Indian Creek Township (part 1 of 3)

The Indian Occupancy

Pines territory now comprising the county of Monroe was formerly the undisputed domain of the Miamis. This is also true of all of Indiana. At the treaty of Greenville, Ohio, in 1795, Little Turtle, or Mish-e-keno-quah, the head chief of the Miamis, and one of the most intelligent and renowned aboriginal Americans of any tribe, that ever lived, stated to the Government Commissioners that the Miamis formerly owned all the territory within the following bounds: From Detroit south to the Scioto River and down the same to the Ohio, thence down the Ohio to the mouth of the Wabash, thence up the same to near Covington, thence north to Lake Michigan, thence east to Detroit. Immédjately after the Revolutionary war, the efforts to colonize the lands west of the Atlantic coast were so extensive and-persistent that the natives inhabiting those regions were forced slowly back into the wilderness upon the territory of their Western brethren, and thus the broad domain of the Miamis was invaded by homeless natives of various tribes, who were given tracts of territory upon which to hunt and live. At what time the Delawares, Shawanees, Wyandots, Pottawatomies, Piankeshaws, Weas, Kickapoos, etc., gained a footing upon the soil of Indiana cannot be stated with certainty, but there seems to be no doubt that Little Turtle stated the truth when he claimed all of the above bounded territory as the former domain of his people - the Miamis. It is possible that some of the tribes named above occupied portions of Indiana before the Revolutionary war. The former home of the Delawares was on the Delaware River, and later in Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio, and still later in Indiana. The original home of the Wyandots was in Canada, and later in Michian and Northern Ohio, and still later in Southern Indiana. The hawanees were of Southern origin, and were wanderers, but finally were given a home in Southeastern Indiana, and also a section of country on the Wabash about La Fayette. The Pottawatomies seem to have owned territory in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin, and to have gained from the Miamis at some early period by invasion or conquest much of the land of Indiana north of the Wabash. The Weas, Kickapoos, Piankeshaws and Pecankeeshaws seem to have owned land along the western boundary of the State. At the treaty of Fort Wayne on the 80th of September, 1809, the second article was made to read as follows: "The Miamis explicitly acknowledge the equal right of the Delawares with themselves to the country watered by the White River. But it is also to be clearly understood that neither party shall have the right of disposing of the same without the consent of the others, and any improvements which shall be made on the said land by the Delawares, or heir friends, the Mohecans, shall be theirs forever." As to the territory f Monroe County, it seems to have been on the boundary between the and of the Delawares and that of the Piankeshaws and Pecankeeshaws, so that it was the home and hunting ground of the three tribes as well as the Miamis. INDIAN CESSION TREATIES.

The territory now composing the county of Monroe was not obtained from the Indians wholly at one time. The old Indian boundary hich extends from near Gosport in a AF direction, leaving the county at Section 26, Benton Township, divides two important Indian cessions. The territory of Monroe County south of that boundary was part of Harrison's Purchase, obtained from the Indians by the treaty of Fort Wayne, September 30, 1309 ; and all of Monroe County above that boundary was part of the New Purchase, obtained from the Indians by the treaty at St. Mary's, Ohio, October 2 to 6, 1818. As Monroe County was organized before the last-named treaty was effected, it will be seen that all of the present county north of the Indian boundary was not at first a part of the county. The exact boundary of the county when first formed will be seen from the act creating the county, quoted entire a few pages in advance.

The Survey And First Entries Of Land

The survey of all the lands of Monroe County lying south of the old Indian boundary occurred in the autumn of 1812, Arthur Henrie and William Harris being the surveyors. All of the county north of the Indian boundary was surveyed in 1819 by Thomas Brown and J. Hedges. Although that portion south of the old boundary was surveyed in 4812, the land was not thrown into market until 1816, at which many entries were made, the following being a complete list for that year: In Township T north, Range 2 west: William Bigger, Richard Beam, Jobn Kutch, Isaac Withers, John M. Sadler, Archibald Wood, William King, John Storm, Elzy Woodward and Henry Speed. In Township 7 north, Range 1 west: Henry Burkhart, Thomas Grimes, William Anderson, Bartlett: Woodward, Adam Darling, Robert Fields, Roult & Brenton, William Bigger, Fetters & Hughes, George Buskirk, George Paul, John Musser, Michael Buskirk, John Vanderoot, Michael Harvey, Jacob Mumma, Jonathan Lindley, John Durham, Samuel Caldwell, John White, William Carl and William Craig. Township 8 north, Range 2 west: Arthur Patterson, Wright & Morgan, Jacob Cutler, William Wright, David Sears, James Parks, James Matlock, John Cutler, John Allen, Jonathan Rains, John Carr, John W. Lec, James Borland, Michael Wood, David Matlock, John Collins, Joseph Berry, William Wilson, William Newcomb, John Harvey, Jonathan Nichols, Solomon Green, Levin Lawrence, Adam Bower, John Briscoe. Jesse Tarkington, Thomas McCrang, Josiah Jackson, John Johnson and Joseph Richardson. 'Township 9 north, Range 1 west: John Ketchum, Henry

Wampler, Thomas Smith, James Matlock, William Julien, William J. Adair, John Kell, C. and F. Bullett, John Owens, Daniel Stout, Samuel Caldwell, Roderick Rollins, Joseph Taylor, David Raymond, Jacob Benderback, Eleazer Dagget, James Borland, Gideon Frisbee, John Lee, William Matlock, Samuel Camphreys, Thomas Graham, Abraham Appler, Chris Esling, George Ritchey, George Hedrick, David Rogers, Henry Rogers, John Thompson, Wheeler Mallett, Samuel Scott, Nicholas Fleener, William Jackson, John Jackson and Thomas Heady. Township 9 north, Range 2 west: Joseph Evans, Asa Osborn, Lewis Noel, Jonathan Gilbert, George Cutler, George Sharp, James Goodwin, Joseph Harris, Ambrose Carlton, John Simons, John Gordon, John McCormick, William Thornton, Abel Bigolow, David Johnson, John Fullen, William Baker, David Sears, Samuel Zunicks, William Oliver, Thomas Hodges and Benjamin Johnson. Township 10 north, Range 2 west: John Fullen about all of Section 4, Abner Evans, Archibald Wood, Jonathan Gilbert, ©. & F. Bullett, Fettus & Hughes, John Mc- Cormick, Julius Woodward, William Milliken, William Kelso, John Bigger, Samuel Jennings, nearly all of whom entered several hundred acres each. No entry was made before September, 1816, and during the remainder of that year entries were only made west of the méridian line and south of the old Indian boundary. These entries were all in the present townships of Clear Creek, Indian Creek, Van Buren, Richland, Bloomington and Bean Blossom. Several tracts weré purchased by speculators, but the greater number passed to actual residents or to those who became actyal residents.

Secrion 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, That from and after the 10th day of April next, all that part of the county of Orange inclosed in the following bounds shall form and constitute a new county: Beginning on the line of Orange and Jackson Counties where the line dividing Townships 6 and 7 crosses the same ; thence west with the last mentioned line to the line dividing Ranges 2 and 3 west of the Second Principal Meridian; thence north with said range line to the Indian boundary ; thence southeastwardly with said boundary to the line of Orange and Jackson Counties ; thence south with the same to the beginning - to be known and designated by the name and style of the county of Monroe. And the said county of Monroe shall enjoy all the tights, privileges and jurisdictions which to separate counties do or may properly belong or appertain.

Daviess County; David Fouts, of Washington County, and Samuel Burcham, of Jackson County, be, and they are hereby appointed Commissioners for the purpose of fixing the permanent seat of justice in Monroe County, agreeably to an act of Assembly entitled " An act fixing the seat of justice in all new counties hereafter laid off." The Commissioners above named shall convene at the house of Abner Blair, of said new county, on the first Monday of April next, and then proceed to discharge the duties assigned them by law. k Src. 3. It shall be the duty of the Sheriff of said new county to notify the abovenamed Commissioners, either in person or by writing, of their said appointments and of the time and place at which they are required by this act to meet, nt least six days previous to the day appointed for their meeting, and the said Sheriff shall be allowed a reasonable compensation for his services out of the first money in the treasury of the said county of Monroe to be paid as the county claims usually are.

Src. 4, The Board of County Commissioners of said new county shall, within twelve months after the permanent seat of justice shall have been established, proceed to ereot the necessary public buildings thereon, we.

Sec. 5. Until suitable accommodations can be had (in the opinion of the Circuit Court) at the seat of justice for said county, all the courts which by law become necessary to be held at the county seat shall be holden at the house of Abner Blair aforesaid, or at any other place in the same neighborhood to which the Circuit Court may, for the purpose of getting better accommodations, think proper to adjourn, after which time the said courts shall be adjourned to the seat of justice established as aforesaid. 3

Sec 6. The agent to be appointed for the county of Monroe shall reserve in his hands ten per centum out of the net proceeds of the sales of lots, which may be made at the seat of justice of said county for the use of a county library, which sum or sums of money so reserved shall be paid by said agent or his successor in office over to such person or persons as may be authorized to receive the same, in such manner and with such installments as may be directed by law. This act to take effect from and after its publication in print.

In accordance with the provisions of this enactment, the machinery of the county was immediately put in running order. An election was ordered held under the supervision of the Sheriff, John W. Lee, appointed by the Governor, for the necessary county officers. Bartlett Woodward, Michael Buskirk and James Parks were elected County Commissioners ; William Lowe, County Clerk and Auditor; Chesley Bailey, Recorder ; Joseph Berry and Lewis Noel, Associate Judges. The details of this election cannot be given, as the tally-sheets were not preserved. The election took place early in 1818. 'The house of Abner Blair was the first court house, but Bloomington was immediately laid out and a log court house built. The Commissioners appointed by the Legislature to locate the county seat met, deliberated, and finally submitted the following report to the first County Board:

We, the undersigned Commissioners, appointed by au act of the last General Assembly, for fixing the pemanent seat of justice in and for said county, having met agreeable to the above recited act, and after being duly sworn, proceeded to business as the law directs in such cases, to receive donations from persons offering lands to fix the county seat on, and after examining the same and taking into contemplation the future as well as the present weight of population, together with additions and divisions that may take place hereafter, do agree that the southwest quarter of Section 33, in Range 1 west, Township 9 north, is the most eligible and convenient place for the permanent seat of justice for said county, and have accordingly purchased the same of D. Rogers, at $1,200; also have purchased 150 acres out of the northeast quarter of Section 32, of Robertson Graham, for $900, in the same range and township above mentioned, the said Robertson reserving the balance of the above described quarter section of land to himself in the noftheast corner of said quarter section of land, beginning ut the northeast corner and running south twenty poles, thence west eighty poles, thence north twenty poles, containing ten acres.

