Carroll County IN Archives History - Books .....Chapter VII 1916 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/in/infiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com March 17, 2006, 3:56 am Book Title: History Of Carroll County Indiana CHAPTER VII. DELPHI CHURCHES-PUBLIC INSTRUCTION-PUBLIC LIBRARY-EARLY NEWSPAPERS—DRAINAGE SYSTEM—FREE GRAVEL ROADS—IRON BRIDGES-EARLY ELECTIONS. BAPTIST CHURCH. The Delphi Baptist church was organized in 1829. The membership was composed of all members of this denomination in the county. Many of the first members resided in Jackson township and later established a church in said township, known as the Regular Baptist Church of Christ, called Deer creek church. The first trustees of the Delphi Baptist church were Henry Stansel, Samuel Hedge and John Knight. In 1834 the church commenced the erection of a building on the lot where the present church stands, being of brick, and it was several years before it was ready for occupancy. The funds were raised by subscription and money those days was not very plentiful. A resolution was made that the "ladies should sit on the left and the gentlemen should sit on the right." A partition ran through the center, separating completely the males from the females. Along in the forties a calamitous affair occurred, which at the time created great confusion and excitement. A Mr. Chipman was preaching to a crowded house and in one of his oratorical flights said, "Be ye ready, for the judgment day cometh when ye know not." As he uttered this the floor gave way, sinking down in the middle of the room, the house cracked and the excited congregation broke for the door, trampling under foot women and children; filling up the door way, some jumped out of the windows, the preacher having jumped through a window at his back: and strong men were aiding the people out at the door, and eventually all got out, some crushed and others bruised—but fortunately no one was killed. Large iron rods were run through the upper part of the building and it served its purpose many years afterward. In 1892 a new modern church building was erected on the spot and was dedicated on May 20, 1894. Rev. W. T. Vancleve was the pastor, who is entitled to the credit for this splendid structure. The present pastor is the Rev. Mr. Heritage. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. The Methodist Episcopal church of Delphi was organized before the county of Carroll was organized as a county. In November, 1826, a society was organized composed of the following persons: John Carey, Ruth Carey. Sarah Odell, John Odell and his wife, Sarah Odell, Thomas Sterling, Frances Sterling, Elizabeth Angel and Rebecca Bishop. Rev. H. P. Buell was the first minister of the society. Rev. Enoch Wood was a circuit preacher, and Rev. James Armstrong was the presiding elder. In 1836 steps were taken to .build a church house and a lot was purchased of William Hughes. A frame building was erected on the lot in 1840, and it sheltered the denomination many years. During the fifties a brick building was erected, which was remodeled in 1897 and a parsonage built, which are substantial and commodious, the church auditorium being the largest in the city. Many able ministers have filled the pulpit, among whom were Samuel Godfrey, W. O. Wyant. Dr. Aaron Wood, W. H. Hickman, J. H. Claypool, I. D. M. Wood, J. A. Maxwell, and J. G. Campbell. James P. Dugan was one of the largest contributors to the church. The church enjoys a large and earnest membership. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. The Presbyterian church of Delphi was organized in 1828. The earliest visiting ministers to this part of the country were Presbyterians. The Rev. James Crawford and the Rev. James Thompson were the first ministers and held religious services at the home of the members of that denomination, who were quite numerous. Later services were held in log school houses, and still later in good frame and brick buildings. The first frame building stood on the corner of Front and Market streets. About 185^ a brick house was erected on the corner of Union and Monroe streets which served the denomination until the year 1908, when this church obtained a deed from Mrs. Catharine J. Bowen, September 11, 1908, for lot No. 9, in Wilson's addition to the town of Delphi, the consideration being "one dollar and love and affection." A splendid church edifice was erected on this lot. The trustees of this church conveyed to the trustees of the Christian church of Delphi, the lot No. 12, in Wilson's addition to the town of Delphi upon which was the church building that formerly belonged to the "Old School" denomination. This denomination has been favored during its church life with many able and prominent ministers, some of whom have presided over the church many years. A few are noted: Rev. George Plummer, Rev. Mr. Steele, Rev. Mr. Thompson, Rev. R. B. Belmont, Rev. James Carnahan, Rev. J. A. Jones, Rev. Mr. Beach and Rev. Mr. Patterson. EPISCOPAL CHURCH. St. Mary's Episcopal Church of Delphi was consecrated on May 21, 1845, by Rev. Samuel R. Johnson, of Lafayette. The membership was the following persons: John Burr, Susan Burr, Mrs. Mary Daubeny, N. H. Gist, A. A. Gist, Caroline Robinson, Jane Howlitt Wilson, Sarah Steward. John Phelps, Rhoda Phelps, C. Stuzaker, Sarah Garrett, Sarah