KNOX COUNTY OHIO - Norton's History of Knox County [Chapter XX] ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/oh/ohfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Dave Ketterer Ketterer@empireone.net September 1, 2002 ************************************************ A History of Knox County, Ohio, From 1779 to 1862 Inclusive: Comprising Biographical Sketches, Anecdotes and incidents of men connected with the county from its first settlement: Together with complete lists of the senators, representatives, sherriffs, auditors, commissioners, treasurers, judges, justices of the peace, and other officers of the county, also of those who have served in a military capacity from its first organization to the present time, and also a sketch of Kenyon College, and other institutions of learning and religion within the county. By A. Banning Norton. Columbus: Richard Nevins, Printer. 1862 Entered according to the act of Congress in the year 1862 by A. Banning Norton, In the Clerk’s office of the Southern District of Ohio. ____________________________________________ CHAPTER XX. EVENTS FROM 1820 TO 1830. WHITE MALE INHABITANTS AND VOTERS AT VARIOUS ELECTIONS WITHIN THIS TIME.--SOME ACCOUNT OF THE FINANCES AND REVENUE. THE LAST OF THE INDIAN.-A WARNING.--THE OLD COURT-HOUSE FALLS, AND A NEW ONE IS PROJECTED.--OTHER OCCURRENCES. THE white male inhabitants of Knox county above the age of 21 in 1820, were 1290, located as follows: Hillier 21, Bloomfield 69, Morgan 152, Miller 72, Jackson 178, Chester 122, Wayne 168, Morris 157, Union 144, and Clinton 207. The county gave its vote for Ethan Allen Brown for Governor; John Sloane for Congress; Wm. Gass for Senator; R. D. Simons for Representative; Wm. Bevans for Sheriff; Abner Ayres for Commissioner, and E. G. Lee for Coroner. Among the orders issued by the county, June 6th, 1820, were- No. 3928. Paying Moody & M'Carty for articles furnished Overseers of the Poor for the squaw that was shot $2.844 No. 3929. Hosmer Curtis and Mott for expenses in- curred for the sick squaw 1.00 No. 3930. Jacob Martin, making coffin for squaw. 6.00 This, in the Indian line, is among the last known in the county. This squaw was of the Stockbridge tribe, and one of a small party who, in traveling out of Licking county, was espied and shot by Hughes, when near Homer, and in Morgan township. Without provocation or just cause, but simply to gratify his private hatred of the Indian race, she was shot through the hip. Her comrades brought her on to Mount Vernon, where her sufferings became too great to admit of her being taken further. She was put in the old log gunsmith shop of John Earnhart, on High street, but the quarters being uncomfortable on account of cold November weather, she was moved to an old log house on the north-west corner of Mulberry and Vine streets, and there died. True to the Indian stoicism she never groaned or complained, although her sufferings were intense. Five or six of her tribe staid through her sickness, and then buried her in the north-east corner of the old graveyard. For several years afterwards her husband would return at the time of year when she died to view her grave and see that the body remained undisturbed . From this same old log house, in October, 1826, a gun was fired which caused the death of Ben. Roberts. George Low then lived in the house, and Jim Low was staying with him, when on Hallow Eve night, several of the town boys were out throwing cabbages against the doors, as has from time immemorial been the custom, and as they threw against Low's door, Jim took down his rifle and fired between the logs, the ball lodging in Ben's leg. He was carried home, and, after laying for some time, it became necessary to amputate the leg, which was done one Sunday, and the next afternoon at 4 o'clock he died. Low was tried, and Sam Mott defended him, and he was acquitted. This shooting affair caused very great excitement, and ever since, on the annual return of Hallow Eve the old settlers rehearse this story to their children and grandchildren, as a warning against following this ridiculous custom of throwing cab- bage heads to the annoyance of quiet people. In 1822, the county gave majorities for Daniel S. Norton for Congress ; H. Curtis for Representative: Wm. Bevans for Sheriff; John Kerr for Commissioner ; XV. Y. Farquhar for Auditor, James McGibeny for Coroner In 1824 majorities were given for Jeremiah Morrow for Governor; Wilson for Congress ; Colerick for Sherrif, Stilley