_ The first meeting of the Commissioners of Monroe County was held at the house of Abner Blair on the 10th of April, 1818. The Commissioners were Bartlett Woodward, Michael Buskirk and James Parks, the time which each was to serve being determined by the comparative number of votes polled :for them. Mr. Woodward received the highest number of votes, and was to serve three years; Mr. Buskirk the next highest, and was to serve two years; and Mr. Parks, the lowest, and was to serve one year. The first official act was the appointment of William Lowe County Clerk, pro témpore, and the second was the appointment of Capt. James Bigger as Lister or Assessor of the county for the year 1818, his bond being fixed at $1,500. Roderick . Rawlings was then appointed County Treasurer, and required to give bond in the sum of $20,000. On the second day of this first session, the board adopted a temporary county seal, which was simply a scrawl inclosing the words, " Temporary seal of Monroe County." William Millikan was appointed Superintendent of the sixteenth section in Township 10 north, Range 2 west ; George Parks the same in Township 9 north, Range 2 west; William Newcomb the same in Township 8 north, Range 2 west; James Wright, the same in Township T north, Range 2 west; John Storm, the same in Township T north, Range 1 west; William Matlock the same in Township 9 north, Range 1 west. Benjamin Parks was appointed County Agent, with bond at $20,000. By order of the board the county seat was to be known as Bloomington. The Commissioners who had been appointed by the General Assembly to fix the county seat of Monroe County were ordered

30; Samuel Burcham, $30. The first petition for a county road came from William Hardin and others, and was to extend from Bloomington to Scott's Ferry on Salt Creek, and thence to the Lawrence County line. William Jackson, John Scott and William Craig were appointed Viewers. This road was ordered built and was the first constructed wholly at the expense of the county. The town of Bloomington was then ordered laid off, the County Agent to have exclusive management. On the third day of this first session a double-log court house was ordered built for the temporary use of the county, an account of which will be found elsewhere. On this day the first grand jurors of Monroe County were selected as follows: Dudley Carl, William Chambers, David Chambers, John Scott, John Mercer, Thomas Grimes, John Berry, William' Newcomb, Jesse Tarkginton, Solomon Green, Jonathan Nichols, George Sharp, William Milliken, George Parks Sen., Coleman Puitt, Eli Lee, William Hardin and Henry Wampler. 'The Sheriff in attendance, John W. Lee, was ordered to notify the above men to meet for action at the house of Abner Blair. The traverse jury was then selected as follows: William Matlock, George Birdrick, John Thompson, Samuel Scott, Thomas Clark, Jonathan Rains, John Storm Jr., John Couch, John Matlock, John Cutler, Joseph Peeshaw, David Sears, Elijah Morgan, James Wright and James Matlock. The first county road above referred to was reported on by the Viewers in May, 1818, and ordered built. Jonathan Rogers, Robert Russell and Samuel Scott were appointed Road Supervisors. The Sheriff, John W. Lee, was paid $18 for notifying the locating Commissioners of their appointments, and was also paid $7 for making the returns of the first election held in the county.

Bloomington was immediately laid off, and the lots were offered for sale at public auction. A full report of these sales will be found in the chapter on the town. The proceeds from the sale of lots were the principal source of revenue for a number of years. The board from the first were forced to issue orders at a discount, which were afterward ordered received for county dues. Wild-cat bank issues were the only paper money then, and almost every early report of the Treasurer shows an entry to his credit of certain per centum of depreciation on the bank bills in his possession. The holder of a bank bill in those days was not sure that the next morning would not find his bill greatly depreciated in value, if not absolutely worthless. What a contrast with the excellent stable paper currency of the present. i s

Capt. James Bigger, County Lister, was ordered paid $82 for his services. A tax of 874 cents was levied on each horse; 50 cents on each 100 acres of first-class land; 43? cents on each 100 acres of second-class land; and 25 cents on each 100 acres of third-class land. In February, 1819, the board fixed store license at $7.50 in Bloomington, and at 5 in the country. They also, curiously enough, fixed the charges of tavern keepers as follows: 25 cents for breakfast; 25 cents for dinner ; 18} cents for supper ; E 64 cents; corn or .oats, per gallon, 124 cents; horse at fodder or hay, 25 cents; one-half pint of whisky, 12} cents; one-half pint of brandy, 18% cents; one-half pint of rum or French brandy, 874 cents; one-half pint of wine, 374 cents. We may now smile at the folly of our fathers; but, after all, are we any wiser or better? The following standard weights and measures were also ordered obtained: A foot messure; a yard; a dry bushel of 1,075.2 eubic inches; a dry half bushel ; a wine gallon of 231 cubic inches; one set of avordupois weights; a quart; a pint, and a half pint. Lewis Noel became Lister in 1820. In August, 1820, Benjamin Parks, County Agent, reported that the total sales and rents of the town lots and other donated lands amounted to the surprising sum of $27,874.58}, with which figures he was charged. He was credited with notes, worth $18,860.54; with cash paid over, $9,383.78; with discounts on bad currency, $98.80; balance on hand, $32.51}. This exhibits the rapid growth of Bloomington.

In August, 1820, Addison Smith succeeded Benjamin Parks as County Agent. Late in 1820, James Borland succeeded Roderick Rawlins as County Treasurer. Addison Smith was the Census Enumerator in 1820. He was also the Lister for 1821, and C. J. Hand in 1828. Jess Moore was Lister in 1819.

The first term of this court was held on the first Monday in June, 1818, at the house of Abner Blair, by Hon. Thomas H. Blake, President Judge, and Joseph Berry and Lewis Noel, Associate Judges. The first act of the court was the issuance of a writ of ad quod damnum for the benefit of Robert Hamilton to ascertain what damage would be caused by his erection of a grist and saw mill and a dam on his Jand - on Section 24. Township 8'north, Range 2 west, on Clear Creek. The Sheriff, Jobn W. Lee, was directed to summon twelve fit persons to ascertain the damage. They reported that the land of James Speed would be damaged to the amount of $158. Nothing farther seems to have been done until the September term, at which time the first case came to trial. It was David 'Teague vs. Leonard Nicholson, trespass on the case for words spoken, damages being laid lat $,000. The attorney for the plaintiff was Addison Smith, and for the defendant John F. Ross. Before suit was begun, the defendant stated that if the plaintiff would desist from farther prosecution he would pay all costs thus far; which proposition was accepted by the plaintiff, and the defendant was discharged. At this term the court convened at the new log court house in Bloomington. The following men constituted the first grand jury: Jonathan Nichols, William Anderson, Edward Armstrong, John Treat, David McHollon, Thomas B. Clark, Abner Blair, Julius Dugger, John Tullen, James Ellege, John Storm, Joseph Cox, Joseph Baugh and Joseph Gilbert. They were sworn, sent out, and soon returned with the following '' true bills :"" State of Indiana vs. James Green, larceny (stealing a rifled gun owned by John W. Lee). John Law was the Prosecuting Attorney. The defendant pleaded " not guilty " to the charge, and the following first petit jury was impaneled to try the case: Joseph Perisho, John M. Sadler, Isaiah Wright, James Thompson, George Parks Sr., Absalom Morgan, John Wakefield, Solomon , David Scott, Jonathan Gilbert, Granville Ward and John The evidence was heard and the jury was sent out. 'They returned the following verdict: " We of the jury do find the traverser guilty." The defendant's counsel moved an arrest of judgment, which was granted until the next day, upon which occasion the following reasons for an arrest of judgment were filed: "1. It does not appear upon the recqrd that the jurors sworn to try said cause were good and lawful men. 2. It is bad for uncertainty, as it does not appear that Clear Creek Township is within Monroe County, so as to preclude intendment. 3. It is informal in its conclusion, as it does not conclude in & manner directed by the constitution. 4. The verdict is against law and evidence." The court overruled the motion and rendered judgment as follows: The defendant to pay to John W. Lee $30, to pay a fine of $30, to pay costs of prosecution, and to stand committed until sentence be complied with.

On the second day of the September term, the grand jury returned a bill against Seth Goodwin for assault and battery upon Jacob Leabo. The case was continued until the March (1819) term of the court, at which time Leabo himself was fined $9.50 for an assault. The March term of the court was held by the Hon. Gen. Washington Johnston, President Judge of the Firat Judicial Circuit, and Joseph Berry and Lewis Noel, Associates. George R. C. Sullivan was Prosecuting Attorney. Seth Goodwin was fined 6} cents for his assault on Leabo. At this term also came the action of debt, David Teauge vs. William Baker. Teauge had hired to Baker for $205 to build a mill-dam, mill, etc., but had failed, as alleged by the plaintiff, to pay all that was due. Suit was dropped, a compromise being effected. The next case was G. W. Harden vs. William Harden on a debt of $487.50 with interest, which amount was recovered by the plaintiff. At the June term, 1819, the Hon. Jonathan Doty, President Judge, held court, assisted by the abovenamed Associates.

day of August, 1818, by Joseph Berry and Lewis Noel, Associate Judges. The first act was as follows: On motion of Eli Lee, it was '' ordered that William Dorsey, infant son of Joseph Dorsey (deceased) and Sarah Dorsey, born January 24, 1811, be bound unto Eli Lee and Sarah Lee until he arrives at the age of twenty one years, to learn the art of agriculture; whereupon the said Eli Lee and Sarah Lee, together with William ; their security, entered into bond in the penal sum of $500, conditioned that the said Eli Leo and Sarah Lee learn (teach) him, the said William Dorsey, reading. writing, and arithmetic as far as the rule of three; and also to find him in wholesome diet, washing, lodging and clothing, and to deal with him in all cases as an apprentice ought to be dealt with, 'and to find him upon his becoming of age the sum of $10 and a good suit of clothes. At this time also, Dorcas Dorsey, infant daughter of Joseph Dorsey, deceased, was bound out to George Hedrick. This was the only business performed at the first session of the court. In vacation, letters of administration were granted to David Chambers upon the estate of James Sheffield, deceased.

