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977.3675 

M86c    MOULTRIE  COUNTY  HISTORICAL 
AND  GENEALOGICAL  SOCIETY 


CENTURY  I,  NOTES  ON  SULLIVAN 
ILLINOIS,  1845-1872-1972 


CENTURY  I 

NOTES  ON  SULLIVAN,  ILLINOIS 
1845  -  1872  '  1972 


MOULTRIE  COUNTY  HISTORICAL 
AND  GENEALOGICAL  SOCIETY 


Century  I,  Notes  on  Sullivan,  Illinois 

A  Guidebook  vo  Historic  Sites 


The  Moultrie  County  Historical  and  Genealogical  Society  invites  the 
reader  to  take  a  tour  with  us  through  the  early  years  of  Sullivan.  By 
using  the  numbers  in  the  book  and  on  the  enclosed  map,  some  of  our 
local  historic  sites  can  be  reviewed,  either  in  an  armchair  or  on  a  drive 
around  the  town.  A  dagger  indicates  the  site  is  still  intact. 

This  is  not  a  complete  history  of  Sullivan,  but  simply  a  general 
review  in  guidebook  form  of  the  highlights  of  its  first  half  century. 
Unfortunately,  we  are  not  able  to  include  all  of  the  significant  sites  or 
mention  all  of  its  leading  citizens  in  a  pamphlet  of  this  size. 

The  information  here  is  from  the  three  published  histories  of 
Moultrie  County,  courthouse  deed  records,  unpublished  memoirs, 
historical  society  program  notes,  city  council  minutes,  personal  in- 
terviews and  newspaper  articles.  Special  acknowledgement  is  given  to 
the  David  Davis  family  of  Bloomington  for  their  permission  to  use 
material  from  the  David  Davis  Papers,  and  to  the  fifty  or  more  people 
who  contributed  in  some  way  to  this  booklet. 

We  hope  that  this  will  stimulate  its  readers  to  write  down  or  preserve 
historical  information  for  use  in  a  larger  and  more  complete  history 
book  of  Sullivan  and  all  of  Moultrie  County. 

The  Moultrie  County  Historical  and  Genealogical  Society 
June,  1973. 


UNIVERSITY  OF 
ILLINOIS  LIBRARY 


THE  WHITE  HOUSE 
WASHINGTON 

The  Western  White  House 
San  Clemente 

April  4,  19  73 


TO  THE  PEOPLE  OF  SULLIVAN,  ILLINOIS 


In  1960,  I  had  the  pleasure  of  addressing  the 
people  of  Sullivan,  and  now  I  again  have  the 
opportunity  to  greet  you  on  the  grand  occasion 
of  Sullivan's  one  hundredth  anniversary  of  its 
incorporation  as  a  city. 

The  incorporation  of  this  city  brought  with  it 
a  spirit  of  enthusiasm,  determination,  and  co- 
operation —  qualities  which  not  only  have 
helped  build  a  community  with  a  rich  heritage, 
but  also  have  contributed  to  the  growth  and 
prosperity  of  the  United  States  as  a  great 
Nation. 

America  still  needs  these  qualities  as  it  faces 
the  challenges  of  this  era,  and  I  feel  confident 
that  the  people  of  Sullivan  will  strive  toward 
their  new  goals  with  renewed  vigor  and  dedication, 

My  greetings  and  best  wishes  to  Sullivan! 


CSu^^U^ 


A   FUTURE   PRESIDENT:    - 

During  the  presidential 
campaign  of  1960,  both  Richard 
M.  Nixon  and  John  F.  Kennedy 
were  invited  to  appear  in 
Sulhvan.  To  everyone's  sur- 
prise, Nixon  accepted.  A 
buffalo  barbeque  was  held,  the 
second  that  summer,  and 
thousands  came  to  hear  the 
candidate  speak  in  Wyman 
Park.  In  November,  Nixon  lost 
the  election,  but  eight  years 
later  became  President.  Unlike 
Nixon,  the  buffalo  barbeque  did 
not  make  a  comeback,  for  this 
was  the  last  one  at  Sullivan. 


FUTURE  PRESIDENTS  SPOKE  IN  SULLIVAN 


ABRAHAM  LINCOLN  SPOKE  IN  FREELAND  GROVE  during  his 
campaign  for  the  U.  S.  Senate  in  1858.  The  site  of  his  speech  was  ap- 
proximately the  entrance  of  the  Civic  Center.  A  monument  was  erected 
at  the  south  edge  of  Wyman  Park,  replacing  the  old  marker,  during  the 
Illinois  Sesquicentennial  in  1968.  The  trees  under  which  Lincoln  spoke 
were  removed  when  the  Civic  Center  was  erected  in  1965. 


jAteJjind  Qjwvi 


Su-LLivar 


I.  Sullivan's  Beginnings 


A  BEAUTIFUL  PLACE - 

Asa  "Dollarhide"  Rice  and  Jacob  McCune  were  having  another 
successful  hunt.  They  were  covering  unfamiliar  territory  north  of  the 
Kaskaskia  River,  and  had  just  traveled  onto  the  prairie  again. 

Before  them  a  green  ocean  of  prairie  grass  stretched  almost  as  far  as 
the  eye  could  see.  A  line  of  trees  bounding  it  on  the  east,  south  and 
west,  took  on  the  hazy  blue  of  a  distant  shorehne.  Here  and  there  the 
sea  of  grass  was  splashed  with  the  rainbow  colors  of  prairie  flowers- 
yellows,  violets,  blues.  The  wind  blew  waves  in  the  tall  grasses  and  the 
sunUght  was  reflected  as  on  frothy  whitecaps.  They  had  just  passed 
through  a  line  of  timber  which  meandered  northward,  and  then  ended  in 
a  point  where  the  stream  and  prairie  met.  To  the  north,  the  green  of  the 
prairie  flowed  into  the  blue  of  a  lake  two  miles  long. 

Asa  said,  "Of  all  the  country  I've  seen,  this  is  my  choice."  His 
companion  responded,  "This  shall  be  called  Asa's  Point." 

Many  years  later,  in  1845,  a  town  and  county  seat  was  founded  in 
this  idyllic  setting.  First  called  Asa's  Point,  it  soon  was  given  the  more 
sophisticated  name  of  Sulhvan,  after  Sullivan's  Island  in  Charleston 
Harbor,  S.  C,  where  Gen.  William  Moultrie  so  ably  defended  his  fort 
during  the  Revolutionary  War.  Another  version  (John  Freeland's) 
states  that  the  city  was  named  for  Gen.  John  SuUivan,  a  northern 
officer,  since  Moultrie  was  a  southerner. 

The  setting  for  the  new  county  seat  may  have  been  beautiful,  but,  for 
health  reasons,  it  was  not  a  very  good  choice  for  a  town  site.  The  Eagle 
Pond  to  the  north  and  the  poorly  drained  prairies  were  breeding 
grounds  for  malaria  carrying  mosquitoes. 

The  httle  village  of  East  Nelson,  now  known  as  Old  Nelson,  was  a 
more  logical  site  for  a  county  seat.  It  was  located  on  the  south  side  of 
the  Kaskaskia  River  near  the  Old  Bend,  and  was  further  removed  from 
the  miasmic  conditions  of  Asa's  Point  on  the  prairie.  It  had  been  in 
existence  for  ten  years,  having  several  stores  and  a  mill;  and  most 
importantly,  the  trail  toward  Charleston  passed  through  it,  crossing 
the  river  ford  near  there.  It  was  unfortunate  for  East  Nelson  that  the 
east  side  of  the  county  did  not  have  enough  votes  to  make  it  the  county 
seat. 

There  was  nothing  at  Asa's  Point  when  it  was  chosen.  It  was  simply 
a  point  of  timber  and  a  Httle  stream  named  by  two  hunters  many  years 
before.  Even  though  the  town  soon  lost  Asa's  Rice's  name,  it  is  still 
retained  in  Asa  Creek  which  flows  through  the  town. 


AT  THE  DROP  OF  A  PEN- 

On  a  cold  day  in  the  winter  of  1844,  the  commissioners  gathered  in 

the  home  of  Dr.  WiUiam  Kellar  to  decide  which  40  acres  to  choose  for  a 
site  for  SuUivan.  Philo  Hale,  a  benevolent  land  speculator  and  a  large 
landowner  in  Macon  County  had  offered  to  sell  half  of  his  80  acres  near 
Asa  Creek.  An  open  ditch  ran  through  a  low  spot  between  the  two  40 
acre  plots,  but  the  land  rose  gently  to  the  north  and  south.  A  cour- 
thouse built  on  either  rise  would  be  prominent. 

The  county  commissioners  were  at  an  impasse,  so  Parnell  Hamilton 
suggested  that  they  "Put  up  a  stake  and  be  governed  by  its  fall."  At 
that  moment,  the  pen  with  which  the  chairman,  R.  B.  Ewing,  was 
writing  fell  from  his  fingers  and  pointed  north.  Taking  this  as  an  omen, 
they  chose  the  north  forty,  and  the  original  town  was  bounded  by 
Jackson,  Hamilton,  Water,  and  Douglas  (later  Worth)  Streets.  It  was 
purchased  by  Dr.  Kellar  and  others  for  $100  and  then  donated  to  the 
county  on  February  28,  1845. 

Charles  Martin  Cochran  recalled  the  following  legend  about  Parnell 
Hamilton,  the  county  surveyor: 

It  was  said  that  Hamilton,  in  laying  out  the  city,  trained  his 
instruments  at  the  courthouse  site  on  a  flagpole  just  west  of  the 
present  C.&E.I.  railroad  tracks.  So  he  could  see  the  pole  clearly 
he  tied  a  whisky  jug  at  the  top,  and  people  always  joked  about 
the  town  being  laid  out  with  a  whisky  jug. 

The  organization  of  the  town  was  the  death  knell  for  East  Nelson  and 
Glasgow.  Glasgow  was  a  town  platted  in  1840  by  William  Cantrill,  a 
Macon  County  businessman,  at  the  first  crossroads  south  of  Sullivan 
on  the  west  side  of  Route  32. 

One  sour  note  was  heard  at  the  beginning  of  SulUvan.  Ebenezer 
Noyes,  promoter  and  large  land-owner  in  Whitley  Township,  saw  his 
dream  town  of  Essex  doomed  with  the  growth  of  Sullivan.  He  said, 
"It's  a  shame  to  spoil  a  good  40  acres  with  a  town  Uke  Sullivan." 


XL  A  Frontier  Village— 1845-1872 


SULLIVAN'S  FIRSTS- 

Perryman  House  (1)  SW  corner,  Harrison  and  VanBuren 

John  Ferryman,  a  merchant  from  East  Nelson,  must  have  been 
anxious  to  get  SuUivan  underway,  because  in  May,  1845,  only  two 
months  after  its  site  was  determined,  he  moved  into  his  small  frame 


house,  becoming  the  first  resident  of  SulHvan.  His  responsibilities  were 
heavy  as  both  county  treasure  and  school  commissioner.  He  was  also 
appointed  the  town's  postmaster  and  delivered  mail  which  arrived  from 
Shelbyville  by  horseback  every  two  weeks.  In  1848,  he  was  elected 
circuit  clerk  and  later  operated  a  dry  goods  store  on  the  south  side  of 
the  square. 

Freeland  Log  Cabin  (2)  NW  or  NE  corner,  Adams  and  Washington 

John  A.  Freeland,  the  county  clerk,  was  the  second  resident  of 
SulUvan,  coming  here  from  Marrowbone  Township  in  July  of  1845.  His 
was  the  first  log  cabin  in  town,  having  moved  it  from  Glasgow.  He  was 
glad  to  see  the  court  have  a  permanent  place  instead  of  the  temporary 
locations  of  Campfield  Point  and  East  Nelson. 

Richard  J.  Oglesby,  future  governor  and  U.  S.  Senator  from  Illinois, 
first  practiced  law  in  the  old  Freeland  cabin  and  was  the  first  lawyer  in 
town.  He  left  in  the  spring  of  1846  to  fight  in  the  Mexican  War.  Decatur 
claims  Oglesby  as  a  native  son,  but  Sullivan  played  a  part  also  in  the 
life  of  this  great  Illinoisian. 

There  were  seven  houses  or  cabins  built  in  Sullivan  by  the  end  of  the 
first  year.  Joseph  Thomason's  was  on  the  corner  of  Van  Buren  and 
Monroe  Streets.  He  was  county  sheriff  in  1846,  and  his  brother  Arnold 
Thomason,  who  lived  with  him  for  a  time,  spent  30  years  in  various 
offices  in  the  county.  The  other  homes  were  built  by  Owen  Seaney,  a 
blacksmith;  Andrew  Scott,  county  commissioner  and  the  builder  of  the 
first  county  courthouse;  Rowland  Hampton,  a  county  commissioner; 
and  Thomas  Randoll,  a  carpenter.  Note  that  most  of  these  first 
residents  were  either  engaged  in  the  actual  building  of  the  town,  or  were 
county  officers. 

Earp  Saloon  (3)  NW  corner,  Harrison  and  Washington 

Joel  Earp's  (pronounced  "Arp")  enterprise  was  not  only  the  first 
business,  but  the  first  of  many  saloons.  Sullivan  was  a  rough  frontier 
town,  and  saloons  and  the  affects  of  their  liquor  added  a  lot  of  local 
color  to  our  history.  Earp  sold  this  business  in  1848  and  it  was  later 
operated  by  Keedy  and  Brown. 