Bladin and Z. A. Green. In 1846 a lot was purchased for a church building and parsonage. In due time the buildings were erected. About fifteen years ago a new church building was erected. Among the prominent ministers who have served the church may be noted Rev. S. R. Johnson, Rev. Edward Magee, Rev. J. Phelps, Rev. W. E. Franklin, Rev. E. Birdsall and Rev. N. R. High. CHRISTIAN CHURCH. The Delphi Christian church was organized in March, 1862. For a number of years the church held its services in the court room. Elder Charles Levan was the first minister, who died while its pastor, September 27, 1862. This church purchased of the Delphi Presbyterian church the lot and building formerly owned and used by the "Old School" Presbyterian church, situate on east Main street, September 5, 1882, and occupied this church building until the spring of 1908, when the church erected a new and modern edifice, which was dedicated on October 18, 1908, by the Rev. L. L. Carpenter. The Rev. A. A. Honeywell was the pastor and a member of the building committee. The building is constructed, of Michigan City sandstone brick and trimmed with Bedford stone. ST. JOSEPH'S CATHOLIC CHURCH. St. Joseph's Catholic church of Delphi was established in Delphi at an early day. The first church edifice was located north of the railroad and was used as such until i860, when the present brick house was erected on the east side of north Washington street and south of the railroad. The parochial school building is situated east of the present church building. The following is the list of pastors of the church since 1860: Rev. A. B. Oechtering, from 1861 to 1865; Rev. Father Williams, from 1866 to 1870; Rev. T. O. Sullivan, from 1866 to 1870; Rev. J. H. Quinlan, from 1870 to 1871; Rev. J. M. Frawley, from 1871 to 1875; Rev. John Bleckman, from 1875 to 1885; Rev. H. A. Boeckelman, from 1885 to December, 1891; Rev C. M. Romer, from 1891 to July, 1901; Rev. Edward J. Boccard has been the pastor since July 13, 1901. PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. Public instruction relates to the school system of the state. Prior to the adoption of the Constitution of 1852 the laws were crude and inefficient. The sale of the school sections, which were a part of the grant from the general government to the state for school purposes, was used to provide tuition, but it was insufficient to procure a term of school for three months. The people in the first years of settlement had to raise money by imposing upon themselves a tax to meet such deficiencies. The elementary branches were then taught. It was not until after the adoption of the Constitution of 1852 that the foundation was laid to establish a free school system. The Legislature was empowered to establish a general and uniform system of common schools. The state school fund consists of the congressional township fund, the Saline fund, the surplus revenue fund, the bank tax fund, the fund derived from the sale of county seminaries, fines, forfeitures, all lands escheating to the state, all lands granted to the state, money from the sale of swamp lands, taxes on corporations that may be assessed for school purposes. The principal of the school fund cannot be diminished. A certain proportion of this fund subject to school purposes is distributed to the several counties annually This is set apart for tuition purposes. The state board of education was created in 1852. Uniformity in text books has been established by law. The division into the elementary and high schools, the fixing of grades, the branches taught, the establishing of school boards, county institutes, township institutes, teachers' examinations, public libraries—are all creatures of law and a part of the educational machinery to expand and facilitate educational progress. Twelve years are allotted to all children to acquire an education that will enable them to enter into the activities of life. This is all the school training that many of them will ever receive. The higher state institutions afford an opportunity to obtain a more comprehensive education. Special callings require special knowledge and educators have at last found that all students cannot excel in all educational departments. State institutions have taken up lines of culture, embracing all pursuits of life, preparing the students for callings for which such pupils may by nature be adapted. No tax is more cheerfully borne than the tax for schools. That the vast sum of money heretofore expended has not brought the results desired, cannot be disputed. Red tape has got to be eliminated before the best results are obtained. Some of the text books are poorly adapted to their purpose. Some of the writers exert themselves to make their books complex. Some of the questions submitted to teachers on examination are as foreign to capacity to teach a public school as truth is to falsehood. Teaching is a science and should be practical as well as theoretical. Educational reforms are going on with rapidity and eventually will dominate the entire system of public instruction. As a rule teachers are the poorest paid class of public servants in the land. Why should pensions be agitated for teachers who have spent their entire lives to prepare the rising generation for good citizenship and all that should follow? It is an indictment against Legislatures and