314 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

CHAPTER VI.

HARDIN COUNTY ERECTED AND ATTACHED TO LOG-IN-ORGANIZATION OF HAR- COUNTY-COL. JOHN HARDIN - ELECTIONS AND ELECTORS OF

1833-34---PUBLIC BUILDINGS-PIONEER .TAIL-FIRST

COURT HOUSE-PRESENT COURT HOUSE

AND JAIL-COUNTY- IN-

FIRMARY.

THREE years after the ratification of the treaty held at the foot of the Maumee Rapids,the territory then acquired from its original possessors was divided into counties. The Ohio Legislature passed an act on the 12th of February, 1820, which reads as follows:

SECTION 1. Be it enacted etc., That all that part of the land, lately ceded by the Indians to the United States, which is within this State, shall be, and the same is hereby erected into fourteen separate and distinct counties, to be bounded and named a: follows, viz.: First, to include Townships 1, 2 and 3 south. in Ranges 1, 2. 3 and 4. and to be known by the name of Van Wert. Second, to include all of said ranges south of said townships, to the northern boundaries of the counties heretofore organized and to be known by the name of Mercer. Third, to include Townships 1 and 2 south, and 1 and 2 north, in Ranges 5, 6, 7 and 8, and to be known by the name of Putnam. Fourth, to include all of the last-named ranges, south of the said second townships, to the northern boundaries of the organized counties, and to be known by the name of Allen. Fifth, to include Townships 1 and 2 south and 1 and 2 north, in Range. 9, 10, 11 and 12, and to be known by the name of Hancock. Sixth, to include all the last mentioned ranges, south of said second township, and running south with the range lines to the northern boundaries of the organized counties, and to be known by the name of Hardin. Seventh, to include Townships 1, 2 and 3 south, in Ranges 13,14,15,16 and 17, and all that may lie between the same and the west line of Richland County, and to be known by the name of Crawford. Eighth, to include all of the last mentioned ranges, south of said third townships, and to run south with said range lines to the northern boundaries of the organized counties, and east with the township lines to Richland County line, and to be known by the name of Marion. Ninth, to include Townships 1, 2 and 3 north, in Ranges 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17, and to be known by the name of Seneca. Tenth, to include all of the last-mentioned ranges north of said third township, to the northern boundary of the State, and to be known by the name of Sandusky. Eleventh, to include all of Ranges 9, 10, 11 and 12, north of the second townships north, in said ranges, and to run north with the same to the State line, and to be known by the name of Wood. Twelfth, to include all of Ranges 5, 6, 7 and 8, north of the second townships north, in said ranges, and to run north with the same to the State line as aforesaid, and to be known by the name of Henry. Thirteenth, to include Townships 1, 2 and 3 north, in Ranges 1, 2, 3 and 4 and to be known by the name of Paulding Fourteenth, to include all of Ranges 1, 2, 3 and 4, north of the third townships north, in said ranges, and to run north with the same to the State line, and to be known by the name of Williams. ,

SEC. 2. That the counties of Crawford and Marion shall be attached to the county of Delaware the county of Hardin shall be attached to the county of Logan, the county of Allen shall be attached to the county of Shelby; the counties of Van Wert and Mercer shall be attached to the county of Darke; the counties of Hancock, Henry, Putnam, Paulding and Williams shall be attached to the county of Wood; and the county of Seneca shall be attached to the county of Sandusky, until otherwise directed by law.

At different periods after the separate organization of these counties, six other counties were formed out of territory taken from them, viz., Auglaize, Defiance, Fulton. Lucas, Ottawa and Wyandot. The counties of Morrow, Union, Logan, Shelby and Darke also include within their limits

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PAGE 316 - PICTURE OF W. H. PHILIPS MD

HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY. - 317

a portion of the old Indian territory obtained by the treaty of 1817, which now comprises twenty full counties and parts of five others. It is generally conceded that the lands embraced in said territory rank among the finest in the State.

This county remained attached to Logan for thirteen years, and the few scattering settlers that located within its boundaries during that period were compelled to go to Bellefontaine to attend to such legal and official business as the necessity of the times demanded. With the flight of these years, the population had grown sufficiently to entitle Hardin County to self government, and January 19. 1833, the General Assembly passed an act for its separate and distinct organization. For the benefit of our readers, we here give a verbatim copy of said act:

SECTION 1. Be it enacted, etc., That the county of Hardin be, and the same is hereby organized into a separate county.

SEC. 2.. That all suits and actions, whether of a civil or criminal nature, which shall be instituted prior to the taking effect of this act, shall be prosecuted to final judgement and execution in the county of Logan, as though the county of Hardin had not been organized, and all judgments rendered in the county of Logan, before the passage of this act, against persons residing, in the county of Hardin, shall be collected in the same manner In all respects as if the act had not been passed.

SEC. 3. That on the first Monday in April next, the legal voters residing in the county of Hardin shall assemble in their respective townships, at the usual places of holding elections in said townships and elect their several county officers, who shall hold their offices until the next annual election, and until their successors are elected and qualified.

