Hamilton County IN Archives History - Books .....Chapter IX - Internal Improvements 1901
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Book Title: A History Of The Formation, Settlement And Development Of Hamilton County, Indiana

CHAPTER IX.
Internal Improvements.

   Prior to 1833 the States of Ohio and New- York inaugurated a system of
improvements. Toll roads and canals were built by the States. The revenues
derived from these roads and canals were satisfactory. From about the year 1832
to the year 1835 the main political issue in Indiana was internal improvements
corresponding to those of Ohio and New York. This question was the test of
members to be elected to the Legislature. The result was the passage of a bill
by the Legislature of 1835 and 1836 providing for an expenditure of twenty
million dollars by the State in making State roads, railroads and canals. Bonds
were issued and ten million dollars appropriated. One of the improvements
provided for in this bill was the southern portion of the Central Canal. This
canal was the only State improvement in which the people of Hamilton County had
any interest. The course of this canal was from northeast to southwest through
Hamilton County. The people believed that the completion of this canal was about
all that was necessary to make them all wealthy. The canal was located,
contracts let and work commenced upon it as soon as possible after the passage
of the law. Many of our best citizens who were for that period in good financial
circumstances became contractors, becoming liable for a great deal more money
than all their property would at that time bring them. The price of land along
the line of the proposed canal was sold in many instances for twice its value.
Labor and produce advanced out of reason; business was on a boom and every one
connected with the work in any way was apparently happy. A good deal of the
grading upon this canal was done in this county by men who had contracted with
the State to do so, using their own means and credit. The State, however, had
undertaken too large a job, and after having spent ten million dollars of the
people's money, payment upon all public works was suspended. The men who had
taken contracts on this canal were ruined, and many of them were so badly in
debt that they never recovered. They lived and died poor men. The business boom
collapsed and the price of land dropped back to the figures obtained before this
work began. This measure was opposed by many wise, prudent men, but the
promoters carried the day. Evidence of this work is to be found at many points
in this county.

Brick Court House.

   At the September session of the Board of Commissioners, in the year 1835, it
was ordered that a new court house be built on the public square, as follows: To
be 45x45 feet square, with stone foundation eighteen inches below the surface
and two feet above; two-foot wall, the wall to be brick; the lower story sixteen
feet high; upper story ten feet; first wall eighteen inches thick; the second
thirteen; to be finished with suitable doors, windows, etc., and to have a
cupola and steeple according to plan hereafter agreed upon by the commissioners;
notice to be given by publication in the Indianapolis papers and by manuscript
and printed advertisements, etc., sealed proposals to be received at Noblesville
between the 17th and 24th of October next; to be completed by January 1st, 1837.

   At the October session, 1835, a further order was entered among the
proceedings of the board at that term in these words, to-wit: "Ordered that the
plans and descriptions for a new court house, authorized at last session, be
rescinded, and that the board accept the plans of John Hirewalt; house to be
built on center of public square, and the proposals received according to notice
given for the erection of the same being now opened." It appears that Charles
Grover, James Turner and William Evans proposed to furnish the material, build
the same and complete it according to the above named specifications and plan
for the sum of $3,985.00, and that John D. Stephenson proposed to build the same
for the sum of $4,500.00, and it appearing that the bid of the said Grover,
Turner and Evans is less than that of Stephenson the sum of $515.00, and there
being no other bid, it is considered that they are entitled to the contract for
the erection of the same." It was accordingly ordered "that Charles Grover,
James Turner and William Evans be allowed $300.00 payment in advance on contract
after filing bond."

   At the January session, 1836, it was ordered that the principal front of the
proposed court house be placed to the east; and at the May session following
Francis W. Emmons was allowed $3.50 for making draft and specifications for said
building, and a further sum of $200.00 was allowed the contractors for work
done, of which the county agent was directed to pay $50.00 as soon as collected.
At the June session the agent was directed to pay said contractors the further
sum of $75.00, to apply on their contract for building the court house. Again,
at the September session, 1836, $1,400.00 were ordered to be paid for work done
on the new court house, and at the same time the county agent was directed to
contract for painting and penciling the brick work. James Mahin and Thomas J.
Lindsey, at the November term following, contracted to do the plastering for the
sum of $395.00, and the contract was accepted. The contractors having made good
progress in the construction of the new building, were allowed an additional
$500.00 on their work.

