Shelby County, Indiana - Chapter 3, 1887

Chapter 3

County Organization - Act of the Legislature - First Townships - Locating the County Seat - Sale of Lots - Early Acts of the County Board - Reorganization of To^vNSHIPS - Early Jails - Court House - Finances - County Poor - Roads - Railroads - Elections - County Officers - Medical Society - County Fairs - Local Industries. ^ act whereby Shelby County was organized. The man in honor of whom the new county a\ as named was Isaac /g^--^^ Shelby, the first Go\'ernor of Kentucky, a gallant soldier, "^ * a patriotic citizen, and a pure and just man. The following act was passed and approved in December, 182 1 : An Act for the formation of a new count}- north of Bartholomew

Section i. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, that from and after the first day of April next, all that part of Delaware County, contained within the following bounds shall form a separate county, yiz. : Beginning at the southeast corner of Section 33, in Township 11 north. Range 8 east, of the second principal meridian: thence north twenty-four miles, to the northeast corner of Section 4, Township 14 north, of Range 8 east; thence west seventeen miles, to the southwest corner of Section 2, Township 14 north, of Range 5 east; thence south twent3--four miles to the north boundary of Bartholomew^ County; thence east seventeen miles to the place of beginning.

Section 2. The said new county shall be known and designated by the name of Shelby County, and shall enjoy all the rights, privileges and jurisdiction, which to separate and independent counties do and may properly appertain and belong.

Section 4. The circuit and all other courts of the County of Shelby, shall meet and be holden at the house of David Fisher, in said County of Shelb^^ until suitable accommodations can be had at the seat of justice; and so soon as said county are satisfied that suitable accommodation can be had at the county seat they shall adjourn their courts thereto, after which time the courts for the County of Shelby shall be holden at the county seat of Shelby

Governor. Coininissioners' Court. - The first term of commissioners' court was held at the house of David Fisher, near the Town of Marion, on Tuesda}', April 9, 1822. Richard Tyner, Joseph Davison and David Fisher having presented certificates of election, received the oath of office, and immediately organized by electing Richard Tyner, President. Hiram Alldredge was appointed Clerk of the Board, and Wilham Davis, County Treasurer, for the term of one 3'ear. The first regular business of the board was the division of the countv into the following townships: Union, Marion, Hendricks and Noble. An election was ordered held in each township on the 27th da}' of April, for the election of a Justice of the Peace, the following places being designated as polling places: Union Township, at the house of C\'rus H. Stone; Marion Township, at the house of John Summer; Hendricks Township, at the house of Eli x\dams, and Noble Township, at the house of Samuel Drake. After the appointment of Election Inspectors, the board adjourned sine die. The second special session was held May 13th, of the same year. Benjamin Hodges w^as appointed " lister " for the year 1822. A superintendent w'as appointed for each school section of the county, after which the time of the board was occupied in hearing the petitions for the establishment of county roads. These petitions w' ere signed by " divers and sundry " citizens, and set forth in very convincing terms the public utiht}' of the proposed fines. The prayer of these petitioners was always granted, and viewers accordingly appointed to survey and report as to the practicability and convenience of the proposed route.

The Commissioners, George Bently, Benjamin Blj'the, Amos Boardman, Joshua Cobb and xVbenezer Ward, appointed b\- the Legislature to locate the seat of justice of Shelby County, met at the house of David Fisher on the first Monday in July, 1822. They proceeded to examine the several proposed sites, namely: First,

County Organization

Marion, which was the geographical center of the county; Second, the farm of Isaac Lemaster, who offered a donation of forty acres; Third, the present site of Shelbyville, where sevent}' acres were offered, Major John Hendricks, forty acres; James Davison, twenty acres; and Hon. John Walker, ten acres. After four days of arduous labor, the offer of Messrs. Hendricks, Davison and Walker w^as accepted, and the present site selected. The decision of the Commissioners was announced on the Fourth of July, and was received bv the patriotic citizens of the county who had gathered to celebrate that glorious day with shouts of applause, accompanied by expressions of regret by those who had been disappointed. The wisdom of the selection was questioned, and the action of the commissioners openly criticised by many. At that time, and for many years subsequent it is said, that the present site of Shelbyville Avas covered water for a considerable portion of each }'ear, while the other proposed sites were nearer the geographical center and comparativelv dry.

The Board of Countv Commissioners met in special session on Juh- 5th, and accepted the report, which defines the boundaries of land donated in the following language, to-w^it. : "Conunencing at a stake dividing Sections 5 and 6, in Range 7 east, of the second principal meridian, Township 12 north; thence east on Township line dividing Townships 12 and 13, along the northeast quarter of Section 5, township and range aforesaid, supposed to be i6o rods, more or less; thence south, to inclose twent}- acres. Also twenty acres on the southeast quarter of Section 31, Range 7, Township II, h'in"- as follows: Commencin<>- at the southeast corner of section aforesaid; thence running north to Blue River; thence down Blue River to make twent}^ acres. Ten acres in Section 31, Range 7, Township 13, as follows: Commencing at the southwest quarter of section aforesaid, at the southwest corner; thence east across said quarter section ; thence north to include ten acres, and that the said site hereby located shall be known by the name of Shelbyville."