boards of education that we have demanded services without just compensation. If the parents would co-operate with the hard-worked teachers of the state, there would be fewer children sent to reform schools and fewer sent to orphan asylums, breaking up homes by carrying away the children from the poor parents. Orphan asylums should be for actual orphans. The laws are severe against parental negligence and failure to control their progeny, and it is deplorable that conditions should arise that such children should become wards of the state; and in many instances children become separated for all time to come from their parents. The law of descent hereafter will be baffled to determine heirship for want of records showing relationships along the lines of inheritance. While this condition cannot be attributed exclusively to faulty public instruction, it should, however, induce ways and means to prevent matrimonial alliances fraught with consequences detrimental to the welfare of the race, and an incubus on society. DELPHI PUBLIC LIBRARY. In the year 1904 measures were taken to secure a public library in order that the citizens generally might avail themselves of the privilege of reading books of selected authors, not possessed by them individually. Also that the school children might have more extended facilities to consult a greater variety of books and periodicals. Andrew Carnegie having been appealed to by the secretary of the library board, James O'Bear, to aid the board in the accomplishment of this laudable object, on December 30, 1904, Mr. O'Bear received a reply from Mr. Carnegie, stating that if the city of Delphi would procure the site and. maintain the library by contributing annually one thousand dollars, he would donate the sum of ten thousand dollars. This proposition was accepted and a desirable site was agreed upon, being lot No. 21. in the original plat of the city, owned by A. H. Barnes. Also ten feet was procured off the east side of the lot adjoining said lot No. 21 on the west, making an eighty-foot front by one hundred and twenty feet in length. The city contributed two thousand dollars towards the purchase of the ground, and adopted the necessary resolutions to bind the city to the maintainance of the library, as required by Mr. Carnegie and the library board proceeded to procure plans and specifications looking to the building of a library building. The architect, C. E. Kendrick, of Ft. Wayne, submitted plans which were accepted and W. C. Halstead & Company was awarded the contract to erect the superstructure at the price of eight thousand and fifty dollars which did not include heating, wiring and plumbing. The building was built in 1905 and 1906. During the process of building the library board was composed of Dr. F. H. Robinson, president; J. P. Wasson, vice-president; and James O'Bear, secretary. Miss Isabelle Rinehart has officiated as librarian for seven consecutive years. A large collection of books and periodicals fill the shelving. Five thousand volumes of the best standard literary and historical works and a large list of periodicals are there subject to the use of the school children, the citizens of Deer Creek township, and the service will soon be extended to the people of the entire county. The library building has been a model for like buildings in other counties of the state, and many cities have similar structures. A complete history of the Civil War is found in this library. The present officers are Dr. F. H. Robinson, president, and Mrs. N. J. Howe, secretary. EARLY NEWSPAPERS. The first paper published in Carroll county was the Western Banner, by Dr. Robert Webber and a Mr. Clymer in 1836. This paper was sold to R. C, Green, the proprietor of the Delphi Oracle. Mr. Green, sold out to Henry B. Milroy in 1837, who published the paper until October, 1839, when it suspended. About this time A. D. Tweed established a paper known as the Carroll Express. After several years Tweed sold the paper to R, C. Green, the former publisher of the Oracle. Henderson Dunkle became the proprietor of the Carroll Express in 1842, and in 1848 he sold it to C. A. Naylor, who changed the name to Delphi Herald, and in 1849 he transferred the paper to T. B. Helm and soon thereafter the paper suspended and the equipment was sold to James B. Scott, who established the Delphi Journal and was its publisher for over forty years. This paper changed hands several times after Mr. Scott sold it, at one time passing into the hands of the Hon. C. B. Landis, a former congressman of the ninth congressional district The present owners are Mayhill Brothers & Company. The Delphi Times dates back to the year 1849. It was published by J. R. Horseley, Frank Burns and M. R. Graham—the latter published the paper for about forty years. It passed into the hands of A. B. Crampton in April, 1879, who published it for several years. Later Mr. Crampton established a paper called the Carroll County Citizen, which he published for several years, when he purchased the Times, then published by R. N. Isherwood and merged the two papers, known as the Citizen-Times. After several years he associated with him his daughter and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. H. Wilson. Mr. Crampton retiring to accept the position o£ governor of the Marion National Soldiers' Home. For many years newspapers