   At the January session, 1837, and at a special session, held on the 20th of
the same month, the board made the following" further orders in the premises,
that "Charles Grover be allowed $40.00 for extra services on court house and
$5.00 for the use of the new court house during the December term of the Circuit
Court for the year 1836." It was further ordered "that the agent of the county
pay Grover, Turner and Evans the balance due them for building the court house
as soon as they deliver the keys." Subsequently, at the March session, 1837, the
county agent reported that he had paid to Grover, Turner and Evans $375.75, the
balance due them for building the new court house, and to Barnes and Horniday
for painting $115.00, and to H. Foland for viewing painting $1.50, making a
total balance on account of the court house $474.25. At the same time the
sheriff was directed to sell the old frame court house at public auction in the
town of Noblesville on Saturday, the 25th day of March, 1837, for one-half the
purchase money, in three, and the remainder in six months from the day of sale.
At the May session, 1838, the county agent was ordered, out of the funds in his
hands, to furnish the court room with a bench for the judges, boxes for the
jurors, seats, stands and other necessary furniture. Finally, at the November
session of the same year, Joseph Nichols was allowed $1.00 for making out a
specification for the new court room, which completed the court house.

Bridges.

   As a part of the road system of the county, early in the fifties the Board of
Commissioners caused to be erected a wooden bridge across White River at
Noblesville. A wooden bridge was also, by order of the board, constructed across
White River at Strawtown. A bridge, by order of the board, had been constructed
across Fall Creek. Two wooden bridges were constructed across Stony Creek. A
wooden bridge had long before that been constructed across Cicero Creek, on the
Lafayette road. Some .time after the erection of the first bridge across the
river at Noblesville a flood came. The river was deep and swift, carrying with
it a large amount of drift wood. The middle pier of this bridge was struck by
drift wood and knocked out of place, making the bridge unsafe. By order of the
county board repairs were made, so that the people could again use the bridge.
Soon after this the bridge was swept away by high water and the people for some
time had no means of crossing at times of high water except by canoe and ferry
boat.

   The Strawtown wooden bridge stood and did service for the people at that
point for a long time, when it was swept away by an ice gorge.

   At a special session of the Board of Commissioners, held on the 12th day of
June, 1862, the board ordered that a bridge be built over Fall Creek on the
Greenfield and Noblesville State Road, and appropriated $550.00 for the purpose.
John Burk was appointed to superintend the work. The bridge was to be 120 feet
long. The contract to build this bridge was let to Williams, Giger & Co. At the
September session of the board for the year 1863 George L. Haworth and others
presented a petition asking for a new bridge over Cicero Creek at the crossing
of the Noblesville and Lafayette State Road, which petition was granted and the
bridge constructed. At the same session, 1864, upon petition filed, the board
ordered that a survey and plans be submitted for a bridge, over Stony Creek, on
the Noblesville and Pendleton Road. Elijah Cottingham was directed to make such
survey and plans, with an estimate of the cost of the same. At a special session
of the board, held in September, the contract for this bridge was let to
Williams, Durfee, Stoops & Giger for $325.34.

Peru Railroad.

   After the completion of the Madison & Indianapolis Railroad, thereby
connecting Indianapolis and the Ohio River, the subject of building a railroad
from Indianapolis to Peru began to be agitated. There was much opposition to the
proposed work. Some very peculiar notions were entertained. One class of men
said if this road is built there will no longer be work for our people who have
been making a living by hauling produce to the Ohio River, and goods from the
Ohio River to this county. Another class said: "It will destroy the business of
the tavern keepers." Another class said it would take all that a man's wheat
would bring at the Ohio River to pay the railroad company for hauling it. Others
said the scheme was a visionary one and could never be carried out.
Notwithstanding this opposition, a company was formed and named the Peru &
Indianapolis Railroad Company. In 1846 a charter was granted to this company.
The first meeting was held in Peru in 1847. At this meeting about $500.00 was
subscribed and taken in stock. General T. A. Morris, of Indianapolis, was
employed to run the line and make estimates preliminary to commencing the work.
Other meetings were held along the line. Individuals subscribed stock, and
shortly after all the counties between Peru and Marion County had subscribed as
counties. The work was commenced at the south end and the road made, after
wonderful difficulties and the exhaustion of financial resources had been
overcome, up to Noblesville as a flat-bar road. Among the most active friends of
this road was W. J. Holman, to whose untiring perseverance, more than to any one
man, is the country indebted for this valuable thoroughfare. When other men were
in despair Holman asserted his belief to be that the road would be built and
would be a great benefit to the people of this county.

   About the time the road had been completed to Noblesville the company placed
some mortgages upon the road. This finally brought them into court, and as usual
in such cases, the wreckers came and took the thing in. This left the Hoosier
road-builders out and gave them time to consult as to what they would do about it.

   Incidental to the action had by the counties along the line, appertaining to
a development of the real interest felt by the people in the proposed
enterprise, Hamilton County, through her commissioners, at their June session,
1848, "ordered that the sum of thirty-cents on each $100.00 be levied for
railroad purposes; also fifty cents on each poll for railroad purposes; also one
and one-fourth cents on each acre of land for railroad purposes," all ostensibly
for the benefit of the Peru & Indianapolis road, as shown by the subsequent
action of the board. At their September session in the same year Elijah
Cottingham was authorized to vote the proxy of the board at the annual election
of officers for the road, held at Dayton, O., as the representative of 400
shares of stock held by the county in the road, the levy ordered as above being
made to create a fund for the payment of such stock. In furtherance of this
object, on behalf of the county, the board at the same session ordered that the
auditor of this county be authorized and required to issue to the president and
directors of the Peru & Indianapolis Railroad Company, in payment of the county
subscription to the capital stock of said company, at such time as the president
and engineer of said road may require, county orders in the denomination of two,
three and five dollars each, in the proportion of one-third each, any amount not
to exceed $2,400.00, and the "said auditor is hereby directed and required to
take a receipt for the amount so issued and delivered, and that he report the
same to the next session of the board."