At the March term, 1819, Lory Loving was granted letters of administration on the estate and last will and testament of John Loving, deceased. At this term. David Chambers, administrater of the estate of John Henson, deceased, returned the following inventory of the sales of such estate: One kettle, 50 cents; one kettle, $3; one kettle, $3; one pot, $2.75; one pot, $2.62} ; fire dogs, $2; one shovel, 624 cents; one plow (spelled plough), $4.40; leather, $1; leather, $1; one steel trap, $3; one plate, $1.25; three hoes, 50 cents; one basket, 31} cents; one churn, 6} cents; one cutting knife, $1.66}; smith tools, $5.874; one curry comb, 54 cents; one ladle, 124 cents; one reeler, 21 cents; one par of steelyards, $2.86}; two chairs, 624 cents; three pair of cards;

0 cents; sheep shears, 52 cents; tobacco, $2.82; one keg, 46 cents; one barrel, 75 cents; one note, $20.25; one note, $2.25; one hackle, $4; one reed and gears, $1.18?; one reed and gears, 50 cents ; total, - - , This list is given here to show what personal property our grandparents possessed. It will not bear close inspection under the critical and aristocratic eyo of the present generation, but it is an honest record that speaks in volumes of the self-denial of early times.

"Let not ambition mock their useful toil - Their homely joys and destiny obscure - Nor grandeur hear with a disdainful smile, The short and simple annals of the poor."

At the first session of the Commissioners, the following townships were laid off: Bloomington Township - Beginning at the corner of Sections 18 and 19, where they intersect the line dividing Ranges 1 and 2 west); thence north on said range Tine to the boundary line ; thence southeast with said line to where the Jackson line intersects the same ; thence south of the Jackson line to the middle of fractional Township 8; thence through the middle of Township 8 to the place of beginning. Beanblossom 'Township - Beginning on the line dividing Ranges 1 and 2 west, at the corner of Sections 13 and 14, where they intersect the same; thence north on said line to the boundary line; thence northwest on the boundary line to the northwest corner of Monroe County ; thence south on Daviess County line to the middle of Township 8; thence through the middle of said town to the place of beginning. Indian Creek Township - Beginning at the corner of Beanblossom and Bloomington Townships, on the line dividing Ranges 1 and 2 west; then south on said line to the Lawrence County line; thence west on said line to where it intersects the county line of Daviess; thence north on said line to the corner of Beanblossom Township ; thence on the line of the last-mentioned township to the place of beginning. Clear Creek Township - Beginning at the corner of the townships interlocked on the line dividing Ranges 1 and 2 'west; thence south on said line to the county line of Lawrence; thence east on said line to where it intersects the Jackson County line; thence north on said line to the corner of Bloomington Township ; thence on the last-mentioned line to the place of beginning. Granville Ward was appointed Inspector of Elections in Bloomington Township; John Cutler, same in Beanblossom 'Township; James Trotter, same in Indian Creek ; and John Storm, same in Clear Creek. Elections were ordered helf in the above townships on the 9th of May for two Justices of the Peace in each, the elections to be held at the following places: Bloomington Township, at the house of David Rogers; Beanblossom Township, at the house of Coleman Peets; Indian Creek, at the house of John Berry; Clear Creek, at the house of Thomas Grabam.

In May, 1821, Lamb's Township; in the new purchase, was created as follows: Beginning at the old Indian boundary line, where the line of Township 10 intersects the same; thence east on the line of Town 10 until it intersects the meridian line; thence north with said line to the southeast corner of Township 13; thence west on the line between Townships 12 and 13 until it intersects the said boundary line; thence to the beginning. This township now cotaposes the southwestern portion of Morgan ree and took its name from old man Lamb, who settled in Lamb's Bottom, that county, in 1819, before it wasa county. At the same time this township was created, Walnut Creek Township was also erected, with the following boundaries: Beginning at the northeast corner of Lamb's Township on the meridian line; thence north on said line to the northwest corner of Township 15 north; thence west on the line dividing Townships 15 and 16 until it intersects the boundary line ; thence southeast on said boundary line until it intersects the line of Lamb's Township. This township comprised the northwestern portion of Morgan County. At this time also was created Raccoon Township, with the following bounds: All of Wabash County north of Walnut Creek Township. All this territory had been attached by the Legislature to Monroe County. Reuben Fullen was appointed Inspector for Lamb's Township, and Samuel Rogers the same for Walnut Creek Township.

On the Ist day of March, 1825, it was "ordered that a township be laid off in the northeast corner of the county, to be known by the name of Jackson, and designated by the following bounds, to wit: Beginning at the northeast corner of said county, thence west eight miles to the meridian line, thence south to the line dividing Townships 8 and 9, thence east eight miles to the county line, thence north on said line to the begin- ning." An election was ordered held on the last Saturday of April, 1825, at the house of Banner Brummett, for the purpose of electing a Justice of the Peace, with Elias Swift, Inspector. A three-mile strip on the west side of Brown County was then a part of Monroe County.

In May, 1825, Salt Creek Township was created, as follows: Beginning at the southeast corner of said county ; thence west to where the meridian line intersects the same; thence north on the meridian line to where the corner of Townships 8 and 9 intersect the same; thence east on the line dividing said Townships 8 and 9 to where the same intersects the county line; thence south on said line to the place of beginning. Elections were ordered held at the house of Boston Bails. John Pollard and Ezekiel Hendricks were appointed Fence Viewers, and George Todd and Solomon Butcher, Overseers of the Poor, and Henry Kendall, Inspector.

In July, 1828, it was ordered that all the territory attached to Monroe County (on the east), by an act of the Legislature of 1827-28, should be attached to the townships of Salt Creek and Jackson, as follows: Beginning at a point on the line dividing Townships 7 and 8, Range 3 east, where the line dividing Sections 31 and 32 intersect the same; thence north to the line dividing Townships 8 and 9; thence west to the former county line of Monroe County ; thence south to the line dividing Townships T and 8; thence east to the place of beginning - such territory to form a part of Salt Creek Township. Also: Beginning at the northeast corner of Salt Creek Township, as above enlarged; thence north to the line dividing Johnson and Barthlomew Counties; thence west to the northeast corner of Monroe County, thence south to the northern boundary of Salt. Creek Townghip, thence east to the place of beginning - such territory should form a part of Jackson Township. It will be observed that the territory thus attached to Salt Creek and Jackson Townships now constitutes much of the western half of the present county of Brown. yt In July, 1829, two new townships were erected, as follows: Washington Township- - Beginning at a point on the meridian line between Townstfips 10 and 11 north ; thence west with said line dividing Townships 10 and 11 aforesaid to the line dividing Ranges 1 and 2 west; thence south with said line dividing Ranges 1 and 2 aforesaid to main Beanblossom Creek; thence in an eastern direction with said creek to the meridian line ; thence north with said line to the place of beginning. Richland Township - Beginning at a point where the line dividing Ranges 1 and 2 west intersects the line dividing Townships 9 and 10 north; thence west with said line last mentioned to the Owen County line; thence south with said last-mentioned line to a point where the line dividing Sections 18 and 19, in Township & north, Range 2 west, intersect the same; thence with said line last mentioned to the range line dividing Ranges 1 and 2 west ; thence with said range line to the place of beginning. The elections for Washington Township were ordered held at the house of John Scott, with Daniel Ray, Inspector. Those in Richland Township were ordered held in the house of William D. Shrevies, with James Parks, Inspector. At the January term, 1830, it was ordered "that all territory attached by legislative enactment to the county of Monroe subsequent to the original formation of townships therein be and it is hereby attached to and included and shall compose parts of the said townships in the following manner: By extending the boundary lines of the townships which run in a direction perpendicular to the county boundary entirely thereto, and thereby attaching to the respective townships all such territory as lies adjoining thereto."

In May, 1830, pursuant to a petition signed by seventy-one resident citizens, the township of Perry was ordered erected, with the following boundary: Beginning at the line dividing Sections 12 and 18, Township- 8 north, Range 1 west; thence west along said line to the west line of said Township 8 north, Range 1 west; thence south to the line dividing Sections 6 and 7, Township 7 north, Range 1 west; thence east on said line to the east line of the last-named township; thence north on the eastern line of said township to the place of beginning. An election was ordered held on the 26th of May, 1830, at the house of Benjamin Kenton (the old Clearwater place), for two Justices of the Peace, Mr. Kenton to serve as Inspector. Jesse Davis and George A. Ritter were appointed Overseers of the Poor; Solomon Butcher and Finney Courtney, Fence Viewers.

In May, 1833 upon petition of Jacob Romans and others, Jackson Township was divided, and Benton Township was organized from a part thereof, as follows: Jackson to be divided into two portions by the line dividing Ranges 1 and 2 east, the eastern portion to retain the name of Jackson, and the western portion to be known as " Benton Township, in honor of Thomas H. Benton, United States Senator from Missouri." An election of a Justice of the Peace was ordered held in the new township on the last Saturday in September, 1833, at the house of John Young.

In March, 1837, in pursuance of a petition from the citizens interested, the County Board ordered the creation of a new township to be known as Van Buren, to comprise all and no more of Congressional Township 8 north, Range 2 west. An election of a Justice of the Peace was ordered held on the 3d of April, 1837, at the house of Conrad , who was appointed Inspector.

In September, 1849, Salt Creek Township was divided and Polk Township created, as follows: Commencing in the bed of Salt Creek on the line dividing Township 7, Range 1 west and Range 1 east; thence due south on said township line to the south county line; thence due east to the southeast corner of the county, thence north on the county line to the Muddy Fork of Salt Creek, or where the same crosses the county line; thence down said stream to the main Salt Creek; thence down said stream to the place of beginning. An election was ordered held in the new township at he house of John Todd, at Big Springs, with Peter Norman Inspector. Wylie Davar and Samuel Axam were appointed Fence Viewers, and Wylie Davar Constable.

