Vigo County, Indiana - Chapter 19: Board of Commissioners of Vigo County, 1891

First business consisted of authorizing an order to Curtis Gil¬ bert, clerk, $27 for record books; $10 to Nathaniel Huntington, for drawing bonds; $400 to William Durham "in part payment for building walls, etc., of court-liofise," and $300 to Eliliu Hovey and John Brocldebank "in part payment for building the court-house," and John M. Coleman is allowed $300 "in part payment for build¬ ing the foundation walls and piers of the court-house." The money for public buildings came from the Terre Haute Land Company - the $4,000 the company gave to have the county seat located here. The court then adjourned.

At a meeting March 11, 1819, Andrew Brooks was appointed treas¬ urer of the county, and Elisha U. Brown, "lister;" Daniel Stringham was appointed superintendent of school Section 16, in Township 11, Range 9; Peter B. Allen in school Section 12 north, 9 west; Caleb Crawford for Section 13 north, Range 9; Joseph Walker for 14 north, Range 9; John Yenesse, 16 north, 9 west; William Adams, 15 north, Range 8 west.

At this meeting the county was divided into four road districts. The next day the road districts increased to seven, and Otis Jones was appointed supervisor of first; John Dickson, second; Ezra Jones, third; Robert Graham, fourth; Joseph Walker, fifth; Robert Mitchell, sixth; John Beard, seventh.

In March, 1818, elections were ordered on first Monday of April following for the election of justices of the peace. Moses Hoggatt was appointed inspector of elections, and Elisha U. Brown, Joseph Walker and John Vanness also appointed election inspectors.

Ilis Jones, Elisha Bentley and William Walker were appointed to lay out the system of roads for the county. This included twentyone new roads to be laid out, and to be opened immediately to accommodate each settlement.

The following rate of taxes for 1818 was fixed by the board: Ou first-rate land, every 100 acres, 50 cents; on second-rate land, 43f cents, and on third-rate land, 31^ cents; for every horse, mare, mule or ass over three years old, 37| cents; for stallions, once the rate they stand by the year; every tavern $20; every ferry $5; for town lots 50 cents on every $100. Lucius H. Scott was appointed "agent" (that is, tax collector), and required to give bonds in the sum of $25,000.

In August, 1818, the board held a meeting at the house of Otis Jones for "the purpose of receiving testimony, and deciding the right of Lucius H. Scott to the office of sheriff." The first acting sheriff, Truman Blackman, had been appointed, and an election was held on the first Monday in August. Scott's election was contested on the ground that the election notices were not according to law. The contest was dismissed and Scott duly declared elected.

November 10, 1818, Touissant Dubois was licensed to establish a ferry at Terre Haute. He was required to "procure and keep constantly in good repair a flat-bottomed boat sufficient for the transportation of loaded wagons and four horses, and one good skiff for the transportation of passengers." The ferriage was allowed, for a wagon and one horse, 25 cents; wagon arfd two horses, 50 cents; wagon and four horses, $1 ; ox teams in proportion; man and horse, from April 1 to December 1, 12-| cents, at other times, 25 cents ; cattle, 6J cents ; hogs and sheep, 3 cents each. At the same time a license was granted Adam Weaver, for a ferry at Terre Haute on the same terms as the proceeding, and each was charged $10 license.

February 10, 1819, Andrew Brooks was appointed county treasurer; John Britton appointed same time "lister;" Peter Allen, inspector of elections in Harrison Township; James Jones, inspector in Honey Creek Township; William Adams, Jr., and John Durkee, inspectors in Wabash Township; Otis Jones was appointed constable in Honey Creek Township.

. In February, 1819, on the petition of Harrison and Independence Townships, two roads were established: One commencing at the west end of Ohio street, then direct to the Wabash river; the other commencing at the western shore of said river, running to Maj. Robert Sturgus' mill on Sugar Creek.

At the same time a road running east from Terre Haute to the county line, near the corner of Sections 1 and 4, Township 12, Range 7, was provided for, and Robert Sturgus, Caleb Crawford and William Walker were appointed viewers. This was road No. 30.

Another road at the same time was provided for to commence on Market street at the intersection of Swan and to run in the direction of Swan street; then west to the river, and to continue west from the west side of the river to Sturgus' mill.

Another road was provided for to commence at the Fort Harrison road opposite the lone tree near James Chesnut's on Honey Creek prairie; thence to the ford of the bayou; then to the Wabash river; then down the bank of the river to McClure's ferry, "or in that direction as far as the county goes."

