Vanderburgh County, Indiana - Chapter 3, 1889 (part 1 of 2)

Chapter 3

ff^WE vast territoiy l3'ing- northwest of the Ohio river, reaching from the state of Pennsylvania on the east to the Mississippi river on the west, and northward to the British Possessions, was ceded to the United States by the state of Virginia in 1784. Its division into not less than three or more than five states, when the growth and development of the country should justif\' their organization and admission into the Union, was provided for in the celebrated ordinance of 1787- As soon as civil authority was established, in the following year, for the purposes of good government and the proper administration of justice, the necessity of subdividing the territorv and forming counties became manifest. At first they were of great extent and thus rendered the efficient action of the courts impossible. As to a harbor of refuge came criminals of all classes to the new territoiy. Virtuous and law abiding people were deterred from immigration by the enforced association with outlaws. Citiz:'ns whose attendance on the courts as witnesses or jurors was necessary were sometimes compelled to travel unreasonably long distances through dangerous localities. These inconveniences and hardships continued for several years.

Through the agency of Gen. Wm. H. Harrison, as a delegate in congress, the territor}' of Indiana was established, in 1800, with St. Vincennes as the seat of £rovernment. At that time the county of Knox embraced within its limits the greater portion of the present state of Indiana and ;i considerable part of Illinois. The hostilit}- of the Indians and some erroneous ideas as to the nature of the country made immigration at first slow. Afterward, with its increase, new counties were of necessity rapidly organized.

The territorial legislature, on March 9th, 1813, near the close of the session, authorized the organization of Gibson and Warrick counties, as follows:

An Act for the formation of two new .^ounties out of the county of Knox. Section I . Be it enacted b \ the leg-islativc council and house 0/ reprcscntatizes, and it is hcrebv enacted by the authority 0/ the same, that from and after the passage hereof, all that part of Knox county which is included in the following boundaries shall form and constitute two new counties that is to saj': beginning at the mouth of the Wabash; thence up the same witii the meanders thereof to the north of White river; thence up White river with the meanders thereof to the forks of White river; thence up the east fork of White river to where the hne between sections No. 20 and 29, in township No. i, north of range No. 4 west, strikes the same; thence with said line to the line of Harrison county; thence with said line dividing the counties of Knox and Harrison to the Ohio river; thence down the Ohio river to the beginning.

Section 2. Be it further enacted. That the tract of country included within the aforesaid boundaries be, and the same is hereby divided into two separate and distinct counties by a line beginning on the Wabash river, and known and designated by the name of Rector's base line, and with said line east until it intersects the line of Harrison county, and that from and after the first day of April, one thousand, eight hundred and thirteen, the tract of country falling within the southern division thereof shall be known and designated by the name and style of the count}- of Warrick. And the northern division thereof shall be known and designated by the name and stvle of the county of Gibson.

As an incident to the foundation of new counties, the territorial laws provided means for the location of seats of justice. Commissioners who were not land owners in the county or otherwise directly interested were appointed by the legislature and, at a previously designated time and place, assembled to accept offers as inducements favoring the choice of different localities and to make the selection December 14th, 181 3, by legislative enactment. John Ochiltree, Abel Westfall, Wm. Polk, Robert Elliot and Wm. Prince, all of Knox county, were appointed commissioners for the purpose of fixing seats of justice in the counties of Warrick and Gibson. They were directed to convene on the first Monday in February of the next year, at the house of John Mc- Junkin and immediateh' after fixing the seat of justice in Gibson county to repair to the mill of Jonathan Anthony, in Warwick county and proceed to fix the seat of justice in Warwick county. At the time appointed for the meeting of these gentlemen none appeared except Wm. Prince. To fill the , vacancies thus occasioned, Daniel Putnam, Alexander Devin, John Milburn and Wm. Hargrove were appointed by the court of common pleas through authority conferred in the act first appointing the commissioners. The deliberations of this commission resulted in the choice of the present site of the cit}- of Evansville.

Some j'ears previous to these transactions Hugh McGary, a Kentuckian and a sturdypioneer, had emigratedfrom his native state to the new territory and settled in what is now Gibson county. In 181 2 he purchased from the government the land on which the city of Evansville now stands, and leaving his inland cabin pushed his way to the bank of the river and there established his home. Though preceded b}- a few- other pioneers he was the first permanent settler on the present site of Evansville; and to his sagacity and determination were due the founding and fostering of the town, and later, the organization of the county of Vanderburgh. An attempt to depict the characteristics and disposition of this man, and to recount the motives which urged him to action, and the obstacles whicli arose in his path, is made in another chapter.

When the county of Warrick was organized no place in its exterjive territory reaching along the river for more than fiftv miles was particularlv convenient to all of its inhabitants. McGary 's place was not central, but when the commissioners appointed to make the selection were assembled at the old Andiony mill, he presented the claims of his location in the best light possible. It was not the first choice, but was finally selected. At the direction of the court of the newcount}-, the town was laid out, and officially designated as Evansville, in honor of General Robert M. Evans, a distinguished soldier and citizen of Gibson county. McGary had given lOO acres of land to the new county to induce the selection of his town as the county seat. The town, consisting of less than half a dozen small log cabins, rudeU" constructed and located to suit the convenience of the settlers, with little regard to the arrangement of streets, attracted the attention of the adventurous spirits who were then beginning to come into the new territory, and in a very short time not less than twentythree men were owners of lots in the town, though onl}' a small part of them were residents of the place. McGary became very enthusiastic over his prospects and confidently felt that his town was destined to be a metropolis at no ver\' distant daj-. His hopes, ho\\'ever, rested on a weak foundation. By the formation of Posey county in the southwest corner of the territory the boundaries of Warrick county were so altered as to place E.vansville at one extremitv of its river border, and before the town was three months old, the legislature enacted, September ist, 1814, that the seat of justice for the county should be moved to a place subsequently called Darlington, and situated some four miles above the present site of the neighboring town of Newburgh, and about one mile from the river. It was provided that the land conveyed by Col. McGary to the county should be re-conveved to him, and every provision was made for an abandonment of the place. For a time the prospect of building up a town seemed without any support, but instead of yielding, Col. McGary clung tenaciously to his hope, and set about to devise some means of putting new circumstances about the place, and new life in it. For two years, however, it continued to decline. At length the formation of a new county, with his town as the central point, was the idea which suggested itself as a means of relief. In those days it mattered little what natural advantages a town possessed or what resources lay about it undeveloped, all its hope for prosperity was based upon its being the seat of justice for some county. The founder of the village set about with great zeal and industry to supply this desideratum. As the first step he enhsted the active interests of Gen. Robert M. Evans and James W. Jones, both of Gibson county, b}' conveying to them on June 20, 1817, for $1,300, 130 acres of land, being all that part of fractional section No. 30 which lies above the center of Main street in Evansville, except thirty acres previously conveyed to Carter Beaman. On the 17th of July following these three gentlemen, Evans, Jones and McGarj-, prepared a plan for a town, ignoring that previously laid out. What the}' platted appears on the maps of the present time as the "original plan " and is bounded by Water and Third, and Chestnut and Division streets. The combined exertions of these three men were now set forth to accomplish the end already adverted to. The greatest obstacle to their success was the opposing influence of Col. Ratliff Boon, a man of more than ordinary ability, a courageous patriot and pioneer leader whose influence was not confined by the limits of his own county. He was a native of Georgia, but at an early age moved with his parents to Kentucky, and came to Indiana territory- about 1809, settling in Warrick county, and from that time forward, until he left the state, was identified with all public enterprises. He was the first representative of Warrick countv, was twice elected lieutenant-governor of the state and, when Go\. Wni. Hendricks was elected to the U. S. senate, he filled the unexpired term as governor. Personally interested in the town of Darlington, he did not look with favor on any plan which seemed likely to affect its prosperity.

Enthusiastic and deeph* in earnest in the contemplation of his favorite theme, Col. McGarvdid not allow his courage to weaken, and his complaints of Col. Boon were full of bitterness. His address was not displeasing, and his conversations on the subject of the ultimate greatness of his embryonic city, sparkling as they did with genuine ardor, were deeply interesting.

About this time Gen. Joseph Lane, afterward of national repute, known as a wise and upright representative in the state legislatures, a hero of the Mexican war, a member of congress, and governor of Oregon, then a young man, figured in the drama beginning to be acted by becoming the means of bringing the weightier men together. Young Lane was engaged with others in rafting logs near Darlington, and floating them to Red Banks, where J. J. Audubon, later the foremost of American ornithologists, had erected, somewhat in advance of the times, a steam saw-mill which afterward failed. When rowing back to his home he stopped on the banks of the river near McGary's house to spend the night, and then fell a victim to the enthusiastic and pleasing manner of the sanguine Colonel, walking with him over the site of the hoped-for city, then wild with forest trees and underbrush, hearing without resentment the bitter speeches of his companion against Col. Boon, whom Lane admired and counted among his best friends. Lane was soon afterward employed in the clerk's office in Warrick county, and there suggested to Col. Boon the opportunity in his power of making valuable friends by assisting in the formation of a new county and yet lea^-ing Warrick county large enough to serve his own purposes. Whether or not this suggestion brought the chief actors together, ! it is true that during the next session of the circuit court at Darlington, an informal conversation was held in the clerk's office, which led finally to the consummation of McGar\"s hopes.

