THE FIRST GRAVEL ROADS IN THE COUNTY AND THOSE CONSTRUCTED AT A SUBSEQUENT PERIOD--REVIEW OF THE PROGRESS OF THE ROAD SYSTEM.
When the era of plank roads had nearly ended, and public opinion was demanding a system which would guarantee more permanent structures for the roadways over which the products of an exuberant soil were to be transported from the farm to the market, the people, in the light of past experiences, began to interest themselves in the building of such roads as might be depended upon for the purpose contemplated. Accordingly, the legislature of 1849-50, reflecting the opinions obtaining among the people, amended the laws before in existence, with a view to the adaptation of them to the public want. Such an amendment, meeting the temporary needs, having been passed, was approved by the Governor on the 21st of January, 1850. Under the provisions of this law, which was amendatory of the "General Plank Road Law,"; a number of individuals interested in the enterprise, associated themselves together for the construction of an improved road or turnpike, under the name of the "Cambridge City, Simons Creek and Muncie Turnpike Company."; This road was to run from Cambridge City, in Wayne County, by the way of McMullen's Cross Roads, to Muncie, in Delaware County, At the June session, 1852, the company thus organized, with a capital stock of $60,000, divided into 7,400 shares of $35 each--to be increased to any amount necessary to complete the road--was granted the right of way along the route indicated, by the County Commissioners of this county. This was the first road of the kind constructed, but its influence conduced to the formation of other companies and the construction of other roads in due time. Subsequently, at the March session, 1856, of the Board of Commissioners, it was "Ordered that any company now formed, hereafter organized, have the privilege, free of cost, of constructing turnpikes or gravel roads on any of the following State roads: Logansport State road, the New Castle State road, on the road leading from Albany to Smithfield, and on any road east or south of Smithfield, to the county line of Delaware County.";
MUNCIE AND MIDDLETOWN.
At a special session of the County Board, held on the 28th of July, 1866, James W. Heath, Asher Storer, J. E. Wilcoxon, William J. Hurst and James A. Tomlinson, Directors of the Muncie and Middletown Turnpike Company, on their petition for the purpose, were granted the right-of-way along the Pendleton road. This company was organized and filed its articles of association, on the 29th day of June, 1866, and the route prescribed in said articles, is as follows: "Commencing 150 rods south of where the Pendleton road crosses the line of the Bellefontaine Railroad; thence running straight, in a southwesterly direction till it strikes the Pendleton road, about thirty-five rods northeast of the corner made by the intersection of the land of Mary Hurst, John C. Witt and Thomas Kirby; thence, on the Pendleton road, to the State road; where the Pendleton road crosses the Range Line road in Delaware County, the place to and from which shall be built from Muncie to the Range line road. The amount of capital stock shall be $2,000, divided into shares of $25 each--total, 400 shares."; The following are the names of the subscribers, and the number of shares taken by each: Thomas Kirby, 20; James A. Tomlinson, 20, one-half in work; S. G. Sunderland, John W. Heath and Elizabeth Miller, 8 each; Thomas W. Tuttle, 6; Elisha Ogle, 5; John McConnell, B. Reynolds, William McConnell, Daniel Miller, John T. Heath, Samuel Clevinger, James W. Heath, Michael Paul, 4 shares each; Aaron Ross, William H. Mansfield and J. W. Wilson, 2 each; Aaron W. Ross, Samuel Coffman, 1 each. These were unconditional subscribers, while the following were contingent upon there being a sufficient sum subscribed to complete the road; G. H. Baxter, L. Wilcoxon, Jr., D. T. Haines, Wysor and Kline, Hodge and Sons, A. Kilgore, 4 shares each; J. E. Wilcoxon, 3; Lemuel King, Thomas J. Matthews, W. Brotherton, P. F. Davis, J. H. Ross, M. Turner and H. C. Klein and Co., one share each.
Extension.--In 1867, "The Muncie and Middletown Turnpike Company,"filed articles of association, for the purpose of constructing an extension of its road, as previously located, "commencing at a point at the intersection of the Muncie and Pendleton State road, by the Range line road, being the terminus of the authorized road of said company, between Monroe and Salem Townships; thence southward, on or near the line of the Muncie and Pendletown State road, to or near the line of the Muncie and Pendletown State road, to or near the present residence of William Sharp; thence southward on the county road to the north line of the land now owned by Mrs. Ann Sharp, in Salem Township."; Signed by "Asher Storer, William J. Hurst, W. Cassady, Aaron W. Ross, Lemuel King, J. E. Wilcoxon, Hodge and Sons, James A. Tomlinson, Wysor and Kline, G. H. Baxter, J. H. Ross, Thomas W. Tuttle, John T. Heath, Samuel Clevenger, John W. Wilson, John McConnell, Samuel Coffman, James W. Heath, W. J. V. H. Cassady, H. C. Klein and Co., H. Hart, Minus Turner, Thomas Kirby, S. A. Haines, L. Wilcoxon, Thomas J. Matthews, William McConnell, Michael Paul, Elijah Miller, Daniel Miller, Aaron Ross, Elisha Ogle, S. G. Sunderland. The above stockholders agree to said extension of said road, as is described in the above description.";
At the June session of the board, 1867, a petition embodying the foregoing facts was presented, asking the right-of-way for such extension. The prayer of the petitioner was granted accordingly, and Asher Storer, J. E. Wilcoxon, William J. Hurst, James A. Tomlinson and James W. Heath were appointed Directors.