By an act of the Legislature, approved December 31, 1821, all of Monroe County lying west of White River was attached to Owen, the second section of the act reading as follows: All that part of Monroe County lying west of White River be and the same is hereby attached to Owen County, and that all suits, pleas, plaints, actions and prosecutions whatsoever, shall be conducted in the same manner as if no change had taken place. Section 3 of this act reads as follows: So much of the New Purchase as is contained in the following boundary, to wit: Beginning on White River where the line dividing Townships 10 and 11 north crosses the same; thence east with said line to the corners of Sections 4 and 5, Township 10 north, Range 2 east; thence south to the Monroe County line - shall form and constitute a part of Monroe County. It will be seen that this section attached to the county all of the present county north of the old Indian boundary, together with a strip three miles wide now a part of Brown County. By an act of the Legislature, approved January 16, 1828, the following territory was attached to Monies County : Beginning ata point on the line dividing Townships T and 8, where the line dividing Sections 31 and 32 intersect the same ; thence north with the last-mentioned line to the line dividing the counties of Johnson and Bartholomew ; thence west with said line to the northeast corner of Monroe County ; thence south to the line dividing Townships 7 and 8; thence east with the last-mentioned line to the place of beginning.

Public Buildings

= The first courts assembled in the house of Abner Blair, but at the first session of the County Board a double log cabin was ordered erected on the public square without delay, to be used for court purposes until a better one was built. It was called the 'temporary court house." The order was issued on the third day of the first session. The double cabins were to be 20x20 feet und 12x50 feet respectively, were to be ten feet apart with covered entry connecting the two - in fact, the two cabins and the entry were to be covered by one roof. The cabins were to be built of roun fogs, which were afterward to be hewed down. Each was to be ten feet high to the eaves, and each was to contain one door and one window. A few slight changes were made to this plan, but in the main the double building has been described. Samuel Elliott was the contractor, but the contract price vannot be stated, though it did not exceed about $400. Mr. Elliott also contracted to clear the trees from around the ne® court house, which he did. So rapidly was the work pushed, that the building was ready for use in August, 1818.

In October, 1818, preparations were made to build a county jail. Roderick Rawlins was authorized to draft the plan. It was to be built of oak timber a foot thick, was to stand north of the court house, was to be 80x20 feet, was to have a dungeon and a criminal's room, and a jailer's room was to be built on the east side. Roderick Rawlins took the contract. The building as described was soon completed. John Woodward built a stray-per for the town, and was paid $23 for the job. James Smith made a set of chairs for the court house. Joel Woodward, John Mercer and others dug a well on tho public square. Early in 1819, a contract was called for to inclose the public square with a substantial fence, but the work was postponed.

In February, 1819, preparations were made to build a permanent and substantial court house. The plan prepared by William Low stated that the building was to be of brick with a stone foundation, was to be two stories high, and was to be forty-five feet long, east and west and forty feet wide, north and south. In May, 1819, Robert Stafford took the contract, but as he could not give security at the price of his bond - $20,- 000 - the contract was re-let to John Ketchum for $7,965. The work was begun in June, and in August the first installment of $1,000 was paid the contractor. It was at this time that posts and railings were erected around the temporary court house. Samuel Harryman was one of the brick-makers for the new court house. In February, 1820, Rawlins, County Treasurer, donated certain commissions due him on receipts from the sale of town lots, provided such donation was used in the purchase of a public clock for the temporary court house. His offer was accepted. In 1820, David Teauge finished clearing the timber from the public square for $24. In February, 1820, some important changes were made in the plan of the new court house. At this time, the county jail was reported finished, but a committee appointed to examine the work found that the debtors' room was incomplete, and David H. Maxwell was employed to remedy the work. So the old jail had a debtors' room, and that, too, in Bloomington, only sixty years ago! Well, no wonder; one could be happily utilized now, when men refuseor neglect to pay for their county histories. Enos Blair was the first jaifer. Ín August, 1821, Mr. Ketchum was paid $4,000 on his court house contract. At this time, the rough work of the building had been completed. David Armstrong was hired to build a " cubola"' (as the county clerk wrote it) on the building. For the three years prior, to December, 1822, the clerk's office was in the house of Jacob B. Lowe. He was ordered paid $60 for the rent. It was a long time before the court "house fa fully completed. Just why, cannot be certainly stated, but probably because the county board paid the' contractor before the work was completed, whereupon he permitted the work to languish. In 1824, Edward Borland was paid $352.70 for extra woodwork on the building, and David Armstrong $1,505.20. Benjamin Neeld was also paid $24, and others, $81. Mr. Ketchum was not paid his full contract price. The building was not fully completed, outside and inside, until 1826. It cost about $8,800. The board had great trouble about a "Franklin rod," which they considered necessary for the safety of the building. Austin Seward was hired to paint the building a bright red, and then pencil it with white, and to have the work completed before September, 1826. In 1825, Samuel Dunning took the contract fo build a combined clerk's office and county library room, which he did before November. Seward painted it. The public square was fenced at this time. Z. Williams did the wood work on the clerk's office. Ewing & Montgomery did the plastering. In May, 1826, the building was occupied. Mr. Z. Williams was delivered the key to the court house, and instructed to keep it locked, permitting it to be occupied only by the courts, County Commissioners, taking of depositions, Fourth of July celebrations, elections, "when any person shall want admittance for the ee ase of acquiring architectural knowledge, and in the discretion of the keeper to any preacher of the Gospel.

When the building was fully completed, it was turned over with all its architectural excellence to the county board. And it was a fine building for that day, and Bloomington was one of the most promising towns in the State. In March, 1827, the citizens petitioned the County Board as follows: ' To the Honorable Board of Justices of Monroe County: Tho undersigned petitioners respectfully represent that they conceive that the honor of our county. and the future interest and importance of Bloomington, which now ranks among the best villages in the State, imperiously requires that the court house should be surrounded by a permanent inclosure, which would add to the convenience and beauty of our public square, and at the same time hold forth a powerful inducement to the citizens of the town to make corresponding improvements in the streets and alleys." Then followed a long suggestion as to how the fence should be built - of brick, with a stone foundation. The prayer of the petitioners was granted by the County Board. The petitioners were Thomas Graham, William Alexander, Edward Borland, John Hight, George Henry, James Whitcomb, Edmund Wayman, Granville Ward, Richard Hardesty, William S. Wright, James Slocumb, Robinson Farmer, George 'H. Johnson, Frederick Butler, Jacob Harsh, John S. Barnes, "and others." William Bannister and John Robinson did the work on the inclosure. John Ketchum, the contractor of the court house, was not fully settled with until 1828 or 1829. In 1856-58, the court house was remodeled, the work being done under the contract of John F. Rogers, who built the two brick wings at a cost of about $7,000. A few other alterations have been made in the building, otherwise it is the same that was erected over sixty years ago, and is apparently as solid and substantial as the day it was completed. In 1887, the County Board concluded to build a new jail and appointed John Bowland, F. T. Butler, William S. Wright, Samuel ardesty, Joseph Baugh and Johu W. Lee, a committee to remove the old jail and build on the same lot a new one. The contract was awarded to Hardesty, Graham & Chapman, but the contract price cannot be given. The construction seems to have been delayed somewhat, from what cause cannot be stated. The building was a strong brick structure and cost in the whole about $5,000. It was not fully completed until early in the forties. There was talk of building another jail as early as 1856, but nothing definite was done until 1869, when bids were called for fore EETA and Sheriff's residence. The following bids were

The proposal of Finley & Co. being considere:l the best was accepted. Adams & Denton bid in the brick work for $4,000. James Small was 'appointed superintendent of the work. The prison was to be 34x41 feet; the residence 20x44 feet, and the kitchen and guard room 14x33 feet, stone foundation and walls of brick. The building was constructed according to contract, and is yet in use.

County Politics

Unfortunatety, owing to the fact that the election returns were not preserved in the office of the County Clerk, the details of the early elections in the county: cannot be given. One thing is certain, however, that the county was uniformly Democratic. If any innovation was made in this rule by any other party, such fact is no longer remembered. Reference is made to the ticket in general. It was no doubt occasionally the case that a rival candidate on an opposing party ticket sometimes stepped in by reason of some local sentiment or prejudice. But the Democratic ticket as a whole was invariably elected. But little attention was paid to national political questions until the memorable Presidential campaign of 1840. Indiana came forward with her idol, William Henry Harrison, and the new West united forces and means to elect him. An important feature of the election was the newly born prejudice existing between the eastern and western portions of the country. The log cabins and hard cider of " Injiana " were the butt for Eastern ridicule, but the friends of Mr. Harrison accepting the terms conducted the campaign with a rush that was never before known in the history of the nation. At every political gathering of the Whigs barrels of hard cider and miniature log cabins were the battle cries. Gen. Harrison's military record was the pride of his friends, and another battle cry was "Tippecanoe and Tyler too."

Huge canoes were hauled around on wagons at the political meetings to advertise the claims of Gen. Harrison to the suffrages of the people. The campaign in Monroe County was quite spirited, and meetings were held everywhere. The result of this election can be givah of onby three townships, as follows :

Democratic. Whig

Although this is only a partial vote of the county, it illustrates the Democratic strength, and may be taken as a measure in degree of the full vote. Mr. an was triumphantly elected and the East was for the first time compelled to bow to the wild West. The county of Monroe did not cut much of a figure in the general result, but she. fully established her claims to an unfailing Democratic majority. Slavery began to attract national attention about this time. Anti-slavery organizations sprang up in various portions of the North, and the struggle for an increase or a decrease of slave territory began to assume violence as the territories clamored for admission into the Union. As the Presidential campaign of 1844 approached, it became apparent that Texas, which had gained her independence of Mexico a few years before, would apply for admission into the Union. The South was gratified, as that meant an increase of slave territory ; but on the other hand the North determined if possible to prevent the admission of the territory in order to limit the domain of slavery. The Democcats put forward James K. Polk, and the Whigs, Henry Clay. Considerable activity was developed

Democbatic. Whig

DEMOCBATIC. WHIG. Polk Clay and and Dallas say nR Boan Bloso: sisi sorr soperas narioa A E A A a 141 2 EP CT PAET A F E AE P E E 117 66 Wan burelcccccceccsccsacectssecedseser Sous dusettices ces castecsasts 12 17 Indian Oreekscccccvcesescetecvcadcocdse: SEES Er RER Aene ARETA 41 Cleat Crock: Hissscovccssccccscssdscccccscevecsadescascccdcsscesese 48 49 Salt Crook.c..ccconccsreccocccssveccescacccsceespacnenscresesaeccs 82 4 BentOnsacccocccosscocasseccceccgeccesesanspsacs socuvs TAEAO ERRANA 32 1 Washington ....coccecsscoscscoscoscenccosacccececesscsccesecsceaes 56 82 Bloomingtone.s-1-.csces: oe sesercorese tose sescecesacestetencase= 584 483 AEN PE E N A a T A T an 1,118 721 Polka IM aS ZencsusaocecdecscocSccrcecodncocsn AEE 897