Judge Daniel Grass, a witty and able man, was at the time the senator from Warrick, Perry and Posev counties in the state legislature. In 1S07 he had entered the land on which the town of Rockport now stands and, emigrating from Bardstown, K}-., subsequentlv became the possessor of much land within the present borders of Spencer county. He was a justice of the peace in 1813, and served for three years from 1814 on the bench, as an associate judge with Hugh McGarj' as his colleague. He was chosen to represent Warrick county at the constitutional convention held at Corydon in 1S16, and later was conspicuously identified with the public affairs of Spencer county. Judge Grass and Col. Boon had already become rivals and competitors in the struggles for political honors. The pecuniary interests of the former were centered in the eastern part of the county, and the political prospects of each of the rivals could be made brighter by a division of the field of labor. This Spencer county man was too important a personage to be left out of the conference; there were present Col. Boon, Gen. Evans, Judge Grass, Col. McGary and Lane. The proposed plan was discussed at length. It was claimed, and with good reason, that the territory was too extensive for the jurisdiction of one court, and for good government, though at the time settlers were exceedingh' scarce; and further, that the organization of new counties must follow at no distant day; the time seemed ripe for its accomplishment the pi"i\ate interests of all concerned might be enhanced without detriment to the public; if the opportuiiitv were allowed to pass it mi<iht never return. The force of these arguments was conceded, the only objection being that Darlington would receive a fatal blow bv such legislation, because the relocation of the seat of justice would necessarily follow. At length a plan satisfactory to all was agreed upon. It provided for the oriranization of two new counties with boundaries so fixed that Evansville and Rockport, then called Hanging Rock and not yet the site of a town, would be the most favorable points for the seats of justice. Darlington was to be left to continue its struggle for existence as best it could deprived of all public support. Col. Boon .vas relieved of his political rival, and his name was to be perpetuated in the christening of the new county seat of Warrick county. Apparently, sordid motives underlay this entire transaction, which "he who runs niay read."' In shaping these deliberations and leading to a conclusion, personal interest was doubdess a controlling fact jr. But be it said to the credit of the actors that private gain was not made at public expense, for great permanent good to the communities affected was the result. The programme was made a vear or more prior to its consummation by legislative enactment, and, indeed, in all probability, long before Gen. Evans and Mr. Jones became to any great extent pecuniaril}^ interested in the town of Evans\ille. Thus Vanderburgh county, as an organic unit, owes its existence more to the unyielding perseverance and untiring zeal of Hugh McGary in his efforts to maintain the village of Evansville than to any other single agencv.

Warrick county had been named in honor of Capt. Jacob Warrick, a pioneer hero, who received a mortal wound on the field of Tippecanoe while bravel\- leading his command. Spencer county was now named in honor of Capt. Spear Spencer, an able patriot, also killed at Tippecanoe. The act authorizing its formation was passed at the same time as that providing for the formation of Vanderburgh count\- and was approved three days later, January lo, i8i8. It mattered little to McGary what name was given to the new count\-. If an\- was suggested or agreed upon in the conference which determined the (piestion of its formation it was abandoned for reasons of policy. Judge Henry Vanderburgh was worthy the honor conferred upon his memory, but he was in no way identified w'ith the formation or development of the county. He had no interests in lands in this locality and no claim of a local nature upon the people here. He was born in Troy., N. Y., in 1760, and at the early age of sixteen was appointed a lieutenant in the Fifth New York Regiment Continental troops, to rank as such from the 21st day of November, 1776. Hiscommission was signed by John Jay, afterward chief justice of the United States, and then president of the Continental congress, sitting at Philadelphia. He was re-appointed bv John Hancock, and, subsequently being commissioned captain in the Second regiment, served with honor to himself and credit to his country until the close of the war in 178,^. The exact time of his coming to the then Northwest territory is not known, but probably it was in 1788, for in February, 1790, he was married in Vincennes to Frances Cornoyer, the daughter of Pierre Cornover, one of the most respected of the ancient inhabitants of Port Vincennes, then hirgely engaged in the Indian trade. In 1791 he was appointed by Gen. Arthur St. Clair, then commander in chief and governor of tlie Northwest territory, justice of the peace and judge of probate for Knox county. The first legislature which the people of the

County Organization

Northwest territory had any part in electing met at Cincinnati in 1799. From the nominations made by the representatives, Judge V^anderburgh was selected by Gov. St. Clair as one of the five who constituted the legislative council, and by his colleagues in the council he was chosen as their president. Upon the organization of Indiana territorv suitable recoifnition was CTiven his ability as a lawver in his selection as one of the territorial judges, which honorable position he filled with credit to himself and the territory until his death in 1S12. Interested in the educational affairs of the territory, he became in 1807 a member of the first board of trustees of the V^incennes University. As a scholar and a soldier he was eminent. He sustained the reputation of an upright and humane judge, and his death, which occurred April 12, 181 2, was generally regretted. He was buried with imposing Masonic honors on a farm east of Vincennes.

Judge Vanderburgh was the kinsman of Gen. John Tipton, of Harrison countv, one of the most influential men then in the legislature. Tipton gained distinction in the campaigns of Gen. Harrison, and being a man of rare abilitj-, made his influence felt in the formation and naming of many of the counties in the state. He admired Judge Vanderburgh and revered his memorv. How natural to wish to perpetuate his name in honor, and how easy to attain the wish by favoring the plan which was submitted for the approval of the legislature. The final act which sealed these negotiations, making a new count^^ and naming it Vanderburgh, was the passage of a bill which is here inserted in full:

Section i. Be it enacted by the general assembly of tiie state of Indiana, that from and after the first day of February next, all that tract or parcel of country which is included within the boundaries following, shall constitute and form a new count}- to be known and designated by the name and st^-le of the county of Vanderburgh, viz. : Beginning on the Ohio river where the range line dividing Ranges 11 and 12 west strike the same, thence north with said range line to the center of Township 4 south of Buckingham's base line, thence east through the center of Township 4 south, to the range line dividing Ranges 9 and 10 west, thence south with said range line to a line dividing Townships 5 and 6 south, thence east to the first section line in Range 9, thence south with said section line to the Ohio river, thence down the Ohio river with the meanders thereof to the place of beginning.

Section 2. The said new countv, hereby formed and established, shall enjoy and exercise all the rights, privileges and jurisdictions, which to a separate county do or may properly appertain or belong.

Section 3. John Stevenson, of Perry county, Arthur Harbison, of Pike county, William Hargrave, of Gibson county, John Allen, of Daviess county, Archibald Scott, of Knox county, be and they are hereby appointed commissioners to fix the seat of justice in the said county of Vanderburgh, who shall meet at the house of Samuel Scott, in said countv of Vanderburgh, on the second Mondav in March next, and proceed to fix the seat of justice for the said county of Vanderburgh, agreeably to the provisions of an act for the fixing the seats of justice in all new counties hereafter to be laid off.

Section 4. Until a court house shall be erected for the accommodation of the court | in the said new county, the courts of the said ! countA- of Vanderburgh shall be held at. the house of Hugh McGary, in the town of Evansville, in said county, or at such other place as the court may from lime to time adjourn to.

Section 5. That the board of commissioners authorized to transact county business in and for the county of Vanderburgh, shall, as soon as convenient after the seat of justice is tixed, cause the necessary public buildings for said count}- to be erected thereon.

Section 6. The courts shall be adjourned thereto as soon as the court house is, in the opinion of the circuit court of said new count}', sufficiently completed for the accommodation of the courts.

Section 7. Whenever the seat of justice within the county of \'anderburgh shall have been established, the person authorized to dispose of the public lots, belonging to said town, shall reserve ten per centum on the net proceeds of the whole sale, for the use of a county library in said county, which sum or sums of money shall be paid over to such person or persons as shall be authorized to receive the same, in such manner and in such installments as shall be authorized by law.

The balance of the act relates to the changing of the seat of justice of Warrick county from Darlington, where it then was, to some other place to be selected by commissioners appointed for that purpose. There is nothing further of interest in it pertaining to Vanderburgh count}-.

On the day appointed by law for the first meeting of the board of commissioners of the new county, March 9, 181S, James Anthony, David Brumtield and George Sirkle assembled at the designated place, and each producing a certificate of election with the oath of office duly endorsed thereon, organized themselves properly and proceeded to business. No definite action resulted from their first day's deliberations. The most important business to be transacted was the fixing of the county seat, and there was some uneasiness over the non-arrival of some of the commissioners. On the following day, the\- divided the county into two townships as elsewhere described. Pigeon township, of Warrick count\-, had previously embraced nearly all of the new county. Elections for the selection of justices of the peace were directed to be held in both of the townships; the time and places of holding the same were definitely fixed. Hugh McGar}-"s warehouse was declared a public warehouse and inspectors for it were appointed, overseers of the poor, superintendents of school sections and an assessor were appointed. Matthias Whetstone, Patrick Calvert and James Patton were appointed to view a proposed public highway. Some of the commissioners appointed by the legislature to fix the permanent seat of justice having failed to appear the vacancies thus caused were filled by appointment. Arthur Harbison, John Stephens and John Allen were they who neglected to appear. Thomas E. Casselberry, Wilson Bullett and Elias Barker were appointed in their stead. These three, together with William Hargro\e and Archibald Scott, previously designated by the legislature, came before the board of county commissioners on the next day, March nth, and submitted their report, which being a venerable and interesting document is presented in full in connection w ith the early histor}- of the city of Evansville as elsewhere recorded.

selected as the seat of government for the new county, the board of commissioners proceeded to appoint a county agent and treasurer. For locating the seat of justice the following allowances were made : Archibald Scott, $21.00; William Hargrove, $15.00; Wilson BuUett and Elias Barker, each $9.00; Thos. E. Ca.sselberr3', $6.00. All of this important business was transacted in three days, after which an adjournment to May 11, 1818, was ordered. The subsequent important acts of the board of commissioners are mentioned in detail in connection with the subjects to which they relate, and further facts concerning the chief actors in the formation of the county are stated in connection with the early history of Evansville.