The following is the present condition of the company, as shown by the annual report, filed July 1, 1880:
STATEMENT OF THE MUNCIE AND MIDDLETOWN TURNPIKE COMPANY. State of Indiana, Delaware County
The Board of Directors of the Muncie and Middletown Turnpike Company of Delaware County, in the State of Indiana, make the following statement of the conditions of said company on the 1st day of July, A. D. 1880, and of its business for year ending with the 30th day of June, A. D. 1880 viz:
Cash in in hand of Treasurer, July 1 $323.33 Other assets July 1, 1880, 8.33 miles of road, Toll-House No. l, with quarter-acre of land; ½; interest in Toll-House No. 2, with quarter-acre of land. Accounts due. 625.00 Total liabilities of the company, July 1, 1880 153.85 Total amount of captial stock, July 1, 1880 15,213.12 The gross receipts of the company for the year ending June 30, 1880 2,108.24
The expenditures of the company for the year ending June 30, 1880, were as follows, viz.:
For repairs 1,197.70 For payment of gate-keepers 180.00 For payment of dividends (1879) 912.58 For payment of dividends (1877) 16.50 For payment of dividends (1874) 3.20 For payment of dividends (1873) 4.34 For payment of officers 35.00 For payment of litigation, 1877 5.00 For payment of Notary's fees 1.00 For recording report, 1879 1.00 For books for gate and office 2.25 For repairs, toll house, $1 41.40 For payment on tools, 1878 4.30 For taxes for 1878 2.32 For taxes for 1879 23.89 Gross expenditures for the year ending June 30, 1880 2,340.43
Muncie, Indiana, July 1, 1880, D. R. Armitage, Secretary
BLOUNTSVILLE AND MORRISTOWN.
At the December session, 1866, of the Board of Commissioners of Delaware County, thirteen citizens of DelawarE, Henry and Randolph Counties, filed their petition, asking for a charter and the right of way for a gravel road from Blountsville, in henry County, through Delaware to Morristown, in Randolph County, comforably to the provision of the law in force at that date. The prayer of the petitioners was granted accordingly. Subsequently, articles of association were filed by the Morristown and Blountsville Turnpike Company, "beginning at Blountsville, in Henry County, thence running east one mile and twenty rods, thence north on the usually traveled route one mile and one-fourth to the Henry County line, thence one-fourth of a mile to the Randolph County line; thence east two-hundred rods to the southeast corner of Section 8, Township 19, Range 12; thence north two miles; thence west one-fourth of a mile; thence north one mile and one-fourth, to Windsor; thence west on the main street of said town, to Oak street; thence north on the usually traveled route two and one-fourth miles to the south line of Morristown. The capital stock of the company shall be $25,000, and divided into 625 shares of $20 each."; The stockholders were Thomas W. Rees, Warren Blount, Birtis Bird, A. Sanders, Solomon Routh, James Davison, Allen Driscoll, Jonathan L. Thornburg, Joseph H. Thornburg, Abraham Clevenger, Elijah Terrell, John O. Clevenger, Edward W. Thornburg, John M. Clevenger, Sherwood W. Rees, Andrew Pierce, James W. Stanley, John Bailey, Solomon Falkner. These articles were duly recorded December 26, 1867, in Miscellaneous Record No. 1, page 330. The present condition of this road does not now appear of record.
RANGE LINE.
On the 16th of May, 1867, articles of association of this company were filed in the proper office and duly recorded [Mis. Rec. 1, 294]. the road commences "where what is known as the range-line road intersects the Muncie and Pendleton State road, and runs thence along the range-line road to the northeast corner of Section 24, Township 19, Range 9 east. The capital stock consisted of $8,000, divided into 320 shares of $25 each, represented by the following subscriptions:
Job Clevenger, twelve shares; Andrew Bowers, Samuel Davis, Jacob Bowers and Jonathan Andes, each eight shares; Simon Bates and Harvey Heath, six shares each; J. J. Clevenger, Mary E. Bowers, Andrew Andes, J. B. Clevenger, John S. Tuttle, O. E. Clevenger and Joseph Shirey, four shares each; J. W. McKimmey, D. M. Tuttle, George W. McLain, Henry Remington and M. DeWitte, two shares each; G. D. Lake, Robert W. Heath, J. Doolittle, William Hawk, John Williams, James Needham, each one share, in all, one hundred shares. At the June session, 1867, the company filed petition asking the right of way for the road along the line dividing Ranges 9 and 10 east, commencing at the crossing of Pendleton State road, and running thence south to the northeast corner of Section 24, Township 19, Range 9, and for the appoontment of appraisers to assess damages, etc. The right of way was granted, and Miles Marshall, Abraham Shank and Joseph North were appointed Assessors. The subscription represented $800 per mile. The following report, filed July 1, 1880, exhibits the condition of that road:
Length of road, three miles. One-half interest in toll house, and one-fourth acre of ground.