George Kirkpatrick, February, 1819, was licensed to keep a tavern in Terre Haute; Charlton Britton appointed constable in Harrison township; Robert Mitchell, constable for Wabash township; Solomon Lusk, for Independence; February 9, 1819, James Cun¬ ningham licensed to keep a tavern in Terre Haute.

At the same time Charles B. Modesitt and Curtis Gilbert were licensed to establish a ferry at Terre Haute. Their ferry was to run from Lots 256 and 257, at the foot of Ohio street [the board called it the mouth of the street].

mill to the house of Moses Evaus, and then to the southeast corner of the county. Eleazer Aspinwall, agent for the Terre Haute Company, petitioned for change of road. Two justices of the peace were allowed for Wabash township.

May session, 1819, Joseph Malcom was authorized to open a ferry across Wabash river, south of Terre Haute. Same time tavern rates were fixed as follows : Whisky, half pint, 12^ cents; rum, half pint, 371 cents; brandy and wine, pint, 50 cents"; victuals per meal, 25 cents; horse kept on hay and corn, 50 cents; oats and corn per gallon, 121 cents; lodging per night, 12^ cents. Tavern license in Teire Haute raised to 820 a year, and ferries at Terre Haute and John Durkee s and Salmon Lusk's ferries, 812 per annum, and the charges for ferrying reduced 25 per cent.

Elisha Bentley was appointed road supervisor for District No. 2 ; Isaac Lambert for No. 3; William Walker for No. 4; Abraham A. Markle for No. 5; Seymour Treat for No. 6; Peter Allen for No. 7; Gersham Tuttle for No. 8; Jacob Bell for No. 9; Joseph Walker for No. 10; Robert Sturgus for No. 11; John Durkee for No. 12, and Truman Ford for No. 13.

May 1819 the board " ordered that the act of the State entitled An act supplemental to an act for opening and repairing public roads and highways, approved December 31, 1818,' be, and the same is hereby in force in this county."

August 17, 1819, board met at the house of William Walker. The business of this meeting was to investigate the legality of Isaac Lambert's re-election as commissioner. He was confirmed.

Out of this election grew the muddle in the doings of the board that had finally to be cured by act of the legislature recited in a pre¬ vious chapter.

In the early part of 1821 a coroner's inquest was held upon the dead body of Isaac Ashton. Jurors in the case were William C. Lin¬ ton, Daniel Wylie, Thomas H. Clarke, Thomas Rodgers, Abraham Morehead, Samuel Mites, Macom McFadden, Robert Graham, Samuel Slaven, John Slaven, John Harris and Reuben Newton.

In the organization of this county it seems that the counsel and advice of Attorney Lewis B. Lawrence was had, as in 1821 the board allowed Lucius H. Scott, administrator of the estate of Lawrence, the sum of $150 "for services of the said deceased rendered the county in collecting and for advice."

At the March term, 1821, $243 was allowed Henry Bedford "as the balance due him for building the jail." This was the old log jail on Lot 117 on the northwest corner of Third and Walnut streets.

Whereas, There is a misunderstanding relative to the office of collector, and many persons suppose that I am collecting taxes by virtue of an appointment from your honorable body, and not by virtue of the authority vested in me by the sheriff of this county, this is therefore to correct the misunderstanding. I have collected taxes in behalf of the sheriff of said county, and if the commissioners conceive that I have the least pretensions to the office of collector by virtue of their appointment, I hereby resign all such pretensions.

It will be noticed in a preceding chapter that the legislature finally had to adjust this matter of tax collecting, and legalize pre¬ ceding actions.

A bridge had been built across Honey creek at Lambert & Dickson's mill, and Samuel Caldwell and Moses Hoggatt appointed to build a bridge across Honey creek " at the lower ford " at the August meeting, 1821. Commissioners at this meeting were William C. Linton, Gersham Tuttle and Isaac Lambert.

November 14, 1821, Isaac Lambert resigned the office of county commissioner, and Moses Hoggatt was elected to fill the vacancy; sworn in January 21, 1822.

At this session the minutes show that Charles B. Modesitt had paid his ferry license and given notice of his ferry having been " personally discontinued."

August 19, 1822, board of commissioners met at the house of Moses Hoggatt to consider the question of contest of the election of Thomas H. Clarke, sheriff. The court met and adjourned from day to day. Finally adjourned to Terre Haute, and testimony all in, they voted to "throw aside as illegal the vote of Harrison township, on account of the malconduct of Joseph Mark, inspector of said election."