After accepting the report of the Locating Commissioners, the Board ordered the claim of said Commissioners, amounting to $135? to be allowed, and that the same be paid out of the first money received by the treasurer. Hon. Abel Cole was appointed County Agent, and directed to have all the west half.of the Hendricks and Walker donation laid off into town lots, streets and alle3'S. The first sale of lots was advertised for September 23, and the terms of sale fixed as follows : One-twelfth in cash, the balance payable in three annual installments, " with interest from date if not paid at maturity." The price of lots was from $10 to $50, depending on location. The cash proceeds from the first sale of lots was $i5-755 of which amount $1.75 was expended for whisky to be used on the day of pubHc sale, and it is said by one who was in attendance that it was not drunk as a beverage, but as a preventative of the malarial diseases that " flesh was heir to "' in those days.

At the January- term of the Commissioners' Court, the Clerk, Treasurer and Sheriff were each allowed $22 for their services for one year, which, in comparison with the amount paid at present, is a very meagre sum. The rates adopted for the regulation of taverns were: for each meal of victuals, 25 cents; for bed, 6% cents: for horse, at hay, 12}^ cents: for each gallon of grain, 12^ cents;, for each half pint of whisky, 10 cents, and for onehalf pint of brandy, 25 cents. At the same time the countv agent was ordered to sell to the lowest bidder, Januarv i, 1S25. a contract for the building of a pound, said pound to be 50x50 feet, post and rail fence six feet high, with gate five feet wide. The southeast lot of the public square was designated as the location of said pound, and Benjamin Williams appointed keeper of the same. The board then adopted the following described seal: To be in the form of a circle, around the edge of which were the words, Shelby Count}' Seal, Indiana. In the center of the circle is an eagle perched upon the head of a lion.

At the September term, 1826, the board made an allowance of 37/^ cents for whisky furnished the countv h\ Smith Wingate, and ordered that the same be paid out of anv monevs in the treasury not otherwise appropriated. The price of whisky, as established b}^ the board, was 10 cents per pint, so it mav be seen that neither the quantity used nor the amount expended was excessive. A second allowance was made November, 1827: this was 75 cents, and brand}- was used at that meeting instead of whisky.

In 1824, the law creating a board of county commissioners was repealed and a board of justices with similar duties created instead.. The board was composed of justices of the peace from each township, and organized bv the election of one of its members president, the clerk of the court being ex-officio secretary. The first board was composed of the following gentlemen : Alex Vanpelt, Merrv McGuire, Willis Law, H. H. Lewis, John Kennedy, Nathaniel Davis, Joseph Hough, James Wray, John B. Morgan, Lewis Hendricks, John M. Goung, David Lavman, David Brawn, Richard Williams, William Hawkins, Adam Wright, Nathan Wheeler and Josiah AVilliams. The first meeting was held at the house of Benjamin Williams, and Josiah Williams was elected president. After four years this law was repealed and the old S3-stem re-established.

Fisher, April 9, 1822, the territory of the county was divided into the following townships: Town 14, formed and constituted the civil township of Union; Town 13, the township of Marion ;Town 12, the township of Hendricks, and the Town 11, the township of- Noble. At a special term held in May of the same year, the name of Union was changed to Harrison, and that of Marion to Shelby. Addison Township was organized February 11, 1823; Sugar Creek, May 13, 1S23; Liberty, March 5, 1827, and Monroe, May, 1 831; Fleming, Hanover and Moral were other townships that were organized prior to 1840.

At a regular meeting of the board held on the first Monda}' in January, 1840, the townships of the county were reorganized and new townships created - Jackson Township was formed out of the territory of Township 11, Range 6 east, and all of Township 11, Range 5 east, lying in said county.

Hendricks Township. - All that part of Township 11, Range 5, lying in Shelby County, and that part of Township 12, Range 6, contained in the following boundary: Beginning at the southeast corner of Section 34; thence north on the section line to the northeast corner of Section 3; thence west to the northwest corner of said township; thence south to the line dividing townships 11 and 12; thence east four miles to the place of beginning.

Sugar Creek Township. - Beginning at the southeast corner of Section 34, Township 13, Range 6; thence north on section line to the northeast corner of Section 3, in the aforesaid township; thence west along the line dividing townships 13 and 14, to the west line of said cOuntv; thence south to the line dividing townships 12 and 13; thence east to the place of beginning.

Marion Township. - Beginning at the southeast corner of Section 23, Township 13 north, of Range 7 east; thence north on section line to the northeast corner of Section 35, in Township 14 north, and Range 7 east; thence on section line to the range hue, dividing ranges 6 and 7 at the northwest corner of Section 31, Township 14, Range 7; thence south to line dividing townships 13 and 14; thence west two miles to the northwest corner of Section 5, Township 13, Range 6; thence south on section line to the southwest corner of Section 23, Township 13, Range 6; thence east on section line to the place of beginning.