Cottnty Coiiiinhs/oiiers. - The board of commissioners is composed of three men elected by the people, one from each of three districts, with fixed limits, into which the county is divided. Without pretensions to legal exactitude, it may be said that it represents and acts for the county as agent in all business transactions. Its duties are ministerial, being particularly prescribed by law, yet great latitude is allowed for the exercise of discretion and judgment. As stated elsewhere, James Anthon}-, David Brumfield and George Sirkle, formed the first board. Others who served prior to 1824 were Benjamin McNew, William Olmstead. Jay Morehouse, D. F. Goldsmith, and Kirby Armstrong.

The legislature of 1823-4 enacted a law which entirel}' changed the plan of transacting county business so far as concerned the -personnel of the acting bod}^. It provided that the justices of the peace in the county should organize as a board and assume the duties theretofore discharged by the commissioners. The first meeting of the board of justices in this county was held on the id Monday in September, 1S24, at the court-house, when there were present Leon F. Ragar, Daniel Miller, Benjamin F. Barker, Eli Sherwood, William Bingam, James Kirkpatrick and John Conner, the last named being chosen president of the board. At the expiration of Mr. Conner's term as a justice in July, 1825, Eli Sherwood was made president pro ton., and an election was ordered to be held in August following. Mr. Conner was elected by the people as his own successor, and upon the assembl3'of the justices in September was again chosen president, and continued to serve as such till September, 1828, when Nathan Rowle}-, Esq., was elected in his stead, who, being succeeded after one year's service b}- James Ross, Esq., was again elected in September,

1830. The transaction of the public business was somewhat retarded b}- this unwieldy bod}'. The large number made it sometimes difficult to get a quorum, and it became necessary at times to send the sheriff for delinquent members and adjourn from day to day until enough were brought in to proceed to business. In January, 1831, the leirislature recoffniziny the difiiculties incident to such a mode of doing business enacted a law providing for a return to the former plan of a board of commissioners. The board of justices divided the county into three districts at their Ma}- term, 1831, and held the last meeting in July following, when there were present James Ross, president pro tcni.; Alpheus Fairchild, John S. Saunders, Martin Miller and Hiram Nelson. Their last othcial act was the appointment of Edward Hopkins as collector of taxes for

1831. On the first Monday in September, 183 1, James Ross, John B. Stinson and Amos Clark con\ened at the court house, organized as a board of commissioners, adopted a scroll as a common seal and proceeded to the dispatch of business. Those who have since served the public in this ca- pacity arc liere named in the order of ser- \iie : C. I). Bourne, Vicissimus K. Phar, J. J5. Stinson, Kdward Hopkins, Wm. R. Barker, Thos. F. Stockwell, Everton Kennerly, Simpson Ritchey, I). D. Grimes, Willard Carpenter, Edmund Maidlow, Everton Kennerlv, Ezekiel Saunders, Ira P. Grainger, John Burtis, Michael P. Jones, Lero\- Calvert, Simeon T>ong, Jr., Aianson Warner, Edmund Maidlow, Alexander Maddux, Cassimer Schlamp (appointed in 1853 to lill the vacancy occasioned b\' the death of A. Warner), William Pruitt, John Rheinlander, Michael Muentzer, James Neel (appointed in 1855 to lill the vacancy caused by resitrnation of I. Rheinlander 1, Robert Parrett, John Hogue (appointed in i860 to fill the vacancy occasioned by death of R. Parrett), M. W. Foster, John Dumb, John Hogue, Bernard Nurre, Charles Knowles, Joseph B. Parrett, Philip Decker, Thomas 15o\ver, Henry W. Hawkins, Samuel Barker (appointed in 1869 to fill vacancy caused by resignation of H. W. Hawkins), James Erskine, James D. Fair, Clark Cody, Benjamin Young, George Peva, Christian Hodderich, A. A. Svvope, Jacob Bennighof, Samuel Barker, John Laval, Wm. Dean (appointed in 1882 to lill \acancv caused by resignation of J. Laval), Ilenrv Brommelhouse, Wm. E. Bauer, Henry Mesker, J. F. Saunders, Christian Wunderlicli, Wm. Bower, James L. King, and Henr\- H. Boeke.

Count Y Trciisitrcr. - This officer is charged with the safe-keeping and proper disbursement of all money belonging to the countv. At first he was appointed b}- the county commissioners, but later the office became elective, the term extending two vears. The lirst treasurer of the county was George W. Jacobs, appointed March 10, 1818. His bondsmen were Robert M. Evans and Luke Wood. So faithful was he'to the trust com- mitted to him, that he was annuallv appointed until his death. His successor was Maj. Aianson Warner, who assumed the duties of the office January i, 1829. Alexantler Johnston served during 1830, but in tiie following }'ear Maj. Warner was again appointed and served until 1841, except during the four years from 1833 to 1836, inclusive, when John M. Lockwood held the office. B. Royston, by election and appointment, served from September, 1841, to March, 1845. Subsequenth-, the people have chosen from their number, to fill this important and responsible position, the following citizens: Robert W. Dunbar, 1845 to 1854; Theodore Venemann, 1854 to 1858; Leroy Calvert, 1862 to 1864; John Rheinlander, 1864 to 1866; F. Lunkenheimer, 1866 to 1871; WilHam Warren, Jr., 1871 to 1875; Emil Rahm, 1875 to 1879; Thos. P. Britton, 1879 to 1883; John J. Hays, 1883 to 1887; August Leich, 1SS7 to 1891. The death of Mr. Britton in July, 1883, caused a vacancy, which \\as filled by the appointment of his deput\-, Martin INLinn, Jr., who served from August to October of the year named.

Coil 11/ y Aiidilor. - The office of county auditor is of comparatively recent creation. It is elective, the term being four years. The auditor is the fiscal agent and bookkeeper of the county. He is cx-officio clerk of the board of commissioners, and is entrusted with the management of the common school and congressional township funds. James M. Johnston was. the first to hold the office; he was appointed in August, 1S41, and resigned in January, 1S43. His successor was" H. C. Gwathney, who also resigned in June following his appointment. William II. Walker was appointed t(j the office in 1S43, and in the next year was chosen by the popular vote as his own successor, and continued in the office until March, 1862, since which time it has been lield by Victor Bisch, from 1862 to 1870; Philip Decker, 1870 to 1S74; Joseph J. Reitz, 1874 to 1878; William Warren, Jr., 1878 to 1882; Charles F. Yaeger,.i8S2 to 18S6; James D. Parvin, the present incumbent, whose term will expire in 1S90.

County Agent. - This officer, at present unknown, was in earl}' times an important public functionary. As the name implies he was an agent, his principal being the county personified in the board of commissionei'S. He sold property belonging to the county, executed papers in its behalf, made purchases for its use, and in a general way superintended its affairs. The first agent was Daniel Miller, appointed March 10, 1818. His bondsmen were William Wagnon, and William R. McGarv. Among those entrusted with the discharge of duties pertaining to this office were Harley B. Chandler, Jacob Zimmerman, Amos Clark, Levi Price, James Lockhart, Jay Morehouse and many others. The last to hold the office was Hon. Thomas E. Garvin, who made his final report and surrendered the books and papers of the office in December, 1852, the legislature, in the preceding May, having abolished the office by transferring its duties to the county auditor.

Clerk. - Formerly the clerk of the circuit court was ex-qffic/o clerk of the board of commissioners. The duties of the office are now limited to the business of the circuit and superior courts, the issue of marriage licenses, and some other transactions. The clerk is elected every four years. The office has been held by Hugh McGary, 1818-1821; James W.Jones, 1822-1S36; C. D. Bourne, 1 836-1843; Samuel T. Jenkins, 1S43-1852; Ben Stinson, Maj- to November, 1852; Jacob Lunkenheimer, 1852-1857; Louis Richter, 1857-1S64; Blythe Hynes, 1864-1868; Soren Sorenson, 186S-1876; Jesse W. Walker, 1876-1884; Charles T. Jenkins, 1884, term expires 1892.

Surveyor. - Joseph M. McDowell, June 17, 1819; (The records in regard to this office are incomplete.) Charles G. Omsted, 1853; Azariah T. Whittlesey, 1855; James

County Officers And Their Duties

* The above list of senators and representatives was furnished by Hon. W. H. English, of Indianapolis, to whom the publishers are under obligations.