SEC. 4. That the County Auditor of the county of Logan shall make out a correct list of all lands and other real estate with the appraised value thereof, lying in the county of Hardin, and heretofore returned to the said Auditor for taxation by the Assessor of the said county of Logan. and deliver the same over to the Auditor of the county of Hardin on demand, and for making out such list. the Auditor of Logan shall be entitled to receive the same fees as for making out duplicates, for taxes, which shall be paid out of the treasury of the county of Hardin.

SEC. 5. That the Court of Common Pleas for the county of Hardin shall be held at the house of William McCloud until a seat of justice be established for said county. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after the 1st day of March next.

In the erection of Wyandot County, February 3, 1845. thirty-seven sections of land, containing, 32,680 acres, were taken from the northeast part of Hardin, in the organization of the new county, viz., twenty-four sections lying in Township 3 south, Range 12 east, and thirteen sections, lying in Township 4 south. Range 12 east. Hardin County had originally a general width of twenty-four miles from east to west; is twenty-four miles long on the west boundary, and twenty-six on the east, so that the southern line of the county runs in a northeast direction from east to west. The territory attached to Wyandot County was a strip four mile, wide and eight miles long, besides one other section of 640 acres, leaving the northern part of the county with a width of but twenty miles, and thus: it has remained to the present time.

COL. JOHN HARDIN.

We copy the following biography from Howe's "Historical Collections," which publication is considered good authority upon pioneer events in Ohio. He says: "Col. John Hardin, after whom this county was named, was an officer of distinction in the early settlement of the West. He was born of humble parentage, in Fauquier County, Va., in 1753. From his very youth, he was initiated into the life of a woodsman, and acquired uncommon skill as a marksman and a hunter. In the Spring of 1774, young Hardin, then not twenty-one years of age, was appointed an ensign in a

318 - H18TORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

militia company, and shortly after, in an action with the Indians, was wounded in the knee. Before he had fully recovered from his wound, he joined the noted expedition of Dunmore In the war of the Revolution, he was a Lieutenant in Morgan's celebrated rifle corps. He was high in the esteem of Gen. Morgan, and was often selected for enterprises of peril, requiring discretion and intrepidity. On one of these occasions, while with the Northern army, he was sent out on a reconnoitering expedition, with orders to take a prisoner for the purpose of obtaining information. Marching silently in advance of his party, he ascended to the top of an abrupt hill, where he met two or three English soldiers and a Mohawk Indian. The moment was critical. Hardin felt no hesitation-his rifle was instantly presented. and they ordered to surrender. The soldiers immediately threw down their arms --- the Indian clubbed his gun. They stood while he continued to advance on them: but none of his men having come up, and thinking he might want some assistance, he turned his head a little and called to them to come on: at this moment. the Indian, observing his eye withdrawn from him. reversed his gun with a rapid motion, in order to shoot Hardin: when he. catching in his vision the gleam of light reflected from the polished barrel, with equal rapidity apprehended it: meaning and was prompt to prevent the dire effect. He brought his rifle to a level in his own hands, and fired without raising, it to his face-he not having time, the attempt would have given: the Indian the first fire. on that depended life or death he gained it. and nave the Indian a mortal wound: who, also, firing in the succeeding moment, sent a bullet through Hardin's hair. The rest of the part; made no resistance, but were marched to camp. On this occasion, Hardin received the thanks of Gen. Gates.

In 1786, he settled in Washington County, Ky., and there was no expedition into the Indian country after he settled in Kentucky, except that of Gen. St. Clair, which he was prevented from joining through an accidental lameness, in which he was not engaged. In these, he generally distinguished himself by his gallantry and success. In Harmar's expedition, however, he was unfortunate, being defeated by the Indians while on a detached command, near Fort Wayne, Ind. Col. Hardin was killed in the thirty-ninth year of his age. He was-says Marshall, in his history of Kentucky, from which these facts are derived-a man of unassuming manners and great gentleness of deportment, yet of singular firmness and inflexibility as to matters of truth and justice. Prior to the news of his death, such was his popularity in Kentucky that he was appointed General of the First Brigade.

Col. Hardin was assassinated by the Indians in 1792. He was sent by President Washington on a mission of peace to them, and was on his way to the Shawnee town. He had reached within a few miles of his point of destination, and was within what is now Shelby County, Ohio, when he was overtaken by a few Indians, who proposed encamping with him, and to accompany him the next day to the residence of their chiefs. In the night, they basely murdered him, as was alleged, for his horse and equipments, which were attractive and valuable. His companion, a white man, who spoke Indian, and acted as interpreter, was uninjured. When the chiefs heard of Hardin's death they were sorry, for they desired to hear what the messenger of peace had to communicate. A town was laid out on the spot in 1819, on the State road from Piqua through Wapakoneta, five miles west. of Sidney, and named, at the suggestion of Col. John Johnston, Hardin, to perpetuate the memory and sufferings of this brave and patriotic man.

HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY. - 319

In subsequent years. a son of Col. Hardin's was Secretary of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

ELECTIONS AND ELECTORS OF 1833-34.