   The board also ordered that the Peru & Indianapolis Railroad Company be
permitted to use the Indianapolis State Road, provided, however, that they leave
a sufficient amount of said road in good repair for passage.

   At the December session, 1848, the board petitioned the Legislature for
authority to borrow money at a rate of interest not exceeding 10 per cent, to
purchase bonds of the company in unlimited amounts, running from one to fifteen
years. Thomas T. Butler was appointed an agent to draft and issue bonds in the
name of the county amounting to $16,000.00 for railroad purposes, drawing
interest at any rate not exceeding 10 per cent., conditioned, however, upon the
passage of the law for which the board had petitioned the Legislature. The bonds
so contemplated to be issued were to be offered first to citizens of Hamilton
County, then, if unable to dispose of them to these parties, to the citizens of
any other county in the State, and for the payment of these bonds so issued and
placed on the market the stock of the county in such railroad was pledged, none
of said bonds being payable in less than five years, the county reserving the
right to draw them in at any time, interest in no case to be paid in advance. In
the meantime Mr. Butler resigned the trust reposed in him and John D. Stephenson
was appointed in his stead.

   The Legislature having legalized and confirmed the proposed action of the
board, the county was authorized to borrow money not to exceed $50,000.00, the
interest not to exceed 10 per cent, per annum, for railroad purposes. At the
June session, 1849, the agent appointed to sell bonds reported the sale of bond
No. 1 at 8 per cent, for $250.00 and bonds Nos. 3 and 4 for $100.00 each to John
Stalker; bond No. 5 at 10 per cent, for $300.00 to John Manlove on loan for
fifteen years of $200.00, $100.00 of which was paid, the other $100.00 to be
paid when the bond was issued. It was reported also at the same time that
$1,475, the aggregate of said bonds, had been paid over to the railroad company.
The agent was also authorized to borrow any sum not exceeding $4,000.00,
$2,000.00 payable in eight months and $2,000.00 in one year. At the same session
the board ordered a further levy of thirty cents on $100.00 for railroad
purposes. The following is the form of bond adopted at the December session,
1849, by the county board to secure the loan above proposed for railroad purposes:

$100.00.   HAMILTON COUNTY, INDIANA. 
LOAN FOR STOCK IN PERU & INDIANAPOLIS RAILROAD. 

   KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS,
That there is due _____ or bearer one hundred dollars from the County of
Hamilton, in the State of Indiana, payable in ____ years from the first Monday
in July, 1849, with interest at the rate of _____ per cent, per annum, payable
on the first Monday in July annually at the office of the treasurer of said
county, in Noblesville, where the principal will also be paid, this bond being
issued for a loan of the amount thereof to said county, as authorized by an act
of the General Assembly of the State, of Indiana, entitled "an act to authorize
the commissioners of Hamilton, Miami and Tipton counties to borrow money,"
approved January 5, 1849; and for the redemption and payment of this bond, both
principal and interest, as above stipulated, the faith of said County of
Hamilton and the stock of the Peru & Indianapolis Railroad Company is
irrevocably pledged.

   Witness, etc.

   Work was begun at the southern end of the road, and in two years afterward
twenty-one miles of the road were completed to Noblesville. The track was laid
to Peru in 1854. In 1871 the road was finished from Peru to Michigan City and
the cars were run through for the first time in that year.

   The board at their June session, in 1852, ordered that the auditor issue one
order in the sum of $876.66 2-3 for the redemption of the railroad bonds
numbering from 80 to 87, inclusive, pursuant to the conditions of the bonds,
reserving the right of the county to redeem the outstanding bonds at any time.

   At a special session in November, 1853, the Peru & Indianapolis road asked
the repeal of that part of the original order specifying that "the county shall
elect to surrender to said company such obligations and assume the payment of
the interest that shall accrue after such election and the principal when the
same shall become due and payable on said bonds, the stock to become absolute in
favor of the county, but until such election and assumption the counties have
the right to hold such as security for the performance of certain stipulations
on the part of the railroad company not entitling the county to any dividends,
but to have a voice in the elections, etc." The railroad asked to have the same
rescinded because of said railroad consolidating with the Marion & Indianapolis
Railroad by order of the board of directors, to take effect January 1st, 1853.
"Whereupon said board declare that if said railroad will execute additional
bonds to the County of Hamilton for the performance of payment of the last issue
of bonds, $2,000.00, numbering from 10 to 29, thereby releasing the county
forever from the payment of said bonds, they will grant the request."

