Full text of "History of Pike county, Illinois; together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons and biographies of representative citizens. History of Illinois ... Digest of state laws .."

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LIBRARY OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

AT URBANA-CHAMPAICN

977.345

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FIRST COURT-HOUSE. 1821.

HISTORY

(»p

PIKE COUNTY

ILLINOIS;

Tor.KTHKR \\ rni skkruks ok its citiks, villacjes axo rowNsim's, i:i)r

CATIONAT-, RKI.IGIOrS, CIX'II., MIMTAKV, AND POMTUAI, lirsiCJUN':

I'Ol! IKAirs OF PROMINKXT I'KKSONS AM) BIOC.K AI'IUKS

OF KK1M{KSI:\TA1I\I'; C ITIZKNS.

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS,

EMBRACING ACCOUNTS OK THE PRE-IIISTORIC RAC KS, .VBORIGINES. KKICM II,

ENGLISH AM) AMERICAN CONQJJESTS, AND A GENERAL REVIEW

OK ITS CIVIL, POLITICAL AM> MILI^A1{^■ IIISI<)1;\-.

Digest of State Laws.

ILLUSTRATED.

CHICAGO:

CHAS. C. CHAPMAN & CO.,
1880.

KI-AKEXY, BROWN & MARSH.
PR I NTKRS, #1 f" ■ '
15s * 1^7 DK.\KHORN ST., Clll« AOO.

BOl-Nn BY

DONOIIl'K A HEMrXEBEKHy,

lO; * lOqMAUI.SON !iT., CHICAOO

H <.^ ^"^

<i PREFACE.

X^ The history of Pike county possesses features of unusual interest in
'-^comparison witli those of other neighboring counties, especially those
(\i.'\n the Military Tract. Here the sturdy pioneer located and began to
f\i exert his civilizing influence long before other sections contained a
settler; and this is not only the oldest settled county of all north of its
south line, but it was the first county organized in the Military Tract.
Another fact woithy of note is, that it originally embraced all the coun-
try l}ing between the great Father of Waters and the placid Illinois,
extending east to the Indiana line, and north to the AVisconsin line. Pe-
oria, Rock Island, Galena and Chicago were originally little settlements
of this then vast c unty.

In matters of general public interest and progress. Pike county has
ever taken a leading and prominent position. Here have lived men
who have taken no unimportant part in the affairs of the State, — in
moulding the political sentiments and destiny of the country. Pike
county has been the i-cene of conflict between some of the most giant
intellects of the nation. Here the shrewd and enterprising Easterner,
the courtly Southerner and the sturdy, practical Weserner, have met
and mingled, have mherited the better traits possessed by each other,
and thus have formed a society, a people superior in many particulars
to that of most localities. The original settlens, the earliest pilgrims,
Irnve nearly all passed away. Here and there we see the bended form
and whitened head of some of these vetei'ans, but they are not numer-
ous. Most of them have gone to that country which is always new, yet
- where the trials, struggles and hardships of pioneer life are never
-^ known.

^ Accurate and reliable history is most difficult to write. Those who

^ have never experienced the difficulties incident to such labor cannot

^ realize how nearly impossible it is, or can appreciate the earnest, honest

^ and faithful labor of the historian. After the most careful and pains-

j ; taking searches and inquiry upon any particular subject or about any

J) event, he will even then find many doubts arising in his mind as to its

•0 accuracy and entire truthfulness. Each individual of whom inqury is

made will give you a dift'erent account of any event. One of them

may be as honest as the other and try to relate his story correctly, yet

they will be so widely different that the most searching and logical

mind wiLl be unable to harmonize them. This fact is forcibly illustrated

in an incident related of Sir Walter Raleigh. While in pris5n in a

tower of England he engaged himself in writing the history of the

PREFACE.

world. One day a brawl occurred in the yard of the tower, of which
he desire<l to learn the particulars. Two uf the j)riiuipal actors came
before him, and each related the account of the tn)ubh', yet so widely
difiFerent were they that he found it utterly impossible to tell wliat the
facts were. He then remarked, "Here I am en<j^a<;e<l in writin^r tiie
history of events that occurred :5,00n years ago, and yet I am unable to
learn the facts of what happens at my window." This has been
the channel of our experience, and that of all (Others who have at-
tempted national or local history. As an example in Pike county, we
noticed in a Pittsfield cemetery "Orvillee" on the headstone as the
name of the person buried in a certain grave, and "Orval E." on the
footstone.

