CHAPTER V.

            COUNTY SEAT, COURT HOUSE, RELOCATION, ETC.

    As directed by the act of organization, the commissioners appointed
to locate the county seat met at the house of David Thomas, on Eel
river, the second Monday in May, 1825, and proceeded to the discharge
of the duty assigned them. Pioneer settlers of that day differed in their
recollection and statements respecting the observations taken by the com-
missioners. One maintained that they viewed the uplands nearly as far
west as Birch creek; another, that their choice lay between the tableland
north of the old Adam Moon place and the site selected, while still another
said that they repaired at once to the spot selected and put down the stake.
This was then a beautiful and attractive spot, a green velvety lawn, high
and dry, timbered with almost perfect specimens of walnut, poplar and
sugar, and very nearly on a central line through the county from east to
west. The land on which the location was made had been previously
entered by two citizens of Spencer, Owen county, who had made but
partial payment to the government. They agreed to relinquish their
claims on condition that the payment made should be refunded them, and,
perhaps, the added condition that certain lots should be given them in
the survey of the town plat.
    Under the statute then existing, Daniel Chance, who lived on what
was later the Wilkinson place, west of Poland, was appointed county
agent, to procure and perfect the title (the citizens generally furnishing
the means necessary), lay out the town and make disposition of the lots,
which was done, in the main, by public sale, as was the usage. But this
sale, according to the recollection of the earliest citizens surviving at a
much later day, was not made for a year or more succeeding the location.
It is worthy of mention in this connection that the town plat was not put
to record until 1837, while the patent to the land on which he town stands
bears date of 1829, executed under the administration of Andrew Jack-
son. The survey of the plat was made by James Gallatley, surveyor
of Owen county. The public square having been located, Philip Hedges,
of Spencer, took the contract to clear off the ground, in which he was
assisted by the interested pioneers of the neighborhood. We are told, too,
that the contract for the building of the first courthouse and jail was let
to Hedges. It cannot be said with any assurance of accuracy just when
these improvements were first made. In the act of organization it was
provided that the board of justices for the new county should proceed
within one year from date of location to build them. A surviving pioneer,
who came to the county when but a small boy, his parents locating near
Bowling Green, says that when he first saw the town every building in

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