History of Orange County

In September, 1831, a new township (Jackson) was created out of Greenfleld, with the following bounds: Beginning at the southwest corner of the county, thence north to the center line of Township 1 north, thence east with said line to the range line dividing Ranges 1 and 2 west, thence south to the county line, thence west to the place of begin. ning. Elections were ordered held at the house of John Overling, with John McDonald, Inspector. Soon after this a tier of sections on the north of Jackson Township was attached to Southwest Township. David Hudelson was County Collector in 1832. Several men throughout the county were licensed to vend wooden clocks. W . G. Berry was appointed to procure from Jefferson and Vincennes, from the land offices, the field notes of the original surveys in Orange County. Jonathan Stout was County Collector in 1833. Alexander Morris was County Collector in 1837—38.

March 4, 1839, Stampers Creek Township was formed with the following boundaries: Commencing at the southeast corner of Paoli Township, thence south one mile, to the corner of Sections 26 and 27, 34 and 35, Township 1 north, Range 1 east, thence east to the county line, thence north to the line dividing Sections 20 and 29, Township 2 north, Range 2 east, thence west to Paoli Township, thence south to the beginning; elections to be held at the house of G. K. Miller, who was appointed Inspector. Clement McDonald was County Collector in 1839. In 1842 W. E. Simpson was appointed a student to the Indiana College as, also, was Hiram Moyer. In 1843 a map of the United States was bought for $8, of John Baker, for use in the Auditor’s office. In 1846 J. C. Thornton was appointed a student to the State University. In June, 1847, the township which was before known as Southwest had its name changed to French Lick. Soon after this W. A. Bowles was permitted to build a toll bridge over Lost River at New Prospect In 1856 D. J. Huffstutter and Washington Colciasure were appointed students to the State University; also Felix G. Wellman 1857. In June, 1861, A. M. Black, on behalf of the town of Paoli, donated to the county for use on the court house, the clock that is yet in use. During the late war the County Board ordered paid out of the County Treasury large sums for soldiers’ bounty, and for the relief of soldiers’ families. In 1867 a large cistern was dug in the court house square, and an iron lattice work was put around the court house. In March 1875, the County Board offered $1,000 for the murderer or murderers of Thomas Moody, and this amount was paid when the guilty parties were convicted and sentenced. Sometime before this one of the county officers had proved to be a defaulter to the amount of over $5,000. In 1875 the court house was painted. Iron steps were built to the court house in 1880; cost about $1,800. In June, 1883, the county began paying $1 for old fox scalps, 50 cents for those of young ones; old woodchucks 25 cents, young ones 15 cents; hawks 25 cents; owls 25 cents.

At no time has the county been very deep in debt. Bonds were issued when the present court house was built, but were soon paid. In 1868 county bonds to the amount of $10,000 were issued to meet unexpected expenses not provided for in the county levy. In 1873 new bonds to the amount of $5,000 were issued, which, four years later, were ordered refunded, as were all other outstanding county bonds. The bonded debt in June, 1877, was $9,250. In 1884 it was $10,000. In 1869 the bridge over Lick Creek, near Mr. Campbell’s, was built at a cost of $8,898.30. The Paoli and Jasper road bridge over Lick Creek, built in 1879, cost $2,415.80. The Paoli bridge, erected in 1880, cost about $2,000. Various other bridges were built in the county - over Lost River, Patoka River, Lick Creek and other streams - the cost aggregating from $15,000 to $20,000.

It seems that no money was paid out by the county until February, 1816. The receipts and expenditures during the calendar years 1816 and 1817 were as follows:

Paid Prosecuting Attorneys	$195.00
Paid County-seat Commissioners	114.00
Repair of public buildings	11.25
Keeping and guarding prisoners	89.87
Clerks and Judges of Elections	48.72
Overseers of Roads	35.00
Constables attending jurors	24.75
Fuel	1.50
Poor	11.50
Books for Clerk’s office	68.50
Clerks extra services	122.00
County Treasurer’s commnission	54.15
Township Treasurer’s commission	2.25
Sheriff’s extra services	101.50
Sheriff Tax Collector	87.88
Delinquent tax	16.25
Taxes improperly assessed	6.00
Listing taxable property	18.00
Paid Rebecca Hopper for signing deed to town land	5.00
House rent	17.00
Associate Judges	160.00
County Commissioners	78.50

Total	$1,268.62
Balance on hand	$241.24