Oglesby  Store  (4)  SE  corner,  Jefferson  and  Washington 

WiUiam  Cantrill  sold  his  small  frame  store  building  at  Glasgow  to 
Warner  W.  Oglesby  and  he  moved  it  into  SulUvan  to  this  site  in  1845, 
making  his  dry  goods  store  the  second  business  here.  Oglesby  moved  to 
Decatur  the  next  year,  apparently  not  impressed  with  the  business 
opportunities  in  Sullivan. 

First  Blacksmith  Shop  (5) corner,  Washington  and  Water 

Blacksmith  shops,  hke  filling  stations  today,  were  one  business 


every  town  had  to  have.  Isaac  Funderburk  started  one  in  this  location 
the  first  year.  Owen  Seaney  also  had  a  blacksmith  shop  in  1845,  on  the 
southeast  corner  of  Harrison  and  Van  Buren. 


First  School  House  (6)  lot  2,  block  11  on  East  Harrison 

In  the  summer  of  1846,  the  first  school  was  taught  here  in  a  httle 
frame  building.  The  school  master  was  a  young  attorney  from  Christian 
County,  John  W.  Wheat.  This  httle  school  was  used  until  the  SulUvan 
Academy  was  opened.  It  was  also  where  court  was  held  before  the 
courthouse  was  completed  in  1848.  Later  it  was  moved  across  the  street 
and  used  as  a  stable. 

In  the  1850's  a  two  story  brick  was  built  on  East  Water  (7)  by 
members  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  was  used  until  the  North  Side 
School  opened.  This  lot  has  sat  idle  since  then,  as  the  original  owners 
stipulated  that  it  be  used  only  for  school  purposes. 


Taylor  Hotel  (8)  NE  corner.  Main  and  Harrison 

In  1847,  Beverly  Taylor,  a  miller  from  Marrowbone  Township, 
erected  a  two  story  frame  hotel  or  tavern,  the  first  here.  The  old  county 
history  says  that  the  hotel  had  several  nicely  furnished  rooms;  but,  the 
circuit  riders  apparently  avoided  it  if  at  all  possible  on  their  biannual 
visits  to  Sullivan.  Judge  David  Davis,  then  traveling  the  Eighth 
Judicial  Circuit,  said  of  it,  "The  tavern  was  so  tough  that  I  should  have 
been  in  a  bad  humor  to  have  staid  there."  By  1857,  Joseph  Thomason 
was  operating  the  hotel,  then  called  the  Eagle  House  (probably  after 
the  eagles  who  nested  north  of  town  in  the  walnut  grove  along  Eagle 
Pond). 


First  Churches 

SulUvan  may  have  been  a  rough  town  in  its  early  days,  but  it  was  a 
religious  town. 

The  Methodist  circuit  was  serving  this  area  as  early  as  1826,  in- 
cluding SulUvan  in  1846.  In  1848,  they  built  the  first  church  in  town  on 
the  northeast  corner  of  Jefferson  and  Madison  (9).  They  moved  to  their 
present  site  in  1862. 

The  Christian  organization  predated  the  formation  of  SuUivan, 
organizing  in  the  home  of  Levi  Patterson  in  1840.  Later,  it  used  the 
Methodist  building  until  1853  when  they  buiU  .heir  own  church  on  the 
southwest  corner  of  Worth  and  Harrison  (lu).  The  Christians  wor- 
shiped on  this  corner  for  120  years.  Bushrod  Henry,  their  first  preacher, 
was  a  founder  of  Eureka  College. 

The  Presbyterians  were  organized  in  1848  and  its  first  building 
erected  in  1853  on  the  southwest  corner  of  Main  and  Jackson  (11). 
Although  the  present  church  is  across  the  street  from  their  first 
building  site,  they  have  always  worshiped  on  the  same  intersection. 


LINCOLN'S  FOOTSTEPS - 


First  Courthouse  (12)  1848-1864 

Two  years  after  Sullivan  was  founded,  the  first  official  courthouse  of 
the  county  was  begun.  The  county  commissioners  chose  one  of  their 
members,  Andrew  Scott,  to  be  the  contractor.  It  was  a  two  story  brick, 
38  feet  square.  A  rail  fence  surrounded  the  yard  to  keep  out  the  hogs 
and  cows  which  roamed  freely  through  the  village.  It  was  ready  for  use 
in  1848. 

To  the  pioneer,  one  of  his  most  exciting  diversions  was  to  go  to  town 
when  court  was  in  session,  for  the  village  came  alive  on  these  days.  If  a 
town  visitor  could  not  get  into  the  crowded  court  room,  he  could  always 
gossip  with  friends  around  the  square,  "wet  his  whistle"  on  sod-corn 
row  or  do  some  trading  with  the  merchants.  A  picture  of  the  activity  of 
a  typical  day  can  be  seen  from  this  item  in  an  October,  1858  issue  of  the 
Sullivan  Express: 

Circuit  Court  in  session— docket  not  so  full  as  common— pretty 
fair  representation  of  the  legal  profession  from  several  of  our 
neighboring  towns  — quite  a  number  of  political  speeches 
made  — sod-corn  whiskey  in  demand— town  constable  very 
busy  — northeast  corner  of  courthouse,  lower  floor,  somewhat 
crowded  — town  constable  charged  with  being  drunk,  arrested, 
tried  and  honorable  acquitted— peddlers  make  a  great  deal  of 
fuss  to  sell  their  ''Yankee  notions''— all  our  merchants  who 
advertise  in  the  Express  very  busy  — those  who  do  not  advertise, 
not  trading  much  — would  tell  more  but  owing  to  ill  health  were 
not  able  to  take  items. 

The  crowded  area  referred  to  above  was  the  first  jail  located  in  the 
northeast  corner  of  the  basement  of  the  courthouse.  The  jail  was  very 
inadequate,  and  most  prisoners  were  taken  to  neighboring  counties  for 
incarceration.  Of  the  four  known  overnight  occupants,  two  escaped, 
and  one  of  the  ones  who  did  not  was  a  donkey,  placed  there  by 
pranksters. 

The  judge  in  the  following  article  (compiled  by  Glen  Cooper  in  1946) 
was  probably  Judge  David  Davis  of  Bloomington,  the  judge  of  the 
Eighth  Judicial  Circuit  which  served  Moultrie: 

Around  1851,  the  presiding  judge  in  the  Moultrie' circuit  court 
was  a  man  who  couldn't  ponder  legal  questions  deeply  unless  he 
could  do  something  with  his  hands.  So,  he  usually  got  out  his 
knife  and  whittled  while  a  trial  proceeded.  The  courthouse  had  a 
basement  jail,  which,  because  of  its  filthy  conditions,  was 
referred  to  as  ''the  Stable". 


THE  FIRST  COURTHOUSE  may  have  looked  like  this  sketch.  An 
1864  picture  of  its  burned  out  shell  shows  the  position  of  the  windows 
and  four  chimneys.  The  roof  style  is  in  question,  but  it  apparently  had 
no  cupola.  On  the  second  floor  was  the  courtroom. 


The  whittling  judge  insisted  upon  dignity  in  his  court  and 
demanded  that  spectators  remain  in  their  seats.  During  a  trial 
one  day,  a  band  of  Indians  passed  through  Sullivan.  They  at- 
tracted much  attention  and  one  of  the  court  room  spectators 
made  frequent  trips  to  the  window  to  watch  them.  The  judge's 
irritation  increased  each  time  the  man  walked  to  the  window. 
Finally,  the  judge  ordered  the  sheriff  to  ''put  that  hoss  in  the 
stable,''  and  the  violator  of  the  court's  dignity  was  locked  in  jail. 

Through  the  doors  of  this  courthouse,  Abraham  Lincoln  passed 
many  times  while  he  traveled  on  our  circuit  from  1849  to  1852.  The 
judge  and  entourage  of  circuit  riding  lawyers  came  to  SuUivan  twice  a 
year  and  stayed  about  two  days.  The  circuit  lawyers  were  usually 
highly  experienced,  and  often  the  local  lawyers  turned  their  cases  over 
to  them. 

Few  records  have  been  kept  of  Lincoln's  appearances  here.  In  one 
incident,  however,  some  of  Lincoln's  humor  is  preserved.  The 
prosecuting  attorney  at  the  time  was  David  Campbell.  Campbell  had 
just  been  in  a  fight  during  which  the  seat  of  his  pants  was  torn  off. 
Some  of  the  other  lawyers  present  suggested  that  they  buy  Campbell  a 
new  pair  of  pants.  When  they  approached  Lincoln,  he  said,  "I  can  not 
conscientiously  contribute  anything  to  the  end  in  view." 

This  courthouse  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  November  of  1864,  and 
many  early  records  were  lost. 


James  Elder's  Home  (13)  SW  corner,  Main  and  Harrison 

When  James  Elder  came  to  Sullivan  in  1845,  he  was  already  a  well 
established  merchant  in  the  county,  having  kept  store  at  East  Nelson 
for  ten  years.  Elder  saw  the  opportunities  in  SuUivan,  built  his  first 
residence  on  this  site  and  his  store  building  across  the  street  north.  He 
and  his  wife  kept  transient  guests  in  their  two  story  home,  and  Mrs. 
Elder  was  stiff  competition  for  the  hotel  located  diagonally  across  the 
intersection.  The  circuit  riders,  including  Lincoln  and  Judge  Davis, 
preferred  to  board  with  Mrs.  Elder  rather  than  stay  at  the  crude  local 
inn. 

Lincoln  stayed  in  Elder's  second  home  on  East  Jackson  (14)t  the 
night  preceeding  his  appearance  in  SuUivan  in  1858,  described  on  the 
next  page.  Douglas  had  spent  the  night  with  Robert  Ginn  about  five 
miles  east  of  town  and  was  led  into  town  by  a  procession.  The  Sullivan 
Express  said,  "In  passing  the  residence  of  Judge  Elder,  half  a  mile  east 
of  town,  A.  Lincoln  was  espied  standing  upon  the  porch,  when  another 
tremendous  cheering  for  Douglas  took  place."  It  is  said  that  the  back 
two  or  three  rooms  of  the  present  house  are  part  of  the  original  Elder 
home. 


Lincoln-Douglas  "Riot"  (15)t  East  of  Courthouse 

Probably  one  of  the  most  infamous  events  to  occur  in  Sullivan's 
history  was  the  day  of  the  "riot"  between  the  supporters  of  Lincoln  and 
Douglas  when  they  appeared  here  in  1858.  This  fracas  may  have  been 
the  only  one  of  its  kind  during  that  long  summer  of  campaigning  for  the 
U.  S.  Senate.  They  had  engaged  in  a  series  of  now  famous  debates  all 
over  the  state,  but  had  many  separate  speaking  engagements,  as  their 
Sullivan  appearance  on  September  20th  was  to  be.  Their  fourth  debate 
took  them  to  Charleston  two  days  before. 

Apparently,  their  dual  appearance  in  Sullivan  was  a  coincidence  of 
scheduhng,  although  Douglas  accused  Lincoln  of  following  him  around 
the  state  to  capitalize  on  the  crowds  he  had  gathered.  He  indeed 
gathered  crowds,  for  early  in  the  day  they  began  streaming  into  the 
little  village  from  all  the  neighboring  counties. 

After  a  morning  spent  in  parading  into  and  around  the  town,  and 
then  celebrating  at  the  Eagle  House,  Douglas  began  his  two  hour 
speech  at  1  o'clock.  The  Express  described  the  ensuing  events: 

A  short  time  after  two  o'clock,  as  the  Judge  was  making  a  point 
on  Mr.  Lincoln,  which  struck  terror  to  their  hears,  the  abolition 
part  of  the  audience  hurried  off,  and  with  full  band  playing  and 
all  the  discordant  vocal  noise  that  they  could  muster,  assembled 
at  the  ''Eagle  House'\  northwest  corner  of  public  square,  where 
they  kept  up  the  din  a  short  time. 


Lincoln's  supporters  were  smaller  in  number,  but  their  enthusiasm 
more  than  made  up  the  difference.  The  main  feature  of  their  procession 
was  a  huge  wagon  twenty-four  feet  by  sixty-four  feet  long  with  wheels 
that  were  cut  from  a  hickory  log  three  and  one  half  feet  in  diameter,  and 
it  was  pulled  by  thirty-six  yoke  of  oxen.  Upon  this  rode  one  hundred 
people,  including  the  band  and  those  running  the  animated  exhibits  on 
the  wagon. 

The  Lincoln  procession,  led  by  this  huge  wagon,  proceeded  coun- 
terclockwise around  the  square.  At  this  point,  Douglas  took  note  of  the 
disturbance,  and  asked  the  audience  to  ignore  them  and  "let  the 
howlers  pass,  for  I  can  speak  louder  than  their  noise." 

Instead  of  bypassing  the  crowd  on  the  east  side  of  the  square,  the 
Lincoln  procession  turned  and  drove  right  through  the  middle  of  the 
Douglas  gathering.  "In  a  few  minutes  the  confusion  was  general,  coats 
were  drawn,  clubs  flourished  in  the  air  and  everything  seemed  favorable 
to  a  general  melee,"  said  the  Sulhvan  Express. 

