^y 7 3797
vasd
LIBRARY OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
977.3797
V28d
cop. 2
UMs usioiiCAi sum
DOCUMENTARY 1 IISTORY
OF
Vandalia, Illinois
The State Capital of Illinois
From 1819 to 1839
-<-
October, 1954
THE TERMINUS OF THE CUMBERLAND ROAD
Ik
\
'if,.'
ace
HE world is lilled with myriads ol books, covi-ring a
multitude of subjects. This book is not designed to en-
tertain, but is compiled to preserve a documentary^ his-
tory- of X^andalia, Illinois, which, for t\vent>- years, 1819-
|N}<). was the State Capital.
I lir story begins when this area was a dense virgin
forest, covered lor the most part, with giant oaks. The rolling hills and
timbered country' made a picturesque yvoodland on the bluHs of the
Kaskaskia River, yyhich marked the Eastern border. Throughout I In-
frontier village yvere several springs gushing pure yvater from subterranean
streams.
Because Vandalia yvas surveyed and laid out as tlie Capital from
its very' beginning, it became the center of attraction for the entire state.
It is the terminus of the Cumberland Road over yvhich staUvart pioneers
pushed the frontiers of our civilization: leaving in its path industry,
education, and freedom ol yvorsnip as a heritage for all.
Because it was the political headquarters of the state, N'andalia be-
came a Mecca for rich and poor, office seekers, members of the judiciary,
the merchants, the schoolniaslers, and the s])iritual leaders. The gamblers
and the crooks also plied their Iradi- here.
Manv of our earlv state officials yvere men of outstanding abilil\ wlio
later became prominent in the life ol the nation. X'andalia was nol with-
out its lou( h of aristocracy.
Duriii<i the twents years that X'andalia yvas the political capit.d it
became an imporlanl town in spite of its relalivcK limited po|)ulati()n.
The slate also grew in importance.
Here is recorded a story ol beginnings, ol hiijli hope, iind of great
courage. Here is also recorded a story of great heartaches and soul-searing
disappointments. It is a story of a pioneer city, yvroughl out of the y\ ilder-
ness: a milestone on the highyvay to progress, a monument to the courage
and virtue of a great people in quest of the ideal of Democracy.
5
4
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3
'1
To Ni^S NftHfeOE HlTg ^ ZPkS^
FIH Cliaml)er of Comnierie of \'anclalia. Illinois, pre-
sents to tlif mcmliers ol tlic Illinois State Historical So-
( ietv alt<'nclin<i llie Wy\ annual meeting a souvenir of
I he liistory of \'anclaiia s capital clays. The words ap-
propriate to express our tlioufilits were written 126 years
ago by James Hall, a resident ol N'andalia, III., and a
foremost literary figure of the early west in American letters. I lie poem
was prinlcfl in the Wesler/i SoniH'w'xr on the last page ol the gill hook.
Tak.-. oh take, the Cilt I l)ring!
Not the blushing rose of spring.
Not a gem from India s cave.
Not the coral of the wave.
Not a ^vreath to deck thy brow.
Not a ring to bind thy vow —
Brighter is the gift 1 bring.
Friendship s jjurest offering.
Take the book! oh. may it be.
Treasured long and dear by thee.
Wealth may buy thee richer toys.
Love may weave thee brighter joys.
Hope may sing a sweeter lay.
Pleasure shed a softer ray;
But not wealth nor love may twine,
Wreath so pure as this of mine;
Hope nor pleasure spread a hue.
Half so lasting, half so true —
Keep, oh keep, the gift 1 bring.
It is friendships offering!
\
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^^^7)$^ Oo7onyj(ron} (jorrnar^y <£r\icrm<J 7^e V^i/derytei&/ViLVc/a/i(i ,fn /&20,
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 1819-1839
IN 1818 a l)ill |).iss("cl congress admitting Illinois as a sovereign state; in the
following July a convention was held at Kaslcasliia to frame a constitution.
Jesse B. Thomas was selected ['resident and William C. Greenup Secretary of
the convention.
In September 1818 Shadrach Bond was elected Governor and Pierre
Menard, Lieutenant Governor: the first election under the state constitution.
Previously congress granted to tin' state ol Illinois lour sections ol land
lor the establishment of the seat of government thereon lor twenty years.
Until February. 1821, Vandalia and the territory now comprised within the
limits of Fayette Coiuity was a portion of the neighboring county of Bond. On
February 14, 1821, the following act was approved ( reating the new county.
"That all that tract ol coiuitr> King north ol a line, beginning at the
southwest corner ol township number three, north ol range number
one west, extending east to the southeast corner of township number
three, north of range number six, east of the third jjrincipal meridian,
shall constitute a new county to be called Fayette, the county seat
of which shall be at N'andalia.
The county, at tin- time ol its lormation, was nearly Iwo hundred miles in
Icnglh.
See the previous page for an exact reproduction of the map of Illinois pub-
lished in 1822 when Vandalia was the capital of the State of Illinois.
We note that the north two-thirds of the state was then vacant and bount>^
land, the home of the Indians. Vandalia was then in Bond Countv- and Perry-
\lllc was the coiuif\' seat.
Map of Illinois in 1822. Note that about tlic North two thirds was ]nd)li( land
and counties, then lornied. were in the Soulli oncliilrd. \ .uidalia Wiiv Incii in
Bond Countv.
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA
ILLINOIS
AN ACT jor the remoual oj the Seat of Government
of the State of Illinois
Whereas it appears to the satisfaction ol tlie general asseiiil)ly. that at
the last session ol congress there was granted four sections of land to the
state ol Illinois, for the establishment of the seat of government thereon for twenty
years; and therefore, it becomes necessary from the constitution, and from policy, to
have commissioners appointed to select the said quantity of land and provide for
laying out a town thereon:
oect. I. Be it enaclod t)y t'le people of the state of Illinois represented in
the general assembly, That there shall be appointed by the joint ballot of bolh
branches of the present general assembly, five commissioners, for the purposes
hereinafter mentioned, who shall take and subscribe the following oath or affirma-
tion, to-wit: I. A. li being appointed a commissioner to select a
suitable site whereon lo lix the seat of government ol this state, agreeable to the
donation of the congress of the United States, and the constitution of this state:
and that in making such selection. 1 will not be governed by own interest, or the
interest of any other person or persons, but in all things will be governed by the
interest of this state.
Sect. 2. Afifi he it further enacted. That the said commissioners, or a major
|)art of them, shall at some convenient time, not exceeding three months from the
olficial publication of the act of congress, granting said four sections ol land lo
this state, and designate the same by the numfjer and description thereol. aicord-
ing to the true intent and meaning ol the said act of congress, and ol the thir-
tcintli seition ol the schedule ol llie (orislllution ol this state; said land to be
siluale on the Kaskaslvia river, and as near as may be east of the third |)rin( i|),d
meridian on said river.
Seit. 3. And he il liullirr ciuuled. I li.it the s.iid i omniissJDMcrs. or a major
part ol them, shall as soon as pracliiable Iransmil the luunbers and description ol
said four sections of land so selected for the slate, to the register and receiver ol
the land-office in whose distric t the said lour sections ol land pnii\ be situate, or
lo any olher office or officers as may be re(|uired by said act of congress, so as trie
the government ol llie I 'niled Slates may know ihe land so selecU'd by said com-
missioniis lor this st.ite.
^n^ ^y)st ^o fo Tiy yiro m Gtor-man^ enierrnj -/Jit w
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS
19-1839
Set!. 1. And he it jiirtlicr piinrfpf/. I hat the siiid commissioners, or a major
p.irt ol them, sliall nave (lie power to employ a sKilllul surveyor to lay off a town
on said land, on the Kaskaskia river, on suih a plan or device as tlie said com-
missioners, or a major part of them, may agree on: and the said commissioners
shall have the right to give to the said town some proper and appropriate name
as ihey may agree upon: the said plan shall ne i.iirU made out and l.iid hefore
the ne.xt stated session ol the general assemhly. and the said commissioners shall
have the right to draw on the treasury of (his state, lor aru sum which may
he agreed upon ny I hem as a compensation to the person employed in laying off
said towji.
^>ect. 5. /\/if/ /)(> i( juriner enacted. That the said commissioners, or a major
IJart of them are authorized and recpiired to sell one hiuidred and fifty lots: not
more than ten ol said lots shall he on the piu)lic s((uare lo I he highest (bidder),
on advertising the time, place and f|uality of lots to he sold, in some puhhc news-
paper of this state, lor at least six weeks hefore the sale thereof. The considera-
tion money for said lots lo he paid down, or a credit given ol not longer than six.
IweKe and eighteen months, with approved security, at the discretion of said
commissioners, or a major part of them. Said commissioners, or a major part of
them, who may receive the money arising from the sale of lots sold bv the author-
ity of this act. shall give bond and security, to be approved of by the governor,
in double the sum lo be received as aforesaid, to the governor, for the use of the
state, conditioned for the faithful payment of all monies arising as aforesaid into
the treasury of this state, within one month from the receipt of the same. And
the said commissioners shall have the right to allow such privileges, as to the use
ol tinnier to the first settlers in said town, as they ma\- deem just and advisable.
Sect. 6. And op it jnrtlter enacted. That the said commissioners, or a major
part of them, are hereby authorized to give deeds of conveyance, with a general
warranty on the state, for all lots sold by the authority of this act. to the purchaser
or purchasers.
Sect. 7. And be it further enacted. That the ( ommissioners. or a major
part of them, shall contract, as soon as practicable alter said town is laid off, with
some person or persons for the building of a suitable house for the reception of
the general assembK of this state, at their next stated sessions: said house to be
built two stories high, on some lot belonging to the state, and not on the |)ublic
s(|uare, and of sufficient capacity- to accomodate the house of representatives in
the lower story, and I he senate in the upper, with necessars' rooms for the council
ol re\ision. clerks, and contractor to have the said building (ompleted six months
before the next stated session of the general assembly; and there shall be a condi-
tion in said contract, that if said commissioners, or a major part ol them, deter-
mine that said building cannot be completed at the time specilied in said con-
tract, the said contract be dissolved, and the party thus lailing in the opinion of
said commissioners, shall receive pa\- only for his labor actualK done, and the
said commissioners to (Onlract for the completion of said building with some other
person.
iy Q/oAt}
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VA NDALIA. ILLINOIS
Sect. 8. And he it )iir//i<>r onactod. Hi. it the luxl staled session ol tlic gen-
eral assembly sliall beholden at tbe town tluis laid off by tbe aiitbority of tbis act.
and in tbe building described; and that all public officers and public offices that
are ref|uired by law to be bolden or reside at tbe seat of government of tbis state,
shall be at the said town thus laid off by the authority of this act. on lln- lirst d.iy
of the said next stated session of tbe general assembly of this state; and the seat
of government of tbis stale shall be and remain for tbe term of twenty- years, al
the said town so laid off by the authority of this act. from the hrst day of tbe next
stated session of the general assemblv: bul until said I in,,-, ih.- seat of government
shall be and remain at Kasfcaskia.
Sect. 9. And he H further enacted. That the said commissioners, or a major
part of them, shall agree on the time to meet for the purpose of making said selec-
tion as pointed out in the second section of this act. and advertise tbe same in
some newspaper, so as to let all the said commissioners know said time, and all ad-
journments and meetings of said commissioners shall be agreed on and adver-
tised as aforesaid.
Sect. 10. And he it iurllier enacted. That the said connnissioners, or a major
part of them, shall make out a general report signed by them, of all the .ictings
and doings of said < ommissioners. to the next general assembly.
Sect. 11. And he it jurther enacted. That the amount ol nioncv to be p.iid
Jor tbe erection of tbe aforesaid temporary' state bouse, shall be paid out ol the
money arising from tbe sale of lots lay the said commissioners; or if deemed more
e.xpedient by the said commissioners, they are hereby authorized to draw on and
receive from the state treasury the aforesaid sum of money, out of anv money
therein not otherwise appropriated.
Sect. 12. And he it jurther enacted. That the said Connnissioners shall be
paid tbe sum of three dollars for each day's service necessarily employed in the
duties imposed on them by this act.
This act to fake effect from and alter its passage.
Laws of Illinois 1819, P. 361-364.
Approved, March 30, ISIO.
On March 3, 1819, lli<- I Hited States Congress makes a gran! ol lour sec-
tions of pid)lic land for a new Illinois lapilol.
fTie kYT^si^/oT^py>rnGQr-tna-n^ e-nier/vf -//le w,/dery^es.s, VaL-ncJa/id , m /ezo.
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 18 19-1839
The above is an exact reprodiu tioii ol tin- compass used by \\ illiani L.
Greenup in surveying Vandalia, tlie capital ol Illinois, who togetber with Beal
Greenup and John McColliun were employed for tbal purpose by tbe commis-
sioners heretofore appoinled. Wbicli compass is now in ihe possession of Jos. C.
Burtschi, Vandalia. Illinois.
THE COMMISSIONERS
Under tbis Act tbe following named commissioners were elected to carry
out its provisions: Samuel Whiteside, of Madison County; Levi Compton. of
Edwards County; William Alexander, of Monroe County; Thomas Cox. of
Union County, and Cuiy W. Smith, of Edwards County.
The commissioners did their work within tbe time specified, selecting Sec-
tions 8, 0. 16 and 17, Town 6 Norlli Range I East of the Jrd P.M. in conformity
witli the grant made by the General Government and located the capital thereon.
1 bey emploxcd Col. William C. Greenup. Beal Greenup and John Mc-
Collum to survey the same inlo Iowji IoIs in accordance with the provision of tlie
Act. reserving one stpiare or block upon which the perm.uienl Capitol Building
should he erected. This was done in July. 1 8 10.
10
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA
ILLINOIS
BIRTH OF VANDALIA
COMMISSIONERS SELECT THE SITE AND HLILD
THE FIRST CAPITOL
THE first official docunicnt dealintj willi the new (apilal (il Illinois ,it \ an
clalia was the report ol the Coniniissioners appointed l)\ llie Lcsiislal ore to
locate the site of the new stale capital on four sections ol land granted by
the federal government to the State ol Illinois. In the report they decide on the
location of the town and the contract for the erection of the lirsl of the three capilol
liuildings erected in Vandalia. The original document is in the liles of the Audi-
tor ol Public Accounts of the State of Illinois.
"To the Honorable General Assembly of the Stale ol Illinois. \ our Com-
missioners appointed by an act entitled an act for the removal of the seat of Gov-
ernment of the State of Illinois, Beg leave to report that agreeable to previous
notice they convened at the house of Charles Rivis on the first Monday of June
A.D. I8IQ near where the 3rd principal meridian line crosses the Kaskaskia River
and from hence proceeded to view the said river on both sides thereof to the dis-
tance ol 18 or 20 miles above the said meridian line for the purpose of making
a selection whereon to fix the seat of government ol this stale and after taking
into view the different situations and local advantages of each situation did select
sedions N, 0. 16 f- 17 in Township 6 North of Range I East ol the third principal
meridian. In selecting the 16 section your commissioners were well aware thai
they were encountering dilli<ullies whi(li lo some might appear insurmonnl.iMc
bul which we believed to be (oniplclely within the control ol the ( lencral (lONcrn
merit and the Legislature of the state lor a doubt cannot be iritcrlained birt the
General Government will aiilhori/.c the selection ol .uiollnr section in lieu ol
Section 16 and to be applied lor lire same purpose which double enhance its
value In being in the vi< inily of the seat ol goveriunent. No other situation was
to be foirnd possessing the same ad\airt<rges and which iiruirediately < ,uric irn(l<r
the spirit of the law undiT which wi' .k led. accordingly W'rrr. C. Greenup. Heal
Greenirp and .Ino. F. McCollom now crnploxccl to l,i\ off a town a part ol which
e.xtencL on the 9 section a plat ol whic h i> hcreb\- sent lor yoin inspec tion and lor
which survey there has been paid the said ( ireenups ,incl Mc ( ollorri by dr.ilt on
the I reasury of the State for lire srriir ol $-196. On the I llh d.i\ ol .\rrgusl ol the
same year (1819) was let to l.clnruncl I rrnstall (the lowest bidder) the building ol
7%e £yr}S^ C^o/ovy yrom Germa-n^ eniern)9 -//it V/i/der-neiT/Vkvda/iQjiri /BZO
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 1819-1839
a temporary state lioii.se ol llie follow int> ilinicnsion \iz — 10 Icct loi)[i l)> 50 li-cl
wide two stories high with a chamber below of 30 leit s(|MMrc tor the house of
representatives and 3 rooms above, one lor I he Senate, one for the Council of
Revision and one for the Engrossing and enrolling clerks for the sum of $-4732 — of
which sum there has been paid to the said Tunstall s order the sum of $4692 — by
drafts on the Treasurer of this State and by your Commissioners the balance of
$40 has been detained for the non-performance of the contract respecting the
chimney at the South end of the said house. A small room has been cut off the
Senate Chamber as a further accomodation to the General Assembly for which no
provision was made in the contract. The legislature will therefore apply it as
thev deem most proper.
On the 6th and 7th day of September in the year aforesaid (181Q) agree-
able to previous notice was sold to the highest bidder on a credit of 6, \2 & 18
months 150 lots viz No. 2, 4, 5, 6. & 8 in Sc(uare 17 to 46 inclusive amounting to
the sum of $34,141- from which sum deduct the sum of $613- for lots No. 8 in
square 24 & 40 and lot No. 4 in scjuare 29 owing to the purchasers not complying
with the terms of sale and which leaves a balance of $33,528- of which sum there
has been collected and settled at the Treasun,', the sum of $3091.841/0 cents the
balance of the first installment which became due and payable on the 6th. 7tli. &
8th of March last (excepting purchasers who were improving their lots) have been
put in a train of collection and in some cases judgment has been obtained in
others a continuance has been granted on the plea that the Stale could not make
title owing to the last being placed on the 16 section but it is understood that the
case by consent of parties has been brought before the Supreme Court but is not
yet determined.
Having taken into consideration the great necessib,- of having ample ac-
comodation for the Legislature at the present session the commissioners have
forebore to force the collection of moneys from citizens who are residing in this
place and were improving their lots and earnestly recommend that much indul-
gence may be granted by the Legislature as a just and liberal policy may dictate
as well to the citizens of this place as otherwise for it is well known to your
honorable body that the times have so far changed since the sale as to baffle the
most wise and judicious calculations. We would further suggest the propriety
of having a number of outlots laid out at some convenient distance which it is
believed would very much accomodate the citizens and be the means of facilitat-
ing the iniprovemeni of the town all whidi is most respectfully submitted.
Thomas Co.x. William Alexander, Levi Compton, Samuel Whiteside,
Commissioners.
12
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA
L L I N O 1 S
List o( lots sold in the town of Vanclalia on September 0-7. INIU. ,in<lir tlie
direction ol the commissioners aijpointed In the General Assembly agreeable to
the art entitled an art for (he removal of the seat of government of the State of
Nil
Names of Fur( hasers of
W'illia.n Otwell
Job Badui.y
Thornton Peebles
John Dew
James Cowan
James Cowan
Alexander Mitchell
\Vm. B. W'hitesides
John R. Harris
Mirhael Dodd
John B. Stovall
James Cowan
Wm. B. W'hitesides
Tarleton M. Cavins
John L. Bogardus
Wm. Green
Samuel Stubbens
Josiah Craft
Robert K. MrLaughlin
J hoiiias Cox
Josiiua Barns
William M. Brown
Abraham Stern
Isaac Sterner
Daniel Field
Barnard Miller
Daniel FieUI
John .lordan
l.aban Payne
lames Kelly
John Wornorfc
John Jord.Hi
James Kelly
Isaat Stern
Elias K. Kane
Jno. A. Wakefield
Jno. I., lioyardiis
Daniel I'ield
Robert Blarkwell
James B. Moore
Milam Seward
Dani.l Field
f alri<K Kavenaiigli
Daniel I'ield
Icrdinand i'.rnst
Abraham Stariiex
Abijah Lee
Amoinit ol
iiiber
Number of
piirrhase
lots
Square
money
Names of Securih'
8
46
SI 55.00
Thornton Peebles
6
46
157.00
Robl. K. MrLaughlin
5
46
100.00
Wm. Olwell
8
32
220.00
Wm. Oluell
6
32
260.00
Greenberry W. Ridgley
5
32
351.00
Greenberr^- W. I^idgley
8
31
360.00
John Durham
6
31
216.00
Ja( ob Judy
5
31
3 35.00
Wm. C. Greenup
)S
17
370.00
William Green
6
17
32 1 .00
Scpiire Stovall
5
17
257.00
Greenberry W. Ridgley
4
17
201.00
Jaiob Judy
2
17
213.00
Abraham Stern
4
31
301.00
Jas. F. Tlirogmorton
2
31
171.00
Michael Dodd
4
32
375.00
John Moore
2
32
151.00
Wm. Bates
4
46
302.00
Wm. Kinney
2
46
180.00
Jno. McCollom
8
45
162.00
John Dew
2
45
1 50.00
.lob Badgley
6
45
1 55.00
T arleton M. Cavins
5
45
107.00
John Whitlev. Jr.
4
43
181.00
Jas. E. Willis
8
33
101.00
Ferdinand Ernst
2
33
1 58.00
Jas. E. Willis
8
30
205.00
Wm. .lordon-Jas. Glass
2
30
17 3.00
George Webb
5
30
201.00
SamI MiClintoc
4
30
201.00
John MrCIure
6
30
160.00
Wm. .lordon-Jas. Glass
8
18
205.00
SamI McClinlor
2
18
183.00
Henrs' Mcf^aniel
6
18
170.00
Wm. C. Cireeniip
33
101.00
,\. Stern
3
33
25 1.00
Lvmon Kellogg
4
33
210.00
Jas. F. Willis
5
18
200.00
Elijah C Berr\-
4
18
20 1 .00
Win. .Mcxanth'r
3
10
206,00
Alir.ili.irii Stern
4
10
18 3,00
las. i;. Willis
10
167,00
lohn M( I'erron
2
10
22 5,00
las. 1-. Willis
8
10
252.00
C harlis R<'avis
1
29
101. 00
1 iirlelon M. Ka\ins
5
20
251.00
1 Icnrv Wilton
^
'^A^^MS-
1?^.
7%^ £y7)$l( Co lovyi^Tr) GiQrmany er\iern)9 i/iQ V>f
,ja/iQ,iri /&20^
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 1819-1839
13
Israel Keloy (sicj
Joliti Pollster
Joliii Rankin
Ferdinand Ernst
Cyrus Birge
George Webb
W'ni. Wallace
Joliii Henry
MarinadiiKe L.Oa
Hiram \ iryil
John B. McColium
Ferdinand Earnst
Charley Revis
Joseph Cain
Jas. Whiteside
Robt, K. McLaughlin
James Whiteside
Edward Morrison
James Whiteside
James Lemen
John Reynolds
Samuel Havs
Wvalt Stul.blefi.ld
Wm. B. Whiteside
Samuel Oa\idson
John Lindley
John F. McCullom
Ben Johnston
Evan Barry
George Belsha
John Balling
John Jordan
Luke Steel
James B. Moore
John McColium
William Kinney
Montgomer\' Mason
Lymon Kellogg
Wm. H. Thompson
Adam Payne
John H. Spencer
John F. McCullom
Daniel Field
James Whiteside
Thomas Kirkpatrick
Wm. Kinney
Sam McClintoc
Thomas M. Dorris
Wm. B. Whiteside
James Kelly
James Kelly
Wm. Benn<-tt
John Dew
Elijah C. Berry
John Rankin
6
2
8
•1
5
6
3
2
nport 6
5
4
S
5
2
6
5
4
8
2
6
5
4
8
2
6
5
4
4
5
6
2
8
3
4
6
2
8
4
5
6
2
8
8
2
6
4
5
8
2
6
5
4
8
2
6
20
29
20
34
34
34
21
20
20
20
20
41
32
41
41
41
41
36
36
36
36
36
27
27
27
27
27
22
22
22
22
22
23
23
23
34
34
44
44
44
44
44
43
43
43
43
43
42
42
42
42
42
35
35
35
220.00
52N.()()
370.00
651.00
401.00
215.00
205.00
I, s 1.00
1 i 1 .00
1 70.00
01.00
220.00
300.00
28 1 .00
208.00
401.00
300.00
381.00
101.00
1 5 1 .00
222.00
154.00
360.00
137.00
149.00
175.00
62 1 .00
71.00
63.00
50.00
43.00
41.00
56.00
60.00
42.00
401.00
302.00
405.00
210.00
I 3 1 .00
195.00
I 55.00
163.00
201.00
300.00
765.00
7.S0.00
301.00
210.00
333.00
567.00
365.00
702.00
252.00
48 5.00
Sam
Wm.
Wm.
Wm.
Guv
Wm
.John C. Kelog (si< )
Sam McClintoc
Bernard Miller
Charles Reavis
An sell Birge
Laban Payne
Jesse Roberts
Daniel Field
Adrian De\enport
Midas Seward
Tliomas Co.\
Charles Reavey
Wm. Nickerson
McClintoc
B. Whiteside
Kinney
B. Whiteside
Morrison
B. Whiteside
Robert Lemen
William Kinney
James Kelly
Jno. Stubblefield
John M. McCullom
Aron L. Keen
Ben Johnston
I homas C o.\
.John Lindley
John Dew
Wm. B. Whiteside
Bernard Willis
Abijah Lee
John Lindley
Wm. Alexander
Theophilus W. Smith
Robt. K. McLaughlin
Jno. A. Wakeheld
Jno. L. F^ogardus
.Ino. L. Bogardus
Jno. Warnock
Hezakiah L. Harris
Wm. B. Whiteside
Jas. E. Willis
Wm. B. Whiteside
FraiK is Kirkpatrick
Robt. K. .^I.Laughlin
John Fouster
John Pollster
.Ino. McColium
Sam I HaNs
Sam I Havs
Sam I Morrison
Jno. Delaplain, Sr.
