices-of-the-peace also constituted a court somewhat similar to the present county commissioners' court. Probate judges are no longer elected. The circuit judges now perform their duties along with their various other duties.

The offices of county clerk and county recorder were originally united, one ofl&cer holding both positions. The count}' sheriff collected taxes, in place of the county treasurer.

Formerly the office of coroner was an important one, originating under the common law of England, and brought into Indiana laws through the territorial laws.

County school superintendents are not commissioned officers and were not known as superintendents until 1873. They do not class as constitutional oflScers, and frequently not even as county officers.

On April 5th, iSro, William Heury Harrison, governor of Indiana territory, appointed John McDonald a justice-of-the-peace of Knox county. This is probably the first civil official appointed within the present confines of Dubois county. This appointment is recorded in "Record One" of the territorial records of Indiana Territory, now kept in a glass cabinet under lock and key, in the State House, at Indianapolis.

On January 13, 1818, the governor of Indiana issued a "-urit of election" for holding the first election in Dubois county for the purpose of electing a county clerk and recorder, associate judges and commissioners, etc. On March 23, 18 18, another writ of election was issued to elect an associate judge.

This is a long list of public servants and it, in a measure, represents the life and thought of the citizens of the county. The early county oflScials of Dubois county w^ere whigs, represented by Col. Simon Morgan, their great leader in Dubois count}-. They were succeeded b}' democrats, represented originally, by Col. B. B. Edmonston and his following. Occasionally a republican became an official, as is shown by the names, Associate Judge Ashbury Alexander; John G. Leming, a recorder; Rev. George C. Cooper, a .school superintendent; Harrison Morgan and Samuel H. Dillon, county commissioners; Hon. Samtiel H. Stewart, Judge Alvin P. Hovey, and county councilman Wm, Harbison, and a few others.

Col. Bazil Brook Edmonston, the "Father of Dubois County Democracy" was born November 6, 1S02, in Buncombe county, North Carolina, and came to Dubois county about 1808. On September 7, 1826, he married Joanna H. McDonald, who was born January 27, 1802, in Kentucky. Col. Edmonston died July 23, 1888, and his remains and those of his wafe lie buried at Shiloh. He moved to Jasper in 1837. Previous to that time he lived on a farm at Kellerville. Mrs. Edmonston was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and a woman of high esteem. She was the first white girl pioneer of the county. Col. Edmonston was w^hat was known as an "Ironside Baptist."

The original officials of Dubois county were whigs, but in time Col. Edmonston representing democracy came into power. He was the principal county official for years, and being such when the German pioneers began to arrive he won them to his political belief and there they and their children have remained; hence his title, "Father of Dubois County Democracv.

About 1840, the tide of American emigration changed, individual American settlers came but sparingly, while many original American pioneers began their move toward the setting sun, to the "Illinois country," to "bleeding Kansas," or to follow the trail of the "forty-niner" to California. Then came the Germen in colonies, and their advent and permanent settlement in Dubois county are shown by the German names of the county officials, beginning under the second constitution of Indiana.

In August, 1849, the voters of Dubois county numbered seven hundred ninety-nine, and their vote for governor was as follows: Joseph A. Wright, 604; John A. Matson, 191, and James H. Cravens, 4.

Since the organization of Dubois county, in 1818, the following civil county officials of Dubois county have been commissioned by the governor of Indiana. Following their names are the dates of their various commissions. Their official terms often began later:

County Sheriffs

Col. Bazil B. Edmonston, September 4, 1838, for seven years. This election was held to be illegal, and Col. Simon Morgan was commissioned clerk of the circuit court, August 20, 1839

[On November i, 1851, the new state constitution went into effect, and the offices of recorder and clerk could not be held by the same officer.] Under the present constitution the following men have been commissioned clerks:

[Indiana's second state constitution became effective November i, 1851, and the offices of clerk and recorder were no longer to be held by one official.] The following men have been county recorders under the present constitution:

County Coroners

Under the territorial government and under the first constitution of Indiana "Overseers of the Poor" were important officials. Capt. Toussaint Dubois, after whom Dubois county was named, was appointed an overseer of the poor for Knox county, in February, 1797.

The records made by " overseers of the poor" in early days make strange reading in the light of the present day. The records made by Dubois county overseers, previous to the court house fire, are lost; however, here are two samples, taken from the Knox county records:

I, Jeremiah Mayo, one of the directors of the poor house for the county of Knox, do certify that I sold on Monday, the loth December, 1827, to the lowest bidder, viz., Phillip Catt, for |24oper annum, a pauper by the name of Bill Catt.

County Surveyors

William T. Young {vice Surveyor Schnarr, deceased; commission issued March 2, 1908. Mr. Schnarr's term would have expired January i, 1909.) Surveyor William T. Young. Otto E. Waldrip (never accepted.)