The commission to lay off a State road from Evansville to Terre Haute reported January 1, 1823. Within this county they de¬ scribe this work as commencing " from the meeting-house, near Prairieton creek, and then by mile-posts running north and north¬ east. The commissioners were John J. Neeley, Samuel Emison and James Wasson.

At the February meeting of the board, 1823, the commissioners present were Gersham Tuttle, W. C. Linton and Joseph Liston. At this meeting John Jackson, George Webster and Elisha Parsons were appointed commissioners to "view and open a part of the Evansville State road."

Robert Sturgus was appointed county treasurer for the year. Again the board for the year established the prices for ferries, hotels and whisky, rum and wine, at the old figures given before, except ferrying was considerably reduced.

Conrad Frakes was appointed constable for Prairie Creek town¬ ship; Jehu Hayworth, for Honey Creek; John Price, for Reiley ; John Harris and Macom McFadden, for Harrison; Elisha Huntington, for Otter; Amos Smith, for Paris; and Ellison Crews for Sugar Creek township.

April 8, 1823, James Blake and John M. Coleman filed their report of the survey of State road, John Britton, surveyor. The road, so far as Vigo county was concerned, commenced at the fifty - seven-mile stake, and thence to Terre Haute.

At the May term, 1823, the county road districts were reformed and seven districts made. Supervisor of Number 1 was Richard Hicks; 2, Thomas Pounds; 3, Enos Brock; 4, John Jackson; 5, John Dickson; 6, William Durham; 7, Daniel M. Brown; 8, Isreal Har¬ ris; 9, Joseph Dickson; 10, Peter Allen; 11, Jacob Balding; 12, Nath. Huntington; 13, William Adams; 14, Mark Williams; 15* John Durkee; 16, William Caldwell; 17, John Block.

At the August meeting, 1823, Elijah Parsons appeared as the new commissioner, with William C. Linton and Joseph Liston. The best laud in the county was taxed one cent an acre (public build¬ ings and school houses all to build yet). How does that compare with present taxes with everything built and paid for?

This year the taxes were raised a little: Horse, 37^ cents; ox, 18£ cents; taverns or retailers of spirituous liquors in Terre Haute, $25; elsewhere, $10. This is the first mention of "retailers of liquors."

A bridge was ordered across Prairie creek at the State road crossing, and Armstrong McCabe, Ebenezer Paddock, Jr., and Benjamin Kircheval appointed commissioners thereof. At the same time the old bridge over Otter creek was ordered removed and a new one built, James Barns, Joseph Evans and George Webster to con¬ tract for same.

May 13, 1824, at special session William Durham had com¬ pleted his contract on the walls, etc., of the court-house, and a final settlement was had and his bond cancelled.

The law changing the board of three commissioners went into effect in 1824, and the first meeting of the board of justices convened Monday, September 6, 1824, as follows: Joseph Dickson, Ichabod Wood, Charles B. Modesitt, Mark Williams, Isaac Keys, Fisher R. Bennett, Armstrong McCabe, Joseph Malcom, James Hall, Nicholas Yeager. When the members were duly sworn they pro¬ ceeded to ballot for president of the board. Mark Williams was elected for the term of one year.

John Campbell was county treasurer. A special tax on land for roads was levied on non-residents' lands. James' Farrington was county agent. Samuel McQuilkin was granted a license to retail liquors in Terre Haute for one year - $20. License to retail foreign merchandise was granted to J. F. and W. F. Cruft - $15. Sheriff ordered to advertise election of one justice of the peace to reside in Terre Haute. Ordered that a scrowl with the letters L. S. written

Same year, September 8, merchandise license was granted to William C. and David Linton; liquor license granted to Israel Har¬ ris in Terre Haute; also to Francis Cunningham, and the same to John Campbell.

At the November meeting of the board of justices, 1824, John F. Crufts was appointed president. The board adjourned to the house of Israel Harris. The next day Armstrong McCabe and Israel Harris took their seats 4s members of the board.

Full board met at the house of Israel Harris, January 3, 1825, as follows: Joseph Dickson, Fisher It. Bennett, James Hall, John Jackson, Jr., Charles B. Modesitt, Joseph Malcom, John F. Crufts, Robert Graham; Mark Williams, president. Ordered that sealed bids for furnishing the southwest upper room of the court-house (lathing and plastering) be received. Henry Allen was appointed county "lister;" John Campbell appointed treasurer. Abraham Markle granted license to retail foreign merchandise.

January 7, 1824, the legislature passed an act providing for laying out and opening a State road from Terre Haute to Crawfordsville. Jacob Bell and James Smith were appointed commissioners, and Joseph Shelby, surveyor. The survey was completed Julv 25* 1825. ~ 1 J '

September 5, 1825, the official term of Mark Williams, presi¬ dent of the board of justices, having expired, John F. Crufts was made president for the ensuing year.