Robt. K. McLaughlin
John Moore
MM
SJte
y q7o/i?3
^/9 /^ ajC'S/- . Ao ly /
14
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA
ILLINOIS
Benjamin Bard
John K. Harris
Robt. K. McLaughlin
Sam'l Morrison
Josiah Craft
Daniel Field
Abraham Prickett
Wm. Otwell
Joseph Staten
James E. Willis
Robt. K. McLaughlin
Theophilus \V. Smith
Robt. K. McLaughlin
Robl. K. McLaughlin
■John McCollum
John Russell
Charles R. Malheny
Abijah Lee
James Garrison
Wm. A. Beard
John Delaplain
Jas. Kirk))atricK
Thomas Jordan
I liomas Jortlan
John McC ullom
Henry CoHing
I homas Cox
Elijah C. Berry
Robt. Lemen
Ben Johnson
James Kelly
Francis KirkpatricK
Wm. Otwell
Shadraih fiond
Win. Kinnev
1. W. Smith
T. W. Smith
T. W. Smith
T. W. S,nitl,
Jno. McColliiiii
I liomas Cox
Will. L. Hiikerson
Ro\ce Beckwilh
T. W. Smith
T. W. Smith
T. W. Smith
Henry Edd>
Adolpliiis I . I liibbard
4
35
8
28
2
28
6
28
4
28
8
21
2
21
21
4
21
2
23
8
23
4
26
5
26
6
26
2
26
8
26
5
37
4
37
6
37
2
37
8
37
4
40
5
40
6
40
2
40
8
40
8
3Q
2
30
6
39
5
39
1
39
8
38
2
38
6
38
5
38
4
38
8
25
2
25
6
25
5
25
4
25
8
24
2
24
6
24
5
24
4
24
4
52
6
52
221.00
606.00
1 50.00
550.00
274.00
304.00
100.00
160.00
100.00
4 5.00
81.00
105.00
183.00
271.00
200.00
251.00
247.00
274.00
100.00
I 70.00
15 3.00
200.00
145.00
87.00
1 38.00
100.00
306.00
305.00
214.00
250.00
331.00
24 3.00
200.00
100.00
2 30.00
15 3.00
100.00
124.00
01.00
51.00
55.00
52.00
35.00
30.00
45.00
50.00
30 1 .00
331.00
Wm. Simpson
Wm. C. ( ireenup
Wm. Kinney
Wm. liennett
Wm. Bates
Jas. E. Willis
Jeptha Lampkin
Jno. Dew
bio. Henderson
I homas Co.x
Wm. Kinnev
Wm. 15. Whiteside
Wm. Kinney
Wm. Kinnev
T. W. Smith
rhos. Kirkpatrick
Wm. Kinney
John loidan
Wm. .Alexander
Robt. K. McLaughlin
Jno. Dew
T hos. Kirkpatrick
Wm. B. Whiteside
Wm. B. Whiteside
Wm. B. Whiteside
Titus Home
Jno. M(Cullum
Robt. K. McLaughlin
,las. Lemen
Jno. Lindley
Jno. Forester
1 hos. Kirkpalrick
Jno. Dew
Wm. C. Cireenup
Robt. K. McLaughlin
Jno. M< C ollum
Jno. M( ( ollum
Jno. Mr( ollum
Jno. McCollum
T. W. Smith
John McCullum
Philip Martin
Money paid & deed <j
Levi Compton
Levi Compton
Levi Compton
Samuel Hays
Samui I I l.ivs
$34,1 II 00
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 1819-1839
IS
AN ACT approving and confirming the proceedings of the
Yandalia Commissioners and jor Other Purposes
Section 1. lie it piiacteA by (/ip People oj the Stale of Illinois, represented
in the General AssemlAy. That all tlie acts and Proceedings of tlie commissioners
a|J|)oink-d by tlie last General Assembly, to select the four sections of land granted
to this state by the act of Congress of the third of March. 1810. and for the other
purposes mentioned in the act of the last session of the General Assembly of this
state, entitled "An Act for the removal of the seat of government of the state of
Illinois, as well such as relate to the selection made by them, of sections eight,
nine, sixteen and seventeen, in township six north of range one East of the third
principal meridian, as those relating to the other objects of their appointment,
be and tfie same are hereby approved and confirmed: and the said town of Van-
dalia. laid out by the said commissioners on part of said four sections, is hereby
declared to be the permanent seat of government of the state ol Illinois for twenty
years from and after the first Monday of December. 1820.
Section 2. Be it jiirlher enacted. That the said commissioners, as soon as
conveniently may be after the passage ol this act, shall (and thereto they are hereby
authorized and required) assign and make over to the auditor of public accoiuifs
all the notes which have been to them gi\en or made by purchasers of lots in the
town of X'andalia. the seat of government as fixed by the said commissioners,
excepting such upon which suits may have been commenced, (which, if not already
done, shall be prosecuted to judgment and execution in the name of the said
commissioners: the money, however, to be paid over to the auditor in the same
manner as if he had been the plaintiff in said suits): said notes to be assigned by
any one of the said commissioners' writing his own name together with the names
of all the others on the back of each note. And a list of the said notes, giving the
date and amount thereof, shall be made by said commissioners, and handed over
to the treasurer, who shall charge the auditor with the same on his books: and
the auditor shall from time to time, as he may receive payments on said notes,
account to the treasurer for the same. And it is hereby provided that such assign-
ment shall never be construed to render the said commissioners or either of them
liable to the state in case of failure on the part of the makers of any of said notes
to pay.
Section 3. Be if further enacted. 1 hat the said notes when so assigned
shall be taken to be due and payable to said auditor, who is hereby vested with
16
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA, ILLINOIS
the same power and authority to receive and coerce payment thereof, and to give
ar(|iiiltantes for ihe same, that ihc said ( ommissioners themselves had or were
vested with.
Section 4. Bf it jurthfr oncicipd. Thai the said auditor ol public accounts
as often and \\hent\cr any lot has been fully p.iid lor. shall indorse on the baik
of the lerlificate. given bv the commissioners to the purchaser or purchasers there-
of, that, "payment having Ijeen completed for tlie within described lot. is entitled
to a deed for the same." And the governor, as often, and whenever any certificate
so endorsed shall be presented to him. shall execute a deed with genera/ u'nrran/y
on the slate, to the person entitled to the same, for the lot therein mentioned.
Seclion 3. Be it further encuted. I hat an additional lime ol IwcUe months
be allowed on each instalment, to the purchasers of lots in tlie town of \ andalia.
in which to make their payments, (the said purchasers coming before the auditor
and giving new obligations with the same or additional security, as the auditor
may deem necessary, on or before the first day of June next:) Provided, however.
That the beneht of this section shall in no case be extended to any person who
has been sued on any note given for the payment or part payment of any lot.
until he shall have paid all costs and charges that have or may accrue on such suit.
Section 6. Be it jurtlier piiacted. That all laws and parts of law coming
within the meaning ol this act. be and the same are hereby repealed.
Laws of Illinois 1821 pp. 32-34
Approved January 27, 1821.
^ ^insi C^o forty py>7rfGi<srmar)y er\ierrr)<f 7^e Wi/derrt
eis,
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 1819-1839
17
AN ACT appointing Trustees to the Town oj Vandalia,
and for Other Purposes
Seition 1. /}(■ it oiuulcd /)>■ f/ic l\'opli> oj tlie Slate oj Illinois, reprcsi-iilcd
in lite General Assembly. That William L. D. Ewing. I lionias Cox, James M.
Dunran. Rolxrt K. M'l.aiislilin, Rrdinand Ernst. Jolin Warnock. James S.
Dorriss, and Josluia liarnes. Ix- and tlicy arc hereby appointed trustees of the
town of Vandaiia, to continue in office until the election ol llieir successors as
hereinafter provided: and the said trustees, or a majority ol ihem. shall within
twenty days after their election or appointment, assemble and choose a (hair
man out of their number, and some other competent person as clerk; they shall
fix the time of meeting, or be convened by their chairman at any intermediate
period at which he may conceive the public good may require their deliberations;
a majority of the trustees shall be a c|Uorum to do any business, but a smaller
number may adjourn from day to day: they may (ompel the attendance of
absent members in such manner, and under such penalties, as they may by
ordinance provide; they shall settle their rules, and keep a journal of their pro-
ceedings, and enter the yeas and nays on a question, resolve, or ordinance, at
the request of an\ member: and their deliberations shall be public.
Section 2. Be it jarther enacted That the board of trustees as aloresaid
last named, shall have power and aulhorily to pass by-laws and ordinances to
prevent and remove nuisances, to prevent horse racing in the streets and lanes
of the said town, to prevent and extinguish fires, to cause the streets to be
cleared, cleansed, and repaired, by the inhabitants ihereol. and to erect and
repair bridges, and to impose reasonable and appropriate lines for the breaches of
their ordinances; and lo pass such better regulations for the better government
of the town, and the advantage of its inhabilants. as they shall deem necessary;
Provided. That nothing herein contained shall be inconsistent with the laws
or constitution of the United States or of this state; and it shall, and is hereby
made the duty of the chairman of said board to cause the laws and ordinances Vo
be published in one or more newspapers published in the said town, and -n
case there should be no newspaper, then in three of ihe most publi< places
thereof, from lime to lime, for the information of its citizens; and it shall be
his further duty to cause the said by-laws to be carried into effect. He shall
remain in office for the time he is chosen or elected a truslee. but in case of his
absence at the meeting of the board, the board may appoint a chairman pro
tempore; that on the death, resignation, or removal of any one or more of the
trustees the vacancy or vacancies shall be filled by the remaining trustees,
who shall appoint a successor or successors to continue in office until the next
election: and in case there should not be an election held for trustees at the
lime appointed by this act, the last trustees in office shall continue in office
uiilil iheir successors shall be chosen at the next regular election.
Section 3. Be it jurtlier enacted. That all free while male inhabitants ol
the age of twenty-one years and upwards, who shall have resided six months
\ PI
iy o/ohn
18
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA
L L I N O I S
immediately precedino the election within the said town of X'andalia. and
within the limits of the following boundaries, to wit: Beginning at the south east
corner of section sixteen, in township six north of range one east of the third
principal meridian, thence north to the north east corner of section nine in the
same township, thence west to the north west corner of section eight in the
same township, thence south to the south west corner of section seventeen in
the same township, and thence east to the beginning, (which are herebv declared
the boundaries of the jurisdiction of the said town) shall be and fhev hereby are
authorized to elect five trustees on the first Saturday of June. 1822. and on ihe
nrst Saturday of June in each and ever\- succeeding vear. An it shall be the
dutv' of a proper person to be appointed by the board, to give ten davs. previous
notice, in one or more of the newspapers published in said town, and in case
there should be no newspaper, then in three of the most public places therein,
that such an election will be holden at a place designated in the advertisement:
and also the said person shall superintend and conduct the same: and he mav
employ a clerk to assist him in keeping the poll; for which services compensatoin
shall be made by the trustees: and it shall be the further duty of said person,
within ten days after such an election shall have been holden. to make a com-
plete return of the votes given at such election, stating for whom given, and
make and certif>' the persons elected, and to deliver such certificate to the chair-
man of trie board or trustees.
Section 4. Be it further enacted. That the trustees shall have power to
appoint an assessor, wliose dut\- it shall be to value and assess all the lots
regularly laid off in the said town, and make a return thereof to the trustees,
having pre\iousiy taken an oath before some justice of the peace. Irulv and
impartially to perform the same: but in the valuation of said lots the houses
and other improvements thereon shall not be taken into consideration: and
upon the return of such list of taxable property by the assessor, the trustees
shall levy a tax thereon at a rate not exceeding three per cent per annimi on
the valuation of said lots, for the pur(X)se of paying for the clearing, cleansing,
and repairing the streets, the expense of the officers, and such other improve-
ments as may be deemed by them expedient and necessary-: and it shall be the
duty of the board of trustees, annually, after the assessment shall have been
made as aforesaid, to appoint a collector, who shall, before he enters upon the
duties of his office, give bond and se< urity to the trustees or a majoritv of them,
in double the sum to fje collected, conditioned for the faithful collecting and
accounting for the same according to law: and said collector shall, by the sale
of the lots or otherwise, collect and account to the trustees for the amount of
the taxes put into his hands for collection, within three months from the time
the list of assessment being put into his hands for collection of the said taxes:
and the said trustees shall allow the said collector such compensation as shall
he reasonable and just.
Section 5. Be it lurtlier enacted, I hat it shall and is h<rel)\ made the
duty of such collector to make personal application to (he person or persons
^^Tjslf Oa/ovy p^TT) Q<s'ririan^ c-n^r/nf /^e >v
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 18 19-1839
19
charged willi tlic l.ixis in llic lisl ol assessmenl. il llipy shall be ri-sidciits of
the said town, before he shall expose to sale any lot or lots or other property
to make the amount ol tax due from sui h inhabitants; and if the amount be not
paid to the collector within one month after such application, it shall be lawlul
for the collector to seize any personal properly of such delincpii'nl. whidi he may
find in said town, and after havint; given ten days' previous notice in writing
in some public place in said lown. to make sale tlier<>of. or so much as in his
discretion will pa\ the tax and costs of keeping the propertv: and in case the
said collector cannot find any propert> whereof he can make the taxes due from
any person or persons charged with the taxes aforesaid, it shall and may be
lawful for the collector to sell the whole or so much of said lot or lots, at public
sale, after having given twenty days previous notice in writing, in three of the
most public places in the said town, as will pay the tax or taxes due thereon.
and snail give to the purchaser or purchasers thereof a certificate of the fact of
sale as aforesaid, which shall vest the title in said purchaser or purchasers to
whom the same may be sold, unless the same shall be redeemed by the owner
by paying to the purchaser or purchasers, within twelve months after such
sale, the amount of the purchase money with fifty per centum thereon.
Section 6. Be it jurther enacted, That the chairman of the fjoard of
trustees of said town, shall, and he is hereby authorized to commence suits, in
his own name, as su< h. against any person or persons who may have been an
officer of the said board, and who retains money fjelonging to the same in his
hands; and against every person or persons committing a breach or breaches
of the ordinances of the said trustees, for the penalty or penalties thereby
incurred: which suits may be commenced and carried on to final judgment and
execution in any court in this state, of competent jurisdiction.
Section 7. Be it further enacted, That for the purpose of enabling the said
trustees to drain any ponds or slashes which may be in the neighborhood of said
town, and erecting a bridge across the Kaskaskia river opposite the same, and
constructing a road Ironi said bridge across the bottom on the east side of the
river to the highlands, there shall be and hereby are granted to the said trustees
and their successors in office, in fee simple, lifty lots in said town, to be selected
by them or a majority of them, in conjunction with the Auditor, on, or before
the first day of June next, from any lots which may be unsold at the time, except
those on, adjoining, or immediately facing the public scjuare: and the numbers
and descriptions of the said lots, when so selected, the trustees shall forthwith
deposit with the Auditor, who shall make a minute thereof on the proper book
in his office.
Section 8. Be il further enacted. That the said trustees shall make sale
or disposition of the said lots hereby granted (always giving proper notice) as
in their opinion shall be most conducive to the object lor which the grant is
made.
Section 0. Be it jurther enacted. Ihat the said trustees, as soon after the
passage of this act as may be. shall employ some skilful person to paint the
20
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA, IL L INOIS
state house in said lowii of X'andalia, in a neat and worlvnuinlike manner, and
nialce siicli alterations in the chimneys of said liouse as tliey may deem necessan-;
for which services, when properly attested by the said trustees, the Auditor shall
issue his warrant on the' treasurer, and the 1 reasurer shall p.ix . It shall be the
duty of the said trustees to take possession of. and keep in yood repair the state
house during each and evers' recess of the General Assembly, and to procure
such other furniture as may be necessary for the convenience and accomodation
of the next General Assembly.
Section 10 Be it jurthcr enactpcl. Thai it shall be the duty of the said
trustees to prevent any waste of timber on the four sections of land Granted for
the seat of government; and they are hereby empowered, for and on behalf of
the people of the state, to prosecute, by action foundec{ on this statute, all and
every person or persons who shall, without their permission, cut or destroy any
timber, the property of the slate.
Section II. Be it lurtlier enacted. That said trustees are hereby author-
ized to lease out any part of the prairie lying within the town tract, and any
quantity of land within said tract not exceeding six acres to one person, nor for
a longer jieriod of time than six years, for the purposes of brick-yards, mills, etc.
on such lerms as they may think will be most to the interest of the state and the
said trustees shall; allow a sufficiency of timber for the purpose of fencing any
lands which they may lease.
Section 12. /3p it juitlier enacled. T liat said trustees shall allow the Secre-
tary of State to occupy one of the small rooms in the state house, and the Auditor
of public accounts the other small room, for the purpose of keeping their respec-
tive ofhces in the said state house until the meeting of the next General Assembly.
Laws of Illinois 1821. pp. 170-182.
Approved Icliiuary I J. 1821.
cn^r/rj? rAe Wi/der-n
Vc/a/ia, m /B^*^/
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 1819-1839
21
THE CUMBERLAND ROAD
THE National Road, commonly called llie Cumberland Road, was Iniilt
by the Federal Government in response to a demand for a road to tie
together the East with the early West. The First route selected ran from Cumber-
land, Maryland, through southwestern Pennsylvania to Wheeling. West Vir-
ginia. In 1806 President Jefferson appointed a board of commissioners to decide
upon the exact route through which the extended road would run. The National
Road was extended through Columbus. Ohio, Indianapolis. Indiana to Vandalia.
Illinois at the time it was the capital of Illinois.
According to congressional specifications it was to be sixty-six feet wide
with a surface of stone covered with gravel. Bridges were to be of stone. Grades
were to be leveled after the manner of good road construction today. The original
line from Cumberland to Wheeling was open for traffic in 1818. The first
sections constructed were nearly worn out before the western units were com-
pleted. The roulc did lerminate at Vandalia but never at any time was the
National Road a good road from Cumberland to Vandalia. From Terre Haule,
Indiana, it was never graded and not entirely cleared of stumps.
The National Road was the only enterprise of this kind constructed by
the national government. X'andalia has the unique distinction of being the
terminus of the most \ital highway to the territory west of the Alleghenies. The
route has historical interest second to no other in the United States.
22
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA. ILLINOIS
BANK BUILDING AT VANDALIA
BURNS DOWN
FIRH! — It is with regret we are compelled tliis week to notice the loss, by
lire, of the banking-house of the State Bank of Illinois. On Tuesday evening
last, about si.\ o'clock, our citizens were alarmed by the en' of fire; and the
great quantity of smoke which was seen to pass from the chimney of the bank,
too plainly indicated that this building was on fire. Those who first reached
the spot, after considerable exertion, forced open the outer door of the banking-
room, but the intensity of the heat and the violence of the flames compelled them
to retire and close the doors, sundry attempts were afterwards made to quench
I hi' flames from this quarter, but without success. The door of the banking-room
which communicated with the Directors room, was then forced open, and dis-
covered the room inveloped in flames. All exertions were now directed from this
uarter. and had the efforts of the few been seconded by the mony. by a regular
]lv of water, the building might have been saved. It w.is determined othersvise.
<1
suppi
The fire soon communicated to the rooms above and in our short hour, ihe
finest edifice the State could boast was a pile of ruins.
The bank was a plain but neat brick building, constructed not only for
the u.se of the institution, but for the (onvenieticc of the publi( officers, and
was completed only last September. In addition to ihc b.uik. ihe upper rooms ol
the building were occupied by the Auditor ol Public ,\ccoiuits. the Secretary
of State, and the Register and Receiver of the land olTic- at this place. Of course
the first efiorts were directed to the salel\ ol the books and papers of the re-
spective offices. The books anil nHmcv ol the i),inL were s.iseil. but iU notes
and morlgages consumed.
It is believed that the most books and documents ol the Auditors ofli(<-
were also saved — the amount of injury in this depart men! howcNcr. is not \(l
ascertained. Some books aiul papers ol ( onseipiem e. togethii ss 11 h llir ni.ips
and birniture of the office, shared the late ol the building. I hi- import, uil p.ipers
of the Secretar\'s office were seasonabK removed, and the less loss was sus-
tained in this olli<c than "I llie ollirrs. I lie l.iws ,inil doi iiinenis ol Congress,
iiiicl llir l.iWN ol ihc (lillcicnl si. lies wire ileslroved. willi llie ixiepliiiii ol some
7^e ^y^slf^ C^o/ovy jChon) (jermaTiy cr\ierrnj r^^e Wi/deyy^eibj
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 1819-1839
23
ten or twenty xoliimcs. We cannot speak witfi any certainty of tne losses sus-
tained by the Refjister and Receiver — tlieir |)riiKipai hook-; were saved, but
some important papers lost.
If is supposed that tlie lire orifjinated by a spark ol tire thrown into a
bunillc of bed clotlies. wiiic n hiy under tne counter of tlie bankint<-rooin. I lie
Casliier, Col. Kelly, (to vvliom no blame can possibly attacli) left the banking-
house at the usual dinner hour, and was particularly careful to secure the fire.
Indeed he states that no additional fire had been made since the morning of
1 uesday. We are sorry to slate that this excellent officer lost every article of his
personal properly, together with his private papers of every description.
Ill llic flestnuiion ol this biijhiinu the loss to the State is severe, but llic
confusion which now prevails in the public offices, and the immediate w.nil
of some suitable building, is more sensibly felt. It will also, we trust, be a lesson
to our citizens to use the utmost (aution. as it respects this dangerous element.
Our total want of the means ol extinguishing fires, added to our miserable and
illdirected exertions to arrest its progress, are sad presages, should we be again
visited with ( alamily.
From this g<'neral i ensure upon the occasion of these remarks, it is with
pleasure we notice the spirited and important services rendered by our fellow-
townsmen, Messrs. Joseph Bates and John l.ee. and J . W. Smith, Flsq. of the
Senate, Charles Dunn, F:sf|. clerk of the House of Representatives, and H. S.
Dodge, Esq., together with ,1 lew oIIkts. who examples on all future occasions,
it is to be hoped, we shall imitate.
VANDALIA ILLINOIS INTELLIGENCER
Februarv 1. 1823
FIRST STATE CAPITOL DESTROYED BY FIRE
AIU )UT 2 o clock on the night of the Mth instant, the Stale-House, in this
place was discovered to be on fire, and in a very short time it was entirely
(onsiimed. So rapid was the progress of the names that not a single article
belonging, or attached to the State-House was saved. All the tables, chairs
and beni lies, except a lew which were in the piibli< ollices, were consumed
by the lire.
I lie Receivers office lor this land (listrit t was kept in (iiie ol the rooms
of the State-House, and the books, papers and ever\' otiier .irlirle belonging to
his ollice. were entirely dislroyed. It is dillic iilt to (oiijecliire how it took lire. The
24
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA, ILLINOIS
house was occupied by the Auditor for the state during the preceding day in
selling non-residents' lands for taxes, and he adjourned the sale at noon until
file next dav. Several gentlemen were in the State-House late in the evening,
and there were scarcely enough of brands in the fire place to warm their hands.
A subscription paper lias been in circulation for a few days since the
disaster for the purpose of raising money to rebuild the State-House: whether
the citizens of this place and its vicinity will be able to rebudd it, is. at present
doubtful. However, we hope lor the belter. Upwards of S 3.000 is already sub-
scribed for the purpose of rebuilding it.
VANDALIA ILLINOIS INTELLIGENCER
December 13. 1S23
FERDINAND ERNST VISITS VANDALIA
IN ISI9
SOME idea of the extent to which the new ( apital was really carved out of
the forest may be gathered by the report of Ferdinand Ernst, a well-to-do
("lerman emigrant, who did much to get building started, and to interest his
fellow countr>men in the new enterprise. His statement regarding his connection
with X'andalia gives us a good idea of his faith and inili.itive, as well as some
of the difficulties in\oIved. His own words follow.
"On the 5th of September I arrived at Vandalia. This place, in accordance
with the Constitution, is to become the seat of government of the new State.
It Is 50 miles from Edwardsville, and about 60 frojri llie Wabash; so that it
is located about in the middle of the State. Its situation is well chosen. Upon
a bank of the K.iskaskia, 50 feet high, and richly provided with wood for build
ing, and willi good spring water, as well as with a \icinage ol cxcellenl huid.
The river, which is navigable to this point, here describes a sharp curvi' with
amounts very nearly to a right-angle, coming from the east and going to (he
south.
1 he pl.ui (il ihc town is a scpiare subdivided into () I sc|iiares. and the
space of two of these squares in ihe middle is intended lor public use. Every
sc|uare, having eight building lots, lontains 320 square rods: each building lot
is SO feel wide and 1 52 h'et deep. Each stiuare is cut from south to north by a
to loot alle\: and liic large, regular and shaitiiil streets, SO leet wide, intersect
each other at ritilil .mules.
Ordy four weeks ago tiie Commissioners advertised the sale of these lots
(il will take place tomorrow), and there is already considerable activity manilesled.