Total liabilities, including capital stock, July 1, 1880 $4,997.47 Capital stock 177.00 Gross recipts for the year Expenditures for the year ending June 30, 1880: For repairs to the road 238.47 For repairs to the toll house 50.00 For account of officers 25.00 For taxes 1.50 For recording report 1.00 For C. W. Moore .25 For gate-keeper's services 60.00 Total expenditures $376.22
Harvey Heath, O. E. Clevenger, Directors
MIDDLETOWN AND RANGE-LINE.
Articles of association for a turnpike or gravel road, to commence at the northeast corner of Section 24, Township 19, Range 9 east, and run thence, west along the county road to the Yorktown and Middletown road; thence, along said road to Middletown, in Henry County, were filed in the proper office on the 7th day of June, 1867, and duly recorded. [Mis. Rec. 1, 196]. The capital stock was to consist of $10,000, divided into 400 shares of $25 each. The subscribers thereto were the following:
Samuel Davis and Noah Bowers, $400 each; Job Clevenger, $300; Jonathan Andes, Jacob Bowers, Andrew Bowers, William McAlister, W. J. Vanmetre, Joseph P. Vanmetre, Henry Vanmetre, Cyrus Vanmetre, David Vanmetre and J. S. Hoover &; Co., each $200; Jasper Youant, Horace Summers and R. T. Summers, each $150; John Swape, $125; J. J. Clevenger, John Myers, Alfred Pence, Martin Rodecapp, George Young, Mary Saylord, Christian Kluser, Issac Funkhouser, Jacob Shoemaker, William D. Bowman, Levi P. Shoemaker, Anderson Johnson, Simon Summers and Lewis Summers, Sr., each $100; Michael Pitser, John S. Tuttle, O. E. Clevenger, A. W. &; I. N. Chenowith, Abraham Hopper, Robert Griffis and John McWilliams, $50 each; Elias Himeaker (in lumber), Jacob Swingley, R. W. Carter, Madison Grose, Frederick Tykle, Good &; Shively, C. C. Shedron, J. W. Hillegoss, Melissa West (for Windsor's Heirs), each $25.
At the June session of the County Board, in 1867, the company filed petition for right of way for said road along the route commencing at the northeast corner of Section 24, Township 19, Range 9 east; thence west to the southwest corner of Section 16, same township and range; thence south to the Henry County line; and for the appointment of Assessors. The prayer was granted accordingly, and Miles Marshall, Abraham Shank and Jasper North were appointed Assessors.
The following statement, filed July 1, 1880, exhibits the financial condition of the company at that date:
Length of the road, 7¼ miles. Capital stock $10,940.69 Amount on hand July 1,1879 78.57 Amount received for toll during the year 262.06 Amount received on penalties 6.00 Total $346.53 Value of two toll houses $300.00 Paid gate-keepers 100.00 Paid on account of litigation 6.00 Paid for recording two annual reports 4.00 Paid for building toll houses and repairs 133.73 Paid for repairing road 103.63 Paid on repairing by toll owed 92.76 Toll owed to company and uncollected 131.32 Amount owed by company on orders 190.39 MUNCIE AND WHEELING.
This company, having been formed by articles of association, filed its petition for right of way at the June session, 1867, pursuant to an act of the Legislature, approved April 11, of the same year. In that petition the company represented a bona-fide subscription of $800 per mile. The petition was granted, and Stephen R. Martin, John Smith and William Truitt were appointed Assessors. This road extends in a northwesterly direction through the northern part of Centre, the western part of Hamilton and the northeast corner of Harrison to Washington Township, and thence northward along the east side of that township to Wheeling, in the northeast corner of Section 14, Township 22, Range 9 east, distance of about thirteen miles. The present financial condition of the company is shown in the following statement, filed on the 30th of June, 1880:
Report of the condition of the Muncie and Wheeling Turnpike Company for the year ending June 30, 1880:
Balance on hand at last report $666.48 Total recipts from tolls 2,839.53 Paid gate-keepers $285.83 Paid for repairs 223.08 Paid for other expenses 811.07 $1,319.98 $2,186.03 Paid on indebtedness $2,000.00 Balance on hand June 30,1880 $186.03
From this showing, the road is in good condition, and extensively patronized by the public.MIDDLETOWN AND DALEVILE.
Articles of association for the organization of this company were regularly filed on the 5th day of June, 1867, and properly recorded. The road thus proposed to be constructed commences at the norteast corner of the southeast quater of the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 31, Township 19, Range 9 east, and runs thence north one and one-fourth miles to the north line of Henry County; thence to continue on said line north three miles to the northeast corner of Section 7, same township and range, to intersect a pike running from Daleville east. Capital stock to be $6,000, to be divided into 240 shares. The following were the original stockholders: Jacob Chrisman 16 shares; D. M. Strickler and H. J. Hart, each 12 shares; Absalom Getts, Margaret Getts, each 10 shares; Frederick Tykle, P. &; J. Suman, Elizabeth Fuqua, Cary Finwick, Henry Vanmetere and Samuel Lindamare, each 8 shares; William Finwick, William Fuqua, James Ballingall and E. Christman, each 4 shares; W. H. Harman, W. W. Cornelius, William Rader, Nelson Cooper and Wood &; Grose, each 2 shares; H. B. Brattain, William S. Hoover, Jackson Wisehart, R. T. Summers, Yount, Murphy &; Yount, Willis Wisehart, each 1 share. Subsequently, at the June session of the board, 1867, the company, representing a subscription of $800 per mile, filed a petition for the right of way and for the appointment of assessors. The prayer of the petitioners was granted, and James W. Heath, Samuel Davis and Noah Bowers appointed Assessors.