   Afterward, at the December session, 1853, the Peru & Indianapolis Railroad
Company gave bond to the county in the penal sum of $40,000.00 to secure payment
of bonds issued by the county and delivered to the railroad company to sell and
assist in the construction of said railroad, said bonds numbering from 10 to 29,
the railroad paying interest on said bonds when due. And the agent of the county
was ordered, in lieu, to surrender to said railroad company the last issue of
bonds, numbering from 10 to 29, inclusive, each for $1,000.00, in all $20,000.
The bonds numbered from 1 to 9, inclusive, provided for at the September
session, i860, were, at the special session, 1861, ordered to be paid out of any
fund in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.

   Prior to the organization of this railroad company and subsequent to the
general inflow of new settlers into the county, the price of grain had fallen to
a very low figure. Corn sold as low as eighteen cents; wheat, as has already
been shown, sold at the Ohio River as low as thirty-seven and one-half cents.
The price of wheat and corn about the time this charter was granted began to go
up. The price of wheat went up to $1.00, or nearly so, before the road was
completed. Many of the friends of the road attributed the rise in price to the
proposed railroad. This was not true, for the reason that the prices rose at the
Ohio and Wabash rivers.

WATER COURSES

   White River, as has already been stated, crosses the east line of Hamilton
County northeast of Noblesville at Perkinsville, passing through the county and
out of it a little west of south. When Hamilton County was first settled it was
believed by the early pioneers that White River would be navigated by small
steamers as far up as the east line of the county. It was soon discovered that
the flatboat was as large a boat as the depth of the water would admit.

   In 1823 John Conner finished the first mill built upon this stream in
Hamilton County. The capacity of this mill was sufficient to supply the needs of
the people. Both corn and wheat were ground. A fair article of flour was turned
out. A sawmill was subsequently added to the grist mill, also a carding machine.
Prior to the erection of this machine the pioneer mothers and their daughters
had carded their wool into rolls by means of the hand cards. This mill did
service until about the year 1850.

   About the same time the Conner mill was built John Foster built a mill on
White River five miles above Noblesville. At that time nothing but corn was
ground. Foster sold his mill to John Stoops. It was afterwards known as the
Schryock mill. During Schryock's ownership of the mill a sawmill was added. From
Schryock the mill passed into the hands of Conner & Stephenson. During the
freshet of 1874 the mill was washed away and part of the dam washed out. It was
rebuilt, however, and finally passed into the hands of W. W. Conner, who added a
carding machine to the property.

   In 1827 a man by the name of Stephens built a mill on White River above
Strawtown at what is now known as the Shepard farm. This property passed from
Mr. Stephens in an early day to Kemp, from which time it was known as the Kemp
mill. A distillery and carding machine were added by Kemp. This property was
destroyed by fire and never rebuilt.

Pipe Creek.

   This stream is crossed by the east line of Hamilton County between the
village of Aroma and White River. It cuts off a small portion of territory lying
north of White River and empties into White River between the east line of the
county and Strawtown. No mills or machinery of any kind were at any time erected
upon this stream.

Duck Creek.

   This stream crosses the east line of Hamilton County at or near Pleasant Hill
meeting house and empties into White River near Strawtown. Three mills were
erected in an early day on this stream. They were what were called corn
crackers. One of these mills was at or near the Peck farm. Another was situated
on what is now known as the Couden farm near Straw-town. The third was near Aroma.

Bear Creek.

   This stream crosses the north line of the county near the range line. It
empties into Duck Creek before that stream reaches White River. At certain
seasons of the year Bear Creek affords a good deal of water, but it has never
been utilized as motive power for the running of machinery.

Cicero Creek.

   This stream crosses the north line of the county about one mile east of the
old Peru & Indianapolis Railroad at Atlanta. Its course is a little west of
south. It empties into White River about a mile and a half below Noblesville. In
an early day George Tucker built a sawmill and corn cracker on this stream not
very far south of the north line of the county. Jacob Crull built a similar mill
farther south. This mill was afterward known as the Gascho mill. A mill was
built on this creek near Cicero. These small mills, together with the sawmills
on White River and possibly Cool Creek, did a thriving business for a number of
years. Lumber was hauled on wagons from the Tucker and Gascho mills to
Noblesville as late as the year 1850. The lumber sawed at the mills spoken of,
for which a market could not be found in Hamilton County, was sold to the people
of Indianapolis. This was done by rafting the lumber down the creeks and White
River to Broad Ripple, where the rafts passed into the canal, and from that
point to Indianapolis. William Neal, of Cicero, was, between the years of 1840
and 1850, largely engaged in this business.

   Cicero Creek derived its name from the following circumstance: One Mr.
McLaughlin surveyed the land in that vicinity. He had a son named Cicero, who
was with the party. This son undertook to drink water from the creek and in so
doing fell into the creek. His father then and there named the creek Cicero
Creek, and it has borne that name ever since.