8; thence west on section line to the line dividing ranges 6 and 7 at the southwest corner of Section 30, Township 14, Range 7; thence north on county line; thence east to northeast corner of said county; thence south to the place of beginning.

Addison Township. - Beginning at the southeast corner of Section 35, Township 12, Range 7; thence north on section to the northeast corner of Section 26, Township 13, Range 7; thence west seven miles to the northwest corner of Section 26, Township

13, Range 6; thence south eight miles to the southwest corner of Section 35, Township 12, Range 6; thence east seven miles to the place of beginning.

Van Buren Township. - Beginning at the southwest corner of Section 26, Township 14, Range 6; thence east to the line of Section 27, Township 14, Range 7; thence east on said line to the county line ; thence west on said county line to the northwest corner of Section 2, Township 14, Range 6; thence south to the place of beginning.

Brand^'wine Township. - Beginning on the range line dividing ranges 6 and 7 at the northeast corner of Section 36, Township 14, Range 6; thence two miles west to the northwest corner of Section 35, Township 14, Range 6; thence one mile south to the township line dividing townships 13 and 14; thence two mile west on said line to the northwest corner of Section 4, Township 13, Range 6; thence south six miles to the township line dividing townships 12 and 13; thence two miles on said line to the southeast on said line to the southeast corner of Section 34, Township 13, Range 6; thence north two miles to the northwest corner of Section 26, Township 13, Range 6; thence two miles east to the range line dividing ranges 6 and 7 ; thence north on said line to the place of beginning. Organized March 7, 1843.

Washington Township. - Beginning on the township line dividing townships 11 and 12, Range 6, at the corner of the northeast quarter of, and the northwest quarter of Section 3, Township 11, Range 6; thence running south on said open line of sections 3, 10, 15, 22, and 27 to Flat Rock River, to the count}' line; thence east on said line to the southeast corner of Section 33, Township 11, Range 7 ; thence north on said section line to the township line dividing townships 1 1 and 1 2 ; thence west on said Hne to the place of beginning. Said township was organized on the first Monday in April, 1845.

Shelby Township. - Beginning at the southeast ccrner of Section 35, Township 12, Range 6, which point is the southwest corner of Addison Township; thence north on the line dividing the townships of Addison and Hendricks to the northwest corner of Section 14 in Si^id township and range; thence east on section line to the northeast corner of Section 13, and also range line di\'iding ranges 6 and 7 ; thence north on range line to the northwest corner of Section 8: thence east to the northeast corner of Section 14, Township 12, Range 7; also to the west line of Liberty Township; thence south on the section dividing the townships of Addison and Liberty to the southeast corner of Section 35, Township 12, Range 7; thence west on section line dividing the Township of Addison from Noble and Washington to the place of beginning. Organized, June 26, 1882.

yail. - The necessity of providing a prison for the confinement of those who refused to obey the laws, became manifest early in the existance of the county. Indeed, the county had been organized but a few months until the Board of Commissioners, which met at the house of Hiram Alldredge, in November, 1822, ordered that a contract for the erection of a jail be sold on the ist day of Januarv, 1823. James Gregory was appointed architect, and to Nathan Johnson was awarded the contract for the erection of said building. The plans and specifications as prepared by the architect, provided for a hewed log structure 16x16 feet and two stories high. The first story was to contain the prison room or dungeon in which the most vicious class of criminals were to be incarcerated, while in the second &tOY\ was an apartment less securely constructed, and set apart as a debtor's' room. Under this operation of the law, which was one of the first enactments of the new State, any person who failed in the payment of his debts, either from inability or otherwise, might at the pleasure of the creditor be thrown into, prison. It is remembered by many of the old settlers that not a few of the most honorable and respectful people were victims of the law, that like many other relics of the " dark ages " had been promulgated by that little band that landed at Plymouth Rock, in 1620. The location of this building was the northeast lot of Public square, and cost about $600.

This old structure stood for a few years, when it was abandoned and a new jail erected on the corner of Harrison and Broadway. This building was of logs and more substantially constructed than

The contract for the third jail was awarded to John Craig, Michael West and Jacob Parris, at the March term. of court, 1845. This building stood near the site of the present jail and was built of stone. Attached to said jail was a Sheriff's residence 20x24 feet and tw^o stories high. This building was of a very substantial character and durinff the thirty-three years of its use there was confined within its walls some of the most yicious criminals of that period.

In the fall of 1872, in accordance ^vith the instructions of the board, D. A. Bohlen prepared and submitted plans for a new jail and Sheriff's residence. In accordance with a notice previously given the following bids were recorded at the November meeting: Norris & Hinkley, $55,824; Travis Carter & Co., $70,500; Wingate & Hester, $55,998; Travis L. Farmer, $55,500, and Victor & Springer, $54,000. The contract w^as aw^arded to Victor & Springer. The building is a two-story brick and is ninety-five feet long and fifty feet wide. The prison apartment is pj'ovided with eighteen cells and two hospital rooms, while the Sheriff's residence contains nine rooms.