■nst C^o/ovy jfr^rnGQT-mciriy C7\fertr)Q i/ie Vvi/dery)
/820^
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 1819
8 3 9
25
Cliarles Reavise and I were tlie lirst who heijan lo liiiilci. How (liniiiilt if was
at llial timi' to pcnctr.ile llic dense forest wlii(li embraces the entire circuit of
ihe lutiire city. At present there are several ptissaijle roads leadinii hither. Now
the most active preparations are being made hir the conslrurlion ol liouses. and
we are daily visited foy travelers. But how it will ha\e ( lianyed in 10 or 20 vears!
All these huge forests will have then disappeared and a nourishing city witn
line buildings will stiind in their place. A free people will trien from this place
rule itself through its representatives and watch over their freedom and well-
being.
Ferdinand Ernst: Travels in Illinois 181Q.
Transactions. Illinois State Historiial Societv. iMOJ. P. I(l3.
imuif
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF FREDERICK G. HOLLMAN
REL.\TI\'E TO THE ERNST COLONS'
THll lollowing is an autobiography of Frederick G. Hollman who was Secre-
tary to Ferdinand Ernst. They came to N'andalia belore any houses were
erected. Their habitation was only the boughs of the trees. Mr. Ernst left his
sfT.retary here with instructions to build some cabins and lie left for ( lermany.
He returned bringing with him a German colony.
"According lo the Register of the Michael Church in the City of Bruns-
wick, in the Dukedom of Brunswick, I was born on the 12th dav of December
in the year of our Lord 1791. My fathers name was George Frederick Hollman.
and my mothers maiden name was Amalie Boeckel. My parents were blessed
with four children as follows: Carl Hollman. August. Julia Hollman and
myself, Frederick Hollman. I being the youngest. My mother died whin 1 was
less than four years of age.
Neither my brothers nor my sisters anti myseli were sent to any public s< hool,
but as our parents were able to employ private tutors and as they were greatly
interested in our proper education they employed teachers and we all received
instruction at home in the various branches being necessary to a good education
26
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA
ILLINOIS
at llidl liiiu'. My sister was under the rare of a governess and she be(anie a
liiyliK ecliiraled aicoinplisned lady. She married a men hant hy the name ol Henr\'
Beyer.
My eldest brother. Carl, after lompleling his education as far as general
.studies are concerned was sent to the agricultural college where he continued two
years, after which he emigrated to Courtland. Russia, where he received an im-
portant appointment. I but lately received the intelligence that he was dead.
August, my second [brother, was a merchant and died unmarried in the C it\
of firunswicK.
And now in relation to myself. I had determined to heiome an agricidturalist
like my brother. Carl, and consequently when I arrived at the age of 16 J was sent
to the agricidtural college to study the theor>' for one year and was sent to the
Domain of Canton Mayer for the period of three years for practical instruction.
Here 1 resided for three years with one Ferdinand Ernst and liis amiable family.
At the end of that time my lather sent me an offer of the superintendency ol the
large domain at Gutenstadt. with a very liberal salan,-. After some delay I accepted
the position and was installed as superintendent. My situation was a remarkably
pleasant one until a circumstance occurred which changed th<' current of mv life.
One day I rode to the City of Hildesheim to sell a large quantity of grain. 1 there
by chance met my old and esteemed friend. Ferdinand Ernst with whom I L.id
resided as before stated My dear Fred he said to me "you are the ver\- man I
am in search of. 1 have sold my possessions for forty- five thousand dollars and 1
am going to America to found a colony, and 1 wish you to go with me and you
shall have a good share in the enterprise. Make any sacrihce in order to be able to
accompany me. My wife will be delighted if you will promise to be one ol our
party. We must be ready to start in two or three weeks.
To make a long story short I accepted Ernsts proposition to emigrate to
America. I resigned my superintendency and as many persons were eager to secure
the place my resignation was accepted and I was free to st.irl upon my jjilgrimage
to tile new world.
.^Ir. Ernst wrote to me to meet him at Hamberg on the first day of March
A. D. 1810. On that day we met there but found no ship readv to sail for America
Irorii lliiil port, so we went next to Bremen. There we found two \cssels read\ to
sail, on the 7tfi and one on the 17th of March. One of tlie vessels was a brig <uid
th<- other a ship. They were commanded by American captains. The consul adxised
us to lake the sliip wliicli was to sail on ihe 17th. W'e concluded to do so
and at the time designated we bid adieu to llie old country and European (i\ili
zation. W'e had a comparatively prosperous voyage and arrived at liahimore on
llir l")ln ol hinc lollowing.
ARRIVE .vr \'A\'n.\l I A
We left Baltimore lor Illinois ^oon .illcrw. uds lUid In due lime airivcd .il
the spot where the tapilal ol ihe slate ol Illinois, the Clly ol \ andalia, was loc.iled.
but instead of fiiifling a ( il\ w<- lound an unbroken wilderness. Soon alter this
Mr. I'.rnst Icll me lo oo l>,i(L Id (■cnii.nn li\ \\,i\ ol \i\\ ()rliaiis. When p.nlinu
•y /n?777i
ifna i^M^
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 1819-1839
27
he said to nic: I led assiirccl thai you will do the hcsl Noii (an diirin(i my
absence. Within a year Irom this time I expect to be back with my lainily and
colonists. A young man by the name of Frantz had accompanied us from dermany
in the capacity of servant. He remained with me. My situation was not enviable.
Here I was alone in a coiintr\' so triinly settled that it might with propriety be
called a wilderness, and unable to communiceite with the lew persons with whom
I came in contact on account of being unacf|uainted with I he English language.
My young man Frantz. acted as cook and made himsill handy and indispciisihie
in n thousand different ways.
liUILT FIRST DWELLING HOUSE
As it woidd be three or four montlis before severe weather would set in 1
contracted with an old squatter to build me a cabin sixteen liy fourteen feet in
dimensions. This was the first dwelling house which was lauilt in Vandalia the
capital of Illinois. Previous to the building of this cabin Frantz and I were sheltered
by a habitation which consisted of a framework of poles covered with brush.
About this tinu' a number of squatters and their families arrived at N'andalia
with the intention ol taking up claims and improving same, and as the State
House was to be buiu it was supposed that mechanics would lloi k lo the new city.
About this time I engaged an expert chopper to fell suitable timber lor me
to build more log houses and also as could he sawed into lumber for frame houses,
I had no difficulty in finding men who desired employment and there was an
abiuidance of the very best of timber. However as there were no pine trees in
that vicinity. I in company with an expert woodsman by the name of Ravis went
into the woods and selected the finest walnut trees from whith lo saw- boards. W^e
selected about fort\- and blazed them, which mark was sulii( lent to secure^ them
as my property' until they were cut down. We also marked in the same manner
such other trees as I deemed necessary for my future operations. At this time I
found that we shoidd need a place wherein to store provisions for subsistence and
I concluded to build an addition to my cabin to be used as a' storehouse. This
I did and then went to St. Louis to lay in a supply of such articles as were
indispensible to our comfort. My first stock of goods consisted of one hundred
pounds of tobacco, fifty pounds of coHee, fifty pounds of sugar, ten pounds of
tea, one piece of brown sheating, one piece of bleached shirting, one piece of
drilling, one piece flannel, one piece of salinett, a small stock of boots and shoes.
and some tinware. At the same time I purchased the necessary utensils for use
in my own house. I also purchased one pine table, si.x chairs and one small looking
glass. On my return home from St. Louis. I stopped at a sawmill and purchased
lumber for flooring in my cabin and storeroom, rrantz was as busy as a bee and
soon had everything in nice order. This commenced our life of semi-civilization.
Emigrants were arriving daily and liulldlng themselves primitive hahital ions.
About this time Estpiire Baugh and lamily arrived and soon thereafter opened a
Ijoarding house in a doid^le cabin. Mr. Baugh s family consisted ol himsell. his
wile and three daughters, line looking yoiuig ladies.
by Q/o/iTi
28
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA
ILLINOIS
About tliis tir7u- two young Englishmen named Seemore came to me and
desired to be employed during the winter in sawing lumber for building purposes
witli whipsaws. Tbey represented that they could saw scantling, sheating, llooring
and siding. We agreed in regard to the prices for the various kinds of worlc and
soon the voung men were busy sawing up the splendid trees which my axemen
had felh-d. Thus the work for the winter was in full blast. The limbs and lops
of the trees were cut up into fire wood and corded up. Providence favored Us
with fine weather for seven months and at the end of that time I found that we
had completed much more work than 1 coidd have possibly expected.
The store which I had opened for the accomodation ol the workmen soon
proved to be too small. I was forced to replenish quite often, and also to increase
the quantities of my purchases. I, however, limited my purchases to such articles
as were strictly necessary. A flourishing mill was operating in the vicinity which
afforded a supply of breadstuff; game of all kinds, consisting of bear, elk, deer,
w ilcl turkeys, wild geese, wild ducks and fish were to be found in astonishing fiuan-
tilies. Beef, pork and flour were quite cheap, all things considered.
WORK ON STATE HOl^SE BEGUN
In the spring of 1820 the gentleman who had the contract for the erection
of the State House arrived at Vandalia. He was accompanied by a dozen or more
mechanics. Several state ofncers came also for the purpose of making the necessary
arrangements.
A Mr. McCullum commenced to build a liolel and business was brisk in
ail departments. As I needed rjrick for about a dozen chimneys and for a cellar
wall I concluded to burn a small kiln. I engaged the services of a man who under-
stood the business of brickmaking and as wood was abiuidant the business was
soon commenced. Oround was broken on the lifth day of May. About this time
contracts were let for llii- building of three log houses sixteen by eighteen feet
each, a small frame house near the store and a frame house for Mr. Ernst s famiU.
eighteen by twenty-four feel sf|uare and one story and a hall high. To this was to
be added a shed twelve by twenly-four h<-t stpiare to serve as a kilt lien. \\ illi
these improvements I stopped until I should receive further instruttions.
On llie lilleenth of Ma\ I received a letter from Mr. Ernst. d<iled February
\4, 1820. in which he directed me to build as many houses as possible, he had
engaged about one lumdred colonists and would < barter a vessel to iirinu lliem
to America. He also authorized me to dr.iw iipnii him lor such money as I nciclcd.
Alter the receipt of this letter I cone hided lli.il I would build a large Iraine builclint;
belore the legislaliirc (onNcncd.
I consullcd willi ,1 .\h. Woods, a inaslcr mc( h<uii( In regard lo llie under
taking. He agreed lor a specihc price to put up a building whic h Wds lo be thirty-
six feet long and twenty-four feel wide, two stories high. I he price did nol suit me
l)ul I felt convinc-ed that if accommodalions of some sort were not provided lor
llic riicinners ol llic linislal iii c it would be a ilcalli blow lo \ lUidalia. r.\enls wliic li
7n^ ^f-nsi C^o/ovy jO^m Germany crt^r/r)9 V/ie W
/620^
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 1819-1839
29
transpired in a short time proved that I was right. I hiially conchided that the
house must he huilt and so went to work in earnest. The limher which I had
was all green and that Intended for frame etc. had to he kihi dried. At a saw tnill
some twenty miles away, I purchased fifteen hundred feet of dry walnut planks.
This ser\ed a good purpose. My mind was often trouhled at the thoughts ol the
experience which awaited the colonists who were soon, to arrive in this out ol
the way part of the world, as I did not yet know whether they were farmers,
mechanics or laborers who coidd maintain themselves or not.
Summer had not arrived. howe\er, and I was happy, cheerlul and hopclul
of the future. In the admonitions and advice whl(h 1 received Irom my dear mother.
great stress was laid upon the necesslh,' lor maintaining unspotted and pure my
manhood, honor and integrity. Here In the wilderness of Illinois, surrounded as
1 was by strangers and uncultivated backwoodsmen. 1 foiuul that the teachings ol
my reverenced father were as benehclal as they could have been in the busy liauiii;
of cultivated men. My evenings during the past winter, and spring I had passed
in the study of the English language. I procured a supply ol French and English
books when in St. Louis. I was a good French scholar and read thai language
for pasttlme and amusement and studied the English language lor proht and
Instruction. Without any assistance 1 found the acciuirement ol the language a
difficult matter, but by the end of spring 1 had mastered It sufficiently to read It
but not to pronounce it. In doing my business in St. Louis 1 used the French
language which was spoken by most of the inhabitants.
In July my brick kiln was burnt and proved a success and when It was
opened I found that I had fiftv- thousand splendid cherry colored bricks.
Three of the log houses and the small bcuiie were now hnlshed and the
chimneys were built also. The frame of the larger frame house lor Mr. Ernst s
family was raised but it demanded a great deal of energy and Industry to secure
its completion in time for the e.\pected arrival. It will be seen from what I have
here set forth that the young dutchman in the wilds of Illinois had enough on iiis
5houlders to crush him. But that I bore the load and came out of the ordeal
triumphantly my old fellow citizens, Frank Kirkpatrk k and James Dudey still
living can bear witness.
THE TOWN TAKES ON PROPORTIONS
THE frame of the State House and the frames of several other houses having
been raised the place began to assume the appearance of a veritable village.
Blacksmiths, shoemakers, tailors and other mechanics were as busy as bees. There
was a young Frenchman In the name ol John f-olley who was a tailor. I mention
his name especially from the fact that he after^vards came to the terrltorv- of
Wisconsin and was a member of the Legislature which met at Belmont several
weeks after. He married the second daughter of Esquire Baugh whom 1 meiilioned
as having settled In X'andalla. Folley has been dead for many years.
30
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA
ILLINOIS
FIRST SESSION OF ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE AT VANDALIA
I liad still somt' tirnc nefore me before tne legislature woiila convene. I had
iiol received any additional intelligence from Mr. FIrnst. Furniture and liousehold
goods nad to he prepared lor llie houses \\lii(li were hriny hiiiil I had the necessary'
material for hed quilts, sheets etc. but they had to be made up and < onsecfuently I
had to pro< ure the services of sewing women. A certain widow Thompson, with
her sons and three yrown daughters, had settled upon a farm about a riiih- Irom
N'andalia. I arranged with her to do the necessary sewing. She also undertook to
arrange things in the large house whicli I had built for ihe accommodation ol the
legislators and state oflicers and also agreed to act as landlady during the session.
I considered myself very lortimate in securing the services of so competent a person
for the station. Mrs. Thompson had immigrated with her family Irom Kentucky
and was quite an intelligent lady.
About the time that winter set in the state officers and their hunihes arrived
in Vandalia. The state officers consisted of the auditor, the treasurer, the registrar
of the land office, the receiver and clerks of the supreme court. The members of
the legislature arrived from day to day and to their surprise found good and ample
accommodations. There had been a general understanding among them ihat they
would meet fit vandalia and then adjourn to some olher place on aci ount ol a
want of suitable acconunodations. After linding what had been done in antici-
pation ol their arrival they had no excuse for doing as they had inlended. I took
twei\e mendiers of the legislature as slead\ boarders and lour clerks who slept in
the Stale House. The session of the legislature opened and progressed {|uietly.
there being no complaining Irom an\' (piarter so far as I could hear. The legislature
had been in session for about lour weeks. I he members had adjourned lor dinner.
At this moment the sound of music was heard. Everybody was on the \\al< h in
an inslant to ascertain what it could mean. The mystery was soon expiiiincd lor
a moment afterwards a wagon containing a band performing one of the national
airs was driven into the village followed by Mr. Ernst and family. Immediately
after them lame three wagons full of women and children and si\t\ or seventy
emigrant men on foot. I directed them to drive up to the State House where three
rousing cheers were given for the legislature and the State of Illinois. The scene
was affecting and I openly shed tears ol tlianklulness and joy after the long months
ol hardship and anxiety.
Mr. Ernst, his lamily. Mr. Smilii, a Lullieran pre.u her, ami some ol the
women who were to act as domestics were soon domiciled in the house prepanti
lor them. The remainder of the party were made as comlortable as possible in liii-
remaining log houses. After trie long sea voyage and fourteen hundred miles lra\il
across the country they had reached their destination at last. To most ol llicm il
seemed a paradise indeed. Mr. Ernsl. as well as his children, were deliuliled. ,uid
they as well as Mr. Smith, were liul ol hope in the lulure ol the ( <)lon\' which
conuniMucd its career under mk h pli-.isint; .uispi< es. hiil .ill ihi-ir briuhl hopes as
llic lulure shows, were naMglil bul a s,ul delusion.
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 1819-1839
31
Two weeks hatl now passed since the sireat accession to our po|)ulali()n. I lie
leyislature liad anientlecl llie bank bill and had conslitiited Mr. hrnst one ol tlic
direrfors and as ni' was thereby entitled to a loan ol ten thousand dollars the
action ol llie letjislaliirc was considered as (|iiite coniplinienlary to our citizen.
Mr. Ernst.
Mrs. I honipson s oldest daii()iilers had been married to Mr. John A. Wake-
lield. and a second daughter was to be married soon to Mr. Starnes. On accoinit
ol ihese marriages Mrs. Thompson informed me that she would have to give up
tiie superintendency ol the boarding house. I spoke to Mrs. Ernst about the
matter and inasmuch as she had plenty of assistance at her command I advised
her to move into the large house herself and take charge of it as she would then
he brought in contact with educated and refined people, and woidd therclorc
be able to pass her time more pleasantly than where she then resided, bi ad(hlion
lo this she would l)c able to learn the English language. She was a most elegant
and refined lady and as she was very lond of sociebi' the suggestion met with
tier hearty and joyful approval. She sent two of her assistants to Mrs. T hompson
for instruction in regard lo American cookery and <ul progressed peacelidly and
pleasantly.
My settlement with Mr. Ernst was made with mutual and entire satislaction.
After settling with Mr. Ernst I told him that I needed rest, that I intended to bu>
a farm of 80 acres with' a cabin on it and ten acres of the land in a state of cidti-
vation situated three miles from Vandal ia. In conversation with Mr. Ernst I
stated casually thai it was my intention to marry soon. When Mrs. Ernst was
informed of this she was delighted and insisted I should bring my wife to live
with her. This would have been a difficult feat at that time as I had not yet even
proposed lo anyone.
DIVINE SERVICES IN STATE HOUSE
Mr. Smith held divine services in the State House on every Sabbat li and
although he spoke in German and consec|uetitly could not be understood by
Americans the house was always well lilled by natives as well as foreigners.
Anyone could understand b\' his manner and st\le that he was an eloc|uent orator.
And now a lew words about the more humble colony. They comprised
forty-live men, thirjy-livc women and about fifteen children. Among the men were
two carpenters, t^vo blacksmillis. two butchers, and one baker. These all went to
work and did well during the continuance of the legislative session. The glaziers,
watchmakers, tinners, plasterers and brick masons were idle. So were most of the
females. About half a dozen young girls who were both pretty and neat got good
situations and most, if not all of them, grew up to womanhood and were married
to American residents,
1 was married on the 31st day of December 1821, to Martha Thompson, I
had purchased the farm which I spoke of to Mr. Ernst and there mv yoiuig wile
and myself lived peacefully and happily for the next three venrs.
iy Q/ohn
32
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA, ILLINOIS
1 had long known that a want existed in \'andalia for a good hotel and I
was often importuned by my friends to open one. Col. Cox. registrar of the land
office, had built a large frame house, stables, etc. He offered to exchange this
property for mv farm. The exchange was made and soon thereafter I opened tlie
Columbian Hotel. This hotel under my superintendence became well known over
ail of the settled portions of the state. A fine brick bank building was put up by
the state and as the bank had been in operation for some time money was abundant.
About this time Mr. Ernst commenced to build a mill, but as he had not lirst
made the necessary arrangements he met with a thousand luiforseen dilficiuties.
HRST U. S. COURT SESSION
The first United States Court met in Vandalia in 1824. Judge Pope (lather
of den. Pope of the federal army) presided. It was here that I first declared my
intentions to become a citizen of the United States.
W. H. Brown was clerk and H. Corner, marshal at lli.it lime. I shall have
to refer to these personages again before I close this sketch.
About this time a Masonic hail was built. I was initiated and became a
Master Mason. About this time a tragedy occurred which should be spoken of as
it transpired under my immediate observation. One night the bank was robljed
of seven thousand dollars in specie in seven one thousand dollar boxes. 1 he
robbers dropped one of the boxes in the outskirts of the town where it was found.
James Kelley. a young and intelligent man. was cashier of the bank and the porter
was a man bv the name of W. Branch. The robbery was followed by the greatest
excitement. A niunber of persons who were suspected were arrested and roughly
treated. A young lawyer by the name ol John Botchford, openly expressed the
belief that Kelley and Branch were concerned in the robbery. Kelley, the cashier
having heard of Botchford s conduct, armed himself with a pistol and cow-hide
and sought Botchford with ihc Irilnilion ol piuiishiiig liini lor his reflections upon
his honesty. Botchford was |)rcpar<d for him, however, and when Kelley attacked
him with the cowhide he stabbed him in the back. The woiuid must ha\e paraKzed
Kelley's arm for he never attempted to use the pistol bul retreated rapidly Irom
Botchford for some distance when he suddeidy dropped the pistol and lell dead
himsell. I picked up the pislol belore anyone else had observed that he had
dropped il. I kept il salely in a drawer' until the lime of Botchford s trial when
I produced il. I pon examination 11 was found to be heavily loaded. Botciilord
was acc|uilted. Kelley and liranch boarded with me at the time of I he unhappy
occurrence. Kelley s corpse was brought lo ihc house in llie morning. In [\ir alter-
noon the body of Branch who had cut his own throat on accoiuit ol the suspicion
which rested upon him was discovered. The invster\- of I he roblierv was never
fully explained nor the guilt of any person lulU cvLiblivlK il.
DAYS Ol' DISEASE. DEA I 1 1 AND NIJSI'ORTUNE
f'or some lliiic .illcr llie ,iiii\.il ill the (olonlsls lni'\ ciiJDNcd average good
heallh and lor several months bul Iwo deaths occurred, Ixilh i>l llic \ i< lims being
womiii. Bul the dark days of death, disease and mislortune wire r.ipiilK approach-
es i' <^0 /<? 7?^ ^X?l9 ?77 ^C r ^na 77 V eTi^r/v9 VAe iv//^erj^es^Jriv</a//'ijffl
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS
19-1839
33
ing. Diirinu the years of 1)S2-1 and KS2"j Iwenty deaths oniirrcd amont" llie eohiiiists
and all was dismay and hopelessness. The kind and devout as well as learned
Mr. Smith was hitiiid one niornine dead in his had. The doctors claimed that his
death was the resull ol a stroke of paralysis, hut it was my opinion that his heart
was hroken llirou(<h the misfortunes which he saw crowding upon the unlortunate
colonists and wliiili it w.is not in his power to avert. He was greatly beloved by
all his parishoners .ind his death cast a (jlnoiii over the survivors which time alone
coidd dispel.
One after another of ihe most skillful of the (olonisls sickened and died nnlil
(here remained of .dl that once helpful and hopeful parly but the lilacksiiiith. the
shoemaker, the watdimaker, two garden.rs and two held hands, besides lilteen
or twenty able bodied young men.
At this juncture Mr. Ernst was lilnisell prostrated willi llie bilious fe\'er. He
sent for Col. Berni . W. H. Brown and myself and appoinled us his administrators.
In lase his death occurred he desired that Messrs. Berry and firown should settle
up his estate and that I should protect his dear wile and children and protect their
interests in the final selthnient.
He spoke so calmly and pleasantly that we assured him that he would soon
be in a condition to see to his own affairs in person but we assured him that in
case his illness proved fal.il that we would earn,- out his desires according to his
directions. He died three days after he was taken sick. He became delirious and
with the assistance of others I attended him until death ensued.
The estate was finally settled up satisfactorily, nol however without some
considerable trouble on account of mill dam having broken and swept the mill
property away, destroying the whole.
VANDALIA COLONY MOVE TO GALENA
Thus on account of the ravages of disease and other misfortunes whidi
foresight could not avert the German colony of Vandalia became a disastrous
failure. The result had been for a time anticipated. The surviving colonists scattered
into the adjoining country to seek livelihood for themselves. Their leader and
friend. Mr. Ernst being dead and having no one but themselves to depend upon
they went in different directions and the Vandalia Colony was a thing of the past,
living only in history. To make matters worse business was almost entirely pros-
trated. During the sessions of the legislature which occurred but once in two years
business was prett>' good but at all other limes Vandalia was a most dull and
miserable village. \'illage property' became almost worthless. The bills of the State
Bank which when issued passed at their fidl face value fell to hfty cents on the
dollar and finally to thirh cents on the dollar. On accouni ol the many disagreeable
changes that had taken place in \'andalia 1 resolved to leave it forever and seek
a new field of operation in the Galena lead mines which were now looming in
prominente. 1 came to this conclusion during the winter of 1826 and 1827. During
the session the legislature passed a bill to organize the new county to Jo Davies.
Gov. Edwards sent my name to the senate as Justice and 1 was conlirmed. I was
oy Q/o/i7}
34
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA
ILLINOIS
trusted with the conimissions of live other persons who had heen appointed and
whom I was to swear into office.
I left mv wife, with a yoimo lady cousin of fiers. and my two children with
Mrs. Thompson and took my departure from N'andalia and Capital City of the
State of Illinois, and have never revisited it from tliat day until this, some lorty-
three years.
Before I hegan to detail my experiences in the lead mines I deem it my
duty to pay a last tribute to the memories of some of my associates in the luider-
taking to plant a German colony in the wilds of Illinois.