One  of  the  exhibits  on  the  Lincoln  wagon  depicted  the  evils  of 
slavery  with  an  overseer  whipping  two  slaves  working  in  a  cotton  field, 
all  set  in  motion  by  a  small  windmill.  F.  M.  Green,  the  creator  of  this 
controversial  cotton  field,  was  one  casualty: 

As  the  wagon  was  about  to  pass  the  viewing  stand.  .  .a  mob, 
infuriated  by  my  exhibit,  sent  a  shower  of  missiles  at  my  cotton 
field,  and  one  of  the  bricks  made  that  dent  in  my  forehead. 

Lincoln  and  his  supporters  then  went  out  to  Freeland  Grove  where 
he  delivered  his  speech.  The  town  was  still  in  turmoil  that  evening  and 
there  were  threats  of  more  violence,  which,  fortunately,  did  not 
materialize. 

There  are  so  many  different  versions  of  what  did  happen  that  day 
that  it  is  difficult  to  ascertain  the  truth.  Accounts  written  by 
Democrats  usually  play  down  the  violence  and  place  the  blame  on  the 
Republicans  who  interrupted  their  meeting,  while  the  Repubhcans 
accuse  the  Democrats  of  assaulting  their  peaceful  procession.  Whatever 
is  true,  passions  were  still  running  high  fifty  years  later.  The  eyes  of 
James  T.  Taylor,  a  Douglas  man,  lit  up  while  reminiscing  about  the  riot 
and  he  exclaimed,  "Now  they  had  no  right  to  do  that!" 

Freeland  Grove  (16)  Bounded  by  Wyman  Park,  Main,  Strain,  Worth. 
On  the  north  edge  of  the  old  village  of  Sullivan  was  located  a 
beautiful  grove  of  trees  known  as  Freeland  Grove,  the  unofficial  park 
for  many  years.  Fourth  of  July  picnics,  tent  meetings  and  political 
rallies  were  held  in  the  cool  shade  of  its  trees.  Owned  by  John  Freeland, 
who  built  his  later  home  on  the  west  side  of  this  grove,  it  was  the  site  of 
Lincoln's  speech  on  September  20,  1858. 


STRUGGLING  TO  IMPROVE - 

Sod-corn  Row  (17)  North  side  of  square 

During  this  early  period  of  history,  a  tavern  and  a  saloon  were  on 
either  end  of  the  north  side  of  the  square  and  other  establishments  of  a 
like  nature  later  located  there.  John  R.  Eden  discussed  the  atmosphere 
of  the  town  of  1853: 

At  that  time  the  village  had  no  policemen  and  some  of  the 
rougher  elements  that  usually  gets  out  as  soon  as  civilization 
becomes  established  wtill  remained  in  the  county.  This  part  of 
the  population  when  in  town,  made  the  saloon  their 
headquarters.  They  at  times  indulged  in  fist  fights  and  other 
disorderly  conduct,  as  a  result  of  which  the  north  side  of  the 
square  was  called  than  and  for  a  long  time  subsequent,  ''sod- 
corn  row"". 

In  1857,  an  indignant  letter  was  written  to  the  editor  of  the  SuUivan 
Express: 

From  the  seeming  taste,  and  business  like  appearance  of  your 
citizens,  I  was  somewhat  astonished  to  see  men  and  women  have 
to  go  paddling  along  through  the  mud  around  the  aquare,  from 
the  fact  that  there  are  no  sidewalks. 

I  notice  in  some  places  wood  piled  up  where  there  should  be 
sidewalks;  particularly  on  the  south  side  of  the  square.  On  the 
north  side,  or  what  is  called  ''sod-corn  row'\  there  is  not  a 
vestiage  of  a  walk-way.  I  suppose  on  that  side  of  town  there  is  no 
particular  need  of  walks  for  they  that  visit  the  bacchanalian 
halls  there,  would  go,  mud  or  no  mud.  But,  from  the  mere  fact,  of 
there  being  no  side  walks  there,  I  think  should  act  as  a  stimulus, 
and  cause  those  living  on  other  streets  of  the  town,  bo  build 
sidewalks  in  order  to  show  a  difference  between  grog  and  no 
grog.     —  A  Chicago  Plug 

In  spite  of  the  atmosphere  on  the  north  side  of  the  square,  the  town 
was  mainly  inhabited  by  responsible,  peaceful  citizens.  As  Eden  said, 
"This  much  is  true,  that  without  ordinances,  or  municipal  officers,  and 
with  but  a  few  peace  officers  of  any  kind,  the  people  of  Sullivan  were  as 
orderly  and  law  abiding  in  1853  as  they  have  been  at  any  time  since." 

By  the  1870 's  the  atmosphere  on  this  side  was  improved,  due  to  the 
efforts  of  city  marshall,  James  T.  Taylor,  the  first  strong  temperance 
man  to  run  the  police  force. 


Sullivan  Academy,  Moultrie  County  Academy  or  "Bastion  Seminary" 

(18)  North  of  418  South  Washington 

At  an  early  day  there  was  a  desire  for  Sullivan  to  improve.  One  of  the 
men  who  contributed  most  toward  this  in  the  1850's  was  John  A. 
Freeland's  brother,  James  S.,  a  teacher  and  Presbyterian  preacher.  By 
1850  he  had  started  a  private  school  of  secondary  education,  teaching 
his  first  classes  in  the  new  courthouse.  He  constructed  the  SulUvan 
Academy,  a  two  story  brick,  in  1851.  Freeland  died  in  1856,  but  con- 
trary to  information  in  earlier  histories,  an  1857  Sullivan  Express  item 
indicates  the  school  continued  under  the  leadership  of  a  board  of 
trustees: 

The  fourth  annual  session  of  this  institution  will  commence  on 
Monday  the  5th  of  October,  1857.  The  prospects  of  the  school 
were  never  brighter  than  at  present.  Good  teachers  have  been 
procured  and  every  arrangement  made  to  render  the  pupils 
comfortable  and  advance  them  in  the  various  departments  of 
literature.  Scholars  from  a  distance  will  be  furnished  with  bood 
boarding,  convenient  to  the  academy. 

B.  W.  Henry,  Pres.  B.  T;  Dennis  Cokely,  Principal 

Prof.  Washington  Smith  purchased  the  academy  in  1858  from  the 
Freeland  estate  and  sold  it  in  the  same  year  to  N.  S.  Bastion,  a 
Christian  Church  minister  and  his  wife,  Eunice.  It  is  known  that  the 
Bastion's  operated  the  school  as  the  Moultrie  County  Academy  or  the 
"Bastion  Seminary"  through  the  late  1860's  and  early  1870's.  Bastion 
stressed  the  usual  study  of  the  classics.  It  ceased  to  be  a  private  school 
a  couple  of  years  before  the  first  high  school  was  built  and  public  school 
classes  were  held  in  this  building. 


Second  Courthouse  (12)  1865-1904 

After  the  first  building  burned  in  1864,  a  larger  courthouse  (50 
square  feet)  was  built  on  the  same  site.  All  the  materials  had  to  be 
hauled  from  the  railroad  town  of  Mattoon  except  the  brick,  which  was 
made  at  Dunn  by  Sam  Brooks.  The  money  for  the  new  structure  was 
obtained  by  Judge  Eden,  who  arranged  for  the  sale  of  the  county's 
swamplands  given  to  it  earlier  by  the  state.  Thus,  within  a  few  years, 
most  of  the  unsettled  prairie  of  the  county  was  sold  and  farmed  for  the 
first  time.  The  health  of  the  county  was  improved  and  the  farming 
income  increased  as  the  prairies  were  drained.  It  can  be  said,  then,  that 
each  brick  of  this  second  courthouse  represented  one  more  step  in  the 
general  improvement  of  the  county.  The  yard  surrounding  the  court- 
house was  filled  with  trees,  and  an  outhouse  adorned  the  east  lawn. 
(See  page  one) 


■m*i^. 


_1 


THE  FIRST  CHRISTIAN  CHURCH  BUILDING  AND  THE  OLD 
WATER  TOWER  stood  on  the  same  block.  Like  most  churches  built  in 
the  1850's,  there  was  a  door  for  each  sex.  The  bell  was  moved  from  this 
building  to  the  second  church  on  this  site,  and  was  used  until  1973. 


Old  Well  (19)  South  side  Eden  Street,  at  end  of  Market 

Besides  private  wells  and  several  located  on  the  square,  there  was  a 
good  well  located  one-fourth  of  a  mile  from  the  southeast  corner  of  the 
old  town.  The  ladies  of  the  town  made  a  beaten  path  through  the  prairie 
grasses  to  it.  A  well  for  fire  protection  was  dug  in  1871  on  the  southeast 
corner  of  the  courthouse  lawn,  but  it  was  inadequate.  In  1887,  a  sixty 
foot  high  wooden  storage  tank  (20)  was  erected  which  was  to  protect 
the  business  district. 

BUSINESSES      AND      INDUSTRIES      OF      THE      FRONTIER 
VILLAGE - 

Sullivan's  merchants  had  a  hard  time  in  the  first  years.  Competition 
from  railroad  towns  in  neighboring  counties  was  strong;  nevertheless,  a 
few  were  successful,  and  some  are  alive  today. 

Corbin  Furniture  Store  (21  )t  South  side  of  square 

A  furniture  business  started  by  W.  P.  Corbin  in  1851  is  the  oldest 
continuous  business  in  Sullivan,  and  was  owned  by  the  Corbin  family 
for  110  years.  Corbin  at  first  made  his  own  furniture,  assembling  the 
pieces  from  native  wood  in  a  small  factory  on  Washington  Street.  The 
business  was  in  the  same  location  on  the  south  side  of  the  square  from 
1872  until  1965  when  it  was  moved  to  the  west  edge  of  town  by  its  new 
owners. 


The  Sullivan  Progress 

The  Sullivan  Progress  is  the  second  oldest  business,  but  the  oldest 
one  under  the  same  name.  Established  in  1856  as  The  Sullivan  Express, 
its  name  was  changed  to  The  Sulhvan  Progress  in  1869.  It  has  been  a 
Democratic  paper  most  of  its  life.  Early  copies  of  The  Sullivan  Express 
are  an  invaluable  source  of  historical  information.  The  Progress  has 
been  in  many  different  locations. 


Eden  House  (13)t  SW  corner,  Main  and  Harrison 

The  Eden  House,  one  of  the  more  famous  hotels  in  Sullivan,  was 
^stabUshed  in  1864  by  Judge  Joseph  E.  Eden,  brother  of  John  R.  Eden. 
Joseph  Eden,  who  was  a  merchant,  came  to  Sullivan  in  1853.  The  Eden 
House  may  have  been  in  the  same  structure  built  by  James  Elder  here 
in  the  1840's.  In  1880,  the  Eden  House  burned,  but  was  replaced  with  a 
three  story  brick  at  a  cost  of  $25,000.  It  had  forty  sleeping  rooms,  a 
dining  room  and  parlors,  and  was  considered  a  very  fine  hotel  for  a 
town  of  SuUivan's  size.  The  Eden  House,  later  called  the  Savoy  Hotel 
and  in  the  1920's  the  National  Inn,  ceased  operation  in  the  1950's. 


Morrell  Grist  Mill  (22)  N.  Worth  opposite  Strain  intersection 

The  main  industry  in  Sullivan  most  of  its  first  25  years  was  the 
Morrell  Grist  Mill.  It  was  purchased  by  S.  H.  Morrell  in  1859  from 
Garland  and  Patterson  who  built  the  frame  structure  in  1852.  The  late 
Homer  Tabor  wrote  of  the  Morrell  Mill: 

.  .  .probably  from  about  1890  to  1900  this  historic  industry  was 
riding  the  crest  of  its  useful  existence.  Those  among  us  today.  . 
.without  too  much  of  a  stretch  of  our  imaginations,  may  envision 
a  long  line  of  horse  drawn  wagons  and  buggies  with  the  drivers 
waiting  on  what  was.  .  .either  a  dusty  or  muddy  north  Worth 
Street  to  have  their  cereals  ground  at  the  mill  into  corn  meal, 
both  of  which  he  would  take  home  to  the  members  of  his  family 
to  use  in  their  routine  cooking. 

Mr.  Appollos  Hagerman  of  Sullivan  informed  the  writer  that  he 
definitely  remembers  this  old  mill  with  its  steam  engine  that  had 
an  enormous  fly  wheel  which  appealed  to  him  very  much  as  a 
small  boy.  .  . 

Evidently  the  Morrell  Grist  Mill  burned  either  shortly  before  or 
else  shortly  after  the  turn  of  the  century.  Joseph  H.  Baker, 
grandfather  of  the  writer,  purchased  the  Morrell  Mill  site  to  add 
to  his  adjacent  farm  land.  .  . 