Court House. - Before the location of the seat of justice at its present site, all county business was transacted at the little village of Marion. The first courts were held at the house of David Fisher, but it is authentically stated that when the weather was not too inclement, the judge and jury would adjourn either to an unfinished barn that stood near by, or to the top of a large oak tree which had fallen - the branches answering the purpose of both bench and jury-box. After the location of the county seat, all county business was transacted, and courts held first at the residence of Benjamin Williams, and later the residence of Hiram Alldredge.

The first action taken to\A^rd the erection of a court house was an order made by the board January, i, 1823, authorizing the county agent to contract for the erection of a temporary frame building 20x30 feet and two stories high. This order was recorded at a subsequent meeting of the board, and on the 3d of. July, of the same year, the aijent was directed to <rive notice that a substantial brick building would be erected instead. In March, of the following year, it was declared to be the sense of the board that the expenditure of a large sum for the erection of a court house was at that time both unw^ise and inexpedient, and the matter w^as accordingly postponed. The matter was not again considered until March, 1825, when the contract for the erection of a two-story, brick building fift}' feet wide and sixty long, was purchased b}' William Bush- field and Arthur Major, for $2,240. According to the plans prepared by the architect, John E. Baker, the first story was» set apart for a court room, and although the furniture and appointments were in no way extravagant, they served the purpose. The second story was divided into four apartments, and was used for county offices. Tiie house was located in the center of the public square (which had been but partially cleared of the heavy growth of trees) and was not completed ready for occupation until 1830. The present court house was built in 1852, by Edwin Ma}',' contractor, at a cost to the count}' of $27,000. The superstructure is of brick and stone. The building is two stories high and 100 feet long and seventy-five feet wide. It was remodeled in 1S78, according to the plans and specifications of R. P. Daggett, architect. The contract for the reconstructure was awarded Osborne, Carlisle & Jones for the sum of $31,000. In order to meet the payment of the debt thus incurred, bonds aggregating $30,000 were issued in denominations of $500, payable in one, two and three years, and bearing interest at the rate of eight per cent.

Finances. - To give a correct statement of the condition of the finances for the first decade of the county's history is almost impossible ; but so far as the records reveal the facts its true condition will be seen in the subjoined exhibit. The principal source of revenue for the first iew years was from the sale of lots which were donated to the county as a consideration for the location of the seat of justice at its present site. The first sale of lots occurred September 23, 1822. The cash received at said sale was $15.75, the balance being in notes and accounts. The proceeds from the several sales of lots probably exceeded, in the aggregate, $3,000, but on account of county agent being a defaulter, the true condition of the funds could never be ascertained. The first tax levied was in 1822, the rate upon each horse or mule more than three years old, 37/^ cents; each two- wheel pleasure carriage, $1.00; each four-wheel pleasure carriage, $1.50; each yoke of oxen more than three years old, i8)4^ cents; each brass clock, $1,00; each pinch back or silver watch, 25 cents; and on each gold watch, $1.00. The first collection of tax was in 1823, and the treasurer's report for said year shows that there were taxes collected to the amount of $314.75? merchant's licenses, $7.50, and tavern licenses, $20. The same report shows that $386.12 was dispersed during the year; thus it

Bv an addition of these amounts it will be observed that for the first ten years the expense of running the county, including amounts paid for state and school purposes, was $9,876.06, while for the ten years ending with 1886, and not including state and school funds, the amount is $552,639.00. The receipts (including all funds) for the fiscal year ending May 31, 1886, was $239,036.39; and the expenditures but $4,640.45 less. A careful comparison of the figures will show the growth in wealth of the county from the date of its organization to the present time.

77/^ County^ s Poor. - Probably no question in the political economy of a county deserves more thoughtful attention from those to whom the management of public affairs is intrusted, than the care of those who have through misfortune become the proper objects of charity. To provide those unfortunates who are unable or incompetent to take care of themselves, against want, has called forth various methods of treatment. The first provisions made by law was the appointment of overseers of each civil township, whose duty it was to provide for the wants of the poor of their respective townships. In accordance with the provision of the law the board of commissioners, at a meeting held in May, 1822, made the following named persons overseers: Noble Township, William Shaw and Josiah Williams; Hendricks Township, Henry Logan and George Adams: JMarian Township, Benjamin and Abel Summers; Union Township, Jonathan Hill and Joshua Wilson. The general provisions governing the duties of such overseers were as follows : " It shall be the duty of the Overseers of the Poor, every 3'ear, to cause all poor persons who have or shall become a public charge, to be farmed out on contract to be made on the first Monday in May, annually, in such manner as said Overseers of the Poor shall deem best calculated to promote the public good. Provided., That nothing herein contained shall prohibit any overseer from receiving and accepting propositions at any time for the keeping of the poor and others who may at any time hereafter become a county charge." It ^vas further proyided that the oyerseers should keep a record in Ayhich should be transcribed the ijames of all persons in their respectiye townships who were unable to take care of themselyes, and who in their opinion were entitled to the benefits provided for the maintenance of those unfortunates. A further provision made it necessary then to put as apprentices all poor children whose parents were dead or were found to be unable to maintain them - males until the age of twenty-one, and females until they attained the aij^e of eiohteen years.