Democratio, Republican. American

Breckinridge. Dayton. Donalson. Bloomington........ erea AARNES NS 203 184 79 Boan Blosaom......sessseosessesesseresso 144 25 86 Bentotiec.dsccscese cesa 81 22 10 Clear Creeks. ccccccocccocscescsceccasccsess 127 27 41 Indian Creeks. sic. ciikcctcsccccreecsccecs 154 9 15 Marion..... sancatcecceevecicenccerenstrscers 86 20 0 LECT gh EEO EE CO E 86 90 50 A IER AT S E A 69 6 12 Richland .cccccsucccccsevoserecees caer one ee 74 46 94 Balt: Creeks otic cccrscss csccacecssccccssorcese 84 5 5 Wan: Boretisc. ansasen seoser Ea aae 56 61 37 Washington. o0oc..cccescsccesccseccsescss 78 53 13 Totalasccccscaccescvectevesscovseesere 1,191 498 392

Ls Atone 62 12 36 2

This was a remarkable election. The noticeable feature is the very heavy vote for the ticket of the Southern wing of the Democracy. The Democratic party of the county was "all broke up." The large vote polled for the Breckinridge Electors from the county Democracy shows the sympathy existing for the South. The Gubernational vote in the county the same fall (1860) was: Henry S. Lane (Rep.), 1,195; Thomas A. Hendricks (Dem.), 1,168. The vote for Governor in 1856 had been: Oliver P. Morton (Rep.), 801; A. P. Willard (Dem.), 1,188. The Democratic majority was broken down between 1856 and 1860, but it rallied again during the war. In 1858, the vote for Representative in Congress was, James Hughes (Dem.), 964; W.M. Dunn (Rep.), 1,075. The vote for Secretary of State in 1862 was: W. A. Pelle (Rep.), 1,021; J. S. Athon (Dem.), 1,333. It will be seen from this that the Democracy of the county had recovered herself, but by 1864 the Republicans began to creep up again, the vote for Governor being: Morton (Rep.), 1,224; McDonald (Dem.), 1,220. The Presidential yote was as follows :

Democratic. Republican

In 1866, the county became Republican by a majority which the Democracy has failed to wholly extinguish with but one or two exceptions up to the present. In that year, the vote for Representative in Congress was: M. C. Hunter (Rep.), 1,589; H. W. Harrington (Dem.), 1,879. The result for Governor in 1868 was: Conrad Baker (Rep.), 1,484; Thomas A. Hendricks (Dem.), 1,402. The result for President the same year was: Grant and Colfax (Rep.), 1,496; Seymour and Blair (Dem.), 1,369. In 1870, the county again went slightly Democratic, as will be seen from the following: For Secretary of State, Norman Eddy (Dem.), 1,462; M. F. A. Hoffman (Rep.), 1,457. Representative in Congress, Voorhees (Dem.), 1,471; Dunn (Rep.), 1,442. The result for Governor in 1872 was as follows: T. A. Hendricks (Dem.), 1,527; Thomas M. Brown (Rep.), 1,689. The Republicans again rolled up a small majority. The result for Representative in Congress in 1872 was as follows: Hunter (Rep.), 1,723; Voorhies (Dem.), 1,485. The result in the county of the Presidential contest of 1872 was as follows:

Republican. Democratic. Independent

The county was still Republican by a substantial majority. In 1878, the reauit for Secretary of State was as follows: John G. Shanklin (Rep.), 1,601; Isaac S. Moore (Dem.), 1,560; Henry James (Ind.), 288. In 1880, the result for Governor was: Albert G. Porter (Rep.), 1,770; Franklin Landers (Dem.), 1,613; Richard Gregg (Ind.), 199. In 1880, the Presidential election resulted as follows :

November, 1880

The county was still Republican. In 1882, the vote for Secretary of State was as follows: E.R. Hawn (Rep.), 1,751; William R. Myers {Dem.), 1,625; H. B. Leonard (Ind.), 144.

Monroe County has done well by her poor. The county was no sooner organized than allowances began to be made for the temporary and permanent relief of the indigent. In every township, Overseers of the Poor were appointed, whose duty was to provide for those who were helpless, and report the expense to the County Board, who allowed the same as any other county expense. It was customary, and is even yet, to bind children out to learn some industry, and upon the attainment of their majority they were turned out upon the bnsy world to shift for themselves, with a new suit of clothes and $10 in money. This was true of the ablebodied. The helpless, on the contrary, were usually " farmed out," as it was called. The keeping of them was put up at auction, and he who would provide for their necessary wants for the least amount was burdened with the responsibility. It was necessary to éxercise some care, or otherwise the helpless fell into rude and even cruel hands, and were half starved and clothed, that a little money might be made in their reaping. The system was bad, as it led the unscrupulous to prey upon the helplessness of the poor. It was better, however, than to permit the unfortunates to die outright. A better state of things could not be expected in the backwoods, where the best were often in want of the necessaries of life. Much temporary and even permanent relief was furnished by thé township, and no call made uponthe County Board for reimbursement. The first order for the relief of the poor which could be found upon the records is as follows:

State Of Indiana

STATE OF INDIANA. } Monroe County, DEBTOR. Monrokg County. To Solomon Green for an allowance for an injury sustained to his bedding in keeping, laying out and burying Louis Ie, a poor person.

After this, the settlement of the county was so rapid that the poor expense began to increase. In 1827, the county paid $46.20, and in 1830, $75. Late in the thirties, the expense exceeded $200 annually. In 1886, it was $204.63. These amounts do not include the help furnished in localities and not reported for county reimbursement. The total some years would no doubt approximate $500. The number of paupers continued to increase during the early portion of the thirties, until at last, in 1836, the propriety of having a county poor farm and poor house began to be talked of. A petition was presented to the County Board in November, 1836, praying that a poor farm might be bought, and in response to this, John Hite, John Owens and Jesse Davar were appointed a committee to, inspect various farms with a view of purchasing. Nothing further seems to have been done until May, 1838, when another committee, consisting of John Owens, Edward Borland and John Hite, were appointed for the same purpose, the farm to cost not less than $500 nor more than $1,500, the purchase price to be paid in three annual installments. All further action seems to have been postponed until 1846, when another committee (Elias Abel, Henry Tanner and ), were appointed to inspect some half dozen farms that were for sale. The committee reported the following farms for sale: One owned by E. N. Elliott, five miles from Bloomington, 190 acres, price $1,000; G. H. Johnson, seven miles from Bloomington, 176 acres, cost $2,000; John Acuff, five miles from Bloomington, 120 acres, cost $900; Michael Buskirk, three and a half miles from Bloomington, 400 acres, cost $2,600; William Gray, nine miles from Bloomington, 198 acres, $1,000; Henry Rhorer, twelve miles from Bloomington, 160 acres, $1,200; James Miller, two and one-half miles from Bloomington, 160 acres at $2,000; Samuel McCalla, eight and one-half miles from Bloomington, 160 acres at $800. The farm of John Acuff was bought, and he became the first Poor Superintendent. The farm was on the Bloomington & Spencer road, on Section 13, Township 9 north, Range 2 west. Of the purchase price, $600 was to be aid when the deed was made and $300 at the end of a year. Upon the arm was an ordinary dwelling of that day, and in addition the County Board ordered the erection of a log house. Mr. Acuff was to have the use of the farm for a year, and was paid $100 to care for all permanent upers. The first pauper, Crazy Betsey, was taken to the asylum in ane 1846, Acuff continued Superintendent until 1849, when he was succeeded by Robert Ray. At this time the paupers numbered three. John N. York was the third Superintendent. _ During the fifties, the poor expense amounted some, years to nearly $8,000. As high as eight inmates were in the asylum at one time. The great burden of expense to the county, however, really fell upon the townships. Later in the fifties it became evident that a new asylum would have to be obtained to meet the wants of the county. In 1862, a new farm of 168 acres was purchased of Samuel A. Smith for $6,000. It was parts of Sections 30 and 31, Township 8 north, Range 1 west. One of the County Board, Mr. Small, protested against the purchage of this icular farm, alleging: 1, that it cost too much; 2, the land, thoug ood, is too rolling and exhausted; 8, scarcity of timber, especially rail timber; 4, two branches of Clear Creek run through the land, thus making it necessary to keep up several water gaps; 5, there have been better farms offered for sale. The protest of Mr. Small was of no avail, and the farm was purchased and immediate preparations were made to build thereon a poor asylum that would meet the wants of the county. The building was erected by Milburn & McPhetridge, for $1,688. It was a frame structure, about 35x75 feet, and contained nine rooms on each side. Of the purchase price, $500 was paid in-cash at the outset, $500 in September of 1862, and the balance at the completion of the work in November, 1862. It seems that the judgment of Mr. Small was correct, when he stated that the farm was not the one wanted by the county, and that much better ones had been offered for sale. This fact became more and more apparent as the years passed. At last, in December, 1865, the farm was advertised for sale and soon sold to John F. May for $9,150. Of this price, $1,000 was to be paid cash, $2,000 one year after date; $3,075 two years after date, and $3,075 three years after date. Mr. May became the Superintendent, he agreeing to keep the paupers for $2 each per week. Samuel A. Smith had preceded Mr. May as Superintendent. Immediate preparations were made to buy a new farm. In March, 1866, the County Board bought of Peter Bollenbacker six seminary lots known as the Cuff farm, about a mile and a half west of town, each lot comprising ten acres, for $3,000, the seller taking in payment the note of John May for $2,000 above mentioned, the county to pay a mortgage for about the remainder held on the lots by Robert Acuff. Immediate possession was given of the farm. Mr. May, as above stated, became the Superintendent. In May, 1867, sealed proposals were called for to build a brick asylum of certain specified dimensions on this farm, the following proposals being received: William H. Owen, $6,000; Samuel A. Smith, $5,800; R. A. Fulk, $6,500; Payne, McCalla & Hooper, $6,800; Glover & Blankenship, $7,728. The proposal of Mr. Smith being considered the: best was accepted, and the contract was awarded him at his bid of $5,800. This fine brick building, which was immediately erected, is yet in use. It took about two years to complete the building, however. AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES.