Mr. Ernst, as I before staled, was the proprietor of a large and valuable estate
in Germany. He was also mayor of the canton which was considered quite an
exalted station and one wlii( h necessarily brought him into direct association with
the most learned and polished people of the entire region. Mrs. Ernst, as I have
stated, was a beautiful and highly accomplished lady. Mr. Smith, who was always
a most intimate and trusted Iriend of the famiU . was not only a scholar and a pious
gentleman but he was also a man of great wisdom. I was always treated like a
brother by both Mr. and Mrs. Ernst and a Iriendship grew up between us which
only terminated with death. Mr. Smith was a ver\ line performer upon the piano
as well as a splendid composer of music. Nlr. rlrnst was a scientific performer
upon the flute. Mrs. performed with much skill upon the guitar and 1 perlormed
upon tlie violin sufficiently well to assist the others in the performance of any
piece of music on sight. We perlormed with considerable ease the compositions
of Handel. Beethoven. Mozart and Hayden. It was in such relined company and
such association that I had passed my early life in Germany and it was like
surroundings that I passed a number of years in X'andalia after the arri\i\l ol .^Ir.
Ernst and his friends. 1 had before me constantly examples of piety, charity, benev-
olences and strict honesty. I was tauglit by example as well as precept to despise
selfishness and to calmly bear adversity as well as prosperity. What effect upon
my cfiaracter these early teachings have had upon me 1 leave to the judgemiiit ol
those who have known me most intimately.
Mr. and Mrs. Ernst were born and reared as Catholics but I am satisKed
that in their hearts they were both protestants. They did not bring a single Catholic
colonist with them Irom the old country and even Mr. Smith, their tninister and
friend was a strict Lutheran. Their acts and associations were the best <-\ idem c ol
what they were religiously.
SOME INCIDENTS OF INTEREST
And now belore I take leave finally of Illinois matters I will touch on a lew-
more incidents of interest. About the time ol my arrival at X'andalia in 1810 and
for some vears tli<'reafter a gang of robbers and ( ounterleiters operated liclwcen
X'iiKcnnes and the .^lississippi river. Upon the arrival of Mr. Ernst and his
colonists we had to send a ninnber of ox teams to bring the colonists property
Irom Shawneetown. I he teams were loaded with hi-aw. nnwi(l(l!\ ( lerman
emigrants' diests and they started on their return journey. .About the Saline river
the robbers attacked the teams and gol possession ol the chests which were broken
^
^ ^y>s)f C^o/ovy yroTT) (jcrmany e7\ierrr)Q T^e W/Zc/ernes!,,
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 1819-1839
35
open and examined with expectation tliat tliey conlained treasures to a great
amount. What must have been their chagrin and disappointment when they
discovered iron pots, rusty kettles, old axes, worthless chains, crockery ware,
bedding, wearing apparel, etc. Indeed the whole of the property which was loaded
upon the teams was not worth as much as was paid to the teamsters for hauling.
And yet this miserable lot of plunder was brought across the ocean, then by land
to Pittsburgh, then by water and land to Shawneetown. but the colonists cared
little for the expenditures as the money did not come Irom their pockets. The robbers
ransacked every chest and parcel and when they discovered that they had made
such a desperate eHort with such a miserable profitless result, in their anger they
scattered the contents of the chests in every direction and lied lo parts unknown.
The teamsters gathered such portions of the propertj^ as they could lind and came
on to Vandalia. There was considerable excitement at the time of the outrage but
it finally calmed down and the robbery was forgotten without any arrests being
made. Some parties in Madison county were suspected of being connected with
the robbery. But there were not suflicieni proofs of iheir (ompiicity to warrant
their prosecution lor the offense. 1 have mentioned this matter on account of the
probability that the same parties who robbed the bank al Vandalia committed
the robbery of which 1 have just spoken. 1 had my suspicions in regard to who
committed the bank robbery- and after events fastened my former conclusions lirmly
in my mind. There was a certain oily, sneaking, rather ill reputed man in the
commimil>- who kepi a hotel. He was related to certain parties who were strongly
suspected ol being members of the gang of robbers of whom I have spoken. I
strongly suspected this man of being concerned in the various robberies. 1 inquired
in confidence of my friend. \V. H. Brown, whether 1 had hi'tler make known my
suspicions to the bank directors but as 1 had no direct prool against the man he
advised me to let the matter drop. The day after the bank was robbed this man
went into the woods to get some building material. While there he was struck with
paralysis, became helpless in all his limbs as well as entirely speechless. He was
taken home where fie received medical aid but he remained speechless until his
death. He made efforts to speak as though to reveal something important to his
wife, but of course was unable to do so. After his death his wife continued to keep
the same hotel. About two years afterwards a mulatto boy was employed by her
was about to build a ftre and went into the barn yard to get some kindling.
Seeing what he supposed to be a board sticking out of the ground he gave it a
kick w-hen greatly to his surprise out flew the shining dollars. Upon examination
two bo.xes of specie, each containing one thousand dollars, with the mark which
the officers of the bank had placed upon them, were discovered there in the manure.
Tfie supposition is that one of the guilty parties had buried a portion of the lunds
without even informing his wife of the facts, that immediately alterwards he was
striken w itii death. Such are the workings ol Pro\ idence with C lodless men. I he
remainder of the money secured from the bank imdoubtcdly went to Madison
county.
On the 2rth dav of March. 1827 I leh X'andalia."
iy <l/oh7i
36
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA, ILLINOIS
JAMES HALL
Tfic ^^oxzmosi Literary V\^wxz of the Early
West, in Illinois
BY
MARY i'. BLR I SCI II. U.A.. M.A.
W ^Toslf^ C^o/ovy~yO-e> 777 (Germany e7j/?r/r)^ V^e Wi/(jery)es,TjY<LVc/a/i(i , irt ^620
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 1819-1839
37
THE writers of Europe in the early nineteenth century- pictured the wilderness
area beyond the Allegheny Mountains as a Utopia. Here was the land o\
exciting adventure and rare scenery. To Americans along the .\tlantic seaboard
the West meant contradictory things. To some it meant a haven for gamblers,
debtors, troublesome ne er-do-wells, and scoundrels: to those of a humanitarian
frame of mind it meant a new land of opportunity — a reluge from poverty and
tyranny.
In this primitive West from the .Mleghenies to the Mississippi River, particu-
larly west of Cincinnati, there existed a rude frontier life, a scarcity of schools.
and a paucity of cidtural and religious innuence. Eor the people who wanted a
peacefid existence. Ironlier conditions made it difnciut to establish tin- while mans
culture as quickly and as hrniK as they wished. There were lorests to be cleared,
disease, especially malaria, to be overcome, and various other handicaps lo be
met. Establishing agencies of cultural lile was not uppermost in the minds ol
frontiersmen who were settling this |)rimitive area. One can well understand llic
obstacles to the growth ol intellectual life at this period.
Travelers coming into the early West were usualK amazed by the illiteracy-
of the population. Where schools did exist, the teachers were ill-equipped to
provide instruction. Ilinerant ministers were (ompelled to travel considerable dis-
tances to bring the cultural inlluence of religion to tlie Ironlier people.
In spite of these frontier conditions emerged the nrst real pioneer in Western
fiction — ^James Hall, a young lawyer who had lived in the West only eight years.
Born in Philadel|)hia in 1703, he had been drawn to the glamor of this section by
that wanderlust feeling to live in a new country. In 1820, James Hall came down
the Ohio River in a Iceelboat in that caravan of adventurers seeking a home to
the young state of Illinois. At Shawneetown, the port of entry for emigrants coming
from the East into Illinois, Hall began his practice of law.
Coming from a writing family-. Hall engaged in literary as well as legal
activitv' at Sha^vneetown where he began editing the Illinois Gazette, a newspaper
of that town. His brother. Harrison Hall, edited the Port Folio, a magazine pidi-
lished in Philadelphia: for this magazine James Hall wrote a series of Letters from
the West %vhich were not only published in his brothers magazine but in England
in a \olume.
Active in politics. Hall was appointed circuit attorney. After having served
four years for a district comprising ten counties, he was chosen judge for the same
circuit. During those years Hall constantly traveled, perlorming his duties as
prosecuting attorney and as circuit judge, always alert to the picturesque region
of his adopted state and aware of the chance to collect original material which
later served for his Western stories but little realizing the inlluence he was to exert
on the history of Western fiction.
In 1828, Hall was elected treasurer of the state of Illinois — an office which
brought hini lo X'andalia. then the capital. Here he (ontinued his literary efforts,
0«^^^^®
. MjI
S/teTcJe^^y <^ohn
36
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA
ILLINOIS
liflping to edit tlic llliiiois Inti'lligencer ol wliicli lu* .soon became co-owner, liii\lii<<
as his partner. Robert Blackwell. The Blackwell Printerx. a two-story frame build
ing, which stood west of the present Lambert Drug Store, was the first center ol
literary activity in Illinois. Tfie printer^' was removed from the site between 1850
and 1882 to the northwest corner of Jefferson and Second Streets where it now
stands. It lias undergone remodeling to such an extent that it is possible that it
no longer resembles the original Blackwell Printcry. While co-editing with Black-
well, Hall wrote poems and sketches for Timothy Flint s Western A/oii//i/y liovicw.
a magazine published in Cincinnati (1827-1830).
On December 8. 1827. when a group ol iiit-n met at the statehouse for the
purpose of organizing an historical society, it was James Hall who acted as
secretary. When the group reconvened two days later it was James Hall who
became the president of the Antiquarian and Historical Society of Illinois. I he
vice-presidents elecled were Wilson and Governor Edward Coles: the secretary-.
James Whitlock: the libraian. R. H. Peebles.
Hall frequently made addresses to the society eninneraling items about which
information was negligible and suggesting specific factors in Illinois history that
"ould be used for investigation. His first speech before the society was highly
praised by Timothy Flint in his Western Monthly Rei'ieu' of January. 1828. Hall s
Fourth of July Oration delivered at Vandalia in 1830 was given in full in the
Illinois Intelligencer of July 10, 1830. In this oration Hall predicted that Illinois
would become the center of American popidation. wealth, and culture.
The first real literary experiment Hall tried in X'andalia was the publication
■ji an annual or gift book. Although annuals were appearing in the East, none
had been published in the West. The gift books usually contained fiction, verse,
and engraved paintings. In 1828, Hall issued the hrst Western annual entitle
Tlie Western Soiii'enir for 1829, a (Christmas and New Yeor s Gift. It was a small
book (3 X 5V2 inches) of 324 pages including tah's, verses, and embellishments,
published by N. and G. Guilford in Cincinnati.
Hall s annual was elaborately end)ellished b> the paintings ol Samuel Lee.
a voung native, and sell-tauglit artist ol X'andalia and ol .\ugust Hervieu. ( leorge
Lehman E. W. Clay, and II. Inman. Samuel M. Lee drew 1 he Shawanoe War-
rior and the views ol f'ranklort and C in< innati. August I lervieu did the painting
entitletl I lie Peasant C>irl which appeared opposite Halls storj' I he hrench
Village."
Iwo poems by Otway Curry, who conlribulcd ituk li to the pcrioilic als ol
the time, and a tale entitled "Oolemba in Cincinnati l)y I iinothy lliiit appeared
in the book. Morgan Neville was the author ol the most laiiious item, I he Last
of the Boatmen." Posterity is indebted to Morgan Neville lor pre>.cr\ing in this
story ihe vigorous figure of Mike fink.
It is possible that Hall siq)plied most of llie material since so many items were
anonvmous. Halls rh\iiiiied introduction eiilitled Ihe New SouN'enir is worth
1^ ^y)st Co/oTty ^^-mGerma-ny ertier/nj iJie Wi/^Jeyytea,, rkioc/a/i
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 1819-1839
39
reading for its own wit and dexterity and for its iiiinl)lo parody of l.ochinvars
song, .lorin T. Flanayan stales in liis oooK janips Hall, Ijlorary Pioneer of ifie
()/ii<) \ (iilpy. Anollier poem r)y Mall, I lie Sliawanoe Warrior, appears on tlw
pai;e opposite Saniuel Lees paintinji wiiicli hears tile same title. Apparently Hall
nad heard a legend ol tlie Ijold Sliawanoe wlio was uuried in a grove of cotton
trees on the hanks of the KaskasKia River.
His most notahle eontrihiilions, howcxir, were his short stories \\lii(h have
attained a certain importance in the heginnings of the Aineri( an short story. I h<'
Indian Hater. Pete Featherton, and The French Village were remarkalile
stories, fresh in subject-matter, recognizable and clear in locale, and realistic in
dialogue. Hall s stories were a product of the Western soil from a man who reji-
resented Eastern culture. In fact, the WesJern Souvenir contained literature that
stacked up well with the other annuals. Critics named it one of the leading annuals
of tlie twenties which exerted lln- greatest influence on the short-storTi' form.
In 1.S30. Hall launched upon a literary venture thai only a gambler would
attempt in the adverse conditions ol Irontier life. He entitled his enterprise tin-
Illinois A/on(/i(y A/ogorine which was the first literary periodical in Illinois. Hall s
sketches, current news, tales, and poems which appeared in the magazine were
chiefly indigenous.
Fa( h issue of the magazine contained about fort\- eight pages (5V2 x 9 inches).
No illustrations appeared: in lact. simplicity marked its appearance. The first year
of publication from October, 1830, to September, 1831. merits more attention than
the second volume during the period from October. lfS3l. to September. 1832.
Robert Blackwell published the first vohuiie with the exception of one issue
which Charles Keenile of St. Louis printed. The second and last volume was pub-
lished by Corey and Fairbank. a firm in Cincinnati. With the serious problems of
financial difficulties, lack of editorial assistance, and difficulty in acquiring mechan-
i(ai e<|uipment and printing materials, it is amazing that James Hall entered into
such an enterprise.
A few writers devoted their talents to the undertaking. Hall s friends. Morris
Birkbeck. Jorin Peck. Cioxernor Coles, and Dr. Fitch came to his rescue with a
few < ontributions. Anna Dinnies of St. Louis contributed poems <|uite Iretjuently
to the periodical. It is reasonable to assume that all the unsigned articles were
written by the editor, since two-thirds ol the material Wfis written by Hall.
The magazine was chiefly devoted to literature but like other perioditals
of the thirties it contained a certain amount of miscellaneous articles, current news,
and statistical information. Hall was convinced that Eastern magazines were failing
to notice books written by Westerners. It was his intention to promote interest
in Western literature and to use his magazine as an instrument for nourishing
letters which would encourage writers to utilize the contemporary values of frontier
life. Hall, himself, wrote three short stories. ".^lichel de Coucy. ' "A Legend of
Carondolet. and The Silver Mine, that have since received attention in the sludv
<^^^H:
S/tei
by Q/o/in
40
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA
ILLINOIS
()( tlie di'vclopiiiciit of llie short story as well as in tlie study of Midwestern literature.
Hail recorded his observations on llie prairies; rie descrii>ed in liis stories tlie
luxuriant foliage and tlie woodland areas which he found in \ andalia. The soil
yielded a profuse amount of wild daisies, violets, honeysuckle, and roses, and
remarkably beautiful trees predominantly walnut, oak. hickory, and ash.
I hill drew his material lor his short stories from the strange inhabitants —
Indian haters, quack doctors, amiable French royageurs. frontier drillers, and
other lypes of backwoodsmen. Hall perceived the comic possibilities ol 1 imotin
Tompkinson as a quack doctor in his amusing stor\'. "A Legend of Carondolet.
Another suspenseful story. "The Silver inline. illustrates the spirit of amiable
drifters while "Michel de Coucy ' is the tale of a Canadian boatman who becomes
involved in a legal procedure that could only occur on a Irontier.
Criticism was not distinctly a great lorte of the magazine. Few new books
reached Vandalia except those that were sent to Hall to review from time to time.
The literary criticism is chiefly concerned with American novels. Western books,
and travel books by foreign visitors to the L'nited States. Hal! admired in Timothy
Mini s novel The S/ios/ionec Yalloy his exploit.ition ol Western material. He
pointed out Flint s realistic observations of this region, the passages devoted to the
descriplion of nature, and the attention given to the Indian customs. He fell that
Westerners needed to ( ultivate a taste for their regional lilcralure.
The editors criticism was less kindU toward I^Irs. Prances Trollope. \\ hen
Domestic Planners of the Americans, her book of travel disparaging our manners,
tame to his desk, he wrote a scathing review of it in the August. 1852 issue. He
bitterlv resented her strictures and zealously defended our national oood name
against a British attack.
Hall wrote various articles crusading for public education, and justice to the
Indian, and emphasizing the potentialities of this region for the growth ol agri-
culture, industry, and commerce. The serial ' Notes on Illinois occupied an im-
])ortant section of the magazine. The reader max lind \>iluabl<- inlormalion
concerning Illinois geography, eslablishment ol laws, social lulturc early wild
life, soil conditions, and history.
.James H.ill in lii> Illinois A/o/i/Ziiv .^/(K/dzi/ic li.is Irll .i \i\id cuul aulliiiitic
account of the settlement of the early West. Such material would doubtless have
been lost had he not preserved it within the pages of his periodical. Critics re< og-
nize the ((ualit\ of his writing as creditable. It was in this pioneer selllcriient of
X'andalia, a Wdodl.uid are<i on llw blidls ol the Kaskaskia Ri\cr, thai .i.iincv 1 i.ill.
a literary pioneer, became a moving lorce in the intellectual \\ est just as .Abraham
Lincoln, a political pioneer, became a moving lorce in the democratic govertunent
of our ,*\mericaii republic.
y^e £^7)$^ C^o/ovy yhiTTj (^srmany eni^rrnj 7^e W/A/er-yjesSj \i^r)c/a/i<i , m ^B20
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 18 19-1839
41
ARTISTS
Elijak O. Bern-, a Kentiickian, settled in N'andalia in 1810. He had a large
family and their names appear through out the deed records ot Fayette Count\'.
The most prominent son was James W. Bern,-, a skillful artist. Some of the best
paintings in Springfield are his work. Two large portraits of Washington and
Lafayette, from floor to ceiling, hang in the Centennial Building. He was com-
missioned to paint two portraits in Washington of Washington and Lalayetle.
He came from Kaskaskia with his lather. He was Circuit Clerk of Fayette
County for Thirty years which attests his popularity with the public. He was a
man highly esteemed bv all. His geneal and courteous manners made him a
welcome guest in any company.
J. W. O'brifii painted landscapes in and around X'andalia.
Samuel Lee made sketches for the monthly magazine published by James Hall.
'9fy «J^ Sf-. Ao<y/s
42
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA . ILLINOIS
STATE LAND GRANT FOR VANDALIA
GRAVEYARD
111 1823 iKe General Assembly conveyed one and onc-lialf acres to N'andalia
for tlie purpose of a huri.il t<round. The law authorized the Governor to convey
the land as follows;
Sec. 1. That the governor of said State be. and is hereby authorized and required
to convey to Robert K. M'Laughlin. John Warnock, and loin. F. MCullum. as
trustees of the inhabilanls of the town of Vandalia. and to the successors ol the
said trustees, a piece of land, to contain one acre and one half acre, south of. and
adioining to the town of N'andalia. for the purposes of a burial ground; and to
include the place which the citizens of said town have used as a grave yard.
Five persons died while in the discharge of their duties in Vandalia — four
members of the legislature and a circuit judge. The names of the gentlemen were
as follows: John B. Emanuel Canal, a representative from Madison County, was
born at Baltimore, June 24. 1809 and died at X'andalia l>cember 31. 1830: W'ni.
McHenry. a representative from White Count\'. born October 3rd. 177-4. died at
Vandalia February 3rd. 1835: Benjamin A. Clark, a repres.ntative from Wayne
County, born February 17th. 1799. died at Vandalia June 9th. 1S3(); John Thomp-
son, representative from Randolph County, died at Vandalia daring the winter
session 1836; Judge A, F. Grant, born in Inverness. Scotland March 27th. ISO').
died at Vandalia June 17th. 1836.
In 1835. the legislature passed the following supplemental act relatinsj to llic
cemetery:
Sec. 1. That all that part of the south ext.rior street in the town of Vandalia.
lying between Third street and the eastern boundary ol said town, be and the
same is hereby declared vacated, and annexed to. and made part ol. tlw public
burial ground of said town.
Sec. 2. That out-lot nundier three in said town. lie. and the same is hereby
granted to the president and trustees of the town of Vandalia to be used by them
as a public burying ground for said town.
Sec. 3. That Harvey Lee. Joseph T. Eccles and .lames W. Berry be. and
they are hereby appointed commissioners to lay olf one hall acre ol said out lot
nund)er three, to be used exclusively for the burial of mendjers of the Senate and
House of Representatives, and other olfiiers of the government, who may decease
iiere in the discharge of their public duties, and enclose the same with a strong
and substantial fence; and it shall be the further dut\' of said conunissioners, alter
having perlormid the duties herein enjoined, to remove \hv remains ol .lohn \\.
Fmanual C'anal. late a member of the house of representatives ol this State, within
the said enclosure. The auditor of the public accocuils is hereby authori/.c'cl ,mhI
rcciuircd to issue his warraul. lui llic I re.iscucr. in l.ixor ol said commissioners lor
a Sinn not exceeding fifty dollars, to c'Uable lluiii to carry the provisions ol this
act into effect." Laws, I8il-I.sjj, pp. 00-61.
^
f7i^ ^yy>si O'o/ovy Yrom Germany cn'hriri'j /^e W/Zc/ery)
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS
19-1839
43
In 1830 llie General Assembly appmprialecl $200 lor engraved head and
foot stones for these five graves and Roherl Blackwell ol N'andalia was also
instructed to enclose the graves with a painted paling fence.
Twentv years later $200 more was appropriated lor erecting suitahle grave
stones, and in 1874 the monument, toinhstones and remains of the fi\e ollicials
from "The Old Grave Yard in Vandalia to South Hill Cemetery." The appropri
ation of $250 was to include "a suitable iron fence." George H. Dieckman and
James M. Whiteman of Vandalia were appointed commissioners to carry out
the law.
From: THE ILLINOIS MONTHLY MAGAZINE. \'ol. II. By .James Hall.
Cincinnati: 1832. pp. 172-176.
"VANDALIA.
Vandalia. the seat of government of the State of Illinois, is situated on the
western bank of the Kaskaskia River, about 100 miles, by land, from the junction
of that river with the Mississippi, and 314 miles from the same point, by the me-
anders of the river. It stands on a high and gently rolling surface, which is elevated
about 60 feet above the high water of the river. The site of the town is remarkably
handsome: without being broken, it is sufficiently uneven to drain itsell with
rapidity after the heaviest rains, and to afford a number of high and commanding
points, from which the whole may be seen at one view. Around it are many
beautiful elevations, which command extensive prospects. It is surrounded by
timber: on the north and west the prairies approach its boundaries, and in some
places cross the town line: to the south is an extensive belt of timber, which skirts
the river, and on the east, the forest widens, with slight intervals of prairie, to
a distance of from eight to twelve miles. The surrounding country is good, but does
not contain so continuous a body of fine land as is found in many other parts ol the
State. But it abounds in small tracts, frequently spreading out to several miles
in extent, of excellent soil; and upon the whole, this country may be considered
as affording as great advantages to the farmer as most others. The varieties ol the
oak. hickory, and ash. are the predominating timber, in addition to which, an
abundance of walnut, wild cherry, cotton wood, sycamore, elm. sugar nia|)le. gum.
f-c. are to be found.
HEALTH.
The town is decidedly healthy. At its hrst settlement, it was like all new
towns, much afflicted with disease; but for the last eight years, the inhabitants
Have been as healthy as those of any other village in the State.
POPULATION.
The present number of inhabitants is about 800.
WATER.
Excellent water is obtained in wells, by digging to tin- depth ol about 20 leet:
one or two wells, only, have been sunk 40 feet. The water is cold, and perlectly
pure. There are also some fine springs within the limits ol the town.
44
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA
ILLINOIS
FUEL.
Wood is tlie only l(ul used. It costs from 70 cents to one dollar per cord,
delivered to the consumer. I lie neiglihorinu hills abound in coal ol a tjood <|iiality,
but none has yet been found nearer to the town than lour miles.
TRADE.
Xothintj is made in this countn,-. as yet, for export, except beil, porl;. venison
hams, and skins, in small quantities. The concourse of people occasionally assembled
here, and the number of travellers and emigrants, who pass at all seasons, allord
consumption for all the surplus produce.
There are four stores for the retailing of merchandise. The goods are purchased
at St. Louis, distant 70 miles the carriage from that place to this, is 75 cents per
100 pounds.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
A plain brick edifice for a State-house, intended for temporary use. only: a
banking-house, of brick, now converted into public offices: and a neat framed
church are all the public buildings.
Benevolent. Religious, and Literary Institutions.
The benevolent societies of the State hold the'r meetings here. These are the
State Bible Society. Illinois Sunday School L'nion, S:ate Colonization Society, and
State Temperance Society,
A Presbyterian minister is settled here, who preaches stalcdiy. and a .^lelhodist
circuit preacher comes once in a fortnight.
There is a school for boys, two schools for girls, and a Sunday school.
A newspaper is printed here.
NATIONAL ROAD.
The nalional road passes through this place. It has been located from Terre
Haute, in Indiana, to X'andalia: the trees have been removed from the bed ol the
road, and the bridges are in progress. The distance Irom X'andalia to the eastern
line of this State, by the road is 90 miles: thence to Terre Haute. JS miles. It is
e.xpecled that the road will be continued, next year, to St. Louis, distant 70 miles
west. This road will be of great importance to N'andalia. as it will no doubt be the
main route which will be travelled from St. Louis to the eastern States, and b\ the
emigranis lo Illinois and Missouri.
KASKASKIA RI\I:R.