The new members for this year were Armstrong McCabe, Ash¬ ley Harris, William Ray and Gooding Halloway. John Campbell Curry appointed county treasurer.

At the meeting of the board of justices, January, 1826, Alanson L. Baldwin, Ashley Harris and Mark Williams appeared and took their seats as members.

January, 1826, a bridge was ordered " over Honey creek at R. W. Spears mill, ' and James C. Turner, Robert Bratton and Daniel T. Pinkston appointed to superintend the same.

Stephen S. Collett, trustee seminary fund, resigned in 1826, and John Campbell was appointed. Masons were granted the use of the grand jury room for one year.

This year a new tax rate was made: Horses, 50 cents; work oxen, 25 cents; two-wheel pleasure carriages, $2; four-wheel, $3; brass clocks, $2; gold watch, $2; silver watch, $1; pinchback watches, 75 cents; license to retail liquors at Terre Haute, $20; other places, $10; retail merchandise, $25; ferry at Terre Haute, $15; elsewhere, above, $10; below, $5; on lands exclusive of im¬ provements, 100 acres, first rate, $1; second rate, 75 cents; third rate, 62^ cents.

Same time William Durham, John F. Crufts and Thomas Par¬ sons were appointed a committee to erect a jail as follows: "The rooms to be eighteen feet square in the clear, two stories high, the ground room to be ten feet, the upper nine feet high in the clear, to be built of good white oak timber; the foundation to be good stone; and also to build a frame the same size as the jail, for the purpose of accommodating the jailer, to be attached to the jail with a passage between six feet wide and under the same roof." The lot selected was 117, on the corner of Walnut and Third streets.

September, 1826, Stephen S. Collett, justice of the peace for Harrison township, appeared and took his seat in the board. Mark Williams was again elected president of the board. License issued to Chauncey Rose to retail merchandise; also to Lucius A. Scott.

January, 1827, at meeting of the board, Stephen S. Collett was appointed president pro iem ; Henry Allen again appointed county collector. James Farrington was appointed county treasurer, vice John Campbell, removed. S. S. Collett resigned his seat in the board of justices July, 1827.

The July session of the board of justices, 1827, ended as such the existence of that body. The law was changed to the old system of the three county commissioners again in force; and John F. Cruft was elected to a term of three years, Ebenezer Paddock to two years and Alban C. Davis to a term of one year. The new com¬ missioners held their first meeting November 5, 1827. At the August election, L828, Alban C. Davis was elected commissioner for the term of three years.

John F. Cruft resigned the office of county commissioner and superintendent of public buildings January 5, 1829. William Probst was elected county commissioner at August election, 1829. He was re-elected at the August election, 1830. He was made superin¬ tendent of public buildings.

At the May session of the county board, 1831, the overseer of the poor, Sugar Creek township, was authorized to buy horse, saddle and bridle, not to exceed $30 in value, " for the purpose of removing William Baine, who is likely to become a pauper," and sweet Will¬ iam was "removed."

May session, 1831, the county was divided into districts for the election of county commissioners as follows: "All that part of the county lying north of the center of Township 12 to constitute the first district; all that part of the county lying south of the center of Township 12 and north of Township 10 to constitute the second district; and that part of the county lying in Township 10 north, to constitute the third district."

Asa L. Chase was elected county commissioner at the August elec¬ tion, 1833. He was succeeded by John H. Watson, elected August, 1835, and he succeeded by William Ray, elected in August, 1836.

May, 1837, Samuel W. Edmunds resigned the office of com¬ missioner of school lands, and the board appointed Cromwell W. Barbour to fill the vacancy.

The legislature, in 1835, provided for a couDty assessor, and the board appointed Ezra M. Jones. For 1836, Henry Alleu was appointed; 1837, Timothy D. Bailey. He resigned on account of ill health, whereupon William McFadden was appointed for the north part of the county, and Walter E. Earley for the south part.

Lost Creek. - March session, the county commissioners ap¬ pointed under the act of the legislature, " an act to provide for the drainage of Lost Creek," approved January 21, 1837, appointed James B. McCall, James Barns and Jacob Burnap drainage com¬ missioners. \

At the March session, 1839, appears the last record in the county commissioners' court, made by Curtis Gilbert as clerk of the county. He retired from the office that he had filled so well twenty-one years, and was succeeded by Charles T. Noble.

At the August election, 1840, Orrin Dowdy was elected county commissioner for the First District, andlsaacM. Ray for the Second District, successors to William Ray and Thomas Pound.