The first election in Hardin County after its organization was held on the 1st of April, 1833, the voting place being at the cabin of Jonathan Carter in the village of Round Head. The township of Round Head was the only subdivision then organized in the county, but it embraced within its limits a large scope of country now included in several townships subsequently erected from its territory. The legal voters from every portion of the county were compelled to go to Carter's cabin to cast their ballots at this election; therefore, it is safe to infer that some staid away, and that the full vote was not cast. The officials elected were three Commissioners, Sheriff, Auditor, Recorder, Treasurer, Surveyor, Coroner and Assessor, the whole vote amounting to sixty-three ballots.

As a matter of historical interest to the descendants of the pioneers, we herewith append the names of those who voted at that election, viz.: George W Newland, Micajah Lyle, Alexander Given, John Lyle, Alexander Templeton, Lorenzo D. Lay, Sr., Michael Wagner. Samuel Tidd, Mathew Mahan, James Hays, David Poe, John Mahan, John Hankins, William Rutledge. William Botkin, William Given. Stephen Thompson, Isaac Darnell, Michael Fickle. James B. Bowdle. Isaac Holt. John Tidd. Sr., Daniel McArthur, John Tidd, William Ford, Charles Tidd, William Codington, Amos Hendrickson, John Moore, Asa Mahan, James Hill, Jr., John Oldecker, E. S. Moore, Henry Staymatze, Robert McCloud, John C. Hill, Joseph W. Bowdle. John McArthur, Arthur, Joseph Collins, William McCloud, .John Johnson, David McArthur, Martin Hill, James E. Hueston, Samuel Hatfield, Silas Bailey, Samuel Stevenson, Jesse Bowdle, Jesse L. Bowdle, Charles C. Scott, Joseph Bates, Henry D. Tharp, Charles W. Stevenson, James Hill, Sr.. Benjamin F. Wibly, Thomas McGoldrick, George Blaylock, Charles Bowyer, Jonathan Carter, Peter C. McArthur, Daniel Campbell, John T. Scott, Samuel Richey. The Judges of this election were Charles Tidd, Lorenzo D. Lay and William Coddington; the Clerks, James B. Bowdle and Alexander Templeton-total 63.

The following are the names of the candidates voted for at this election, with an abstract of the vote that each obtained, as copied from the returns can tile in the Clerk's Office:

County Commissioners-John McArthur, 52; Joseph Bates, 8; John P. Terry, 1; Charles C. Scott, 48; Cyrus Dille, 35.

Sheriff--Michael Fickle, 7; Henry D. Tharp, 30; John Ward, 8; John Hankins, 14.

Auditor-Charles W. Stevenson, 43.

Recorder-Stephen Thompson, 22; Daniel Campbell, 38.

Treasurer--James Hays, 8; Robert McCloud, 19, Jonathan Carter, 19, Jesse L. Bowdle, 12.

Surveyor-John P. Terry, 3; Ethan Terry, 1.

Coroner-Henry Staymatze, 43.

Assessor-Isaac Darnell, 10 ; Peter C. McArthur, 46.

For the office of Treasurer, Robert McCloud and Jonathan Carter each received 19 votes, so that no choice was made at the polls. These candidates agreed to decide the matter by "drawing cuts," and fortune favoring Mr. Carter he was duly declared Treasurer of Hardin County, and served in that capacity until March, 1834, when he was succeeded by his old op-

320 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

ponent, Robert McCloud, who defeated him at the election held October 8, 1833.

The first election on record in Taylor Creek and Blanchard Townships was held May 4, 1833, for the purpose of electing two Justices of the Peace and other township officers, the county containing but one Justice, viz., Daniel Campbell, up to that time. Taylor Creek cast 19 votes. and Blanchard 22, the former electing Simon Robertson, and the latter George H. Houser. The Judges of Election in Taylor Creek were Charles C. Scott, Joseph Collins and Joab Pope, with Cyrus Dille and Charles W. Stevenson as Clerks. The Judges in Blanchard were Charles Cessna, James E. Hueston and John H. Houser, anti the Clerks Nathaniel A. Hughey and Jacob H. Houser. The names of the electors in Taylor Creek Township who voted at that election are as follows: Charles W. Stevenson, Cyrus Dille, Charles C. Scott, Joseph Collins, Abraham Dille. Joseph Scott. Sr.. Joseph Scott, Jr , William McCloud, Joab Pope, Samuel Hatfield. Levi D. Tharp, Jacob Snoddy. William Scott, James Andrews, .Jonathan Williams, Lewis Andrews, Hiram Reed. Samuel Dille. Henry D. Tharp-total. 19.

Those who cast their votes in Blanchard Township, on the 4th of May, 1833, were David H. Edgar, Heth Coats, Albert Dudley, Joseph Bates, Nathaniel A. Hughey, William Moodie, James E. Hueston, Charles Cessna, William Dinwiddie, George H. Houser, John H Houser, Jacob H. Houser, .John Marks, Henry Heckathorn, George Elsey, Moses Dudley, Thomas McGoldrick, Benjamin Depew, Asa Trump, Hanson Robey, John Robey, John Dinwiddie-total, 22.