Cool Creek.

   This creek and the mills situate upon it have been heretofore described. The
same may be said of Williams Creek.

Fall Creek,

   This stream crosses the east line of the county some distance north of the
southeast corner of the county. It passes over a portion of the southeast part
of Fall Creek Township and out of the county near the lands now owned by C. W.
Edwards. The mills receiving their motive power from this creek have been
described. The first settlement made in Fall Creek Township was made on either
side of this stream.

Stony Creek.

   This stream crosses the east county line east of Noblesville and a little
south of Fishersburg. The general course of this stream is from east to west. It
empties into White River about a mile and a quarter below Noblesville.

   In 1821 John Foster built a mill on this stream about a mile and a quarter
above its mouth. It was what was called a corn cracker. This mill passed from
Mr. Foster to the hands of Mr. Betts. During the time Mr. Betts owned the mill
it was improved so that wheat was ground and a hand bolt was attached. From Mr.
Betts the mill passed to Philip Hair, who built a large mill a few rods below
the old log mill, but used the same dam. . Hair sold the property to William
Stoops, and at his death, or soon thereafter, it passed from his heirs to Henry
Dill.

Hinkle Creek.

   This stream rises in the northwest part of the county and flows to the
southeast and empties into Cicero Creek above Noblesville some distance. This is
a small stream. In an early day it furnished the motive power for a mill. This
was a corn cracker and was known as the Cook mill.

Little Eagle Creek.

   Has been described. The only mill upon it was the corn cracker owned by
Ephraim Stout.

Early Newspapers.

   L. H. Emmons, a practical printer, of Eastern birth, came to Noblesville in
the year 1835 and immediately commenced the publication of a newspaper called
the "Newspaper," the first number of which was issued January 12th, 1836. It was
neutral in politics. The paper was printed on an 18x24-inch sheet, or four
12x14-inch pages, and was a fine specimen of the typographical art in that day,
and would compare favorably with the appearance presented by the better class of
newspapers printed at a much later date. It was a neat, comely sheet and the
make-up of original and selected matter, was above the average. The patronage
was not large and the enterprise was not a paying one, hence it yielded to the
pressure of circumstances and the publication was suspended on the 22d of March,
1838. In the course of time it was revived by F. M. Scott, who continued its
publication for several months with indifferent success, when finally it ceased
to be issued. In the meantime Mr. Emmons had gone away, but returned again to
Noblesville in 1842 and commenced the publication of the little "Western." It
was a four-page paper also, with four columns to the page, the size being 14x24
inches, and was Democratic in politics. A file of this paper is still in
existence and is well preserved, commencing with the issue of June 4th, 1842,
and ending with the issue of January 25th, 1845. It was published weekly. At
about the latter date Mr. Emmons was appointed to a clerkship in Washington and
held the position during the four years succeeding. Upon his return to
Noblesville, by the way of Parkersburg, Va., to Lawrenceburg, Ind., he was
attacked with the cholera and died in a few days after his arrival at Noblesville.

   During the absence of Mr. Emmons the publication of the paper was temporarily
suspended. Subsequently, however, Peter C. Lawyer, J. T. Cox and F. M. Randal
were engaged in the control of the paper. In August, 1854, the "Noblesville
News" having been previously published by F. M. Randal, was purchased by J. R.
Gray and J. W. Evans, who changed the name to "The Hoosier Patriot" and
continued the publication under that name for the succeeding six months during
the excitement attending upon the action of Congress on the Kansas-Nebraska
bill, when it was sold to H. W. Clark, Sr. He, in turn, continued to publish the
paper for some time under the same name. It then passed into other hands and was
subsequently published under the name of "The True Whig" by L. E. Rumrell and by
Rumrell & Hardy for a series of years. Some time in 1862 Hardy & Clark became
the owners. In the fall of 1862 it passed into the hands of S. K. Christy, who a
few weeks later changed the name to "The White River Clipper," the first number
of which appeared in September of that year. Under the administration of Mr.
Christy the size of the paper was increased to seven columns, in 1865, which was
maintained for several years.

The Common School Fund.

   In the year 1785 the Congress of the United States passed a resolution
setting apart one square mile in each township in the Northwest Territory to be
applied in the maintenance of public schools in such territories. This
resolution was affirmed by Congress in 1787 and became a law. Under the
provisions of this law one square mile in each township, when the lands of
Hamilton County composed a part, was surveyed and set apart as school land and
was not sold by the State. Under this law the portion of such school lands
belonging to this county came under the control of the County Commissioners. The
law provided-that when the voters of the township where the school section was
situate, by a majority vote, should decide in favor of a sale of such lands,
they should be sold to the highest bidder. When this vote was taken the Board of
Commissioners sold the land and the proceeds were credited to the seminary fund.