Business  Directory  of  Sullivan  in  1865  Plat 

Editors  -  A.N.  Smyser,  W.  M.  Stanley;  Sheriff-  S.  P.  Earp 
Physicians  -  T.  Y.  Lewis,  E.  W.  Mills,  G.  Kilner,  D.  M.  Barkley,  A.T. 
Marshall,  B.  B.  Everett;  Druggist  -  W.  Kilner,  H.  F.  Vadakin 
Attorneys  at  Law  -  J.  R.  Eden,  J.  Meeker,  A.  B.  Lee,  J.  B.  Titus,  W.  M. 
Stanley,  W.  G.  Patterson 

Real  Estate  Brokers  -  A.N.  Smyser,  A.B.  Lee,  W.M.  Stanley 
Merchants  -  J.  Eden,  C.  Roane,  J.B.  &  E.L.  Sheperd,  Wm.  Patterson 
Grocery  Merchants  -  T.F.  Schmugge,  H.W.  Carriker,  John  R.  McClure 
Furniture  Merchants  -  W.P.  Corbin,  J.B.  Shepherd 
Prop.  Steam  Flouririg  Mill  •  Donty  Patterson,  J.H.  Snyder  &  Co. 
Stock  Traders  -  B.F.  Davis,  R.W.Lindsay,  Dock  Patterson  &  Bros. 
Carriage,  Wagon  &  Plow  Mfg.  -  F.  P.  Hoke,  R.  Lynn,  D.L.  Pifer 
Blacksmiths  •  F.P.  Hoke,  Owen  Seaney;  Boot  &  Shoe  Maker  -  J.  Goets 
Carpenters  &  Cabinet  Makers  -  P.F.  Goben,  F.  W.  Bushman 

Chair  Mfg.  -  F.W.  Bushman;  Plasterer  -  Henry  Hunt 

Harness  &  Saddle  Mfg.  ■  Wm.  Thunemann;  Auctioneer  -  M.  Douglas 

Prop.  Daily  Mail  Line  From  Sullivan  to  Mattoon  -  G.  W.  Gowan  &  Co. 


Business  Directory  of  Sullivan  in  1875  Plat 

Sheriff-  Joseph  Thomason;  Constable  -  Dock  Patterson;  City  Marshall 
-  J.  W.  Kirkbride;  Justice  of  Peace  -  Andrew  Martin 
Physicians  ■  E.  W.  Mills,  C.J.  Freeland,  G.  Kilner,  J.  F.  Sanders 
Attorneys  at  Law  -  T.  B.  Stringfield,  Alvin  P.  Greene,  A.  B.  Lee 
Real  Estate  ■  A.N.  Smyser,  Wm.  Elder;  Patentee  -  T.  H.  Beveridge 
Publisher's  (Progress)  -  W.  H.  Smyser,  W.  J.  Mize 

Postmaster  -  A.  Miley;  Banker  -  X.  B.  Trower;  Barber  -  Joseph  Sona 
Livery  Stable  -  P.  B.  Gilham;  Harness  Maker  -  W.  Thunemann 

Wagon  &  Plow  Mfg.  -  F.  P.  Hoke,  H.  W.  Bury;  Blacksmith  ■  Wm. 
Seaney 

Boots  &  Shoes  -  Mathias  Layman;  Auctioneer  -  Mahlon  Douglass 
City  Flour  Mills  -  Milton  Tichenor;  Miller  -  John  WiUiams 

Woolen  Mfg.  -  G.  S.  Jennings;  Soap  &  Candles  -J.B.  Stiers 
Stair  Builder  -  John  S.  Williams;  Mason,  Plaster  -  O.  B.  Nichols  • 
Dry  Goods  -  F.  E.  Ashworth;  Photographer  -  A.  A.  Frederick 
Grain  Dealers  -  J.  H.  Baker,  W.  Kirkwood,  J.  L.  Minor,  D.M.  and  C.P. 
Ritter;  Lumber  Dealers  -  A.  J.  Dix,  Conn  &  Bros.,  E.  Anderson 
Merchants  -  A.  Ping,  C.  Roane,  V.  Thompson,  J.  B.  Shepherd 
Gj-ocers  -  Chas.  T.  Harris,  D.  F.  Stearns,  B.  W.  Brockway 
Baker -G.  Brosam;  Restaurant  -  J.  Hefferman,  L.  Butler 
Saloon  &  Billards  -  J.L.  Keedy;  Tobacco  &  Cigars  -  Henry  Boka 
Agt.  Singer  Sewing  Machine  Co.  -  A.  Chipps,  J.  Fin 

Hotel  Prop.  -  J.E.  Eden,  Ann  Dooley ;  Titus  House  -  E.  Titus 
Jewelers  -  T.  F.  Woody,  F.  M.  Andrus,  W.  B.  Townsend 


III.  A  Railroad  Town  at  Last— 1872 


"CHISSELED  OUT  OF  ITS  RICHES' - 

By  the  1870's  Sullivan  was  stagnating.  The  1850's  had  brought  both 
the  Illinois  Central  and  the  Terre  Haute  and  Alton  Railroads  to  Coles 
County,  and  our  citizens  watched  with  envy  as  Mattoon  sprang  up  at 
their  intersection,  soon  surpassing  Sullivan  in  size  and  in  business 
activity.  According  to  I.  J.  Martin,  our  civic  leaders  "were  quite  sure 
that  the  Chicago  branch  of  the  Central  would  not  bypass  an  important 
town  like  Sullivan..."  Their  disappointment  was  great  and  an  1858 
Express  item  claimed  the  area  was  being  "chisseled"  out  of  its  riches. 
John  Freeland  said  in  an  1876  Progress: 

One  could  hear  the  wagons  going  to  Mattoon  and  other  points 
before  day  and  returning  after  night,  while  in  Sullivan  no  one 
came  to  trade  only  some  poor  fellow  that  had  nothing  to  sell  and 
wanted  credit  until  next  Christmas.  Our  county  was  literally 
starved  to  death  and  our  money  and  trade  taken  to  build 
railraod  towns  all  around  us.  Our  men  of  enterprise  were  leaving 
us.  Older  and  more  prosperous  counties  around  us  formed 
combinations  and  legislated  against  us. 


Bond  issues  were  passed  to  entice  railroads  to  the  area,  but  by  1858 
the  taxpayers  had  nothing  to  show  for  their  generosity  but  a  Httle 
grading  and  surveying  from  two  railroad  schemes  that  had  failed.  The 
Civil  Vvar  intervened,  but  finally,  in  1872,  Sullivan  had  acquired  the 
coveted  title  of  "railroad  town". 

Much  excitement  was  generated  when  the  first  train  rolled  into  town, 
consisting  of  a  boxcar  pushed  by  an  engine.  This  first  railroad  was  the 
Decatur,  Sullivan  and  Mattoon  line,  and  after  many  name  changes  is 
now  the  Illinois  Central.  The  1870 's  brought  one  more  line,  the  Chicago 
and  Paducah,  known  later  as  the  Wabash,  and  a  third  railroad  went 
through  the  northern  part  of  the  county. 

Suddenly,  the  taxpayers  were  faced  with  three  railroads  waiting  to 
collect  on  the  $400,000  in  bonds  passed  the  decade  before.  Freeland 
defended  the  harassed  county  this  way: 

In  justice  to  our  people  let  it  be  remembered  that  when  we 
commenced  voting  subsidies  we  were  in  hopes  of  getting  some 
one  road  and  did  not  think  of  getting  them  all.  We  felt  we  had 
voted  too  much,  and  as  we  now  had  the  roads,  and  would  have  to 


pay,  a  feeling  of  discontent  came  on  a  portion  of  our  enthusiastic 
citizens,  which  was  encouraged  by  some  would  be  office  holders 
and  fee  catchers.  So  far  the  fee  catchers  have  come  out  the  best 
as  the  treasury  can  testify. 

The  last  railroad  to  be  built  through  Sullivan  was  the  Chicago  and 
Eastern  Illinois,  built  in  1891. 

The  twenty  year  delay  in  getting  a  railroad  to  Sullivan  is  the  main 
reason  it  is  smaller  than  cities  of  the  same  age  in  neighboring  counties. 
Nevertheless,  it  can  be  said  the  quality  of  life  here  is  far  superior  to 
theirs. 


INCORPORATING  A  CITY- 

1872  was  a  banner  year  for  SulUvan.  To  celebrate  its  revitalization 
and  to  express  confidence  in  Sullivan's  future  prosperity,  the  founding 
fathers  incorporated  as  a  city  in  December  of  1872.  It  had  first  been 
incorporated  as  a  village  in  1850  and  as  a  town  in  the  1860's.  The  city 
officials  were  so  enamored  of  Sullivan's  new  status  as  a  railroad  town 
that  they  included  a  railroad  engine  in  their  first  city  seal.  (See  front 
cover) 

THE  PRESENT  COURTHOUSE  AS  IT  APPEARED  IN  1917 


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AROUND  THE  SQUARE - 

The  Present  Courthouse 

The  second  courthouse  was  too  small  by  the  turn  of  the  century  and 
was  torn  down  for  the  present  courthouse  which  was  completed  in  1906. 
The  cannon  on  the  courthouse  lawn  is  reputed  to  be  from  old  Fort 
Moultrie  in  Charleston,  S.  C.  On  the  southeast  corner  is  a  monument  of 
a  Union  soldier  which  used  to  hold  an  iron  musket.  It  was  erected  by 
Fred  Sona,  an  immigrant  monument  maker,  to  face  his  shop  on  the  east 
side.  The  monument  on  the  northeast  corner  commemorates  Lincoln's 
circuit  riding  days  here.  The  W.C.T.U.  fountain  on  the  northwest 
corner  originally  had  a  figure  of  a  boy  pouring  water  from  a  boot. 

Titus  Opera  House  (8)  NE  corner,  Main  and  Harrison 

By  the  1870 's  sod-corn  row  was  gone,  and  the  north  side  of  the 
square  became  the  center  of  Sullivan's  entertainment  and  social  hfe. 
Built  by  J.  B.  Titus  in  1871,  the  opera  house  was  considered  one  of  the 
finest  in  the  area.  Located  on  the  second  and  third  stories  of  the 
building,  the  large  auditorium,  balcony  and  box  seats  could  ac- 
commodate 800. 

The  estabUshment  offered  a  wide  variety  of  entertainment,  including 
traveling  theatrical  companies,  lectures  and  talented  local  musicians. 
Since  it  was  the  largest  hall  in  town,  school  commencements,  balls  and 
other  big  gatherings  were  held  there. 

The  Opera  House  burned  in  1910,  but  its  cultural  influence  was  long 
lasting  in  Sullivan.  Titus's  daughter,  Winifred  Titus  Sentel,  (who  later 
taught  voice  and  piano  to  two  generations  of  young  people)  wrote  of  its 
influence  on  her  Ufe: 

Good  attractions  were  booked  and  one  especially  that  I  so  well 
remember  was  the  concert  given  by  the  great  Brazilian  pianist, 
Teresa  Carreno.  Her  playing  thrilled  me  and  inspired  me  so,  that 
I  longed  to  be  able  to  play  the  piano.  The  opera  house  was  my 
playground,  and  after  a  stock  company  had  filled  the  weekly 
engagement,  my  playmates  came,  and  we  would,  to  the  best  of 
our  abilities,  in  this  world  of  make-believe,  give  the  plays  over 
again. 

Oldest  Building  on  Square  (t)  NW  corner,  Harrison  and  Washington 
On  the  site  of  the  first  business  in  Sullivan,  stands  today  what  it  said 
to  be  the  oldest  building  on  the  square.  It  is  a  two  story  brick  built  by 
Dr.  T.  Y.  Lewis  sometime  between  1866  and  1872.  On  the  unaltered  east 
side  the  original  window  cornices  can  be  seen. 


North  Side  of  Square 

It  was  a  hot  summer  day  in  1881,  too  hot  for  much  trade.  What 
better  time  for  A.  S.  Creech  to  get  a  picture?  The  windows  of  John  R. 
Eden's  law  office  on  the  second  floor  corner  of  Titus's  Opera  House 
were  pushed  all  the  way  up  except  for  that  one  that  always  had  to  be 
propped.  Down  below,  the  merchandise  of  the  general  store  on  the 
corner  was  stored  under  the  awning,  almost  hiding  the  two  proprietors 
and  their  window  display  of  hats.  G.  O.  Andrews,  the  "merchants 
tailor",  hurried  from  his  store  in  the  middle  of  the  block  to  put  his  new 
sewing  machine  closer  to  the  camera,  and  situated  himself  in  front  of 
the  opera  house  stairs.  L.  M.  Spitler  and  his  son  prided  themselves  on 
neatly  stacked  merchandise  — the  cans  in  their  window,  and  the 
pots,kegs,  brooms  and  sacks  outside.  Those  four  gas  Ughts  in  front  (to 
illuminate  the  street  for  the  opera  house  patrons)  were  another  source 
of  pride,  for  they  were  the  only  ones  in  town,  but  someone  really  should 
straighten  them! 

The  awning  over  the  Vadakin  "Drugs"  building  next  door  was  lower 
and  made  a  cool  spot  for  loafing  in  the  uncluttered  area  in  front  of  the 
Andrews  shop.  Mose  Ansbacher,  the  Jewish  merchant,  had  a  rack  of 
bargain  clothes  on  the  sidewalk.  The  Journal  management  (in  the  two 
story  brick),  Harry  J.  Pike  (the  jeweler  in  one  of  the  little  wooden 
buildings),  and  the  proprietors  of  the  City  Book  Store  (in  Dr.  Lewis's 
building  at  the  end)  did  not  bother  to  come  out  for  the  picture. 