On the 8th of October, 1833, the regular annual election took place, there being at that time but four organized townships in Hardin County, viz.. Round Head, Taylor Creek, Blanchard and Dudley. The officers of election in Round Head Township were John Mahan, William Ford and Alexander Given, Judges, with John Draper and Stephen Thomson, Clerks. Forty-seven ballots were cast, the following being the names of the electors, viz.: William Ford, Daniel McArthur, Findlay McArthur, Alexander Given, John Mahan, David McArthur, Lorenzo D. Lay, William Tidd, Michael Wigant, John Hankins, John McArthur, John Tidd, Sr., Richard S. Anderson, Alexander Templeton, James Hill, Daniel Campbell, George Black, John T. Scott, Robert Race, William Given, Jacob Kimberlin, Isaac Darnel], Jacob Thomson. Henry Staymatze. Richard Rutledge, Asa Malian, James Ayers. John Ayers, William Killough, John C. Hill, Martin Hill. Stephen Thomson, William Botkin. Josiah James. William Codington. John Tidd, David Poe, John Moore, John Oldecker. E. S. Moose, John Draper, Samuel Hill, James Hill, Andrew Richey, .Jonathan Carter, John G. Colvin, Isaac T. Holt-total, 47.

The election officers of Taylor Creek Township, in October, 1833, were Joab Pope, Henry D. Tharp and Jonathan Williams, Judges; Simon Robertson and Lewis Andrews, Clerks. The Elector, of this township were Basil Bailey, William Bailey, Silas Bailey, Jonathan Forsythe, Levi D. Tharp, Samuel Morgan, William McCloud, Charles W. Stevenson, Samuel Stevenson, Thomas Collins, Charles C Scott., Simon Robertson, Peter C. McArthur, Henry D. Tharp, Joab Pope, Jonathan Williams, James Andrews, Josephus Collins, Robert McCloud, William Scott, Lewis Andrews, Clement Rice, John Rice, Samuel Dille, William Trout, Jacob Snoddy, Abraham Dille, Cyrus Dille-total, 28.

In Blanchard Township, the Judges of Election. October 5, 1833, were Thomas McGoldrick, Joseph Leedom and John H. Houser, and the Clerks,

HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY. - 321

David H. Edgar and Nathaniel A. Hughey. The names of the Electors were as follows: A. Hussey, John Payer, James E. Hueston, James Hays, George H. Houser, Eri Strong, Jonathan Cessna, Thomas Moodie, David H. Edgar, John H. Houser, John Reckathorn, William W Wilmoth, Lemuel Wilmoth, Joseph Bates, Abel Allen, John Garret, John Johnson, William Dinwiddie, Benjamin F. Wheeler, John McCormack, Nathaniel A. Hughey, Samson Shadlev, John P. Terry, Daniel Trump, Jacob H. Houser, James M. Gillespie, Joseph Leedom, Thomas McGoldrick-total, 28.

The poll book of Dudley Township, for October 8, 1833, was partly destroyed by the fire of 1853, only one-half of the tally sheet being now in existence, from which we find that the judges of the election were Joshua Cope, Portius Wheeler and Elias L. Lownes, and the Clerks, James Worthington and William Williamson. The abstract shows that the highest number of votes cast at that election in Dudley Township, for any one can didate, was fourteen, which would make the total vote of Hardin County in October, 1833, 117.

The next annual election occurred October 11, 1834, when Round Head Township cast fifty-two votes. Alexander Given, William Ford and Stephen Thomson. were the Judges: and Daniel Campbell and Thomas C. Livingston, Clerks. Taylor Creek Township cast twenty-three votes, with Jonathan Williams, Lewis Andrews and James Stevenson, as Judges, and Samuel Dille and James B. McConnell, Clerks. The township of Blanchard cast thirteen votes, and the Judges were John E. Fry, George Mowry and James Packer: the Clerks. David H. Edgar and Jacob Fry. Dudley Township cast twenty-one votes, as follows: Moses Dudley, Albert Dudley. Miles W. Van Fleet, Joshua Cope, Wyne Rode, Asa Davis, Portius Wheeler, Isaac Garrard, Harvey Chapman, John Henry, Abraham Jones, Elisha D. Timmons. Anson M. Clement, William Williamson, George Elsey, Francis D. Rodgers. Solomon Goss, Rowland T. Madison, Amasa A. Farnham Charles P. Huntly, Uriah Williams. The Judges in this election for Dudley, were Joshua Cope, Portins Wheeler, and Elias L. Lowness the Clerks, Rowland T. Madison and Miles W. Van Fleet.