In January, 1841, the commissioners contracted with Samuel Ray to keep all the paupers of the county " except Golien," for the sum of $700 a year, the county to supply the poorhouse rent free.

A board of tax equalization for the county met in Terre Haute in November, 1841, consisting of Orrin Dowdy, Joel IT. Kester and Isaac M. Ray, the county commissioners, and William Paddock ap¬ praiser, and Wells M. Hamilton, auditor.

Special session of the county commissioners November 16, 1841, to fill the vacancy in the recorder's office, caused by the death of Daniel H. Johnson. Charles T. Noble was appointed recorder.

The commissioners fixed the rate of taxes for 1842 as follows: On James Farrington's ferry, at Terre Haute, $35; on Charles B. Modesitt's ferry, $25; on Walter W. Earley's ferry, above town, $10; on Ninevali Shaw's ferry, $10; on Malcom's ferry, $10; and on each license to retail liquors in Terre Haute, $30; and in all other parts of the county $5 ; on each traveling caravan, circus, show, theater, collection of animals, $20 for each day's exhibit; license to vend wooden, brass and composition clocks, $75; foreign merchandise, or foreign and domestic groceries, $5; on every thousand dollars' worth or under of property, $2.50; every additional thousand dollars' worth, and in that proportion, not to exceed $20; also on each traveling merchant or peddler, $5. There was a road tax " on each poll " of 50 cents, and also 20 cents on each $100 of property as listed on the assessor's books.

At the June term, 1836, John H. Watson was appointed to con¬ tract for the building of clerk's and recorder's fire-proof offices to be erected on the public square, south of the court-house. Watson was one of the county commissioners.

Nothing came of this order, and the matter rested until the June session, 1843, when the board accepted the bid of John Bouclinot to erect a fire-proof clerk's and recorder's offices. At the meet¬ ing of the board, July 23, it was ordered that the site for the clerk's and recorder's offices be changed, and they were ordered to be erected on Lots 1 and 2 in the subdivision of Lot 96. The board appropriated the sum of $1,085. The city was required, as a condition, to con¬ vey to the county one undivided half of said sub-lots, 1 and 2, and also unite with the county in the erection of the building for the use of a part of the same for the town; the town and county to hold the property in common; the town to occupy the second story, and the county to have the lower rooms; the house to be 33 feet front bv fifty feet deep; the county's part to be divided into three rooms; a hall to be 12 feet wide.

This fire-proof house was built. In December, 1843, it was ordered that the three offices of the new building, the front room on Market street, for the use of the treasurer and auditor, and the middle office, the clerk, and the back office to the recorder.

The condition of the ground between the old court-house and the town hall, or the fire-proof clerk's office, is indicated by the order of the commissioners appropriating $50 to "assist in filling and grading the pond."

County purchased the lots south of one and two where the hall stood, extending to Ohio street, and is the same ground now occu¬ pied by the old court-house, which has passed into private hands and the old building refitted and made into business rooms below and offices above.

The town hall was totally consumed by fire in 1864. There were papers of the county lost, but the records were all saved. The fire had started in the adjoining frame buildings, and, as the roof

In January, 1865, the county, through B. H. Cornwell, pur¬ chased the city's interest in the lots on which stood the old town hall, paying therefore $850. At the same time Benjamin McKeen was delegated to go to Indianapolis and procure a plan and specifi¬ cation foi the building afterward erected at the southeast corner of the public square, on the lots occupied by the " town hall " and those purchased running to Ohio street, and in March, 1865, bids were asked for the erection of a court room and county offices. Clift A Williams and Hadden A Keece were contracted with as builders, March 28, 1865, for the sum of $24,050. The contractors to take the remains, walls, etc., of the old town hall, and 194,400 brick that

September 7, 1866, the board ordered courts to be held in the the new court-house, on Lot 96. This is the building on the cor¬ ner of Ohio and Third streets.

Orrin Dowdy was re-elected commissioner at the August election 1843. John Britton continued to fill the office of county surveyor, and Nathaniel Cunningham, treasurer.

Ordered that the Cumberland, or National, road be placed under the supervision of the respective road supervisors through whose districts it passes.

Five dollars was allowed Smith & Button for sperm candles furnished at the last term of the circuit court. This item is valu¬ able as indicating about when the use of sperm candles came, and also that the circuit courts had night sessions and crowded the work before them, working hard all day and late into the night, very often.

William L, Weeks in 1843 contracted to take charge of the county poorliouse and to keep the paupers, to be at all expense of food and clothing, and receive in gross therefor the sum of $500.