The Public Square. - The public square, comprising the four quarter-blocks cornering on Main and Third streets, running from the several corners on each of the streets named 150 feet, or to the alle3's, was in 1S18 in its natural state, except that the road from the north to the river passed through its limits. In June of that year the county agent was directed to have the square cleared. He immediately entered into contract with Chauncey Smith, who, during the summer cleared the land at a cost to the countv of $55.75- It \vas not until 1837 that the natural topography of the place was in any way altered. At that time the half along the east side of Main street, on which the court-house and jail stood, was graded and paved. In 1820 a public pound or stray pen was built W'here the court-house now is, by Julius Gibson, for $40.00. It was four rods square, was built of while oak posts and rails, and stood for many years. On the opposite corner across Third street but near the alley, stood for many years the market house facing Maip street, the out-buildings

Couxty Organtza Tiox

Coiiii-Ilouscs. - At times antedating the formation of this county, the Warrick county courts were held at the house of Ilngh McGary. Even after the seat of justice had been removed to Darlington near the mouth of Little Pigeon creek, the hospitable home of McGary remained a favorite place with the judges. The new county of Vanderburgh during the first two years of its existence continued the use of this house for its courts. Very naturally the need of a court-house was immediately recognized, but steps toward building it w'ere not taken until late in the summer of 1818, when the agent for the county was directed to contract for such material as might be used in its erection. Little progress was made and definite plans were not adopted until February- 15, 1819. It was at first proposed to locate the building in the center of the streets so as to completely block Main and Third. The ground was broken and preparations were made to commence the actual construction, when the board of commissioners met and concluded to abandon the purpose of so effectuallv inconveniencing the public as to place a barrier to all travel on its most public thoroughfare. The site finally chosen was the southeast quarter of the public square as it then existed - now the southeast corner of Third and Main streets. The building stood about ten feet from the streets on which it faced, and was probably the first brick house in the city, the bricks being burned on the corner where the courthouse now stands. It was a heavy-looking, substantial building with thick walls and strong timbers. The foundation was of stone three feet thick. It was 34x46 feet in size, two stories high, the eaves being about twentyfive feet above the ground. The shingles were heavy and scalloped; and battlements at either end gave it somewhat of an imposing aspect. The whole was painted a Spanish brown and penciled with white lead. In the upper story there were five windows j on each side and two in each end, and below there was the same arrangement except that a door took the place of a window in the end fronting on Main street. The first floor was of brick except about the bar in the end most distant from the street, where it was of heav}- timbers a foot wide, and four inches thick. The contract for the substantial part of the structure was let to Elisha Harrison and Daniel F. Goldsmith in April, 1S19, and in May, 1S20, the building was read}' for the examination and acceptance of the commissioners. In prm'iding for the payment of these contractors the county was forced to devise \-arious makeshifts. Money was \ery scarce. The receipts at the treasury were small and loans could not be negotiated. Notes of hand issued by individuals in favor of the county for lots sold were assigned by the county agent to the contractors. The}' were authorized to collect the money promised by the town proprietors as an inducement for the selection of Evansville as a permanent seat of justice, which, after much trouble, they succeeded in doing. Orders were issued to them - but they were orders on an empty treasury, and because of long deferred pavments were disposed of at hea\-y discounts. When received by the commissioners there had been paid in values of different kinds, $5,425.00, but this by no means ended the matter. On one order issued in 1820 for $528.06, interest amomiting to $358.83 was allowed in 1831. The order was still unpaid m 1836, and the interest was again compounded. From such facts the ultimate cost of this court-house may be approximately reckoned.

Court Houses

other carpenter work, for wliich he was to be paid in town lots, the value of which should be determined by disinterested parties should he and the commissioners fail to agree. While this work was progressing during the winter months the commissioners met at the court house and adjourned to some warmer place for the transaction of business, sometimes to the clerk's office and again to the houses of Everton Kennerly or I'resle}' Pritchett. In August, 1822, the count)- agent was directed to make a deed of conveyance to Jones and Walker for lots Nos. 167 and 16S, being lots given to the county of Vanderburgh by the town of Evansville. They were estimated at the value of $150.00, which sum was to be entered as a credit for work done by Mr. Negley on the court house; provided he should consent to the transaction in writing. These lots had been disposed of at the sale by the county to James Stinson and Presley Pritchett for $170.00. Daniel Miller as agent for the county had taken their notes in payment and had given a bond for a deed. When this triangular transaction between Jones and Walker, the count}-, and Negle}-, was made, the notes of Stinson and Pritchett were siu-rendered and they in turn gave up their bonds for deeds. The matter was not wholly settled until November of the next year, when at Negley's request a small allowance was made to Wm. Walker, in full jiayment for the former's work. Such were the expedients resorted to. Tiie county has never since found itself in just such straits. The times did not improve, however, and much needed repairs were from time to time neglected. In 1S37 the vestry of St. Paul's church expended a considerable sum in repairing the court-house, for which the church was permitted to use the building as a liouse of worsliip, not, however, so as to interfere with tlie iiolding of courts. In making this arrangement with the church the county reserved the privilege of refunding the amount used in repairs and taking exclusive possession. The walls of this old court-house are still well preserved. The building is used as a clothing store on Main street near Third. The records of the county had been kept at the house of Mr. James Newman. The treasurer and county agent were not provided with offices. The clerk of the courts, who was also cx-ojfirio clerk of the board of commissioners, took care of the books and papers of his office at his residence or place of business. This condition of affairs remained for some years after the erection of the court-house, but in 1S37 '1 fire-proof brick office, 18x30 feet, for the offices of the clerk and recorder, was built on the public square, facing Main street, about twenty feet south of the court house, by Thomas F. Stockwell, at a cost of $818.50.

The conveniences afforded by this small building and tlie court-house soon became entirely inade([uate. The volume of the public business was annually increasing. The population was growing; an era of prosperity was begun; many causes had contrived to gi\e an impetus to commercial and mercantile affairs which improved the llnancial condition of the individual and the communit}-. In June, 1852, after various plans had been submitted and discussed, an agreement was made with James Ro(|uet, a French architect and contractor, for building a new court-house, jail and jailor's residence. The design was substantially that of the present court house, convenient and sufficiently commodious for tlie times. The northeast quarter of the public square was selected as the site for the new building. The three remaining quarters were to be transferred by the count}- to Mr. Roquet as compensation in full for erecting the build- ings required. The contracts for the work and amendments in the plans '.vere drawn by James G. Jones and Hon. Conrad Baker, then attorneys practicing in this count_v. The commissioners were Leroy Calvert, Alanson Warner and Simeon Long. Some changes were made in the plans when the work was in progress, by which a slate roof and a dome were provided at an additional cost of about $i,ooo. When the lot on which the old court-house stood was convej-ed, the consideration named was $14,000, from which fact by making allowance for the two buildings thereon, an estimate, fairly accurate, of the cost of the court-house and the value of the property used in payment for it, can be arrived at. The work was not finished within the time specified, and the commissioners were in every possible way uro-inor it forward. It was so far completed that the auditor, clerk and recorder, in June, 1855, moved into the offices prepared for them under its roof. In the following September the contractor was urged to complete the building within thirty days. On his failure to do this, a suit on his contract was threatened. Unavoidable delays followed. On the day before Christmas, 1855, a fire, originating in a lumber-yard east of the court-house, burned its way unchecked toward the new building and soon enveloped it in flames. The records were nearly all removed in safety, but the building, except the fire-proof walls, was completely destroyed. The commissioners accepted $150 from the contractor as pa}-ment in full for the uncompleted portion of the building, thus showing how little remained to be done to perfect it when accidentally destroyed. The sympathy of the entire community was with Mr. Roiiuet. About 500 leading citizens and tax payers petitioned the commissioners to release him and his sureties from any liability which \hey might "be supposed to have incurred," and they were accordingh" released. Somewhat dejected, the recorder and treasurer, who were just beginning to appreciate their new quarters, on Christmas day moved back into the little office previousl}' vacated, and which had been occupied later by the town officers and its council. The Crescent City hall was rented for the use of the courts; rooms over the Crescent City Bank for the clerk; and an isolated office on the street for the auditor. After the unfortunate fire no time was lost. Plans were immediatel}- adopted for the repair of the damage done. They were prepared by a committee appointed for the purpose, consisting of Peter Sharpe, James G. Jones, J. S. Hopkins, W. Carpenter, J. T. Hugo, John Henson, James Lockhart, James D. Saunders, and Michael Muentzer. In March, 1856, Francis D. Allen agreed with the commissioners to rebuild the courthouse and complete the other buildings for $14,300. Upon its completion in 1S57, differences arose between the contractor and commissioners as to extra work done and damages sustained bj' reason of defective work. A committee of citizens, composed of lohn S. Hopkins, Peter Sharpe, Michael Muentzer, James Rogers and James Steel, was appointed to settle the matter by arbitration. After thoroughly examining the premises, the committee awarded the county over $700 for damages and the contractor about $35 for extras. Its conclusions were satisfactory to the interested parties and a final settlement was made. This coiu'thouse is still used, though somewhat dilapidated and of forbidding aspect. It is of brick, two stories high, surmounted b}- a dome. The main entrance, leading into a paved corridor along which are the offices of the auditor, clerk, sheriff, recorder and treasurer, is through a lofty portico supported by massive columns, in the Grecian style of architecture, so much admired in pubh'c edifices at the time when this buildins was erected. On the second floor are the court-room, tlie commissioners' rooms, the jury-rooms and judge's oflice.