County Councilmen

Under an act approved March 3, 1899, the "County Council" was created. The following men have served as members of the County Council: B. F. Lansford, Felix Schneider, John Fleck, William Heitman, Henry Landgrebe, Charles Egg, Solomon Clapp, and Isidor Schuhmacher. The foregoing men served by reason of appointment made by the circuit court. Since 1900 the following men have served by reason of election: J. Herman Beckman, Charles Egg, Jacob H. Seng, Phillip Schwenk, Joseph Friedman, Sr., James J. Cunningham, William Heitman, Andrew Krempp, Frank Zimmer, George P. Wagner and William Harbi son (1908.)

Justices-Of-The-Peace

(There are hundreds of later justices-of-the-peace. The above are given here simply as pioneers in this county. Previous to the new constitution, November ist, 185 1, their duties were similar to the county commissioners of to-day.)

County Commissioners

Names of men who have served as county commissioners : Henry Enlow, Robert Oxley, John Donnell, Abraham Corn, Lewis B. Woods, Arthur L. Blagraves, Major T Powers, Joseph Friedman, R. M. Davis, Casper John, Anson Cavender, B. R. L,. Niehaus, Henry Long, A. F. Kelso,

The following justices-of-the-peace also served as a board of county commissioners in 1843-5 - Daniel Harris, Samuel Postlethwait, Jesse Corn, Jr., John Cave, John D. Noble, John Hurst, Elijah Cox, Giles N. Lansford, Elijah Kendall, A. B. Spradley, John Combs, Commissioner Conrad Jackie. Joseph Schneider, and Simon B. Lewis.

Appraisers Of Real Estate County Assessors

John Klem. Mr. Klem died in November, 1909. In January, 1910, Robert McCune was appointed his successor. (No commission issued.) (The county assessor's office is not a constitutional office, and commissions are not issued unless requested, and the election certified to.)

Circuit Court Judges

The following men have served as school- examiners or county school superintendents of Dubois county: 1843, John McCausland; 1853, Rev. Joseph Kundeck, Rev. A. J. Strain and George W. Fallon ; 1857, Rev. Jos. Kundeck, Rev. A. J. Strain and S. J. Kramer; 1858, Rev. A. J. Strain, Stephen Jerger and S. J. Kramer; 1859, Rev. A. J. Strain, William Hays and J. B. Beckwerment; i860, Wm. Hays, J. B. Beckwerment and Henry A. Holthaus; 1861, Rev. A. J. Strain; 1873, E. R. Brundick. (Here the law was changed and the county superintendent took charge.) The county superintendents were as follows: 1873, E. R. Brundick; 1879, Rev. Geo. C Cooper; 1881, Hon. A. M. Sweeney; 1889, George R. Wilson; 1903, Wm. Melchior (1910).

County Truant Officers

The following men have served as truant officers for Dubois county : Eieut. W. W. Kendall, John Meschede, Col. J. H. Johnson, Thomas H. Parks, Charles H. Osborn (resigned), C. C. Baggerly, Levi E- Jacobs and Christ. Parks (1910.)

Col. Johnson has the distinction of having won the praise and special mention of the state superintendent of public instruction in his official report to the general assembly of Indiana, touching upon the truancy law and its enforcement. This is an honor not often bestowed.

Before the organization of Dubois county, the people who lived within the present confines of the county were represented in the general assembly of Indiana by senators and representatives from Pike and Gibson counties. Even since the county's organization, these legislators have not always been citizens of Dubois county. Their names and years of service follow :

State Senators

[Note - Under the first constitution senators were elected for three years, and representatives for one year. Annual elections were held on the first

State Representatives

Of Jasper, Ind., born October 1, 1850, died August G, 18S5. Served as deputy clerk for many years; also as state representative. He was clerk- elect of Dubois county at the time of his death. He was also clerk of the town of Jasper for many years, and was the first teacher in the brick public school building in Jasper.

Note - Hon. Benj. R. Edmonston, of Haysville, represented Dubois county in the constitutional convention which was held at Indianapolis from October 7, 1850 until February 10, 1851, and which framed the present constitution of Indiana. Hon. A. J. Gosman, of Jasper, introduced the bill for the erection of the present state house.

State Officials

At a congressional election held August 18, 1821, Dubois county was a part of what was then known as the first congressional district. It remained in the first district until February 20, 1867, when it became a part of the second. On March 9th, 1895, it became a part of the third congressional district.

