Washington Township

Washington Township

Washington township was organized by the board of county commis¬ sioners in 1835. The first election was held in 1836, and John G. Treen was elected justice of the peace. Washington township is situate in the north¬ east corner of the county. It contains nineteen thousand two hundred acres of land. The principal creeks are Rock creek, Deer creek and Paint creek. This territory was heavily timbered and the land is generally level. The soil is mostly black and after drainage is very productive. The public lands in this township were all taken up by the year 1836.

The first school was taught in a log cabin on the farm of Moses Stanley by Amanda Huston in 1838. The teacher was only sixteen years of age at the time, but was well qualified ancl was, successful.^ The follow¬ ing is a true description of the first.log cabins that constituted the homes of the early settlers. It was built of round .logs, fourteen feet by eighteen feet, one room, a large fireplace in one end of the house ; two windows, one door, floor made of puncheons, roof made out of clapboards four feet in length; ,the joists were smooth round poles, wooden pins in place of nails; the chimney made out of slats, mortar placed between;, a crane placed in the mouth of the fireplace, made to swing out, with hooks to attach the pots. "Johnnycake" Was baked before the coals on the hearth. The cabin was used for a parlor, sitting-room, dining-room, bed-room and kitchen. By the light of tallow candles or a lard lamp the family ate their evening meal, and the children studied their leessons. They were a happy and contented set of people and there were none their right to dispute.

There was an incident occurred in this township that did not occur in any other township in the county. About the year 1840 two Mormon mis¬ sionaries came into the township to proselyte for members of the Mormon church. They procured a cabin to hold their meetings and were very saintly and soon had not only large congregations, but converts to their religious views. After securing about one hundred converts, and after baptizing them by cutting the ice in Rock creek, they made propositions to their followers - as being a part of their religious duty - to sell all their property, place the proceeds in their hands, as representatives of the church organized by Joseph Smith, and pack up their personal goods and go with them to the West to the Mormon people. This was too much, the people showed their displeasure, and as a result the Mormons left unceremon¬ iously.

Deer Creek is the principal town in the township, situate on the state Michigan road, and during the time of the building of this road was quite a lively place. The various church denominations have their organizations and fine schools are found in this township. Improved roads and per¬ manent iron bridges make this township a model one in the county.

County Infirmary

Carroll county has been the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land three miles southeast of Delphi for more than seventy-five years. It has been known as the "Poor Farm," as the "County Asylum," and it now bears the name of "County Infirmary," a term more appropriate for the purposes intended. In 1910 the board of county commissioners, on the 5th of April, contracted with Carl J. Horn, of Logansport, to present plans and drawings for a modern building to be erected on the south side of the farm, for an infirmary. On May 3, 1910, the architect filed plans and specifica¬ tions. On June 7, 1910, the board ordered the county auditor to give notice to contractors of the letting of a contract to build an infirmary building, according to the plans and specifications on file, and that bids would be received until June 25, 1910.

At a specia> session, held on July 25, 1910, the board awarded the contract for the plumbing to Linton & Graf for the sum of $2,155. The lighting system was awarded to A. P. Flinn & Company for the sum of $1,294.60. On October 3, 1910, the board awarded the contract for a heating plant to Wallace Brothers, of Lafayette, who constructed the build¬ ings. On May 15, 1911, the board contracted with Mahlon Rohrabaugh to build a barn on the farm, for the sum of $1,900.

The main building when completed presented a beautiful appearance externally, and internally was arranged for comfort and safety, and is sani¬ tary throughout. The buildings cost $40,000. The superintendent, Fred Furling, has been in charge of the infirmary and farm for four years, at a compensation of $650 per annum. The county furnishes everything for the superintendent. The average number of inmates is eighteen a year. The farm is self supporting, leaving a surplus to the credit of the county.