For more than fifteen j-ears the inadequacy of this court-house has been generall\- recognized and efforts to have it replaced by a suitable edifice have been frequently made. In 1884, the need of better facilities for the transaction of the public business and greater security for the valuable county records, was so pressingly felt that an attempt to remodel and reconstruct the old court-house was determined upon, the commissioners being unwilling at that time to incur the expense of a new building. This led to a general discussion among the people, a part of whom advocated the erection of an edifice that would be an honor to a community whose prosperity' was evidenced b}- an annual tax list of nearly half a million dollars. The contemplated reconstruction, however, was not undertaken, and two years elapsed before a final determination to abandon the old building and erect a new one was reached. Architects were invited to submit plans, which were examined b)' H. Mursinna, expert. From them the commissioners and a committee of citizens, consisting of Maj. Joseph I). Cox, Hon. William Heilman and Dr. John Laval, selected as the most satisfactory and suitable, those prepared by Mr. II. Wolters, of Louis\ille, Ky., who fixed as the limit of its cost $400,000. In September, 1S87, the following proposals for its construction were received; Charles Pearce & Co., $379,450; Jacob Meyer & Bro., $398,000; McCormack & Redman, $384,900. The first named bid being the lowest, was accepted, and contracts were entered into. The building is to stand on what is commonly called Union Block - the old site of the Wabash & Erie canal basin ^- betvveen Fourth and Fifth and Vine and Division streets. This block was purchased in 1873 as a site for a new court-house, for about $54,000, upon the recommendation of a committee of citizens, consisting of suchrepresentative men as Judge Asa Iglehart, Gen. J. M. Shackleford, Hon. Thomas E. Garvin, Col. J. S. Buchanan and Hon. Ciiarles Denby. These gentlemen had previousl}- been commissioned by the Evansville bar to wait upon and urge the commissioners to erect a new court house, such as the public business of the county and the safety of its records re(juired, and in turn delegated by the commissioners to select a suitable place for the purpose. Recently the title of the county to this property was attacked in the courts by assigns of the Wabash & Erie canal trustees, but without success.

Superior Court Boom. - When by lawnew courts were established to aid the circuit court in disposing of the annually increasin<r accumulation of cases on its docket, it became necessar}- to provide a place for the holding of such courts. For this purpose a brick building on Locust street, between Second and Third streets, formerly known as the Locust Street Methodist Church, was purchased in April, 1870, for $8,000.00. The room was not especially designed for the purposes to which it has been put and lacks many conveniences which it is hoped the new court-house may supply.

Jiiih. - The county had hardly been organized before preparations were made for the building of a jail. In the early settlement of the county there were many criminals in proportion to the population, and many inducements to the commission of crime. A place of imprisonment near at hand was a necessity. There were instances of criminals being taken from this locality to the town of Vin- cennes for confinement - when the Knox county courts had jurisdiction here. May nth, 1818, a plan for the first jail in this county was adopted. Standing on the northeast quarter of tlie public square back from the street, it was twelve feet square in the clear, with double walls of heav}- oak set one foot apart, the intervening space being filled with heavy oak timbers set on end and extending three feet beneath the lower floor of this jail into the ground. The logs in the walls were so notched at the ends as to interlock and hold together firmly. The lower floor was double, the timbers crossing each other and passing through the inner wall so as to jut against the vertical pieces in the central space. The room between was eitrht feet hi^h and was used for the detention of ordinary law-breakers. The second floor was of oak timbers one foot square, and the third floor or ceiling of the upper room was six inches thick. A flight of stairs ran up on the outside of the building to a platform onto which two doors opened. These two doors admitted to entirely different apartments, and were opened for two widely different classes of offenders against the majesty of the law. One was a dungeon, 4x12 feet in size, with two ver}^ small and heavily ironed windows, in which the most conscienceless criminals were confined. The other room was but twice as large and had but one window and that only 12x15 inches. This was the debtor's room, where men were imprisoned because they were unfortunate enough to be in debt and unable to pay. Debtors were often arrested and thrown into jail and thus deprived of all means of paying what they might owe. If one so imprisoned was able to give a bond for twice the amount of his debt he was allowed to use the "prison bounds," which were fixed b}' the circuit court, at first to include the space between Locust and Sycamore from the river to Fourth street, and in the fall of 1S19 "to include the town of Evansville." This relic of barbarism which clung so tenaciously to the law of the land has at last been shaken off, never, it is hoped, to regain its hold. This first jail was built by Hugh McGary for $875.00, was completed and received February 15th, 1S19, and remained in use about ten years. In September, 1829, the county sheriff was directed to sell the jail to the highest bidder, who was to remove it from the public sijuare within one month from the date of purchase. The doors and hinges were reserved from sale; the remainder of the structure brought $i9-37/-2- For a brief period law-breakers were weighted with ball and chain, guarded by a deputy sheriff, and maintained at some of the public taverns. In May, 1832, Wm. Lewis, John Mitchell and Alanson Warner were appointed agents to contract for and superintend the building of a new jail on the site of the old jail, two stories high, 18x22 feet, with a stone foundation, floors of hewn timber covered with plank, and double walls of heavy timber for the lower story with a space between the walls as in the old jail, but filled with stone. Each story was to be eight feet high - the upper with single walls. A contract was made with Dr. Wm. Trafton, Joseph Butler and Wm. Butler, September 26th, 1832, for the building of this jail. It was completed within two months, and the contractors were paid $350.00.

In 1845 the sheriff, Wm. M. Walker, was authorized to build a residence adjoining the jail at his own expense, and if at the close of his official term he and the commissioners could not agree as to a price for the purchase of the same by the count}', Mr. Walker was to be permitted to remove it from the public ground, but he did not take advantage of this offer. In the previous year a considerable sum had been expended in repairing the jail and puttin<^ a fence around it, which work had been ordered by the circuit court. Prior to this the i^rounds about the jail had become a favorite resort for the boys of the town for playing town ball and other like frames. For a lone time there was confined in this jail a crazv woman by the name of Ellen Riggs, who in some way learned the names of all the boys who congregated about tlie place, and was constantly calling to some of them in a wild sort of jargon from behind the bars. These facts probably led the court to direct the building of the fence.

Just twenty years after the building of this jail another was erected to replace it, the new one being still in use though now about thirt\--tive years old. It was built b)' James Roquet under the contract above mentioned in connection with the historj- of the courthouse which was consumed bv fire. It is constructed of stone, substantially built, two stories in height, with sixteen cells and a capacity for forty inmates. A brick residence for the sheriff, plain but comfortable, stands immediately in front of the jail, facing on Third street. Lot No. 171 in the donation enlargement of Evansville - near the new court-house ground - was purchased in August, 1887, from W. C. Keller and Mrs. Kate Armstrong for ^5,495.00, for the purpose of erecting a new jail thereon, the plans for which have not vet been adopted.

J^hiaiiccs. - The growth and development of a governmental institution are most clearhshown in its financial histor\'. Figures are tedious but instructive. In this count\- they show the advance in yearly taxes contributed by the people from less than two hundred to more than half a million dollars. The sources of revenue were at first limited. Lands could not be assessed for taxation until five years after entry. Settlement in the county lia\-ing begun nearly a dozen }ears prior to its official organization, some immediate revenue was afforded, and the distressing condition of affairs which prevailed in many new counties in the interior of the state were here avoided. In 1818, the tax levied on each one hundred acres of land was for first rate 25 cents, for second rate i8;V4 cents, and for third rate 12^ cents. Lots in Evansville were assessed according to their value; 50 cents per $100 valuation. Horses were assessed 21 V^ cents, and taverns $15.00 each. In 1820, in addition to these subjects of taxation, fourwheeled pleasure carriages at $1.25 each, silver watches at 25 cents each, and gold watches at 50 cents each, were added to the list. In 1822, 1823 and 1824, the board of commissioners disposed of the subject of a tax lev}- by making this brief and perspicuous entry: "Ordered that a tax for count\- purposes be laid on all property subject to taxation as high as the law will allow." In the following year rates on lands were fixed at one-half the rates established by the legislature for state purposes; other levies were: 37/4 cents on horses and mules over three years old, 1^% cents on oxen o\er three years old, $1.00 on two-wheeled pleasure carriages, $1.50 on four-wheeled pleasure carriages, $1.00 on brass clocks, $1.00 on gold watches, 25 cents on silver or pinchbeck watches, from $5.00 to $25.00 for licenses to sell liquor, from $10.00 to $50.00 for licenses to vend foreign merchandise, and from $3.00 to $5.00 for ferry licenses. The sj'stem of levying taxes on lands and personal propertj- according to their value contmues tc the present. For many years past the annual levy for state, countv, and township purposes has amouiUed to about $i-.25 on each $100 worth of property, which is comparati\'ely small when looked at w itji relation to the inestimable ad\antaires its payment affords. It may be confidently stated that few communities that are favored with equal advantages have a smaller rate of taxation imposed upon them.