for Commissioner; Rigdon for Representative ; Runyan for Coroner, and Farquhar for Auditor. In October, 1825, the jail built by Solomon Geller is found according to contract, except "he is yet to put in a stove, and the door above going into rue debtors' apartment." In 1826, the whole number of votes cast was 1828 and the county gave majorities for Trimble for Governor ; Norton for Congress ; Robeson for Representative ; Colerick for Sheriff; Runyan for Coroner; Elliott for Auditor; Leonard for Commisioner At the, June session, 1826, of the Commissioners, upon petition of Francis Wilkins and others, a road was ordered to be opened up Dry Creek, beginning on the farm of Daniel S. Norton, to intersect the old road on the corner of Frederick Carey's orchard. Jonathan Miller, R. D. Simons and James McGibeny were appointed viewers, and J. W. Warden, surveyor. On the 30th of September, the county jail is received in full satisfaction by the Commissioners. Wm. Bevans was allowed ~3 for crying sale of the jail. VALUATION OF KNOX COUNTY IN 1826. Land, 301,695 acres, valued at $716,070 Town property 81,362 Mercantile capital 60,000 Houses 26,340 Horses, 2467 98,680 Cattle, 4483 35,864 Total…………….$1,018,376 At this time Mount Vernon is stated as containing 80 dwelling-houses, one printing office, a brick court-house and jail, a merchant mill, a saw mill. a cotton factory, and within six miles, 9 grist and saw mills and three carding machines. In 1827, Patterson and Smith, of The Western Aurora, published the Delinquent List for the ordinary price, and refunded one-fourth of the whole amount for county use. In 1827, March 29, W. Y. Farquhar was "appointed keeper of the Knox county standard and half bushel measure, and authorized to get a half bushel of copper!" Martin Tracy then gave bond as county Auditor. with John Troutman, Solomon and Paul Welker as securities. At the June Term it was ordered that the Auditor cause two blank books for county orders to be procured, and that C. & J. Colerick print the same, and that the Auditor furnish six quires of paper for that purpose. At the December Term, H. B. Curtis' account for office rent and wood is allowed-office rent, 7 months, $84 ; and wood 3 winters for Recorders office, $15. OLD THINGS SHALL BE DONE AWAY WITH AND ALL BECOME NEW. October 18th, 1828, James McGibeny contracted with the commissioners to build a stone wall to support the Court-house bank, standing ten feet north and south of the Court-house. But all efforts to save it were unavailing it had been written, "Carthago detenda est;" and on the 2d of December an order issued to B. S. Brown for $40, in consequence of the loss of his office by the fall of the Court- house. The Court-house was no sooner down than the commissioners ordered proposals to be published in the Standard and Adrertiscr, for the purpposose of making donations for the building of a new Courthouse, and for a plan of building, &c. On the 20th of Jannary, 1829, they agreed with Thomas Irvine for his brick house for a court- house, at $25 per term, in orders on the county treasury. In April, James Smith is notified by Marvin Tracy that the commissioners have obtained Thomas Irvine's bar-room for an office. The levy for taxes in Knox county, June, 1829, was 1 and 1/2 mills on the dollar, on the whole valuation of property in said county, for State purposes, and 1 1/2 for canal purposes, making 3 mills upon the dollar for State and canal purposes ; and the commissioners, by and with the consent of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, levied a tax of 3 mills on the dollar for county purposes, 1 mill for road purposes, and 3/4 of a mill for school purposes ; one of the three mills shall be assessed and collected and appropriated for the building of the Court-house, and for no other purpose whatever. At the June session, the following entry is made "The account of James Smith, presented to the Board of Commissioners, for one year, from June 1st, 1828, to June 1st, 1829, including the rent unpaid at last settlement, books and stationery for clerk's office, all of which was rejected by the Board. The charges for one year's fire- wood, which was $12. From which decision the said Smith prays an appeal to the Court of Common Pleas as to the fire-wood." That record is clear, is it not ? The resolutions of the commissioners, published in the Standard and Advertiser, in reference to the building of a Court-house, represent that "they will meet on the 