During the tirst thirty years of the county's history but little progress was made toward the development of a more practical method of providing for the wants of the poor and indigent of the county. For many years succeeding the organization of the county the farming-out system was adopted by the commissioners, and the result, while at first satisfactory, later became impracticable. Profiting by the experience of older counties, the commissioners bought a farm in 1847, upon which was erected a suitable building for the comfort of the poor of the county. This plan was adopted as a matter of economy, the purpose being to utilize the personal labor of such inmates as were physically able to work. This plan was found to be beneficial because it offered proper exercise for such inmates, besides contributing to their own sustenance. The county farm, which was bought of John Lemasters. July 3, 1847, is five miles south of Shelbyville, in Shelb}' Township. It contains 160 acres and cost $i,8oo. The contract for the erection of a brick building, 40x20 feet, was awarded to Benjamin & Jackson Maple, for the sum of $550. As the county increased in population there was a corresponding increase in the number who were entitled to its benefactions, and the old building was soon found to be inadequate. In May, 1861, the commissioners contracted for the construction of a brick building with enlarged capacity and the necessary appointments to accommodate all who were entitled to enter. The annual expense of keeping the poor was for the first several years merely nominal. According to the records the average annual expense from 1828 to 1836, inclusive, w'as $140, or an aggregate, for the period, of $1,260. If this amount be compared with the following exhibit of annual expenses for the last twenty years, the contrast will show an alarming increase in this element of society:

This shows an aggregate expenditure for the ten years ending May 30, 1886 (not including the erection nor ffepair of buildings) of $99,634,75.

Avenues of Travel. - The roads traversed bv the pioneer settlers of Shelby County were first the Indian trails, which were the only avenues of travel established bv the Delaware tribe, which inhabited this countv at the time of the coming- of the first settler. These were succeeded bv neighborhood roads until the organization of the county, when county roads were established according to the demands of public convenience. The primitive roads were little more than a path " blazed out," by which travelers might with some degree of confidence, go from one settlement to another without fear of losing their course. These roads often traversed low, wet land and marshv districts, and in order to make them passable were cross laid with logs and rails, and were generally known as " corduroys," which, according to an eminent American humorist, " has decreased the length of many a spinal column." When the necessities of enlarged travel became apparent, the demand for better constructed roads became quite universal, and in response to this demand State roads were surveyed and located at the expense of the State.

The first of these important avenues of commerce and travel was The Old State Road, which was located about the year 182 1. The road extended from Indianapolis to Lawrenceburg, passing through Shelby County from northwest to southeast, and afforded those living along the line of said road communication with the Ohio River, which enabled the people of central and southern Indiana to reach with their products the markets of the world. The Michigan Road was in manv respects the most important thoroughfare established in Indiana at an earlv day. This road was built largely bv the proceeds of the sale of land relinquished to the State b}- the Pottawattamie Indians by the treat v of 1826. The northern terminus of the road was Michigan City, and for several vears extended

After many years of experience with dirt roads, which until 1850, were the only public thoroughfares in the State, it was thought proper to authorize by legislatiye enactment, as man}- older states had done, the construction of roads whereby the products of the farm might be transported to meet the demands of trade. In response to this demand the General Assembly of 1849, authorized the incorporation of Stock Companies for the construction of Plank Roads. In all but few of the counties of the State such roads were built and operated, but after a few years were abandoned as impracticable.

Since i860, thei*e has been constructed on all the principal thoroughfares leading out of Shelbyyille, as well as on many of the cross roads in yarious parts of the county, gravel roads, of which the following is a complete list:

Shelbyyille & Morristown, ten miles: Edinburg, Flat Rock & Norristown, eleyen miles and a half; Mount Auburn & Lewis Creek, nine miles and a half: Jackson Grand Road, three miles; Shelbyville, Flat Rock & Norristown, twelve miles; Hope & Norristown, one and a half miles; Flat Rock & Waldron, five and a half miles; St. Paul & Norristown, nine and a half miles; Shelb}-yille & Cynthiana, four miles; Shelb3'yille & Chapel, seven miles: County Line & Chapel, rive miles; Waldron & Middleton, one mile; Shelbyville & Columbus, four and a half miles; Shelbyville & Rushvifle, four miles; Shelbyville & Manilla, ten miles; Lewis Creek & ShelbN-yille, three miles: Shelbyville, Smithland & Marietta, seven and a half miles: Michiiran Road, six miles; Shelbyyille & Brandy wine, two and a half miles; Brandy wine, Boggstown & Sugar Creek, four miles : Fairland Company, four and a half miles; Shelbyville & Indianapolis, four miles; Fairland & Shelbyville, two miles; Fairland & Brand3-wine, one and a half miles; Northern County, one mile; Brandy wine Junction, one mile; Morristown & Hanover, five and three-fourths miles; Blue River & Chapel, four miles; Marion Township, five and a half miles; Morrison Turnpike Company, four and a half miles.

