In the part of the work which precedes this, the purpose has been to develop those facts only that appertain to the history of Delaware County in its organic character, omitting such as belong particularly to the subdivisional departments, as townships, towns and cities. Here, however, it is proposed to present more in detail narrations of fact and incident that in the aggregate, comprise what is valuable of the local history, having reference, to the occurrences of the past in townships, school districts, neighborhoods, and in individual associations. Among the more striking features of this department, it has been the purpose of the writers to make special mention of first settlements and individual experiences illustrative or pioneer life; of first and succeeding evidences of improvement in the processes of cultivating the soil, the extent and varieties of production; of the early and successful, development, of the facilities for mental and moral training indicated in the ecrection ami furnishing of schoolhouses and churches, the organization of school districts, school institutes, churches and religious societies; of the erection of mills and machinery, with with the introduction and utilization of mechanical appliances in the various industries of the country. Beyond these features, whatever of interest indicative of the progress of society in the acquisition of those classes of knowledge, the possession of which enlarges the sphere of usefulness in the double capacity of citiaenship and indivdual consideration.

When the territory comprising Delaware County began first to emerge from the conditon of an unbroken wilderness, and the adventurous pioneersman, with pluck and tact equal to the situation, came from the more populous districts hard by, bring with him, in addition to his household goods, the implements of civilization, there were no arbitrary boundaries designating the special limits of country or civil township areas. In the process of time, however, log cabins sprung up as if by magic, here and htere, marking the advent and settlement of other adventurers, and neighborhoods were formed. Erelong, these increasing in rapid succession, thoughts of assuming the privileges incident to civil jurisdictions obtruded themselves, and soon the aggregation of settlers petitioned the law making department of the State to be clothed upon with the rights of self-government, as a separate jurisdiction subordinate to that of the State. To recall in brief review in successive steps in the march of civilization as developed in the local changes wrought by the progress of the star of empire westward bound, is the province of the historian in this most inviting field.

CHAPTER I

CENTER TOWNSHIP

Early Settlement and First Settlers-Some Primitive Incidents-The History of this Township-Coincident with that of Munseytown, since Muncie.

Shortly after the conclusion of the treaty with the Delawares, in the month of October 1818, by which the government of the United States came into possession of the lands embraced in the limits of Delaware County, occasional settlers sought an abiding place in the immediate vicinity of the Delaware town, before known as Out-ain-ink, since dignified with the title of Old Town, or rather the seat of Little Munsee, one of the principal chief of the Delaware Indians. Some of these settlements were made as early as 1819. The early settlements, however, were not confined to Center Township; indeed, they were scattered over various portions of the county. From that date, settlers came in frequently, and the vicinity of the old Indian town began to assume a significant consequence as a point likely to become unusually prominent in the future history of the locality. Before the lapse of eight years, the number had increased quite considerably. Among the settlers located here within the period named, we note the names of the most active and enterprising of them:

Goldsmith C. Gilbert, Barton Reese, Philip Moore, Jacob Calved, John Nottingham, John Moore, Lewis Moore, George Truitt, James Franklin, Elijah Reeves, James Moore, Moses Wilson, and some others, whose names and the dates of settlement we have been unable to obtain. Subsequently, the settlement became more numerous, and businesses began to be developed.

In 1825, Goldsmith C. Gilbert, who, for some time previously, had been engaged in the management of a trading house on the Mississinewa, was fortunate enough to be robbed by the Indians, in a drunken row, and his wife, during the melee, was struck with a hatchet and slightly wounded. The consequence of this assault was a penalty of $2,000, assessed against the perpetrators, and subsequently was deducted from the annuities of the tribe. With this money he purchased the Hackley Reservation, for the sum of $960. Upon this tract he erected two cabins, one of which he occupied as a residence and the other as a trading-house. These two cabins appear to have been the nucleus from which the present city of Muncie has sprung. Upon the organization of the county, and it became necessary to locate a seat of justice for Delaware County, the Committee appointed by the legislature for the purpose having examined the several sites proposed, in conformity with the requirements of law, selected the site owned by Mr. Gilbert, Lemuel G. Jackson and William Brown. As a condition of the location, these parties made liberal donations of land to the county, the three donations uniting in the center of the public square. In 1827, there were four families within the original limits of Muncie; Mr. Gilbert on the north; Lewis Vansickle who had a cabin near by; William Brown, who had a cabin where Wysor's Opera House now stands, and a man, whose name is not now remembered, had a cabin over to the westward, among the hazel-brush. This was Muncie in embryo.

The organization of the county took place, technically, on the 1st day of April 1827, but the machinery of government was not placed in adjustment until the necessary officers were elected and qualified. This having been accomplished in due time, a session of the Board of County Justices, exercising the functions of office such as are now exercised by County Commissioners, was held in the month of June (11) following, at which time Center Township, then occupying a much larger extent of territory than at present, was organized, in conformity with established usage. The area of the Township, as at this time described, comprises thirty six square miles, exactly equal to one congressional Township, and contains thirty sections in Township 20, Range 10 east, and six sections in Township 21, immediately north. The first entry of lands in this township, as we have seen was that of the Hackley Reserve by Goldsmith C. Gilbert, about the year 1825, the tract containing 672 acres. The next was all of the southeast quarter of Section 10, east of the Hackley Reserve, which was entered on the 2d day of October 1826, by William Blank, Sr, and contained 113.55 acres.

---

CHAPTER II

MUNCIETOWN - The Seat of Justice

The seat of justice of Delaware County, situated on the south bank of White River, on an elevation of about thirty feet above the bed of the river. It was laid out in 1821, by four [three] different proprietors, in the form of an oblong square. The four principal streets are sixty feet wide, the others, forty-five all crossing each other at right angles. It contains at present three hundred and twenty inhabitants, a post office, a printing office, four physicians, six mercantile stores, three taverns, three groceries, one grist-mill, one saw-mill, one distillery, one carding machine, one cabinet-maker's shop, two tailors, two hatters, one shoe-maker, six house-joiners, one bricklayer and plasterer, two chair-makers, two tanners, two blacksmiths, one gun-smith, one wagon maker, one painter, one saddler's shop, four milliners, one schoolmistress, one Sheriff; one Clerk of the Court, two Magistrates, one School Commissioner, one County Surveyor and Recorder. A superb Court House, with cupola, etc., forty-five feet square and twenty-eight feet high, is to be built, and is now under contract. The contemplated Central Canal will pass through this place, and the connecting link, either by canal or railroad, between the Central and White Water Canals, will, in all probability, terminate at this point, as the Board of Canal Commissioners have reported favorable to such termination. The State Road, from the Ohio State line to Indianapolis, passes through this place. A State Road from Richmond to Logansport, a State Road from New Castle, in Henry County, to Fort Wayne, all pass through this town. There is also a State Road leading to Pendleton and one to Delphi. Muncietown is about sixty-one miles northeast from Indianapolis; north 'latitude, 400 and 7'; west longitude; 80 and 9'.

ADDITIONS TO MUNCIE.