March session, 1844, R. W. Thompson and E. Flint appointed trustees of the Vigo county library, to fill vacancy caused by the resignation of Thomas H. Blake and the death of Mr. Prindle.

Nathaniel F. Cunningham entered upon another term of office of treasurer, October, 1844, with William Wines, John H. Whtson and Samuel Crawford, securities.

In 1845 tax rate fixed as follows: For State purposes, 20 cents on each $100 worth of property assessed, and a poll tax of 50 cents, and 1 cent on each $100 for a lunatic asylum, and 5 mills on each $100 for a deaf and dumb asylum, and two mills on same for the education of the blind.

For county purposes the sum of 20 cents on $100, and a poll tax of 50 cents; on Farrington's ferry on the National road, $30; on Modesitt's ferry, $20; Durkee's, $5*; on Adair's, at Fort Harri¬ son, $10; on Malcom s, $3; Ninevah Shaw's ferry, $5; on liquor license in Terre Haute, $20; elsewhere, $10; each menagerie $8 per day; circus, $10; show and wax figures, $5; theaters, $5 a day ; rope walking and dancing, $5 a day, same, sleight-of-hand per¬ formances; broker's license, $100 per year; to mend brass clocks, $10; merchandise, $5 on each $1,000.

August election, 1846, Samuel W. Edmunds elected commissionei of the First District, and Benjamin McKeen elected from the Third District. The board then being: First District, Samuel W. Edmunds; Second District, Thomas Durham; Third District, Benjamin McKeen.

In 1847 Benjamin McKeen removed from the Third District, whereupon the associate circuit judges, William Dickerson and Jacob Jones, appointed Samuel M. Young to the office of commis¬ sioner of the Third District.

1848 William Goodman contested election of William Gan¬ non, trustee of Congressional Township 12 north, 10 west. Upon hearing, the election of Gannon was declared void because he was a non-resident.

David Boyle, commissioner of Third District died in the latter part of 1849, whereupon the county associate judges, Jacob Jones and E. Tillotson, appointed Jacob Hess to fill the vacancy until the next regular election.

Ishmeal Pugh resigned as county commissioner in 1852, and in September of that year the remaining county commissioners, under the new law on that subject, proceeded to fill the vacancy by the appointment of Hiram Smith.

By re-election the board stood without change until 1856; at the October election that year Simpson Stark was elected to the board. In 1849 David Bell was elected recorder for a term of seven years.

In 1856 William J. Ball, one of the stockholders of the draw¬ bridge company, filed with the commissioners a schedule of rates of tolls, which, having been duly published, was adopted by the board.

Whereas the official relations heretofore existing between this board and Wells M. Hamilton, late county auditor (and cferk of this board) have been re¬ cently severed by reason of the expiration of his term of office, therefore

Resolved, That this board takes pleasure in bearing their testimony to ihe faithful,- honorable and efficient manner he has discharged the duties appertaining to that office. * That Vigo county loses an officer that during nine years of constant service has always proven himself worthy of the fullest confidence.

In September, 1856, the board established the second election precinct in addition to Macksville in Sugar Creek township. The election place in the new precinct was at the house of Dr. Robert Calhoun on the north side of the National road, and John Crews inspector of elections.

Barbour, the other commissioners, met and passed resolutions in re¬ gard to the death of their fellow-member of the board; "deploring the death of this upright citizen and faithful public officer, and tend¬ ering heartfelt sympathies to the family and friends in their irrep¬ arable loss." These resolutions being spread upon the records, Alfred B. Pegg was appointed to fill the vacancy.

November, 1858, James S. Wyeth contracted to build "a new wrought-iron fence around the court-house " to be completed on or before June 1, 1859; John M. Walter contracted to build foundation for fence.

June, 1861, board allowed Isaac Beauchamp $1.50 "for hauling Lewis Bradford to the river by order of the sheriff." No further mention is made of Bradford, possibly this is the original McGinty.

The bond of B. H. Cornwall presented for the office of auditor, objected to by the incumbent of that office, Allen, who claimed there was no vacancy, as the term for which he had been elected had not expired.

At the State election, October, 1858, Nathaniel F. Cunningham, so long the efficient treasurer of Yigo county, was elected State treasurer, and by law he would take the office in February, follow¬ ing, therefore in January he resigned the office of treasurer of Yigo county, to take effect February 8, 1859.

Cunningham discovered that he had to send his resignation to the governor from whom he held his commission, and this he did, and the board again appointed Joel H. Kester, treasurer.