At the session of the County Board, in March, 1871, the Middletown &; Daleville Turnpike company, by the Directors, Frederick Tykle, R. T. Summers, Willis Wisehart, Jacob Christian and D. M. Strickler, filed petition and was granted a further assessment on the stockholders, to meet the requirements of the road. No report having been filed at this date, we are unable to give the present financial condition of the company.DALEVILLE AND BELL CREEK.
At the June session, 1867, of the Board of County Commissioners, the Dalevill &; Bell Creek Turnpike Company filed a petition representing a subscription of $800 per mile, asking for the right of way along the line of the proposed road, commencing at the southwest corner of Section 6, Township 19, Range 9 east; thence east on the section line to the southwest corner of Section 3; thence south on the section line eighty rods; thence east with the county road to a tany-yard; thence east to Bell Creek crossing, and for the appointment of Assessors. The right of way was granted and James W. Heath, Samuel Davis and Noah Bowers were appointed Assessors. In the articles of association of this company, afterward filed, the capital was made to consist of $3,800, divided into 152 shares of $25 each. The following is the subscription list, as filed with the articles of association: W. W. Cornelius, William Shoemaker, J. and W. Boyle, P. and J. Suman, Olivia Makepeace, each $100; James Stuart, $425; John Shoemaker, Samuel G. Sunderland, each $300; John Hupp, $250; Samuel Dusang, A. J. McCollister, John Richman and William Finwick, each $200; Jonas Shoemaker, Delilah Thomas, each $150; Carey Finwick, John Saunders, each $75; A. J. Cornelius, James Perdieu, Jonathan Rinder, George Minnick, Isaac Funkhouser, Samuel Strickler, Josiah Cromer, Christian Blazer, Alvin Makepeace, Michael Pitzer, Gustus Mingle, each $50; G. Slough, William Turner, E. M. Baker Daniel Rinker, John Hupp, Jr., John A. Stewart, Philip Ridy, E. R. Stewart and J. T. Harnish, $25 each.
Afterward, at the September session of the Board of County Commissioners, in the year 1870, the company, having constructed its road according to the original design, subsequently extended the same from the original terminus eastward to the intersection of the Muncie and Middletown Pike, a distance of nearly one mile, filed a petition asking for the right of way for said extension. The prayer was granted accordingly.
On the 10th of September, 1879, the company filed a report, which was duly recorded [Mis. Rec. 2 p. 180], representing therin that said road commences at the southwest corner of Section 6, Township 19, Range 9 east; running thence east on the south line of Sections 4, 5 and 9, to the southwest corner of Section 3, a distance of about three miles, the same being that part of the original pike of the Daleville &; Bell Creek Company bought at Sherriff's sale by Carey Finwick, James Stewart, Jonas Shoemaker, W. W. Cornelius and Joseph R. Shoemaker, on the 17th of may, 1879, which corporator, under said purchase, assumed the original name of the Daleville and Bell Creek Company. By the same report, it was shown that the capital stock of said company consisted of 120 shares of $25, equal to $3,000. The company was organized on the 15th of August, 1879, with Carey Fenwick, Joseph R. Shoemaker and James N. Templer, Directors. The following were the officers at that date: James N. Templer, President; Carey Finwick, Treasurer, and Joseph R. Shoemaker, Secretary.MUNCIE AND NEW BURLINGTON.
This company, organized under the law of 1867, at the regular September session of the board of that year, filed a petition, representing a stock subscription of at least $800 per mile, and asked an order for the right of way over the proposed line of road, connecting those two points, and that assessors be appointed. Upon consideration, the petition was granted, and Jeremiah Dynes, Michael Dunkin and William Truitt, were appointed Assessors.
The following is the present conditon of the finances and operations of said company, as shown by the annual report filed July 1, 1880:
Balance left from last report $1,24.06 Gross receipts for the year 2,371.15 Total $3,395.21 Paid for repairs $476.33 Paid to officers 42.00 Paid to gate keepers 243.00 Paid to stockholders as dividends 1,494.44 $2,255.77 Balance on hand $1,139.44 Assets to date $425.15 Liabilities 120.45 $331.70 Length of road, 10¾;. Capital stock of company $19,977.00 One scraper, worth 1.00 Three shovels 2.00 Two toll houses, worth 200.00 JUNCTION.
At the regular March session, 1868, a petition was filed by the Junction Turnpike Company, for the right of way over and along the line of said proposed road, commencing where the Winchester State road crosses the county line between Delaware and Randolph Counties, near the town of Windsor, in said Randolph County; thence west along or near said State road, until it intersects the road leading from Muncie to New Burlington. The right of way was granted, in pursuance of the provisions of the law passed by the Legislature of 1867, and William Truitt, John Simmons and Eli Smith were appointed Apprasers. The present status of this road does not appear from any report filed in the proper office.
