Switzerland County, Indiana Commissioners’ Court proceedings for December 1854 appeared in:
The Weekly Reveille – 21 December 1854 – Page 2, Column 1

Commissioners, Proceedings at their December Term.

As it seems to be with some a matter of doubt, as to what becomes of the enormous sums of money collected annually in this county, in the shape of taxes, we have taken the trouble to make a detailed report of the objects for which appropriations have been made, and also the amounts allowed for each purpose. The taxes are, beyond a doubt very heavy at the present time, but owing to the many objects that have to be looked after by the Commissioners, it is not astonishing that they are heavy; the improvements now going on are, very expensive, which is generally the case with public improvements.

The vacancy in the Wabash College, caused by John L. French, resigning the scholarship which the Board awarded to him at a former session; was filled by Charles C. Goddard.

Upon the petition of S. W. Milligan, H. M. Ayers, S. Stow and one hundred and twenty eight others residents and voters of Cotton township, the two precincts heretofore existing at Melville and Enterprise, were annulled; and one for the same purpose established at Allensville in their stead.

On the petition of Henry McMakin, Jocob Blasdel, and 80 others, residents of this county, a read was ordered to be opened and established, leading from H. McMakin’s farm in Posey township, to the land of N. E. Hedges in York township.

John Brown, Assessor elect, of Craig township, filed his bond and securities in the sum of one thousand dollars, for the faithful performance of the duties pertaining to said office, which were approved by the Board.

John C. Bonham, of Cotton township, was appointed examiner of Teachers of Common Schools, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the removal of Hiram Olmstead, from this county. He will not we presume have a very laborious task to perform in this part of the vineyard; unless it be to find them.

Jesse V. Short, was allowed ten dollars for attending the funerals and furnishing Coffins for one Dutchman, name unknown, and pauper child.

Thomas Whiting, was allowed six dollars for furnishing Funeral clothes, and attending to said Dutchman.

Thomas Lazenby, was allowed four dollars for digging the Graves of a man drowned, name unknown and an infant child of Margaret Jones.

David Mead, was allowed four dollars, for furnishing Funeral apparel, and making Coffin for a transient pauper.

James F. Morris was allowed twelve dollars and eight four cents for boarding and taking care of Catharine Morris.

Samuel W. Howard, was allowed an order for seventy seven dollars, and twenty five cents for extra services as Sheriff, for the quarter ending Dec. 1st.

Hatton & Pavey, were allowed $1,862.50 as the balance due them on the Bryants Creek Bridge. The contract was $2,162.50.

John S. Olmstead, was allowed thirty dollars for keeping, washing for, and taking care of a pauper child, by the name of Mary J. Henderson; for the last nine months.

Robert Hatton, was allowed seventy nine dollars, for furnishing materials for Bryants Creek Bridge.

William Price, was allowed an order for fifty one dollars and thirty five cents, for services rendered as Jailor, during the last quarter.

Charles Goldenburgh, was allowed an order on the treasurer, for five dollars and forty five cents, for Stove and fixtures furnished County offices.

The Board Districted the county off for Library purposes, each of the townships are entitled to one Library each except Jefferson, and Posey; they are entitled to two each.

John F. Doan, was allowed an order on the Treasurer, for forty dollars for superintending the erection of the Bryants creek Bridge.

John H. Cotton, was allowed an order for twenty six dollars and ten cents for taking care of ten paupers, from Sept. 7th to Dec. 7th.

John H. Cotton, was allowed an order for fifty one dollars, for keeping Robert Kilgore, and George Hunter; they are insane.

Powell & Wilson, were allowed an order for four dollars and sixty four cents, for merchandise furnished the county.

Percy Rous, was allowed two dollars, for making review of school land owned by Wm. Bradley.

Dewitt C. Mead, was allowed eight dollars, for furnishing Coffin and burying materials for a man found dead in the Ohio river, name unknown.

Carter & Lamb, were allowed thirty dollars, for attending to the suit brought by John F. Doan, for the county, against Spaulding & Rodgers; this is their fee before the Justice, and the Circuit Court.

Benj. F. Graves, was allowed five dollars, for Medical attendance, upon Wm. Kettle, a pauper.

Robert N. Lamb, was allowed twenty dollars, to be paid out of the School fund.

J. & G. J. Dalmazzo, were allowed fifteen dollars, for Merchandise furnished J. H. Cotton, keeper of Poor Farm.

Robert N. Lamb, was allowed fourteen dollars for money advanced by him to pay freight on books, and for repairs on Auditors office.

Sheets & Braden, twenty five dollars, for Stationary and Ink furnished the county.

Isaac Stevens, was allowed five dollars, for Stationary furnished the county.

O. S. & F. J. Waldo, were allowed eighty one dollars, for doing public printing for the county.

James H. Titus, was allowed 35 cents for freight paid on books by him.

O. S. & F. J. Waldo, were allowed twenty five dollars, for county printing.

Collin McNutt, was allowed one dollars and fifty cents, for serving as inspector two days at October election.

During the quarter ending December, 4th, G. H. Kyle, Treasurer of the county redeemed county orders to the amount of four hundred and eighty eight dollars.

Joseph Peelman, was allowed six dollars, for going to Bryants creek, to assist in locating Bridge. Also six hundred and seventy five dollars, on the Jail contract.

The Court allowed John McMillin, who is represented as being crippled, sick, in bad health, unable to work, and otherwise disabled from active service, the sum of thirty dollars.

The Court allowed Lydia Jennings, and little helpless, fatherless, children, thirty dollars, to assist them in passing through the coming winter. Fit objects for the bestowal of Christian Charity, where are our benevolent societies, our Sewing Societies, in fact our Missionaries, &c., &c.

Drs. McCutchen & Gale, were allowed forty dollars, for attending as physicians the paupers of Craig and Jefferson townships.

Dr. E. S. Gale, was allowed seventeen dollars, for Medical attendance on Posey township paupers.

Dr. Isaac Ball, was allowed fifteen dollars, for Medical attendance on paupers of Cotton township.

Dr. Joseph Cole, was allowed fifteen dollars, for Medical attendance on the paupers of Pleasant township.

Dr. A. Sayre, was allowed twelve dollars and fifty cents for Medical attendance on York township paupers.

George H. Kyle, was allowed eight dollars, for money spent by him in conveying Joseph Moore, from Carrolton Ky. to Lexington, Ky.

The Board gave Richard Green, of Posey township, forty dollars, for the use of his family.

The Board gave the Masons the privilege of altering the Grand and Petit Juries’ room, so as to suit them, provided they do not injure it; they are to bear all expenses.

Robert N. Lamb, an order for two hundred and eighty three dollars, for services as Auditor.

The Court allowed themselves fifteen dollars each, for serving five days each as said Court.

Robert N. Lamb, was allowed one dollar for drawing up the contract between the Court, and Jesse V. Short, for building a house on Poor Farm.

The orders drawn during the session of The Commissioners, amounted to about thirty two hundred dollars.

The Court then adjourned. Jacob Shull presiding, assisted by John Weaver and James S. Ferguson.