MORGAN COUNTY [1915]

MARTINSVILLE, SEAT OF JUSTICE

     MORGAN COUNTY, which lies directly southeast [southwest-smc] and adjoining Marion county, is bounded on the north by Hendricks and Marion, on the east by Johnson, on the south by Brown and Monroe and on the west by Owen and Putnam counties. It contains 453 square miles and is in the valley of the west fork of White river. Morgan county is an agricultural, rich, fertile body of highly cultivated soil. The only natural resources are fine sandstone and hard brick shale that is being manufactured into hard paving brick, and its wonderful hardwoods--oak, yellow poplar and black walnut timber--and the sugar camps so common to the early settlers of Indiana. After the discovery of natural gas in eastern Indiana, the citizens of Martinsville, now familiarly known as the "Artesian City" of medicated waters, bored a well 700 feet deep, which produced a flowing well. This has been followed by many others, and several sanatoriums have been erected, where thousands of afflicted people come to partake of the waters and get relief for their ailments.

     Organization.--Morgan county, which was named in honor of General Daniel Morgan, began its official existence February 15, 1822, and Martinsville has been its county seat since the day of its organization.

     Population of Morgan county in 1890 was 18,643; in 1900 was 20,457, and according to United States Census of 1910 was 21,182 of which 178 were of white foreign birth. There were 5,320 families in the county and 5,216 dwellings.

     Townships, Cities and Towns.--There are fourteen townships in Morgan county: Adams, Ashland, Baker, Brown, Clay, Green, Gregg, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Ray and Washington. The incorporated cities and towns are Martinsville, Brooklyn, Mooresville, Morgantown and Paragon. Martinsville is the county seat.

     Taxable Property and Polls.--According to the annual report of the Auditor of State from the abstract of the tax duplicate for 1913, the total value of lands and lots in Morgan county was $6,765,700, value of improvements was $2,599,690 and the total net value of taxables was $13,378,020. There were 3,374 polls in the county.

     Improved Roads.--There were 278 miles of improved roads in Morgan county built and under jurisdiction of the county commissioners January 1,1915. Amount of gravel road bonds outstanding, $370,723.90.

     Railroads--Steam and Electric.--There are 42.71 miles of steam railroad operated in Morgan county by the Fairland, Franklin & Martinsville; Indianapolis branch of the Illinois Central, and the Vincennes division of the Vandalia railroads. The Terre Haute, Indianapolis & Eastern Traction Company operates 16.30 miles of electric line in the county.

     Educational.--According to the report of William D. Curtis, county superintendent of public instruction, there were ninety-seven schoolhouses, including seven high schools, in Morgan County in 1914, employing 183 teachers. The average daily attendance by pupils was 3,796. The aggregate amount paid in salaries to superintendents, supervisors, principals and teachers was $92,014.08. Estimated value of school property in the county was $347,500, and total amount of indebtedness, including bonds, $99,031.10.

     Industrial.--According to the report of the State Bureau of Inspection for 1912 there were seventeen industrial establishments in Martinsville, furnishing employment to nearly 400 persons. The largest industries are engaged in the manufacture of rustic chairs and furniture, cooperage, wooden ware, and building and paving brick.

     Agriculture.--There were in Morgan county in 1910 over 2,700 farms, embraced in 240,000 acres. Average acres per farm, 87.2 acres. The value of all farm property was over $17,000,000, showing 96.6 per cent increase over 1900. The average value of land per acre was $53.47. The total value of domestic animals was over $1,700,000: Number of cattle 13,000, valued at $432,000; horses 9,200, valued at $876,000; hogs 32,000, valued at $229,000; sheep 11,000, valued at $46,000. The total value of poultry was approximately $85,000.