Aside from mistakes occurring from the above causes, doubtless there
are many others to be found within these pages. Tt) suppose that a
volunje of this mairnitude, and containing so many thousaj)ds of names
and dates and brief statements would be wholly aicurate, is a supposi-
tion we presume no sane man will make. While we do not claim for
this work c;riti<'al accuracy or completeness, yet we are <|uite certain
that it will be found nu^asiirablv anci iiractieallv so. Let it rest as the
foundation for the future historian to build upon.

As one of the most interesting features of this work, we present the
portraits of niinu^rous representative citizens. It has been our aim to
have the prominent men of to-day, as well as the pioneers, represented
in this department, and we flatter ourselves on the uniform high charac-
ter of the gentlemen whose portraits we present. They are in the
strictest sense representative men, and are selected from all the callings
and professions worthy to be represented. There are others, it is true,
wIk) claim e<pial prominence with those ])rescTited, but a-s a matter of
course it was impossible for us to represent all the leading men of the
county.

As we quit our long, tedious, yet nevertheless pleasant task of writ-
ing and compiling the History of Piki; County, we wish t<> return the
thanks of grateful hearts U) those who have so freely aided us in col-
lecting material, etc. To the county uflicials and editors of the various
newspapers we are particularly grateful for th»,' many kindin'sses and
courtesies shown us while laboring in the county. To .Iam'*s (iailaher,
editor of 77ie Old l''ln<j^ we especially acknowh'dge our indebtedness
for the excellent historical sketch of Pittsfield presented in this vol-
ume. Last and most of all we wish to thank those who sf) liberally
and materially aided the work by becoming subscribers to it. We feel
we have discharged our duties fully, have fullilled all our promises, have
earned the laborer's pay. Thus feeling, we present the volume to the
critical, yet we hope and believe justly charitable citizens of Pike
county — or more especially, our subscribers.

Chas. C. Chapman & Co.

Chicago, May, 1880.

/: /i Ji

/.' h

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

FORMER OCCUPANTS.

MODND-BUILDERS.

The numerous and well-authenticated accounts of antiquities
found in various parts of our country, clearly demonstrate that a
people civilized, and even highly cultivated, occupied the broad
Burfiice of our continent before its possession by the present In-
dians; but the date of their rule of the "Western World is so re-
mote that all traces of their history, their progress and decay, lie
buried in deepest obscurity. Nature, at tlie time the first Euro-
peans came, had asserted her original dominion over the earth; the
forests were all in their full luxuriance, the growth of many cen-
turies; and naught existed to point out who and what they were
who formerly lived, and loved, and labored, and died, on the conti-
nent of America. This pre-historic race is known as the Mound-
Builders, from the numerous large mounds of earth-works left by
them. The remains of the works of this people form the most in-
teresting class of antiquities discovered in the United States. Their
character can be but partially gleaned from the internal evidences
and the peculiarities of the only remains left, — the mounds. They
consist of remains of what were apparently villages, altars, temples,
idols, cemeteries, monuments, camps, fortifications, pleasure
grounds, etc., etc. Their habitations must have been tents, struc-
tures of wood, or other perishable material; otherwise their remains
would be numerous. If the Mound-Builders were not the aTicestors
of the Indians, who were they'^ The oblivion wliich has closed over
them is so complete that only conjecture can be given in answer to
the question. Those who do not believe in the common parentage
of mankind contend that they were an indigenous race of the West-
ern hemisphere; others, with more plausibility, think they came
from the East, and imagine they can see coincidences in the religion
of the Hindoos and Southern Tartars anil the supposed theology of

18 HISTORY OK ILLINOIS.

the Moiind-Builders. They were, no doubt, idolators, and it has
been conjectured that the sun vva8 the object of their adoration. The
mounds were generally built in a situation affording a view of the
rising sun: when enclosed in walls their gateways were toward the
eat^t; the caves in which their dead were occasionally buried always
opened in the same direction; whenever a mound was partially en-
closed by a semi-circular pavement, it was on the east side; when
bodies were buried in graves, as was frequently tlie case, they were
laid in a direction east and west; and, tinally. iulhIhIs have been
found rcj^resenting the sun and his rays tif light.