When Munseytown became the seat of justice of Delaware County, the platted area was embraced in the territory already described in the donations made as consideration for the selection of this site as the county town. Since that time numerous additions have been made by the same and other proprietors. These 'are descriptively subjoined according to the order of their date, so far as the same have been definitely ascertained. The original donations the boundaries of which are defined by streets and alleys, are as follows: Gilbert's donation is thus bounded: Commencing at the west side of Jefferson street, in an alley between Washington and Main streets, or on the south line of the Hackley Reservation, extending west through said alley and on said Reserve line, through about the center of the public square to-a point on White River, where Gharky street intersects said river; thence, with the meanders of said river, northeast to North street; thence east with North street to Jefferson street; thence south with Jefferson street to the place of beginning. Jackson's Donation is thus bounded: Beginning in the center of Walnut street, immediately east of the center of the public square, at a point on the south line of Hackley's Reserve (this point is where the section line between Sections 9 and 10 intersect said reserve line); running thence south on said section line to the corner of Sections 15 and 16 in Jackson street; thence west with the section line, through Jackson street to Gharky street; thence north to Water street, or the northwest corner of Lot No. 4, of Block 17; thence east on the south line of Hackley's Reserve, through an alley, to the place of beginning. Brown's Donation commences in the center of Walnut street, immediately east of the public square, at a point on the south line of the Hackley Reserve, where the section line intersects the same; running thence south with said section line to Adams street; thence east with Adams street to a point west of Elm street (the southwest corner of Lot No. 8, in Kirby's addition); thence north to the south line of Hackley's Reserve; thence west on said reserve' line, to the place of beginning.

Subdivision of School Section--The School Section Addition, so called, embraces so much of Section 16, Township 20, Range 10 east, as lies in the northeast corner of the same, between Jackson and Adams streets, and west of 'Walnut. This subdivision was made and became a part of the town plat of Muncie, in the month of April 1835.

George W. Garst's Enlargement-The original of this enlargement was laid out in 1839, and is located in the northeast quarter of Section 16, Township 20, Range 10 east, extending west from Jefferson street to Illinois avenue, and south from Jackson street to Adams street; two half-blocks and a fraction south of Adams street having been vacated. As corrected, the addition - contains one block and a fractional block, eleven lots. School No. 2 has since absorbed all of the whole block, leaving now but the fractional block containing seven lots, including the fractions.

Kirby's First Addition was laid out in April, 1840, and was located in that part of the west, half of the northwest quarter of Section 15, Township 20, Range 10, lying between Madison street and Brown's donation, and between Main and Adams streets. It consists of two blocks said two fractional blocks, embracing eighteen lots. Goldsmith C. Gilbert's Addition was laid out in 1842, in that part of Hackley's Reservation lying east of Jefferson and south of North Street, extending south to the reserve line and east also. It contains two and a halt blocks, embracing twenty lots in all.

Kirby's Second Addition was laid out in 1849, and, as revised, is located in Section 15, on either side of Main street west of Plumb, extending one tier of three lots west of Elm street, comprising in its entire area forty-one lots.

Thomas Kirby's Third Addition-laid out in 1853-consists of forty-four lots, and is located in that part of Hackley's Reserve and section 15 lying east of Monroe Street and north of Jackson Street. Garst's Addition was laid out in 1854 by George W. Garst, and is located in that part of the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 15, Township 20, Range 10, which lies between Walnut and Jefferson streets, on either side of Pearl and Wall streets. The addition contains six blocks and thirty-four lots. Jack and Wysor's Addition is located in Hackley's Reserve, and lies east of Mulberry and Madison streets and north of Washington. It was originally laid out by J. H. Wysor and John Jacks, in 1854, but modified in 1856. There are four blocks and thirty-eight lots. Hoon's Addition occupies that portion of Hackley's Reserve, which lies, on either side of Washington and Madison streets, and extending east to Monroe Street. It was laid out in 1854 by Stewart Hoon, and consists of twelve lots. Turner's Addition is located in the west half of the quarter of Section 15, and lies between Adams street and Charles street, and west of Short street, as originally laid out, but this street being subsequently vacated, making now a total of twelve lots. Minus Turner laid it out in 1855.

Coffeen's First Addition is located in the northwest quarter of Section 15, and lies east of Madison and south of Jackson Street, extending east to the half section line and south from Jackson to Charles Street. The Richmond State road originally ran through the northeast corner of this addition, but the road being subsequently changed in its location, this roadway was vacated. Mr. E. Coffeen was the proprietor, and the addition originally consisted of fifty-five lots, divided into nine blocks.

Coffeen's Second Addition was laid out by the same proprietor, in 1856, in the east half of the northwest quarter of Section 15, miles west of Monroe Street, between Charles Street and the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad. It contains fourteen lots in two blocks.

Seitz's Addition is located in the east half of the northeast quarter of Section 16, Township 20, Range 10, being that part of the school section subdivision lying between Walnut and High street and between the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad, and the four lots north of Charles street. The entire addition consists of fifty-five lots.

South Muncie was laid out by William F. Jones and John P. Voorhees, in 1860,and is situated in the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 15; lying south of the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnatti & Indianapolis Railroad, and west of Jefferson street, and contains nine lots.

Coffeen's First Addition (to South Muncie) was laid off and is located in the east half of the northwest quarter of Section 15 and lies south of the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad, north of Second street, between Madison and Vine streets. It was laid out in 1863, and is embraced in thirty-two lots, divided into four blocks. Coffeen's Second Addition (to South Muncie) was laid out in 1865, in that part of the east half of the northwest quarter of Section 15, lying immediately south of the first addition, between Second and Third streets, and between Madison and Vine streets. It is contained in two blocks of eight lots each. Coffeen's Third Addition (to South Muncie) is located in that part of the east half of the northwest quarter of Section 15, which lies south of Third street, on either side of Denver street. It was laid out in 1866. Robert Winton's First Addition is located in the portions of the northwest and of the northeast quarters of Section 16, which lie south of Jackson Street and west of Illinois avenue, and was laid out in 1864.

S. P. Anthony's First Addition, lies between Walnut and Liberty Street, and between Willard and Florence streets, in the northeast corner of the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 16, Township 20, Range 10, and was laid out in the year 1865.

Proud's First Addition is located in the northeast quarter and in the northwest quarter of Section 16, and lies south of Adams Street, north of Charles and east of Illinois street, and was laid out in 1865.

Kirby's Fourth Addition is located between Main and Adams streets, and west of Ohio avenue, and was laid out by Thomas Kirby in 1864. Subsequently Mr. Kirby laid out a Fifth Addition, located between Adams street and the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad, bound on the east by Grant street and on the west by Beacon Street.

Minus Turner's Second Addition was laid out in 1864, and occupies that portion of the west half of the northwest quarter of Section 15 which lies immediately south of and adjoining his first addition, containing twelve lots.

E. C. Anthony's First Addition was laid out in 1866, and was located on that part of the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 16, lying west of Walnut street and south of Florence, extending south to the south line of the said northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 16, and west of Liberty street.

Kilgore's First Addition is located in the southeast quarter of Section 9, lying between Main and Jackson streets, and between Kilgore and Gharky streets. It was laid out in 1866.

H. A. Stephens Addition was laid out in September 1866, in that part, of the fractional southeast quarter of Section 9, Township 20, Range 10, lying between Main and Jackson streets, and between Kilgore and West Street.

Martin Gallihers First Addition lies south of the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad and Seymour Street, and in that part of the northwest quarter of Section. 15, laying between Vine and Hackley streets it was laid out in 1869 by Martin Galliher. In 1872, Mr. Galliher laid out a Second Addition in the northwest quarter of Section 15, which lies between Vine and Hackley streets.

George Kirby's Addition is situated in the northeast quarter of Section 15, and contains ten and one-quarter acres. It lies, south of Kirby Avenue and east of Hackley Street; was laid out in1872, and contains eight lots.

Smith and Weller's Addition laid out in 1873; by E. P. Smith and L.L. Weller, in a part of the northeast quarter of Section 15, lying between Kirby avenue and the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad, and between Beacon and Grant streets. This addition includes also four lots, which were formerly a part of George Kirby's First Addition and was subsequently vacated.

