When the organization of the county had been perfected, and the legal machinery of a separate county jurisdiction had been adjusted to the conditions surrounding, the officials through who instrumentality the motive powers of local government were to be applied, set themselves about preparing suitable quarters for themselves and for the legislative and judicial tribunals of the county. Until this was done, these quarters were substituted, private residences, shops or hotels (taverns) being pressed into service for the public good and for the accommodation of justice. The first public edifice of which we have any specific account was a

FRAME COURT HOUSE.

This building was contracted for in the summer or fall of 1828, and completed during the fall and winter of 1828-29, and is thus described. It was one of those substantial old-fashioned frame buildings, in construction common to the period of which it was a fair representative--two stories high, with low ceilings, the gable facing the street. The timbers of which the skeleton of the building was constructed were quite heavy, and hewn to a square surface; the sills of not less than twelve inches, and the plates and posts ten inches; while the cross-beams and other principal timbers were, perhaps, a little less in size, all framed with mortise and tenon, and pinned together with good substantial wooden pins of from one inch to an inch and a half diameter. The frame, therefore, was of the class known as "solid" weather-boarded, and not likely to be soon affected by the wrenchings of time. The sequel shows, however, that the elements of durability and permanency were not well considered. In size the building was about 20x40 feet, the lower story divided into two rooms, for court purposes, with a door, two side and two front windows in each, the upper story bing calculated for the use of officials in managing the affairs of the county. Within ten years after, this "solid" frame began to show signs of premature decay, and soon came into disuse for the purposes contemplated in its construction. It caught fire at one time, and, but for the timely interposition of citizens and others interested pecuniarily in its safety, would have been summarily devoured by the flames. At the time of the building of this old frame court house, a large area on all sides of it was vacant, unoccupied ground, the enterprise of Muncie in that day wanting much in comparison with the exhibitions at more recent periods in its history.

THE PRESENT COURTHOUSE.

Evidences of dilapidation having early manifested themselves in the "old frame," and the necessities of the time demanding an improved condition of things, the Board of Commissioners of the county ordered plans and specifications to be prepared with a view to the erection of a permanent edifice for court meetings. Accordingly, at a session of the board in the winter of 1836-37, an order was entered adopting certain plans proposed, and awarding the contract for a brick court house, forty-five feet square, and twenty-eight feet high, to be surmounted with a cupola of appropriate dimensions, to Morgan John, for a sum of money, the amount of which is not now ascertainable. The plan and cost, however,were to be in substantial accord with the Wayne County Court House at Centerville. After the origianl plans and specifications had been prepared, and the work contracted for, it was found to be desirable that certain changes be made in the details of the work. The matter was thoroughly canvassed, and a special agent sent to Centerville, with instructions to make further examination, and submit the result to the board for its consideration. This trust was promptly executed, and the changes suggested by the agent were adopted by the board, and accepted by the contractor as not in conflict with his bid, nothwithstanding, the changes would involve an additional expense of from $1,000 to $1500.

Before the contract was fully carried out, the contractor failed, and the board was compelled to take the completion of the building into their own hands. This was done, and the work finished in due time. Mr. Turner, in his reminiscences, speaking of the board in this matter, says: "The brick of the building were to be laid up in what was called 'Flemish Bond,' and two bricklayers were secured from New Castle, who were Eastern workman. They did not, however, prove to be equal to the task, and could not lay them up in that way. So, after the first story was up, they quit, and some excitement was created among us who had laid up brick before, to see that kind of work done."

That building is still standing and in a state of preservation comporting well with the prevailing workmanship of the day; but the plan and the adaptions are not at all in accord with the requirements of the present day, especially when is is considered that Delaware County stands deservedly in the highest rank among the several counties of the State, for enterprise and productive wealth.

COUNTY OFFICES.

At the June session, 1848, of the County Board, the first action from an official source, toward the erection of permanent quarters for the principal officers of the county, was had in the appointment of a committee to prepare plans and specifications for such a building. That committee having completed its work at the special session of the board in July of that year, submitted the same, of which, and the action of the bord thereupon, we have the following record:

And now, at this time, comes James L. russey, Silas Morgan and Joseph Anthony, who were appointed at the last term of the board, to make out the plans and specifications of a building on the public square, in the county seat of said county, for offices of treasurer, Recorder, Clerk and Auditor, and report the following, to wit:
   1st. The building to be 46 feet long, and 26 feet wide, from outside to outside, and the walls to be 20 feet high, that the stories may be 9 feet in the clear, each with a hall running through, 8 feet and 4 inches in the clear, and a partition in the back part, so situated as to make four vaults, 6 feet wide and 17 feet long, in the clear, with a chimney in each end running from the lower story, suitable for stove flues for each room. There are to be nine windows in front, two in each end above and below, and five in the rear, with a door at each end of the hall, and door from the hall to each office, also an iron door shutter, with a cut stone two feet long for each to be imbedded in, with a rabbet in the wall from each room into the vault, each room 17 feet square in the clear, well plastered and white washed, together with the hall and vaults.
   2d. The foundation to be laid of good stone, 3 feet deep and 18 inches high, one foot above ground, at the highest part of the ground, and all the stone above ground to be cut and laid in what is called range-work.
   3d. The walls to be laid up with well burned brick, and of full 13-inch wall, all except the two walls forming the hall, as far back as the vaults come, which are to be 9-inch walls, and the front walls to be laid up in what is called 'Flemish Bond.'
   4th. The vaults to be made fire-proof, by running an arch over each, of brick, suitable to support brick and mortar sufficient to form a good fire-proof floor over each, three bars across, each one inch square or round iron, with a screw on each end, and two additional bars of iron as aforesaid, through the vaults, and the doors of the vaults to 2 feet 3 inches wide, and 6 feet high, and the shutters of said doors to be of iron, and hinges to suit the same, as are generally used in such buildings, with good and sufficient locks for such doors, together with good locks, bolts, window-springs, catches for shutters and sash.
   5th. The sleepers to be sawed 3x10 inches, and laid 18 inches from center to center; the first tier of joists to be 2½x8 inches, laid the same distance apart, with top tier extending over the wall, sufficiaent to receive a suitable cornice 2 feet wide, and necessary moldings made of plank, and also be framed and pinned well into a beam running through the building, 8x10 inches, 46 feet long, all of good oak timber.
   6th. The roof. The shingles to be of good yellow poplar timber one-half an inch thick, laid 5 inches in length, to the weather, with a good raking cornice at each gable end of the building, and tin troughs slipped under the shingles, and spouts of the same at two corners, with suitable spout heads. [See paragraph 12th added by the board.]
   7th. The floors of the offices and halls to be laid with well-seasoned oak plank, 1&1/8 inches thick, and square jointed, with wash-boards all around each.
   8th. The front door to be made single-paneled, of two-inch plank, and suitable side lights, and transom over the door at the back end of the hall, to be made of the same thickness with the other transoms. All the doors and windows to have stone caps and sills, the door-sills of proper width. The door leading from the halls to the offices, to be made with two long panels of the same thickness.
   9th. Sufficient flight of stairs leading to the second story, with a ramp and E hand-railing. [10th and 4th joined in the 4th, including an addition by the board.]
   11th. The sash to be made of good pine, twelve lights to the window, of 10x14 glass panes, to be well sprigged and puttied into the sash. There shall be ventilation blinds to all the windows [and otherwise as stated in paragraph 4].
   12th. The rafters to be 3x5 inches at the heel, and 3x3 at the top, and collar-beams dove-tailed in across the rafters.
   13th. The whole woodwork to have three good coats of white paint, and the walls two coats of red, and penciled white, the red to be equal parts of Venetian red and red-lead.
   14th. All the work, and any and every thing, properly pertaining to such a building, and herein omitted to be particularly specified, to be done in a, good fitting and workmanlike manner, to the acceptance of the superintendent acting under the supervision of the Board of County Commissioners of said county.
   15th. The whole job to be completed and ready for use on or before the first Monday of June, 1849.
   16th. The contractor will be required to give good security for the performance of said work and building, with in the time and in accordance with the foregoing specifications.
   17th. The contractor, under the direction of this board, shall receive his pay as follows, to wit: $500 when the house is under roof; $500 when all the doors and windows are in, and all the carpenter work done; all the remainder when said building is finally completed and accepted by the board, at the time above specified for the completion of said building, should it be completed. Which said plan and specifications, after being inspected by the board, and the same enlarged, amended and corrected, was agreed upon and accepted by the board, as above recorded. And, the board being satisfied by the County Auditor, that a sufficient notice had been publicly given of the intention to build such a building, and that proposals would on this day be by the board received, inspected and adjudicated upon; and the foregoing specifications being publicly read and exhibited, and sundry persons having presented their proposals, which were examined most carefully, in pursuance of said notice, and the merit of each considered, was found the following, to wit:

July 1, 1848. Proposals for building the county offices of Delaware County.
The undersigned propose to build the house and finish it according to specifications exhiibited, for the annexed sum:
   62 perch of stone in the wall, at $3.25.......................$ 139.50
   11,00 bricks in the wall, at $7.50..................................825.00
   2,600 feet of joists, at 2½c.................................................65.00
   46 feet girders.......................................................................1.84
   1,000 feet of rafters, at 1¼c..............................................12.50
   1,500 feet sheeting, at 62c...................................................9.37
   11,500 shingles, at $2.50..................................................28.75
   350 feet studding to support rafters..................................3.50
   2,400 feet oak flooring, at 1½c........................................36.00
   Laying the floors................................................................37.00
   Putting on the roof.............................................................20.00
   Framing joists and rafters...............................................15.00
   22 windows (pine sash) lumber and work......................88.00
   Sash and glass, and glazing and springs.......................60.00
   Front door, side lights and transoms made of pine......15.00
   Back door of pine lumber...................................................8.00
   4 inside doors, and lumber and labor.............................30.00
   4 iron doors for vaults....................................................300.00
   2 outside-door locks..........................................................10.00
   4 inside-door locks............................................................16.00
   242 feet stone caps and sills, at 25c...............................60.50
   Hauling the same...............................................................33.00
   2 stone sills for outside doors.........................................10.00
   2,500 feet poplar plank.....................................................31.25
   160 feet of cornice, at 75c................................................80.00
   Spout heads and spouting.................................................32.00
   275 feet of base, at 6c........................................................22.50
   Nails.....................................................................................30.00
   950 yards plastering, 25c per yard..............................237.50
   333 yards painting and penciling, at 25c......................83.25
   Painting wood work, three coats....................................25.00
   22 Paris Venetian blinds, at $3......................................66.00
   22 Paris Venetian blinds, painting................................10.00
   Running stairs..................................................................25.00
   8 bars of iron for vault......................................................40.00
   Iron window shutters........................................................40.00
   Contingencies and work not enumerated...................150.00

       We think this is a fair price................................$2,696.46
           RUSSEY, WYSOR & JACKS.

Which proposal was accepted.
At the session on the following day, July, 1848, the board made this additional order:

Ordered: By the board that James L. Russey, John Jack and Jacob Wysor, their heirs and assigns, have privilege of building at their own expense, a basement story to the county offices now under contract * * * and to have full, free use of same, with right of ingress and egress on the north end to the same, for the term of fifty years, for and in consideration of the sum of $100, to be paid in annual installments of $5 each year in advance; fifty years to be computed from 1st Monday in June, 1849 * * * no nuisance to be maintained, no liquors to be sold on the premises, except beer or cider, either for purposes of sickness or medicine.

From all that appears in the record to the contrary, those contracts were fully carried out, the building completed in accordance with the contract, and at the stipulated price.

The court house and the county officers' building occupy positions on the public square, the latter building immediately north of the former, both answering the purposes for which they were constructed; yet, in appearance, they are somewhat antiquated, and illy comport with the magnificent architecture of the present day everywhere manifest in the edifices of the city.

EARLY JAILS.

Shortly after the organization of the county, when the courts first began to be held here, the state of society demanded that a place of confinement be constructed for the safe keeping of violators of the law. The first building for this purpose was erected some time in the year 1828, because early in 1829 the grand jury declared against its safety and efficiency, inducing improvements which were subsequently made. All these, however, proved ineffectual, and a few years later, a structure somewhat more modern was projected, which in its day did service in temporarily restraing refractory characters and persistent violators of the law. These edifices, having subserved the purposes of justice for a time, were abandoned.

THE NEW JAIL.

As early as 1856, public attention began to be drawn to the fact that a new jail structure would, in the near future, be required, because of the unsafe conditon of the odd one, and its total want of adaptedness to the requirements of the times. Hence, the question elicited a due amount of consideration touching the plan, cost of construction, and when it should be erected. At the September session, 1858, therefore, it was ordered that the board repair to Winchester, Randolph County, on the 6th of October follwoing, for the purpose of examining the new county jail at that place, "in order to assist them in preparing plans, and for the building of a new county jail in Muncie." In contemplation of the outlay incident to the construction said new building, the board, at the December session, 1858, made the following order in the premises: "It appearing to the board that it is necessary to construct a new jail for the use of the county, and that the revenue afforded by reasonable taxation is insufficient to pay for the same, in addition to the ordinary expenses of the administration of the county business, it is, therefore, ordered by the Board of Commissioners of the county of Delaware, in the State of Indiana, that there be borrowed by said board the sum of $3,000, and that for that purpose there be issued bonds of the county, according to law, as follows, to wit: Fifteen bonds of $100 each; twenty bonds of $50 each, and twenty bonds of $25 each, being in all for the sum of $3,000; that each and all of said bonds shall be payable by their terms at the office of the treasurer of said county of Delaware, in Muncie, with 6 per cent interest per annum from date, due on or before the 1st day of April, 1860. It is further ordered by the board, that said bonds be numbered respectively, commencing with No. 1 and ending with No. 55," and the Auditor was order to discount the same at not more than 8%.