At what period they came to this ci>untry, is likewise a matter of
speculation. From the comparatively rude state of the arts among
them, it lias been inferred that the time was very remote. Their
axes were of stone. Their raiment, judging from fragments which
have been discovered, consisted of the bark of trees, interwoven
with feathers; and their military works were such as a people
would erect who had just passed to the pa.storal state of society
from that dependent alone upon hunting and fishing.

The mounds and other aiicient earth-works constructed by this
people are far more abundant than generally supposed, from the fact
that while some are (juite large, the greater j)art ot them are small
and inconspicuous. Along neiirly all our water courses that are
large enough to bo navigated with a canoe, the mounds are almost
invariably found, covering the base points and heatllands of the
blulfs which border the narrower valleys; so tiuit when one finds him-
self in such j)ositions as to command the grandest views for river
scenery, he may almost always discover that he is standing upon,
or in close pro.ximity to, some one or more of these traces of the
labors of an ancient people.

OALKNA MOUNDS.

On the top of the high blulfs that skirt the west bank of the Mis-
sissippi, about two and a half miles from Galena, are a number of
these silent monuments of a pre-historic age. The s{X)t is one of
8urj)assing beauty. From that point may be obtained a view of a
portion of three States, — Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. A hundred
feet below, at the foot of the perpendicular cliffs, the trains of the
Illinois Central Railroad thunder around the curve, the portage is
in full view, and the '* Father of Waters," with its numerous bayous

HISTORY (JK ILLINOIS. 19

and islands, sketches a grand pamorania for miles above and below.
Here, probably tiioiisands of years a;^o, a race of men now extinct,
and unknown even in the traditions of the Indians who inhabited
that section for centuries before the discovery of America by Colum-
bus, built these strangely wonderful and enigmatical mounds. At
this point these mounds are circular and conical in form. The larg-
est one is at least forty feet in diameter at the base, and nut less
than fifteen feet high, even yet, after it has been beaten by the
storms of many centuries. On its top stands the large stump of an
oak tree that was cut dowu about til'ty years ago, and its annual
rings indicate a growth of at least 200 years.

One of the most sinjjular earth-works in the State was found on
the top of a ridge near the east bank of the Sinsinawa creek in the
lead region. It reseuibled some huge animal, the head, ears, nose,
legs and tail, and general outline of which being as perfect as
if made bv men versed in modern art. The ridije on which it was
situated stands on the ])rairie, 300 yards wide, 100 feet in height,
and rounded on the top by a deep deposit of clay. Centrally,
along the line of its summit, and thrown up in the form of an
embankment three feet high, extended the outline of a quadruped
measuring 250 feet from the tip of the nose to the end of the
tail, and having a width of 18 feet at the center of the body. The
head was 35 feet in length, the ears 10 feet, legs 60 and tail 75. The
curvature in both the fore and hind legs was natural to an animal
lying on its side. The general outline of the figure most nearly
resembled the extinct animal known to geologists as the Megathe-
rium. The question naturally arises. By whom and for what pur-
pose was this earth figure raised? Some have conjectured that
numbers of this now extinct animal lived and roamed over the prai-
ries of Illinois when the Mound-Builders first made their appearance
on the upper part of the Mississippi Valley, and that their wonder
and admiration, excited by the colossal dimensions of these huge
creatures, found some expression in the erection of this figure.
The bones of some similar gigantic animals were exhumed on this
stream about three miles from the same place.

LAROK CITIKS.

Mr. Breckenridge, who examined the antiquities of the Western
country in 1817, sj)eakiiig of the mounds in the American Bottom,
says: "The great number and extremely large size of some of

20 msroKv <»k Illinois.

them iniiy be reji^ardeil as fiiriuslung, with otlier circumstancea,
evidences of their aiiti<|uity. 1 liave sometimes heeii intluoed to
think that at the period when they were constructed there was a
popuhitioti here as numerous as that which once animated the
borders of the Nile or Euphrates, or of Mexico. The most num-
erous, as well as considerahle, of these remains are found in pre-
cisely those parts of the ctHintry where the traces of a numert)us
population mi^lit he looked for, namely, from the mouth of the
Ohio on the east side of the Mississippi, to the Illinois river, and
on the west from the St. Francis to the Missouri. I am perfectly
Batisfied that cities eimilar to those of ancient Mexico, of aeveral
hundred thousand souls, have existed in this country."