have been published at Camden and Flora —the Expositor of the former place and the Hoosier Democrat and the Carroll County Press at the latter. DRAINAGE SYSTEM. The first settlers of Carroll county found a great amount of wet lands and many square miles of territory were level and heavily timbered and w3ier laid thereon much of the time. It was necessary in the building of highways to construct ditches on the sides of the roads, in order that the road could be made passable, this to some extent operated to drain the adjacent lands. The Act of the Legislature of March 9, 1875, was the first comprehensive law on the subject of drainage. The board of county commissioners, under this law, could construct ditches or drains, upon the petition of one or more persons for the drainage of wet lands, the Act carefully guarding the rights of all persons whose lands would be affected. Under this law a large portion of the wet lands in Carroll county have been reclaimed and while it has cost an immense sum of money the investment has proven a good one and these reclaimed lands are the most valuable lands in the county. By the drainage of the wet lands the public health has been greatly improved and the public benefit and public utility subserved. At first open ditches were made but later they were converted into tile drains. The Act of the Legislature, approved April 6, 1885, authorized the boards of county commissioners to appoint a drainage commissioner and the surveyor was such ex officio. Under this Act the circuit or superior court had power to hear petitions for drainage and upon compliance with its provisions, could order the construction of ditches or drains. The drainage commissioner and surveyor were entrusted with the construction of such drains, the fixing of the assessments on the lands affected, the collection of the taxes and paying the cost, under the supervision of the court. A large amount of wet lands have been reclaimed under this Act. These two Acts and some amendatory Acts have been the legalized way of reclaiming wet lands. As a rule, very few remonstrances are filed. RANGE LINE GRAVEL ROAD. The free gravel road system was inaugurated in Carroll county in the year 1880. Under the law of 1877 authority was given to the board of county commissioners to order the building of free gravel roads upon the filing a petition, signed by a majority of the landowners, and representing a majority of the acres of land affected within two miles on either side of the proposed road. In February, 1880, Robert P; Scott, of Jefferson township, filed a petition in the office of the county auditor, praying for a free gravel road, commencing at the corporation limits of the city of Delphi, running to the south end of the Wabash river bridge, thence through1 the town of Pittsburg, east on and along the range line to a point where said line terminates at the corner between the east half and the west half of the northeast quarter of section 19, on the north line of the section. At the June term of said court, viewers were appointed as by the law required, and John W. Fawcett was appointed engineer. The viewers filed their report on the 7th of October, 1880, which, after notice was approved on November 22, 1880. The contract for the construction of the road was awarded to Thomas H. Scott and John Snyder at the price of $10,944. Bonds were issued according to the law for $12,200, running four years, interest not to exceed six per cent., which bonds were sold at a small premium. In April, 1881, after the contractors had partially completed their work, an injunction against the county and county treasurer was brought by Robert Million and forty-live others, property owners affected by the construction of the road to restrain the building and payment of the road. The case in the circuit court was heard by Judge J. H. Gould, on a demurrer to the ^complaint, which the court sustained and the case was appealed to the supreme court and in about two years the supreme court affirmed the action of the lower court and by that time the road had been completed. The decision in that case was a standard case, and set at rest the opposition to the building of gravel roads in this county. BRINGHURST AND CARROLLTON GRAVEL ROAD. John W. Guthridge and others filed a petition for a free gravel road, known as the Bringhurst and Michigan road, in the office of the county auditor, May 10, J886. At the June term of the commissioner's court in 1886. the petition was continued. At the September term of said court the board appointed viewers, who filed their report at the December term in 1886 The estimated cost of building the road was the sum of $19,115. The report was approved by the board and assessors were appointed. At the March term, in 1887, the report of the assessors was approved by the board and the road ordered to be put under contract. Craven Smith was appointed engineer and was directed to give notice as required by law. The contract for the construction of the road was awarded to John Lane, of Montgomery county, Indiana, at the sum of $14,000. Bonds were issued, running eight years, for the sum of $18,000. The bonds were purchased by U M. Stoddard & Company, of Indianapolis. DELPHI AND FLORA GRAVEL ROAD. The petition of John A. Cartwright and others for a free gravel road from Delphi to Flora was filed in the auditor's