At the same term, the board further "Ordered, That Thomas S. Neely be appointed to prepare proper plans, etc., for the new county jail and Sheriff's residence, and superintend the building of the same; also, that he prepare the necessary papers for contract with Macy, Rankin & Co., of Cincinnati, for the construction of the iron part of said jail, as per specifications on file in the Auditor's office; also, that he give notice, by publication in the Muncie Free Press, for sealed proposals to be received for the erection of said jail." Afterward, a special session was held on the 5th day of February, 1859; the board received and considered the following proposals, filed pursuant to notice:

   Benedict, feather & M. Reeder.............................................................$4,467.00
   Kurtz and Barnes.........................................................................................6,00.00
   Martin, Young and Hamilton....................................................................5,031.00
   H. Willson....................................................................................................5,200.00
   D. J. Silvers (Iron, $4,100, woodwork and painting, $5,700..............9,800.00

The board compared and examined said several propositions, awarded the contract to Messrs. Benedict, Feather & Reeder, at their bid of $4,467, letting the iron-work to Macy, Rankin & Co., as follows:

"We hereby agree to build, and deliver in Muncie, Ind., and put up complete after its delivery there, all the iron-work for the jail about to be erected there, as described in the plans and specifications submitted by us to the commissioners, which plans and specifications are made a part of this contract, for the sum of $4,780 * * * *."

For the Sheriff's residence, to be erected in connection with the jail, this plan was determined upon: "The main building is to be 47 feet in front and 33 feet deep, on outside of brickwork, with an addition in the rear of building of 19 feet 6 inches by 26 feet and 6 inches on outside of brickwork."

At the following March session, 1859, the board purchased of Luther B. Willson, for the sum of $500, Lots numbered 2 and 3 in Block 8, Gilbert's [addition] donation to the town of Muncie, for the purpose of locating thereon the new jail. Willson executed a deed, and the board thereupon ordered the payment of $300, and directed that a warrant issue on the Tresurer of Delaware County, payable in one year. The following statement of the account for iron-work for the new jail, as per terms of contract, with the recipts therefor, was filed at the regular September session, 1859, to wit:

BILL AND RECEIPTS FOR IRON-WORK ON JAIL.

Commissioners of Delaware County to Macy, Rankin & Co., Dr.      To one iron jail, per contract...........................$4,780.00
     To two extra bedsteads @ $5...................................10.00
     To one extra cock in pump.........................................3.00
     To 25 feet of iron pipe...............................................12.50

          Total......................................................................$4,805

     Credit, by cash.........................................................$50.00
     Credit, by freight.....................................................161.81

          Total....................................................................$211.81

     Total Debit...........................................................$4,805.50
     Total Credit...............................................................211.81

          Total balance..................................................$4,593.69
     By 25 feet of iron pipe, not used..............................12.50

          Total................................................................$4,593.69
     8 per cent interest on bonds added.......................366.50
          ________________________________________

          Total.................................................................$4,947.69

Received Delaware County Bonds in payment as follows:

     One at two years, from August 1, 1859..........$1,300.00
     One at two years, from August 2, 1859............1,000.00
     One at two years, from August 1, 1859...............200.00
     One at three years, from August 1, 1859........1,000.00
     One at three years, from August 1, 1859........1,135.88
     One at three years, from August 1, 1859............261.81

          Total.................................................................$4,897.69
     Cash received..............................................................50.00
           _______________________________________

          Total.................................................................$4,947.69

At the next December session, 1859, the following settlement account with the contractors for the new jail was filed with the board, to wit:

     Feather & Reeder, amount of contract.....................$2,500.00
     Cash paid to Feather.........................$1,174.00
     Cash paid to Reeder................................575.00...........1,749.00

          Balance due..................................................................$751.00

     Amount of Cash paid Feather..........$1,174.00
     "  "  "  "     L. Willson on lots...............300.00
     "  "  "  "    T. S. Neely, Super..................50.00
     "  "  " "     Reeder...................................575.00
     "  "  "  "    Macy, Rankin & Co............213.19

          Total cash paid out........................$2,312.19

     Proceeds from sale bonds.............................................$2,760.00
     Amount paid out to all parties on Jail...........................2,312.19

          Balance on hand............................................................$447.81

     Amount due Feather & Reeder.......................................$751.00
     Cash on hand.........................................................................447.81

          Deficiency.......................................................................$303.19

     Cash paid Feather...........................................................$1,174.00
     Orders paid Feather...............................................................80.00

          Total..............................................................................$1,254.00

     Cash paid Reeder................................................................$575.00
     Orders paid Reeder..............................................................180.00

          Total.................................................................................$755.00

    Total cash and orders paid...............................................$2009.00
     Contract price.....................................................................4,467.00

     Amount due Feather & Reeder in all kinds of pay.....$2,458.00
     Cash due Feather & Reeder.................................................751.00

     Amount due Feather & Reeder in County Orders.....$1,707.00