Wm. Truitts Additon is located in the Hackley Reserve, in that part of it lying east of Monroe Street and on either side of Vine Street, all north of tier of ten lots on Washington Street. It was laid out in 1872.

Thomas J. Matthew's Addition was also laid out in-1872, in that part of the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 15, lying south of the Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad, north of second and between Jefferson and Chestnut streets.

Neely's Subdivision embraces that part of Section 9, which lies immediately west of the Hackley Reserve and of the Muncie and Wheeling Turnpike, and south of the Muncie and Bethel Turnpike. It was laid out in 1872.

Martin Young's Addition was laid out in 1872, in that part of Hackley's Reserve, which lies on either side of Gilbert Street, east of the Fort Wayne, Muncie & Cincinnati Railroad, and north of Hoon's Addition.

Thomas Proud's Second Addition, like the first, is located in the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter Section 16, but lies south of Charles Street and east of Illinois Avenue. It was laid out in 1873.

Thomas Kirby's Sixth Addition was laid out in February 1873, in a part of the northeast and southeast quarters of Section 16, lying west of Liberty Street and the Fort Wayne, Muncie & Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad.

---

CHAPTER III

MUNCIE AS A TOWN.

PRIOR to the fall of 1854, the seat of justice Delaware County, known as Muncietown, Or more generally "Munseytown" did not possess corporate powers such as were then prescribed for the government of towns below the grade, entitling entitling them to be designated as cities because of their greater population. In 1844 the estimated at 467, and two years later at less than 600, within the area occupied by the subsequent corporation. From 1844, during the ten years succeeding, there was an increase in population equal to about 100 per cent, in all not exceeding 900. At the September session of the Board of County Commissioners, in 1854, the people, feeling themselves entitled to privileges not extended to mere township jurisdictions, petitioned the County Board to the number of more than one-third of the voting population, so the record discloses, requesting that the privileges of a town corporation be extended to them. The board, having beard and duly considered the request, ordered that an election be held at the court house, on Saturday, September 30, 1854, at which time there were fifty-seven votes polled with the word "yes," written thereon; forty-two with the words, "for corporation," and four with the word "no" written thereon. This vote was canvassed by the board at its following December session, when it was ordered that the place be thenceforward a corporation under the name of Muncie, the early original name "Munseytown" being discarded. At the time of incorporation, the town embraced an area covered by the original plate and the additions thereto known as Garst's Original or First Addition, Kirby's First, Second and Third Additions, Gilbert's Addition and Boon's addition. These, with the other additions subsequently laid, are set forth at length in the chapter preceding, giving the reader an excellent idea of the dimensions of the place.

Muncie, at the time of its incorporation, was extremely deficient in the means of securing to the children resident within its limits, the necessary educational privileges. The Trustees elected for the purpose of looking after and regulating this branch of the local economy, in a report reviewing the situation at the time of their induction into office, thus speak: "In the spring of 1855, we found the corporation without schoolhouse or real estate, with the exception of one lot at site No. 1, and with it we received notes and cash as set forth" in accompanying exhibits. With these conditions surrounding them in the fall of that year they "purchased an additional lot, bought some brick, and in the spring of 1856 commenced the erection" of the school building known as No. 1, which was subsequently completed at a cost, including desks and other furniture, of $2,586.96, capable of accommodating about three hundred pupils; but an enumeration of children entitled to school privileges within the corporate limits, made in the spring of 1865, disclosed the fact that the aggregate of these was eight hundred, making it apparent that more room and enlarged privileges were urgently necessary, in view of the further fact that the "old seminary building," which in earlier years had been used for common school purposes, was entirely unfit for use, and its further occupancy injudicious. In the summer and fall of 1856, however, after the erection of Schoolhouse No. 1 had been provided for, to allay the dissatisfaction arising among the inhabitants, because of the improvement of the site at the east end of town, the Trustees secured the use of this old seminary building, which had come into the hands of E. C. Anthony, Esq., for school purposes until more satisfactory arrangements could be made for the accommodation of the inhabitants on the other extreme. This, for the time being, was known as School No. 2.

In May 1860, an election was held for the purpose of choosing town officers for the ensuing year. On Friday, the 11th of May, a town meeting was held, the new board consisting of Samuel A. Neely, Trustee for the First District; John Marsh, for the Second District; John A. Gilbert, for the Third District; James Hodge; for the Fourth District, and James L. Truitt, for the Fifth District. Of this board, James L. Truitt was subsequently chosen President, and Carlton E. Shipley, Clerk. The following other officers elected presented their certificates and were sworn to the faithful discharge of their duties, and filed the necessary bonds: William H. Stewart, Treasurer; William T. Nottingham, Marshal, and John Brady, Street Commissioner, the latter being appointed to that position by the new board. Among other proceedings at this meeting of the board. Samuel F. Brady, the outgoing Treasurer; submitted his report of the financial operations of the town during the preceding year. The following is a statement, in abstract, of those operations, as in the report set forth:

1859.
Nov. 5......To balance on settlement...........$34.74
Nov. 8......To license of A. Barnett.................1.00
Nov. 9......To license of A. Barnett.................1.00
Nov. 13....To license of W. L. Farquhar........4.00
Nov. 28....To license of Rodehamel & Bro...4.00
Dec. 17....To sale of lot 212, cemetery..........1.70
Dec. 26....To delinquent taxes......................26.62

1860.
Jan. 25...To license of Dennis Call....................2.00
Jan. 25...To sale of lot No. 267, cemetery.........3.70
Feb. 8....To license of J. Sower............................1.00
Feb. 9....To license of J. H. Forkner...................1.00
Apl. 10...To sale of lot No. 295, cemetery.......16.70
Apl. 23...To cash of John L. Matthews, County Trustee.. 1,218.06
May 8.....To cash of Levi Cook............................1.00
May 8,....To cash of A. Shaffer............................1.00
May 8,....To cash of Joseph Sower.....................1.00
May 8,....To cash of J. Cook................................1.00
   Total----------------- $1,319.52

1860.
Jan. 30, By cash paid order No. 32......$6.00
Jan. 30, By cash paid order No. 28....$26.10
Feb. 6,  By cash paid order No. 30........$5.50
Apl. 21, By cash paid order No. 39......$3.00
Apl. 23, By cash paid order No. 29....$50.40
Apl. 28, By cash paid order No. 31......$6.00
Apl. 23, By cash paid order No. 33......$8.50
Apl. 23, By cash paid order No. 34......$5.50
Apl. 23, By cash paid order No. 35......$3.00
Apl. 23, By cash paid order No. 36......$2.90
Apl. 23, By cash paid order No. 37......$2.50
Apl. 21, By cash paid order No. 38......$9.80
Apl. 24, By cash paid order No. 20......$...80....$130.00
   Balance on hand-----$1,189.52

At the same meeting, it was ordered that a tax levy be made, whereby 1,000 could be realized for the year 1860. A further meeting was held on the 19th of June, 1860, when it was "Ordered, that for building and repairing schoolhouses, there be levied and collected upon each 100 valuation, real and personal, for the year 1860 in the town of Muncie, 25 cents, and upon each poll in said town for said year, the sum of 25 cents; also, for general purposes, on real and personal, 40 cents, and on each poll 25 cents."

The following town officers were elected at the annual election in May, 1861, to wit: Arthur F. Patterson, Trustee First District; John Marsh, Second District; John A. Gilbert, Third District; James Hodge; Fourth District; James Truitt, Fifth District; C.E. Shipley, Clerk; William H. Stewart, Treasurer; Wilson R. Smith, Marshal; William T. Nottingham, Assessor; John L. Armstrong, Street.