I^ai/roads. - From the year 1822, forward for a series of years, the qviestion of internal improvements was the all-absorbing theme of discussion. In his messao-e to the General Assembly, in 1822, Governor Wm. Hendricks urged strongh' the necessity of constructing state roads, improvement of the rivers, etc. This sentiment became strong among the masses, and no sooner had the practicability of railroads been demonstrated to the world than there was among the most intelligent and progressive citizens a desire to give it a practical test. The tirst action taken with this object in ^-ie^v was bv the people of Shelby County, early in the thirties. Judge Peaslee, at that time a citizen of Shelbyville, was the projector of the road which extended from the top of the hill in the southeastern suburbs of the city, to Lewis Creek, a distance of one mile and a half. The road was constructed entirely of wood, and the car was pulled b}' horses. It was put into operation on the Fourth of July, 1834, ^^^ passengers were taken the "round trip" for twenty-five cents. William Ford was the conductor. This was the beginning of what the projectors hoped would be a line extending to Cincinnati, but failing to interest capitalists, and not having the means of their own, the project was abandoned. This was the first road, if such it may be called, that was built west of the Alleghany mountains.

The Shelbyville Lateral Branch, connecting Shelbyville with the Madison & Indianapolis road at Edinburg, was located in the year 1S46, and completed in 1849-50. Length 16 miles. Major John Hendricks was first president. This was the second railroad constructed in the State of Indiana, and the third one in the United States west of Cincinnati - Madison & Indianapolis being the first, and the Louisville & Portland the second.

The second railroad, the Rushville & Shelb3'yille, nineteen miles in length, and also the Kni^htstown & Shelbyville, twentyfive miles in length, were located in 1847, and completed at about the same time as the lateral branch. The first President and projector of the Knightstown road was Henry B. Hill, of Carthage. Dr. Helm was first President of Rushville & Shelbyville road.

The branch connecting Shelbyville and Edinburg, as well as the Knightstown road, were abandoned after being successfully operated for a few years. About the time of the abandonment of the old road, what is now known as the Cambridge City Branch of the Jeffersonville, Madison & Indianapolis Road was completed. This intersects the main road at Columbus, and the Pan Handle Railroad at Cambridge City, and all being under the management of the Penn- S3-lvania Company, these connections furnish many advantages to passengers as Avell as shippers.

The Cincinnati, Indianapolis, St. Louis & Chicago Railroad was commenced at Lawrenceburg, in the fall of 1849, and completed through 'Shelby County in 1853. It was at that time known as the Indianapolis, Cincinnati & Lafayette Railroad. The projector and first President was Hon. George H. Dunn, of Lawrenceburg, " from whose indefatigable industry and perseverance, Shelby County has derived more substantial benefit in her material interests than from the labor of any other sin";le individual in the State." To those who will succeed the present generation, and especially to the farmers of Shelby County, it ma}' be interesting to know that before construction of railroads, corn was a drug at 10 cents per bushel; wheat, 35 to 40 cents: pork, $1.50 to $2 per one hundred pounds, net; good beef steak 21^2 to 3 cents per pound, and other products in proportion.

The compan}-"s lines (either owned or controlled) gave the people of Shelby County direct communication with four of the largest western cities, viz. : Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati and Lidianapolis. Thus enabling them to transport, directlv, the products of the farm, factorv and shop to the best markets of the world. Equal advantages are afforded to the traveling public, live trains being run each way daily. Parlor cars, reclining chair cars and Pullman sleepers are among the accommodations provided. The C, I., St. L. & C. with its lateral branch extending; from Fairland to Martinsville via Franklin; the J., M. & I., and the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Indianapolis, which runs across the northeast corner of the county, a distance of about ten miles, give the people of Shelby County, in the aggregate, about sixtv-five miles of railroad.

Elections.. - The followinii tables of the elections have been compiled from the county records and other available sources. None but the Presidential votes are given, and those prior to 1832 could not be found :

Associate yiidgcs. - John Sleeth, Wm. Goodrich, 1822; Joseph Dawson, 1825; A. Wilhams, 1826; L-a Bailey, Thomas Cotton, 1836; Joshua B. Lucas, 1843; Jacob Kennerly, 1S50; Deivid Thatcher, Calville Pierce, 185 1.

human famil}' have been subject in all time past, and the degree of proficiency attained has always depended upon the activity and zeal of the members of the profession. To secure the knowledge indispensable to the proper treatment of human ailments and the restoration of the organic functions to their normal condition, union of effort and mutuality of counsel have been universallv acknowledged as essential. This would suggest the necessity for the organization of societies in which members may meet, and bv a comparison of individual experiences deduce the most practical methods.

Early in the fifties an effort was made by a few of the leading physicians of Shelbyville to organize upon a pernament foundation, and although the organization was effected its existance was but temporary.

What was known as the Shelby County Medical Societv, with headquarters at Morristown, was organized April 3, 1854. ^^e membership of this society was made up of the following phvsicians who lived in the northern portion of the countv: D. S.McGauhev, J. G. Wolf, J. M. Adams, J. H. Spurrier, F. M. Pollitt. W. W. Rigdon and T. M. Stevens. The first officers were Dr. D. S. McGauhey, President; J. M. Adams, Secretary : J. G. Wolf and W. W. Rigdon, Censors: and J. H. Spurrier, Treasurer. This organization continued until 1864, a period of ten years, when it disbanded and has never since been revived.