Julius Gibson was the first assessor of the count}-. After the assessment of property the tax levy was made b}- the commissioners. The tax books or duplicates were prepared by the clerk, and placed in the hands of the sheriff for collection. When the sheriff settled in November, 1818, he was charged with $146.75, and in the next year he collected $430.96. The sale of the lots donated by the proprietors of Evansville had in November, 1818, amounted to $4,142.00. Of this amount ten per cent was by law set apart as a seminar}- fund, and the greater portion of the remainder was represented by promissory notes of purchasers. At his settlement in 1S19, the treasurer reported that the county, after exhausting its own funds had drawn, on those set apart for seminaries to the amount of $132. From that time on for many years the county was never out of debt. The building of a court-house had been undertaken, and all moneys coming into the treasury were directed to be applied on this account as rapidly as received. Maj. Alanson Warner, a man well and favorably known in every branch of the county's early history, advanced small amounts of cash for the county's use, once $28 and again $75. In May, 1824, the treasurer was settled with for the whole period of his service and there was due him $11.33. I" 1824 the taxes collected amounted to $377.69; in 1825, $347.31; in 1827, $501.15; in 1828, $503.16; in 1829, $610.64. During this period the licenses issued to various business men added to the revenue, the receipts from this source in each of the latter years named amounting to a little more than $100.

attorney of the county, and for many years an able and eminent lawyer, brought suit and recovered judgment against the county in 1822, and nine years later the county treasurer recovered a judgment against Daniel Miller, then collector and previously countv agent. Credits on the former judgment and on the orders issued in building the court-house were received as the basis for equal credits on the judgment against Miller. In this manner many of the transactions in behalf of the county were effected without the exchange of money, which at that time began to be exceedinglv scarce. During the first part of the decade commencing with 1820, Jiard liiiies generally prevailed. Lands, town lots and produce rapidly decreased in price. Widespread and disastrous sickness checked and almost entirely stopped immigration. The suspension of specie pavment by the government, the failure of western banks founded on a fictitious basis, and the circulation of a depreciated and often w-orthless currency, totally deranged all values. These were the principal causes conspiring to produce the greatest stagnation of business experienced in this locality up to that time. The county as well as individuals suffered. Tax gatherers were compelled to take coonskins or other articles of " trade " in satisfaction of the law's demands. Recovery from this condition was at first slow, but before the end of the decade good health generally prevailed, immigrants came in, and the settlers having learned to accommodate themselves to the trying times, w-ith energv and industry, brought back prosperity. Nevertheless, in 1832 the receipts of taxes were only about $600, though from licenses and other sources the total amount realized was $1,006. The expenses of the county were in 1S32, $983.81 ; in 1833, $1,402.80, and in 1834, $1,093.41. Soon after this com- menced a period of prosperity that was unchecked until the faikire of the state's credit in the downfall of the internal improvement system elsewhere adverted to. Improvement was rapid notwithstanding a rather serious but temporary check in 183S. Settlers and speculators from the east and from bevond the ocean poured into the county in great numbers. The public lands were soon taken. Capital was freely invested in all sorts of enterprises. The country's natural resources, its unbounded wealth of coal and timber, its magnificent transportation facilities, its favorable location as the terminus of the Wabash & Erie canal, and near the mouths of several rivers whose improvement seemed onl)- a (juestion of a few \-ears, gave unhesitating confidence and faith in its future greatness. Investigating adventurers pushed on to Chicago and other localities, but returned to the land of greater promise. For a time their expectations were realized. They knew little of the richness of the country beyond the Mississippi and the achievements of the railroads were then hardly matters of speculation. The fiow of immigrants was not then influenced by those potent factors of later years. By 1850, the annual exports from Evansville amounted in round numbers to 600,000 bushels corn, 100,000 bushels oats, 1,500 tons of hay and 1,500,000 pounds of pork and bacon - though all this was not produced by Vanderburgh county. In that year the expenses of the count\' were $18,785.34, and eight years later were $35,645.07. This was exclusive of revenues paid to the state, and to the townships for roads, schools and otiier local purposes. The total receipts at the treasury in round numbers were in 1850, $38,800; in 1853, $45,650; and in 1858, $57,900. The expenses here referred to include such items as

In early da3's when the revenue was limited the receipts seldom equaled the expenses, and the incurrence of debt was a necessary sequence. In borrowing great caution was at first observed. In 1835 Nathan Rowley, who faithfully served the public in many positions of trust, was appointed to negotiate a loan of $280.00 to be used in building a bridge across Pigeon creek near Negley's mill, and was authorized to borrow from the Evansville branch of the State Bank, the county solemnly pledging its faith for the payment of the loan when due. In 1841 Willard Carpenter, John Burbank and A. B.' Carpenter held $2,068.92 of the county's orders issued in payment of its debts for the building of bridges, etc., which they liad bought from various individuals, no doubt at a considerable discount, for the orders of the county have at times sold for less than one-half their face value. New orders were issued, to securet he payment of which the agent was instructed to mortgage a number of town lots and all personal property belonging to the county. In 1858 the orders unpaid and drawing interest amounted to includinc: bonds and outstandinsj orders was $128,799.67, and in 1875 was $197,683.75. At the present time, this entire debt having been paid, all orders issued by the county are paid upon presentation at the treasury. No bonds are outstanding except $220,000 of new-court house bonds recentl}- issued. This splendid showing, considering the amount of its public works, the condition of its roads and public institutions, clearl}- and eloquently testifies to the wise management of the commissioners - the county's financiers.

Civil Tozviif/iips. - At its first meeting, March 9th, iSiS, the board of commissioners established Armstrong township with the following boundaries : beginning at the northwest corner of V^anderburgh count}-, at the rantre line dividintr ranjjes 11 and 12, thence south with said line to the township line dividing townships 5 and 6, thence east with said line to the old Redbanks road, thence north with the meanders thereof to the line dividing Vanderburgh and Gibson counties, thence west with said line to the place of beginning. The board then ordered that the remainder of the count}' be known and designated as Pi<reon township. The house of Jadock McNew was designated as the polling place in Armstrong township, with Patrick Calvert as inspector, and that of Hugh McGary in Pigeon township, with Julius Gibson as inspector. Union township, organized May lO, 1819, includes all of the southwest part of the county bounded on the north by the "big bayou," and on the other sides h\ the Ohio river. The house of Frederick Staser was named as the first polling place, with Joseph M. McDowell as inspector.

Scott township, organized August 13, 1821, was bounded as follows: beginning at the county line dividing the counties of Warrick and Vanderburgh I where the same intersects the line dividing townships 5 ^^'^ 6J, running north as far as the latter county extends, thence west on the county line seven miles, thence south to the line dividing townships 5 and 6 in range 11 west, thence east on said line to place of beginning. The township was named in honor of Samuel Scott, at whose house the first election was held, Joseph Baldwin being the inspector.

Perry township was organized September 9th, 1840, out of the west end of Pigeon township, with bounds as follows: commencing on the Ohio river at the line dividing fractional sections 25 and 26, in township 6 south, of range 11 west, running thence north to the line dividing townships 5 and 6, thence west to the Posey county line, thence south with said river to the Ohio river, thence up said river to the bavou, thence up said bayou to where it again intersects the Ohio river, thence up said river with the meanders thereof to the place of beginning. The residence of Lewis C. Stinson was designated as the polling place, and David D. Grimes was appointed inspector. May 14, 1888, a change was made in the township boundary lines by which the following described territory was taken from Perry and added to Pigeon township: commencing at the northeast corner of section 26, township 6 south, of range 11 west, and running thence due west along the line dividing sections 26 and 23 in said township and range to the north and south half section line of said section 26: thence south along said half section line and the half section line of section 35 in said township and range, to the Ohio river; thence north and northeast up said river to a point where the east line of said section 26 strikes said river, and thence north along said east line of said section 26 to the place of beginning; the territory embraced beinc the east fractional half sections of sections 26 and 35, in township 6 south, of

Care Of The Poor

Kni^dit to\vnslii[i was organized September 9, 1840, out of the east end of Pigeon townsliip, with bounds as follows: beg'inning on the Ohio river at the line di\'iding fractional sections S and 9, in township 7 south, range 10 west, and running north to the line dividing townships 5 '"'"^l 6; thence east to the Warrick count\line, thence south with said line to the Ohio river, thence down said river with the meanders thereof to the place ot beginning. John S. Terrv was apjioinled inspector of elections, which were to be held at the school-house near the residence of Mrs. Pauline McCollister. September 7, 1846, the west one-half of section 21, township 6 south, of range 10 west, was taken from Knight and added to Pigeon township.

Center township was organized September 6, 1S43, with the following bounds: Beginning at the junction of Locust with Pigeon creek and running along said Pigeon creek to the Warrick countv line; thence due north with said line to the northeast corner of section No. 24, township 5 south, of range 10 west; thence due west to the east line of Armstrong township; thence due south to Locust creek; thence along Locust creek to the place of beginning. The residence of George L. Schnee was named as the polling place.

German township, formed out of Perrv and Armstrong, September i, 1845, was bounded as follows: commencing at the northeast corner of section 14, township 5 south, range 11 west, and running thence west to the northwest corner of section 15, same town and range; thence south to the southwest corner last named of section 7; thence west to the northwest corner of section 19, same town and range; thence south to the southwest corner of section 7, in township 6, range 11 west; thence east to the southeast corner of section 11, town and range last named; thence north to the place of beginning. The residence of Michael Muentzer was fixed as the place of holding elections, and John Rettig was apjiointed inspector.