This stream is no doubt destined to be one of the most uselul in the Stale. It
meanders for 100 miles, through rich and flourishing comities, and has. for that
dislaiKc. a Millie ieni di'pth ol water lo be naxigable for steam boats, for six months
in the \car. In liiuli water, there is no! a sinyle obsli u( (ion in ils wluilc < ourse.
exfcpt su< h as are created by logs and trees that have lallen into it. and collected
into rafts or dams. 1 hese have been removed as far up as 2i miles north ol C arlyle.
and the river ma\' now be na\ig.itc(l lo thai piiinl. I he I. ill ol llic ri\ri, in a
tlislance ol 100 miles, does not exceed ()() leel, or less than two inches lo the iiiile.
It may, ihereiore, be considered in the light of a natural canal; and. indeed, it
/ezo.
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS
19-1839
45
only netds locks and danis to he sucli in fact. A Board of Cotnniissioners. entrusted
Ijy tlic Legislature with the expenditure of a small sum ol rn(inr\ on this river, re-
marked as follows, in (heir report: I he ohstructions. as will he seen l)\ Rrporl
No. I of the Commissioners, Messrs. Newsham and White, consist < hielly ol rcijls.
or collettions ol timher, which had hecome fastened in the hed of the stream; ol
logs and trees w liieli lie in the channel: ol (>\ crlianyina trees: and. in <i lew iiisLinies,
of shoals. The latter present no impediment to navis>alion in high water, and no
attempt was made to remove them. 1 he ohstructions hy tind)er were all carefullv
removed, or cut in pieces ol not more than Irom ten lo lourleen feet in lenglli:
all leaning timher was removed in the same manner, leaving no limhs with lorks
and no roots that woidd in the least ohstruci navigation, as far as the Com-
missioners proceeded: and ihe ri\er may now. in the o|)iiil()n ol the Commis
sioners, he navigated in high water. Irom its mouth to the distance ol 2 3 miles
above Carlyle.' Carlyle is 30 miles southwest of X'andalia. hy land, and ahout
100 hy the river.
The Commissioners again remark: B> ad\erting to the details herewith
suhmilted, it will he seen, that building stone, and beds ol limestone and stone coal,
are found at several points on this river; and that there are also a number of ex-
cellent seats for water works, in the whole distance authorized to be improved, tfie
timber is fine and abundant. Should the legislature, therefore, think it ad\isable
to continue the improvement, so as to con\ert this stream into a slack-water navi-
gation, by the erection ol dams or otherwise, there is but little cioubt that the sale
of water privileges, could they be secured to the State, would afford an ample fund
for that purpose: while the abundance of coal, timber and limestone, would afford
all the necessar\- materials. The plan acted upon by this lioard. only contemplates
the navigation of the river in high water: but the Board is decidedly of opinion
that it can be rendered navigable at all seasons, in the manner suggested, with
little cost to the State."
"In adverting to the importance ol this work, the Board will only remark, that
this river, throughout a course of aloout iiO miles, passes through some of the most
fertile parts of our Slate: and that if it he made navigable from Shelby\ille ( 10
miles north of X'andalia. by land.) to its mouth, an outlet will be afforded from the
centre of our country to its southern boundary, which will immediately benelit about
fifteen counties. This navigation will he crossed, at the seat of government, by the
national road, now constructing, and the < ommiuiication with the capital ol the
State will thus be facilitated in several direitions.
The towns on the river, are Shelbyville. X'andalia. Carlvle. Covington, and
Kaskaskia.
We will add In lliis place, that the great road leading Irom Tennessee and
the lower parts ol Kentucky, and passing through th<- whole length ol the .Slate.
Irom southeast to northwest, passes through this place. S|)ringlield. and reoria. to
Cialena. A large portion ol this lra\el now passes, by another route, through Carlyle:
s/:e7cfe7^2y q/o/itj
46
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA. ILLINOIS
l)ut tlie crt-ction ol a fre<- bridge at this pla. c. for the national road, will inevitalily
throw the travelling which now goes by the other road, to the same point.
Vandalia uill iherefore be. always, a central point ol much importance,
easily accessible from various directions, and a place of active business.
MISCELLANEOUS REMARKS.
There is a valuable water grist and saw mill at this place; and a stream grist
and saw mill is about to be erected, and will be in operation early next spring.
The building materials chiefly used, are brick and wood. The clay for the
former is of an excellent quality, but has not heretofore been well manufactured.
Building stone can be had. at a distance of four or five miles. The kinds of plank
chiefly used, are oak. ash. and walnut. The prices of plank vary from $1.50 per
100 feet, to $2.50. according to the kind and (|uality: the average price may be fairly
stated at $2.00. The frames of houses are of hewn oak limber, and the cost very
low. Lime is burnt in several places in the neighborhood; but it is not good. The
best lime is brought from St. Louis, where it costs from 8 to 12 cents per bushel.
The usual prices of provisions are as follows: beef $1.75 to 2.50 per 100
ii)s,; pork $2.00 to 2.50; venison hams 25 cents per pair; turkeys 12'/2 cents apiece;
chickens 75 cents to $1.00 per dozen; butter from 634 cents to 15 cents per pound;
eggs from 6% to 12'/2 cents per dozen; honey 50 cents per gallon; honey in the
comb 6y4 to ^Va cents per pound; prairie fowls 50 to 75 cents per dozen; flour
.$2.00 to 2.50 per 100 lbs.; corn meal 25 to 37'/2 cents per bushel; lard 6^4 to
12'/> cents per lb.; tallow 6>4 cents per lb.; potatoes 15 to 25 cents per bushel;
sweet potatoes 50 cents per bushel; turnips l2'/2 to 25 cents per bushel; cabbages
$1.00 per 100; apples 50 cents per bushel: dried apples $1.50 to 2.00 per bushel:
dried peaches $2.00 to 2.50 per bushel. The prices of provisions are higher at this
time; our object is to state the usuaf prices.
Vandalia is the seat of justice for Fayette county, ll is incorporated under
an ad of the General Assembly, and its affairs are managed l>\ .1 bo.ud ol live
trustees, elected annually by the inhabitants.
The professional men resilient here, are one clergyman, three physicians, and
lour lawyers.
yyrom Germany er\ierm<J -/^e W/Zc/ery)
/e^o.
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 1819-1839
47
HISTORY OF
PRESBYTERIAN BELL
The first l)ell tli.il called a protcstanf congregation together in Illinois. It
originally hung in the Irame House of Divine Worship and now hangs In the
present PresbyleriiLn C liurch. A complete re( ord of ihis nill is given on the next
page.
SjCe
y q/o/>?}
48
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA
ILLINOIS
Pl.iladelpi.ia, Aug. 27, 1830
•TO llli: MINISTER AND SESSION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH. VANDALIA. ILLINOIS."
GENTLEMEN — Understanding that your congregation are building a cKurcli
at V'andalia. and find their means not sufficient, after putting up the house,
to procure a Bell, which would be ver>' useful to them; Mrs. Riggs and myself
(having named our last daughter. "Illinois." after the Stale) have thought a
donation from her would be acceptable. We therefore ask leave to present to your
congregation, in her name, a Bell lor the use of your church. If this dear cfiild
sfiould be spared to us. it may be tlic will ol an all wise f^rovidence to place her
amongst you; she may in times of trial need >our fatherly counsel and ))roteclion.
We therefore as member of the church ask that she may be remembered in kind-
ness by you all. ^ ours with much respect,
ROMULUS RIGGS,
MERCY ANN RIGGS.
(Extract from an article in the "Illinois Monthly Magazine for December. IS30.
edited by James Hall. Vandalia. Illinois.)
THE FIRST BELL.
Duiiiig the last monlh. the town of X'andalia recei\(cl <i \aluable acquisition,
in the donalion of a fine toned Bell, lor the cupola of its meeting house; and we
noticed the subject as well to have an opportunity of expressing our gratitude to
the generous donor, as to indulge in some reflections which are awakened by the
subject. This Bell was presented to the Presbyterian congregation of Vandalia.
by Romulus Riggs. Esq.. a merchant of Philadelphia, in the name of his infant
daughter. Miss Illinois Riggs. a young lady who is indebted for her name to the
partiality of her parent to our new and flourishing State. Mr. Riggs is one ol the
largest proprietors of land in our "military tract." and being thus interested In our
prosperity, exhibits a praise worthy degree of public spirit in expending a portion
of his wealth in aid ol our inlani institutions. This Bill, which was hung on tlw
llh day ol November, and .uinoiiiHcd its own ,Liri\.il in jondus tones, bears llic ioi
low ing inv( riplion:
"ILLINOIS RIGGS."
"TO TIIF PRF.SBYri:RI.\N C0N(^,R|-:G.\TI0N Ol" \\Nn\l I A. ls!(V
I his cNcnl is interesting, inasnuich as this is the lirsl public Bell introilu( cd
into the Slate, bv the American inhabitants. I he iTench had one or more Bells
y jfy^m^^QT-ma-ny cr\ierfrtQ i/iQ W
c/a//a,/r) /02O,
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 18191839
49
in their villages on tlie Mississippi, hut the puhlic biiilrlincs erected hy trie Ameri-
can settlers have heen totally destitute ol his useful appendage. Ours, therefore,
will at some future period, he looked upon as a xaluahlc relic of early times.
Should the interesting child, whose name is inscribed upon it. he spared ny Provi-
dence, to reach years of maturity, it Is not unlikely that within that period a fuui-
dred Bells* will sound ihcir peals over the wide prairies ol Illinois: and it will he
a pleasing thought to her. that the donation made in her name, was the pioneer.
if we may so express it. the very "Daniel Boone" of ( hurch Bells in this region.
For these reasons we have thought proper to mention this event, and preserve the
date.
* Less than t\venty-six years have passed since the aho\e was written: and
there are probably at this time more than a thousand church bells in our state.
50
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA. ILLINOIS
KDWARD COLES, r.ov.mor of i\w Slate of PATENT.
Illinuis
DATED: December 6. 1823.
TO
FILED: Dei. 16. 1823.
ROBERT K. McLAL'GHLIN. JOHN WAR-
NOCK and JOHN F. McCULLOM, Trustees RECD: Book A. page 145.
of tfie inhabitants of tfie Town of X'antlaila. and
their successors in office
I Edward Coles Governor of tlie State of Illinois.
To all to whom these presents shall come: Know ye. 1 hat w hcreas by an
Act of the General Assembly of the people of the State of Illinois approved
January the twelfth one thousand eiyht luuidred and twenty three, entitled An
act to authorize the Governor to convey certain lots ol land and for other pur
poses", the Governor is authorized to select and convey five lots of ground in the
Town of Vandalia to Robert K. McLaughlin. John Warnock and John F. McCul-
lom Trustees of the inhabitants of the Town of Vandalia and their successors in
ollice, for the purpose of erecting a house for divine worship, free for all denomi
nations to preach in on one of which said lots the said house is to be erected, and
the (our other lots so selected to l^e sold for the purpose of raising money to erect
said building: and the said Governor having, in pursuance ol said recited act.
selected for the aforesaid purposes, lot number three in square number tliirtv lour.
lot number six in square number thirty hve, lot number eight in stjuare number
thirty nine, lot number four in square number fitt\ two, and lot live in square
fifty four, all lying and being in the Town of X'andalia. Now in |)ursuance of
said recited act there is granted to the said Robert K. McLaughlin. John War-
nock and John F. McCullom, Trustees of the inhabitants of the Town of \'an-
dalia, and their successors in office, for the purposes aforesaid. th<' aforesaid five
lots or parcels of ground, known and designated on the plat of said Town as
above described; To have and to hold the same with the appurtenances thereunto
belonging, to the said Trustees and their successors in office lor the purposes in
said recitid a( t mentioned, lorever.
In tcstimoMv whinof, I have caused these letters to be made Patent, and
the seal of State to be allixed at N'andalia this sixth day of December in the year
of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty three, and ol the Inde-
I>cn<len( (• of the I '. S. the lorl\ <iglith.
BY nil. GOVERNOR EDWARD COLES
DAXII) BI.ACKWELL, Se<r.la>\ <.f State
ty jfroTT)
y eTi'/er/n<? r^e W/Zc/eryieis,,
/620,
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 1819-1839
HOUSE OF DIX'INK WORSHIP
1 lie Legislalure in 1823 donated li\c lols in Vandalia to promote tlic hiiild
iny of a church to be used by all denominations. It was a one story structure 45
feet wide by 60 feet loufi witfi two front doors. It was located on lot 16 of North
Square where the present Presbyterian Church now stands. The above is a picture
of ihe original chiiri li erected in 1N21. il was subsequently used by the Presby-
terians and Methodists and at times lor public meetings and as a school room.
Later it was moved to middle part ol lot 8 in block 27 to make room for the new
brick Presbvterian C liur< ii.
LIbKAKY
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
52
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA
ILLINOIS
f .OX'FRNORS MANSION'
1 lie frame Dniluiiit; in this piiiiire was the reskieiice ol Ronerl K. M(l.,inn||
lin. This was also called the Governors Mansion. It was located on lot 17 o
North Square and inunedlalely west of the present 1 resbyterian Chiiri li.
Isabella Bond Mci.aiigrdin was the wife of Robert K. M( Laiiehlln and ;
sister of ( lovernor Shadrach Bond, the first Governor under whom McLauf<hlii
served as Slate Treasurer.
^ hi .aiiyhiln ser\ed in the House and Senate and was Register ol I in
\'andalia land ofhce 1837-1845.
'i^feiit^
^ ^"nst C^<^/ovy jfrorn (Germany enierJrij iJic Wi/der-neiStj
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 1819-1839
53
THE late Treasurer ol tne State ol Illinois asKs ( oiiipcnsation for the use
of his liome as liis office in 1821-1822. This petition was presented to the
General Assembly in 1832. and is in the papers of the General Assemoly of 1832-33
in the Archives division of the Illinois State Library of Springfield.
1 o the Honoraiile the Legislature ol the Slate of Illinois now in Session.
Your petitioner Robert K. McLaughlin respectfully represents to your Honorable
Body, that in the years 1821 & 1822. he was Treasurer of this State, that his
salary was six hundred dollars in Stale Paper. That the first year 1821 the state
paper was worth about -40 to 30 cents per dollar: the second year it was worth
33'/? the highest value of it to the dollar; that your petitioner furnished during
the winter of 20 6- 21, his own house, firewood & candles for the use of the Office,
also during the years 21 & 22, and until the rising of the Legislature in 1823: for
wliich he has never been allowed, or received any compensniion: — that nearly
all the officers of the State Government obtained an additional allowance on
their salaries, in consequence of the depreciation of State I^aper. except the Auditor
6- Treasurer; that all the officers were furnished with houses or rooms to Keep
their offices in. during the years 1821 t" 1822 except the Treasurer; — that my
successor in office received a salary of St)00. in specis, or received State Paper, at
the rate of three dollars for one. also. I believe received a compensation, for house
rent.
Your petitioner humbly conceives llial he is justly entitled to some con)-
pensation: and thai your honorafjle body will allow him such sum. as you shall
deem to be honestly and justly due to him — which is the prayer of your petitioner.
December 8th. 1832.
R. K. McLaughlin
oy d/ohri
54
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA
L L 1 N O I S
ACT REMOX'ING CAPITAL.
Ill 1833 strong efforts were beintf macic for the reiiioval ol the capital Ly tlie
iiortlitiii part of the state, which \vas liliing rapidly with settlers. By the terms of
the constitution and the first act. lliis could not be done luitil the expiration of
twenty years, after the first day ol December, 1820. But it was becoming evident
that the geographical center of the state would be some distance nortli of \'an-
dalia. I his did not. li<i\\c\er, pre\cnl her Irom asserting lier ( iciiiiis with a nniii
bir ol other cities.
I lie lollowing act was approved rtbruary "5. 1833:
Be it enacted, that at the next election to be held in the several counties
of the state for iik inbers of the legislature there shall be opened at such
place of voting a ijook, in which shall be entered the votes of the c)uali-
lied voters in favor of the following named places, as their choice for
the permanent location of the seat of government of this state, after the
expiration of the time prescrilied by the constitution lor its remaining al
Vandalia, to -wit: The geographical center of the State. Jacksonville in
Morgan County, Springheld in Sangamon County, Alton in Madison
County, \'andalia in Fayette County, and Peoria in Peoria County.
The place or point receiving the highest number of votes shall forever
remain the seat of government for the State ol Illinois.
1 HF. X'OTE ON CHANGE.
At the next election held in the several comities for members of the legisla-
ture which was held August -tth, 1834, the vote was as follows: the Cieographical
center received 700 votes; Jacksonville. 273: Springfield, 7033: Peoria, -123; Alton,
8157; Vandalia. 7730.
rhough .\lton received the highest ncmiber ol votes, and was entitled under
I he a( t of 1833 to be made the permanent scat ol government, this lad was never
officially declared, and so lar as ihc public records show, tiic sole was nc-\er can-
vassed, nor the matter referred lo dining either session ol the Ninth Assembly.
During the years 1835-6 the matter ol ihe removal ol the Capitol from
X'andalia was freely discussed. .At thai time the I'. S. Con erinncnl was en
gaged in building the old Cumbirl.ind or National Ko.kI lliroiigli Illinois, ,iiul
it was a question whether it should be birill wivl Irom \',Hiclalia to St. Louis or
Alton. Tlie people' of the SoiithcTii portion ol ihc- Slate were nearly luianimous
for St. Louis, while the people ol the Northern part ol the .Slate were lor Alton.
1 he feeling became c(iiite warm, and it seems ih.il lire X'.uul.ilia people' favorc'd
St. Louis, which so irritated Allon factionists thai al I lie session ol the Icgisia
lure 1830 7. to wit: On February 25, 1837, an act was passed providini; lli.il tin
long discussed c|uesliori should be settled by joint ballot ol llw Iwo lioiises to be
convened in joint session lor llial purpose three da\s .illei llic p.iss.ige ol ihc .iil.
Accordingly, on February 28th, 1M57, al 10 o c loi L a. rn.. the Iwo houses iiiel in
joint session, .ind on the loiirlli b.illol. Springlield was chosen ,is llic new i.ipilcil.
receiving 73 noIcs. ,i majnrilN omt all i cim pcM itors. On llie lliial li.illnl \, mil. ilia
^'M^^S^
'^ ^y>si (^c>/oTiy jpy^mGerma-ny enier/TiQ -/^e Wi/der-^ei^/Yii-nc/a/i
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS
19-1839
55
received 16 votes; Jacksoin illc II: Peoriii. .S; Alloii. <); Illiopolis, i: aiul Bloom-
ington. Shiiw neelow n. I lilkboro. Ciralloii. C'aledoiii.i iiiul hssex 1 vote eacli.
It seems lliat llu' Alloii faction becoininti (onxinnd lliey could not (Jet it lln'i
llicir irJIuencc to Sprinulield in ordir to t!<l cxcn willi llic N'andalia fa(li()M on
aiiounl ol the Xation.d Road (|u<>stion.
GOES TO SI'RIXOFIHI.n
\l llie last session of tlie leyislaluie lield at \ .nidalia llu followins at t was
passed and was approved Feiiruary lOlli. liSiO:
AN ACT disposing ol the puhlic property in Yanclalia.
Approved February 19th. tSi9.
Section I, P. 13-1. Be it enacted l)\ I lie people ol llic State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly. I lial the house on llir public sciuarc in
X'andalia. now occupied and used as a State House, be, and the same is hereby
granted to the president and trustees of the Town of Vandalia. and to the County
of Favetle, to be owned, occupied, and be used by the said corporation and
rountv. in severalt>' as follows: The west half of said house maKing the center
of the passage below and above the line of division, shall be used and occupied
In' the Countv- as a Court House, or place of holding courts for said county and
lor pidili( offices and shall be under the control of llie county commissioners of
said coimt>', as other public buildings: ihe east hall of the said house shall be
under the control of the said President and trustees of the town of Vandalia. and
used for school purposes, and such other purposes as said President and trustees
may deem for the interest of the inhabitants of the town, with ihis condition, that
if at anv time hereafter, a county seminary shall establish in said county, the
east half of said house, or such pari thereof, as may be retpiired, shall be used
and occupied for that [lurpose, under the control and direction of the aulhorih-
which may govern the said seminary.
Section 2. The County commissioners of Fa\ctte C oinily may select a
sufficient number of stoves, chairs and tables out of the Slale house for the use
of the Court House and Clerics offices, which shall \h- deli\ered over to them by
the persons having charge of the same, and the president and trustees of the town
shall also select the same description of articles for the use ol the part ol the
house, granted to the corporation: and all furniture remaining in the house, alter
the selection aforesaid, shall be delivered over to the president and trustees of
said town, to be sold under their directions, and the proceeds of sales vested in a
liliiaiN. lor till- nsi- iil tin- irdiabitanis of the town.
56
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA, ILLINOIS
Section 3. The st|uare on whicli tlie state house stands shall forever re-
main a public square, suhjec t to be enclosed and used as at present, and never
to become private property.
Section 4. .\ll the lots owned by the State, situated in X'andalia. which
have not been appropriated to some use, are hereby granted to the county of
Fayette, and the County Commissioners of said County are hereby authorized to
sell said lots, and appropriate the proceeds of such sale to the making or repair-
ing of bridges in the County of Fayette. This act shall be in force from the date
at which the public offices shall be removed from Vandalia.
/%e ^'7>S}( Oo/o-ny Yrom^Jerrriany crt)ler/r)Q V/ie Wf/c/errt
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 1819-1839
57
I 111- Old Coxerecl Bridge over llie Kaskaskia Rixci at lln' t-asl :nd ol dal-
latin Street was the terminal of the Old Cumberland Road, This bridge was 190
feet long and 40 feet wide, with two roadways, and a porch or sidewalk on the
north and south side for pedestrians, it had ten windows on each side, neatly
cased and blinded to admit light and add beauts' to the bridge. It was sidcrl wllli
the finest tongued and grooved Kunber and covered with shingles.
Above is the first building erected by frederick ( i. HoHnian. secretary to
Ferdinand Ernst. According to Ernst's autobiography this was 'he first building
in Vandalia, and .John F. McCullimi built the hrst house. The latter was probably
a frame dwelling and the Ernst one a log Ijuilding built in 1819.
iy O/ohn
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA
ILLINOIS
SHADRACH BOND (1775 is32)
SII\I)RACH BOND was the first governor ol Illinois, being inaugurated
October 6. 1818, before tbe Stale was aclmilled to the Union. He came to
Vandalia in 18IQ when the capital was moved from KasKasKia. He was born in
Frederick County, Maryland. He was a delegate lo the I welflh and Thirteenth
Congresses from Indiana Territory during the stirring times of ISI2 IN] 1. and
previoiislN L.id served several terms as a member ol the gi-ricral assi'mi)l\ ol lh<il
Irrrilorv.
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 1819-1839
59
EDWARD COLES (1786-1868)
EDWARD COLES, second governor of Illinois, was born in X'irginia. Be-
lore coming to Illinois he was the private secretary of President Madision,
1809-1815. Tlioiigli reared in a slave state, he did not believe in slavery. When
he left \ irginia in 1819 for Edwardsviile. Illinois, he brought all his slaves with
him, and on arrival gave them their freedom. He died in Philadelphia and is
buried there. He was inaugurated as governor of Illinois December 5. 1822.
iy <i/ohn
60
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA,
ILLINOIS
MM AN EDWARDS (1 77")- 1833)
NIMAN EDWARDS, llu- ll.ir.l -nx.nu.r ol Illinois was l.orn in M.irvl.uiJ.
At an early age lie located in Kentiuky. running ,i larm lor liis latlicr. He
was elerletl to the legislature of lliat slate belore lie was 21. In liSOQ. when Mr.
I'.dwartis was serving as C lii<'l .Kislice ol KentiK ky. President Madison appointed
niiii as llie governor ol llie newly organized lerrilory ol Illinois, lie served in lli.il
capa( ity until ISI8. He was eleeled lo the U. S. Senate. Edwards County and
Edwardsville were both natnetl lor hini. He was inaugurated as governor ol Il-
linois Deceniher 6, 1826.
n^ £^7)$}f Co/ovy yy^ 777 Germany C7)'/er/vf VAe Wi/der-»eiT/Vi.r)c/a/i<i ,
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 1819-1839
6!
JOHN REYNOLDS (1788-1865)
JOHN REYNOLDS, fourth governor of Illinois, was horn in Pennsylvania. He
came witK his parents to Kaskaskia in IHOO. and began the practice of law in
1814 and in 1818 was elected Justice of ihe Supreme Court, which position he
filled until 1825. serving as Chief Justice 1822-23. During his term as governor
I lie Black Hawk War occurred. He. with others, built the first railroad in the
Mississippi Valley in 1837. the road being six miles long and running from a
coal mine on the Mississippi bluffs to the bank of the river opposite St. Louis,
horses being used as motive power. He was elected to Congress in 1834. and
served three terms. He was inaugurated governor of Illinois December 6. 1830.
62
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA
I L L i N O
LEE D. EW'IXr. (|-0i-iS46)
EE D. EWING liflli governor of Illinois served only fifteen days. Re\ riolds
resiynecl
on N
oveinner
ind tlie term of governor-elect loseph Di
iruaii (tm
not l)(gin iinlil December 3rd as tlie olliie of lieutenant governor was also \acant
,it tlie time, lowing served tlie fifteen days intervening. Ewing served witli dis-
liiution in llie Black Hawk War. and was elected to the U. S. Senate in 1835.
I Ic was horn in Kentucky, and previous to liis election to the state senate, had
hccn re<(i\ed ol pufjiic moneys at Vandalia. In IJS4J he was elected state autlitor
and died in office on March 23, 1846. He was inaugurated as governor of Illinois
Novemher 17. 1834.