MUNCIE AND YORKTOWN
On the 30th of January, 1868, at a special meeting of the board of County Commissioners, the Muncie &; Yorktown Turnpike Company filed her petition for the appointment of appraisers, and the right of way for a road proposed to be constructed ";;Commencing at a point in the Yorktown, at the northwest corner of Proud's Addition to Muncie; thence along the Indianapolis State road, terminating at the east side of the bridge crossing Buck Creek, near Yorktown.";; The right of way was granted, and William Truitt, Libert Ginn and John C. Matthews were appointed Appraisers. The following report, filed July 1, 1880, shows the present financial conditon of the company:
Road-bed, culverts and bridges, and two houses and lots $600.00 Money in the treasury 805.89 Uncollected Tolls 125.00 Money collected during the year 1,039.01 Paid on road repairs $146.20 Paid on gate No. 1 45.08 Paid on taxes 28.18 Paid gate-keepers 190.00 Paid other expenses 2.75 Liabilities--Dividend for 1880 $563.38 Due officers 11.61 Capital stock, paid up 9,389.77 JACKSON STREET.
The petition for right of way, and for the appointment of appraisers, was filed by this company at the special January session, 1868. The proposed road commenced at the Calvert street bridge, over White River, at Muncie, and run thence to a point where the State road crosses the west boundary of Delaware County. A subscription of at least $800 per mile, was represented by said petition. The right of way was granted, and William Truitt, Libery Ginn and John C. Matthews, were appointed Appraisers.
On the 1st day of July, 1879, the following report, presenting an exhibit of the financial condition of the company at that date, was filed and duly recorded. That report shows the amount of cash on hand at that date, to be $25.57; total capital stock, 1,120 shares, $28,000; gross receipts for the year ending June 30, 1879, including $354 borrowed money, $1,541.04; expenditures during the year ending June 30, 1879, including payment of loans, as follows:
For repairs to road $1,171.83 For account of gate-keepers 155.00 For re-payment of loans 195.88 For payment of office 5.25 For expenses of July statement, 1879 1.15 For expenses of printing 8.85 Total expenditures for the year $1,537.97
Robert M. Snodgrass, John R. Wellington, Joseph Stradling, Directors; John R. Welling Secretary.
MUNCIE AND BETHEL.
At the march session, 1869, of the Board of Commissioners of Delaware County, The Muncie and Bethel Turnpike Company filed her petition for the right of way, under the laws then in force. From the record, it appears that this company was originally chartered as the Jake's Creek Turnpike Company, and was, by vote of stockholders, changed to the Muncie and Bethel Company. The location is on the Delphi State road, from the intersection of the Muncie and Wheeling Turnpike, about one mile northwest of the city of Muncie, to the south-east corner of Section 20, Township 21, Range 9 east. The right of way was granted accordingly.
At the same session, this company reported an extension of its road from the southeast corner of Section 20, Township 21, Range 9 east. The right of way was granted accordingly.
At the same session, this company reported an extension of its road from the southeast corner of Section 20, Township 21, Range 9 east, the terminus of the original road, to the west line of the county, and asked permission to occupy said road built between said two points. The prayer of the petitioner was granted accordingly.
The present status of said road is shown by the following report, filed July 1, 1880:
Amount of notes, accounts, etc $432.44 Amount of cash on hand July 1, 1880 215.37 Ten and one-half miles of turnpike road in Delaware Co. Toll-Houses No. 2 and 3, on the line of road Total liabilities of the company, July 1 1880 23,061.16 Amount of capital stock 22,951.24 Gross receipts for the year ending July 1, 1880 1,470.17 Expenditures for the year ending July 1, 1880 1,532.12 Of which was paid for repairs 997.28 Of which was paid for litigation 5.00 Of which was paid for printing 11.00 Of which was paid for stationery 2.40 Of which was paid for taxes 21.44 Of which was paid to gate-keepers 330.00 Of which was paid to Muncie &; Wheeling road 120.00 Of which was paid for officers' salaries 45.00 MUNCIE AND EATON.
This road was originally built and operated by the Studebaker Turnpike Company, which was organized under the laws in force in the year 1867. At the March session of the Board of Commissioners of Delaware County, for that year, the Studebaker Turnpike Company filed her petition and application for the right of way of a road then in contemplation, commencing at a point where the Studebaker road crosses the Muncie &; Granville Turnpike, and terminating on the Mississinewa River. The petition was granted. Subsequently, at the June session of the same year, on further petition of said Studebaker Company representing a subscription to the captial stock of the company of less that $800 per mile, was filed with the board which thereupon appointed John Smith, James Truitt and William Truitt, Assessors. The two first of these gentlemen failing or refusing to accept, the board made another appointment, selecting Thomas Kirby, James Maddy and William Truitt as such Appraisers.
