Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 February 1904 — Jasper’s Early History. [ARTICLE]

Jasper’s Early History.

COUNTY.

A county is a subdivision of a state organized by the State legislature soUly for governmental purposes. The State organized with fifteen counties. Every citizen was then and since has been for the exercise of criminal and civil power attached to some county As more than three-fourths of the state on Nov. 7, 1816 was unsurveyed this county was attached to the nearest organized county following up the Wabash from Vincennes The survey is defined from a base 38 deg. 30 min. of latitude and two meridians, one extending north from the mouth of the little Blue River and one exending from the mouth of the Miami river Thia part of the state was not surveyed for sale until the north boundary was established (1828) and the Indians bad agreed to ieava (1832.) Their actual re moval commenced (1836) and the white men cam- 4 into possession in 1840. A land office was opened at Winamac in 1840 named after the high chief of the Potta Wattomies. Until 1825 we were a part of the great Wabash county, when our solons said “all that part of the county of Wabash lying north And west of the county of Fountain is attached to said county.” On June 23, 1827 we were so attached to Warren until White was organized (18<5) when that portion north of lownship 28 was made Marion township White county. That portion between township 29 and Warren county was designated hs Jasper and tnat north of township 28 as_Newton county, in 1835, what was then called Newton county was contracted on the north from townpbip 34 to the Kankakee river by Ithe creation of Porter (1836) and [L<ke in 1837, The names Jasper land Newton are in honor of two of [Marion's men who were conspicuous for mutual friendship and Lreat bravery, while in name, Newlon county, but in fact Marion township, White county, an lleotion held for. Justice (1835) I*suited ..Thi mas Randle 19 and fceorge Stump 5 votes. In 1838 Ln act was passed under which the Iwo counties were united. In March 1839 the territory from lownship 23 to the Kankakee was Divided into two townships, Newton north and Pinkamink south of

the Iroquois river. Piukamink was an nnderobief of Winamac. In 1840 the territory south of township 27 was made into Benton county, in 1859 that west of range seven became Newton county. The legislature added in 1840 on the southeast the Waukauea. South America and part of the Blue sea. Newton and Jasper were separate from 1834 to 18. ( 8, united from 1838 to 1859, and again divorced in 1859. The youngest county (Newton) has not been happy and may come back home, At present Jasper stands second in size. Our brief review brings us to 1838 and the aid of actual observers and their children is needed. Our last old settlers meeting imposed on the w,iter the duty to select a historical committee. Whitsmen did not begin settlement until after 1830. There was little progress until after Porter, Lake and Benton were organized. Our real progress in improvement of the native wildness dated from the formation of Jasper as now with Newton added, That twentyone years, 1838 to .1859 may be said to have witnessed the advent of the Old Settlers. One who moved to stay before the Separation is an old settler. They made history and we want to write from memory what you observed. Send in names of men and women who know aud can tell how things were during and since the days of the old settlers. I want your suggestions on or before Feb 10, 1904, if possible. Feb. 5,1904 8. P. Thompsqm.