^M
'n^ ^yytsi Co/ o-ny ^rorn Germany er\iertv9 rJit W/Zc/er^ei^^
/820,
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 18 19-1839
63
JOSEPH DUNCAN (1-Q4-1844)
JOSEPH DUNCAN was the sixtli and lasl t'ovt-rnor of Illinois wliilr tlie capi-
tal was at Vandalia. He was born in Kentucky. In 1 S2(i he defeated the re-
doiihlahle Daniel P. Cook for Congress, where he remained until he was elected
governor of the State. It was during his term thai the removal ol the state capital
from N'andalia was decided. Governor Duncan was the Whig candidate for
governor in 1842. hut was defeated hy Thomas Ford. He was inaugurated gover-
nor of Illinois December 3, 1834.
64
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA
ILLINOIS
Slia(Irii<li Bond. Deni.
Kdward Coles. Dem.
Ninian F.a\varas, Dem.
Jolin Reynolds. Dem.
W'rn. L. D. Ewing. Dem.
Joseph Duman. Dem.
Tlionias (^arlin. Dem.
Name
Pierre M«nard. Doni.
.\dolplius I'. HutLard. Den
William Kinney. Dem
Zadok Casey. Dem.
Wm. L. D. Ewing. Dem.
Alex M. I.-nkins. Dem.
W'rn. H. Davidson. Dem.
SUnson H. Anderson. De
Elias Kenl Kane. Dem.
Samuel D. l^ckvvood. Dem.
David Blackwell. Dem.
Morris Birkbeclc. Dem.
George Forquer, Dem.
Alexander P. Field. Dem.
(Jijali C. Berry. Dem.
I'lijali ( . Berry, Dem.
lames I'. B. Stapp. Dem.
Levi Davis. Dem.
J„l,„ ll,„n,„.. O.-n,.
k. K. M.UuisMin. D.-.n.
Abn,T 1-ioUI. D
hiTiics Hall. Dini.
.Iiilin DtTiu'nt. Uem.
C'liarles C»rpftory, Dem.
lolin n. Wliilisidc Dcni
ROSTER OF STATE OFFICERS
While X'andalia Was the State Capitol
1820-1839
GO\F.R\ORS
\\'/i<'ri Inaugiiraled From W'lial County
Oct.
6.
1818
Si. Clair
Dec.
5.
1822
Madison
Dec.
6.
1826
Madi-son
Dec.
6.
1830
St. Clair
Nov.
17.
18)1
layette
Dec.
3,
1834
N lorgan
Dec.
7.
ELTl
1838
Cireene
LIl
rENANT GON'ERNORS
Dale of Commission
or Qttalification
From W'/iot Courtly
Oct.
6.
1818
RandolpK
Dec.
5.
1822
Gallatin
Dec.
6.
1826
St. Clair
Dec.
9.
1820
Jefferson
Mar.
'■
1833
Fayette
Dec.
5.
18)4
.lacKson
Doc.
Q.
18)6
White
Resigned Nov. 17. 185-1:
elected Representative in
Congress.
\'ice Reynolds
Resigned Mar. 1. 185 5.
Speaker of Senate and
Acting Lieutenant Gov-
ernor.
Resigned.
Speaker of Senate and Act-
ing Lieutenant Governor.
1858
Jefferson
SECRETARIES OF STATE
Oct. 6. 1818
Randolph
Resigned Dec.
16. 1822.
Dec. 18. 1822
Madison
Resigned .\pr.
2. 1823.
Apr. 2. 1823
St. Clair
Resi.gned Oct.
15. 1824.
Oct. 15. 1824
Edwards
Resigned .Ian.
15. 1825.
Jan. 15, 1825
Sangamon
Resigned Dec.
31. 1828.
.Ian. 23. 1829
Union
Removed Nov
. 30. 1840.
AUDITORS OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS
Oct. 9. 1818 Fayette
Apr. 6. 1819 Fayette
Aug. 29. 1831 Fayette
Nov. 16. 1835 I'ayctle
C.Miliinied in olli< r niilil IS)1
STATE TREASURERS
Oct.
9. 1818
St. Clair
Died Inly. 1819.
Ang.
2. 1819
Fayette
I.o..
1 1. 1823
L.^nion
Feb.
12. 1827
Jadvson
Fel,.
1. 1831
1 rankhn
R.sign.d D... !
Dec.
5. 1836
Greene
Mar.
4. 1837
Monroe
7e S^ris^f^ d'o/ony YroTTj (2erma-ny er^ier/nf T^e iVf/c/er-nets,
/620,
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 18 19-1839
65
.\TTOR.\l.>S
{•.i.m;k.\i.
M.T.
5.
1810
R.in<!i>lpli
R.MgruHl Mar.
15. 1810.
Dec.
H.
1810
Si. flair
Ket.
26.
1821
Ma.li.nn
Resignell Dec.
28. 1822.
Ian.
M.
182i
Waslungton
Resigned Ian.
r. 1825.
Jan.
1 5.
1825
Wasliingloii
Jan.
23.
1829
Monroe
Resigned Dec.
3. 1832.
Jan.
30.
1833
Madison
Sept
. 1.
18i-4
Sangamon
Jan.
10.
18!5
Sangamon
Resigned Fen.
7. 18S5.
Feb.
12.
1835
Maclis<>n
Resigned .Ian.
8. 1836.
Jan.
18.
1836
JeHerson
Resigned Dec.
26. 1836.
Feh.
4.
1837
Coles
Resigned June
11. 1838.
June
26.
1838
Madison
Resigned Feb.
1. 1830.
Mar.
3.
18 to
Craw lord
Resinned Nov.
10. 1840.
Oiinir! Vnpv ("onii. Drrii.
Williani Mcars. Dcm.
Samuel I). I^ockwooti, Dciu
James Tumcy. Dem.
James Tumey. Deni.
GeQrge Forquer. Dem.
James Semple, Dem.
Ninian W. Fdwards. Dem.
Ninian W. Fdwards. Dem.
Jesse B. 1 liomas. Jr.. Dem
Walter B. Scates. Dem .
Usher F. Linder. Dem.
George W. OIney, Dem.
Wi.Uiffr KitcUI. Dem.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY— 1818 TO 1839
FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY— 1S1S-1S20.
First session convened at Kaskaskia. Oct. 5. 1818; acljoiiratd Oct. 1?. 1818.
Second session convened Jan. 18. I81Q: adjourned Mar. 31. 1819.
SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY— 1820-1822.
Convened at N'andalia. Dec. 4. 1820: adjourned Feb. 15. 1821.
THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY— 1822-1824.
Convened at Vandalia. Dec. 2, 1822: adjourned Feb. 18. 1823.
FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY— 1824-1826.
First session convened at N'andalia. Nov. 15. 1824; adjourned Jan. 18.
1825. Second session convened Jan. 2. 1826: adjourned Jan. 28. 1826.
HFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY— 1826-1828.
Convened at X'andalia, Dec. 4. 1826: adjourned Feb. 19. 1827.
SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY— 1828-1830.
Convened at X'andalia. Dec. 1. 1828: adjourned Jan. 23. 1829.
SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY— 1830-1832.
Convened at \'andaiia. Dec. 6. 1830: adjourned Feb. 16, 1831.
EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY— 1832-1834.
Convened at Vandalia. Dec. 3. 1832; adjourned Mar. 2. 1833.
NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY— 1834-1836.
First session convened at X'andalia, Dec. 1, 1834; adjourned Feb. 13. 1835.
Second session Dec. 7, 1835: adjourned Jan. 18, 1836.
TENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY— 1836-1838.
First session convened at X'andalia, Dec. 5. 1836; adjourned Mar. 6. 1837.
Second session July 10. 1837; adjourned July 22, 1837.
ELEX'ENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY— 1838-1840.
First session convened at X'andalia. Dec. 3, 1838; adjourned Mar. 4. 1839.
Second session convened at Springfield, Dec. 9, 1839: adjourned Feb. 3, 1840.
s/cefcje^lby q/oAtj
^i^S-^^kS,
66
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA
ILLINOIS
VANDALIA NEWSPAPERS DURING
CAPITAL DAYS
ILLINOIS INTELLIGENCER, 1820-1832: Mov.d In.m l\a>L,slvia to Nan-
clalia where Elijali C. Berry was surceeued by a orotlier, W'illiarii Berry, ana
William H. Brown. The //i(e//if(e;irer for Lebruan,' 15. 1823. coiilained a severe
criticism ol the convention let'islators. written by Brown. To the article was ap-
pended a note: The abo\e oxtraorcliiuiry legislative proceedings have been pub-
lished by mv partner. Win. H. Brown. ('S((., \vithoiil my (ipprobalioii, and shall
be answered next weeL William Berry. The next number bears BlacKwell s
name instead of Browns and contains sinned articles by William Berry. Win.
H. Brown, and R. Blackwell. explaining the change. The paper now became
proslavery. For some time between March \Q and Max 7. 1824. Berry was finan-
cially embarrassed and the paper was suspended for a short time. Governor Coles
furnished David Blackwell money to run the paper, and stipulaled that it should
support the anti-convention party. Samuel D. Lockwood was editor, representing
Coles, but his name does not appear in the paper. (The story of Governor Coles
buying tlie Intelligencer is told in the Alton Telegraph. May 5, 1865.) On the sur-
face. Berry disposed of his interest to David Blackwell. whose prospectus asserting
that he would give his iniilorm opposition to the convention was publislied
May 14. David Blackwell published the Intelligencer until January 10, 1825, when
Robert Blackwell and Company, printers to the state and publishers of the Ifjws
of the L'niled States, became the publishers. With the niuiiber for .June 24, 1825.
Robert Blackwell alone became publisher. With Robert Blackwell s return to con-
trol, the paper Jigain became friendly to slavery-, .ludge James Hall bought a half
interest Januan.' 17, 1829. and was editor until 1832. when he left Illinois. The
paper supported Adams, but felt no animosity to Jackson and stood ready to do
the same justice to him as to Ad.uiis. In March. 1832. Hall sold to Sherman and
Greiner, owners of the Jllinois Whig, and the two papers were coml)ined. with
S. C. Sherman as editor. (Sec Wmdatid W hig and /(/i/iois Inlclligcnccr. hfliur.)
Through 18}| the Intelligencer had the lucratixc iiKiiiopiiK nl puliliviijjio dclin-
<|uenl tax lists for the entire state.
ILLINOIS MONTHLY' >L\GAZINE, October, LSJO-Seplember. Ks32:
I he first literary periodical published in Illinois. It was conducted by James Hall,
and for one' year it w.is |)iM)lished at X'anclalia. where it was printed by Robert
Blackwell, pid)lic printer. Alter the lirst year the magazine was issued Irom C in-
c iniiati. In Jaruiary, 1833, Judge Hall moved to C incinnali. where he published
I he \\'c's/ci/i Monlldv Magazine, ii ( onlinnolion of llie Illinois A/o/if/i/v ^■laga-
zine until December, 1835. Hall was the c hiel contributor, and in siic h articles
as "Notes on Illinois," "People and Maruiers. aticl Customs ol the West, in
essays on educational topics, in stories such as I he I^iissionaries. I he liicliaii
Wife s Lament, and The Money Diggers, and in many poems, he rccdizcd the
ideal suggested In an article^ on PcTiodicals whic h he published in the number for
^
^n^ ^7)S^ Co/ovy J(re>7r) (jisrma-ny crtier/nf 7^e iv
j/ri /620^
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 1819-1839
67
April, 1831: "Our editors liave become loo formal and stately, and fastidious. . . .
Instead of the infinite variety of topics. \vlii( li once gave interest to works ol tiiis
description, notlTiny is now admitted Init reviews, tales and poetry. . . . Notliing
will t!o down Inil trilles. cold, form.il, ,ind empty. ... I am mucli better pleased
with the good old-fashioned magazines . . . within whose well lurnished pages, the
reader, whatever might he his taste, was sure to find something agreeable. Among
those who helped to satisfy in the pages of the Moiitldy the varied tastes of llli-
noisans were Morris Birkbeck. John M. Peck. Governor Edward Coles, Dr. Asa
Fitch. George Russell, and Salmon P. Chase. "The Illinois Monthly Magazine was
one of the most h'pical of the western journals, remarks William C. Cairns, in
his monograph On ihc Development of American Literature from 1815 to 1833.
Raw and crude as the West was, there is a fin de siecle tone to these publications
that is not fourul in tlie eastern magazines.
ILLINOIS WIIK".. 1831-1832: Edited by S. C. SIm-i,,,,,,,. In March. 1832.
Sfierman and Greiner purchased ttie Intelligencer and luiiled I he two papers as
VANDALIA WHIG AND ILLINOIS INTELLIGENCER. March 28.
1832-1834 (?). Greiner and Sherman were editors and publishers in 1832-1833:
Sherman alone in Is 5 I. No copies later than 1831 lia\c l)t<pi louiul: but adording
to the Wisconsin lisl it continued until IS5Q.
GAZETTE. 1831— (?).
ILLINOIS ADN'OCATE. Januan.' 5- April 13. 1833. Moved from Edwards-
\ille i)\ .John York Sawyer when he became state printer. On April 13 he changett
the title to
ILLINOIS ADVOCATE AND STATE REGISTER, April 1 3. 1835 April
1, 1835: Conducted by Sawyer. The title was changed back to
ILLINOIS ADVOCATE. April 15, 1835-March 16. 1836: Conducted by
Sawyer until his death (March 18. 1836). at which time it was purchased fjy Wil-
liiuii Walters of the Illinois Stale Register, and combined (see below).
ILLINOIS STATE REGISTER. February 12-March 18. 1836: Established
by William Walters, who bought the Illinois Advocate after Sawyer's death and
combined the two papers as
ILLINOIS STATE REGISTER, AND ILLINOIS ADVOCATE, March
25- June 17, 1836. The title was changed to
ILLINOIS STATE REGISTER AND PEOPLES ADVOCATE. June
24, 1836-August 2, 1830: Continued by Walters as a Democratic paper until he,
as state printer, moved to Springfield with the rcmoxal ol llie capital, mo\ing I he
paper also. The first Springfield issue (usinu llic litlc Illinois State Register) Was
issued August 10. 1836.
FREE PRESS. May 13. 1836-1837: Edited by William Hodge, published
by Hodge and Shrader. Some time between March and ()(lober, 1837, the title
was (hanged to
T^2^h<K^
Sk^tchid^dy Q/oAt)
68
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA, ILLINOIS
FREE PRESS AND ILLINOIS WHIG, 1837-18-41 (?). William HoHge
was editor and publislier until tl)i' lall oF 1839. wlii-n Hodge and Abbott were
publishers. Suspended for a time in tlie fail of 1839. and apparently also suspended
in 18-11 (some time after Sept. -l) by its purchaser. James Ivennaday. until 1843.
when he revived it as the Free Press. This paper may have represented a con-
solidation between the 1836-1837 Free Press and the \\'/u'g nnd Illinois Intel
liqencer.
Gov. Joseph Duncan to the Auditor et al about the State House (Original
in Illinois State Archives. 1836-37 G. A. Miss. S. H. Papers)
I July? 1836]
Dear Sir
Your communication by Mr. Lee of the 9th has this iiiomciit been received.
You can best judge of the proper mode of repairing the state house & I leave the
plan to be settled & carried into efiect by you. it is now late in the season f- will
ri'C|uire great dispatch to linish a new building. I would therefore suggest for your
consideration the propriety ol repairing the old one. Should this lio\ve\er b<- lound
impossible f~ a suitable house cannot be rented you must exercise your best judg-
ment in building a new one. if so lay your plans on such a scale as to be certain
of having it completed in lime lor the reception ol the Legislature. Make your
contracts with a proper regard to economy, P- I will draw upon the contingent fund
for the amount you propose.
Willi great respect
Col. A. P. Field, Secretary ^ our obt servant
Levi Davis Esc|. Auditor Joseph Duncan
Col John Dement Treasurer Gov. of Illinois
1^ ^y>si C^<^hvy jfr^rnGerrnarty er\ierir)j -f/ie Wi/derytetij rivc/aZ/tif
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 1819-1839
69
EARLY TRANSPORTATION
DI RIXG llie interval bitwecii ISiy and l''S55 tlic onl> iiu-ans of transporla
tioii in and oul of X'anclaiia was fjy the old wagon roads, on fiorsel)a< k in
wai<ons. or carriages, Iniggies and stages. Mails were received and sent oul east
and west h\ tfie Overland State Line, (oiisisling of olcl six-liorse Concorci Coaches.
1 heir advent was lieralded hy the blowing of a horn on the outslcirts of the town
by the driver, whiih was the signal for llie rndlc piipiil.ilidn to assenil)le al ihr
Post Office and liie stage stand. Nearly every one would turn out upon the ar-
rival of the stage, wait for the mail to be distributed and to gossip with their
neighbors over the latest news.
Vandalia was the diverging point from which mails were sent out in nearly
everv- direction. Lines ran southeast to Vincennes, Indiana; soutri to Salem and
Mt. Vernon; south\\est to Carlyle; northwest to Hillsboro. Taylorville. Spring-
field, Jacksonville and Beardstown; northeast to Shelbyville and other jjoints.
After the completion of the Illinois Central Railroad on January 1, 1855, the
old Overland Stage Line was taken off, and the west mails were sent out.
and received from the North and South by rail.
Stage Lines from Vandalia to Effingham on the east, and to Cireemillc on
the west, and to Hillsl)oro on the northwest, were kept up until the completion of
new railroads over the Slate relegated them to the past, since which time mails
are all received bv rail.
\ ANDALIA STAGES IN 1835
1. Shawneetown to ln|uality, to Mount Vernon, to Carlyle lo Vandalia 132 miles.
2. Vandalia to Galena via Hillsboro, Macoupin I^oint, Springfield, Peoria.
Dixon s Ferry, 305 miles.
3. Salem to St. I_ouis via N'andalia and Edw ards\ illc.
70
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA, ILLINOIS
FIRST CAPITOL BUILDI.\( .
THE first capitol Ijiiilcling owned Ijy tlie State was located iitrc. It was JO x
40' two-ston- frame building. Here the Second and TKird Assemblies met.
The House on the first floor, and the Senate above. It burned on December Q. 1823.
It was located on Lot 8 of Block 41 where the Leader Printing Office now stands.
From December 4, 1820 to February 15, 1821 the Second General Assembly met
here for the first time. Pierre Menard presided over the senate and John McLean
over the house. There were fourteen members of the Senate and twenty eight in
the house.
SECOND CAPITOL BUILDING
This was a two-story brick structure erected in 1824 by citizens of \ andalia.
They donated one-fifth of the total cost of SI 5.000.00. Torn down in 1836. the
salvage was used in the Third Capitol. It was located on Lot 7 of Block 35 just
north of Evans Hotel. The walls of the burned State Bank were used in con-
structing the Second Capitol, which was 60' 4" along Fourth Street and 32'
back. Abraham Lincoln attended the Ninth General .\ssembl\ in this building.
THIRD CAPITOL lU 11. 1 )INC.
Erected in 1836, its seven rooms have been restored. It was the Capitol of
Illinois from Decemljer KS36 to July 4. 1839. Abraham Lincoln was a member
ol till- lliree sessions ol the legislature held here. I he records in Springfield
indicate that on August 5. 1 01 8 Joseph C. Burtschi of N'andalia. representing
Fayette County, sold to the State through Governor Lowden, the County Court
House, formerly the Slate House for $60,000.00, including the ground consisting
of an entire block reserved in the original survey as a public stpuire.
Till- THIRD .ST.\TF HOL'SE
The Third State fioiise ol Illinois wliiili stands u|)on the public square
in \ andalia today was buill in I N )() without aulliorizalion ol the General
Assembly. Its predecessor erected in 1824 was likewise willioul .luthori/alion.
The Third State House was hurriedly built ol materials salvaged Iroin the
Second State House. Begun in August the goal was to have il ready for the first
session of the Tenth General Assembly when it ton\ened on December 5, 1836.
A pair of Contractors without benefit of an architect put up a structure possessing
neither beauty nor spaciousness, and having the appearamc ol being whipped
together. ' Despite all Vandalia's efforts ihe iirst legislature lo sit in llie building
voted to move the slate capital lo Springiield. thus the Third St.ite ( apilol served
the state but two and one-half years. By order ol Governor Carlin all state offices
W'Cre removed lo Springneld on July 4, 1830.
'^ ^7)$^ Co /o-nyp-^TT) G^rmcL-n^ er\ierrn9~^Jlt ^//(^errteis,^
j/T) /620j
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 1819-1839
71
As orifjiiiallv di^iyiKil the l)iiildin(> was plain, not lo say nuly: «»
linilrling 100 feet wide and 50 li-et deep surmounted hy a small wood cupola,
witli a plain uncovered doorway on the soutn side, tliree windows on eacn side
of the door below, and seven above. A ball sixteen feet wide extended from
front to barl<. with the stairway in tbe rear balf and a door beneatb tlie turn
in tbe stairs. A second balKvay nine feet wide riuining tbrougb tbe niiiblle of
tbe l)uibbnQ lengtliwise gave onto secondary doors on the east and west ends of
tile Iniibling.
Tfie stairway, at the rear, continued up lo tlie spectators gallery level.
This level extended over tbe entire stair hall antl ihe (onuiiiltee room. ,\ door
openetl from this level onto a gallery which projected into the House of Rep-
resentatives. This same arrangement was repealed for the Senate side of ttie
structure.
There was no basement and neither porliio nor port li at either door, and
window openings were plain and somewhat small. Interior walls were white-
washed, tbe washboards (base) and chair-rails of plain wood, tbe cupola was
octagonal, with a window in each side and topped by a wood sbingle roof.
\\ Inn the phislcr was dr\. <i lew days allir the legislature i on\ tiicd, the\
Willi to work and on f"ebruary 14. IS37 .ipproved p<(\inent lor the building,
some Sl().000 when all bills were in. The F^leventb ( leneral Assembly, which
held its first session in the building. Deiember 3. 18J9 to March 4. 183Q. th<-
third and last session lo be held there, conveyed the building and the grounds
to the County of Fayette and the town of \'andalia. The county used the west
balf as a court house, the east half was used for school purposes by tbe town.
In 1857 the east half was sold to Fayette County. In 1858-59 the county spent
,$50,000 rearranging the interior and adding the massive brick piers on ihi'
north and south sides. In 18Q9 these piers were replaced by iron columns.
Tbe State of Illinois on .■\ugust 3. 1918 purchased the old State House for
$60,000 from Fayette Countv' to preserve it as an historic building, but it was
rented from tbe Stale as a court house until February. 1933.
Restoration of the building to its appearance on the interior as it was in
1838 has been largely accomplished with the major exception that tbe visitors
galleries at tbe rear and above the house and senate have not been restored.
The State House has seven rooms, four on the lirsl floor and three on the
second floor. On the second floor the senate chamber was to the W'esI, the
House occupying the larger room to the east and the C onunittee room lo( ated
above the stairhall. at the front of the building.
I'urnisbings have been placed in the Supreme Court room and in the
office of tbe Secretarv' of State, both are on the lirst floor to the right of tli<' Ironl
door with the Supreme C ourt in ihe front of the building. I he Treasurer had
the Ironl room to the left of the front door and the .\udilor the room to the rear.
iy O/ohn
72
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA. ILLINOIS
-FlliST -FLOOIl PLAN
„. almvc skcl.li iv iLiI "I Hh' Hhi'I Slalr i\ J l^nl.lni- ,HHlr,l in
\',ii,(l,ili,i ill I'^^iO vliowiiiu llii' oiii^in.il drl.iil |)l
pKiii.
^ ^^^^vT^^vT/^-^w V»"w.>»i /^)<»-.'>n^-r,v/ t^ni^TT/rtQ VAe W/Zc/eyji
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 1819-1839
73
I he upper picture is of the 1 hircl State Capital building which was erected
ill 1836. It was the capilol of Illinois from December 1836 to July 4, 1839.
Abraham Lincoln was a member of three sessions of the legislature held here.
I he lower picture is ol the same niiiulint! alter il was reniodclcn by the
(Ounl\ in 1835. The remodeling included massive brick piers on the north and
south side. The county paid .S30,000 to remodel the building. In this building
Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas attended the legislature. The building
is still standing.
I l^i .
^^-^'M-^-
•SjteTc^e^ ^V Q/oAt]
74
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA
ILLINOIS
I lie iinovc is supposed lo he llic lirst piitiire ever taken of Abrali.un
Lincoln, wlio was born F('l)riiary 12, 1800 in Hardin County Kentncky. He was
elected a niemner of the lower house of the Illinois ( lenerai Assembly August 4,
1834, and attended the Ninth Cieneral Assembly in the Second State Capitol
liuilding, which was torn down in I8}(). He attendetl the Tenth and Eleventh
( M-neral Assembly in the I liird Capitol Building built in ISJf) which remains
standing today as a State and National Shrine. Siiuc llir alxnc picture is the
lirst ever taken we can assume >vith a certainty th.il llie .d><>\e is his likeness .il
llie lime lie .iltended the legislature in X'andalia.
^
^e^y^}( C^o/ovy /hf 777 (Sertnany e/i^fer/Tj^ >^e iv
(/a//<jj/T) /ezo.
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 1819-1839
75
I lie lirsl picture ever taken of
Stephen A. Douglas when he was
21 years of age.
His likeness in later years.