An abstract of the Treasurer's Report, submitted at the meeting on the 11th of May 1861, gives the following exhibit of the financial condition.

Received of S. F. Brady, former Treasurer.....$1,189.52
Received for Corporation Licenses........................197.00
Received for sale of Cemetery Lots..........................79.90
   Total.........................$1,466.42

Paid upon forty-five town orders.......................................$1,175.33
Balance on hand at year ending May 11, 1861....................291.09
Received from J. C. Mullen, Treasurer, from taxes.....$1,277.90
Received, from sale of cemetery lots.......................................18.00
    Total---------$1,586.99

Paid out upon four orders.......$80.45
Total on hand at date.............1,506.54

A general tax of $1,000 was ordered to be levied for the year 1861. The following is the Clerk's report for the same period embraced in the report of the Treasurer:

The undersigned, Clerk of said town, respectfully presents the following statements of the receipts and expenditures of said town, for the year ending with the 11th of May, A. D. 1861, together with a statement of the receipts and expenditures made upon account of Beech Grove Cemetery since its organization up to the 11th day of May, 1861.

Statement of the receipts and expenditures of the Town of Muncie for the year ending May 11, 1861, as follows, to wit:

Amount in treasury at this date.............................$1,189.52
Amount from licenses...................................................197.00
Amount from Beech Grove Cemetery...........................97.90
Amount from taxes, including delinquencies........1,277.90
   Total Receipts���. $2,762.32

Page (134)

---

CHAPTER IV

MUNCIE AS A CITY.

Having existed ten years under a town corporation in the enjoyment of all the privileges incident thereto, the people of Muncie, in the exercise of their rights under the law, petitioned the Board of Trustees, as follows: ""The undersigned, constituting more than one- third of the voters of said town (200 in number) of Muncie, as at present included within its corporate limits, respectfully petition your honorable body to take the necessary steps to incorporate said town as a city, under the general law of the State of Indiana, regulating the incorporation of cities, and, as in duty bound, your petitioners will ever pray, etc. February 24, 1864."

The board, at its session on the 9th of November, 1864, having examined and maturely considered the foregoing, petition, enacted as follows: ""And thereupon, it is ordered by the Board of Trustees of the town of Muncie, that John T. Robinson, Marshal, proceed at once to take an enumeration of all persons who Were residents within the corporate limits of said town, on the 25th day of September, A. D. 1864, and make return thereof according to law, within sixty days from this date, to the board. It is further ordered, that, in such return, the Marshal give the name of each person so enumerated, and also the entire number of voters, separately, from the number of such, residents."

On the 13th of January 1865, the Marshal, John T. Robinson, pursuant to his instructions, made return of census on the 25th of September 1864, showing a population of 2,196. Thereupon, it was "ordered by the board, that on Thursday, February 2, 1865, at the court house in said town, a poll shall be opened to determine whether the town of Muncie, Delaware Co., Ind., shall be incorporated as a city, under the general laws of said State."

Such election was held accordingly, and on the 4th of February, thereafter, the Judges and Clerk made report, showing that there had been cast with the word "yes" thereon, 293 votes; with the word "no," one and no more. The board thereupon ordered as follows:

"It appearing that a majority of legal voters of said town have voted at said election in favor of its incorporation as a city, it is ordered by the board that said statement, with said endorsement, be filed this day with the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Delaware County, State of Indiana, which is accordingly now done." It was also "ordered by the Board of Trustees, that the city of Muncie be divided into tour (4) wards, and that the boundaries thereof shall be as follows:

First Ward shall include all of said city lying west of High street.

Second Ward shall include all of said city lying between High street on the west and Jefferson Street on the east.

Third Ward shall include all of said city lying between Jefferson Street on the west and Monroe Street on the east.

Fourth Ward shall include all of said city lying east of Monroe Street.

An election was also ordered to be held on each ward on Saturday, February 25, 1865, "for the purpose of electing a Mayor, two Council-men from each ward, a City Clerk, Assessor, City Treasurer, City Engineer and City Marshal, and that the Marshal then elected shall perform the duties of Street Commissioner." The election having been held accordingly, and the city officers chosen the board of trustees of the Town of Muncie, after making sundry allowances for Judges, Inspectors, and Clerks of Elections, adjourned February 25, 1865, sine die, when the old town corporation ceased to be.

The following is the official report of that election, duly filed and entered of record, to wit:

We, Mark Walling, Arthur F. Patterson, John C. Matthews and Lewis S. Smith, Inspectors of the election held in the several wards of the city of Muncie; county and State aforesaid, on Saturday, the 25th day of February, A. D. 1865 for the election of officers of said city, being met according to law, at the Common Council room in said city, on this Monday, February 27, A. D. 1865, at 9 o'clock A. M., on inspection of the statements of the result of said -election in said several wards as returned by the inspectors and Judges thereof, and now presented by us, do determine and declare as follows, as to the result of said election to wit:

Whole number of votes cast for the office of Mayor of said city is 303, of which John Brady received 285; Job Swain, 16; Thomas S. Neely, 1; William Brotherton, 1. John Brady is therefore duly elected Mayor of said city.

Whole number of votes cast for Clerk of said city, was 268, of which Joseph S. Duckwall received 265; James Maddy, 1; R. Berger, 1; Gates, 1. Joseph S. Duckwall is therefore duly elected Clerk.

Whole number of votes cast for the office of City Treasurer, 298; of which William H. Stewart received 293; George Sullivan, 4; Chris Stuckey, 1. William H. Stewart was therefore duly elected Treasurer.

Whole number of votes cast for the office of City Assessor, was 314; of which James R. Moore received 152; Jacob Dodson, 162. Jacob Dodson is therefore duly elected Assessor.

Whole number of votes cast for the office of City Engineer, was 312; of which Joshua Truitt received 295; Eli Stafford, 17. Joshua Truitt was therefore duly elected Engineer.

Whole number of votes cast for Marshal of said city, was 314; of which John. T Robinson received 189; Nathan Branson, 125. John T. Robinson was therefore duty elected Marshal.

COUNCILMEN

First Ward-Whole number of votes cast for Councilmen in First Ward, 157-of which James Truitt received 36; Conrad Kurts, 16; Armstead M. Klein, 19; Mark Walling, 63; James E. Wilcoxon, 21; Frank Leon, 2. Mark Walling and James Truitt were declared elected.

Second Ward-Whole number of votes cast for Councilmen in Second Ward, 208-of which William B. Kline received 49; Frank Shafer, 46; David T. Haines, 43, Charles F. Willard, 28; Arthur F. Patterson, 42. William B. Kline and Franklin Shafer declared elected.

Third Ward-Whole number of votes cast for Councilmen in the Third Ward, 161, of which John L. Little received 42; Isaac Meeks, 50; John W. Harter, 35; Volney Wilson, 34. John L. Little and Isaac Meeks were declared elected.

Fourth Ward-Whole number of votes cast for Councilmen in Fourth Ward, 98 of which Thomas S. Neely received 22; Lewis S. Smith, 31; William Brotherton, 43, Andrew J. Riley, 2. William Brotherton and Lewis S. Smith were declared elected. In testimony whereof, we hereunto subscribe our names, this 27th of February, 1865.

MARK WALLING, Inspector First Ward
A. F. PATTERSON, Inspector Second Ward
John C. Matthews, Inspector Third Ward
Lewis S. Smith, Inspector Fourth Ward
Filed February 27, 1865, at 113 o'clock A. M.
C. E. SHIPLEY, Clerk.