In December, 1875, articles of association were duly filed and recorded [Mis. Rec. 2, p. 4], containg the following clause: ";;We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Delaware County, in the State of Indiana, do make, enter into, and adopt, the follwing articles of association. The object is to own, hold and operate a certain turnpike known as the Studebaker Turnpike, from its intersection with the Muncie and Granville Turnpike, its southern terminus, to the Mississinewa River, its northern terminus.";; This new company, on the 23d of December, 1875, represented the following subscriptions, to wit: ";;John Royer, $1,400; David Pixley and Matthew McCormick, each $350; Templer &; Gregory, $200; Isaac H. Shideler, William S. Shideler and John S. Shideler, each $100.";;
The following report, filed July 1, 1880, exhibits the present conditon of the company:
Amount of captital stock $5,875.00 Receipts--For payments on captial stock $171.33 For gate receipts for toll 833.68 For interest receips 20.92 Disbursements--For labor, roadway 171.00 For taxes and printing 5.50 For officers' expenses 80.00 Assets--7 5/6 miles of roadway 4,000.00 Two toll houses and grounds 200.00 Unpaid stock 717.34 Cash on hand 429.00 SMITHFIELD AND ALBANY
On the 6th of April, 1869, at a special session of the Board of Commissioners, doing county business, the Smithfield and Albany Turnpike Company, organized under the provisions of the law of 1867, filer her petition for the right of way along the line of said road, and for the appointment of Assessors. The board having duly considered the matter, granted the request, and appointed James A. Maddy, Jacob H. Koontz and William Truitt, Assessors. Again, at the December session of the board, in 1870, upon further application of the company, other Assessors were appointed. A similar petition was filed on the 3d of November 1871, and the request granted as before. Its present conditon is not reported.
MISSISSINEWA AND ALBANY.
This company, in its corporate capacity, at the special April session (April 6), 1869, petitioned the board for the right of way of her road from Albany to Fairview, in Rnadolph County, over said highway to the county line; thence west over said highway to the county line to Albany, to the toll gate near Stafford's residence, in Delaware County, on the Muncie and Granville Turnpike, a distance of five and three-quarters miles. The petition represented a cash subscription of $4,975. right of way was granted as requested, and James A. Maddy, Jacob H. Koontz and William Truitt were appointed Assessors.
The following report, filed July 1, 1880, exhibits the present conditon of the company:
Capital stock $6,500.00 Liabilities 850.00 Gross receipts for the preceding year 364.83 Paid for repair $76.40 Paid for improvements 13.75 Paid fine for failing to make report 23.50 Paid on original debt 218.00 MISSISSINEWA VALLEY.
The corporation known as the Mississinewa Valley Turnpike Company, organized under the provisions of the law then in force, at a special session of the Board of Commissioners of Delaware County, held on the 6th of April, 1869, filed her petition for right of way along the route designated for the location of said company's road. The board being sufficiently advised in the premises, granted the prayer of said petitioner and appointed three assessors as follows: William Truitt, James A. Maddy and Jacob H. Kootz. Of the subsequent proceedings of this road, in the hands of said company, we have not been informed, nothing having been found of record appertaining thereto.
MUNCIE AND SMITHFIELD.
On the 6th day of April, 1869, at a special session of the Board of Commissioners of Delaware County, ";Charles Carter, President of the Muncie and Smithfield Turnpike Company, filed a petition for right of way, as follows: Beginning at the intersection of the muncie and Burlington Turnpike with the Muncie and Smithfield road; running thence across White River, on the Helvie Bridge, on or near the present line of the Muncie and Smithfield road, to the east line of the lands of Samuel Happ and John watt, in Liberty Township; thence south one-fourth of a mile on the east lline; thence east to intersect said Muncie and Smith field road; thence east on said highway to the east line of the lands of William Lewis, to the Smithfield and Albany Turnpike, north of and near the town of Smithfield."; The prayer of the petitioner was granted, and William Truitt, Eli Smith and John C. Matthews were appointed Assessors, with Nelson Leonard President.
The following statement, filed February 13, 1877, shows the condition of the company at that date:
Amount received since last settlement $420.40 Amount disbursed to date 286.69 Balance on hand 134.31
John S. Cecil, E. C. Goff, Directors
BLOUNTSVILLE AND SMITHFIELD.
At a special session of the Board of Commissioners of Delaware County, held on the 17th of July, 1869, the Blountsville and Smithfield Turnpike Company filed a petition for right of way over the Blountsville and Smithfield road, commencing at a point where said road crosses the line of Delaware and Henry Counties, at the southwest corner of Section 23, Township 19, Range 11 east; thence north on said road about five miles to Winchester and Muncie State road. The board, being sufficiently advised, granted the prayer of the petitioner. Daniel Kilmer was the President of said company at the date of said action. Capital stock to the value of $5,047.50 had been subscribed, being more than two-thirds of the estimated cost of the road. The officers subsequently elected, were James Murray, President; A. R. A. Thompson, Russel Jordan, W. A. Jordan and Thornburg, Directors. During the March session of the Board of County Commissioners, in 1870, the company having been previously organized with a capital stock of $5,407.50, as before recited, filed her petition for the appointment of Assessors, and the prayer of the petitioner was granted. The present financial condition of the company is not shown by the official records.
NEW CORNER
On the 5th of December, 1870, articles of association were filed the New Corner Turnpike Company, as follows: "The undersigned citizens and residents of Delaware County hereby agree to form ourselves into a corporation, for the purpose of constructing, owning and maintaining a gravel road or turnpike, as here-in-after described. Said road shall commence on the south line of Section 7, Township 21, Range 10 east, in Hamilton Township, at the point of intersection of said line by the Muncie and Wheeling Turnpike; thence west on the south line of said Section 7, on the South line of Sections 12, 11, and 10, in Township 21, Range 9 east, to the southwest corner of the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 10; thence north to the northwest corner of the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 3, Township 21, Range 9 east; thence west on the half-section line to the southeast corner of the west half of the northwest quarter of Section 3; thence north to a point at the northeast corner of the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 3; thence in a direct line to a point five rods directly north of the southeast corner of Secetion 33, Township 22, Range 9 east; thence north on the east line of the last-nmed section (33), to the northeast corner of the southeast quarter of Section 33; thence west, on the middle line of Section 33 and 32, to the New Cumberland and Chesterfield road.