East  Side  of  Square 

A  pedestrian  on  the  east  side  of  the  square  in  about  1880  encountered 
d  mixture  of  sights  and  smells.  The  meat  market  (not  pictured),  besides 
selling  meat,  bought  hides  and  pelts.  The  market's  smell  of  fresh  blood 
and  saw  dust  mingled  with  the  heavy  aroma  of  oiled  leather,  the 
distinctive  smell  of  a  harness  shop  next  door.  At  the  sign  of  the  boot 
(see  left  of  picture).  Mat  Layman  was  working  at  his  cobbler's  bench. 
From  the  open  door  of  Brosam  Bros.  Bakery  came  mouth  watering 
aromas  of  fresh  baked  goodies.  Several  customers  were  in  John  R. 
McClure's  grocery,  indicating  that  his  23  year  old  business  was  in  much 
better  condition  than  his  two  story  wooden  building.  Several  slabs  of 
marble  were  lying  in  the  street  in  front  of  Fred  Sona's  Marble  Shop, 
waiting  to  become  grave  markers  through  the  skillful  blows  of  his 
chisel.  Above  the  hardware  at  the  end  of  the  block  was  the  law  office  of 
I.  J.  Mouser,  with  whom  young  Albert  J.  Beveridge,  a  future  U.  S. 
Senator,  spent  many  long  hours  learning  about  law  and  politics. 

Across  the  street  south  a  few  men  had  stopped  to  visit  in  front  of 
Mayer's  Dry  Goods  Emporium  while  on  their  way  to  pick  up  their  mail 
at  the  post  office  next  door.  Beyond  Citcuit  Clerk  Joseph  Waggoner's 
white  frame  house  could  be  seen  the  unused  Bastion  Seminary  (far 
right  of  picture). 


THE  SOUTH  SIDE  OF  THE  SQUARE  IN  1917 


Oldest  Group  of  Buildings  on  the  Square  ( 23  )t  corner,  Jefferson  and 
Washington. 

William  Elder,  an  enterprising  businessman,  either  built  or  acquired 
soon  after  construction  the  three  buildings  on  this  intersection.  He  first 
built  about  1873  the  two  story  brick  on  the  northeast  corner.  The  row  of 
two  story  buildings  on  the  southwest  comer  were  next  built  around 
1874  by  Elder  and  A.  N.  Smyser.  About  1876,  Charles  Crow,  a 
blacksmith,  built  the  large  two  story  brick  on  the  southeast  corner  and* 
sold  it  to  Elder  in  1877.  Its  ornate  cornice  has  been  removed,  but, 
fortunately,  the  other  two  buildings  have  had  very  little  done  to  change 
their  original  appearance.  The  three  story  Corbin  store,  which  joins  the 
Elder  and  Smyser  row  on  the  west,  dates  to  1872.  (See  picture  above) 

Albert  Wyman  Shoe  Store  (24)t  NW  corner,  Jefferson  and  Main 

The  money  used  to  create  Wyman  Park  was  earned  in  this  building. 
It  was  built  in  1885  by  Albert  Wyman,  a  German  born  shoe  maker,  who 
at  his  death  willed  the  funds  for  the  park.  It  was  also  the  site  of  the 
earher  dry  goods  store  of  Charles  L.  Roane,  member  of  the  state 
legislature  in  the  1880's. 


First  National  Bank  ( 13)t  SW  comer,  Harrison  and  Main 

This  bank  has  been  fortunate  in  having  a  long  history  of  responsible 
management.  Established  in  1891  as  a  state  bank,  it  was  changed  to  a 
national  bank  in  1905.  X.  B.  Trower's  Moultrie  County  Bank  of  the 
1870's  and  The  Merchant  and  Farmer's  Bank  of  W.  A.  Steele  had 
dismal  periods,  but  space  does  not  permit  their  history  to  be  told. 


THE  WEST  SIDE  OF  THE  SQUARE  IN  1917 

"Horse  Avenue"  (25)  North  Main,  between  Harrison  and  Jackson 

There  were  so  many  hver\'  stables  and  blacksmiths  north  of  the 
square  on  Main  Street  that  it  was  known  as  "Horse  Avenue". 
Traveling  salesmen  arriving  by  train  would  rent  rigs,  farmers  left  their 
horses  at  the  blacksmiths  while  in  town  trading,  high  school  pupils 
from  the  country  boarded  their  horses,  doctors  hired  drivers  or  rented 
rigs  for  their  calls  in  the  country,  and  even  the  veterinary  had  his  office 
there  to  be  handy  to  his  customers. 

First  Paved  Streets 

Sulhvan's  citizens  slopped  around  the  square  in  the  mud  or  ate  its 
dust  until  1894.  when  the  streets  there  were  paved  with  brick.  The  next 
^ear  West  Harrison  Street  was  paved  from  the  square  to  the  railroad 
.•aepots.  It  soon  became  the  most  fashionable  street  as  is  evident  by  the 
many  old  homes  still  there.  This  paved  street  made  it  more  comfortable 
for  travehng  salesmen  as  they  rode  to  the  Eden  House  Hotel  in  the 
Eden  Hack. 

THE  ROLEY  DELIVERY  WAGON  on  west  side  next  to  Chapman  s 
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THE  BROOM  CORN  PALACE  built  for  the  1893  Street  Fair  was  an 
attempt  to  promote  the  broom  corn  raising  east  of  town.  It  was  the 
main  attraction  of  the  fair,  and  was  located  at  the  intersection  of 
Harrison  and  Main.  This  view  is  looking  east,  and  the  trees  on  the  right 
are  in  the  courthouse  yard.  Street  Fairs  were  like  carnivals,  the  booths 
and  rides  being  erected  all  around  the  square. 

THE  PIFER  BRICK  YARD  located  about  five  miles  east  ot  town 
made  bricks  for  many  of  the  buildings  erected  in  town  in  the  last  part  of 
the  nineteenth  century.  It  was  operated  by  Samuel  Pifer,  and  later  by 
his  son,  David.  The  pit  in  the  center  is  for  mixing  clay,  taken  from  a 
deposit  along  the  creek  at  the  rear.  The  molded  brick  was  placed  in  the 
sun  to  dry,  and  then  burned  in  the  kiln  at  night. 

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DOWN  BY  THE  RAILROAD-- 

West  End  Business  Area 

By  the  turn  of  the  century  there  were  three  railroad  depots  serving 
22  trains  arriving  daily  in  the  two  block  area  on  the  west  end  of  town. 
The  railroad  was  the  main  transportation  to  local  towns  such  as  Dunn, 
Cushman,  Farlow  and  Bruce,  and  to  more  distant  points.  There  was 
always  one  policeman  stationed  in  this  area  to  police  the  depots,  the 
saloon  (26)t  and  the  Depot  Hotel  (27),  which  had  an  unsavory 
reputation.  The  Sullivan  Bottling  Works  (28)  where  Mike  Finley  made 
ice  cream  and  pop,  and  the  building  where  P.  B.  Harshman  bought 
cream  and  made  concrete  roofing  tile  (29),  were  also  on  the  east  side  of 
the  railroads. 

West  of  the  railroad  was  the  Sullivan  Grain  Company's  elevator 
built  in  1873  by  D.  F.  Bristow  (30)t.  John  H.  Baker's  Illinois  Bridge 
and  Iron  Works  (31)  built  the  iron  river  bridges  that  are  still  in  use  all 
over  central  Illinois.  Besides  these  enterprises,  coal  companies  sent 
their  coal  wagons  from  here  on  city  routes. 


THE  ILLINOIS  BRIDGE  AND  IRON  WORKS,  operated  by  J.  H. 
Baker,  fabricated  the  iron  bridges  which  span  the  rivers  of  our  area. 


THE  THREE  RAILROAD  DEPOTS  provided  Sullivan  with  excellent 
service.  The  Illinois  Central  depot  is  on  top.  In  the  bottom  picture,  the 
Wabash  depot  is  on  the  right  with  the  Central  and  Eastern  Illinois 
depot  to  its  left.  Note  the  West  End  Elevator  on  the  left. 


Old  Fair  Grounds  (32)t  North  Market 

"Right  this  way  for  the  fair  grounds!"  was  the  cry  of  the  hack 
drivers  on  the  Eden  House  corner  drumming  up  business  for  the  long 
ride  out  to  the  fair  grounds.  Going  to  the  fair  was  an  event  not  to  be 
missed,  because  it  was,  among  other  things,  an  opportunity  to  renew 
friendships  with  people  not  seen  since  the  last  fair.  The  first  county  fair 
was  held  in  1857  southeast  of  town,  but  with  the  coming  of  the  railroads 
in  1872,  a  new  fair  grounds  was  built  northwest  of  town  to  be  closer  to 
the  depots. 

There  were  two  buildings  with  agricultural  and  domestic  displays, 
Hvestock  judging  in  an  ampitheatre,  and  a  half  mile  track  for  horse 
races.  At  the  turn  of  the  century,  races  between  Dr.  A.  D.  Miller's 
"Peachie"  and  Lawrence  Purvis's  "Rex  Americanus"  caused  great 
excitement  among  horse  racing  fans.  Henry  Hess  even  named  one  of 
the  cigars  he  made  in  his  cigar  factory  (33)  after  his  favorite,  "Peachie". 
There  were  two  later  race  racks  east  of  town. 

SOUTHEAST,  OUT  BY  "DOG  TOWN"  -(Named  for  the  hound  dog 
population) 

East  Side  Mills 

The  industrial  center  of  town  was  located  along  the  bank  of  an  open 
stream  which  once  ran  through  here.  The  first  industry  was  a  mill  built 
in  1866  by  Donty  Patterson,  J.  H.  Snyder  and  McClelland  (34).  Its 
three  stories  contained  two  burrs  for  grinding  wheat  into  flour  and  one 
burr  for  corn  meal.  By  the  1870's  it  was  known  as  the  City  Flourmg 
Mills  and  later  as  the  City  Roller  Mills. 

A  woolen  mill  (35),  another  three  story  brick,  was  built  in  1867  across 
the  creek  north  of  the  flour  mill  by  Jonathan  Patterson  and  Benjamm 
S.  Jennings.  By  1881  it  was  capable  of  spinning  and  weaving  100 
pounds  of  woolen  cloth  a  day.  Farmers  could  have  their  wool  spun  mto 
an  oxford  grey  cloth  for  jeans,  hnsey  material  for  dresses  or  even 
blankets.  A  soap  factory  was  also  operated  here  in  the  1870's 

Greenhill  Cemetery  (36)t  End  of  East  Water 

Once  a  year  on  Memorial  Day  (May  30),  the  whole  town  honored  the 
war  veterans  with  an  all  day  celebration  including  a  parade  to  the 
cemetery,  speeches  and  decoration  of  graves  with  flowers.  The  long 
processions  consisted  of  many  survivors  of  the  Mexican,  Civil  and 
Spanish  American  Wars.  Carleton  Harris  remembered  from  boyhood 
one  Confederate  veteran,  Charlie  Collins,  always  walking  in  the  parade 
even  with  his  stiff  leg  that  had  been  wounded  while  riding  with 
Morgan's  Raiders.  He  dehghted  in  pointing  his  cane  up  at  the  "GAR 
men  riding  in  carriages  and  saying,  '  *  I  could  whip  'em  yet! " 

The  first  burial  was  James  Elder's  daughter,  Rebecca  Berry,  in  1847 
while  it  was  still  his  private  burial  ground.  William  Patterson  and 


m":  .M.~~«<cte<«i»-'^1.vJ>-' 


THE  CITY  ROLLER  MILLS  on  the  east  side  of  town  had  walls  two 
feet  thick.  This  mill  and  other  factories  filled  a  block,  and  an  I.  C.  track 
was  extended  to  them  from  the  East  End  Elevator. 

William  Kellar  also  contributed  ground  to  the  cemetery.  A  few  of  the 
old  evergreens  here  may  have  been  planted  in  1857  by  B.  B.  Peddicord, 
a  cemetery  trustee. 


'Bunker  Hill"  (36),  in  Greenhill  Cemetery. 
Carleton  Harris  reminisced  about  this  popular  hill  now  razed: 

In  the  winter  time  when  we  were  kids,  we  would  go  out  east  of 
town  and  using  barrel  staves  for  skis,  we  would  take  off  down 
those  hills.  We'd  have  to  loop  around  the  buck  brush.  We  always 
coasted  at  Cemetery  Hill.  Then  we  had  Bunker  Hill  out  there, 
too.  What  most  people  don't  know  about  Bunker  Hill  is  that  at 
one  time,  when  they  started  putting  in  what  was  originally  the 
Sullivan-Mattoon  Railroad  and  now  the  I.C,  they  surveyed  this 
railroad  to  run  through  the  middle  of  Sullivan,  so  they  graded  up 
some  dirt  in  preparation  of  running  the  railroad  through  the 
center  of  town  along  Harrison. 