office as required by law. At the March session, 1887, of the board of commissioners of Carroll county, the petition was duly considered and approved, and viewers were appointed as the law required. John F. Meighan was appointed engineer. At the June session, 1887, of the board, the viewers filed their report, showing the estimated cost at the sum of $22,035, which report was approved by the board. The board of commissioners appointed assessors to assess benefits and damages, if any, to the lands effected, and they filed their report on August 20, 1881, which was approved, by the board. The board of commissioners ordered the road to be constructed as prayed for. The engineer was ordered to give notice, as required by law, to contractors. At the March term of said court, 1882, the contract to build the road was let to Thomas Slattery. The board ordered bonds to be issued, running eight years, at five per cent, interest. Bonds were issued in the sum of $18,000. Subsequently, the board ordered an additional assessment to be levied upon the lands affected, to complete the road, the original assessment not being sufficient to build the road. The additional amount was $1,414.25. DELPHI AND CAMDEN GRAVEL ROAD. A petition was presented to the board of county commissioners signed by George Armick and others. May 26, 1886, for a free gravel road from Delphi to Camden. Viewers were appointed by the board on June 15, 1886. The report of viewers was filed, December 10, 1886, and approved by the board. Assessors were appointed to assess benefits and damages to the lands affected, and they filed their report at the January term, 1887, of said court. Craven Smith was appointed engineer, and directed to give notice as required by law. At the March term, 1887, a contract was let to Joseph Burk & Son, of Madison county, Indiana, for the sum of $15,407.60, to build the road according to the plans and specifications. The board ordered bonds to be issued for the sum of $18,000, which bonds were purchased by Spitzer & Company, of Toledo, Ohio. A premium was paid on the bond issue of $450 The bonds ran for eight years, and bore six per cent interest. At the November session of the board, 1887, the engineer reported the road completed at a cost of $15,407.60. DELPHI AND WILDCAT GRAVEL ROAD. The Delphi and Wildcat gravel road was petitioned for by Paul Black and others at a special session of the board of county commissioners, January 17, 1881. Viewers and an engineer were appointed, and their report was filed on March 16, 1881. The estimated cost was $15,800. On June 6, 1881, Elias Morket filed a petition for an extension of the proposed road, from the south end of the bridge at Wildcat creek, south to the intersection of the line between Carroll and Clinton counties, and viewers and engineer were appointed. Assessors of benefits and damages were appointed, who filed their reports at the April term, 1881, which was approved by the board at a special session, held on May 16, 1881. The board of commissioners having approved the reports, the road as prayed for was ordered to be constructed. Notice to contractors having been given as required by law, and June 16, 1881, being the time fixed for receiving bids for the building of the road, on that date Thomas H. Scott and John Snyder were awarded the contract for the building of the road, at the sum of $15,783.78. The proceedings had upon the petition of Elias Morket was such that the proposed extension was granted and the same embraced in the contract of construction. Bonds for the payment of the cost of construction had been ordered by the board, and at a special session, held on August 17, 1881, the bonds were ordered to be sold for the amount of. $19,000, to run eight years at six per cent, interest. The bonds were sold to Claypool & Stodard, of Indianapolis. DELPHI AND PRINCE WILLIAM GRAVEL ROAD. A petition was filed on February 7, 1886, in the office of the county auditor, by Charles Harley and others, for a free gravel road from Delphi to Prince William and to the county line. Viewers were appointed and notice given as required by law. Report of viewers was filed at the March term of said court, 1881, and John W. Fawcett was appointed engineer. Assessors of benefits and damages were appointed, who filed their report on April 14, 1881, which was approved and confirmed by the board. From which it appears that the estimated cost for the building said road was fixed at the sum of $25,000. Bonds were ordered by the board of commissioners to be issued as required by law, and the engineer ordered to give notice to contractors. At a special session of the board of commissioners, held on June 20, 1881, the bid of C. J. McGreevy and J. McGreevy was accepted, at the sum of $19,073. Contract was entered into as required by law. The board of commissioners ordered bonds to be issued to pay the cost of building the road in the sum of $22,000. and appointed Charles Gros superintendent of the road. At the December term of the commissioner's court, an additional assessment was ordered to pay the cost, the original assessment being insufficient therefor, the additional sum being $1,434.91. FLORA AND MICHIGAN GRAVEL ROAD. Reuben R. Bright and others filed a petition for a free gravel road, at the March term, 1881, of the commissioners court, from the town of Flora to the