Our first congressman was William Hendricks, who served until 1823. William Prince was then elected, but was killed b}' a steamboat explosion while on his way to Washington. Jacol) Call was chosen to fill the vacancy. Ratliff Boone, of Warrick county, represented the district from 1825 to 1827, Thos. H. Blake from 1827 to 1829, then Boone served again until 1839. George H. Proffit served until 1843, when Robert Dale Owen succeeded him. Elisha Embree succeeded Owen in 1847, and served until 1849. Nathaniel Albertson was our congressman from 1849 to 1851.

who in 1853, was succeeded by Smith Miller, who served until 1S57, when Lockhart succeeded him, and died in office. Wm. E. Niblack filled the vacancy and served until 1861. John Laws served until 1865, when Judge

Wm. E. Niblack again entered Congress and served until 1873. However, on February 20, 1867. Dubois county became a part of the second congressional district with Michael C. Kerr as representative, until 1873. In 1873, Simeon K. Wolf became a congressman, succeeded, in 1875, by James D. Williams, who resigned, and Andrew Humphreys was appointed to fill the vacancy. In 1877, Thomas R.Cobb became the congressman in this district. He served until 1887. John H. O'Neil then served until 1891, when John L. Bretz entered congress. Alexander M. Hardy served in the 54th Congress from 1895 to 1897. Dubois county became a part of the third congressional district March 9th, 1895, and Wm. T. Zenor entered as congressman. He served until 1907, when he was succeeded by Wm. E. Cox. Of this list of congressmen, three were born in Dubois county: Niblack, Bretz and Cox. Geo. H. Proffit was once a Dubois county citizen and lived at Portersville. [Page 112.]

Dubois county has been democratic almost since its organization. During its first twelve years the whigs had about an equal number of voters, but since 1840, the democratic party has been in control.

In 1840, the total number of voters in Dubois county was 702, but in 1846, only 673 votes were cast. In voting for or against a constitutional convention, August 6, 1849, 547 voted for the convention and 259 against it, a total vote of 806.

In 1850, the leading democrats in Dubois county were Judge A. B. Spradley, Henry Brenner, and Martin E. Meyers of Patoka township; Jacob Herman, Col. B. B. Edmonston, and Gen. John Mehringer of Bainbridge township; Thomas P. Hope, Andrew Able, and Samuel White of Harbison township; D. M. Davis, Leroy Cave, and Harvey Nicholson of Columbia township; Thomas Shoulders, Joseph Striegel, and Capt. J. J. Alles, of Hall township; and John B. Gohman, Fred Neudeck, and Dr. M. Kemp of Ferdinand township.

Wm. E. Niblack again entered Congress and served until 1873. However, on February 20, 1867. Dubois county became a part of the second congressional district with Michael C. Kerr as representative, until 1873. In 1873, Simeon K. Wolf became a congressman, succeeded, in 1875, by James D. Williams, who resigned, and Andrew Humphreys was appointed to fill the vacancy. In 1877, Thomas R.Cobb became the congressman in this district. He served until 1887. John H. O'Neil then served until 1891, when John If. Bretz entered congress. Alexander M. Hardy served in the 54th Congress from 1895 to 1897. Dubois county became a part of the third congressional district March 9th, 1895, ^"^ Wm. T. Zenor entered as congressman. He served until 1907, when he was succeeded by Wm. E. Cox. Of this list of congressmen, three were born in Dubois county: Niblack, Bretz and Cox. Geo. H. Proffit was once a Dubois county citizen and lived at Portersville. [Page 112.]

Dubois county has been democratic almost since its organization. During its first twelve years the whigs had about an equal number of voters, but since 1840, the democratic party has been in control.

In 1840, the total number of voters in Dubois county was 702, but in 1846, only 673 votes were cast. In voting for or against a constitutional convention, August 6, 1849, 547 voted for the convention and 259 against it, a total vote of 806.

In 1850, the leading democrats in Dubois county were Judge A. B. Spradley, Henry Brenner, and Martin E. Meyers of Patoka township; Jacob Herman, Col. B. B. Edmonston, and Gen. John Mehringer of Bainbridge township; Thomas P. Hope, Andrew Able, and Samuel White of Harbison township; D. M. Davis, Leroy Cave, and Harvey Nicholson of Columbia township; Thomas Shoulders, Joseph Striegel, and Capt. J. J. Alles, of Hall township; and John B. Gohman, Fred Neudeck, and Dr. M. Kemp of Ferdinand township.

In 1907, the voting power of Dubois county was as follows: Columbia, 282; Harbison, 308; Boone, 248; Madison, 308; Bainbridge, 771; Marion, 221; Hall, 247; Jefferson, 441; Jackson, 280; Patoka, 973; Cass, 352; Ferdinand, 412. Total in county, 4S45. Patoka, Cass, and Ferdinand townships each had one colored voter. There were but three in the county.

Sebastian Anderson was the first republican county chairman to organize Dubois county by precincts. Since then the chairmanship of the republican county central committee has been held by the following republicans: Sebastian Anderson, Chas. J. Hubbard, Dr. Wm. R. McMahan, lyouis H. Katter, and John F. Mehringer (1910.)