It must be admitte«l that whatever the usos of tlieso mounds —
whether juj dwellings or burial places — these silent monumenti}
were built, and the race who built them vanished from the tuce
of the earth, a;^es l>efore the In<lians occupied the himl, but thfir
date must ]»robably forever batHo human skill and ingenuity.

It is sometimes ditlicult to distinguish the placea of eepulture
raised by the Mound-Builders fmm the more uuMJern gnives of the
Indians. The tombs of the former wt're in gonenil larger than
those of the latter, and were used as receptacles for a greater numl>er
of bodies, and contaitiLMJ relics of art,t'vir>cinga higher degree of civ-
ilization than that ]ittaine<l by the Indians. Tiie ancient earth-
wctrks of the Mound- IJuildera have occasionally Ikjcii appropriated
as burial places by the Indians, but thu skeletons of the latter may
bo distinguished from the osteologiail remains of the former by
their greater stature.

What tinally l>ecamo of the Moimd-Builders is another query
which has i»een extensively discussed. The fact that their works
extend into Mexico and Peru has induceil the belief that it was
their |>o6terity that dwelt in these Cfjuntrics when they were firot
visited by the Spanianls. The Mexican and Peruvian works, with
the excej)tion of their greater magtjitude, are similar. liclics om-
mon to all of them have been occ;isionally found, and it is believed
that the religious uses which they subserved were the same. If,
indeed, the Mexicans and Peruvians were the progeny of the
more ancient Mound-Builders, Spanish rapacity for gold was the
cause of their overthrow and final extermination.

A thousand other queries naturally arise respecting these nations

UlSTOKV OF ILLINOIS. 21

wliich now repose under the ground, but the most searching investi-
gation can give us only vague speculations for answers. No liisto-
rian lias preserved the names of their mighty chieftains, or given an
account of their exploits, and even tradition is silent respecting
them.

INDIANS.

Following the Mound-Builders as inhabitants of North America,
were, as it is supposed, the people who reared the niagniticciit
cities the ruins of which are found in Central America. This ])eo-
ple was tar more civilized and advanced in the arts than were the
Mound-Builders. The cities built by them, judging from the ruins
of broken columns, fallen arches and crumbling walls of temples,
palaces and pyramids, which in some places for miles bestrew the
ground, must have been of great extent, magnificent and very pop-
ulous. When we consider the vast period of time necessary to erect
such colossal structures, and, again, the time required to reduce
them to their present ruined state, we can conceive something of
their antiquity. These cities must have been old when many of
the ancient cities of the Orient were being built.

The third race inhabiting North America, distinct from the
former two in every particular, is the present Indians. They
were, when visited by the early discoverers, without cultivation,
refinement or literature, and far behind the Mound-Builders in
the knowledge of the arts. The question of their origin has long
interested archaeologists, and is the most difficult they have been
called upon to answer. Of their predecessors the Indian tribes
knew nothing; they even had no traditions respecting them. It is
quite certain that they were the successors of a race which had
entirely passed away ages before the discovery of the New World.
One hypothesis is that the American Indians are an original race
indigenous to the Western hemisphere. Those who entertain this
view think their peculiarities of physical structure preclude the
possibility of a common parentage with the rest of mankind.
Prominent among those distinctive traits is the hair, which in the
red man is round, in the white man oval, and in the black man fiat.

A more common supposition, however, is that they area derivative
race, and sprang from one or more of the ancient peoples of Asia.
In the absence of all authentic history, and when even tradition is

22 niSTORY OF ILLINOIS.

wanting, any attempt to point out the particular location of their
origin must prove unsatisfactory. Though the e.xact place of urigin
may never be known, yet the striking coincidence i>f physical
organization between the Oriental type of mankind and the Indians
point unmistakably to some part of Asia as the place whence they
emigrated, which was originally peojjled to a great extent by the
children of Shem. In this connectiun it has been claimed that the
meeting of the Europeans, Indians and Africjxns on the continent
of America, is the fulfillment of a prophecy as recorded in Gen-
esis ix. 27: "God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the
tents of Shem; and Cansian shall be his servant." Assuming the
iheory to be true that the Indian tribes are of Shemitic origin,
they were met on this continent in tho fifteenth century by the
Ja)'hetic race, after the two stocks had ])assed around the globe by
directly dilferent routes. A few years afterward the Ilamitic
branch of the human family were brought fn»m thec<»ast of Africa.
During tho occuj)ancy of tho continent by the three ilistinct races,
the children of Japheth have grown ami prospered, while the called
and not voluntary sons of Ham have endured a servitude in the
wider stretchinj; vallevs of the tents of Shem.