T/ic Poor. - One of the chief objects of social organization is mutual protection. Incident to this among civilized people is the care of those who, because of age, natural defect, disease or unavoidable misfortune, have become unable to support themselves. The relief of this dependent class, from a time long anterior to the period written of in these pages, has been reco'gnized as a public duty worthy an honorable and conscientious performance. The means adopted in earlv times for giving such relief do not accord with the advanced ideas that now obtain among humanitarians, but they were the best permitted h\ the times and circumstances. When this county was formed the laws of the state provided for the appointment of overseers of the poor and defined their duties, the chief of which was to cause all public charges to be farmed out on contract annualh- in such manner as would best promote the public good. Minors were bound out as apprentices; males until twent\--one years of age, and females until eighteen years of age. The indentures of apprenticeship were entered of record, and the apprentice was provided with lawful means for the maintenance of his natural rights against the oppressions of the master. The farming out of these unhappv individuals was not a sale into involuntary servitude, though it partook much of that nature. The sale was public and to the lowest bidder without much regard to the character or fitness of the purchaser. The buyer was en- titled to the labor of the person sold. The price was not an amount paid for this labor, but was the sum received b}' the buver from the county for supporting the pauper. It represented the difference, in the bu3'er's judgment, between the worth of the labor to be received and the cost of supporting the laborer. Men and women were sold under the same conditions; and at times two members of one familv offered at the same sale were bought by different persons and thus separated. This system was kept up for twent}^ years after the organization of the county. In 1823 the records show that an allowance of nearly $50 was made to John B. Stinson, "for keeping Benjamin Davis, a pauper, being the balance in full of the sum for which said Davis was sold when said Stinson became the purchaser." In 1837 John Clark and Zerah Fairchild, overseers in Scott township, officially reported the sale of Jane Thompson for one year to David Judkins, who was to receive $52 for the year's maintenance. At the same time Samuel McDonald and Simpson Richey, overseers in Armstrong township, reported the sale for the next vear of Samuel Bryant to George Bryant, of Virginia McGehee to Stephen Woodrow, and of Polly and Carrell McGehee to John Taylor, the prices ranging from $8 to $130. One of the earliest acts or the board of commissioners was the appointment of overseers of the poor; the first being John Armstrong, in Armstrong township, and Jesse McCallister, in Pigeon township. The names of the overseers show that selections for this office were carefully made. Among those serving in earl\- times were William Gratehouse, John Johnson, James Martin, Sr., Luke Wood, John M. Dunham, John Stoner, Moses Pruitt, John Bryant, Jr., Elisha Harrison, Amos Clark and others whose names were equal to these as guarantees of upright and honorable conduct. Overseers were paid a small per diem when actually employed, and were reimbursed for money laid out in behalf of the poor. The expense on this account during the J'ear 1818 did not exceed $25. Dr. Wm. Trafton, the pioneer phvsician, who afterward became prominent in the profession and in local public affairs, was allowed $ro for services rendered the poor of the county during that }-ear. During the sickly seasons that followed, many were afflicted and helpless; the work of the overseer was much increased, and it became necessary in 1S20 to appoint a person in each township to settle in behalf of the county with the overseers. For this purpose John B. Stinson, Henry Ewing and Lewis G. Ragar were appointed in Pigeon, Armstrong, and Union townships respectiveh', then the onh" townships in the countv. Though 1820 inaugurated a period of the most general and fatal sickness ever known to the count}-, the disposition to help one another was so strong among the settlers that but few, in comparison with what might reasonably have been expected, were forced to receive public alms. The entire amount expended in that year was a little in excess of $100. During that unhappy period many a sad stor\^ was recorded on the public records in few words. Several allowances for "keeping the Morgans" were followed in February ,1821, by this record: "$13 allowed for two coffins and two graves for Mr. Morgan and his child." Thus simply the last words in the stories of two lives were written. In 1824, for keeping Benjamin Davis alone, $142 were allowed, and he was supported by the county about fifteen years. These facts are recorded not to reflect upon the person named, for poverty of itself is not a disgrace, but to show the laudable conduct of the community, itself poor, in thus relievinfj want. When sickness and death took tlieir bliyhting hands from the community, paupers did not increase as rapidly as the growtii of the county would seem to have justified. As late as 1834 ^^^^ poor expenses for tlie vear did not exceed

The adoption of a new system of caring for the poor was determined upon in 1S3S. Joiin W. Lilliston, John iNIitchell and Marcus Sherwood were appointed by the commissioners to purchase a farm for the purpose of erecting an asylum thereon where the poor might find a home. In January of the following year the county purchased, for $i,Soo.oo, from Seth and Jonathan Fairchild, fifty-nine and one-half acres of land lying about one-half mile south of Mechanicsville, and appointed Judge William Olmstead to have a suitable building erected for the use of the poor. The farm and house were let for $70.00 per year to Elijah and Samuel H. Prince, who agreed to keep in a proper manner all poor sent to them bv the overseers for $2.00 per week each. The plan was not satisfactory, and in February, 1840, this farm was sold to William Onvett at the price which the count}- had paid. Another effort was made in 1843, when Willard Carpenter leased to the county for five 3-ears twenty acres east of the city near Hull's Hill at $250.00 per annum, agreeing to build a substantial frame house to cost not less than $500.00. This transaction led to a bitter discussion in the commissioners' court. R. II. Gould, the keeper of a tavern and saloon, was allowed, about the same time, $25.00 for keeping Mrs. Plumer, a pauper. At the following April term, Commissioner Kennerly solemnly protested against the allowance to Gould, complaining that it had been made without the presentation of an account, against the advice and counsel of William R. Morgan, the overseer, who was present objecting, as well as against the opinion and vote of himself, and vigorously denounced the agreement made with Mr. Carpenter as extremely improper because effected b}- the votes of Grimes and Carpenter himself, while he, Kennerl)-, was opposing the matter and endeavoring to obstruct and destroy it by motions to adjourn. He asserted that Mr. Carpenter at first held aloof but subsequently seeing that success was impossible through such a policy, rising from his seat said, with anger and defiance in his tones, that he would not be outdone, and casting his own vote for the proposition, carried it. His final thrust was the statement that Mr. Carpenter was Gould's landlord and probably interested in his tavern. To this Mr. Carpenter replied enthusiastically at great length. He denied that Gould had filed no account, and explained that in fact a claim for $150.00 had been made. While the pauper had not been sent to him by the o\-erseer, 3-et in equity he seemed entitled to some compensation for her support, and inasmuch as Gould had that dav taken out a license to sell intoxicants, the fee for which was $25.00, an allowance to equal that amount was made in order to settle the matter justly and amicably. He denied that any relation save that of landlord and tenant existed between Gould and himself. Pronouncing the charge of impropriety in the least untrue in nearly ever}- particular, he proceeded to say that primarih- his land had been suggested by others than himself, and after much talk and deliberation the proposition had been passed b\- the votes of his associates, himself taking no part: that then Mr. Kennerly grew stubborn, trying in various wa_\s to cause a postponement, when displeased with such tactics he concluded to end the matter by voting for it himself. Mr. Kennerh- had signed the records, and at the next meeting substantially ratified the contract in proceedings had concerning the mat" ter, in which Mr. Carpenter took no part. For this his antagonist, with effecti\e force, charged him with placing himself in the awkward predicament of protesting against his own votes.

In September, 1844, William Onyett, still owing a part of the purchase mone}' for the original poor farm, resol:! it to the count}-. Mr. Carpenter's protests against this transaction were vigorous, but to no avail. He had been keeping the poor under agreement with the commissioners for $1,500 per }-ear. They surrendered his land, and in June, 1S45, employed George Bates to keep them for $1,200 per year. Mr. Bates served the county as supermtendent of its poor-farm for se\eral vears. While in the dischar<re of his duties, an insane inmate of the asvlum took his life by striking hun on the head with an ax.

This sj-stem of collectively farming out the poor was little if any in advance of that wiiich had previouslv prevailed, for in fact they were sold to the lowest bidder - now in the aggregate instead of individually. But care was taken to have them supported decently and as became their station. Rev. Robert Parrett, Simeon Long and Philip Ilornbrook, men representing the best elements of society, were appointed to visit and inspect the condition of the poor-house at least once a year. The plan of visits of inspection thus inaugurated has been continued e\er since, thougli now performed bv the commissioners in person. In 1S40, a farm more convenient to the city was purchased from John Echols, for $1,600. It contained thirty acres and lav within the present limits of the city. Soon after this the system of supporting the poor was entirely changed, the element of farming out the unfortunates being for the first time eliminated. Edward Andrews, in 1853, was appointed superintendent, the county undertaking to furnish all provisions for the poor and for Andrews' familj', he to be allowed $200 per }'ear and unavoidable expenses for extra nurses, in case of sickness. Philip Jenkerbrandt was afterward employed on similar terms, except that he received $500 per year. This plan was continued in practice about ten years, but soon after the commencement of the civil war there was such an increase in the number of the poor that the old system of contracting with the lowest bidder for their support was again inaugurated, when Patrick Garvev agreed to keep all properly chargeable to the county for permanent support for $2,490 per year. A substantial brick building was erected on the Echols farm, which in 1S6S, was enlarged and added to at considerable cost to accommodate the increasing numbers asking for shelter under its roof. The cost of supporting the poor had i^apidly increased. In 1850 the expenses were $2,638.22; in 185S, $3,845.73; in 1866, $10,731.99; in 1868, $12,767.33; in 1871, $23,288.49; and in 1875, $29,890.19. During and after the civil war period many thousands of dollars were expended for the relief of soldiers' families, which are not here included.