Stephen A. Douglas (April 23, I.Sl3~Jinie 3. 18f>l) was born in hrandon,
Wrmonl. He ser\ecl a short apprenticeship to two cabinet makers, studied at
Canandaigus, New York Academy, and taught school for a short time at Win-
chester, Illinois. Admitted to the bar he practiced in Jacksonville 1834-1847.
when he removed to Springfield to become register of the land office. He served
in the Tenth General .\ssembly of Illinois at Vandaiia in the winter of 1836-1837.
He served as Secretary of State for a short time and as a justice of the Supreme
Court of Illinois 1841-1843. Elected to Congress in 1843 he served Iwo terms
in the House and in the Senate from 1847 until his death.
tlLG) I M
skefc.
<:^^t<!<rS_
76
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA,
ILLINOIS
t>
J
m'.
I
■.jS*^^
i
1 lie <iljove picture is llial of tlic \ andalia Hotel huill In (leorge Leidig
sometime previous to 1835. It was a tliree story Irame builaing. It was also known
as the Flack Hotel. It was located on the Southeast corner o( Gallatin and Fourth
Streets where the Allen Furniture Store now stands. The operator advertised
he could take care of one hundred persons. Likewise stable room sufficient for
any "puhlic house in the Western county and his bar cannot be excelled by
any in the state.
Below is the picture ol the same building alter it was moved to the East
end of lot \ in Block 51 across the alley West of the Wagner residence. The
building on the right is that of the Columbia Hotel built in 1822 and operated
bv Frederick Hollman and Frederick Slolle.
Tie £y7)f;i (Og/o7}\j 'firn-m Gsrma-n\i crtier/nQ rAe W
da/iQ.trt /820,
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 18 19-1839
77
The above is a reproduction ol the Charters Hotel huilt and operated
while Vandaha was the state capitol by John Charters up to November 1835
when Thomas Redmond operated it under the name of "Sign of the Green Tree."
The building remained standing until a few years ago when it was torn down. It
was located on Lot 8 in Block 25 where the Evans Hotel now stands. Advertise-
ments of that dav state that the Charters Hotel could accomodate 100 people.
Ill lh<- vears when Vandalia was the State capital Ebenezer Capps store,
shown below, was the largest wholesale and retail establishment in Southern Illi-
nois. It was located on the northeast corner of Main and Fourth Streets in North
Square. This was in its time one of the largest commercial houses in Illinois and
was known from N'andalia to New Orleans. Mr. Capp used to issue a price current,
which ruled the market for all the county around. He bought everything anvoni-
had for sale and sold ever\thing from a needle to an elephant.
78
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA, ILLINOIS
Holds in capitol days were called taverns. The following is a list of tliem and
their locations.
SIGN OF THE BELL
Erected hy John F. McCullom in the spring of 1820 on the lot where the
First National Bank now stands. "Excellent brick smoke house, convenient stables
and good well water. Will keep horses upon reasonable terms
IMOX H.ALJ. T.WTERN
A two story log buildinu erected my Frederick Hollman in ISIO for Frederick
Ernst. First license was issued for this tavern. First log building erected in N'andalia
on Lot 1 Bl(>< k 34.
SIGN OF THE GREEN TREE
Erected in 1820 and operated by John Charters. Located where the Evans
Hotel now stands. The lot sold for S702.-I-I. Lot 8 Block 55.
VANDALIA HOTEL
Built by George Leidig. This was a three story frame building located where
the Allen Furniture Store now stands. It is still standing east of the Wagner
home. Accomodated 100 guests. Also known as Flack's Hotel. Lot 4 Block 43.
COLUMBIA HOTEL
Sign of the General Washington. Built about l>-22 and operated by Fred-
erick Hollman and Frederick Stolle. Located on lot 4. block 31 where Nor\al
Gochenoiir ilwrlliny now stands. Ad\erti>cd ,is a house ol piiiiiic cntcrtaininent.
VANDALIA INN
Finished in fall of 1834 southeast corner of public s(|uare. Dining room was
44 feet bv 20 feet. Supposedly located on east end of lot ". S(|uare 4 3 was also
known as lliompsons Tavern, but not to be confused with ihe I hompson Hotel
east across the street. It was a stage coach liead(|uarters.
N.Vri()N.\L HOTEL
iiuilt and operated by Robert K. McLaughlin. A brie k t.i\irn house lorners
of Gallatin iuid Fifth Streets on Lot ') in Bhx k 1! where llie .\ragon Hotel now
stands. The stables will be extended; also preparing to erect convenient carriage
houses and to keep good horses and carriages to let and carry travelers in all direc-
tions.
SOCL\L HALL
RednuuiarKl 1 indal has opened .i house ol gencr.il rclroiuneiit loiiu ( on
sidered a great "desideratum. " This may be the same as .National Hotel lor bolli
are described as being located on corner ol lilth and Gallatin Streets.
Tn^ £rrytsi Oo/ovy 'froTT) Germany eniern)<f iJit Wi/derytci&j
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 1819-1839
79
SIGN OF THE GREEN TREE
I^tiilt \)\ Tliomas Eilinoiul on corner of I'ourlli and Miiin. wliirli is tlic soiilli
corner Irom llie Mctluxlisl Cliurrli.
NEW WHITE HOUSE
Robert Blackwills new Wliite House. Private Ijoarilint; lor lliirlx or lorly
members of the Legislature. Located on lot 1 of blocl< A\ wliere tlic I lionipson
house stood.
MATHEW DUNCAN HOTEL
Built by Peter Smith on the northeast corner of lot 5 in square 42 where
the Fidelity Store now stands. Large frame house 40 feet front by 44 feet on
Fourth street mentioned in 1830 as a brick tavern.
THE GLOBE HOTEL
I his hotel was operated by Lemuel Lee. It is stated by .^Irs. Travis of X'ernon,
Illinois, who is 83 years old and a daughter of Benjamin Frank Lee, son of Lemuel
Lee that Abraham Lincoln spent a whole session and part of another in Lemuel
Lee's Tavern.
WILLIS & MADDOX
Second door east of Post Office are keeping an "Eating Establishment ser\'-
ing at anv time of dav or night. Believe this was of site now occupied by the
Model.
What contributes more to the comforts of man than a good home or a good
hotel.
WILLIS & MADDOX on Decendxr 28. 1838 says;
are keeping an Eating Establishment • — will serve at any time ol tlir ilay
or night: fried ham. turkeys, grouse or prarie chickens, partridges, vension, ))ig s
feet, tripe, sausages, oysters, mackerel, herring, hot jjunch. egg nog. etc. — tobacco,
oranges, lemons, hgs, lobsters, olives, mushrooms, walnut and tomato pickles, ketch-
ups, Rochelle, Cherry, Champaign, Cogniac, Brandy, Claret, Teneriffe, Sherry,
Port. Tralogo & Madeira wines. Sedliety f- Soda powders, fire crackers, etc. Rag.
REDMON & TINDAL on May 18, 1838 says;
have opened a house of General Refreshment in this place, long considered
a great desideratum (a restaurant & bar) Beef steaks. Mutton chops. Venison
Steaks, Ham & Eggs, chickens. Fresh bass & other fish, oyster soup, coffee, tea &
etc. Partridges, Prairie Chickens, wild turkeys in season. Wines. Liquors, mint
Juleps, egg nog. etc. Reg.
lOHN M. JOHNSON operating the NATIONAL HOTEL April i".
1834 savs;
iy o/ohn
80
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA, ILLINOIS
lie promises llic public lo have liis table fiirnislied witli tlic best the roimh'
can aHord. his bar with a variety of choice hquors and his stables in the best pro-
vinder. Experienced and careful hostlers and servants shall always be in atten-
dance, and his own individual attention will be given to the Establishment: by
\s hich he hopes to merit and expects to receive a liberal support from the public.
WILLIAM REED June 30. 1837 says: he is prepared to accomodate, com-
fortably, about one hundred and twenh-five boarders at the coming special ses-
sion of the legislature. Reg.
ROBERT BL.\CK\VELL. June 24, 1836. advertises Ladies kid run rounds,
spring Kid Walking shoes, heeled morocco, heeled prunella ladies pegged calf
boots, Kid pumps, children's run around morocco ankle ties, gentlemen s laced
stitched calf boots, pegged hip boots, hip brogans, etc.
FRED REM.WN May 27. 1836 advertises groceries, mackerel, liquors,
gunpowder, candles, (sperm & Tallow) bacon & Rowland s tonic mixtures,
whiskey, and fine liquors.
The following advertisement might he interciling: N'andalia. Illinois De-
cember 11. 1830.
John C. Pendergrass. barber and hairdresser, has taken shop next to Mr.
Charters and nearly opposite Matthew Duncans Hotel. "He yields the palm of su-
perior skill and excellence to no man. whatever may have been his practice. He
Keeps, and knows how to keep, the very best kind of razors, agreeable soaps, etc.
etc. so. that under his hands the tonsorical operation is performed in a very few
minutes, without < rcating hackneyed looks, or irritable sensations.
THE PRICES PRE\ AILING .\T THE TIME WERE:
For breakfast or supper 25 cts.
For diiuier 3/ /2
For night's lodging 12'/2
For horse feed 1 8 M
For horse lor nlglil 50
For 1/2 P'- rum. wine or French brandy 37/2
For V2 pt. peach or apple brandy 25
For '/> pt. of gin 25
For Vl pt. ol cordial 25
For '/> pt. of cherry bounce 25
hor ' •> pt. ol whiskey 12/2
I here was a Hold called I lie Mansion House . In one Issue ol the news-
paper it is Miinlioncd as Ixing on (lailalln <uul In (Uioliicr <is being on tlie west
sid<- ol the public scpiare.
^ ^ytsil- C^o forty ^^tdGqt mar) y enierrnQ r/ie Wi/der-neii/ViLVt/a/i
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 1819-1839
81
INTERESTING ITEMS ABOUT VANDALIA
WHILE IT WAS THE STATE CAPITAL
Frederick G. Hollman, Secretary for Ferdinand Ernst. Iniild the lirsl dwellinsj.
wlilili was a caoin sixteen by fourteen feet, during 1819. Tne Hislorv ol \ an-
dalia puhlislied In 1878 states that the first frame house ^vas hiiill l)\ lolni f".
McCinlom on the corner where llie First National Bank now stands (hiring 1Q20.
The first was a log caljin and the second a frame building.
The fiull Pen. where disputes were settled by physical blows, was located
where the Free iMethodist Church now stands. A transition from Bull Pen to
Churcli.
A log jail was erected in 1 M2 1 with timber walls twelve inches thick and a
thirteen inch brick wall on the outside. This jail was used until 1860 when a jail
was built in the Court House. The jail was located where the Methodist Church
now stands. A transition from the jail to the church.
The first l^rick building built in \'andalia was the State Bank in September
1822. which burned in January 1823. It was located on lot 7, block 35 west of
Third State House.
On July 12, 1823 Cupid Smith advertises th<il he has a ferry on the Kaskaskia
River that will cross wagons of any size .
On lot 0. block 33 just north of the Evans Hotel was erected the Athenalum.
a large Irame building used as a theater and chief place of amusement.
Erjenezer Capps Department Store was the largest wholesale and retain
establishment in Southern Illinois. It was on lot 9 of North Square west corner
of block from Presbyterian Church.
hi 1830 orjstructions were removed Irom the Kaskaskia River from \ andalia
to the mouth of the river 3N'/2 miles. The cost was $1577.76V2-
On the northwest corner of lot 5 in block 35 was the German Lutheran
Church called Jacobs Church, just east across the allev from Sonnemann L^iunber
Yard.
1 he Illinois Intelligencer direct descedant of the first newspaper in the
State moved in 1820 from Kaskaskia with the state officers and began publication
in Vandalia.
February 1-4. 1821
Fayette County, named for LaFayette, is established h\ the Second General
Assembly, and N'andalia becomes the county seat.
Oy Q/o/l71
82
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA, ILLINOIS
December -4, 1820 — February 15. lfS2l
The Second General Assembly iiuels in \ andalia lor llie lirst time. Pierre
Menard presides over the Senate and .John McLean over I lie House. There were
H members of the Senate and 28 in the House.
April 16. 1821
Fayette County commissioners meet to govern the county for the lirst time.
December 9, 1822
Morris Birkbeck presides at the Third .\nnual .^leetiiio ot the State .Agricul-
tural Society in X'andalia.
December 13-16. 1824
I he Illinois .Agricultural Society meet in N'andalia.
November 30. 1830
John Russell, lately of Hhindale. Green County, opens the hioli school in
Vandalia.
January 5. 1833
John ^'orK Sawyer. State Printer moves his Illinois Aai'ocaip to \ andalia.
It continues publication under various names until the State Capitol is mo\ed to
Springlield. where it continues pui)lication.
April 18. 1833
Meeting of the Fayette County Temperance Society "will lie held at the
ciiurch ... at early candle light.
December 7, 1833
The Democratic State Convention, the first state-wide political convention in
Illinois, meets in the afternoon in the hall of Representatives.
^
^ ^..„___^.._ nil liMA
/620,
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 1819-1839
83
MILLS
X'andalia — Petition for Lee s to niiiul mill — 1S27
We the citizens ol X'andalia respet lliilK represent to the honorable Ie(< —
we solicit passage of hill now before the Senate to grant lo Lemuel & Harvey I .ee
a mill site on the Kaskaskia River at V'andalia.
Afiner Field. S. R. \'ineyard. Samuel Black, John Delaplain. John Enecks.
Augustus Rosemire. Wm. Wallace, George Forguer, Chas. Prentice, Horatio
Ball. Peter Smith. J. T. B. Stapp. Abram Slarhe, Caleb Weld, John Gordon,
James Allen. J. Nichols. John Ration, John Foley, Nathaniel Sauburn, J. M.
Duncan. J. Wright. Jas. Oliver, John Ellis, P. Markey, Isaat Pugh. Wm. Berry,
S. Inman, Whitwell Ryall. E. C. Berry, J. Warnock, John G. Sanburn, Leonard
Gross. R. Blackwell. G. Stapp, James Jones, Henry Briggs, John T. ^ erkee,
Robert Fleming, P. McGuire, E, Braith, J. B. Campbell. C, B. Berry, and 1 homas
Redmond.
Vandalia — February 2, 1833
"The Saw and Grist Mill of Lenuiel t~ Har\ey Lee, ol this place, was under-
mined by the water, and fell down, on Thursday last. We understand that a
considerable quantity of grain was lost in the mill. It is a severe loss lo the
industrious owners as well as an inconvenience to the public. Illinois Advocate.
Vandalia Free Press & III. Whig— April L 1839
Wool carding business will be carried on in future by E. J. Rice & E. Stinson
in connection with Messrs. Lee s Water Sa\v and Grist mill, on the Kaskaskiii,
opposite \ andalia.
I he following is a picture oi llie mill Irom a painting bv the noted artist
J. W. O'Brien.
Sj^e
iy Q/ohn
84
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA
ILLINOIS
Col Robert BIcicLwcll was Territorial Auditor and member oF tbe Legis-
lature and be \vas tbe editor of tbe nrst paper publisbed iu X'andalia. He was
born in Frankford, Kentucky, February' 17. 1796 and died in \'andalia April 30,
1866. He moved to Kaskaskia wbere be became an editor in 1816 and on tbe re-
moval of tbe seat of government be came to Vandalia wbere be publisbed tbe first
newspaper in tbe county. He was Territorial Auditor in 1817, Public Printer in
1818 to 1832. Member of bouse of representatives of tbe state 1832 to 1834 and
1834 to 1836, and State Senator from 1838 to 1840. In a tAvo story frame building
wbicb stood on tbe soutbwest corner of Gallatin and Fourtb Streets west ol tbe
Duncan Hotel Blackwell printed tbe pro slavery Illinois Intelligencer after February
15, 1823. He was for a time Slate Printer and in tbis building was printed tbe
Illinois A7ont/i/y Magazine, tbe first periodical in Illinois. Col. Blackwell built a
new two story Iratiic >l<)r<' and boarding bouse at tbe soutlieast corner ol tbe
public Sf|uarc wbicb be opened in lime for tbe December. IM34 meeting ol tbe
Nintb ( leneral .\sseiiibly. He ad\ertist-d board and lodging for Tbirty or horly.
it was called tbe \ew W'bitc I louse. Mrs. Mar\ I in ili- liuclianan is bis grand
daugbter.
^
Tm ^7)si Oo/ovy yroTT) Gier-ma-ny enierroQ i'^e w
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 1819-1839
85
1 lie following letter from tlie Cliirf Counsel of llie Federal l.anj Bank, St.
Loiii.s. Missouri, is self explanatory.
January 26, 1934.
Mr. Joseph C. Burls< lii
ll'i W. ("lalialin .Street
\ anfl.ili,!, Illinois
D.
ear Joe:
I his will he a lori<> introchuiion lo a very short storv. hut I lelt ih.il ihe
circumstances whiili induce me to send It to you deserved to he stated, for, you
recall, sometime last fall when I was in \'andalia and happened to ask you whether
ihe Kaskaskia River was there also known as the Okaw, you conRrmed it .is
conHnord\ in use for many miles upstream. This was interesting to me, lor
althon<«h I knew it was true in St. Clair County, my home, and was familiar with
its apparent origin among early French settlers. I did not know how extensive that
custom might he. As far as I know, the name Okaw River has never enjoyed of-
ficial sanction.
In turn, you seemed anxious to have the story as a contribution to historical
dat.i > on are collecting lor this year s X'andalia Centennial. Accordingly here it
is. and you may use it as you like.
It was found in the description ol a deer hunt in 1.S42 or 1843 related hv m\
grandfather. Theodore Engelmann. and included in an autobiography written in
German by him sometime in the 1880 s. He died in 1889 at his home on a farm
located about half way between Mascoutah and Fayetteville. in Engelmann
Township. St. Clair Coimty. I am indelited lo my brother. Joseph Kircher. for the
translation.
The rendezvou on Silver Creek probably was at the point where it w-as
crossed by the Jefferson Road, for that road was well established before 1842 and
apparently was the principal or at least the direct route from Belleville, south-
easterly through St. Clair Count>', to the ford of the Kaskaskia River a few miles
north of the present village of Fayetteville. At that time my grandfather was
circuit clerk and lived in Belleville.
Here is the ston,':
Although we met at Silver Creek, it had been decided that the
scene of our hinit was to be along the Kaskaskia River, only a lew
miles distance. Since the Kaskaskia River is known here only by the
name Okaw. the writer should be pardoned for digressing from the story
briefly, to explain whv he no longer likes to use this rather i)retty name:
one which he conferr<'d upon a lavorite saddle horse, and one which now
86
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA
ILLINOIS
still designates a village, postoffice, and railroad station. 1 he explanation
or ratlier derivation of the word undoubtedly is novel, and may be interest-
ing to many inhabitants of this region. Like many of them. I too. lor m,ui\
vears, thought that "Okaw was an Indian name: that of a tribe \\hi»h
formerly li\ed along the lianks of the river or used it as a hunting ground
and thus gave it its name, until the "Old Ranger Governor Reynolds,
of honored memory, called me to account fiecause of my use of the name
and gave me the following explanation.
(There is a marginal notation about Old Ranger :
The border was divided into districts called Ranges, and
thus the military organization established to guard the boundaries
between white settlements and Indians were called Rangers.
In 1816 the Kaskaskia River here was the boundary between
white settlements and Indians. )
The earliest French settlers — the founders of Kahokia. Kaskaskia.
Prairie du Rocher, Fort Chartres, etc. — soon learned of the excellent fish-
ing in that river and of the abundance of game found in the forests near it:
and used them extensively both for hunting as well as for fishing. But
the pronounciation and frequent repetition of the long word "Kaskaskia
was burdensome and inconvenient for the plain, practical frontiersmen,
so they shortened it to Ka. And this abbreviation by and by came
into general use and acceptance among the French inhafjitants.
"Consecjuently when one of them, carrying fishing or hunting equip-
ment was coulronted with the inevitable (|uestion; ;Ou allez vous,
voisin? (Where are you going neighbor.''), he answered shortly "Au Ka
(O-Kaa — to the Ka).
Later when the English arrived in increasing numbers, who neither
spoke French nor realized that Ka was an abbreviation, the name
Okaw was formed, and. in this peciuiar way. became the lotal name
ol the river among the .\inerican people. jMiice then 1 know it is cor-
rectly called Kaskaskia.
I <> me this seems plausible, (crtainly intjcniouv. .ind proli.ihK line. At least
I have nex'er known the name C)kaw to be us<'d oilitially. altlioiigh it is (|uite in
general local use: perhaps for the very reason that Kaskaskia is too long. But I have
heard of no other exijiaiialion.
'l oil li
i\ best wlslii> lor tile success ol \our ceicbriitior
Sincerely yours.
Theo. F. Kircher
^ ^y>S^ Oo/ovy yr^TT) GQrrnany enier/r)Q /^e \^n/dery,es,TjVa.r7c/a/"i , iri /320
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 1819-1839
87
THH FOLLOWING ACTS OFTHl-I ILLINOIS LLCISLATURK WLKK
PASSED W'HILi: VANDALIA WAS THE STATE CAPITOL. OR SO(JN
THEREAFTER. RELATIVE TO THE OLD STATE CAPITOL.
iNiy. L'. S. grants land to the slate for the seat of government.
An act granting a donation of land to the stale ol Illinois, lor llii- seal of
government of said state. Ap. Mar. 1<SI9. S(. L. J;523
The state of Illinois grant) d four sections of land or contiguous quarter
sections and Iractions. not exceeding the <|ualily contained in four entire
sections, lor llie purpose ol lixing thereon llie seat ol government lor the
said state; which lands shall he selected in the manner provided hy the iOth
section of the schedule to the constitution ol the said state: Provided. I hat
such selection shall be made before the public sale of the adjoining public
lands shall have taken place.
IHiy. Commissioners appointed to select the lands.
An act for the removal of the seat of governmc-nt of the state of Illinois.
Ap. Mar. 30. 1819. L 1819 p. 56/
5 commissioners elected by Cieneral Assembly to select the four sections.
Town to be laid off on the land on KaskasKia river.
Commissioners to sell 130 lots, not more than 10 of which shall be on the
public square, to highest bidder at advertised sale. Lots may be sold on 6.
12 or 18 months credit, purchasers giving notes with securities. Commis-
sioners to give deeds. Proceeds of sale to be used for erecting a state house,
not on the public square.
Commissioners to report to next general assembly.
1821. Selecting of land conhrmed
An act approving and confirming proceedings of the Vandalia commis-
sioners and for other purposes. /\p. Jan. 27. 1821 L. 1821 p. 32
All acts of commissioners confirmed.
Sections iS. 9. 16. and 17 in township 6 north of range I East of the 3rd
P. M. selected.
Vandalia declared seat of government for 20 years from 1st Monday in
December 1820.
Sale of lots
Notes taken lor lots sold by commissioners to be signed over to auditor
who shall collect them when due.
Certificates of purchase to be issued by auditor when lots paid for.
Governor to execute a warranty deed for the lot.
.■\dditional 12 months given for payment of lots now sold.
1823. Lots granted to Fayette Co.
An act for the benefit of Fayette Co. Ap. Feb. 17. 1823. L /823 p. / 5-1
Fa\c-tte Co. Commissioners authorized to select 8 lots not more than 2
eds to be
of which shall be on the public square. P
buildings.
Governor to convey lots in fee simple.
Purchasers of lots in Perrsville. original countv seat, indemnilied
d for i)ul)l
))Ul)llC
iy Q/ohn
88
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VAN DALIA. ILLINOIS
An atl lor tlip rt-licl ol ihf piircliasers oF lots in Pcrryvillc. Ap. I'd). 17.
1823. L. 1823 p. 156.
Purchasers of Perryville lots obtain judoenients in Fayette circuit court,
to be applied to tlie purchase ol X'andalia lots.
Auditor to keep a record book of all such proceedinss and rcporl to the
next General Assembly.
Preemption to Lemuel Lee
An act to authorize the governor to convey a lot of ground to Lemuel
Lee. Ap. Feb. 12. 1823. L. 1823 p. 130.
Commissioners named to appraise 6 acres ol urouiul i«t\vren jtli .uul 0th
streets, south, adjoining Vandalia. on which Lemuel Lee has erected an ox-
rnlll.
Lee authorized to purchase sam<- from the governor, payment to be made
in ten equal installments.
Donation 1(S27.
Land donated for a cemetery and a churc h
An act to authorize the governor to convey certain lots ol land and lor
other purposes. Ap. 12. 1823. L /^*2J p. 131.
Governor authorized to convey to trustees of the town of Vandalia, one
and a half acres of land adjoining the town, for a cemetery, also 3 lots for
site and cost of building a cluirch.
Sale of Vandalia lots
An act to authorize the auditor of public accounts to sell lots in the town
of \ andalia and for other purposes. Ap. Feb. 12. 1823. L I82i p. / 5".
Auditor of public accounts, state treasurer and cashier of the State bank
appointed commissioners to appraise every unappropriated lot in \ andalia
and also to have surveyed and to appraise, in the l,uid> adjoinint; tin' town.
any number not exceeding 100. of 6 acre lots.
Sale of in and out lots after advertising 5 weeks. To be sold lo hiyhest
bidder at not less than appraised value.
Leasees of any su( h property given preeniplion b\ deposit of firs! install-
ment with the auditor belore date of sale.
Lots not bringing the amount appraised ,[l lo be sold at private sale lor
10% down and U arniual installments. Lots and animuil p.iid in lo lorleil
to state if balance not paid. 2'Vf discount for cash.
.\uditor to grant transferable certificates ol purchase. On linal certilicate
ol purchase go\cMi"r lo issue a patent.