Of the early history of the profession, but little can be said. There having been no early organization, there is in consequence no record from which the data may be obtained. It is remembered by the oldest residents that the first to offer his professional services to the people of Shelby County was Dr. James Kipper, who came probably, as earh' as 1820. He was a man of verv ordinarv abilitv, with very little professional learning, although he is said to have been reasonabl}- successful in the treatment of diseases most prevalent in those da3's. Dr. Sylvan B. Morris came the following year, 182 1, and opened an office in the house of Alexander Van Pelt, at the mouth of Conn's Creek. The next year, 1822, he moved to Shelbyville, where he remained until his death, 1843. Dr. Morris was a native of Pennsylvania, but spent the greater part of his boyhood davs in Warren County, Ohio. He was one of the best educated of all the early physicians of the county, being a literary graduate of Lebanon Academy, and a medical graduate of the famous Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia. Dr. John T. Kennedy came in 1828. He was a surgeon in the War of 181 2, a man of much intellectual force and a very successful practitioner. Drs. Archibald Smith and Edward Beall came a few years earlier.

Others who may be classed among the pioneer physicians are as follows: Drs. Harrison (a son of Gen. Harrison), Nathaniel Teal, Homberg, Cummins, Davison Gaskell Free, W. W. McCoy, Albert G. Webb, John Forbes. George Fleming, Charles Fishback, Graham, Sanders, Cull, McGauhey, Elder, Milton Robins and Samuel D. Day. The two last named are still living in Shelbyville.

In the history of the profession in Shelby County there is little that ma}' be said. The incidents of the early practice are similar to those of all western communities. Milk sickness, a disease now unknown to the profession, was prevalent in some localities in the latter part of the thirties. Of the disease, but little was known, further than that it was by drinking the milk or eating the meat of cattle that were atflicted with a disease of the same name. The disease was not necessarily fatal, but the rate of mortality was considerable. In 1845, the black tongue prevailed; cholera in 1850; a malignant form of dysentery in 1851, and cholera again in 1866. The "- chills and fever," was the most prevalent, and gave the settlers the most inconvenience. It was a terror to new-comers; in fact but few of any class escaped. It was not contagious, but derived from impure water and air, which are always developed in the opening up of a new countr}-. The impurities were absorbed from day to dav until the whole body became saturated with the poison, and then the shock came. It had a fixed beginning and ending, coming, generally, on alternate days with a regularity that was surprising. After the shock came a fever that was burninghot and lasted for hours. When a person had the chill, he couldn't get warm, and when he had the fe\'er, he couldn't get cool. The patient felt languid and stupid; back was out of fix, the head ached and the appetite was crazed. The eyes had too much white in them, the ears, especially after taking quinine, had too much roar in them, and the whole bodv and soul were entirely woebegone, disconsolable, sad, poor and good for nothing. It is claimed bv one of the pioneer physicians that there was not a single person who Hved in the county, during the decade of the fifties, that was not a victim of this malady. The patients, after a long continued struggle, became weak, emaciated and thin, and the following can hardly be said to be a picture of the imagination :

Agricultural Societies. - The most important of the occupations into which the labors of mankind are divided is that of aijriculture. This is true not only because a larger per cent, of the population is engaged in tilling the soil, but because it forms the basis of the prosperity of ever}' country. It has long since been conceded that intelligence is as necessary on the part of those engaged in the cultivation of the soil as in the other vocations of life. It is for the dissemination of knowledge and the diffusion of better methods amono- the farmers that agricultural societies have been established and maintained throughout the State. There is no doubt that through the agency of these societies, great changes have been wrought during the latter half of the present century. No considerable progress was made in the organization and maintenance of agricultural societies until the enactment of a law, February 14, 185 1, providing for the encouragement of the same. A State Board of Agriculture, with Gov. Joseph A. Wright as President, was organized pursuant to this act, and throuirh the influence of said board many district and county societies were formed.

The preliminary arrangements for the organization of an agricultural society in Shelby County, were perfected at a meeting held in the old court house in the summer of 1848. Forty acres of land lying southeast of the present site of the Shelby distillery was purchased by the association, and the lirst fair was held, probably, in the fall of the following ^ear, 1849. After the enactment of February, 1 85 1, went into effect, an association was organized on a different basis. The following historical sketch of the society was contributed to the report of the State Board of Agriculture, for 1854, by L. J. Hackney, Esq., Secretary of the Association:

" I have had an opportunity recently to observe in abstract form the progress of agriculture in this county since the 25th day of October, 1851, when the citizens friendly to agricultural improvement met at the court house and selected Rev. David Whitcomb to preside over the meeting, and David Thatcher, then editing and publishing the }\)Iiiiitcer, was chosen secretary. A societ}^ was formed, and November i, 1851, the venerable judge J. M. Sleeth, for a committee, reported a constitution, and Thomas A. Hendricks, Martin M. Ra}- and James ElHott, reported by-laws. A librarian was one of the officers of the society, and it was made his duty to subscribe for all such books and periodicals for the use of members as might be ordered, and to keep a register of the receipt and the return of the same by members. A committee was required to furnish two columns of agricultural newS weekly to the Volioifecr, and the librarian ordered to subscribe for the Cultivator, '^1.00; Horticiilturalist, $3.00; The PIozv, 50 cents; The Prairie Farmer, $1.00: The Plow, the Tooni and the Anvil, $2.00; Western Horticidtural Peviezc', $3.00; Ohio Agriculturalist, $1.00: 'Journal of Agriculture, $2.00; Pennsylvania Farm yournal, $1.00; American Farmer, $1.00; Iiidiana Farmer, $1.00; Ohio Cultivator, $1.00. On the first Saturday in Februar}', 1852, Governor Wright and W. T. Dennis, addressed the societ}'. In the moldy old volumes \\here this record is found, is a list of the premiums offered at the first fair of the pioneer society and it covers less than five and a half pages, written, in the book, 8x10 inches, and comprising farms, crops, horses, jacks and mules, cattle, hogs, sheep, fowls, fruits, farming implements, flov.'ers and domestic manufactures. In the first is a sensible award, though abandoned b}' modern management, ' the best arranged and cultivated farm, a silver cup worth $10; for second best, Stephen Farm book and a diploma.' The Farmers' Encylopedia, Coleman European Agriculture, American Farm Book, silver cups, spoons and butter knives, etc., constituted the premiums. In 1852, and 1853, these pages show that much annovance was experienced by ' huckstering near the fair grounds.'

"The progress of the societ}- during 1853, was reported to the State Board, showing great advancement by the " offering of 188 premiums, of which 120 were awarded, their cost being about $400, of which $230 is silverware, and the remainder in books and bound volumes of periodicals on agriculture and hundred topics." The score and a half of 3'ears, since this remarkable manifestation of agricultural interests, have brought us much of which to be proud. We have a ground, upon which there are permanent improvements of more than $10,000 in value, and the fair of the past season paid in cash premiums fully $5,000, and received in entry fees, privileges at the gates, amphitheater, and from stalls, $6,280.66, having paid more money for building forty new stalls than all the awards of our brethren of 1853, amounted to. Their efforts were laudable, and probablv more productive of good results than ours of this day, considering and comparing the circumstances affecting both. Certain it is, that we are reaping the harvest of prosperity, that have grown from the seeds of industry and hardships sown by them."

The present societv is a joint stock association, and was organized in 1874, with about 300 shareholders. The grounds which are just outside the citv limits is the property of the county, but all improvements were made by and belong to the association. The value of both grounds and improvements is probably $12,000. This fair under its present management is one of the best in the

Prominent among those who have contributed much to the success of the society since its organization the following names deserve special mention: John Blessing, Jacob Mutz, Christopher Girton, S. L. Van Pelt, Albert Gorgas, David Conger and L. J. Hackney.

Beside the above association the people of Shelby County contribute much to the success of the following district fairs: Shelby, Johnson, Bartholomew and Brown, Shelby and Rush.

The Shelby County Live Stock Association was organized in 1886, with H. B. Cole, President; D. H. Thompson, Vice President; Walter Elliot, Secretary, and William Kinsley, Treasurer. The principal public sales that have taken place within the county were that of T. A. Colton & Son, Wednesday, June 15, 1887; and that of Madison Talbert, W. R. Zike and R. H. Phillips, June i6, 1887.

Poultry Farmino-. - This branch of industry has since its inception, but a few 3'ears ago, grown to vast proportions. To Hon. Sid Con<rer is due the credit of first conducting the business of " fanc}- poultr}^ raising," on a large scale. He began the business in 1875 two Partridge Cochin pullets, given him by a friend, to which by purchase he added a cockerel, and with this beginning he laid the foundation of a business which is at present one of the most extensive in the west. In 1S77, Mr. Conger added to his stock the Plymouth Rocks, Buff Cochins, and later the WN^andottes, and in the same year began exhibiting at the fairs of Central hidiana. He has since exhibited at the principal fairs of the United States, and in 1885, won man}^ prizes at the World's Fair at New Orleans.

So great has become the reputation of Mr. Conger that he has sold a single chicken as high as $150, and a pen consisting of six females and one male for $500. Starting on a rented farm and with no means save what was borrowed, he has by his energy, integrity and correct business methods increased his business to such an extent that his patrons may be found in every State and Territory in the Union, besides Canada and England, and his sales of poultry and* eggs for the year 18S6, aggregated but little less than $9,000.

Other growers of fancy poultry who deserve mention in this connection, althouirh not so extensively engaged, are, T. E. Goodrich, Ph-mouth Rocks; Justus Clapp, Light Brahmas; James K. Bowers, Light Brahmas; Robert Hale and Charles Cage, of Shelbyville, and Frank Cory, of Morristown.