Albert  J.  Beveridge's  Boyhood  Home  (37)  South  Polk 

A  future  senator  from  Indiana,  Albert  J.  Beveridge,  was  reared  in 
SuUivan  and  graduated  from  the  high  school  in  the  class  of  1881.  When 
he  was  six  his  family  came  from  Ohio  to  the  Sullivan  area  to  farm. 
When  a  drouth  wiped  out  his  father,  the  family  moved  into  the  city  to  a 
house  on  this  site.  His  father  did  a  number  of  different  things  to  make  a 
Uving  in  the  hard  times  of  the  '70's.  A  Sullivan  newspaper  ad  of  1874 
spoke  of  his  hay  press  invention: 

ATTENTION  FARMERS!  THE  LATEST  THING  OUT!  And  the 
best  and  cheapest  in  the  way  of  bailers-THE  FARMERS  FRIEND. 
The  patentee  will  have  a  small  machine  on  exhibition  during  court,  and 
will  be  prepared  to  sell  farm  rights,  township  rights,  county  and  state 
rights.  Now  avail  yourselves  of  the  easiest  and  best  way  to  get  the  most 
money  for  your  hay  -T.  H.  Beveridge,  Miley  and  Co. 

— T.  H.  Beveridge,  Patentee. 


We  lost  Albert  Beveridge  to  Indiana  when  he  went  to  DePauw 
University,  and  then  started  his  law  practice  in  Indianapolis.  From 
1899-1911,  he  became  one  of  the  most  influential  members  of  the  U.S. 
Senate.  Along  with  men  Hke  Roosevelt,  Lodge,  Mahan  and  Blaine,  he 
was  one  of  the  leading  exponents  of  our  country's  expansion  of  power 
into  the  Pacific  at  the  turn  of  the  century,  the  pohcy  which  can  be 
traced  to  our  involvement  in  Viet  Nam  60  years  later.  Later  he  worked 
with  LaFollette  and  others  for  reforms  that  led  to  the  Pure  Food  and 
DwFg  and  Meat  Inspection  Acts  of  1906.  In  later  years  he  wrote  out- 
standing biographies  of  John  Marshall  and  Abraham  Lincoln. 

Poland's  Pond  South  of  sewage  plant 

One  of  the  best  recreations  of  the  winter  was  ice  skating,  and  there 
were  plenty  of  places  available  before  Wyman  Park  Lake  was  built. 
Poland's  Pond,  made  to  cut  ice  for  their  meat  market,  was  one  popular 
place.  Other  popular  skating  ponds  were  the  depot  pond,  thought  to  be 
a  buffalo  wallow,  Patterson's  Pond  and  Harshman's  Pond.  Even  earher 
was  the  one  at  Morrell's  Mill.  Homer  Tabor  wrote  of  it: 

My  mother  told  me  many  times  of  the  very  enjoyable  and  merry 
ice  skating  parties  which  she  attended  in  her  youth  on  the 
Morrell  Mill  Pond,  where  during  the  clear  cold  winter  nights 
hundreds  of  young  people  would  gather  to  enjoy  the  exhiliarting 
ice  skating  sport  which  was  made  more  rollicking  and  zestful  by 
the  snappy  music  that  flowed  from  the  many  harmonicas  that 
the  skaters  played. 


Pifer's  Ice  Business  (38)  South  Main,  north  of  railroad. 

Before  the  days  of  electricity,  the  ice  business  was  important  in  the 
summertime.  CharUe  Pifer  cut  ice  in  the  winter  on  Guy  Pifer's  Lake  at 
Pifer's  Park  south  of  town  and  stored  it  in  a  big  ice  house  there  between 
layers  of  sawdust.  He  also  had  a  small  storage  house  on  this  site  near 
his  house.  Ice  wagons  visited  homes  every  day  with  a  new  supply  for 
their  boxes.  Chandler  Poland,  who  used  to  run  an  ice  route  for  the 
Poland's  remembered: 

Even  though  ice  didn't  cost  much,  some  old  ladies  would  wrap 
the  ice  in  paper  to  keep  it  from  melting.  They  didn't  get  the  good 
out  of  it,  because  it  had  to  melt  to  get  the  cold. 


CIVIC  IMPROVEMENTS - 

North  and  South  Side  Schools  (39)  (40)tNW  corner,  Jackson  and 
Hamilton,  SE  corner  Adams  and  Graham. 

The  North  Side  School  was  an  elaborate  structure  built  in  1874  to 
house  both  the  grade  and  high  school  classes.  The  bell  in  the  tall  tower 
at  the  front  proved  too  great  a  temptation  to  students  at  Halloween  one 
year.  They  extended  a  wire  from  the  base  of  the  bell,  across  the  tree 


NORTH  SIDE  SCHOOL 


SOUTH  SIDE  [LOWE]  SCHOOL 


tops  to  a  position  about  a  block  away,  and  rang  the  bell  intermittently 
through  the  night.  The  police  could  not  find  how  the  bell  was  being 
rung  for  no  one  was  in  the  building. 

After  1897  it  was  used  as  a  grade  school  only  and  the  new  South  Side 
School  was  the  high  school.  The  south  school  was  later  named  after  O. 
B.  Lowe,  an  early  principal  and  county  superintendent.  The  present 
Powers  School  was  built  in  1927  and  named  after  the  Powers  sisters 
who  each  taught  about  50  years  in  the  school  system.  The  Sulhvan 
Township  High  School  was  built  in  1917  and  converted  into  a  junior 
high  school  in  1959,  when  the  new  high  school  was  built. 

City  Light  Plant  (41  )t  SE  corner.  Grant  and  Adams. 

The  erection  of  electric  street  lights  which  may  seem  to  be  a  simple 
public  improvement,  proved  to  be  the  most  controversial  issue  of  the 
new  century.  At  times  the  atmosphere  was  so  heated,  that  it  could  have 
generated  electricity  without  the  aid  of  a  steam  engine. 

It  all  started  in  1892,  when  J.  H.  Baker  built  a  privately  owned 
power  plant  and  contracted  with  the  city  to  supply  power  for  32  electric 
street  Hghts  on  cloudy  and  moonless  nights.  When  the  contract  was 
about  to  expire  at  the  end  of  ten  years,  a  new  contract,  allowing  him 
higher  rates  for  his  services,  was  drawn  up  during  secret  city  board 
meetings,  and  the  town  was  enraged!  After  several  court  battles,  and 
the  election  of  the  opposition  party  in  1901,  the  municipal  hght  plant 
was  installed  at  the  Waterworks  in  1903. 


This  was  not  the  end  of  the  controversy,  as  Baker  continued  to 
operate  his  plant,  too.  In  1912,  he  sold  it  to  the  CIPS,  who  attempted  to 
extend  electric  service  in  the  town  in  direct  competition  with  the 
municipal  plant.  CIPS  did  not  have  a  franchise  from  the  city,  so  their 
Unemen  would  come  over  at  midnight  to  install  their  new  poles  and 
Hnes.  Time  and  again,  they  were  brought  down  from  their  poles, 
arrested  and  thrown  in  jail.  In  the  ensuing  court  battles,  SuHivan 
surprised  everyone  with  the  appearance  of  the  famous  Clarence  Darrow 
as  their  attorney.  He  not  only  demoralized  the  opposition,  but  won  the 
case. 


TIME  LINE  OF  CIVIC  IMPROVEMENTS 

1858  Wooden  side  walks  and  crossings  were  built  around  the  square. 

1872  All  new  buildings  on  the  square  were  to  be  of  brick  or  stone. 

1883  SuUivan  went  "dry"  for  two  years. 

1885  The  City  Police  Department  was  established.   Gasoline  street 
hghts  were  built  with  money  from  saloon  licenses. 

1887  A  sixty  foot  high  water  tank  was  built  for  fire  protection. 

1889  A  bandstand  was  erected  on  the  courthouse  yard. 

1892  Street  signs  were  put  on  buildings  nearest  each  intersection. 

1894  The  streets  around  the  square  were  paved  with  brick. 

1895  The  first  telephone  system  was  installed  in  the  city. 
1898  The  city  library  was  established. 

1903  The  municipal  electric  plant  was  opened. 

1906  Prohibition  was  again  established,  lasting  until  1933. 

1914  Land  was  purchased  for  the  Wyman  Park  site. 

1925  City  wells  were  dug  two  and  a  half  miles  south  of  town. 

1936  A  city  sewer  system  was  installed. 


EARLY  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  INDUSTRIES- 


The  Dairy  Industry 

The  mooing  of  cows  used  to  be  one  of  the  famihar  sounds  in  town,  for 
many  families  kept  them  in  barns  behind  their  houses.  A  few  of  these 
small  barns  remain  on  the  east  edge  of  town.  For  those  who  did  not  own 
a  cow,  Rev.  S.  R.  Harshman  ran  a  deUvery  wagon  supplying  towns- 
people with  fresh  milk  from  his  dairy  herd  on  the  south  side  of  town 
(42).  His  customers  filled  their  pans  from  a  spigot  on  the  five  gallon 
cans,  paying  5  cents  a  quart. 

Around  1905-1910,  good  Jersey  herds  were  developed  by  farmers  in 
the  area  and  they  either  sold  their  cream  to  local  cream  stations  twice  a 
week,  or  shipped  it  to  Chicago  or  Danville  to  be  made  into  butter.  This 
product  had  a  nut-like  flavor,  far  inferior  to  home  made  sweet  cream 
butter,  for  the  cream  had  soured  by  the  time  it  reached  its  destination. 
One  of  the  local  cream  buyers  was  the  Wadley  Company,  later  operated 
by  Chal  Newbould. 

With  the  establishment  of  the  Isaacs  brothers'  Sullivan  Dairy  (43)  in 
1927,  and  the  Armour  Creamery  (44)  in  1932,  the  method  of  handling 
local  dairy  products  improved.  The  Dairy  made  ice  cream,  butter  and 
cottage  cheese,  selling  it  from  house  to  house  and  delivering  it  to  about 
twenty  schools  in  the  area.  Armour  Creamery  sold  its  cheese 
throughout  the  country,  and  ran  twenty-seven  trucks  in  a  six  county 
area  to  pick  up  its  milk. 


Brown  Shoe  Company 

During  the  1920's,  the  Sullivan  Community  Club,  the  forerunner  of 
the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  worked  to  entice  industry  to  town.  Brown 
Shoe  Company  of  St.  Louis  agreed  to  set  up  a  plant  at  SuUivan  if  the 
community  would  provide  $125,000  for  a  building  to  house  the  factory 
(45  )t.  Through  a  great  amount  of  sacrifice  and  work  the  money  was 
raised  and  the  factory  opened  in  1930.  Today  it  employs  375. 


Community  Industries  (42)t 

An  important  industry  for  the  prosperity  of  SulUvan  was  established 
in  the  1930's  by  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  under  the  leadership  of 
Leah  Harshman,  the  daughter  of  Rev.  S.  R.  Harshman,  the  founder  of 
the  church.  In  the  words  of  Miss  Harshman: 

It  was  always  a  principle  of  the  church  to  help  its  members  and 
to  keep  them  from  becoming  public  charges.  .  .The  serious 
depression  of  the  early  1930' s,  however,  brought  employment  in 
Sullivan  to  a  standstill.  .  .There  was  little  work.  .  .aside  from 
that  provided  by  relief  projects  and  these,  the  church  people 
believed,  did  not  contribute  to  lasting  prosperity. 


THE  SECOND  PLANNING  MILL  was  built  by  Appollos  Hagerman 
and  Rufus  Harshman  after  an  1896  fire  destroyed  the  old  mill  operated 
by  L.  T.  Hagerman  and  W.  A.  Duncan.  The  planning  mill  developed 
into  a  large  contracting  business  that  worked  throughout  the  area. 


The  women  of  the  church  developed  a  number  of  good  recipes  for 
candy  bars  and  began  marketing  candy.  Others  began  a  dress  making 
enterprise.  By  1939,  there  were  50  people  employed  in  these  activities  in 
buildings  all  over  town.  At  this  time,  a  concrete  building  was  completed 
by  church  members,  the  materials  being  supplied  by  Harshmanite 
construction  firms  in  town.  Today,  Community  Industries  has  evolved 
into  three  separate  enterprises  making  dresses,  candy,  and  lawn  and 
garden  equipment,  and  employing  475  people. 


WYMAN  PARK- 

Albert  Wyman  loved  to  walk.  Every  morning  of  the  year,  good 
weather  or  bad,  he  went  a  mile  or  two  before  he  opened  his  shoe  shop. 
While  traveling  the  dusty  or  muddy  country  roads,  the  idea  of  creating 
a  park  must  have  formed  in  his  mind. 

He  fought  in  the  Civil  War  after  immigrating  from  Germany.  By 
1870,  he  was  in  SuUivan,  and  in  a  few  years  had  a  successful  shoe 
business.  He  lived  alone  in  a  room  above  his  store  on  the  square. 
Having  never  married,  he  had  no  heirs.  At  his  death,  $40,000  was  left  to 
the  city  for  a  park,  with  the  stipulation  that  all  things  held  on  its 
premises  would  be  free. 

In  1914,  the  city  decided  to  purchase  the  pasture  of  J.  B.  Titus  (46)t. 
Freeland  Grove  was  bought  separately,  and  on  the  east  side  a  large 
pavilion  (47 )t  was  built  for  commercial  activities.  The  mayor,  Finley 
Pifer,  arranged  for  the  park  to  be  beautifully  landscaped  featuring  elm 
trees  along  the  roads,  a  lake  on  the  north,  and  a  bandstand  in  the 
Freeland  Grove  area. 