The Townships of Goshen, Cessna and Pleasant were erected in 1834, the two former in the spring, and the latter in the fall of that year. The following are the names of the electors in Goshen Township at the first election. held May 24, 1834. John Heckathorn, Nathaniel A. Hughey, Samuel Kelly, Samuel Crossin, Benjamin Widner, Henry Heckathorn, Philip Heckathorn, John Post. John P. Terry, Thomas Shanks, Ethan Terry, William Woodard - total, 12. The Judges were Nathaniel Hughey, Thomas Shanks and Samuel Kelly; the Clerks, Ethan Terry and William Woodard. At the October election, 1834. but seven votes were cast in Goshen Township, viz.: Samuel Kelly, Nathaniel A. Hughey, Samuel Shull, Philip Heckathorn, Ethan Terry, Benjamin Widner, John Heckathorn. The Judges were Samuel Kelly, Nathaniel A. Hughey and Samuel Shull; Ethan Terry and Benjamin Widner, Clerks. The difference in the vote of May and October was caused, perhaps, by the erection of Pleasant Township, and the change in the other township lines.

The first election in Cessna Township was held May 31, 1834, and the voters were as follows: Robert Kirkland, John Leeper, John Kirkland, Charles Cessna, Mathew Dolson, Allan Leeper, Daniel Trump, Jacob Pine, .Jonathan Cessna, Stephen Cessna, Joseph Leedoin, William Johnson, Thomas Leedom, Clay Clements, Benjamin F. Wheeler, John Johnson, Isaac Gray - total, 17. Judges of Elections. Charles Cessna and Mathew

322 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

Dolson; Clerks, Clay Clement and Benjamin F. Wheeler. In October, 1834, the voters of Cessna were John Johnson, Mathew Dolson, Charles Cessna, William Johnson, Jesse Hatfield, Clay Clement. Jacob Pine, Daniel Trump, Levi Mathews-total, 9. The Judges were Charles Cessna. Mathew Dolson and John Johnson; Clerks, Clay Clement and David Trump.

Between the elections held in Goshen and Cessna Townships, in May and October, 1834, Pleasant Township was erected, and as a matter of general interest eye herewith give the names of those who voted in said township on the 14th of October, 1834, this being the first election held therein: William McCloud, Robert McCloud, Jonathan Forsythe, Samuel Badley, John Ryan, James Hays, Eri Strong, John W. Williams, .Jacob H. Houser, .James Elam, Alexander Thompson, Charles W. Stevenson, Emi P. Hurd, Daniel Barron, John C. Dille, Samuel Wanner, .Jonathan Cessna, Reading Hineline. John Gardner, Thomas Moodie, Washington Shover, Thomas Gossage, William Wilmoth, Levi Hosman, William Johnson, William Williamson, George H. Houser, John Dinwiddie, George W. Newland, Joseph Nichols, Henry S. Waggoner, John Gibson, Uriah Peene, Benjamin Faught, Robert Dinwiddie, William King, Jacob Pine, John H. Wear, William Dinwiddie, Isaac Gray, Henry Garrett, Andrew Richey, .John Johnson, Robert Smith: Joseph W. Williams, David Smith, Robert B. Truman, Jonas Butcher, Edward M. Badley, Joseph Garrison, Solomon Slider, Elias Clark, Obed Taylor, Andrew C. Barnes, Abel Allen, Daniel Osborn - total, 56. The Judges were John C. Dille, John W. Williams; and Jacob H. Houser; the Clerks. James Hays and John Ryan.

We have now gone through the retains of 1833-34, giving the names of the voters and officers of the elections held in those years. To extend the lists farther would be foreign to the object in view, viz.: the preservation of the names of the pioneer electors; and as they were also the first settlers of Hardin County, we feel it a duty to inscribe on the pages of history these names of many worthy pioneers long since forgotten, or only remembered by their few cotemporaries who are yet left to speak of those early days. We found it no slight task to decipher solve of the names on these returns, and, doubtless, there may be a few incorrectly spelled or deciphered; but if any of our readers will take the trouble to examine the election returns of 1833-34, they will there discover ample excuse for any mistakes that may be found in these lists.

PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

During the legislative session of 1832-33, Ira Page, Abner Snoddy and Edward L. Morgan were appointed by the General Assembly to select a location for the county seat of Hardin County. In due time, they decided upon the site of Kenton, and accordingly reported at the September term of the Court of Common Pleas, in session at Fort McArthur. The selection and conditions thereof were recorded by the court, and Charles W. Stevenson was appointed Director to lay off said seat of justice, and sell the lots at public auction in the following October. This was accordingly done, and a public square was laid off for the use of the county, upon which the county buildings might be erected.

PIONEER JAIL.

The first public building erected in Hardin County was a one-storied log jail, about 18x24 feet in size. The walls were double, and the logs being

HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY. - .323

hewed on four sides, fitted closely together, yet to make it more secure. the logs of the outside wall covered the crevices between those of the inside. The roof was made of clapboards, and through the center of the building ran aboard partition, making two rooms, one for male and the other for female prisoners. The floor consisted of a solid layer of hewed log sleepers resting upon the ground, on top of which the boards were nailed. This jail was built on the site where the court bouse now stands, in 1833; but a few years prior to the burning of the first court house, in 1853, it was moved from the square to the southeast corner of the lot on which the latter structure stood.