When Christopher Columbus had fiiudly succeeded in demon-
Btratinir the truth of his theorv that bv sailing westward from Eu-
rope land would be discovered, lamling on the Island of Bermuda
he supposed he had reached the East Indies. This was an error,
but it led to the adoption of the name of " Indians " for the inhab-
itants of the Island and the main land of America, bv which name
the red men of America have ever since been known.

Of the several great l)ranches of North American Indians the
onlv ones entitled to consideration in Illinois liistorv are the Ai^'on-
quins and Iroquois. At the time of the discovery of America the
former occupied the Atlantic seaboard, while the home of the
Iroquois was as an island in this vast area of Algonquin popula- .
tion. The latter great luition spread over a vast territory, and various
tribes of Algonquin lineage sprung up over the country, adopting,
in time, distinct tribal custfjms and laws. An almost continuous
warfare was carried on between tribes; but later, on the entrance of
the white man into their beloved homes, every foot of territory
was fiercely disputed by the confederacy of many neighboring tribes.
The Algonquins formed the most extensive alliance to resist the
encroacliTnent of the whites, especially the English. Such was the

HISTORY OF ILLIMOS. 23

nature of Kin«^ Pliilip's war. This King, with his Algonquin
braves, sjiread terror and desolation throughout New EngUvnd. With
the Algonquins as the controlling spirit, a confederacy of conti-
nental proportions was the result, embracing in its alliance the tribes
of every name and lineage from the Northern lakes to the gulf.
Pontiae, having breathed into them his implacable hate of the
English intruders, ordered the conflict to commence, and all the
British colonies trembled before the desolating fury of Indian
vengeance.

ILLINOIS CONFEDERACY.

The Illinois confederac}', the various tribes of which comprised
most of the Indians of Illinois at one time, was composed of five
tribes: the Tamaroas, Michigans, Kaskaskias, Cahokas, and Peorias.
The Illinois, Miamis and Delawares were of the same stock. As
early as 1670 the priest Father Marquette mentions frequent visits
made by individuals of this confederacy to the missionary station at
St. Esprit, near the western extremity of Lake Sujierior. At that
time they lived west of the Mississippi, in eight villages, whither
they had been driven from the shores of Lake Michigan by the
Iroquois. Shortly afterward they began to return to their old
hunting ground, and most of them finally settled in Illinois.
Joliet and Marquette, in 1673, met with a band of them on their
famous voyage of discovery down the Mississippi. They were
treated with the greatest hospitality by the principal chief. On their
return voyage up the Illinois river they stopped at tiie principal
town of the confederacy, situated on the banks of the river seven
miles below the present town of Ottawa. It was then called Kas-
kaskia. Marquette returned to the village in 1675 and established
the mission of the Immaculate Conception, the oldest in Illinois.
When, in 1679, LaSalle visited the town, it had greatly increased
numbering 460 lodges, and at the annual assembly of the difierent
tribes, from 6,000 to 8,000 souls. In common with other western
tribes, they became involved in the conspiracy of Pontiae, although
disj)laying no very great warlike spirit. Pontiae lost his life by
the hands of one of the braves of the Illinois tribe, which so enrasred
the nations that had followed him as their leader that they fell upon
the Illinois to avenge his death, and almost annihilated them.

STARVED ROCK.