On the 28th of February, after having taken the necessary oaths, they were duly installed in their respective positions, and the city of Muncie became a working as well as a fixed fact.

FIRST MEETING OF COUNCIL

March 2, 1865. The Common Council of the city of Muncie met in special session this evening at 6½ o'clock, pursuant to call, with a full board, His Honor the Mayor, in the chair, and C. B. Shipley, Clerk of Town Corporation. At this meeting, the bonds of the Treasurer and Clerk were submitted and approved. A resolution was adopted, also, looking to the enlargement of the city limits. The old seal at the town of Muncie was adopted as the temporary seal of the City of Muncie. It was also further determined that. The future meetings of the Council be held, until otherwise ordered, in the southeast room of the second floor of the courthouse, on the third Tuesday in each and every month at 7 o'clock. P.M. These proceedings are signed by John Brady, Mayor, and attested by J. F. Duckwall, Clerk. On the 7th of March, the bonds of the Marshall and Engineer were submitted and approved. At the same meeting, a committee on constitution and by-laws was appointed, and J. F. Duckwall authorized to contract for the printing of the ordinances, constitution, by-laws, etc., in the Delaware County Free Press. A committee on ordinances was appointed, also, and a resolution adopted creating a device for the permanent seal of the city. The device is described as follows, to wit: "An eagle surrounded with the 'City of Muncie-1865'. The eagle to be the same as on the fifty cent coin of the United States recent coinage." (Page 137)

On the 14th of March, a further special session was held, when the Council adopted a constitution, by-laws, and a series of ordinances. The first regular meeting was held on Tuesday, March 21, 1865, when, among other things, the Treasurer made report of the financial condition of tile city, as follows:

MUNCIE, March 21, 1865.
W. H. STEWART, to Muncie Corporation, Dr.
   To balance due on last settlement ...................................$ 94 86
   To cash from Samuel F. Brady .........................................937 35
   To license ...............................................................................47 00
   To sale of cemetery lots .....................................................403 00
      Total ..............................................................................$1,482 21
Ca.    By amount paid on orders ......................................$1,306 71
   Balance on hand ..................................................................175 50

The Treasurer also presented his account, as follows:

Corporation of Muncie to W. H. Stewart., Dr.
   To per cent at 2½ on $1,387.35 ......................................$34 68
   To stamp for bond ...................................................................1 00
   To 1 quart coal oil ......................................................................30
       Total .................................................................................$35 98

which was referred to the Finance Committee.

The following is the first board of school trustees elected by the new council, to wit: Charles F. Willard, William F. Jones and John Husted. Subsequently, Mr. Willard failed and refused to qualify, and S. A. Haines was elected in his stead; and Mr. Jones resigned, May 2, when A. F. Patterson was chosen his successor. As a part of the proceedings of this session, James M. Campbell was appointed sexton of the cemetery; A. F. Patterson, Chief Engineer of the Fire Department, and Conrad Kurtz, Robert Winton and A. J. Riley, as a Board of Health.

The first regular election for city officers was held on the 3d of May, with the following result: Mayor, John Brady; Clerk, Joseph F. Duckwall; Treasurer, W. H. Stewart; City Civil Engineer, Eli Stafford, who resigned on the 24th of August following, and Joshua Truitt was appointed to fill the vacancy; Marshal, J. T. Robinson, who resigned on the 4th of December, and Hugh A. Stephen was appointed to fill the vacancy; Assessor, Jacob Dodson; Councilmen, First Ward, Mark Walling and A. M. Klein; Second Ward, W. B. Kline and D. T. Haines; Third Ward, John L. Little and Isaac Meeks; Fourth Ward, William Brotherton and Lewis S. Smith. Subsequently, on the 16th of May following, a special meeting of the Council was held to determine by lot the term of service of Councilmen just elected, with the following result: First Ward, Mark Walling, four years; A. M. Klein, two years; Second Ward, David T. Haines, four years; William B. Kline, two years; Third Ward, John L. Little, four years; Isaac Meeks, two years; Fourth Ward, William Brotherton, four years; Lewis S. Smith two years.

At this meeting, the Treasurer submitted the fellowing report of the condition of the city finances:

To amount due last settlement .....................................$175 50
To cash from dog license ...................................................85 00
To cash from impounding ....................................................6 25
To cash front peddlers' license ..........................................7 00
To cash from sale of cemetery lots ................................119 00

    Total ..............................................................................$392 75
Credit, by cash paid on orders ........................................229 62

    Balance on hand ..........................................................$163 13
The Mayor also reported fines received ..........................39 00

The Clerk, also reported as follows:

110 dog licenses at $1 ...................................................$110 00
Three dog licenses, female ................................................14 25
One peddler's license ...........................................................2 00
One peddler's license ...........................................................2 00
Dog license ......................................................................$124 25
Paid Treasurer ....................................................................85 00

    Balance on hand ...........................................................$ 39 25

At the session of April 16, 1866, John L. Little, Councilman from the Third Ward, having resigned his position, an election to fill the vacancy was ordered to be held on the first Tuesday in May following. An election was also ordered to be held the same day, in the Fourth Ward, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the removal of Lewis S. Smith from the jurisdiction. The result of that election was the choice C. E. Shipley to fill the first vacancy and James Deam, the second.

When the fiscal year 1865 had closed, and the Council had entered upon the business of the new year, on the 7th of May, 1866, the Auditor filed his report of the condition of tile city's finances as follows:

RECEIPTS.
Balance in Treasury, May 2, 1865 ......................................$ 163 13
Tax duplicate of 1864 .............................................................1,516 94
Delinquent taxes, 1864, and former years ...............................32 81
Tax duplicate, 1865 ................................................................2,646 25
Cemetery lots .............................................................................238 00
Licenses ......................................................................................197 50
Jail fees ........................................................................................ 54 85
Fines ............................................................................................350 00

    Total ...................................................................................$5,198 98

EXPENDITURES.
Cemetery account .....................................................................$ 27 61
Jail fees .........................................................................................84 80
Specific allowances ...................................................................226 91
Books and stationery ................................................................144 50
Fees and salaries .......................................................................926 02
Highway account ........................................................................628 00
Election expenses .........................................................................30 00
Printing account ..........................................................................25 55
Culvert account ..........................................................................288 55
Ditching account .......................................................................196 90
Unpaid orders (town of Muncie) ..............................................166 91
Balance in treasury ...............................................................2,503 23

    Total ....................................................................................$5,198 98

Summary--Balance, May 2, 1865 ........................................ $ 168 13
Receipts during the fiscal year ............................................ 5,035 85

    Total .................................................................................... $5,198 98

Expenditures during fiscal year ......................................... $2,695 75

    Balance in Treasury ......................................................... $2,503 28

City revenue, balance ........................................................... $2,292 84
Cemetery account ...................................................................... 210 39

    Total .................................................................................... $2,503 23

E. W. SHIPLEY, Auditor.

In what has preceded, therefore, the reader will find exhibited with sufficient fullness the results of the working system of the city of Muncie, during the first year of its municipal existence. The follow/ outline of the Treasurer's report for the year succeeding, gives financial condition of the city on the 15th of April, 1867:

On hand May 1, 1866 ..................................................... $2,490 58
Received since that time .................................................. 4,724 84

    Total ...............................................................................$7,215 42

Paid on orders ................................................................. $3,518 62

    Balance on hand April 15, 1867 .............................. $3,696 80

The Auditor's report for tile fiscal year ending April 30, 18 presents an abstract of the receipts and disbursements of the city during the period embraced in the statement:

RECEIPTS.
Balance on hand last year ................................................ $2,503 23
Cemetery lots ............................................................................327 00
General tax ............................................................................ 3,687 19
License ...................................................................................... 229 50
Streets and alleys (sale of dirt) ............................................... 16 87
Redemption account ...................................................................44 13
Treasurer of Delaware County (old tax) ................................ 52 66
Printing account ........................................................................ 42 60
Jail fees ....................................................................................... 17 25
Fines .......................................................................................... 284 00
Estray account (sale of hogs) ..................................................... 7 80

    Total ................................................................................. $7,161 78

EXPENDITURE.
Cemetery ................................................................................ $ 386 50
Streets and alleys ...................................................................1,475 11
Redemption account ....................................................................44 13
Election expenses ....................................................................... 16 00
Printing account ...................................................................... 184 40
Fees and salaries .................................................................. 1,370 78
Special allowances ................................................................... 349 47
Jail fees ..................................................................................... 132 40
Estray account .............................................................................. 7 80
Erroneous taxes refunded .......................................................... 5 25
Stationery account .................................................................. 101 50
Balance in bands of Treasurer .......................................... 3,088 39

    Total ................................................................................. $7,161 73

Balance, as per above statement ..................................... $3,088 39
Delinquent taxes collected since March settlement ......... 237 93

    Total ................................................................................ $3,326 32
E. W. SHIPLEY, Auditor.

On the 17th of June, 1868, the following petition, signed by 282 citizens, was presented to the Common Council of the city, in reference to the prospective completion of the Cincinnati, Connersville & Muncie Railroad to this point:

To the Mayor and Councilmen of the City of Muncie : We, the undersigned citizens of Muncie, would represent to your honorable body, that we believe the completion of the Cincinnati, Connersville & Muncie Railroad, to the city of Muncie, would be of great advantage and highly beneficial to the citizens of our city, and that its failure to reach us would be of great disadvantage, if not a calamity. We therefore pray that your honorable body donate any sum, not exceeding six thousand dollars, to be paid to said railroad company, or order, either in cash or bonds, as you may deem to the best interests of our city; said sum not to be paid to said railroad company until the iron is laid and cars run from Newcastle to within six miles of the limits of our city, and your petitioners ever pray.
   WHEREAS, the location and construction of the railroad of said company is demanded by and essential to the permanent welfare of our city, therefore,
   Resolved, That the city of Muncie will issue its bonds for the aggregate sum of six thousand dollars, bearing ten per centurn per annum interest after date until paid, payable to the Cincinnati, Connersville & Muncie Railroad Company, or bearer, at the Muncie National Bank, Muncie, Ind.
   Resolved, That such bonds shall be delivered to said company when the iron shall be laid and the cars running upon its road from Newcastle to within six miles of the city of Muncie.
   Resolved further, That these resolutions and the obligation thereof, shall become binding upon and be irrevocable by the city, upon the filing by said railroad company with the Clerk of the city of her written acceptance of the terms hereof.

These resolutions were adopted and a committee appointed to draft an ordinance providing for the issue of the bonds as well as a levy for general taxes, and a tax for the payment of the principal and interest of the aforesaid bonds.

And afterward, on the 6th day of July, 1868, the committee so appointed by the Council reported an ordinance in conformance with the instructions of the Council, which, being amended, was adopted by the Council, together with a copy of the bond provided for:

   State of Indiana, County of Delaware, 6th day of July of Muncie.--The city of Muncie will pay the Cincinnati, Connersville & Muncie Railroad Company, or bearer, three years after the date hereof, the sum of one thousand dollars, with interest thereon until paid, at the rate of ten per centurn per annum, interest payable annually, on the_______ day of_______in each year; principal and interest payable at the Muncie National Bank, in said city, without relief from valuation or appraisement laws. This bond is authorized by an ordinance of the Common Council of said city, adopted July 6, 1868.
Attest. __________________Mayor.
________________________ City Clerk.

At the session of January 18, 1869, a petition was filed by the Fort Wayne, Muncie & Cincinnati Railroad Company, for the privilege of constructing their track along Madison street. No action appears to have been had on the petition, at that date, but subsequently, at a session of the Council held on the 7th day of June, 1869, the following resolution, introductory to the future proceedings thereon, was presented, considered and passed.

   Resolved, That the Council is satisfied that work has been commenced by the Fort Wayne, Muncie & Cincinnati Railroad Company, on the extension of its road from Newcastle toward Muncie, as contemplated by Section 5, of an ordinance providing for the issue of bonds to the Cincinnati, Connersville & Muncie Railroad Company.

Two weeks later, the Council granted the right of way along Madison, as provided in the following ordinance:

   Section 1. Be it ordained by the Common Council of the city of Muncie, that the Fort Wayne, Muncie & Cincinnati Railroad, shall be and is hereby authorized to construct and maintain its railroad upon and across the streets and alleys of the city, as now located from a point at its crossing of the Bellefontaine Railroad from the southward; running thence to and northward along Madison street, to the north line of the city, subject to the provisions hereinafter contained.

Early in September, 1869, the Cincinnati, Connersville & Muncie Railroad was so far completed in accordance with the provisions of the agreement to appropriate the sum of $6,000, as to justify the city in complying with such provisions; accordingly, at a meeting of the Council on the 13th of that month, in contemplation of the fulfillment by the said railroad company of her part of the agreement in the premises, the Mayor and City Engineer having examined the road and its construction, submitted the following report, appertaining thereto:

    We, the undersigned, Mayor and City Engineer, of the city of Muncie, are satisfied from personal examination, that the Cincinnati, Connersville &am; Muncie Railroad Company, have fully complied with their obligation entered into with the city of Muncie, for the completion of the road of said company to a certain point named in the ordinance, under which the contract was made, and should have the bonds stipulated upon the part of the city, as the price for such work, delivered at once to said company.
August 30, 1869.
M.C. SMITH.
WILLIAM TRUITT.

The bonds were then delivered to said company for the purposes named, as indicated in tho following receipt:

   Received of E. W. Shipley, City Clerk, Muncie, Ind., August 30, 1869, six bonds of the city of Muncie, Delaware County, Indiana, for one thousand dollars each, numbered consecutively from one to six, both inclusive, being the amount of donation by said city of Muncie toward the construction of the road of the Cincinnati, Connersville & Muncie Railroad Company, as provided by ordinance passed by the Common Council of said city, on the 6th of July, 1868, said bonds bearing date June 7, 1869, and payable three years after date.
D.T. HAINES,
Treas., F. W. M. & C. R. R. Co., consolidated with C., C. & R. R. Co.

The following report of the City Treasurer exhibits the condition of the city's finances on the 2d of May, 1870, to wit:

RECEIPTS.
Received for show licenses .................................................... $ 10 00
Tax duplicate, 1869, net collections ...................................4,094 60
Tax duplicate, 1869, road tax ............................................... 2,269 01
Tax duplicate, 1869, interest .................................................. 756 35
Cemetery lots sale ...................................................................... 15 00
Show license .................................................................................. 5 00
Peddler's license .......................................................................... 6 00
Cemetery lot sale .......................................................................... 3 00
Mayor's fees, March and April, M. C. Smith ........................ 12 05
Jail fees .......................................................................................... 7 25
Fines ............................................................................................. 20 00

   Total ....................................................................................$7,198 26

December collection, 1869 ................................................... $ 77 60
January collection, 1870 .......................................................... 10 00
February collection, 1870 ...................................................... 293 30
March collection, 1870 ........................................................... 119 00

   Total ...................................................................................... $ 499 90

December 1, 1869, balance on hand ........................................ 94 96
Total balance as above ........................................................ $7,198 26
Total balance as above ............................................................. 499 90
Balance on hand .......................................................................... 94 96
   Total ................................................................................... $7,793 12

City orders redeemed in December, 1869 ........................ $ 700 21
City orders redeemed in January, 1870 ............................... 860 01
City orders redeemed in March ............................................. 106 02
City orders redeemed in April ............................................... 772 55

   Total .................................................................................... $2,438 79

Bond tax ................................................................................. $2,269 01
Interest ........................................................................................ 756 35
General fund ........................................................................... 2,328 97

   Total .....................................................................................$5,354 33
   Balance on hand ...................................................................5,354 33
W. HIBBITTS, City Treasurer.