An incident that occurred in 1837, in connection with this jail, is worthy of mention. David Goodin says: "In 1837, a man named Halstead was arrested, in the northern part of the county. for stealing a horse, brought to Kenton. and incarcerated in the old log jail. William McGovern was Deputy Sherif. and had charge of the prisoner. The weather was cold and the jail containing no fire-place or stove, a large iron kettle was improvised as a heating apparatus by being filled with blocks of wood and a fire started therein, the smoke escaping as best it could. Soon after his arrest, Halstead complained of an intense thirst during the night hours, and asked that plenty of water should be left in the room. He also professed a religious turn of mind, and requested McGovern to grant him candles so that he might have light by which to read his Bible after nightfall. The wily rascal's wishes were all readily granted by the Deputy, who loved to exercise the dignity and power of his office; but one morning on going to the jail the self-important official was dumbfounded upon discovering that ' the bird had flown.' Halstead had taken the blocks of burning wood from the kettle, and by constant toil had burned a hole through the solid log floor, tunnelled under the wall and escaped. It must have taken him many nights to do the work, using the water, which the unsuspecting deputy had left him for drinking purposes, to put out the fire, when daylight would compel him to forego his labors. Throughout the day he would have his bed over the scene of his work, thereby hiding it from prying eyes. He then stole the bedding to protect him from the cold, and. was never recaptured, his escape being a standing joke on McGovern for many years afterward." This jail was used until the erection of the present one in 1855.

FIRST COURT HOUSE.

In May 1834, the erection of the first court house of Hardin County was begun on Main street, where Mr. Filler's dry goods store now stands. The contractors were John W. Williams and John Houser, while Boston Shawver, of Bellefontaine, was the builder. It was a plain brick structure, two stories high, 30x40 feet in size, and was finished in October, 1835, though court was held in it prior to that date. A hallway ran through the center of the building from east to west, dividing it into two rooms. The Auditor had his office in the south room, and the Clerk occupied the room on the north side. The court room was in the second story, while the Recorder and Treasurer had their offices in their homes or place of business, until the erection of the small frame building of two rooms, which stood adjoining the court house on the south. The Sheriff "had his office in his hat," is the reply we received from the pioneer official, Daniel Barron, in answer to a question on this subject. Everything around this building was finished in the plainest style, and in keeping with the pioneer times, but it was all that was necessary in those days, when money was scarce and log cabins the only kind of dwellings that the settlers could afford.

324 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

For eighteen years, justice was doubtless meted out with as much dignity, and the law expounded as logically in this old court house as it is to-day in the beautiful temples of justice that adorn nearly every county seat, from the Ohio to the Lake; but on Friday morning, March 4, 1853, the building was burned to the ground. The fire was first discovered in the Auditor's offce about 4 o'clock, A. M., and soon spread throughout the whole structure. Most, if not all, of the early records in the Auditor's office were destroyed, as well as much damage done to those in the Clerk's and Sheriff's offices, the latter official having by that time a permanent office in the building. The Recorder and Treasurer saved all of their books without any serious damage, though the small frame in which their offces were located was burned at the same time. The loss to the county through the destruction of the "Commissioners' journal," which contained all of their offcial actions throughout the earlier years of the county's history, can never be replaced.

During the interval between the time the court house was burned and the completion of the present one, the county official; had to be furnished with temporary offces. The Commissioner; rented a room in the "Millar Building," on the northeast corner of Detroit and Columbus street. which was occupied by the Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, while the Auditor, Treasurer and Recorder were provided with offces in the "Copeland Building," on the southeast corner of Detroit and Franklin streets, the same building which Archie Davis now occupies for his grocery store. The Sheriff was without any regular office until the new court t house was finished, and court was held in the United Presbyterian Church, on the southwest corner of Market and Carroll streets, also in the First Presbyterian Church, until the new building was ready for occupancy.

PRESENT COURT HOUSE AND JAIL.

On the 4th of April, 1853. the Commissioners of Hardin County submitted a proposition to the voters thereof as to whether the new court house should be erected on the square, which was decided in the affirmative by a vote of 1,058 to 72. Bids were immediately advertised for, and May 18, 1853, the contract for the building was awarded to Jenkins & Kenedy, for the sum of $17,450. The court house was to be inclosed by the 1st of October, 1853, and entirely completed one year from that date. The firm of Jenkins & Kenedy, after securing the contract. turned it over to Keys & Ayres, which action was approved by the Commissioners June 8, 1853, under the same bond and specifications previously entered into with the first-named firm. Though specified in the contract that the building should be inclosed by October 1, yet we read in the Hardin County Republican of October 28, 1853, the following item in relation to the court house: "This building, should the weather continue favorable for a few weeks, will be under roof, and consequently safe from the inclemency of the coming winter." Early in August, 1854, the interior of the building was so far finished that the Commissioners accepted it for immediate use, and the county offcials occupied the offices provided therein. Upon the full completion of the structure, it appearing to the Commissioners that on account of some changes made by the builders from the specifications and plans first agreed upon, said contractors were not entitled to the full amount claimed by them, a reduction of $249.87 was made, thereby making the entire cost of the court house $17,200.13. The County Commissioners under whose supervision the contract was let and the building erected, were Thomas Hueston, Thomas Rough and John F. Henkle.