Michigan road. Viewers were appointed and an engineer selected. The viewers filed their report at the June term, 1881, and their report was approved and assessors appointed to assess benefits and damages to lands affected. Plans and specifications were filed by the engineer, and the report of the assessors filed at the September term> T88I, and the same was approved by the board, and the road finally ordered to be built as prayed for. Notice to contractors was given by the engineer, John F. Meighan. At the March term, 1882, bids were received, and the contract was awarded to McGlinn & Grace, at the price of $14,674. For some reason the board set aside the contract with McGlinn & Grace and ordered the engineer to re-advertise for bids to build the road. At the September term, 1882, sealed bids were opened, and J. M. McGreevy was awarded the contract to build the road, at the price of $18,760. At the March term, 1883, bonds were ordered to be issued for the cost of the construction of the road to bear six per cent, interest, running eight years, in the sum of $23,000. The bonds were sold at a premium of $115. At the December term, 1889, an additional tax was ordered levied to provide money to pay the cost of building the road, in the sum of $612.69. ANDREW J. METSKER GRAVEL ROAD. At a special session of the board of commissioners' of Carroll county, held on April 8, 1886, a petition was filed by Andrew J. Metsker and others for a free gravel road from the west end of the iron bridge across the Wabash river, at Pittsburg, thence on and along the road, known as the Monticello road, a distance of ten and one-half miles. Viewers were appointed as by the law required. Report of viewers were filed at the June term of said court, and Craven Smith was appointed engineer. Assessors were appointed to assess benefits and damages to the lands affected, as required by law. Report of assessors was filed on December 18, 1888, and approved by the board. The engineer was ordered to give notice to contractors, and to prepare plans and specifications for the road. The estimated cost of the road was $22,250. At the March term, 1889, of said court J. C. O'Connor was awarded the contract for the building of a certain section, at the sum of $10,200, and C. J. McGreevy was awarded the contract for a certain section, at the sum of $11,776. At the March term, 1889, the board ordered bonds to be issued for the payment of the cost of the construction of the road, running eight years, with interest at six per cent. Isaac Reynolds and Moses Creek were appointed superintendents for section No. 2, and Alexander P. Martin and Joseph M. Davidson were appointed superintendents for section No. 1. Bonds were issued for $25,000. At a special session of the board, held on October 23, 1889, the engineer reported both sections of the road completed. The report was approved and confirmed by the board of commissioners. CAMDEN AND WEST S0NORA GRAVEL ROAD. Petition was filed in December, 1886, and presented to the board of county commissioners at the June term, 1887, by David Studebaker and others. Viewers were appointed, and Craven Smith was appointed engineer. At the September term, 1887, the assessors theretofore appointed filed their report. Notice to contractors ordered. At a special session, held in October, 1887, the contract was awarded to J. C O'Conner, at the bid of $20,500. Bonds were ordered, and sold for $24,017.35. The engineer reported the road completed on August 17, 1888. MICHIGAN GRAVEL ROAD. At the March term of the commissioner's court, 1886, proceedings were had for the construction of a free gravel road on the Michigan road. Bonds were ordered issued, and sold for $25,000. The road was constructed as prayed for by the petitioners. HOPEWELL GRAVEL ROAD. Petition for a free gravel road, under the law of 1877, was presented to the board of commissioners in 1889. Assessors of benefits filed their report, which was approved by the board. T. J. Chissum was the engineer. In 1890 contract was let, at the bid of $14,500. On July, 1890, the bonds were sold for the sum of $22,250, bringing a premium of $752.50. On December 4, 1890, the road was completed. GRAVEL ROAD LAW OF 19O1. The law of 1901 repealed all other Acts touching the matters embraced in this law. A petition, signed by fifty or more freeholders and legal voters of a township or townships contiguous to each other, filed before the board of county commissioners, would entitle them to an order for an election to be held in such township, for the purpose to determine whether the road, or roads, should be built as prayed for. If the vote was favorable* the board so found, and proceeded as required by law to let the contract for building such road and to provide for the issuing of bonds in accordance with the provisions of the law. Under this law the various townships of Carroll county, by what is known as the "gravel road township system," have built many miles of gravel roads. Bonds could not be issued to exceed four per cent, of the valuation of the taxable property of such township, and the bonds all to run twenty years, unless requested by the petitioners for a less time—however, not less than ten years—to bear four and one-half per cent, interest; and all gravel road bonds non-taxable. In 1903 Deer Creek township, under the provisions of this law, built twenty-six