Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 March 1877 — In Commissioners’ Court, March Term 1877 [ARTICLE]

In Commissioners’ Court, March Term 1877

Board met in regal ar, eension in auditor's office, March sth, 1877. Present, Hon. Geo. Kessler, president, John Van’t Wood and Wm. B. Price, commissioners, Henry A. Barkley, auditor, and Geo. M. Robinson, sheriff. Petition of G, A. Moss et al. tor an appropriation of >6,880 from Marion township to aid in the construction of the 1., D <k C. R. R. was continued. Petition of James F. Irwin et al. for bridge over Carpenter Creek continued. Petition of Goo. M. Johnson et al. for bridge over Pinkamink continued. Petition of Alfred Thompson et al. for bridge and grade over Pinkamink, between Marion and Barkley townships, dismissed. Petition of James V. Dutton et al. for appropriation forbridge over Alter Creek, in Jordan township, dismissed. Petition of John C. Van Rensselaer to have southeast addition to the town of Rensselaer vacated was granted. Ordered that the necessary expenses for the transportation of James Paris to and retention of him at the Reformatory at Indianapolis be paid out of the county treasury. Appointed George Kessler agent of board to receive grade at Bali’s Ford and settle with the contractor, Wm. Bull. Petition ofßiohmond Hathaway for ditch in Keener township continued. Petition of H. E. Coen for appropriation to repair Curtis Creek bridge continued. The board selected the following named gentlemen to act as grand jurors for the first two terms of circuit court commencing after the Ist of next month: Asa Tyler, Jas. D. Dunn, Lucius Strong, Francis M. Parker, Wm. 11. Henkle and Jonathan E. Tryon. For the last two terms the following persons were chosen: Bronson W. Harrington, John Muffley, Jared Benjamin, Joseph G. Hunt, Henry Welsh and Stuart C. Hammond. Stillman Gates, trustee of Wheatfield township, made his final report, which was approved, and the sureties ou his official bond released.

Board offered a reward of SSOO for the apprehension and conviction of the murderer or murderers of Jimmy Cotton. Petition of Henry Welsh et al. for bridge across Carpenter Creek, in Jordan township, continued. Claim of John Waymire for railroad tax paid by him and now asked to be refunded, referred to county attorney for written opinion, and cause continued. Proposition of Frank W. Babcock to furnish map of Jasper county for the use of auditor’s office accepted. Petition of F. C. Hall et al. for a bridge across the Iroquois river, one-half mile below Alter’s mill, was heard, and Geo. Kessler, commissioner, appointed agent of the board to examine and report as to the necessity and utility of said work, and the cause was continued. Awarded conti act for grade across Kankakee Marsh at Baum’s bridge to John P. Dunlap, who was required to give bond'in the sura of (1,800 for the faithful performance of the work. Daniel E. Fairchild, J. P. of Keener township, made report of fees for services at the coroner’s inquest of Jimmy Cotton, which was continued for corrections. Awarded contract for managing the poor farm and keeping the paupers to fthdlby Grant for the ensuing year, for the faithful performance of which he gave bond in the sum of SI,OOO. Application for license to sell in-* toxicating liquors at retail in the town of Remington was made by George W. Swett, but the board "finding the applicant an unfit person to be entrusted with the same refused to grant it, whereupon the applicant appealed to the circuit court. The application of Wm. Shier was next heard,the board refusing

to grant license on the ground of M. ing a bona fide resident of Rensseher. ApplicautySppealed to circuit court. Shelby Grant, lessee of poor farm, filed required bond, which was approved by the board. The application ot John H. Peet was next considered by the board and license refused on the ground of applicant’s unfitness to be entrusted with the same. This case was also appealed to cireuit court. Phillip McElfresh, lessee of poor farm, presented statement of final settlement with Jasper county, which was approved, and is as follows: . Dr. Sept. 1,1876. To am’t due from him to county - - >32.58 M’ch 1, 1877. Tolnt.atGpr cent, on am’t to date - - .98 Rent of poor farm from Sept 1, 1876, .... 188.00 Amount to balance account, 173.00 Total, - - $387.00 Cr. M’eh 3,1877. By am’nt of accounts allowed. - - $387.00 Rensselaer, Ind., M’ch 8, 1877. Jasper county to Phillip McElfresli, M’ch 10,1877. Anftofbal. of above account - - $173.44 tfhich is allowed by the board in full of settlement with him as lessee of poor farm to date. Plans and specifications submitted by Michael Eger, and on file in auditor’s office, for an additional building upon poor farm for accommodation of the poor was approved and adopted by the board, and the auditor instructed to advertise for bids to furnish all material, erect and finish the buildings according to the plans and specifications on file, and deliver the same completed by the 6th of September, 1877, to be paid for when delivered and accepted by the board. John P. Dunlap filed bond for the faithful performance of contract for grade over Kankakee marsh, at Baum’s bridge, which was approved by the board. Petition of W. S. Coen, trustee of Marion township, for appropriation for completion of grade at Ball’s ford dismissed. By order of the board causes numbered 1,322, 1,823, 1,324, 1,325, 1,326, 1,327, 1,328, 1,332, 1,333, 1,638, 1,639, .1,640, 1,641, 1,642 and 1,643 were continued. Petition of G. W. Swartwout et al. for a division of road work on county line between Jasper and White counties was heard and the board appointed Aaron Hartman and James F. Irwin, commissioners, to look after the same and report. The insurance policy on the court house was amended so as to prevent the use of the same for shows, exhibitions, theatrical performances, etc. Petition of Remington Agricultural Association for show license due it, continued.