So far as can be learned, the first action taken by the citizens of the county to organize a society in the interests of agriculture was in May, 1835, when the County Board having been petitioned to that effect, ordered that 300 copies of a notice of a public meeting to be held at the court house on the last Saturday in May, in pursuance of an act of the Legislature, entitled "An act for the encouragment of agficulture;" approved February 7, 1835, for the purpose of organizing an agricaltural society, should be printed, and the Clerk was instructed to see that they were distributed and posted, and authorized to pay for the same. This meeting was held, was well attended, and an agricultural society was organized, as will be seen from the following certificate :

We, Michael Buskirk, Chairman, and Craven P. Hester, Secretary, of the agricultural society of Monroe County aforesaid, certify that we were elected according to law for the offices as above mentioned, and that said society has elected its officers and organized itself agreeably to an act of the Legislature, entitled ''An act for the encouragment of agriculture," approved February 7, 1835. Done on the last Saturday of May,

Miohael Buskirk

If a fair was held by this organization, such fact could not be learned by the writer. The probability is that nothing of the kind was held, or some record of it would have been discovered. In about the year 1850, however, a society was organized at the county seat and one or more fairs were held, but unfortunately no account: of it can be here given. The society was abandoned after one or two fairs, and not again revived until 1855. Austin Seward was the first President of this organization, and Lewis Bollman, Secretary. The following men were the Directors: Henry Eller, Asher Labertew, Austin Seward, W. S. Stormont, Joshua Shreve, Luke Sanders, Joseph Bunger, James Givens, Edward Blakely, Richard Moore, Willis Spencer, Monroe Houston, Thomas Payne and Lewis Bollman. The first premium list offered by this organization was as follows, in full: First annual fair of the Monroe County Agricultural Society, to be held at Bloomington Wednesday and Thursday, October 10 and 11, 1855. Premium list :

ITTA TI car tes ccserorecct eee nt cate ce anes ee Soois eor dae cess' $3 Second: benlecssaeers eian n aae aias A E eessese ee Certificate Best Jonnet..............66 RAR A TRT sient sathisscescweccusers sense tO Second best.............. Messiceseteretrascectees AEE ASE TORBA Certificate Best Span of Mules..........-..cseseseseeee SS CUSIAOINC EASES oo Ssa EURER DERS 3 Second best... i oeseressssessee ea RE AUA OOO SEAE a eat Certificate Best MuleColtcccccscocscacsscccesss E T E N A TOE 2 Becond best............cceceeeceeee ROTOT AERE ...

Best Buck over two mses Old EE Gecaceurs a -$2 Second dest...........-.scrcereescoreesccoreees A RT T Certificate Best Buck under two years A EONO T SS AAA Second best......... TATA PEE EA ETER -Certifioate Bést Back UauiDisccccscceccccsscscossparcecre FNY Seeker SEARE Shr ccoebeuecscnee 1 Second best.cccicecscssascevccsncessss LORA Aiavices esn s ages Certificate Best Ewe over two years old........ FOLIE PEOI A

Best collection of Fow]s.........0.s0+- OE T R R A A N $2 Best collection of Ducks........ Perecaccctcsesceceugeceshcassceccrcssencsssccscuas Awarding Committee - Jobn Orchard, John McCrea, So] Hickman.

Best Mower and Reaper, combined............... Reesasioensase Ee -$ Best Thrasher and Separator...... ESEA aE APSE TASTES. DEEBA senses Best Mower........ E OT T T E O E A n I es 2 Best Corn and Cob Mill....... A ET E wectsees ETAT 54 Best Machine for gathering Clover........ savscnsessseccss eessesseosseosece 8 Best Horse Rake............-+++ a a a a E oes 2 4 cLass G - NO. 2. Best Plow for Monroe County........sceceresersseeneersreesseceseres ....-$8 00 Best Plow for sod.......sssssoecessooe r E E E ers 2 00

Best Plow for loose s0il.......0ccccccesevcorasccssascoscoscncosccssassessceese $2 Best Subsoil Plow. ..-ccccccocccsoccsccevesccvcscccecccccs cases: coscoccccveccose 2 Bost Mattock:.cocscccoccccpececsescensscsosanctuccednceccctacds eeduseccsesevacs 1 Bost six HOCK: scccccsesccestscccssccdessecaccsasareesasvirsernenonenssmasnenmeres 1 Best Log Chain..........csscescecrecesererccsecectcescceceecscrscesnseaeseeawes

Best Cultivator........0-.sseccsecececeeeees REPT CTR Crate ec 1 Bost Harrowsccccescsecsconneccscceccccacesaccscceccadcnssesscsussaedeaxegasessss

Best Farm Wagon.....s..ssssseeresesesonosesesesreeesesesersererseeeeeerareere $2 Best Farm Cart. ..:-......cccccsscercoveccsosscscsssscecsscccncs sccstecsescsascse 1

Best Double Carriage Harness.............cccscecscesceeccscrenecsceeeecetes $2 00 Boat Single Carriage Hartiess.7.... .<.--ssccacn-sesrccosesscnecscaesenacers 1 00 Best Wa ronvHatneesrcsccccscsccs-csceescctocecencessacscccsecccencccseecs=saee 2 00 Best pasir of Fine Booth ss... .cscccssccsecccccdsccssssssesesescseeceeseeasces 1 00 Beat: pair of Coarse Bootes. <<2.c.c.ccccosessccccacscescescsecessescassvacsons 1 00 Beat pair of, Ladien: Bhon.. casc e acs <scossccsscececuaccecccesessccasecteee 1 00 Best specimen of Harness Leather...............-0sceecsececceeeeeeeeeees 1 00 Best specimen of Sole Leather...........1..sssescceeseseeesessereeneessaes 1 00 Best specimen of Kip Leather.............--ceesescessssesecseseeeceeereees 1 00 Best specimen of Calf Skin Leathor..............:.se20 ceeeseeseeseereeee 1 00

Best display of, Tins Wares... .:..+<cececoccececesccoessonstrtereseescoce tates $3 00 Beat display of Sheet Iron Ware......<scssccocecsccccscseccacscocecercsctes 2 00 Best Stone-sawing Machine.,............-ceccccccscccvccscsesscceeccesecceces 2 00 Best Tomb Stone or Monument. ,...seeessecceso:osseosososcsosesesesecssoes 3 00

Best Woolen Knit Stockings or Socks...............seseceee aE AEREE Ah 50 Best pound of Linen Sewing Thread.............. aonar EAE AE iasa 50 Best fifteen yards of Carpet................. PEA eacsetesses siene e deeras 1 00 BestiVarne. cts. .cccsvsocsccrsesactescsccea case EPA T E COT Soy) Best Cutler ycoccestsca costo cee A A ae ce ohcck E neces e 50 Best Coat, Panté and Vest........ a a O S E 2 00 Boo LAAT EDITORE: A a A ee ei ES 1 00 Best LadyraSacquesccreracesceseete eee E a aean a OO: Best) Dress: Capit ai etern eeesn eae EESE GaSe Eaa COAs 50 Best Mantilla...............0000. saagraehecserencrsasscessorostascoveseetecesseds 50 Best sample of useful Needlework.......... ....... SORES ONCOL IOOGEE 1 00 Best Home-made Bread...............cceeeeeee Web ontrecsteeterssetetettcce ss 1 00

CLASS N - NO. 1 - FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. Best disvlay of Fruits............ RE ANER ARARAS EEST ss a RERS e $3 00 Best display of Garden Vegetables.............. AET O 2 00 Awarding Committee - Lewis Bollman, I. W. Sanders, Milton MoPhetridge.

Rules And Regulations

Terms of admission per day, each individual, 20 cents; each horse and buggy, 20 cents ; single horse, 10 cents; each carriage, or wagon, and two horses, 25 cents; children under ten years of age, free. All subject to the rules of the fair ground.

Persons é¢mployed for the purpose, and wearing appropriate badges, will Be on the ground and in readiness to receive the articles intended for exhibition in the several departments.

Exhibitors aré required to have their articles entered on the books at the business office before they are placed within the inclosure. On the entry of the articles and animals, cards will be furnished with the number and class as entered at the office, which are to be placed on the animal or article to be exhibited. No article shall be removed before the close of the exhibition without the permission of some members of the Executive Committee. Every exhibitor should have his articles on the ground and arranged in their places by 10 o'clock of the day they are to be exhibited.

nd they will then enter upon their duties. They are requested to make their reports to the Secretary at the business office as early as practicable each evening.

Instructions To Judges

The Judges on animals will have regard to the symmetry, early maturity, size and gengral characteristics of the breeds which they judge. They will make pruper sllowance for age and other circumstances of the character and condition of the animals. They are expressly required not to give any encouragement to over-fed avimals.

The Judges (especially those on animals) will be expected to give the reasons for their decisions, embracing the valuable and admirable qualities of the animals, or articles, to which premiums are awarded.

This fair was held as advertised, and was highly successful. A further account cannot be given. The receipts and expenditures for the following year (1856) were as follows :

Receipts

The early fairs were all held just east of Bloomington, on the land of Mr. Dunn, where a small yard was leased and inclosed. The limits of the yard would not permit of racing. Annual fairs were held until the war, when they were abandoned, but were again renewed in: 1868, and continued with a few interregnums until a few years ago, when they became defunct. The later fairs were held on the new ground, west of town. The officers of the society in 1859 were as follows, with the rates of admission: John McCrea, President; Ezra Perring, Vice President ; Thomas Smith, Treasurer; James Small, Secretary; Pressley Buckner, James H. Waugh, John Dinsmore, George A. Buskirk, George Eller, W. S. Stormont, M. L. Snodgrass, Board of Managers. Terms of Admission - Kach individual per day, 25 cents; each horse and buggy per day, 50 cents; each horse per day, 25 cents; each two horses and carriage èr wagon per day, $1.

A very popular organization was the Equestrian Fair, established in 1857. It was a district organization, as will be seen by the following programme:

Open to the World - Second annual fair of the Union Equestrian Society, composed of Lawrence, Monroe and Owen Counties, to be held at the District Fair Grounds, near Gosport, Ind.. on Thursday and Friday, the 21st and 22d days of October next, 1858. The exhibition grounds, containing thirteen acres, are the most beautiful in the State, well fenced in, with two good wells of water within the inclosure, and a splendid track for gaited horses - three times around for one mile. Two hundred and sixty-five dollars in cash premiums | So bring on all of your fine saddle, barness and match horses. The premiums are worth competing for. A magnificent premium will be awarded to the best and second best female equestrian. Also to the best male equestrian. Young ladies and gentlemen from every section are invited to be present and make an exhibition of their proficiency in the artof horse management and equestrian merit. Certainly no art is more desirable than that of complete horsemanship, and every young lady and gentleman in our proud Hoosier State should possess some just claim to proficiency in the art.

