Pera, name changed to Ludlow, 1868. Harwood, taken from east half of Ludlow, 1869. One tier of sections, taken from north side of Rantoul, in Range nine, and given to Ludlow, 1868. Brown, taken from west half of East Bend, 1869. Condit, taken from east half of Newcomb, 1867. Crittenden, taken from south half of Philo, 1863. Thus it will be seen how utterly impossible it is to give the population of the county, by townships, at the different decennial periods, to compare with each; but the citizens of the several towns may congratulate themselves that changes hereafter must of necessity be few, nearly all the towns now occupying the congressional township. Among the early acts of the county commissioners' court, was to exercise their authority in regulating rates of fare to be charged at ferries, and hotels. Thus we find upon their records the following item in relation to inn-keepers : "Ordered, that the following rates be, and they are hereby made and established, for the government of inn-keepers within this county, to wit: "For keeping a man and horse one night, including sup per, bed and horsefeed .... "one-half pint of whisky... แ French brandy. .... $0.75 .18 .12 .061 .184 The first revenue of the county, after its organization, that we have record of, amounted to the extravagant sum of $71.37 47-100. How the collector managed to return that fraction of one cent, (47-100), we are unable to learn from the records. Under the old system of commisssioners' court, the sheriff was collector of the whole county, instead of having township collectors as now. When collected, the money was paid over to the treasurer. At one time, the county funds amounted to a little over one hundred dollars, and it is said that the treasurer, taking advantage of this large surplus, that would not probably be wanted in a long time, loaned it out to parties for his own gain. The records show that the Board took prompt official notice of the matter, and "ordered that the treasurer be directed to stop at once, loaning the public funds"—a step preeminently worthy of imitation. At this time the law was so amended, as to require the commissioners to be elected for a term of three years; the first three, one for one year, one for two years and one for three years; German and French Accordeons. Under this after which, one would be elected every year. arrangement there were first elected James Clements, one year, In 1848, the new Constitution of the State made a change, organizing a county court with one judge, having probate jurisdiction, and the jurisdiction of justices of the peace in civil cases, and providing for associate judges, all to hold office for four years. Accordingly, under this law, there were elected Here the adoption of township organization in 1860, made another change, and the county court. was stripped of its ornaments and compelled to sit alone. Under the new order of things there were elected Under the regulations imposed by the township organization law, the business of the county, "save that pertaining to the judiciary," was taken from the county court, and vested in a body, known and called "The Board of Supervisors," which, taking the place of the county court, became the county or the corporation. Under this law there were elected in 1860 |