Previous purchasers of N'andalla lots niav come under this a(l. ,\jnended
L. 1825 p. Hi.
Securities of note holders who l.iil to t.ike ,i<l\antage ol above act per-
mitted to do so.
An act for the relief ol .\l)i<iin .Status <uhI oIImis. .\p. I eb. 17, 1823.
L /823 p. I5(X
Abram Starns n'leased from note signed as se( uril\ ol Tarllon M. C ain
for lot 2 square 17 and lot () scpiare 11.
■e £^us^ O'o/ovy yroTT) Germany enierir)J r^e Wi/dernea,
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 1819-1839
89
The provisions ol tiie ait lor tlic r<liel ol llu- purchasers of X'anclalia lots
passed at tliis session extenHetl to all securities for any of said purchasers
\\lio may fail to avail tlicriiseU es ol the provisions of said act.
1 1^25. Amendment to 182} act.
An act lo amend an act cnlitlcd. An act to authorize the auditor ol pulilic
accounts to sell lols in the town ol N'andaiia. and for other purposes, .ip-
proved Feb. 12, 1823. Ap. .Ian. H. 1825. L. 1825 p. 113.
5% discount for every inslallmeni paid in atlvance. Persons purcliasinu
lots prior to Feb. 12, 1823. who have paid a lull installment amounlina to
more than I05f , permitted to consolidate such excess on one or more lols,
receiving a certificate for such excess from the auchtor. which shall be re-
ceivable in payment for any sum now or hereafter due lor purchase ol lots.
Judgments against Perryville lots may be a|)|)lii-<l lo paxiiicnl Atw on
any X'andalia lots.
Relinciuishment of lots. Purchasers may relin(|uish lots belore Oct. 1,
1826, by forfeiture of all previous payments, or il no payment made, by
pavment of 5'7c of the purchase money. Provided that persons against wliom
judgment may have been rencfered. shall pay all ( osts of suit.
Appraisers named in 1823 act to value <ill lol^ belonging to the state
on May 1st annually.
AH lots hereafter offered lor sale shall be sold lor "ready money only.
Extended L 1829 p. 188..
1825. Grant of land in aid of McLaughlin and Townsend's mill.
An act to authorize Robert K. Mcl-aughlin and Eleazer M. Townsend to
build a mill in or near the town of X'andalia. Ap. Dec. 14, 1824. L. 1825 p.
11.
McLaughlin and Townsend authorized to erect a water grist mill north
of Sandv Rim near X'andalia on or near lot 8 block 24, and to build a run
through publi( property'. One and a half acres of land as site of dam
granted. Land and lots to revert lo the state if mill not completed within
2 years, or whenever lands or mill should not be used for mill purposes.
1824. An act for the relief of Lamuel and Harvey Lee and others. Ap. Feb. 17,
1827. L ;82r p. 35.
Four acres of state land opposite X'andalia granted lo Harvey and Lemuel
Lee on condition that they keep a good grist mill in operation. Suspension of
operation for 18 consecutive months annuls the grant. Land to be laid off by
the auditor. To include the present mill opposite X'andalia but not to inter-
fere with the extension of the main street east nor to extend west larther
than the top ol the bank of the river. Mill dam across the Kaskaskia per-
mitted provided il does not interfere with navigation.
An act lor the relief of purchasers of town lots in X'andalia. Ap. I"eb. 11.
1827. R. S. 1827 p. 380.
Discount of 509f allowed lor amoimt due for any in-lot or out-lot here-
to-fore sold, if paid for in fidl belore Oct. 31 next: judgments against the
s/:efcf^e^l>
'/
90
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA, ILLINOIS
Perr\\ille lots receivahic lor lots in \ aiul.ili.i lierclolore sold or to
be sold, but no disroiint sli.ill lie made on payments made in such judgments.
Owners of two or more in-lols on ea< li of wfiidi at least oiu-lentli nas
been paid, permitted at any time before October 51 next, to reiinfiuisli to
tbe state one or more lots and to liave the payments made on the lots reliii
((uished. applied to be payment of tbe defjt due on the lot or lots retained.
|)rovided at the same time, full p.iynient is made upon those retained. No
discount is allowed upon payments made l)y relincpiishment. l)ut 50 r on
cash payments of residue owed.
State in- and out-lots to be rexaliied by auditor on .^la\ 1st aruui.ilK. and
at other times deemed necessary, and to be sold at private sale for cash..
Governor to execute deeds in fee simple for lots jiaid for.
Other acts or parts of acts coming witiiin the purview of this act repealed.
To take effect March 1 next.
1829. An act to authorize the auditor of public accounts to sell lots in thi- town
of Vandalia and for other purposes. Ap. Jan. 22. 1829. L 1829 p. ISK.
Act of Feb. 14. 1827 extended to Aug. 1 next, and all lots upon which
full payment is not made by that day declared forfeited to the stale and
auditor to have them appraised and sold.
Other lots to be laid off.
On or about May 1 auditor to lay off remaining parts of land grant for
the seat of government into 12 acre lots, corresponding, as near as may be.
with the plat of the in and out lots of the town of X'andalia. To have them
appraised and offer them for sale on a given day. to highest bidder. Must not
sell the lots for less than appraised value.
Unsold out-lots may be entered with the auditor under tlie provisions of
the act of Feb. 1-4. 1827.
Perrwille judgments to f>e received at the same rate as state |iaper in
payment for lots in X'andalia sold or to be sold.
Redemption of forfeited lots.
Owner of forfeited in- or outlot on which one-tenth of purchase money
has fjeen paid may file declaration with auditor who sli:ill have the lot ap-
praised and whatever payments have been made shall apply on liie pur-
chase of the lot. $1 fee for reappraisal.
Securities for purchasers of Vandalia lots sold b\ tiic conunissioiurs ap-
pointed to locate the seal of government, released.
Public sc|uare. Auditor lo have the north half ol the public square laid
off into 6 in-lots 50 ft. >< in. I)\ !')() It. and the same niinilicr of lots laid off
norlh of the lots froiilint; on llic public square. I o li,i\<- tlnin v.ducd and
sold.
Kxpenses of surveying to be p,ii<i out of sales.
1831. .\n acl for ihc relief of Thomas Redmond. Ap. I'll). H). \^U. I .. I^U p.
Paleni for lol 25 atladied lo town of X'andalia to be issued bv go\ernor
if Redmoml shall pay ,$70 within 2 years of passage ol this .u I .nui ."s 55
7^ ^vs^ Oo/ovy yro 77) Germany eriierfrij r^e Wi/der-Aea,,
/02O,
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 1819-1839
91
within 3 years, wltlioiit inlcrcsl. F^iircliase made under a< t of F"el). 12. 1823.
Released from further pnynienl. See. L. 1825 p. 69.
1833. An act relative to the unsold lots in the town ol \ .indalia and for oilier
purposes. Ap. Mar. 1. IN J 5. R. S. I8ii p. 60").
Auditor to ( anse inisoul lots in Vaiidaiia donation to he rcxalued l)y 3
disinterested freeholders, .\uditor to sell at puhlir sale to hitjhest nidder.
none to he sold at less than appraised \aiue.
l.ots not sold at this sale may he entered at auditor s offi< e in the same
manner as now provided by law.
Map of the town of Vandalia liled hy commissioners to locate the seat
of government in the auditors office to be deemed the true and correct map
of the lots, streets and squares, except for the north half of the jjubllc scjuare.
Auditor to keep this map and plat of the north half of the public s<|uare
in his office and have them recorded in Fayette county recorder s orrice.
Scrip to be issued to administrators of the estate of John F. McCullom,
deceased. $92.33 paid on lot 2 stpiares 25 and lot 4 square 38.
1833. An act concerning the town of X'andalia. Ap. Feb. 6, 1835. L /835 p. 60.
Additions to the cemetery-
All ifiat part ol the south exterior street in X'andalia between Third St.
and the e. ijoiuidary ol the town vacated and annexed to the cemetery.
Outlot No. 3 donated to the cemetery.
Commissioners to lay off one half acre of out lot 3 for the fuirial of mem-
bers of the General Assembly and other officers of the government. Remains
of J. B. E. CanI to be removed there.
1835. An act for the relief of Thomas Redmond. Ap. Feb. 7. 1835. L. /835 p. 68.
Redmond relieved of further payment for certain Vandalia out-lots if he
pays $50 within IS months.
1837. Appropriation hill. .\p. Mar. 1, 1837. L. /83r p. 9.
To the trustees of the town of X'andalia. the lot on whicli the old State
House stood last year, to be used as they shall think proper.
1839. An act disposing ol the pul)li( property in Vandalia. Ap. Feb. 19, 1839.
L. 1839 p. n-1.
State house on the pidjlic scpiare donated to the town of Vandalia arul
to the county of Fayette. XX'esI half to be used for a court house, east half
for school purposes. If a county seminary is established, east hall to be
used for that.
Furniture disposed of.
Public square shall forever remain a public stjuare and never become
private propertx'.
All lots owned in X andalia donated to county of Favetle. proceeds of
sales to be used for making and repairing bridges.
92
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA,
L L I N O I S
In cllcc t Iroin tlatf at \\ni<li jmlilit onitcs slia
\ anualia.
le removed from
•\|). Fel). 27, IS41. L. IS4I p.
18-11. An act to locate a state road tlicrein namec
236.
Sect. 3. The streets in the onldols, so called, ol the lowu ol \ andalia,
be and tlie same are hereby abolished. Amended L. 1843 p. 302.
1843. An act lo amend an act entitled. An act disposing of the public property-
in X'andaiia , and lor other purposes. Ap. Feb. 6. 1843. L. /.S'M p. 189.
Legal voters ol Vandalia to vole for or against dissolution ol incorpora-
tion.
In case of dissolution, the rights of property and other powers vested in
the trustees of the town by the 1830 act shall be vested in the board of
trustees of schools in T.6 N.R.I E 3. To have possession of the east end of
the State House for schools.
School trustees after dissolution of the town incorporation to vest the
lunds arising Irom the sale made by the trustees in a library and equip-
ment for the school.
Sc|uare to be enclosed by county which may erect other count> buildings
thereon. Square never to become private prop -rty.
County court alter dissolution of town incorporation, authorized to dis-
pose ol lot 7 s(|uare 35 which was appropriated by the act of Mar. 4, 1837,
to tlie use of the trustees of the said town, and apply the procin'ds to re-
pairing the rool of the east end ol the slate house.
1843. An act in relation lo the streets running through out-lots in the town of
Vandalia. Ap. Mar. 2. 1843. L. 1843 p. 302.
Sect. 1. Fayette Co. Conuiiissioners to designate streets through out-
lots which they deem necessar>' to be kept open, and designated them on
their records, withholding same Irom sale.
Sect. 2. County commissioners may sell lo owners of the onl lots one-
half of each of the streets adjoining their proprrtx . cxt ept those reserved
under the 1st section. Proceeds to be appropriated to delray the expenses
in Keeping in n pair the lornier state house in llic town ol N'andalia.
1857. An act in relation to the streets running through the out lots In the town
of Vandalia. Illinois, and for other purposes. .'\p. Feb. 10. IN37. /V L.
I8-,:- r. 2. p. lOiO.
Sect. 3. (i.e.. 2) ol 1813 a< t in icl,ilic)]i to sln-els ihroutjli out lots, re-
pealed. Sales ol said streets already made valid.
President and trustees of town of Vandalia authorized to sell the south
iiall ol out-lots 3, or 6 acres, donated for fjurial purposes, and \ise proceeds
in purchase ol oilier burial grounds.
Sale made b\ the |-'ayelle Co. Seminary lo the east half of the old
state house and grounds to the coiuitv ol I'avette confirmed.
^
V7e ^"^wsJ^ Oc> /oTtyjfroTT) (^<sr-ma.-ny eniermj /^e iv//</er>,es&.
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 1819-1839
93
EIGHT MONTHS IN ILLINOIS WITH INI-ORM.VHON
TO IMMIGRANTS
Ry William Oliver. Chicago. 1Q24. Pp. 186-187. (Oii\.r m.id.- lliis trip in 1842.)
Fassiiit; llironu'li (lie small town of Greenville, we arrived at Vanaaiia. Inen
the capital of the .•itate of Illinois. This town is sitnatecl on the west bank of the
Kaskaskia, or Okaii (.is it is ( alleci lurllier down), on .in ilevaled ridge overhanging
the river; it is a scattered phue, willi some good liiiildiiius. and a large open place
in the centre for a scpiare.
Bilious fever prevailed here, and ihere were several patii'iits in the hotel where
we stayed.
The countrv here, atljoiniiig the Kaskaskia. is iieaxik timbered, and there is
a very extensive morass on the river bottom opposite the lown,.
We here struck the National Road, which conies, or ratlier is to come, in a
tolerably direct line from Wheeling, on ihe Ohio, by Colundjns. Springlield (O.).
Indianapolis. Terre Haute, and, alter leaving Vandalia. is to run to Alton on the
Mississippi. — Most part of this road is nothing more than a track, though. I be-
lieve, the line has been surveyed, and the timber cut down and removed, the stumps
being left. Several miles of the road to the east of Vandalia has been formed, and
some of it completed across the swamp, which must otherwise have been nearly
impassable. The huge ditches, from which the earth had been taken to raise the
road, were in many places full of water, and yet the season had been singularly
dry, and the river had scarcely ever been so low. Vandalia cannot be a healthy
place with this dismal swamp on one side, and some very low wet prairies on the
other.
THE NOTES OF A JOURNEY TO THE GREAT WEST IN 1823.
By Chester Loomis. of Rushville, Ontario Co., N. Y.
. . . and arrived at Vandalia before noon. The road for three miles east of Van-
dalia is at this time impassable with wagons, and nearly so on horseback. It is
a perfect marsh or swamp, of soft clay, extremely tenacious into which a horse
will sink at every step to his knees, and for the whole distance covered with water
to the depth of six or eight inches.
July 5th, X'andalia is the present seal of government ol the state of Illinois.
It is situated in Fayette county, upon the western bank of the Kaskaskia river and
in population and elegance of its buildings is inferior lo the village of Bethel
or Rushville. in New ^'ork. The surrounding country is nuich of it hard and
sterile, covered with stunted oaks and apparently unproductive. In my opinion its
location was injudicious and, consequently. I think that it can never be a place of
much importance.
THREE YEARS IN NORTH AMERICA. \'OL. II.
By James Stuart. New ^'ork. 1833. P. 227.
The road became wet and heavy before reaching X'andalia, which, however.
we accomplished, though a distance of lilty-one miles from Mr. Henderson s before
eight o'clock in the evening. The hotel at X'andalia is kept by Mr. Duncan, a very
94
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA, ILLINOIS
obliging person. He was hred a lawyer, aiul is now a large proprietor near Mr.
Henderson's farm: and tlie hrollier ol Mr. Duncan, tin- ineinhcr ol Congress for Il-
linois. Mr. Duncan intends to live upon liis larni in tlie prairie as soon as he gets
his house huilt. Judge Mall, whom I lornieriv mentioned as now residing at \ an-
dalia. is not at present at home; hut Mrs. I l.ill. to whom Mr. Dinican applied on
my hehalf. was so good as to send me hy her daughter, a line little girl, some
of his puhlications since he came to V'andalia. Mr. BlacKwell, the pidjiisher of the
Illinois Intelligencer, a very well-conducted newspaper there, gave me some \ an-
dalia newspapers and puhlications. gratis, as usual. The opinion I have formed
respecting the great value of land in Illinois was even increased hy what those
gentlemen told me. They can point out In situations, favored in other respects, a
great deal of land, the soil of which is five feet deep: and they tell me. that many
persons who have settled without a title have, rather than give it up, borrowed
money al twenty-five per cent, interest, to prevent it from being offered for public
sale. It is an e.xtraordinary fact, that in this town, the capital of Illinois, a state
more extensive and infinitely more fertile than in England, the first house in which
was not begun until the year 1821, three annual meetings of an antiquarian
and historical societv ha\e already taken place, and the whole of their published
proceedings are as regular, as well conducted, and as well printed, from the Black-
well press of V'andalia, as if the seat ol the society had been :it Oxford or Cam-
bridge.
THE FAR WEST: OR, A TOUR BEYOND THE .NK^L^NTAINS. VOL. 1.
By Edmund Flagg. New York. 1838. Pp. 22^-230.
(This lour ol X'and.dia was made in 1836.
Sornc paycs bdc L I w.i-. eiilcrint; llic ( .ipildl ol illlnoiv I lie liiwn is ,ip
proached Irom the north, through a scittered lorest. separating it Irom the prairies;
and its unusually large and isolated huihiings. lew in luindier as tliev' are, sta-
tioned here and there upon llir rinijiciiic^ ol tin- broken surlace. give the place a
singularly novel as|)ecl \iewfd Irom the adj.uent heights. There is but little of
sceni< attraction about tlii' place, and. to the tra\cllers eye. still less ol the pic
ticrescpie. Such huge strm lines .is are licrr beheld, in a lowii so iiK onsidci.iliie in
extent, present an uruiatural and lore cd aspect to one who has just emerged Irom
the wild waste ol the ni'ighbouring prairies, sprinkled with their humble tenements
ol logs. The scene is not in keeping; it is not picturescpie. Such, at all c\cnts. were
my " lirst impressions on entering the \illage. and jirsi impressions are not neces-
sarily false-. As I drew nigh to tlw huge white tavern a host of pcc)|)le uc-re
swarmiiit; llie doors and. Irom c crLiiii ujkcihIIi noises which iicini lime In lime
went up Irom llie midsl llieiccil. ncil an inconsiderable portion iil llii worthy miu-
titude seemed to h,i\c' siuceeded in rendering themseKcs gloriousK lipsv in honour
of the' iilorious day. There was one keen, bilious-looking yc iiius in linsc\ uoolsey,
Willi .1 lace, in its intoxicated state, like a red-hot tomahawk, whom I regard with
spc-c iai admiration as high-priest of the bacchanal; and so fierce and high were his
objurgations, that the idea with sciiue lorce suggested ilsell, wliclliii. in llie cciiirse
in^ ^yisi Co/ovy jfr^Tr) GiQrmany eniertrtQ i/it Wi/der-nea,
STATE CAPITAL OF ILLINOIS 18 19-1839
95
of years, hi- liad not scrfaiiitil liis l<-an and lumury \isat;c lo its present lialdiel
like proportions. May he forgive if I err. liul not yel were mv adventures over.
Having effected a retreat from tiie abominations of the l)ar room. I had retired to
a chamjjer in the most quiet corner of the mansion, and liad seated myself to
endite an epistle, when a rap at the door announce<l I he |)resence of mine host.
leading along an old yeoman whom I had noticed among the revellers: and.
having given him a ceremonious introduction, withdrew. To what circumstances 1
was indehted for this unexpected honour. 1 was puzzling myself to divine, wlun the
old o.nlleman. .dt.r a preface of clearings of the throat and scratchings ol the head.
;Jav,- me briefly to understand, mucli to my admiration, that 1 was believed lo be
neither more nor h-ss than an "Agent for a Western Land Speculating Company
of the North." etc.. etc.: and then, in a confidential tone, before a syllable of
negation or afhrmation could be offered, that he "owned a certain tract of land, so
many acres prairie, so many timber, so many cultivated, so many wild, etc.. etc.:
the sequel was anticipated by undeceiving the old farmer forthwith, though with no
little difficulty'. The cause of this mistake 1 sidjsequently discovered to be a very-
slight circumstance. On the tavern register in the bar-room I had entered as my
residence my native home at the North, more for the novelty of the idea than for
anything else: or because, being a sort of cosmopolitan. I might presume myself at
liberty to appropriate any spot 1 thought proper as that of my departure or destina-
tion. As a matter of course, and with laudable desire to augment their sum of use-
ful knowledge, no sooner had the traveller turned from the register than the saga-
cious host and his compeer brandy-bibbers turned towards it: and being unable to
conceive any reasonable excuse for a man to he wandering so hir from his home
except for lucre's sake, the conclusion at once and irresistably followed that the
stranger was a land-speculator, or something thereunto akin: and it required not
many moments for such a wildfire idea to run through such an inllammable mass
of curiosity.
With the situation and appearance of Vandalia 1 was not. as 1 have expressed
myself, much prepossessed; indeed. I was somewhat disappointed. Though not
prepared for anything very striking, yet in the capitol of a state we always antici-
pate something, if not superior or equal, at least not inferior to neighouring towns
of less note. Its site is an elevated, undulating tract upon the west bank of the
Kaskaskia, and was once heavily timbered, as are now its suburbs. The streets are
of liberal breadth — some of them not less than eighty feet from kerb to kerb —
enclosing an elevated public square nearly in the centre of the village, which
a little expenditure of time and money might render a delightful promenade.
The public edihces are very inconsiderable, consisting of an ordinary structure
of brick for legislative purposes: a similar building originally erected as a
banking establishment. Iinl now oKupii-d by the ollices ol the slate authorities: a
Preslnterian Church, with cupola and bell, besides a number of lesser buildings for
purposes of worship and education. A handsome structure ol stone for a bank
is. however, in progress, which, when completed, willi oilier public buildings in
contemplation, will add much to the aspect of the place. Here also is a land-
office for tlie district, and the Cundjedand Road is permanently located and
6y Q/ohn
96
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF VANDALIA
ILLINOIS
partially conslriKted lo tlic (jliuc. An liisloriial .intl uiitiiiiiariaii sociutx liav lu-ri-
existed for ahoiit ten years, and its published proceedings evince much research and
information. "Tlic llhnois Magazine" was the name of an ahly-conducted periodical
coinnion<cd al this (own some years since, and prosperously carried on hy JudiJe
Hall. I)ul snhseqiienlly removed to Cincinnati. Some ol the articles piililislied
in this magazine, descriptive of the state, were of high merit. It is passing strange
that a town like N'andalia. with all the natural and artihcial advantages it possesses;
located nearly twenty years ago. hy state authority, expressly as the seat of govern-
ment: situated ii|)ciii llir h.iriLs ol ,i line stream, whiili small expense would render
naviyahle lor sicamers. and in liu- heart of a heallhx and lertile region, should have
increased and llourished no more than seems lo have heen the case. Vandalia will
(ontiniic tlic scat of iio\ crnnicnl njilil tlir \ear IN-IO; when, agreeabli- lo the late
act ol l.igislature. it is to he removed to Springtield. where .ni .Lppropi iation ol
.SjO.OOO has heen made for a stale-house now in progress.
I he growth of \ .md.ili.i, iIioiiliIi t.iidx, <<iii pcrjiaps he deemed so onl\ in
comparison with the more rapid ad\an( cinenl ol neiglihouring towns: for a lew
vears alter il was laid ofl it was unsurpassed in improvement hv any other. W e are
lold IJi.il llir lirsl legislators who assenililed In session .it this phire sought their
way throuali the neighbouring prairies as the mariner steers over the trackless
oiean, h\ his knowledue of the cardinal points. Judges and lawyers came pouring
in Irom opposite (lir(( tions. as wandering tribes assemble to council; and man\
were the tales of adventure and mishap related al their meeting. Some had been
lost in the prairies: some had slepi in the woods; some had been almost chilled to
death. pliMiging through creeks and rivers. A rich <>rowlii ol majestic oaks llien
covered the site of ihe future metropolis: tangled thickets almost impervious to
human fool surroiuided il. and all was wilderness on every side. W'onderlul ac-
counts of the (onntrv to llie north: ol liili lands, and pure streams, and prairies
more beautilul than any yet discovered, soon began lo <ome in by the luuiters.*
But over that (oiuilrv the Indian vet roved, and the adventurous pionei-r neither
owned the soil he (ulliv.iled. nor had the power to retain its possession Irom the
savage. Only eight years after this, and a change, as if by magic had come over the
little village of Vandalia; and not only so. but over the whole state, wliich was
now discovered to be a region more extensive and far more fertile than the sacred
island ol liritain. 1 he region previously the frontier formed the heart of the fairest
portion of llw slate, and a dozen new counties were formed within its extent.
Mail-routes and post-roads, diverging in all directions from the capitol. Ii.ul been
established, and canals and railwavs had been projected, flight years more, and
the "Northern Ironlier " is the seal of power and population, and here is removed
the seat of government. be<ause the older selllemenis have not kept pace in advanic-
nu-nl.
II was a hue mellow morning when I lell N'aiulalia lo pursue mv journev over
the prairies to Carlisle.
y er,)l<sr/vf r^e Wi/fjeryten,^ rirx/aZ/dj /ri /02o^
FINIS
The compiling of this book represents years of research through a maze of
information, verbal and printed. This is primarily a documentary history of
events, embelhshed with notes and incidents that will cause the reader to rehve
pioneer days. It should interest not only the citizens of Vandaha but equally
the people of the entire state, since it records the development of Illinois during
its infancy. Students will find useful information in it.
In presenting this book to the public, I gratefully acknowledge the as-
sistance rendered by Dr. Harry E. Pratt, State Historian and secretary of the
Illinois State Historical Society. The Vandalia Chamber of Commerce has col-
lected from various business concerns a fund sufficient to present this souvenir of
the City of Vandalia to the members of the Illinois State Historical Society at-
tending the annual meeting of October. 1934.
To accomplish this undertaking, as well as to have bronze plaques installed
on our historic sites, has been an inspiration in my mind for many years. We
now have the book, the bronze plaques and also the framed biographies at the
graves in the old state cemetery.
When the Illinois State Historical Society decided at Mattoon to holds its
1954 convention in Vandalia, we returned to Sleepy Hollow and Old Rip woke
up. In February, 1954, we formed the Vandalia Historical Society and realized
what should have been done years ago. My dream was materialized!
JOSEPH C. BURTSCHI