In 1862 Edward B. Allen, auditor, it seems, was absent from the county much of his time and left no deputy. The board appointed Milton S. Durham deputy auditor, with authority to sign the auditor's name and perform the duties of the office.

Joseph F. Weeks, assessor Linton township, died in October, 1866, whereupon the auditor, B. H. Cornwall, appointed William L. Weeks to fill the unexpired term of two years.

October election, 1860, Joseph H. Blake, elected clerk of the Yigo County circuit court, and gave bond in the sum of $10,000. April 22, 1864, Thomas Dowling, petitioned the common pleas court to be released from Blake's bond, and a new bond filed, April 22, 1864, William Mack, John J. Brake and P. Shannon as sureties.

November, 1870, term of office of Hollingsworth and Mewhin¬ ney having expired, Joseph H. Blake was elected commissioner from the Second District and Nathan Balding elected from the First District.

County loaned, September 28, 1864, S. C. Keith $100, condi¬ tioned that he take his son, Oscar F., to New York and secure his admission into an asylum there, and that Vigo county shall incur no other or further expense thereabout.

June 22, 1864, in accordance with the provisions of the law, the auditors of the counties of the congressional district met in Terre Haute to consider the question of land taxes, or assessments in the different counties. Auditors present from Sullivan, Greene, Parker, Vermillion, Vigo, Putnam, Owen and Clay.

October, 1867, Benjamin Mewhinney re-elected county commis¬ sioner for the Second District and Daniel Hollingsworth re-elected for the First District.

April 24, 1871, County Commissioners!. H. Blake, B. G. True¬ blood and Nathan Balding convened to consider the subject, in re¬ sponse to many petitions, of purchasing tbe bridge across the Wa¬ bash, and also to consider the question of building a court-house.

The board ordered an election on May 2, 1871, to express the voters' desire in reference to purchasing the bridge, and also as to building a new court-house.

The auditor of the county, Samuel Royse, was then secretary of the board, and he informed the board that he declined to record the order for the election in reference to the bridge and court-house, whereupon the board authorized its chairman, J. H. Blake, to record the proceeding.

The matter of appointing a county attorney came before the board, December, 1868. Thomas J. Forrest offering to attend to all the duties of that office for the annual sum of $400 and was appointed; re-appointed on same terms, 1869, from December to December.

December, 1871, board ordered all paupers to be cared for at poor-house, appointed Thomas Dowling, Chauncey Rose, Curtis Gilbert, James B. Edmunds and C. H. Allen, committee to visit county poor-house every three months and examine, and report the condition of the same.

At June meeting board, 1864, the commissioner's districts, estab¬ lished in 1831, were abolished. Commissioners at this meeting, Lewis F. Weeks, Joseph F. Fellenzer and Stanley Robbins. The board then proceeded to establish new districts, as follows: All that part of the county lying north of the center of Township 12, to be and constitute the First District; all that part of the county lying south of the center of Township 12, and north of the center of Township 11, constitute the Second District; and that part of the county lying south of the center of Township 11 to constitute the Third District.

At the December meeting of the board, in 1872, the records say: The board finds that the building temporarily used for court rooms and county offices is unsuitable, and unsafe; that the court rooms are small, can not be properly heated, and are so situated that the noise from the street greatly interferes with the transaction of bus¬ iness ; that the county offices are small, exposed to dust, and the rec¬ ords liable at any time to be destroyed by fire, and an incalculable loss thereby entailed on the people; the board further find that there should be erected on the public square a court-house with county offices, where the records will be safe and the court room in the prop¬ er place for the transaction of business.

It is therefore ordered by the board that a co art-house with county offices be erected on the public square that shall be com¬ pleted by the first day of December, 1875, to cost, when com¬ pleted, $250,000. Bids to be received first Monday in March, 1873.

December 2, 1872, plans and specifications adopted for new court¬ house. Bids had been called for, and T. B. Snapp bid to do the en¬ tire work for the sum of $292,000. Accepteddby the board: J. H. Blake, Nathan Balding and Lewis L. Weeks, commissioners.

This order rescinded December 10, 1872; giving many reasons therefor, among others the unanimous "voice" of the people " against the erection at this time, and for many years to come," etc. All preceding contracts and undertaking wholly revpked and annulled. " J. H. Blake voting against said proceeding."

December 17 following, another meeting of the board was had, and the original order for the building of a new court-house passed much in the same words of the first order, and again bids called for; bids to be received June 2, 1873.