15th of July, for the purpose of receiving donations, &c. ; giving the public square $1,000 ; preference for location, &c. ; otherwise at any point in the town plat where $1,000 is subscribed," &c. On the 15th of July, the commissioners met, and adjourned till the 24th of August, to receive donations, &c., for new Court-house. On the 11th of September public notice is given in the Westerns Aurora and in the Advertiser and Standard, of sale of contract to build a Court house, to the lowest bidder, on the 5th of October next, &c. Pens Sprague is authorized to get E. G. Carlin. or some other person, to make and draft of a plat for same. This plan as agreed upon, appears on the journal, specifying that the building is to be erected on the west side of Main street and north side of High street, and that $1,000 is to be paid to the contractor on the 10th of .January, 1830, and $1,000 annually thereafter, and all orders to be express1y understood to be paid when due and presented. Edward G. Carlin is paid county order for $10, for making plat of new Court-house and describing timbers, dimensions, &c. Richard House, for assisting Carlin in describing the plan is paid $1.50. October 5th. The building of the Court-house is sold to John Shaw for $5,485, who enters into bond with Byram Leonard. Pliilo Norton, Charles Saiger. Solomon Gcller, Thomas lrvine and H. B. Carter. in the sum of $10,970. Such is the record of the second Court-house built in Mount Vernon, which stood on the public square until 1853. It was built of brick, two stories high, with a cupola., and a very imposing building in its time. It answered well its part for many years--may we not say for that generation, as almost all then upon the stage of action have passed " hence without day." The supreme Court, District and Associate Judges, the Commissioners, Sheriff, Auditor, Assessor, Treasurer, Surveyor, and Coroner, the Contractor and his sureties are all, all dead. Melancholy is the reflection that few of the men, who flourished here only thirty-two years ago, now survive. In 1828, majorities were given for Campbell for Governor; Stanbery for Congress; Shaw for Sheriff; Colerick for Representative; Tracy for Auditor; Sprague and Beers for Commissioners, and Neal for Coroner. In 1829 the population of the county is stated at 8,326. There were then eight post-offices, viz. Danville, Darling's, Martinsburg, Mount Vernon. Miles ~ Roads and Sandusky ~ Roads in Chester township, Fredericktown and Houck's. . The state of the County Treasury may be judged of from the following entry, June 7th, 1830, Ordered that the Auditor issue an order on the Treasurer in favor of Daniel Converse & Co., for the amount of principal and interest due on a certain county order, payable to Solomon Geller. for the sum of $275, dated February 10, 1824. endorsed not paid for want of funds by the Treasurer when the said order shall be presented thus paying an old order by issuing a new one . The original debt for building the first court house not having been paid until after the building itself had crumbled and fallen, and the county was compelled to erect a new one. Artemas Estabrook is. at tIme same time, allowed an order for boarding, bringing up on Habeas Corpus and attending the Judges--Eli Losh-amounting to $11.60. C. G. Allen makes his escape froni the county all after his board bill had amounted to $8.05. In 1830, the county went for McArthur for Gov- ernor; Stanbery, Congress; Greer, Representative; Neal, Sheriff; Tracy, Auditor; McFarland, Assessor ; Low, Coroner; Wilkins for Commissioner. The total vote cast was 2,086. During this decade the foundation was laid and the commencement made of that institution of learning which has contributed so much to the advancement and prosperity of this county-Kenyon College. Under its appropriate head we have devoted a chapter to this subject, and hence will say no more here than has reference to the action of the County Commissioners on matters connected with it. On December 7th, 1829, the petition of Philander Chase and others was presented to the Board for the view of four roads. 1. From the junction of Wiggin and Gaskin streets towards James Smith's mill. 2. To Coshocton. 3. To Giffin's mill. 4. Around the foot of College hill south west to Frederick Rohrer s tavern stand. The Commissioners ordered Thomas Griffith Plummer to survey ; and Jonathan Miller, Wm. Marquis and Joseph Critchfield to view. All of these parties are now dead. July 3d, 1817.