At the session of the City Council on the 6th day of March, 1871, the City Civil Engineer submitted, concerning the length of the different railroads in the corporate limits of the city, its directed, for tax purposes: "The length of the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianpolis Railroad, extending from the west line of the Muncie & New Burlington Turnpike, west to a point in the east line of the lands belonging to the, heirs of Andrew Kennedy, is one mile and 366 feet."

"The length of the Fort Wayne, Muncie & Cincinnati Railroad, extending from a point in a right line with the north line of Jack & Myer's Addition to the city of Muncie; thence south and southward to the west line of Liberty street, is 4,900 feet."

By an order of the Council passed April 3, 1871, the City Treasurer was authorized to redeem and cancel the Fort Wayne, Muncie & Cincinnati Railroad bonds now outstanding.

On the 15th of March, 1871, the committee appointed for the purpose, reported in favor of renting a room from Spilker, Brotherton & Shipley, for one year with the privilege of four, at the rate of $100 per annum, to be used for a Council chamber and other city purposes. The report was concurred in. Afterward, at a meeting held on the 3d of July, 1871, it was:

   Resolved, That the office of the Mayor of the city of Muncie, be and the same is hereby established and located in the rear room of the second story of the brick building at the southeast corner of Jackson and Walnut streets in said city, and that the court of the Mayor and the sittings of the Common Council of said city shall be held therein hereafter, until otherwise ordered by the Council.

In the fall of 1872, the propriety of erecting buildings suited to the wants of the city for a Council room, Mayor's office, city prison, fire engine house aud other purposes, became a matter of importance, exciting much interest and considerable comment. The agitation thus induced resulted in the presentation of sundry propositions for build ings and building sites adapted to the public want. During this period, Messrs. Kirby Brothers submitted for the consideration of the city authorities a proposition to sell the city a certain piece of ground occupying an eligible, situation upon which such buildings might with propriety be located. At a meeting held on the 11th of November of that year, this proposition was brought to the attention of the Council, when, on motion, "the proposition of Messrs. Kirby Brothers, to sell to the city thirty-five feet front on Jefferson street and one hundred amd twenty-five feet front on Jackson street, for the sum of $800, to be paid for within five years, with six per cent interest from date of sale,"was accepted by the Common Council on behalf of the city, "with the condition that the city shall build upon said ground such brick building she may desire to erect, and that the erection of said building shall commenced within two years from the date of the sale of said grounds."

Accordingly, at a meeting of the Council on the, 25th of November, a resolution was passed directing that a brick building be so erected on said grounds, and a committee appointed to draw up plans, specifications, etc., and report the same to the board; the building to be so constructed as to include an engine room, city jail and Jailer's residence, and be two stories high, the second story to be used as a Firemen's hall, court-room, Mayor's office, City Clerk's office, and for other purposes.

At a later date, December 9, 1872, the committee before appointed to ascertain the conditions of the proposed sale by Mr. Kirby of certain grounds for the erection of city buildings thereon, made report stating conditions of sale, as embodied in the proposition; also, presenting an article of agreement for the purchase of a part of Lots 6 and 7, in Block 25, in Brown's donation, at the corner of Jefferson and Jackson streets, being thirty-five feet on Jefferson street, and one hundred and twenty-five feet on Jackson street. December 23, the Committee on Plans and Specifications submitted their report and were discharged, and a further committee appointed, with instructions to make and report a final estimate of the cost of construction. Pending this proposition, a motion was made to submit the question of erecting such building to a vote of the people. The motion met with little flavor and was promptly tabled. Whether this was reported according to instructions does not appear; but at a meeting, held on the 24th of February, 1873, a resolution was passed amending the plan of construction by leaving out the Clerk's office and Council chamber in the second story, with the calaboose and Marshal's residence in the first story. The plans being so amended, a committee was appointed to make arrangements for receiving proposals for the erection of the same, on the 10th of March following. Pursuant, to those arrangements, plans were sub sequently prepared, and, on the llth of April, submitted to the Council, opened and examined, the final decision in the matter being temporarily postponed. At the succeeding meeting, April 28, contracts for the city building were awarded as follows: To Davis & Brasses, for evacuation; to Messrs. Hamilton & Son, for brick and stone work: the carpenters' work being referred at the same time, to a select committee, with a request that it, report at the next meeting. In the meantime, however, a proposition was submitted by Mark Walling to sell to the city for a public building, the "Walling Hall," on the west side of the public Square, and the proposition referred to a special committee; but consideration upon the proposition was indefinitely postponed.

When the building had been otherwise nearly completed, the City Clerk, on the 11th of August, 1873, was directed by resolution "to give notice for two weeks in the Muncie News that sealed proposals would be received by the Common Council of the city of Muncie, at the City Cherk's office, until Monday, August 25, 1873; first, for the plastering of the city building; second, for the material and work for the finishing of the top section of the bell tower in said building; third, for furnishing all material and running a circular winding stairway in the bell tower in said building; fourth, for laying the floors and hanging the large doors; fitting the sash and hanging the same; fitting, hanging and framing doors; running hall stairs; finishing windows and doors in the hall below and second story, and the base in the hall below, and throughout the second story in the city building: fifth, for the painting and graining of said building." Pursuant to that notice, proposals were received and examined, and the contract for painting was awarded to Cornelius & Watson, on the 25th of August. On the 8th of September following the contract for building the stairs in the bell tower was awarded to P. H. D. Bundy the joining to Youse & Covault, and the plastering to Messrs. Blodgett & Crickenberger; subsequently, however, Messrs. Blodgett & Co. were released from their contraet to plaster the building, and Noah Shafter was substituted in their stead.

Upon the completion of the building, at a meeting of the Council on the 19 of January, 1874, it was "Resolved, that the Mayor's office and the meetings of the Council be held in the west room of the new building, over the engine-room situated on the northwest corner of Jackson and Jefferson streets, in the city of Muncie, from and after this date. "The cost of the city building, as set forth in the report of the Clerk, submitted May 11, 1874, was $5,402.64. At the meeting of August 3, 1874, the Marshal was "ordered to take chargte of the new building and put it in condition for the meeting of the Council, and all other things necessarily pertraining thereto."