Again at the board meeting, in 1873, the minutes repite that at the special election on the subject of building a new court-house, held May, 1871, the vote was 450 for and nearly 4,000 against the proj¬ ect; it is therefore ordered that no new court-house be built, and that the iron bridges advertized heretofore also be not built.

March 10, 1874, D. W. Minshall, acting for the president of the Draw-Bridge Company in his absence, offered to sell the bridge, road, buildings, etc., the entire franchise and propertv for the sum of $80,000.

March 16, following, this order was rescinded. The next day, however, it was reconsidered, and the county purchased the bridge for the sum of $80,000, payable in ten-year bonds, drawing 8 per cent.

January 27, 1872, Commissioners' Blake, Balding and Weeks contracted with Joseph Abbott to sink a well at the poor farm. The expressed hope was to strike a flowing vein of pure artesian water. In the records it is sometimes called .the oil well and sometimes by other names.

December, 1872, the board ordered Joseph Abbott paid $7,363.- 63 for work on poor-farm well. No satisfactory water was obtained, and the well was abandoned.

April 26, 1873, Nathan Balding, commissioner, resigned, and Thomas Dowling appointed to the vacancy, Joseph H. Blake dis¬ senting, and putting the reasons therefor on record.

John W. Wilson and John S. Jorden appeared as the newly elected commissioners at the December term, 1876. They were sworn into office by Martin Hollinger, clerk of the Vigo circuit court.

At this meeting resolutions in memory of Thomas Dowling, ex¬ commissioner, whose death was appropriately noticed, and an engraved copy thereof presented his widow.

September term, 1875, commissioners agreed to defray one-lialf the expense of fitting up the inside of a work-house, and pay onehalf expenses of boarding those detained therein.

The donation made by the will of Col. Francis "V igo of $500 for a bell for the court-house, was presented by T. C. Buntin, and accepted by the county, April, 1876.

March term, 1877, board thanked Frank Armstrong for the efficient work performed by him in keeping records and minutes of the commissioners.

September 12, 1876, commissioners concurred in the action of the city in its contract with James Hooks to build a brick pest hos¬ pital, to cost $6,000.

April, 1877, the "draw" in the Terre Haute bridge was re¬ ported unsafe. A new "draw" was ordered to be contracted for - the contract awarded to Jabez Smith.

April 1, 1877, ordered that public square be kept free of horses and cattle, gates kept closed except Sunday, and no more shows allowed thereon.

A. Daily, superintendent, report of county asylum for August, 1875, shows number of paupers, seventy-nine, and cost of keeping each per day, 13 cents.

As a final reference to the history of the attempts to build a court-house that had come to naught, it is well enough to state that on December 6, 1879, J. A. Vrydaugh obtained a verdict against Vigo county for the sum of $10,425 for plans and specifications of a new court-house. The plans were made, it will be remembered in 1872.

John K. Durkan succeeded Martin Hollinger, as clerk of the Vigo circuit court. October, 1876, John K. Durkan died, and the commissioners met in special session in July following, and ap¬ pointed Thomas A. Anderson to fill the vacancy.

In 1880 John D. Baur elected county commissioner. March 22, 1881, ordered that the board meet in the criminal court room instanter to hear discussed the question of building a new court¬ house and jail. The meeting opened with Messrs. W. B. Warren, Dr. B. F. Swofford and Philip Newhort sitting with the board as advisers. The matter was fully discussed by N. G. Buff, J. W. D. Wolf, James Hooks, James M. Allen, I. N. Pierce, for the build¬ ing, and Levi Dickerson and R. S. Tennant, opposing. The court, advisers agreeing thereto, then passed an order reciting the sub¬ stance of the order for a new court-house, passed in 1866, and that since that time the records have been deposited in the tempor¬ ary building for that purpose, etc. And in short, ordered a new court-house to be built on the public square, not to cost exceeding $200,000, and a jail be erected, not exceeding $30,000 in cost.

At the November election, 1882, John W. Wilson elected com¬ missioner of the Pirst District, and John W. Roedel for the Second District. Martin K. Lee elected commissioner, November, 1883.

November, 1888, Levi W. Dickerson re-elected commissioner for First District, and Lewis Finkbiner, elected for the Second Dis¬ trict. Upon contest court decided there was no vacancy in Second District, and Asa Black continued to fill the office of commissioner.

Clerks - Curtis Gilbert, 1818-39; Charles T. Noble, 1839-58; Andrew Wilkins, two terms; Joseph H. Blake, one term; Bufus H. Simpson, one term; Martin Hollinger, two terms.

Merrill N. Smith was next elected clerk, and served until 1886, Avhen the present incumbent, John C. Warren, was elected. His term of office expires 1890.