A  FEW  OLD  AND  INTERESTING  HOMES  AROUND  TOWN- 


Stewart-Lucas-Nicolay  House  (48)t  SW  corner,  Water  and  Polk 

This  may  be  the  oldest  existing  house  in  town,  for  the  back  two 
rooms  were  apparently  built  around  1855  by  Lafayette  Stewart,  a 
merchant.  The  fireplace  between  the  rooms  warmed  Lincoln,  for  he  is 
said  to  have  stayed  here  while  traveling  on  the  Charleston  Road  that 
passed  in  front  of  the  house.  The  Kilner  and  Lucas  families  lived  here 
for  fifty  years  prior  to  1937,  when  the  Nicolays  bought  it.  The  ar- 
chitectural style  of  the  whole  house  is  Greek  Revival,  dating  it  to  the 
1850's.  It  is  built  with  walnut  and  hickory  probably  cut  from  timber 
near  SulUvan.  The  front  porch,  added  later,  hides  the  lovely  entrance. 

Elder- Steele- Shirey  House (49)t  east  side  of  Calhoun  at  end  of  Harrison 
Either  Dr.  T.  Y.  Lewis  or  William  Elder,  his  brother-in-law,  built  this 
home  in  the  1860's.  It  was  sold  by  Elder  to  W.  A.  Steele  in  1885.  Steele 
also  purchased  the  Merchant's  and  Farmer's  Bank  the  Elders  had 
started.  The  addition  to  the  north  was  built  at  a  later  date  by  Steele. 
The  Shirey  family  has  owned  it  for  forty  years. 

Patterson-Shuman-Brandenburger  House  (50)t  SE  corner,  Adams  and 
Polk 

This  was  one  of  the  most  imposing  houses  in  town  when  it  was 
erected  in  the  1860's.  WilHam  G.  Patterson,  a  native  of  Canada,  built  it 
soon  after  coming  to  Sullivan  to  practice  law.  O.  B.  Lowe,  Patterson's 
son-in-law,  Hved  here  prior  to  1903,  when  Charles  Shuman,  a  proprietor 
of  the  First  National  Bank,  bought  it.  The  Brandenburgers  acquired  it 
in  the  1950's.  It  is  built  in  the  Italian  style,  having  the  typical  rounded 
windows.  It  once  had  a  turret  on  the  roof,  and  a  porch  extended  across 
the  west  side. 

Eden-Martin-Bfeals  House  (51)  t  NW  corner,  Jefferson  and  McClellan 

This  home  was  built  around  1874  by  John  R.  Eden,  a  prominent 
lawyer  in  Sullivan  and  a  politician.  He  was  a  member  of  the  U.  S.  House 
of  Representatives  for  five  terms,  serving  during  the  troubled  Civil  War 
and  Reconstruction.  While  in  Congress,  he  was  a  member  of  the 
committee  to  investigate  the  disputed  presidential  election  of  1876 
between  Hayes  and  Tilden.  Eden  was  an  unsuccessful  Democratic 
candidate  for  governor  in  1868. 

The  houses  described  above  are  only  representatives  of  the  many  fine 
old  homes  in  Sullivan.  A  few  are  pictured  on  the  opposite  page  along 
with  other  notable  homes. 


STEWART-LUCAS 
NICOLAY  HOUSE 

[1850's] 

PATERSON-SHUMAN 

BRANDENBURGER 

HOUSE  [1860's] 


ELDER-STEELE-SHIREY 
HOUSE  [1860's] 


\ 


J 


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L 

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J.  H.  BAKER-TABOR 
DOLAN  HOUSE 

[1905] 

TITUS-SENTEL 
HOUSE 

[1896] 


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CIVIL  WAR  VETERANS  assembled  at  Jonathan  Creek  for  a 
memorial  service.  The  first  three  men  on  the  front  row  are  Jess  Bell,  Ike 
McBroom,  and  Tom  Fultz.  Judge  W.  G.  Cochran  may  be  the  fifth  man. 
The  three  men  on  the  right  of  the  second  row  are  Mack  Birch,  Nelson  E. 
Powell,  and  John  England.  The  first  man  in  the  top  row  is  Asa 
Johnson.  Unfortunately,  the  others  are  unidentified. 

*VELCOME  HOME  WORLD  WAR  I  VETERANS!  This  arch  was  at 
he  intersection  of  Harrison  and  Main  in  1919.  The  First  National  Bank 
s  on  the  left  and  the  Merchant  and  Farmer's  State  Bank  is  on  the  right 


"GOOD-BYE.  BOYS!"  The  whole  town  came  out  to  see  Company  C 
leave  for  the  Mexican  Border  in  1917, 


FROM  THE  PAPERS- 

1875--"Chal  Stanley  is  studying  law.  Oh,  what  a  host  of  lawyers 
Sullivan  will  turn  loose  in  a  year  or  two. " 

1886--"Notice:  I  would  be  much  obliged  to  the  boys  who  have  been 
visiting  my  apples  after  night  if  they  would  close  the  hole,  as  they  are 
liable  to  freeze  this  cold  weather... H.  Hunt." 

1880--"Mssrs.  Spitler  &  Son  have  overhauled  the  opera  house  grocery 
store,  and  have  cleaned  it  from  top  to  bottom,  a  consumation  devoutly 
wished  for  by  its  patrons." 

1869--"Football!  Yes,  that's  a  very  pleasant  game  for  those  who  delight 
in  it,  but  we  are  not  of  that  number.  By  some  of  our  friends,  we  were 
induced,  a  few  mornings  since,  to  take  part  in  the  interesting. play  (as 
they  called  it).  We  played,  kicked  and  knocked  'for  all  that  was  in 
sight';  hopped  around  as  nimbly  as  a  snowbird;  enjoyed  it  muchly  at 
the  time,  but  as  to  the  result,  oh  my!  A  stiff  leg,  in  fact  two  of  'em!  Two 
lame  arms!  A  disabled  body,  generally!  and  a  busted  boot!  We  have  not 
entirely  recovered  yet.  Such  was  our  experience.  Do  you  centure  (sic)  us 
for  not  admiring  the  game?  Not  any  more,  thank  you,  we  are  satisfied!" 


SULLIVAN  BUSINESS  SPONSORS 


AIMEE'S  BOTTLE  HOUSE 

COLDEST  BEER  IN  TOWN 

DAIRY  QUEEN  BRAIZER 

ALLEN'S  SERVICE  CENTER 

DREW'S  SHOES 

ANDERSON  GIFT  SHOP 

1948  Gifts-Cards  1973 

DUNSCOMB 

Fine  Furniture  since  1918 

ARTHUR  C.  ERDMANN 

for  the  Country  Companies 

ELZY'S 

Flowers  and  Gifts 

ATCHISON  OIL  CO.  INC. 

Sullivan  &  Decatur 

FAMILY  SHOE  CENTER 

BARNES 

Floor  and  Wall  Covering 

FASHION  SHOP,  INC. 

BECK'S  AUTO  REPAIR 

408  N.  Seymour  St. 

FELICITY  FASHIONS,  INC. 

BOB  and  LIDA'S 
CLEANING  CENTER 

FIRST  NATIONAL  BANK 

BOOHER  FEED  CO. 

HAMILTON'S  MENS  WEAR 

Men  and  Boy's  Clothing 

BOOKER  SERVICE 

304  S.  VanBuren 

HARSHMAN,  P.  H.  &  E  CO. 

since  1901 

BROWN  SHOE  COMPANY 

since  1930 

HEZZY'S  DRIVE  INN 
AND  BOWL 

BUXTON  and  MERCER 

Small  Engine  Repair 

HORN  INSURANCE  AGENCY 

CHAPPEL  BODY  SHOP 

Route  32,  South 

HUGHES  &  WOOLEN 

STATIONS               Kerr  McGee 

CHAPPEL  GARAGE 

408  N.  Fuller 

JEFFERS  MOTOR  SERVICE 

Wheel  Alignment 

COLLINS  SHELL  SERVICE 

JEFFERSON  ICE.  CO. 

CORLEY 
INTERNATIONAL,  INC. 

JIBBY'S  TAVERN 

The  Spot  For  Fun 

COUNTRY  COMPANIES 

Farm  Insurance  for  45  years 

JOHN'S  PHARMACY 

KAISER  AGRICULTURAL 
CHEMICALS 


KASKIA  TRUE  VALUE 
HARDWARE 


KEN'S  FOOD  STORES 


KITE  WOODWORKING  CO. 

Electric  Garage  Doors 


Merle  Norman  Cosmetics 

For  a  More  Beautiful  You 


METALLIZING  CO.  OF 
AMERICA,  INC. 


MILROY  MOTEL 


MR.  DRUMSTICK 

Family  Restaurant 


KNOTTY  PINE  TAVERN 

Package  Goods 


MONTGOMERY  WARD 

Catalog  Agency 


LAKE  AND  LAWN 
SUPPLIES  GREENHOUSES 


LANCASTER  DRUG  STORE 


LANDERS  SEED  CO.,  INC. 

Seeds  since  1936 

LEE  NORTON  REALTOR 


LEE'S  SPORT  SHOP 

24  hr.  Bait  &  Tackle  Service 


LEHMAN  AND  JIVIDEN 
IGA  FOODLINER 


MOSCHENROSE  JEWELERS 


MOULTRIE  CO.  H.  I.  A 

Bluecross  -  Blueshield 


Moultrie  Shelby  F.S  Inc. 


NEAL  BODY  SHOP 

111  N.  Hamilton 


NOLEN'S  UPHOLSTERY 

408  N.  Fuller 


LITTLE  THEATRE 
ON  THE  SQUARE 

LIVERGOOD  GRAIN  CO. 

Findlay-Chipps-Coles 


LIVERGOOD  REAL  ESTATE 


LUCY  ELLEN  CANDIES 

F  and  F  Laboratories 


MARY'S  BEAUTY  SHOP 

Licensed  Cosmetologist 


MAXEDON 

Signs  and  Campers 


O.  K.  JOBBERS 

Auto  and  Implement  Supplies 


P.  N.  HIRSCH  AND  CO. 


Pat  Stone's  Beauty  Salon 

Open  6  Days  Weekly 


PAUL  ROMANO  PIZZA 


POLAND'S  BARBER  SHOP 

Prop.  Larry  Clagg 


PRAIRIE  STUDIOS 

Art  School 


REED'S  SULLIVAN 


MCLAUGHLIN  AND  HARGIS 

Insurance  and  Real  Estate 


RHODES  LUMBER  CO. 


ROLEY  REAL  ESTATE 

since  1953 


RUSSELL  M.  HARSHMAN 

Concrete  since  1920 

SALT  ON  MY  TAIL  YARNS 


SEAR'S  CATALOG 
MERCHANT 


Toad  sez  see 

KENNY  INSURANCE 


THE  DEPOT 

Antiques  and  Gifts 


THE  DRESS  HOUSE 

Dresses-Coats-Sportswear 


THE  INDEX 

40  years  same  location 


SHASTEEN  MOTORS,  INC. 

Ford  Sales  and  Services 


THE  NICKELODEON 

Ice  Cream- Records-Tapes 


SHORTY'S  CAFE 

4  AM-4:30  PM  W.D. 


THE  RED  FOX 

Tues-Sat  11-1  AM  Sun  11-7  PM 


STATE  BANK  OF  SULLIVAN 


THE  SHIRLEY  SHOP 

Licensed  Cosmetologist 


STUBBLEFIELD,  INC. 

Automotive  and  Marine 


STYLE  LAND 


SULLIVAN  AUTO  SUPPLY 

American  Parts  Jobber 


SULLIVAN  BAKERY 

25th  Anniversary  Year 


SULLIVAN  GRAIN  CO. 

since  1928 


THE  SPOT  RESTAURANT 


THE  SULLIVAN  BOWL 


THE  SULLIVAN  PROGRESS 

since  1856  -  116  yrs  of  service 


TOM  WEST,  INC. 

Chev-Olds-Cadillac 


WALKER  PIPE  CO. 

since  1930 


SULLIVAN  MARATHON 

203  W.  Jackson 

Sullivan  Mutual  Fire  Ins.  Co. 
In  Business  since  1906 


Sullivan  Savings  and  Loan 
85  Years  of  service 


SULLIVAN  STAR  MARKET 


Jim  and      WARD     Furniture 
Ella  May  Carpeting 


WATERS  RADIATOR 

1  blk.  north  of  Hezzy's 


WAYNE  H.  SMITH  AGENCY 

Real  Estate  &  Insurance 


SULLIVAN  SUNOCO 

111  N.  Jackson 


SULLIVAN  WOOD  PRODUCTS 

Home  of  Fine  Cabinets 


WESTERN  AUTO  STORE 

The  Family  Store 


William  E.  Graven 

STATE  FARM  INS.  AGENCY 


WOOD  INSURANCE  AGENCY 

since  1929 


WOOLEN  AND  DENTON 

TV  Sales  and  Service 


YARDMAN,  INC. 


SULLIVAN  PROFESSIONAL  PATRONS 


A.  K.  MERRIMAN,  D.V.M. 

MCLAUGHLIN  AND  STONE 

BEST  CLINIC 
ASSOCIATION 

MCMULLIN  FUNERAL  HOME 

since  1929 

C.  J.  ELLIOTT,  D.D.S. 

RALPH  L.  FULLER,  O.D. 