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In the spring of 1857, the Town Council of Kenton entered into an arrangement with the Commissioners, whereby they agreed to grade the square and gravel the walks, the Commissioners on their part to erect a fence around the same. The grading, etc., was done under the auspices of Elias Collins, with David Thompson as General Superintendent, and soon the slight, natural elevation, upon which the court house was erected, presented a beautiful slope in every direction, gradually receding toward the streets surrounding it. During the summer, a board fence was built by Horace Church, the lumber being supplied by John Espy, and the whole cost of lumber, building and painting was about $500. In the course of time, the square was planted with trees, and in a few years had the appearance of a small park in the center of the town.

The general appearance of the square at the present time is prepossessing. The architectural design of the court house belongs to the Grecian temple order, though modified to meet the necessities of the times in which it was erected. It is a two-storied brick building, with stone trimmings, is 74x51 feet in size, with an open vestibule at each end ten feet in width, over which the roof extends, supported by four massive stone pillars, giving to each entrance a very handsome appearance, besides adding twenty feet to the exterior length of the structure. From the roof, at the east end of the building, rises a frame cupola or belfry three stories in height, surmounted by a large, brass globe and weather-vane, while a flagstaff, from which often floats the National banner, graces the west end. The interior is finished in the plainest manner. A wide hall runs through the center from end to end, dividing the first story. On the north side, are located the offices of the Treasurer and Probate Judge, each containing an iron, fireproof vault, put in during the summer of 1878. Across the hall, on the south side, are the offices of the Auditor, County Commissioners, Recorder and Sheriff in each of which there is a small, brick vault, constructed when the court house was erected, but they are not fire-proof. The court room is in the second story, with the Clerk's office adjoining it on the cast, and two small rooms cut off the west end for jury and witness rooms. There is no vault in the Clerk's office, and in case of fire it is doubtful if any of the records in this office could be saved. In fact, it is admitted by those best informed on the subject, that none of the vaults in the court house, except the Treasurer's and Probate Judge, would successfully resist the destruction of the building by fire.

The square is inclosed by a handsome iron fence built in July, 1880, by the Champion Iron Fence Company of Kenton, at a total cost of $2,800. There is a gate at each corner of the square and one facing each front of the court house; thus the grounds are traversed by walks leading from six entrances to the building. Forest and ornamental trees make an inviting shade from the summer's sun, while their well-trimmed and neat appearance creates a landscape pleasing to the eye and creditable to the county.

The Jail.-The contract for erecting the present jail was awarded April 1,1855, to Joseph B. Davis, of Cincinnati, for the sum of $3,900, the building to be completed inside of one year. The Commissioners were; Thomas Rough, John F. Henkle and Samuel Wood. The jail was finished, and turned over to the Commissioners November 9, 1855, who, at that time, allowed Mr. Davis $210 for extras, over and above what the contract called for. In 1856, the Sheriff, Day Pugh, built a kitchen, porch and cistern for the jail, at a cost of $124. The jail stands on Lot 48, north side of Carroll, between Main and Wayne streets. It is a two-storied,

328 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

plain, brick structure, 27x36 feet in size, with an old and dilapidated appearance, indicating that its best days are past, and that it is not in harmony with this age of progress. A hall divides the building into two parts; the east end contains five iron cells, and the Sheriff lives in the opposite end. At the legislative session of 1882-83, a bill was passed authorizing the Commissioners to appropriate any amount necessary up to $30,000, toward the erection of a new jail. We understand from the board, that nothing will be done this year (1883) on the proposed structure. The site or plans have not yet been selected; but it will not be long ere Hardin County possesses a jail in keeping with her wealth and prosperity, and in harmony with the spirit of the nineteenth century.

COUNTY INFIRMARY.

Prior to the erection of the County Infirmary, the poor of Hardin County were "farmed out," each township contracting for their support to the lowest bidder. In April, 1858, a proposition was submitted to the people as to whether a poor farm should be procured and an infirmary erected, but it was defeated by large majority. About 1866, the Commissioners purchased 160 acres of land, of John Parkinson, located two miles and a half northeast of Kenton, but nothing was done toward improving it, nor was it ever occupied for the purpose intended. In the fall of 1868. B. R. Brunson and David Snodgrass, two of the County Commissioners, concluded that the farm was not, a suitable site for the infirmary, and against the protest of Samuel Wood, the other member of the board, voted to change the location, and selected a site west of Kenton, on the Lima road. in Section 31, Pleasant Township. The land was owned by Dr. W. H. Philips, from whom they purchased 160 acres, he taking the old farm in part payment. A further addition of forty-four acres was bought of Dr. Philips and Benjamin Rarey, in 1871, the farm now containing 204 acres. The design for the building was furnished by M. Rumbaugh; in 1869, the structure was commenced, finished the following year, and opened for inmates January 5, 1871, under the superintendence of A. W. Fisher.