miles of gravel roads, at the cost of $70,000. Burlington and Democrat townships jointly built thirty-two miles of gravel roads, at a cost of $58,000. Monroe township built twenty-one and one-quarter miles of gravel roads, at a cost of $29,500. Madison township built a number of miles of gravel roads, at a cost of $29,000. Washington township built six miles of macadam and four miles of gravel road. A petition is now pending for nine and one-half miles of gravel roads in Clay township. THE "THREE-MILE" GRAVEL ROAD LAW. The "three-mile" gravel road law went into effect in 1908. Without going into the details and the manner of executing the provisions of this law it may suffice to state that the various townships of this county have constructed many miles of free gravel roads, and herewith is set out severally the township, the amount of bonds issued for each road ordered, and the name of the petitioner of each road: Adams Township—$3,900, J. Foust, gravel road; $11,320, C. A. Peterson, gravel road; $6,640, L. Greenwalt, gravel road; $5,100, H. Pearson, gravel road; $7,460, F. Perry, gravel road; $5,340, A. Coble, gravel road. Total, $39,760. Burlington Township—$3,700, Edward Tow, gravel road; $3,600, M. Harness, gravel road; $2,996, W. A. Moore, gravel road; $6,400, Charles Walker, gravel road; $8,000, C. B. Walker, gravel road; $13,800, J. W. Woodrum, gravel road; $6,600, C. M. Davis, gravel road; $3,400, P. W. Stonebraker, gravel road; $4,000, J. Kuhn. gravel road; $1,700, R. C. Clingingpeel, gravel road. Total, $54,196. Carrollton Township—$2,100, C. Justice, gravel road; $8,400, J. Franklin, gravel road; $3,600, D. W. Brown, gravel road; $2,960, H. V. Hanna, gravel road; $7,600, V. Sheets, gravel road; $8,000, O. Long, gravel road; $6,600, W. E. Knettle, gravel road: $3,200, W. E. Kirkpatrick, gravel road; $6,500, F. Landis, gravel road; $6,000, A. F. Clingpeel, gravel road. Total, $54,960. Clay and Madison Townships Joint Road—$6,600, C. L. A. Root, gravel road. Deer Creek Township--$24,900, C. R. Pollard, gravel road; $1,550, C. R. Pollard, gravel road; $15,100, C. R. Pollard, gravel road; $50,600, William Donlan, gravel road; $30,000, D. L. Musselman, gravel road; $9,200, S. Allabaugh, gravel road; $2,400, J. A. Smith, gravel road. Total, $136,950. Democrat Township—$6,680, E. Gee, gravel road $3,800, D. Ayers, gravel road; $2,800, J. F. King, gravel road; $5,400, J. F. King, gravel road; $5,800, E. Reif. gravel road; $4,340, E. S. Miller, gravel road; $4,400, W. H. Weaver, gravel road; $7,000, N. E. Butcher, gravel road; $7,300, B. F. Johnson, gravel road; $2,160, G. W. Unger, gravel road; $9,800. O. M. Glasscock, gravel road; $7,000, J. Jarvis, gravel road. Total. $66,480. Jefferson Township-$7,700, J. Hargraves, gravel road; $8,600, C. M. Moore, gravel road; $2,200, D. Farrell, gravel road; $3,900, H. Ellis, gravel road; $10,000, S. C. Dobbins, gravel road; $3,300, J. R. Newman, gravel road; $4,900, W. C. Misner, gravel road; $4,200, D. Lilly, gravel road; $4,900, E. O. Christy, gravel road; $3,500, J. L. Dilling, gravel road; $6,000, C. Young, gravel road. Total, $68,700. Jackson Township—$5,700, D. Stief, gravel road; $5,700, H. Risley, gravel road; $5,700, S. Kuhn, gravel road; $4,300, P. Robinson, gravel road; $4,080, C. Baker, gravel road; $6,000, J. B. Moore, gravel road; $6,300, J. Hitchens, gravel road; $7,500, K. Highland, gravel road; $7,700, W. G. Campbell, gravel road. Total, $53,060. Madison Township—$3,600, C. F. Gee, gravel road. Monroe Township—$8,480, William Kearnes, gravel road; $1,600, W. B. Hinkle, gravel road; $9,600, E. L. Peters, gravel road; $8,100, D. Steckle, gravel road; $6,800, F. L. Sylvester, gravel road; $3,100, S. F. Allabaugh. gravel road; $3,200, G. Witter, gravel road; $5,600, M. L. Flora, gravel road. Total, $46,480. Rock Creek Township—$11,300, J. Been, gravel road; $6,500, A. B. Snoebarger, gravel road; $12,000, M. Landis, gravel road; $3,600, William Kerlin, gravel road; $7,600, W. O. Martin, gravel road; $550, William Landis, gravel road; $5,800,. C. O. Plank, gravel road; $2,500, L. McKinney, gravel road; $6,320, C. M. Harvey, gravel road; $6,200, J. C. Kennedy, gravel road; $6,600, D. Sprinkle, gravel road. Total, $68,970. Tippecanoe Township—$7,500, W. C. Henderson, gravel road; $10,400, W. G. Klepinger, gravel road; $5,000, J. Garrison, gravel road; $8,000, N. Davis, gravel road; $6,200, J. H. Childers, gravel road. Total, $37,100. Washington Township—$11,300, J. B. Rice, gravel road; $300, J. B. Rice, gravel road; $14,400, J. R. Hinkle, gravel road. Total, $26,000. Total of bonds issued under the "three-mile" law to November 2, 1914, $659,256. The amount of bonds issued under both systems will reach nearly $1,000,000. The bonds as they fell due have been promptly paid. IRON BRIDGES. Carroll county has a number of very fine bridges. Prior to the year 1868 passage across the larger streams was by ferries. As the county grew in wealth and population the importance of bridges became recognized by the people, and they were willing to be taxed for that purpose. The people demanded permanent structures and the wooden bridges were abandoned. There were several wooden-covered bridges in the county, erected in the fifties, that stood many years, and were still sound when replaced with iron structures. The first iron bridge of importance