This fair was for many years very popular. It was held alternately at Gosport, Bloomington and Bedford, and possibly elsewhere. A Miss Jackson for many years took the first premium as lady rider, in spite of all

Equestrian Fair - To be held on the Woodland Time Track, near Bloomington, Ind., on Wednesday and Thursday, November 11 and 12, 1868. The following premiums are offered: For the best lady rider, $15; second best lady rider, $10; best gentleman rider, $10; second best gentleman rider, $5; best boy rider under fifteen years, $5; second best boy rider under fifteen years, $3; best girl rider under fifteen years, $5; second best girl rider under fifteen years, $3; fastest pacing gelding or mare, $25; second fastest pacing gelding or mare, $5; best buggy horse, mare or gelding, $10; second best buggy horse, mare or gelding, $5; best saddle horse, mare or gelding, three distinot gaits, $10; second best saddle horse, mere or gelding, three distinct gaits, $5; best pair trained horses, mares or geldings, $10; second beat pair trained horses, mares or geldings, $5; fastest pacing stallion, any age, $25;"second fastest pacing stallion, any age, $10; fastest trotting horse, mare or gelding, $25 ; second fastest trott ng horse, mare or elding, $10. Sweepstakes on trotting and pacing: Fastest pacing horse. mare or gelding, $50; second fastest pacing horse or gelding, $25. Four entries to be made, throe horses to start.

The Old Settlers

In about the year 1852, an attempt was made at the county seat to organize an old settlers' association, and a call, signed by Several of the oldest residents of Bloomington, was made for a public me®ting for that purpose, but for some reason nothing further was done. In 1857, however, the first old settlers' society of the county was established, as will be seen by the following, taken from the Bloomington Republican :

In pursuance of previous notice for an Old Settlers' Meeting, quite a large number of the old gray-headed fathors and pioneers of Monroe County met in mass at the court house in the town of Bloomington, on Monday, the 26th day of April 1857, for the purpose of organizing a society to be called the Old Settlers' Society, and make suitable arrangements for its permanent organization. The meeting was called to order. On motion of Matthey M. Campbell, Jacob B. Lowe was called to the chair, and Morton C. Hunter appointed Secretary. Col. Campbell, of Washington Township, moved that a committee of five be appointed by the chair to make all necessary arrangements for an old settlers' meeting on the 4th day of July next. Prof. M, M. Campbell moved to amend the motion hy striking out the word "five" and inserting ''one from e ch township in Monroe County.'' which amendment was accepted by Col. Campbell, and the motion as amended passed. Whereupon the chair appointed the following gentlemen to serve as said committee: Col. Campbell, of Washington Township ; John Hubbard, of Marion; David Barrow, of Benton; James P. Ellis, of Salt Creek; John Hanson, of Polk; Col. Ketcham, of Clear Creek; Joseph S. Walker, of Indian Creek; M. M. Campbell, of Perry; Ellis Stone, of Van Buren; Judge Reeves, of Richland ; James V. Buskirk, of Bean Blossom ; Elias Abel, of Bloomington Township. To which was added Paris C. Dunning and Austin Seward. Eli P. Farmer, of Richland Township, moved that twenty-five years' residence in Monroe County entitle a man to membership. George A. Buskirk, Esq., moved to amend the motion by requiring each member to be fifty years old, and have resided in the county thirty years, which amendment was accepted by Mr. Farmer. ; The motion as amended passed. Samuel H. Buskirk, Esq., moved that a committee of nine be appointed to meake all suitable arrangements for the meeting of the old settlers on the 4th of July, and te prepare refreshments for the occasivn. The chair appointed the following gentlemen such committee: Samuel H. Buskirk, F. T. Butler, P. L. D. Mitchell, Jesse T. Cox, William Ward, Aquilla W. Rogers, William C. Sadler, Col. L. Gentry, George A. Buskirk. The object of organizing the Old Settlers' Society is, that the old gray-lieaded fathers may be called together at stated periods for the purpose of enjoying a social repast with each other, and in their own way entertain the meeting by the narration of anecdotes, as well as the hardships and perilous scenes that transpire! during the early settling of this country, inthe planting of civilization, clearing up of the lands, and subduing the red man of the forest, as also the dangers, perils and hardships of the war of 1812, that the rising genoration may be kept in remembrance of the debt-of gratitude that is due from them to their pioneer fathers for the blessings they now enjoy, and that the pen of the historian may record those scenes for the benefit of generations that may come after us

All will therefore come prepared to narrate the various incidents that came under their observation. The various committees above named will meet at Bloomington on Saturday, the 19th day of June, to make all necessary arrangements for the meeting, which is to take place on the 4th of July next. No committeeman should fail to attend. On motion, the proceediogs were ordered to be published in the Bloomington Republican. On motion adjourned. Morton C. Hunter, Gen. Jacos B. Lowr, ` Secretary. President.

The first meeting of the old settlers occurred on the day stated, but unfortunately a detailed account cannot be given. It is said that 1,500 persons were in town. A fine dinner was enjoyed by the old people, who afterward told over their experiences in settling up the county. The following, taken from the Republican of 1858, gives an account of the second meeting of the old settlers of Monroe County : rursuant to previous notice, the old settlers of Monroe County met'at the court house, in the town of Bloomington, on the 17th day of September, 1858 The meeting was organized by calling Col. John Ketcham to the chair, and appointing Milton McPhetridge Secretary. Ihe proceedings of the meeting were opened by an appropriate prayer by the Rev. Eli P. Farmer.

On motion of Austin Seward, Benjamin F. Rogers was admitted to all the rights and privileges of the old settlers, he being forty years of age and the first white male child born in the county.

The Chairman requested every person who was fifty years old and upward, and who had resided in the county thirty years. to come forward and have their names, ages and places of nativity registered, whereupon eighty-eight came forward and were duly registered.

Gen. Lowe, who was selected by the committee of arrangements to deliver an address, not. being present, Rev. Eli P. Farmer was called upon, and addressed the meeting in a brief, appropriate speech, detailing many interesting incidents connected with the early settling of the county. He was followed by Col. Johu Ketcham, M. M. Campbell, Jobn M. Saddler, James V. Buskirk, Rev. Solomon Lucas, »nd others, each giving an account of bis trials and har tships in the settling of the county, and of their bear, wolf, deer and panther hunts, many of which were truly amusing, and were listened to with much interest, not only by the old settlers, but by a large number of citizens who had assembled on the occasion.

On motion of Mr. McCollough, it was resolved:that the next annual meeting of the old settiers be held at the same place on the 17th day of September, 1859, and that each member bring his wife, and those that have none are requested to get one, or bring a widow; also, that all old settlers who have not registered their names are requested to do so previous to the next meeting; and, on further motion of Mr. McCollough, Col. John Ketcham was appointed Chairman, and Milton McPhetridge Secretary, to serve until the next annual meeting.

At half-past 1 o'clock, a procession was formed, and after marching around the public square, the old settlers, with many others, repaired to the ' Young's House," and sat down to a sumptuous dinner prepared by mine host, Jacob Young. The tables were well filled with everything necessary to satisfy the most fastidious.

The best kind of feeling prevailed throughout the day, no incident occurring to mar the harmony of the meeting. After dinner was over, the old men got together, in groups, and talked over bygone scenes. All seemed to enjoy themselves, and will long remember the happy meeting of this day. The company dispersed at a late hour without any formal adjournment.

Gosport. But this did not last long, and soon afterward the old organization was revived. It died out once or twice after this, but at the present is in good working order with annual meetings held in various portions of the county. If the old settlers would be as wise as they have been during the long years since they came into the wilderness, they would record their experiences - their hunting stories, trials, dangers, sickness, surroundings, etc., etc. - so that future generations might know what they endured. As it is, they unwisely come together to tell their experiences without putting them on record. At each annual meeting, let a competent clerk be hired (pass around the hat and raise the funds) to place on record the stories, facts, etc., regarding the county in early years, and let the record be kept locked sacredly in the court house vaults.

An independent society of old settlers was organized at Ellettsville in 1878, as will be seen from the following official minutes of the first meeting:

In honor to Uncle Jimmy Parks, this being his Ninety-seventh Birthday. - At 11, there were about 3,000 people on the ground, and the exercises proceeded as follows: 1. A song by congregation - ''Sweet By and By." 2. Prayer by Rev. E. P. Farmer. 3. Music by Old Band. 4. Song by all over seventy years of age. Song, " Jesus, Lover of My Soul." 5. Elected D. Byers, President, William McNutt, Secretary. 6. Speech by James Parks, Sr. 7. The Autobiography of James Parks, read by Elder R. Parks. 8. Music by New Band, followed by Old Bund. 10. Short speeches by all over eighty. Robert Grabam, E. P. Farmer, Jj; Campbell, Elias Abel and L. Walden participated. 11. A. W. Reeves, Master of Ceremonies, announced dinner adjournment. 2 P.M. 1. Music by Old Band. Speeches by all over seventy years old called for. A. Mills, of Spencer, addressed the meeting. 3. Music by Hondley String Band. 4. Speech by David Byers, who made a very appropriate speech, and thanked the people for conferring upon him the office of President. Then came to the front Abraham Henry dressed in ancient style - with a bark-colored scissor-tailed coat, with an enormous collar which made his head lean slightly forward. He made us a good speech, producing a splendid sensation. 5. Song by the Galloway family, "The Old Hearth Stone. '' This was an excellent piece, and was well performed. Speeches by J. Manis and R M. Parks were next. 7. Closing speech by Rev. S. C. Kennedy - presenting a wreath of beautiful flowers to Mr. Parks and wife, as an emblem of honesty and beauty, unsurpassed by the arts of men.