It is a large three-storied brick building, the shape of the letter H, and rests on a solid stone foundation. The trimmings are of stone and galvanized iron, while the front and ends of the structure, with their numerous juttings, angles, circular and dormer windows near the roof, presents a picturesque and handsome appearance. The main building is 50x112 feet in size, with a two-story wing in the rear of the west end 46x60. On each side of the main entrance, which is reached by a flight of stone steps, is a large bay window extending the full height of the building, adding much to its architectural beauty. Immediately behind the infirmary is a brick building used for a bake-house, containing a winter cellar, and close to it is the smoke-house. Still farther to the rear stands a large T-shaped frame barn on a brick foundation; also the usual number of other outbuildings necessary for a well-regulated farm. Near the barn, is a pond of water sometimes resorted to in filling the boilers, while a Fairbanks scales is 1ocated in the same vicinity.

The interior of the infirmary is as follows: Each story is divided into four quarters, by two large, airy halls through the center of the building, one running east and west, and the other north and south. The first story contains a men's sitting-room, a store-room, two dining-rooms, two kitchens, two cellars and two bath-rooms. Six rooms in the central portion of the second story are occupied by the Superintendent and family. In the west

HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY. - 329

end of this story are four sleeping rooms for male occupants, while the east end contains the same number for female inmates. The third story is of similar construction, the male and female patients each occupying five rooms in their respective departments. This story also contains a water closet in each end, and two rooms for patients with contagious diseases. In the first story of the rear wing are located the engine, boiler, steam heating apparatus and wash-room; and above this. in the second story, is the laundry, and five cells for insane patients. This part of the infirmary also contains the mill for grinding corn. etc., and still to the rear is the fuel house and workshop. The institution is heated throughout by steam, and has telephonic communication with Kenton. The general furnishings are similar to the average public building of this sort, and the whole interior presents well-lighted and healthful appearance. The different stories are supplied with water from. two tanks located in the garret of the infirmary, which are filled by steam power from a 2,000 barrel cistern in the rear yard. The water in one of these tanks is kept heated during the cold weather, thereby giving the inmates the comforts of hot and cold water baths. In the front wall, near the east end of the building is a marble slab, bearing the following inscription:

M. RUNIBAUGH.

Architect.

B. R.. BRUNSON.

Superintendent

H. D. SCHREFFLER.

SAMUEL HAVIL.

Brick Builders.

D. P. STEVENSON.

A. S. Hoon,.

Builder,.

August, 1869.

Near the west end is another tablet. which reads as follows:

S. WOOD,

D. SNODGRASS.

B. R. BRUNSON.

Commissioner. August, 1869.

Upon the completion of the building, Bernard Mathews, Thomas Espy and Archibald Davis were appointed as Directors of the institution, and served until the October election of 1871, when John Elder, Jacob Sponsler and Benjamin Beamer were elected. Thus the board remained one year, and in 1873 it stood Sponsler, Beamer and John Elder; 1874, Beamer, Elder and Theodore Strauder; 1875, Elder, Strauder and Daniel Benton; 1876, Strauder, Benton and Paul Castor; 1877, Benton, Castor and Conrad Kahler; 1878, Castor, Kahler and David Obenour; 1879, Kabler, Obenour and John Pfeiffer; 1880, Obenour, Pfeiffer and Silas Stevenson; 1881, Pfeiffer, Stevenson and David Obenour; 1882, Stevenson, Obenour and John Pfeiffer; 1883, Obenour, Pfeiffer and Silas Stevenson.

The Superintendents have been as follows: January 5, 1871-March. 1872, A. W. Fisher; March, 1872-March, 1876, Isaac E. Wilson; March, 1876-March, 1878, Joseph Nevitt; March, 1878-March, 1879, Leander King; March, 1879, up to the present time, Isaac E. Wilson. The average number of inmates has been about sixty-five; the present number is fifty.

330 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

The grounds in front of the building are planted with flowering shrubs and ornamental shade trees, while a circular driveway cuts the landscape into artistic designs, the circle in turn being divided by a walk from the front gate to the main entrance of the infirmary. Surrounding the building is the splendid farm under a high state of cultivation, and possessing twelve acres of fruit trees. The view from the summit of the infirmary is one of the grandest in this part of Ohio. Overlooking Kenton on the east, and following the windings of the Scioto River as it flows lazily onward through the rich valley, the eye may gaze off upon beautiful natural landscapes, and the scenes drink in the grandeur of God's sublime creation. The infirmary, as it stands to-day, including farm and improvements thereon, has cost about $80,000 Dr. A. G. Byers gave as his judgment, all things considered, that Hardin County has the best infirmary in the State. It is an admitted fact, disputed by no one that the prime mover in the purchase of this farm and the erection of its elegant and commodious building, was Benjamin R. Brunson. To him then is due much of the honor of this grand monument to the Christian charity, growth and progress of Hardin County.