was the bridge built across the Wabash river at Pittsburg in 1868. A survey was made by J. D. Gowden, engineer, and two assistants, J. C. Lane and John S. Case, Sr., and a report was accepted by the board of county commissioners on June 20, 1868. The report, was accepted by the board, and the engineer was instructed to give notice to contractors of proposal to build a bridge, as specified by the plans on file. Separate bids were asked for the construction of the masonry and for the superstructure. On August 1, 1868, bids for the masonry were filed, and proposals for the superstructure were filed on August 3, 1868. The board of commissioners awarded the contract, for the. masonry to John Ball and Henry S. Mayer, of Lafayette, at $1.50 per cubic yard,, which, when completed, cost $24,086.95. The board awarded the contract for the superstructure to D. H. & C. C. Morrisson, of Dayton, Ohio, which, when completed, cost $26,666.66. The bridge was six feet above high water mark. It was six hundred feet in length. Several of the piers and the north abutment have since been practically rebuilt. It has proved to be a substantial structure, and withstands the wear and tear and heavy engines that cross it. SPRINGBOROUGH BRIDGE. In 1869 the people of Carroll and White counties became interested in the erection of a bridge across the Tippecanoe, at Springborough. The county commissioners of the two counties met on February 9, 1870. B. F. Schemerhorn was selected to make a survey and an estimate of the cost of the proposed bridge. His first report was for a wooden bridge. In March, 1870, the boards rejected the plan of a wooden bridge and substituted an iron bridge, to be composed of three piers, the spans to be one hundred and forty feet each. Carroll county was to pay, proportionately, 695-1126, and White county, 431-1126, of the cost. W. Winslow was awarded the contract for the superstructure at $24.50 per lineal foot, the length of the bridge to be five hundred and twelve feet. Morrison, Mitchell & Morrisson were awarded the contract for the masonry at $9,996.98. In 1870 four similar bridges were ordered constructed, one at Middlefork. Wildcat creek, at Morket's mill; one at Rock creek, near Rockfield, and one across Roc1: creek, near Woodville. The iron bridge across the Wabash river, known as the "Case" bridge, built about twenty-five years ago, cost $80,000. About the same time the bridge across Deer creek, at Hamilton street, and the bridge at the interur-ban station, at the foot of Washington street, were built. There were other important bridges built across the Wildcat and across other streams in other parts of the county. EARLY ELECTIONS. An Act of January 7, 1828, provided that an election should be held of ail the qualified voters of Carroll county for the election of a clerk, recorder, associate judges and three commissioners. The Act went into force from and after April 1, 1828. Pursuant to said Act, elections were held in the several townships on April 28, 1828. The respective county officers were elected at this election, and seventy-six votes were cast. An election was held in June, 1828, for the purpose of electing justices of the peace. On August 4, 1828, a regular state and county election was held in the several townships of Carroll county, a report thereof is here set out: Eel Township—For governor—J. B. Ray, 4; H. B. Moore, 10; I. T. Canby, 52. For lieutenant-governor—A. C. Pepper, 58; M. Stapp, 7. For congress—J. Jennings, 60; H. S. Handy, 0; J. H. Thompson, 0. For state senator—Calvin Fletcher, 8: John Beard, 5. For sheriff—H. B. Milroy, 56; S. A. Miller, 7. Total vote cast, 67. Deer Creek Township—For governor—H. H. Moore, 22, J. B. Ray; 1; I. T. Canby, 18. For lieutenant-governor—A. C. Pepper, 19; M. Stapp, 22. For congress—R. Boon, 17; T. Blake, 22. For sheriff—H. B. Milroy, 19; S. A. Miller, 19. Total vote cast, 41. Rock Creek Township—For governor—H. H. Moore, 5; J. B. Ray, 3; I. T. Canby, 7. For lieutenant-governor—M. Stapp, 6; A. C. Pepper, 8. For congress—T. H. Blake, 6; R. Boon, 9. For sheriff—H. B. Milroy, 14; S. A. Miller, 1. Total vote cast, 15. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 1828. Deer Creek Township—Adams ticket, 21; Jackson ticket, 27. Tippecanoe Township—Adams ticket, 14; Jackson ticket, 3. Rock Creek Township—Adams ticket, 7; Jackson ticket, 17. Eel Township—Adams ticket, 31; Jackson ticket, 65. Total vote cast, 185. Adams ticket received 73, Jackson ticket received 112. A military election was held on May 3, 1832, for the election of colonel, lieutenant-colonel and major. For colonel, B. B. Taylor received 57 votes; and A. G. Hanna received 68 votes. For lieutenant-colonel, P. Pollard received 70 votes; and J. Thompson received 50 votes. For major, R. G. Munday received 53 votes; and J. Dollason received 69 votes. Total vote cast, 125. Additional Comments: Extracted from: HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY INDIANA ITS PEOPLE, INDUSTRIES AND INSTITUTIONS BY JOHN C ODELL With Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families ILLUSTRATED 1916 B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY, Inc. Indianapolis, Indiana File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/in/carroll/history/1916/historyo/chapterv8nms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/infiles/ File size: 43.2 Kb