"The captial stock shall consist of $15,000, and shall be divided into 600 shares of $25 each. The following is the subscription: E. C. Anthony, 48 shares; Thompson Sharp, 32 shares; Thomas McCreery, 28 shares; David Thompson, 24 shares; Allen Benadum, 20 shares; H. A. McCohn, 16 shares; William B. Woodring, 12 shares; reuben Thompson, 11 shares; M. D. Wilson, 10 shares; Ezra Woodring, 9 shares; William McCreery, Washington Maynard, Hannah Brown, J. W. Burson, John W. McCreery, each 8 shares; H. H. Cox, 7 shares; Washington Trout, Henry Boyle, Levi A. Miller, Samuel McCreery and David Burgess, each 6 shares; Henry L. Miller, 5 shares; Booz Bartlett, Ellen Vanmetre, George S. Janney, James B. Miller, Samuel Harrold, William Z Cowing and R. M. Miller, each 4 shares; Henry R. trout and Adam H. Miller, each 3 shares; James Hedgland, John Burgess, Aggy Larowe, Valentine Woodring, Mary Sears, each 2 shares; G. W. Brady, Leonard S. Mowen, Madison Bryan, J. A. Wilson, Henry W. Larowe, William Minton, Frederick Huber, Mary Bryan, Sr., George Boyle, John Smith, Andrew Brown and Adam Mood, each on share." [Mis. Rec. 1, 421-2.] What the present financial conditon of this road is, is not given.MUNCIE & GRANVILLE.
The date of the organization of this company, who the stockholders were, the route and cost of the road, we are unable to give. While it was, perhaps, not among the first of those constructed in the county, the business done upon it, indicates something of its value to the communities interested.
The following is the last report of its conditon and operations, filed July 1, 1880:
Cash on hand $1,391.90 Assets About nine and one-half miles of road, Toll House No. 1 and on-quarter acre of land; Tol House No. 2, on leased ground; the right to take gravel for the use of the road, from the west half of the southwest quarter of Section 18, Township 21, north of Range 11 east. Liabilities, July 1, 1880 14,697.00 Capital stock, 578 shares 14,450.00 Gross receipts for the year 2,972.10 Disbursements--Paid on account of dividend for 1880 and previous years 2,047.50 Paid on account of repairs 643.85 Paid for rent of toll-house ground 3.00 Paid for taxes .42 Paid for printing 3.50 Paid gate-keepers 258.00 Paid officers 120.00 Total--------------------------------------------------------- $3,076.27 CENTENNIAL.
At the June session, 1876, of the Board of County Commissioners of Delaware County, an association having been formed for the purpose, the Centennial Turnpike Company reported a subscription of $500 per mile, and asked for an order granting them the right of way over the following route: "Commencing at the first toll-gate from Muncie, on the Muncie and Granville Turnpike; thence east on the highway to the crossing of the south line of Section 3, Township 20, Range 10 east; thence east on the south line of Sections 2 and 1 to the line between Center and Liberty Townships; thence north on said line to the line dividing Section 6 and 7, in Township 20, Range 11 east; thence east on the section line between Sections 6 and 7, 5 and 8, terminating at a point on the north line of said Section 8, at the crossing of the highway running north and south therefrom." The representing said company were Frederick Priest, A. L. Wilson, A. J. McGalliard, E. Austin and M. Smith.
At the special June session, 1880, of the County Board, this company asked the right of way for an extension of her road along the following route: Beginning at the eastern terminus of the present right of way of the company at the mouth of the county road; thence south to a point forty rods east of the northwest corner of Section 8, Township 20, Range 11 east; thence east on the section line to the northeast corner of the west half of the northwest quarter of Section 9; which was granted.
The following statement, filed July 1, 1880, represents the present financial condition of the compan:
Gross recipts for the year $136.75 Disbursement--Paid out for improvement 67.71 Paid out for repairs 2.50 Paid out for litigation 5.00 Paid out on account of its officers 0.00 Paid out for recording this statement 1.00 Paid out for recording last year's statement 1.00 Paid out for printing 2.50 Paid out to gate-keeper 34.00 Paid out for blank books .35 Paid out for interest on note to Thomas Kirby 20.00 Paid out for attorney's fees 1.50 Property of the company, three miles and twenty rods of gravel road, one toll house. Capital stock of company is, in share of $25 each 3,190.00 Liabilities 250.00 FREE GRAVEL ROADS.