Some relics were exhibited by the Rev. G. N. Puett and Johnson Sharp, calling the mind back to years gone by. 9. Ordered the Secretary to publish the minutes of the meeting in the Sun, requesting other county papers to copy." Adjourned to meet at this place on the 26th of September, 1879. Benediction by R. M. Parks. The following roll of honor was prepared at the meeting and read:

Roll Of Honor

James Parks, ninety-seven years of age; Francis Parks, eighty-seven; Biddie Cox, sev enty-eight; Susan Wickens, seventy-eight; Elizabeth Kirby, eighty-two; Elizabeth Parks, seventy-eight; Sarah Coffey, seventy-five; Rebecca Figg, seventy; Martha Corder, seventyfour; Rebecca Munson, seventy-three; Mollie Reynolds, seventy; Mania Buskirk, seventyfour; Verlinda Walden, seventy-six; Estber Griffith, sixty-eight; Permelia Hansford, sixty-eight; John Roan, seventy-six; John M- Berry, seventy-four; W. G. Anderson, eightyone; Robert Delap, seventy-five; Jacob Wood, seventy (wo; Rev. Eli P. Farmer, eighty five; James Manis, ; Robert Graham, eighty-three: Binona Denny, seventy-two; John Stanger, seventy-nine; Joseph Campbell, eighty-three; James Hannah, seventy-three; John Matthews, seventy-two; Mary Campbell. seventy-four; Elias Able, reventy-eight; John Fyffe, seventy-seven; John Raper, seventy-seven; Anderson Mills, seventy-four; David Byers, seventy-two; Abraham Henry, sixty-three; Jacob Holsaple, seventy-four; Hosia Kyle, eighty-three; Joseph Wampler, seventy-eight; Ransom Parks, seventy-seven; Hiram Coffey, seventy-six; Joseph Baker, sixty-eight; Eld. Lewis Walden, seventy-seven; Andrew McCoy, sixty-seven; Jonathan Kegley, seventy-three; William Brown, seventy-one; Jane Moore, eighty-two.

The above honored fathers and mothers were seated upon the rostrum. G. K. Perry and G. W. Faulkner assisted the Secretary in enrolling the names. G. B. Moore, J. M. Harris, Barton Acuff, S. P. Thompson, J. D. Coffey, A. W. Reeves and Johnson Sharp, Committee, G. K. Perry, Marshal. Ample dinner was served on the ground and the 26th of September was an enjoyable day in Ellettsville. The best of order prevailed. With these honored veterans on the rostrum, the vast crowd felt like children, whose duty it is to honor our mothers and fathers. Davip Byers, President.

An early law of the State (the one which brought the county of Monroe into existence) provided that ten per cent of the proceeds of the sale of town lots should be used to found and maintain a county library. A treasurer was appointed to take care of the fund. The first purchase of books was made in 1821; when $60 was spent for a few dozen standard works. They were bought of B. Ferguson, whoever he may have been. By July, 1830, $2,428.14 had been paid to the Library Treasurer, the greater portion of which had been used in purchasing books, so at that period the county had a fine library of about 800 volumes. In 18380, $1,272.68 was received from the Town Agent and another installment of books was obtained.

In September, 1830, settlement was made with the County Agent for the library fund in his possession, which settlement in full was as follows :

1. Proceeds of the sale of lots June 22, 1818, one-fifth in hand, balance in four semj-annual installmentsc.c-2..cacecdssroneesncatecsee oss $14,326 85 2. Of this, ten per cent with interest, less sundry expenses, is library fund...............0006 $1,945 53 3. Second sale of lots, November 3, 1818, pay-

'able in three annual installments.............. 12,274 75 4. Of this, ten percent with interest, less expense is library fund :cncoccqscss seac ennonn aaan 1,923 22 5. First sale of outlots December 1, 1819, onefifth in hand, balance in four nine-months pay monto eee eanes a OOD R 1,219 624 6. Of this, ten per cent with interest, less expenso; is library fund. cer earr sasoscsests ve eenssis 179 05 7. Second sale of outlots December 25, 1820, three annual installments.............eceeeee eens 976 00 8. Of this, ten per cent with interest, less expense; is library fund aoaea eea E r aean 139 73 9. Third sale of outlots December 17, 1821, in five annual installments............ceccsececeeees 815 00 10. Of this, ten per cent with interest, less expenseis Nbrar vunde aeaaea E saeco sees 104 35 11. Proceeds of sale of inlots to Rawlins, Blair &

BLOWN aces scncsosscescccte Ee A AN 287 50 12. Of this, ten per cent with interest, less expense; is library fund seanna tE aeaea E 85 44 13. Total proceeds of the sale of inlots and out-

The ten percentage from the sale of town lots proved a munificent fund for the maintenance of the library. As no record was kept of the purchases, the additions to the library cannot be given. As volumes wore out by use or otherwise, they were replaced from the constantly accumulating fund. This old library, now comprising over 2,000 volumes of standard works, is yet in the same old office that was built during the twenties. The McClure library, founded during the fifties, was another useful mode of disseminating knowledge among the poorer persons, but the cheap books and newspapers of to-day have taken the place of the old circulating county libraries.

In early times, it should be remembered, the free common school system of to-day was unknown. Scholars then paid tuition to all schools. As the weight of the expense fell upon families less able to sustain it, the system, if such it can be called, was not favorable to the education of the masses. And then there was the lack of higher educational facilities. All this led to the creation of centers of learning where private or public enterprise or individual donations or bequests were the sustaining or maintaining power. The County Seminary was designed to afford each county the means of furnishing a higher education to her youth within her own borders, and for many years was a very popular institution. The funds were obtained from fines, forfeitures, etc. In July, 1829, the fund in Monroe County amounted to $443.89. About six years later, the fund amounted to nearly $2,000. At that time the old brick seminary building was built and school in it was begun. In 1852, when the new school law was adopted, the seminary was ordered sold, and was bought by the Methodists, but soon afterward went back to the county and was used for school purposes until purchased by Mr. Leppert a few years ago. It is now used as a dwelling.

It is conceded that Jesse Brandon published the first newspaper in Bloomington, beginning about the year 1826, having come from Corydon with his material, at which place he had formerly been State printer. It was not long before Jacob B. Lowe became his associate. The paper was called the Bloomington Republican, as is shown by the County Commissioners' records, where orders appear payable to Brandon & Lowe, publishers of the Bloomington Republican for printing done the county. The name of the paper indicates its politics. How long the issue was continued cannot be stated, but not longer than until 1829. About the Ist of January, 1830, W. D. McCullough & Co. began issuing a small sheet called the Independent Whig. It was a small five-column folio, was furnished for $2 per year, and its motto was " Measures, not Men." The sheet became defunct in 1831. On the 15th of September, 1832, Jesse Brandon and Marcus L. Deal issued the first number of the Far West, an exponent of the Whig faith, with the motto, " Willing to praise but not afraid to blame." D. R. Eckles was the publisher. The paper survived about two years. During the summer of 1832, Mr. Deal had begun the publication of a semi-monthly periodical called the Literary Register, an issue devoted to the interests of the Indiana College; but when the Far West was started in the following September, as stated above, the Register was abandoned. About the Ist of June, 1835, Marcus L. Deal issued the first number of the Bloomington Post, an organ of the Whig party. I. H. Brown and I. N. Morris were associated with him at times. This paper was continued eight or ten years, selling for $2 a year in advance, or $3 at the end of the year. In October, 1838, the first number of the Ben Franklin made its appearance, with Jesse Brandon at the helm. The politics of the sheet was " First choice, Harrison; second choice, Van Buren." How long this paper was conducted cannot be stated. Mr. Deal, for a short time, published the Budget of Fun, date unknown. Late in the forties, C. Davison published the Herald, a Whig paper, for several years, and during a portion of the same time J. S. Hester conducted another of opposite politics. About the same time, also, Elder James M. Mathes published a monthly periodical called the Christian Record in the interests of the Christian Church. Healso issued a weekly newspaper called the Independent Tribune and Monroe Farmer. C. G. Berry and Jesse Brandon were connected with this paper. The brightest paper up to this time was started in 1852, by James Hughes, and was called the Northwestern Gazette. It was issued abont a year anda half. In 1853, G. H. Johnson and W. N. Connelly were connected with it. In 1853, Eli P. Farmer and Jesse Brandon published the Religious Times, afterward called the Western Times. In 1854, J. F. Walker and L. M. Demotte bought the Times office, and began issuing the Bloomington Times. This was the first organ of the Republican party in Monroe County. The office was afterward removed by Jesse Brandon to Nashville, Ind. In January, 1854, A. B. and J. C. Carlton started the Bloomington News Letter, a Democratic paper, the editor being A. B. Carlton, a man of excellent ability. His political animosities were too severe to secure public favor and made him many enemies. The following, taken from the paper and appearing as an advertisement for a boy to learn the printer's trade, shows the political asperity of the sheet:

WANTED IMMEDIATELY. - A boy of sober and industrious habits, between thirteen and fifteen years of age, can have a first-rate opportunity to learn the Printing business by applying at this office immediately. He must bea pretty good reader and speller, and able to read manuscript. He will not be permitted, while under our charge, to use in any quantity, as a beverage, any intoxicating liquor. He must be apprenticed for at least three years - we would prefer five. Any one wishing to learn the business will be taken on a trial of three months.

No Know-Nothing boy, nor one who has Know-Nothing parents, need apply, as we want no one about us who is trained or sworn to lie, or who is taught that falsehood is a venial offense. J.C. CARLTON, Publisher News Letter.

About the last of June, 1856, the office of the News Letter was sold to Howard Coe, who commenced the issue of a seven-column folio newspaper called the Bloomington Repudlican, the name indicating the politics, and continued the shect until the 25th of February, 1858, when the office was sold to Clement Walker and W. S. Bush, who issued the paper under the same name. Late in January, 1859, Mr. Bush severed his connection with the office, leaving Mr. Walker sole owner and publisher. Later in the same year, J. F. Walker became connected with the paper, but did not purchase a half interest until 1863. Itissaid that this paper, during the war and afterward, attained the largest circulation of any paper ever issued in Bloomington. While the Republican was issued, three attempts were made to found successful Democratic papers in the county seat. During the winter of 1857 - 5~, C. T. Nixon issued thirteen numbers of the Bloomington Advocate, and during the summer of 1858 John B. Borland started the Bloomington Presage, continuing it about three months. It was "a paper reflecting the true principles of Democracy, and which is uncontrolled by bolting demagogues or county politicians." Another Democratic paper was started on the 3d of October, 18638, by ©. H. Patterson, and was continued about six months and then abandoned.