Bloomington (Monroe County, Indiana) Telephone, January 14, 1913, p. 4. The Monroe County Historical Society held its first meeting of the year Friday, jointly with the Seminar class in Indiana History, of the University. This class is studying extensively the early history of Indiana under the direction of Dr. Woodburn. Dr. Woodburn presided. Prof. Williams, of the high school faculty, read a paper on the subject "Beginning of Local Government in Monroe County." It was full of local interest. The paper was based principally upon the records of the county commissioners' proceedings from 1818 to 1824. Monroe County was created by special act of the Indian legislature, approved January 14, 1818. On April 10, 1818, the act went into effect, and the newly-elected county commissioners met at the late dwelling of Abner Blair to organize the county government. The board of commissioners appointed the non-elective county officers. William Lame (this is a typo, should be Lowe) was made clerk protem. Capt. James Bigger was chosen lister or assessor. Benjamin Parks was appointed agent for the county; Rederick (this is a type, should be Roderick) Rawlins became the first county treasurer giving bond for $20,000. The board also at its first meeting adopted the name of Bloomington for the seat of justice, provided for its survey, divided the county into four townships, appointed township officers and set in operation the machinery of local government. In June 1818, the site of the county seat was finally fixed. David Rogers was paid $1,200 for 160 acres constituting that portion of the present city between Rogers Street and Dunn, and Robert Graham was given $900 for 150 acres lying west of Rogers. In August, the streets were named, these being eight of the north and south streets and four of the east and west, all being distributed equally about the public square. Provision was made early for public buildings. The first courthouse consisted of two small cabins under a single roof. It was erected in the summer of 1818 at a cost of $400. This soon gave way to the permanent courthouse, a two-story structure of brick that was completed in 1826 at a cost of $7965, come down to our day, being the central portion of the old courthouse torn down in 1906. Minute directions were given for constructing the "cupillo" (sic) of the courthouse, crowned with a rod of iron sustaining a ball of wood and a fish of polished brass. Tradition has it that the fish still swaying in the wind on the present dome is the identical brass fish mentioned in these early records. A stray pen and a public jail were also constructed on the public square. Raising revenue occupied the attention of the county officials. This was obtained principally from the sale of lots in the county seat. Two sales of lots at public auction were ordered in the summer and autumn of 1818. These sales were advertised in papers as far away as Cincinnati, Louisville and Frankfort, Ky. A barrel of whiskey was ordered to be provided as a stimulant to lively bidding. Nearly 40 squares, or 314 lots, were sold in the two auctions. More than $26,000 was received as county revenue. Other sources of revenue were rental of public lands, fines and license fees. Taxation was very light. Opening of county roads was another matter of great important in these early years. The records show 32 important roads opened during the six years. Prof. Woodburn extended an invitation to the Historical Society to meet with the Seminary in the near future at which time a paper is to be read by Mr. Shockley on "Early Politics in Indiana."