Such of the gravel roads, or turnpikes, in Delaware County, as were originally constructed under the law of March 3, 1877, were of the class called free gravel roads, because they were laid and so constructed under the direct supervision of the county authorities, instead, of, as formerly, under the control of associations incorporated for that purpose. Utility and public necessity were paramount considerations, and, when satisfactorily established, it became the duty of the County Commissioners to appoint three disinterested freeholders of the county to view the premises and apportion the estimated expenses of construction according to the benefit to be derived by the adjacent lands affected by the proposed improvement. Upon the reception and confirmation of the report required to made by the men so appointed, the assessments so reported were place upon the tax duplicate, especially provided by the Auditor, and became first liens, as other taxes were, on the real estate assessed. Under these provisions, with perhaps some modifications, the following roads have since been placed in process of construction:
At the March session, 1880, of the Board of Commissioners, Daniel N. Patterson, John S. Fudge and others made application for a gravel road on the following described route: Commencing at the northwest corner of the northeast quarter of Section 16, Township 22, Range 11 east; thence south on the half-section line to the northwest corner of the southeast quarter of Section 33; thence in a southwesterly direction along the present road to the northwest corner of the northwest quarter of Section 4, Township 21, Range 11 east; thence south on the section line to the Albany pike. The application having been considered, the board appointed William Truitt, Engineer, and W. A. McClellan, Duncan Williams and John Linville, Viewers. Subsequently these gentlemen made report of their examination and estimates for said road, and submitted the same at the June session, 1880. The report confirmed the line proposed, and estimated the total cost, exclusive of gravel in the pit, and damage, at the sum of $8,144. The report was confirmed, and the line granted as reported.
At the same session, March, 1880, D. Brandt and others filed their petition for a free turnpike to be built in Union Township, on the following route, and pursuant to the provisions of an act of the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, approved March 3, 1877: Beginning at the corporation line on the north, of the town of Eaton, on the Hartford road, running Northwest on said Hartford and Eaton road to the intersection of the line separating Sections 14 and 23; thence west on said section line two miles to the Blackford County line, and there terminating. The board accordingly appointed William Truitt, Engineer; W. A. McClellan, John Linville and Duncan Williams, Viewers. Whether this road was ever established, does not now appear.
George R. Hedgeland, G. W. Brady, M. Bryan, W. D. Clemmens, C. F. Ebenstein and others, at the March session, 1880, filed their petition for the appointment of an engineer and viewers for a grave road on the following route: Beginning at the Wheeling Turnpike, in Washington Township; thence west on the line of the lands owned by Joseph Huston and Calvin Moomar, in Section 36, Township 22, Range 9 east; thence west on said line through Section 35, through the lands of the said Moomar, Janes Needler and Josep Tippy; thence west through the lands of C. F. Ebenstein, and Nancy and George W. Bryan, in Section 4, and George Boyle, George R. Hedgeland and the heirs of James H. Boyle, Albert Boyle, Ezra Woodring, M. J. Clements, Rhoda Nance, David Burgess, Mary Clevenger, P. W. Woodring and the heirs of R. Miller, to the half-section line. The board accordingly appointed William Truitt, Engineer; William A. McClellan, D. Williams and John Linville, Viewers.
At the same session, also, J. H. Koontz and other filed with the board their jpetition for the right of way and the appointment of viewers for a road in Mount Pleasant Township, "commencing on the section line running north and south dividing Sections 21 and 22, in Township 20, Range 9 east, on the road leading west from Yorktown; thence on said road through the lands of Thomas Allen, David Campbell, E. H. Underwood, Jacob Carrel's heirs, Timothy Hardwick, Abraham Campbell and William J. Painter, distance about one mile; thence due south on the line of the present road, pass through the lands of William J. Painter, Alexander Donovan's heirs, John Aldridge, David Campbell, William Moffett, Edward Helvie, B. F. Claypool, William K. Helvie, Hester Richmond, N. M. and M. Helvie, to intersect the road running east and west by Pike's Peak Schoolhouse, in Salem Township-distance, 2 1/8 miles; whole distance, 3 1/8 miles. To be twenty-eight feet wide."
William Truitt was appointed Engineer; William A. McClellan, John Linville and Duncan Williams were appointed Viewers.
The Engineer and Viewers before appointed, submitted at the June session, 1880, the following reports of surveys and views made by them: On the gravel road, beginning at Albany, at the northeast corner of the southeast quarter of Section 2, Township 21, Range 11 east; thence north on the Albany and Trenton road to the Greenville and Marion State road; thence in a northwest direction to the east line of the corporation of Eaton--total distance, 7 miles and 3,824 feet. The name of the road, Eaton and Albany Free Gravel Road. Reported total cost, $11,922.
Also, on the gravel road, beginning at a point where the public highway leading from eaton to Wheeling, on the north side of Mississinewa River, intersects the Fort Wayne, Muncie & Cincinnati Railroad--the highway usually known as the Granville & Logansport State road; running thence in a northwest direction, to the east line of Section 15, Township 22, Range 9 east; thence west [northwest] to the intersection of said highway with the line dividing Delaware and Grant Counties; thence along the said north line to the northeast corner of the northwest quarter of Section 10, Township 22, Range 9 east. Also, beginning on the line of said Eaton and Wheeling road, at the northwest corner of Section 21, Township 22, Range 10 east; thence north on the line dividing Sections 17 and 16, 8 and 9, in Township 22, Range 10 east, and terminating at the northeast corner of Section 8. Total cost of construction, exclusive of gravel pit and damage, reported at $18,735. ( Pages 70-76)
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