DONALD  M. 
BUTLER,  D.D.S. 

ROBERT  F.  WHITE 

GENERAL  TELEPHONE 
OF  ILLINOIS 

SULLIVAN  VETERINARY 
CLINIC 

GEORGE  A.  RONEY,  O.D. 

Optometrist  since  1919 

VERNON  E.  ELDER 

H.  E.  KENDALL,  M.D. 

WILLIAM  C.  INGRAM 

MATHIAS  CHIROPRACTIC 
CENTER 

WILLIAM  E.  ALWERDT, 
D.D.S. 

INDEX 


Anderson,     E.     16 

Andrews,    G.    O.    20 

Andrus,    F.    M.    16 

Ansbacher,     Mose     20 

Asa    Creek    4,     5 

Asa's    Point    4 

Ashworth,    F.    E.    16 

Baker,   John  H.   27,   33,   34 

Baker,   Joseph   H.   15,   16,   39 

banks    22,     38.    41 

Barkley,    D.    M.    16 

Bastion,    Eunice    13 

Bastion,     N.     S.     13 

Bastion     Seminary     13,     21 

Beats   house    38 

Bell,    Jess    41 

Berry,    Rebecca    29 

Beveridge,    Albert    J.    21,    31 

BeveridKe.    T.    H.    16,    31 

Birch,     Mack    41 

blacksmiths    6,    7,    22,    23 

Boka,    Henry    16 

Brandenburger    house    38,    39 

brick    yards    13,    26 

Bristow,    D.    F.    27 

Brockway,    B.    W.    16 

Brooks,    Sam    13 

broom    corn    26 

Brosam    Bros.    Bakery    21 

Brosam.    George    16 

Bruce   27 

buffalo    3,    31 

"Bunker    Hill"    30 

Bury,    H.    W.    16 

Bushman,    F.    W.    16 

Butler.    Louis    16 

Campbell,    David    9 

Campfield   Point   6 

Cantrill.    William    5,    6 

Carriker,    H.    W.    16 

cemetery    29,    30 

Chamber   of    Commerce    35 

Chapman's    Hardware    23 

Charleston    Road    4,    38 

Chipps,    A.     16 

churches    7,    13,    14,    40 

CIPS    34 

Circuit   Court   7,   8,   9,    10 

Civic     Center     3 

Civil    War    17,    29.    36,    41 

Cochran,     Charles     Martin     5 

Cochran,    Judge    W.    G.    41 

Cokely,    Dennis    13 

Coles    County    17 

Collins,    Charlie    29 

Conn    and    Bros.    16 

Cooper,    Glen    8 

Corbin,    W.    P.    14.    16,    22 

courthouses   5,   6,   8,   9,    13,    18. 

19,    34 
Creech,    A.    S.    20 
Crowe,     Charles    22 
Cushman    27 

dairy    industry    35 
Darrow,    Clarence    34 
Davis,    B.    F.    16 
Davis.    David    1,    7,    8.    10 
Decatur     6 
Dix,    A.    J.    16 
Dolan    house    39 
Dooley,    Ann    16 
Douglas,    Mahlon    16 
Douglas.   Stephan  A.   10,   11 
Duncan.    W.    A.    36 
Dunn    13,    27 
Eagle    Pond    4,    7 
Earp,    Joel    6 
Tarp,    S.    P.    16 
East   Nelson   4,   5,   6,   10 
Eden    Hack   23,    29 
Eden  House    15,   23,   29 
Eden,   John   R.    12.    15.    16,    20, 
38 


Eden,  Judge  Joseph   13,   15,   16 

Elder,   Judge  James   10,   15,   29 

Elder,    William    16,   22,   38,    39 

electricity    33,    34 

elevators    27 

England,   John   41 

Essex    5 

Eureka    College    7 

Everett.    B.    B.    16 

Ewing,    R.    B.    5 

factories  14,   15.   16,  27,  29,   35, 

36 
fairs   26,   29 
Farlow    27 
Fin,    J.    16 
Finley,    Mike   27 
fire   protection    14,   34 
Fort    Moultrie    4,    19 
Frederick,   A.   A.    16 
Freeland,    C.    J.    16 
Freeland    Grove   3.    11,    36 
Freeland,    James    S.    13 
Freeland,    John    A.    4,     6,     11, 

13.   17 
Fultr.    Tom    41 
Funderburk.    Isaac    7 

GAR    29 

Garland    and    Patterson    IS 

Gillham,    P.    B.    16 

Ginn.    Robert    10 

Glasgow    5.    6 

Goben,    P.    F.    16 

Goats.    J.    16 

Gowan.   G.   W.   16 

Green.    Alvin    P.    16 

Green,    F.    M.    11 

Hagerman,   AppoUos   IS,  36 

Hagerman,   L.    T.    36 

Hale.    Philo    5 

Hamilton,    Parnell    5 

Hampton,     Rowland    6 

Harris,    Carleton   29,    30 

Harris,    Charles    T.    16 

Harshman,    Leah    35 

Harshman.    P.    B.    27 

Harshman,    Rev.    S.    R.    35 

Harshman,    Rufus    36 

Hefferman.    John    16 

Henry,    Bushrod   W.   7.    13 

Hess.    Henry    29 

Hoke,    F.    P.    16 

holidays    11,    29,    32 

horses   23.    29 

hotels    7.    10.    15.    27 

Hunt.    H.    16.    42 

ice    business   31,    32 

Illinois       Bridge       and       Iron 

Works    27 
Indians    9 
Isaac    brothers    35 

jail    8 

Jennings,    Benjamin    S.    16.    29 

Johnson,    Asa    41 

Kaskaskia    River    4 

Keedy    and    Brown   6 

Keedy,    J.    L.    16 

Kellar,    Dr.    William    5,    30 

Kennedy,    John    F.    3 

Kilner,     George    16 

Kilner   house    38 

Kilner.    Walter    16 

Kirkbride.    J.    W.    16 

Kirkwood,    W.    16 

Layman.    Mathias    16.    21 

Lee.    A.    B.    16 

Lewis.    Dr.    T.    Y.    16,    19,    20. 

38 
library    34 
Lincoln,,    Abraham    9,    10,    11, 

31     38 
Lindsay.    R.    W.    16 
liveries    23 


Lowe,    O.    B.   33.   38 

Lucas   house    38.    39 

Lynn.    R.    16 

Macon   County   5 

Marrowbone  Township  6.  7 

Marshall.    A.    T.    16 

Martin.    Andrew    16 

Martin    house    38 

Martin.    I.    J.    17 

Matoon     13.     17 

Mayer's   Dry   Goods  21 

McBroom.    Ike    41 

McClelland    29 

McClure's    Grocery    16.    21 

McCune.    Jacob    4 

Meeker,    J.    16 

Miley,    A.    16,    31 

Miller,   Dr.   A.   D.  29 

mills    15.    29,    30,    31.    36 

Mills,    E.    W.    16 

Minor.    J.    L.    16 

Mize.    W.    J.    16 

Morrell.    S.    H.    IS 

Moultrie      County      Historical 

and    Genealogical    Society    1 
Moultrie.    Gen.    William    4 
Mouser.    I.    J.    21 
Newbould.    Chal    35 
newspapers    8.    15,    20 
Nichols.    O.    B.    16 
Nicolay  house  38,  39 
Nixon,    Richard    M.    2,    3 
Noyes,    Ebenezer    5 
Old     Nelson     4 
Oglesby,    Richard   J.   6 
Oglesby.    Warner   W.    6 
patriotism    6.    29,    41,    42 
Patterson,     Dock     16 
Patterson,    Donty    16,    29 
Patterson,    Jonathan    29 
Patterson.    Levi    7 
Patterson,   William   16,   29.   38. 

39 
Peddicord,    B.    B.   30 
Ferryman,    John    S 
Pifer,    Charlie    32 
Pifer,    David    26 
Pifer.    D.    L.    16 
Pifer,    Finley    36 
Pifer.    Guy   32 
Pifer's    Park    32 
Pifer,    Samuel    26 
Pike,    Harry   J.    20 
Ping,    A.    16 
Poland.    Chandler   32 
police    12,    34 

politics    10,    11,    15.    22.    31,    38 
ponds    4,    31 
postal   service  6.   21 
Powell,     Nelson    E.     41 
Powers    sisters    33 
prairie    4,    13,    14 
prohibition    12.    34 
Purvis,    Lawrence   29 
railroads     5.     14.     17,     18.     27. 

28.    29.    30 
Randoll,    Thomas    6 
recreation    42 

Rice.    Asa    "Dollarhide"    4 
Ritter.    C.    P.    16 
Ritter.    D.    M.    16 
Roane.    Charles    L.    16,    22 
Roley   Grocery   23 
Sanders,    J.    F.    16 
Schmugge.    T.    F.    16 
schools   7,    13,   32,   33 
Scott.    Andrew    6.    8 
Seaney,    Owen    6.    7,    16 
Seaney.   William    16 
Sentel.    Winifred   Titus    19.   39 
sewer    system    34 
Shelbyville     6 
Shepherd.  E.  L.  16 


INDEX 


Shepherd,    J.    B.    16 
Shirey   house    38,    39 
Shuman.    Charles    38.    39 
sidewalks    12,    34 
Smith,    Prof.    Washington    13 
Smyser,    A.    N.    16,    22 
Smyser,    W.    H.    16 
Snyder,   J.    H.    16.   29 
sod-corn   row   8,    12 
S?ona.    Fred    19,    21 
Sona,    Joseph    16 
Spitler,   L.   M.   20.   42 
Stanley,    Chal    42 
Stanley.    W.    M.    16 
Stearns,    D.    F.    16 
Steele,   W.   A.   22,   38.   39 
Stewart.   Lafayette   38.   39 


Stiers,    J.    B.    16 
street    lights    33,    34 
street    signs    34 
Stringfield,    T.    B.     16 
Sullivan   Community   Club   35 
Sullivan,    Gen.    John    4 
Sullivan's    Island    4 
swamp    lands    13 
Tabor,    Homer   15,   31 
Tabor    house    39 
Taylor,    Beverly    7 
Taylor,    James    T.    12 
telephone    system    34 
Thomason,    Arnold   6 
Thomason,  Joseph  6,   7,   16 
Thompson,    Victor    16 


Thunemann,    William    16 
Tichenor,    Milton    16 
Titus.    Elizabeth    16 
Titus,    J.    B.    16.    19,   36,    39 
Titus   Opera   House   19.   20 
Townsend.    W.    B.    16 
Trower.    X.    B.    16,    22 

Vadakin,   H.   F.   16,   20 

Waggoner,   Joseph   21 
water    supply    14,    34 
W.C.T.U.    fountain    19 
Wheat,    John    W.    7 
Williams,    John    16 
Woody.    T.    F.    16 
Wyman,    Albert    22,    36 
Wyman  Park  3,  22,  31,  34,  36 


The  formation  of  the  Moultrie 
County  Historical  Society  in  1967 
brought  together  people  from  the  area 
who  were  interested  in  local  history.  No 
other  organization  in  the  county  could 
claim  such  a  varied  membership, 
having  people  of  all  ages  and  all 
occupations. 

In  1973,  recognizing  the  booming 
popularity  of  genealogy,  the  group 
reorganized,  becoming  the  Moultrie 
County  Historical  and  Genealogical 
Society.  The  objective  of  the  new 
society  is  to  stimulate  an  interest  in 
local  history  and  genealogy,  and  to 
preserve  information  for  future 
generations.  The  society  will  publish  a 
quarterly  in  the  near  future,  and  wants 
to  find  a  permanent  place  for  meetings 
and  a  small  historical  and  genealogical 
library. 

The  society  encourages  interested 
persons  to  attend  its  informative 
monthly  meetings,  and  to  aid  it  in  its 
goals. 


2  J  4  5~ 

Historic  Sites 

In  the  City  of  Sullivan 

1845-1973 


^  By  Moultrie  County  Historical  and_Genealogical  Soclet]/ 


Dt 

.'  t  Cre'd«r     _  Street       ;: 

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—  RoutM  32  A  121- 


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DD 


1  — PerrvTien  House  Site 

1— Fteeland  Log  CeBln  Sile 

J— Eerp  Saloon  Sile,  O'dwt  Building  on  Square 

J-OOIMOV  Store  Site 

5-Firs!   Blacksmltn  Shop  Slle 

*-Flfil  School  House  5il( 

'-Setono  scfiooi  House  sue 

(-Tavlor  Holel  Sue,  Tilui  Opera  Houie  Slle 

9-5rlcol  Fust  Cnurch  (Mrlhodilli 

10  Chrlsltan  Cnurcn  Localfon  (ISSl  mi] 

11  — Presbyter  lan's  First  Church  Sile 
l!-Moultrie  County  CourlHouie  (1847,  IW).  anO  UMI 
13— James  Elder's  First  Mouse,   Eden  Houie  Building 


n— Old  Fair  Grounds 
33-HeSs  Cigar  Factory  SI 
3<-Cily  Floucino  Mills  SI1 
3i— woolen  Mill  Slle 
3a— Gresnnm  Ctmflery,    ' 
I  Beyerldge 


I  Works  Site 


39- Norm  Sid 


UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS-URBANA 

977.3675M86C  ,   C001 

CENTURY  1   SULLIVAN?  ILL 


3  0112  025396489