On the 6th of May, 1875, the Treasurer submitted his annual report of tho condition of the city finances for the year ending March 31, as follows:

RECEIPTS.
From tax duplicate, 1874 ..............................................$15,497 88
Delinquent tax colleelions, 1873 ........................................623 09
Cemetery lots sold .................................................................358 00
Auction licenses issued ..........................................................34 00
Peddlers' licenses issued .......................................................92 00
Show licenses issued ............................................................169 00
For table sold ..............................................................................4 00
For subscription audited ........................................................10 00
Estray hogs sold .......................................................................76 45
Mayor's fees collected ............................................................22 80
Mayor's fines collected ..........................................................36 53
Jail fees collected ....................................................................17 80

Total receipts for the year .............................................$16,94l 55
Balance on hand April 1, 1874 .........................................2,028 54

   Total ...............................................................................$18,970 09

EXPENDITURES.
Mayor's salary ..................................................................... $600 00
Clerk's salary ........................................................................ 252 75
Clerk's salary, W. L. Litlle ................................................. 200 50
Marshal's salary. ................................................................... 432 25
Treasurer's fees .................................................................... 366 33
Civil Engineer's salary ......................................................... 300 00
City Attorney's salary ........................................................... 300 00
Engineer Fire Department ................................................... 142 50
Daniel Youse's salary Engineer. ........................................... 54 17
Assessor's salary .................................................................. 185 00
City Council salary ............................................................... 320 00
Special allowances ................................................................. 150 85
Freight and drayage (steam engine and hose carts) .......... 13 92
City numbering ........................................................................ 57 80
Streets and alleys ............................................................... 3,311 81
Fire department .................................................................. 3,550 56
Stationery ................................................................................ 106 31
Election expenses ..................................................................... 41 00
Public buihlings ..................................................................... 840 75
Cisterns ............................................................................... 1,386 63
Jail Fees .................................................................................. 134 30
Printing ................................................................................... 161 00
Cemetery ................................................................................... 65 83
Fuel ........................................................................................... 115 51
Estrays ....................................................................................... 76 45
Public wells ............................................................................... 11 55
Estray pound rent ..................................................................... 15 00
Sundries .................................................................................... 13 23
Interest on orders .................................................................. 379 47

   Total expenditures ...................................................... $13,585 54

Total receipts .................................................................... 18,970 09
Total expenditures ........................................................... 13,585 54

   Balance on hand, April 1, 1875 ................................. $ 5,384 55
THOMAS B. ERRICKSON, C. T.

The city building had not long been in use when it was found to be insufficient for the purposes of the city govern, and steps wer taken to mae the necessary additions thereto. A notice that proposals would be received for the purpose, brought forth numerous propositions. On the 2d of September, 1875, the committee to whom was referred the question of selecting the plan and awarding the contracts for mterials and work, "reported that they had let the bricks and stone work to Charles S. Westlake, for $1,592.21; carpenter work and roofing to George Higman, for $951; painting to Levi Rich, $152.50; iron work, to Muncie Foundry and Machine Works, for $522; excavation to Davis and Hollock at 25 cents per cubic yard." The action of the committee was ratified by the Council.

About the time the construction of the city buildings was originally contemplated, steps began to be taken toward placing guides on the streets and numbers on the building. With that end in view, the Council passed an ordinance January 13, 1873, directing that the names of the streets be conspicuously placed at the crossings, and that such a system of number buildings by a pratical subdivision of the lots as should meet the demainds of the public be adopted. A select committee was accordingly appointed, with instructions to consummate that object by carry the ordinance into effect. In addition to this other lines of improvement were projected, calculated to beautify the city and add to the convenience and comfort of citizens. The fire department was enlarged, and supplied with the means necessary to the subjugation and control of fires; gas companies were organized, with the requisite powers to accomplish all the purposes of organization; a public library and reading room was established; a superior high school building--these and many others, within the period of ten years, have been brought forth as evidences of the healthy and prosperous growth of the city and thegenerous co-operation of an enlightened community. As presenting a comprehensive view of the magnitude of what well-directed public enterprise has produced, we insert here an address of the Mayor, delivered before the Common Council, on the 13th of May, 1878:

GENTLEMEN OF THE COUNCIL:
In obedience to the laws of the State, and in compliance with former usage, I submit for your consideration such facts relative to the affairs of the city as seem to me necessary and proper. During the past year, the people of the cities all over this land have felt the damaging effect of the financial embarrassments of the country. Ours has been no exception; yet, the last abundant harvest, the unusually mild winter and a season of very general good health, have proven forces for which our citizens should feel most devoutly thankful. In your new associations, some with and others without experience as officers of the city, you assume important duties and varied cares, with their attending responsibilities. Your selection by your friends in the several wards is a guaranty of your effort to provide for the wants of the city. The people expect, and have the right to demand of you, that such time and care shall be used as shall be found necessary for fully learning all the public wants of the city, and properly mature such plans as may be required to secure them. The fire department, a statement of which is herewith filed, represents the department in a sufficient and satisfactory condition, aud is believed to be acceptable to the city and public. From the report of the City Board of Education, it is proper, and a pleasure, also, to say that the whole system of our common schools embracing the academy, appears to have been well and safely controlled. All our school property, the value of which is herewith submitted, is free from debts of any kind, and the treasury with means to further provide educational facilities; your fosterg care is invited tothis very important interest of our city. In this connection, I desire to call your attention to the public library as one of the departments of general education. Its cost to the city is hereinafter shown; its real value, time alone can determine. From our Librarian's report, I find periodicals, including dailies, weeklies, monthlies and quarterlies upon her table, numbering fifty; number of books issued for the year ending March 31, 1877, is 11,979, and for the year ending March 31, 1878 is 17,120, being a gain in th3e last year, in circulation, of 5, 141; and for library reading by persons without cards of membership, and the use of books in the library for reference, about 1,500, making the equivalent to a reading of 18,620 books. This extensive reading by the people cannot fail to have an influence for good, present and future, to the people and to the city. Through the efforts of the friends of education, our public library has been selected as the repository of the Congressional publications for this Congressional district. From that source, we have received, during the past year, many very valuable books. Our library now needs room and shelving for about five hundred volumes that are now idle for the want of such accommodations. In view of these facts, I recommend to your consideration the adoption of some means in connection with the library board, to place our public library where it will be easy of access, free from all objectionable surroundings, with proper room for the reading and storing of its valuable treasure, believing that a generous public will sustain your efforts. In the past, some efforts have been made to establish a Board of Health, and to invest it with the necessary authority to render it useful and effective, but thus far without success. Many fears are entertained and often express that our sanitary condition as a city is not what prudence would dictate or safety require. Your careful attention to this subject is to be most earnestly desired. Necessity makes it a duty that your attention should be called to the city prison. Decency and common humanity require that persons of both sexes should not be confined in the same room. Our present situation is such that a temporary separation only can be maintained, and in emergencies that are liable to occur, the county prison, which is expensive, is the only relief for such circumstances. It is hoped the Council will take the proper action to seclude from public gaze at the prison windows such persons as may be committed, whose acts and language are offensive to private citizens and to the public.

REPORT OF THE VALUE OF CITY PROPERTY.
Value of city building, lot and interest ............................. $1,040 00
Expended on building in 1872 .................................................. 400 00
Expended on building in 1873 ............................................... 5,882 64
Expendell on city building in 1874 ...................................... 1,173 70
Expended on city building in 1875 ....................................... 4,004 77
Expended on city building in1876 ........................................... 645 43
Expended on city building in 1877 .......................................... 418 27
Expended for alarm bell ............................................................ 500 00

    Value of building and fixtures ..................................... $13,564 81

FIRE DEPARTMENT.
One Babcock Fire extinguisher ...................................... $ 2,600 00
Fight hundred feet. of hose for same, with nozzles ............... 64 00
One supply cart and fixtures ..................................................... 27 00
One hook and ladder truck, and fixtures ............................. 330 00
One Clapp & Jones steam fire engine .............................. 5,000 00
One steamheater and fixtures ............................................... 140 00
Two thousand feet rubber hose and reels ......................... 2,300 00
One hose tester ......................................................................... 1,5 00
One small rotary pump ............................................................. 20 00
One large rotary pump ............................................................. 90 00
One pair bay horses ................................................................ 317 50
One lot of Harness ........... ......................................................... 73 00
One two-horse wagon ................................................................ 90 00
One lot of fixtures in firemen's room .................................... 65 40