   The State Constitution of 1816 and the laws passed while it was in force made
ample provisions for the advancement of education. These laws were not, however,
compulsory. It was for the people to determine what steps should be taken, so
that little advance was made.

   Prior to the year 1840 our winter schools were taught by the sons of the
pioneers, and our summer schools by their daughters. After the date last named
school teachers from the Eastern States came to this county and taught some of
our schools. They were practical teachers, and the methods of teaching were
greatly improved. Many of the pioneer fathers, however, thought more of clearing
and improving their lands than they did of the education of their children. Then
there was a prevailing opinion that it was only necessary to teach their sons
reading, writing, spelling and arithmetic to the double rule of three, and that
it was only necessary to teach their daughters to read, write and spell. So that
not much advance was made in education under our old Constitution.

   All fines and forfeitures collected were paid into the seminary fund. The
principal of this fund could not be used for tuition, but was kept out at
interest, and the interest distributed among the several townships.

   In 1846, by order of the Board of Commissioners, a contract was let for the
erection of a seminary building, to be paid for out of the principal of the
seminary fund.

   After the adoption of the new Constitution, as will be hereafter shown, all
of the seminary fund was turned over to and became a part of the common school
fund.

County Seminary Fund.

   Pursuant to the provisions of an "act relating to county seminaries,"
approved January 31, 1824, it was made the duty of "the County Commissioners in
their respective counties, at their first meetings after the passage of this
act, to appoint some fit person as trustee of the county seminary for their
respective counties," who should take an oath faithfully to discharge the duties
appertaining to such office, and also give bond payable to the State of Indiana,
with two sufficient sureties, in the penal sum of double the amount, as near as
may be, of the funds of the county seminary, conditioned for the faithful
performance of the duties of his office.

   Section five of that act provided that "all fines which are now or may
hereafter be directed by law to be paid for the use of a public seminary in each
respective county shall be paid into the hands of the trustee thereof, any law
to the contrary thereof, in any wise notwithstanding." In conformity with the
foregoing provisions, it was made obligatory upon all officers and others to
whom the afore-named elements of the fund were primarily paid, to faithfully
account for and to pay over to the trustees so appointed any and all such funds
under severe penalties for all failures so to do. It was made the duty of said
trustees, also, annually to lay before the boards of county commissioners a
complete statement of the situation of the funds belonging to their respective
county seminaries, as a safeguard over the funds contemplated by the law-makers,
to be carefully husbanded for the education of the coming generations. A further
provision imposed upon such trustees the duty of annually, within the first
twelve days of the session of the General Assembly, transmit to the Speaker of
the House of Representatives a certified list of all moneys by him received in
conformity with the provisions of this act, and annually exhibit a detailed
account of the funds in his hands to the County Commissioners on the second day
of their November term each and every year, which exhibit, with the approval or
disapproval of the official conduct of the trustee, by said Board of
Commissioners, indorsed thereon, was required to be forwarded to the Speaker of
the House of Representatives, on or before the first Monday of December,
annually. As a means, also, of accumulating said funds it was made the duty of
such trustees to loan all moneys paid to them, as such, for the term of one year
at the rate of 6 per cent, per annum, taking bond and good freehold security
therefor, payable to themselves and their successors in office.

   To incorporate a board of seminary trustees it was necessary, first, that the
qualified voters of the several townships of the county should manifest their
desire in that direction by electing for each such township a representative
trustee, who should give bond and qualify. A majority of such township trustees,
having thus qualified, were vested with powers and liabilities similar to other
corporations, and subject to the peculiar object of their organization, and the
limitations, restrictions and directions of the General Assembly. Such corporate
body was under the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court, while the county trustee
first named was under the jurisdiction of the county board.

   Pursuant to the foregoing statutory provisions, John D. Stephenson, clerk of
the Circuit Court, at the May session of the county board for the year 1824,
made return of the amount of fines assessed in the Circuit Court for the
judicial year ending May 1st, 1824, amounting to $7.00, which was to be paid to
the trustee to be appointed for that purpose. At the March session, 1825, John
D. Stephenson was appointed by the board such seminary trustee, as required by
the first section of the act above referred to. The accumulations of the county
seminary fund were not great during the early period of the county's history;
the amount was not enough, indeed, to induce any steps to be taken toward the
appropriation of grounds or the erection of buildings suitable for the purpose
contemplated by the Legislature in the preparation of a law whereby their
children might secure the advantages of a liberal education at home. Within a
reasonable time, however, after the local machinery had been put in motion, and
the attention of the community had been drawn from the study of organic economy,
this necessary addendum to the formulation of a county jurisdiction became the
subject of deliberate consideration. Accordingly, at the November session, 1830,
of the Board of Commissioners lot No. 1, in square 7, in the Town of
Noblesville, was donated by the county for the use of the Hamilton County
Seminary and a common school. Subsequently at the January session, 1832, John D.
Stephenson was reappointed trustee of the county seminary fund for one year from
that date. He resigned, however, at the following March session and Albert B.
Cole was appointed in his stead. In 1833, at the January session of the Board of
Commissioners, the trustee filed a report of the condition of the county
seminary fund, of which the following is an abstract:

Received of John D. Stephenson in notes for money loaned by him       $ 66 60
Received from same after deducting $1.61 commission allowed             93 44
Received of C. Mallory, funds in his hands as treasurer of county        9 00
Received of justices of the peace for fines assessed and collected      14 25
Received of Clerk Hamilton Circuit Court for fines assessed and
     collected                                                           3 00
Received of Clerk Hamilton Circuit Court for 20 per cent, on
     estray animals                                                      5 60
Received for interest accrued on money loaned                            5 97
Total                                                                 $197 86
Trustee's commission deducted                                            1 13
Balance                                                               $196 73
Amount loaned at 6 per cent                                           $195 86
Balance on hand                                                            87
Total amount of fund                                                  $200 23

   The above report having been filed and accepted, the board reappointed A. B.
Cole as trustee of that fund. He continued in that position until January, 1836,
and was then succeeded by J. G. Burns, who, in turn, was succeeded by H. W.
Clark at the January session, 1837. Mr. Clark was reappointed in January, 1838;
and remained in office until the March session of the board, 1842, at which time
T. T. Butler was appointed to succeed him. Mr. Butler was again appointed in the
March term, 1843, and served during that and the succeeding year, when the
statute of 1843 took effect.

   The county board took the necessary preliminary steps toward securing a
suitable tract of ground in the vicinity of Noblesville, whereon to erect a
county seminary building. Pursuant to the provisions of that statute, the county
board, at its June session, 1844, appointed Earl S. Stone, with instructions to
purchase a suitable tract of land in the name of the State of Indiana, for the
purpose of erecting a seminary, also directing the auditor to give a draft in
payment out of any moneys in his hands belonging to the seminary fund. And,
"whereas, it is the intention of this board to build a county seminary, the
auditor is ordered to collect the seminary fund in and reserve it from loan, to
the end that it might be in readiness when needed for such purpose."

   At the same session Minor Mallory, Albert B. Cole and George Simpson were
appointed a committee to procure suitable plans with estimates of the cost for a
county seminary building, and report the same for consideration at a subsequent
session. Afterward Prof. Samuel K. Hashour, an eminent educator of the State and
a successful practical teacher, submitted to the board a plan for such building,
which was duly considered. Again, at the September session, 1846, J. Elder, an
architect and builder of Indianapolis, submitted further plans and
specifications, for which he was allowed $10.00. The board thereupon ordered
that an advertisement be inserted in the Indiana State Sentinel at Indianapolis,
giving notice that proposals would be received on Friday after the first Monday
in December following, to construct a county seminary building according to the
plans and specifications on file in the auditor's office. Accordingly, at the
December session, 1846; the following proposals were submitted: John D.
Cottingham, Thomas J. Lindsey and Joseph Bauchert proposed to erect the building
for $2,089, William Bauchert proposed to erect the building for $1,993.50, and
for $2,100.00 he would build and furnish it with window shutters. Isaac
Williams, Thomas W. Leonard and John Fisher would build it for $2,100.00. Suel
Wyllys proposed to build it for $2,050.91. After a careful examination and
comparison of these several proposals, the contract was finally let to William
Bauchert as the lowest bidder, all things considered. The building was to be of
brick, 32x45 feet and two stories high, the first story ten feet and the second
twelve feet. The building progressed slowly and was not entirely completed in
the fall of 1850. Hence, at the session of the board held in December of that
year Jesse Lutz, T. T. Butler, John T. Cox, John D. Stephenson, A. B. Cole and
John G. Burns were appointed seminary trustees to receive the building and take
charge of the same, as provided by law. The last two named held their office but
one year, the statute requiring that one-third of the number first appointed
should go out of office every year and their places be filled by new
appointments. These trustees were appointed under the requirements of section 31
of the statutory provisions relating to the management of county seminaries,
which reads: "Whenever said board shall have erected such building and shall
determine to organize a county seminary therein, they shall appoint six citizens
of the county, who shall constitute a board of trustees for said seminary." The
next section provides that "the said trustees shall all be a body, corporate and
politic, and shall elect one of their own body as president, and shall have
power to appoint a clerk, such president and clerk being removable at the
pleasure of the board of trustees." It was the duty of the board to employ all
teachers and determine the course of instruction to be pursued, fix the
compensation of the teachers so employed and of the clerk of the board,
appropriate for the payment of such teachers and clerk and other incidental
expenses, the tuition fees and such part of the principal and interest of the
seminary fund as the Board of County Commissioners might designate and set apart
for that purpose. It was the duty also of the County Commissioners to exercise
jurisdiction in all matters relating to the seminaries of their respective
counties, and take cognizance of supervision, and inquire into the management of
the seminary affairs.

