Shortly after Richardville County was organized in 1844 the commissioners appointed to establish the county seat approached Foster for a donation from his substantial holdings. (In 1846 tax records show that he owned of farmland and as well as 67 divided lots in the business district.Pollard, p. 320) At the time of the request the only improvements in what is now Kokomo were Foster's log house and log barn and several Miami huts. The commissioners sought a donation of the more fertile lands south of Wildcat Creek, but Foster refused, donating instead north of the creek—land which was thickly forested and "swampy."Morrow, pp. 56–58. The terms of the donation required that Foster build a courthouse on the land, but he was later excused and Rufus L. Blowers was promised $28 to build it. He was penalized $2 for construction delays.Morrow, p. 112. The log courthouse was completed in 1845.
Shortly after Richardville County was organized in 1844 the commissioners appointed to establish the county seat approached Foster for a donation from his substantial holdings. (In 1846 tax records show that he owned of farmland and as well as 67 divided lots in the business district.Pollard, p. 320) At the time of the request the only improvements in what is now Kokomo were Fos,ter's log house and log barn and several Miami huts. The commissioners sought a donation of the more fertile, lands south of Wildcat Creek, but Foster refused, don?ating instead north of the creek—land which was thickly forested and "swampy."Morrow, pp. 56–58. The terms of the donation required that Foster build a courthouse on the land, but he was later excused and Rufus L. Blowers was promised $28 to build it. He was penalized $2 for construction delays.Morrow, p. 112. The log courthouse was completed in 1845.