The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-28
Why the Courthouse Should Remain
at BrOwnstOwn.

at
To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
The question of removing county seats is
again before the Legislature. and as there
is a bill reported having in view the re-
moval of the courthouse from Brownstown,
1 have been requested to write up the ques-
ton for publication in the Journal, that
the members of the Legislature may more
fully understand the situation. The ques-
ton of locating or retaining the county
seat in any given town or location should
be one of utility. 1t should be located as
near the center of the county as possible,
as the larger number of people having bust
ness at the county seat travel by private
conveyance and not by rail. The question
of easy access to the largest number Of
people is of greater moment than all 9TH
ers. AS regards Brownstown, are the above
requirements met? AS to location, it is
within half mile of the geographical GEN.
ter Of the county, on the main line of the
B. & o. Southwestern railway, with good.
free gravel roads from all parts of the
county, including from Seymour Thus
it will be seen that no place In the county
is so easy of access to all parts of the coun-
ty as Brownstown. 1t has been said by
those agitating the removal that Browns
town is a small, insignificant, dilapidated
IL, 1
amidst one of the best farming sections
of the county, is a thriving business town
Of 1850 inhab- tants, containing many good
business houses, numerous beautiful pri-
vate residences and a model public school
building, recently erected at a cost of S25,-
600. While the courthouse is a mile from
the depot, yet the entire distance is within
the corporate limits of the town, and a
well-conducted street-car line connects the
two ends of the town, SO that no one need
walk the mile or pay an exorbitant fee in
order to reach the courthouse from the
reason exists for the removal as to loca-
ton and convenience. The county buildings
are all good substantial brick buildings in
house is an imposing structure, trimmed in
Bedford stone, with good sawed stone and
concrete walks all around it, and the build
ing is not old, unsafe one, having been
built about twenty years ago, at a cost of
$4,000. OF. $4,000 1t is well ventilated.
is good new. and would be an honor
to most any county in the State. 1t is
that there should be any agitation the
question. If Brownstown was an out-of-
to be rebuilt. and accommodations poor,
there might be some justice and reason for
agitation, but none of these things exist.
Those. unacquainted with the situation are
-S~f'-"ea a'stnrhance if these are
the facts? To this question there can be
Long after the establishing of the county
seat at Brownstown the town of Seymour
of the county and. It finally becoming a
railroad crossing soon grew to be the me-
bd n OF pbe the Town snd The nrd ANXIETY s TO
| the courthouse in the largest town in the
| county has led to this unfortunate ag.ta-
| ton. The fight is bitter one, and growing
more so every day, and some peonle in
Seymour are outspoken in their determi-
nation to destroy the business interests of
| interests in either town, nor is he paid for
| this. article, but has a desire to see things
foir 1y md nrnlxy cd
Seymour as before stated, is off to one
| side of the county, and has but one adj
vantage over Brownstown, viz. its railroad
| facilities, while all else favors Brownstown.
J The question of larger town has nothing
| to do with the matter The idea of asking
| the people of any part of the county to
| build new courthouse. to CRAFTY the town
of Seymour, is exceedingly absurd This
| is causing no little trouble and expense to
| the citizens of Brownstown. The removal
| from the latter place means UNFOLD injury
| to the business interests of the AVN and a
| large depreciation in the value of all realty.
| 1t is believed that if this question can ne
| and each member vote intelligently and I'M
| biased. the proposition would scarcely re-
Geve dozen Votes In order pa tna5 5ne
! be oppressed by hasty legislation it is
suggested that, joint committee be APP
| pointed from both houses and sent to
| Brownstowr and Seymour to look up the
| matter and report. All Brownstown asks is
| understand the situation We need have no
| fears Our fears are grounded on mis-
| representations and consequent msunder-
| standings. II is to be hoped that the pres
| ent Legislature will carefully consider these
| interests and see that nothing unfair or
| preiudicial to the interests of the people
! of Brownstown is done. While the removal
| from Brownstown would be disastrous II
! would not largely benefit Seymour; be-
/ sides the latter has grown to It's present
| proportions without the courthouse, and
| Should be willing to let live as well as live
| J. n. THOMPSON,
! Pastor NJ. L. Church
| n