   At the September session, 1851, the board appointed Joseph M. Mallory to
examine the county seminary building, compare the work with the plans and
specifications and receive the same off the hands of William Bauchert, the
contractor, if said contract had been fully complied with. The board then, at
the December session, 1851, appointed another board of seminary trustees,
consisting of John G. Burns, Jesse Lutz, T. T. Butler, A. B. Cole, J. M. Mallory
and David Moss, the two first to serve one year, the two second to serve two
years and the two last to serve three years. After considerable delay the board,
at the September session, 1852, appointed A. B. Cole to receive the seminary off
the hands of the contractor, William Bauchert, and cause it to be completed
according to the contract, and to keep the same in repair at the expense of the
patrons of the school then in progress. From that time forward the building was
generally occupied. It was situated on South Tenth Street, where the Second Ward
school building now stands.

   The legislative body of this State convened for the first time after the
adoption of the new Constitution in 1851. Article viii of the Constitution of
Indiana provides for the creation of the common school fund.

   As early as the year 1833 the examination of teachers was provided for by
law. The enumeration of children of school age and for school purposes had also
been provided for. Legislation since the acts of 1852 has all been had with a
view to perfecting the common school system and to increase the school fund.
County superintendents have been provided for. Discretionary power has been
lodged with the several township trustees in the erection of school buildings
and so on, so that there is now no doubt as to the stability of the school system.

Asylum for Poor.

   Prior to the year 1846 the poor of the county were kept by various persons
throughout the county, and the keeping paid for by the Board of Commissioners.
At that date no buildings had been erected in which they could be kept. At the
March session of the board in the year 1846 the board contracted with Abner B.
Jones for the erection of a double log cabin to be used as an asylum for the
poor. This cabin contained two rooms, each ten feet in the clear, eight-foot
story, made of round logs scutched down inside, rough plank floor, clapboard
roof, one door and one window to each room. Mr. Jones received for constructing
and finishing this building $24.00. At the same session of the board Jesse
Fisher was employed by the board as superintendent of the poor for one year,
Jesse Fisher to have the buildings on eighty acres of land free of rent and to
board,, clothe and lodge the poor, on an average of seven persons, at and for
the price of $300.00 per year, payable quarterly, the board to furnish the rooms
used by the paupers.

   At the June session of the board, in 1846, the superintendent made and filed
his first report, showing that he had at that time in his charge eight paupers.
Five of those he received from the overseer of the poor of Clay Township, April
21st, 1846. The sixth pauper he received from the overseer of White River
Township on the 4th of May, 1846. The seventh was received on May 4th, 1846,
from the overseer of Wayne Township. The eighth was received from the overseer
of Noblesville Township. This report shows that the overseer up to that date had
received from the county for the use of the poor four straw beds, four
bedsteads, four cords, two feather beds, four blankets, eight pillows, ten
pillow cases, twelve sheets, four comforts, twelve chairs and one chamber. The
overseer's report showed that for the accommodation of the poor in his charge he
needed one more room and two more chambers.

   From time to time improvements suggested by the experiences of the day were
made, tending to remodel the plans of buildings and the domestic affairs of the
institution, until in the course of years, radical changes became a necessity.
At the March term of the Commissioners' Court, in 1852, a plan was adopted for a
county asylum, and a contract let for the construction of such building on the
poor farm. for the sum of $1,366.00, of which sum he was allowed the one-third
part in advance. William Bauchert was the successful bidder. Subsequently, at
the December session, 1856, a series of rules and regulations consisting of
thirteen was adopted by the board, prescribing the manner, style and conduct of
all occupants, including the duties of the superintendent. William Bragg was
reappointed superintendent of the asylum for the poor, subject to the
regulations aforesaid. A special session of the board met on the 3d day of July,
1857, called for the purpose of receiving bids for the erection of an asylum for
the poor. After a comparison of the specifications and bids for the purpose, the
contract was awarded to John Fisher for building the walls; to Eli Giger, A.
Giger, Daniel Reedy and Isaac Williams for the carpenter work and painting, and
to Thomas J. Lindsey for plastering the same. The building was of brick,
twenty-eight feet front by thirty-two feet back; the front twenty-eight feet by
. sixteen feet back, two stories high; the remaining portion back to be one
story high.

   At the special session of September 19, 1857, upon examination, the walls
erected by John Fisher were received from him, and at the regular December
session of that year the work of plastering was accepted as satisfactory at the
price of $151.00.

   At the same session the board purchased of A. H. Conner eighty acres of land
which adjoined the eighty-acre tract then owned by the county. No additional
improvements were made for a number of years thereafter.



Additional Comments:
From:

A HISTORY OF THE FORMATION, SETTLEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF
HAMILTON COUNTY, INDIANA,
FROM THE YEAR 1818 TO THE CLOSE OF THE CIVIL WAR.
BY
AUGUSTUS PINCH SHIRTS.
1901.

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