In May, 1882, the commissioners bought from George W. Hornby, a farm of 161.74 acres in Center township, paving for it $9,704.40. The old farm was laid out into lots and sold In' Hon. Alvah Johnson, as agent for the county, the proceeds amounting to about $35,000. Plans for a new asylum on the Hornby farm, were made by Clark & Pyne, architects. A contract for the buildin<j was entered into with Charles Lieb, of Rockport, Ind., for $24,800. By reason of a change in the plans, and the addition of a barn and boiler house, the contractor was paid over $48,000; the total cost of the buildings was $52,846.53. It is a handsome brick edifice, comfortable, comy.-^'ATSF^^^.^^!** modious and especially fitted for the purpose which it was designed to serve. In the same year tiie count\- purchased a tract of land from Silas S. Scantlin for $4,000, near the northeast limits of Evansville, and erected thereon, at a cost of $9,453.05, a count}' hospital for the treatment of contagious diseases. At least ten \-ears prior to these purchases there had been expended about $20,000 in establishing asylums for orphan children. .\11 of these institutions are governed bv humane rules, and the unfortunate inmates are considerately treated. At the poorhouse Warren Bonnel is emploved at $800 per annum as superintendent, the county furnishing all necessary provisions; Dr. J. C. Minton renders professional services to the sick; his annual salary is $575.

Many poor are temporarily aided bv the count}' without being sent to the asylum. The blind, insane, deaf and dumb are supported at the state institutions, the expense of clothing and transportation being borne by the county. A like expense is incurred in behalf of those sent to the House of Refuge and the Female Reformatory. A statement is here appended of the expenses of the countv in these charities since 1879, 1 in order to exhibit in the clearest manner ' the extent of the public's benefactions:

Elections. - In order to show the increase in the number of voters and the political complexion of the county from time to time, a statement of the vote polled in the several townships at the various presidential elec-

Co Uxty Orgaxiza Tjox Couxty Organization

Avenues of Travel. - The highway, as a means of bringinir men into social and business contact, is an educator and producer of wealth. The pioneers' blazed trail and ser- Brazelton farm - adjacent to the town of pentine road, winding their way through dense and wolf-infested forests from settlement to settlement, were the first fruits of that aggressive, enterprising public spirit which has built the highways of banded steel now traversing the land from ocean to ocean and from lake to gulf; that spirit which has brought into cultivation a rich but once unappreciated territorv, and built busv towns and magnificent cities where less than a century ago were wild and pathless forests. Prior to the organization of Vanderburgh count)- several roads had been cut out across the territory embraced in its boundaries, for settlers' cabins were raised a dozen years before the county was organized. There were roads from Evansville to Vincennes, to Darlington, to New Harmony and other neighboring towns, from Anthony's mill on Pigeon creek, to the mouth of Green river and elsewhere, some of which were inherited, as it were, from the count}- of Warrick. But before the commencement of Warrick countv's existence, when the territory embraced in Vanderburgh county was a part of, and under the jurisdiction of, Knox county, there were few, if an)-, legall}- established roads. Settlers were extremely scarce. When they left their cabins for business or pleasure their movements were directed by the Indian trails or footpaths marked through the woods by blazes on the trees. George Linxweiler, the pioneer, assisted in blazing out one of the first roads in this section, which afterward became an established thoroughfare, from the Wheatstone farm east to the Red Bank trail, and north nearlv along the line of the old Princeton road to the intersection of the Red Bank trail near the house of

John Withrow, not far from the village of Warrenton. Of the settlements along this road Mr. William Linxweiler savs, "There were at that time but four houses along the entire route from the Ohio river to the Princeton, and these were rude cabins, such as the hardy pioneers erected hastily whenever they found a site which their fancy suggested to be a good point for location." This was about 1811.

The system of establishing hiijhwavs has remained substantially the same from the earliest times. The citizens of the locality desiring the outlet petitioned the board of commissioners, who, if granting the prayer of the petitioners, appointed three disinterested citizens or "viewers" to ^-iew, mark and lay out the proposed highway, if, in their judgment, it would be of public utility. The routes were not well defined as is now required. Often only the desired termini were named, the object, as expressed, being to get from one to the other "b}' the nearest and best way," and this was left to the determination of the viewers. Among the earliest acts of the commissioners was the appointment of Matthias Whetstone, Patrick Calvert and James Patton to view a desired road "from the west boundary line of Vanderburgh county at or near where John McCrery and William Cater priz'' tobacco last season, from thence the nearest and best way through the settlements on the forks of the Big creek, thence the nearest and best way to intersect the road leading from Evansville to Princeton at or near Julius Gibson's." From that time like petitions have so abounded that a mere catalogue of the roads established with descriptions of the routes would fill a volume. Scarcely a re<jular session of the board of commissioners has passed without the consideration of papers pertaining to this subject; and many a war of words has attended their hearing. Remonstrances have followed petitions, damages have been claimed and whether denied or allowed neighborh' friendships have been broken and life-long enmities made. Annuallj' supervisors were appointed who had charge of certain defined districts and were empowered to warn out "the hands" in a manner familiar to the able-bodied men of the present day. Some of these supervisors, as shown by the records, were men who in later years achieved fame in the nation's wars and council chambers.

With all the care that could be bestowed on these old dirt roads at certain seasons, they were almost impassable. Mud holes of boundless area and fathomless depth were everywhere found. It is told of a respectable citizen of Ohio, who traversed the state about 1825, that upon his return home, when asked about his travels, and whethre he had been pretty much through the state, he replied that he could not say with certainty, but he thought he had been prettv nearly through in some places.

When Indiana was admitted to the Union, it was provided by law that five per cent of the proceeds arising from the sale of the pubhc lands, should be set apart for the purpose of building roads; two per cent for a state road leading to the permanent seat of government, and three per cent to be used by the several counties on the roads within their borders. This was known as the "three per cent fund," and was placed in the hands of a trustee charged with its safe-keeping and proper disbursement. He gave bond, reported his doings to the commissioners and received a small per diem when actually and necessarih- employed. As the sales of land advanced, the fund was distributed to the counties by legislative appropriations. Believing that a part of the fund was never distributed, certain counties

In a countrj- traversed by streams, ferries form an important part of the highway S3Stem. These were established on the Ohio river, at the present site of Evansville, at Henderson, Ky., and at the mouth of Green river, before this county had an official existence. That at the mouth of Pigeon creek was established in 1820. A license fee of from $3 to $10 was charged for the privilege of their operation, and rates chargeable were fixed b}' the commissioners. Probably the first to serve the public as ferryman at Evansville, was Hugh McGary, from the first so conspicuously identified with the interests of the town, for the site of the present cit}-, as before stated, was known as McGary's ferry. Daniel Worsham and Elisha Harrison were other early ferr\men at this point. At the mouth of Green river, Elisha Durphey was the first mentioned in the records, though perhaps others preceded him, for among the earliest settlers were those in that locality. One of the earliest ferries was that of William Anthony, who became a veteran in the service, near the present site of the railroad bridge in Union township. That at the mouth of Pigeon creek was kept by Mrs. Nellie Sweezer, whose name was perpetuated in naming the pond at that place. The interior of the county was not traversed by many streams that could not in most seasons be easily forded; still at various points there were insignificant ferries. For several years steam ferries have been operated at Evansville, and at Henderson, Ky. That at the mouth of Green liver is maintained by the old-time oarsman with his skiff and flat. Bridges began to be built at a very early time. One of the first constructed was at Negley's mill, across Pigeon creek on the

Princeton road. From 1830 to 1S40, various appropriations, small in amount, were made from the county funds to aid in the repair or building of bridges. The bayou and Pigeon creek were the principal streams spanned by these structures. The state legislature appropriated $400 to aid in erecting the bridge near the mouth of Pigeon creek, and much of the three per cent fund was used for the same purpose. Manj- liberal private subscriptions were also made, as was customary here in those days, and John B. Stinson advanced $500, which, because of the depleted treasury, was not returned to him for several years. In January, 1840, Amos Clark, J. B. Stinson, J. B. McCall and Willard Carpenter were authorized to build a toll bridge at the point last referred to, but before any action was taken, the authority was revoked. In 1850, the county expended on bridges and culverts, $3,807.43; in 1858, $17,084.38; in 1870, $23,038, and during the eight years since 1879, $150,529.29. In every part of the counywhere the public convenience has demanded it, the streams have been spanned by substantial bridges, all of which are free to the public.

That produce without a market is not wealth, was early understood. Cheap and rapid transportation, even before the era of railroads, was a problem which engaged the thought of intelli<rent men. As the countv grew in population, a surplus of produce began to form a part of every farmer's possessions, and seeking to dispose of it in winter or spring, roads "without bottom" were what he had to contend with. The entire resources of the county had been diverted to other uses, and an}- great betterment of the highways though public agency seemed impracticable. A field for private enterprise was opened by the legislature, when, in 1849, it authorized the incorporation of plank road companies. In February, 1 85 1, the Central Plank Road Company of Vanderburgh county was chartered, and in July following, permission was granted by the commissioners to build a plank road to Princeton from Evansville, on the state road. The company was required to build a double track as far as Neglej^'s mill, and to allow paupers and provisions for the poor asylum to pass free of toll. This was the only road of the kind in the county. It was a good road, but never extended bcN'ond Pigeon creek. The incorporators at first thought they had a valuable franchise, but after operating the road ten or a dozen years, became convinced of the contrary, and in March, 1865, Henry C. Gwathne}-, secretar}- and treasurer, and probably the largest stockholder in the company, appeared before the board of commissioners and formally abandoned all rights under the charter, surrendering the road bed, which again became a public highway. In this connection the venerable forerunner and probable suggester of plank roads deserves mention. The "corduroy," of poles or rails laid side by side in muddy places, gave the traveler the severest and most vigorous shaking up that it was possible for any human contrivance to administer. A ride over it in a "joltwa^on" was an experience equal almost to the famous ride of Horace Greeley in the stage coach of Hank Monk.