Tradition states that a band of this tribe, in order to escape the
general slaughter, took refuge upon the high rock on the lUinoip

24 HISTOKV OK ILLINOIS.

river since known as Starved Rock, Nature has made tliis one of
tlie most Ibrniidable military fortresses in the world. From the
waters which wash its base it rises to an altitude of 125 feet. Three
of its sides it is impossible to scale, while the one ne.\t to the land
may be climbed with difficulty. From its summit, almost as inac-
cessible as an eagle's nest, the valley of the Illinois is seen as
a landscape of exijuisite beauty. The river near by etrui^t^les
between a number of wooded islands, while further below it (piietly
meanders throui^h vast meadows till it disappears like a thread of
liirht in the dim distance. On the summit of this rock the Illinois
were besie<;ed by a suj)erior force of tlie Pottawatomies whom the
great strength of their natural fortress enabled them to keej) at bay.
Hunger and thirst, however, soon accomj)li8hed what the enemy
was unable to etfect. Surrounded by a relentless foe, without food
or water, they took a last look at their beautiful hunting grounds,
and with true Indian fortitmle lay down and died from starvation.
Years afterward their bones were seen whitening in that j)lace.

At the beginning of the present century the remnants of this
once pijwerful confederacy were forced intu a small compass around
Kaskaskia. A few years later they emigrated to the Southwest,
and in 1850 thev were in Indian Territory, atid numbered but 84
persons.

B.\C9 AND FO.XK8.

The Sacs and Foxes, who ligured most conspicuously in the later
liistory of Illinois, inhal)ited the northwestern portion of the State.
By long residence together and intermarriage they had substan-
tiall}' become one people. Drake, in his "Life of Black Hawk,"
speaks of these tribes as follows: " The Sacs and Foxes fought their
way from the waters of the St. Lawrence to (ireen Bay, and after
teaching that place, not only snstjiined themselves against hostile
tribes, but were the most active and courageous in the subjugation,
or rather tlie extermination, of the numerous and powerful Illinois
confederacy. They had many wars, offensive and defensive, with
the Sioux, the Pawnees, the Osages, and other tribes, some of which
are ranked among the most tierce and ferocious warriors of the
whole continent; and it does not appear that in these conflicts, run-
ning through a long period of years, they were found wanting in
this, the greatest of all savage virtues. In the late war with Great
Britain, a party of the Sacs and Foxes fought under the British

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS. 27

standard as a matter of choice; and in the recent contest between a
fragment of these tribes and the United States, althoui^ii defeated
and literally cut to pieces by an overwhelming force, it is very
questionable whether their reputation as braves would suffer by a
comparison with that of their victors. It is believed that a careful
review of their history, from the period when they tirst established
themselves on the waters of the Mississippi down to the present
time, will lead the inquirer to the conclusion that the Sacs and
Foxes were truly a courageous people, shrewd, politic, and enter-
prising, with no -more ferocity and treachery of character rhan is
common amona: the tribes bv whom they were surrounded." These
tribes at the time of the Black Hawk AVar were divided into twenty
families, twelve of which were Sacs and eight Foxes. The follow-
ing were other prominent tribes occupying Illinois: the Kickapoos,
Shawnees, Mascoulins, Piaukishaws, Pottawatomies, Chip])ewas,
and Ottawas.

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS.

The art of hunting not only supplied the Indian with food, but,
like that of war, was a means of gratifying his love of distinction.
The male children, as soon as they acquired sufficient age and
strength, were furnished with a bow and arrow and taught to shoot
birds and other small game. Success in killing large quadrupeds
required years of careful study and practice, and the art was as
sedulously inculcated in the minds of the rising generation as are
the elements of readino- writing? and arithmetic in the common
schools of civilized communities. The mazes of the forest and the
dense, tall grass of the prairies were the best fields for the exercise
of the hunter's skill. No feet could be impressed in the yielding
soil but that the tracks were the objects of the most searching
scrutiny, and revealed at a glance the animal that made them, the
direction it was pursuing, and the time that had elayised since it
had passed. In a forest country he selected the valleys, because,
they were most frequently the resort of game. The most easily
taken, perhaps, of all the animals of the chase was the deer. It is
endowed with a curiosity whicli prompts it to stop in its flight and
look back at the approaching hunter, who always avails himself of
this opportunity to let fly the fatal arrow.

Their general councils were composed of the chiefs and old men.
When in council, they usually sat in concentric circles around the

38 HI8T0KV OF ILLINOIS.

Sjieaker, and each iinlividuiil, ni>t\vitlistuiidifii^ tlio fiery passions
that rankled witliin, preserved an exterior as immovable as it" cast
in Itronze. liel'ore comniencintj hnsiness a person aj»peare«l with
the sacred pipe, and another with tire to kindle it. After being
lighted, it was tirst ])resented to heaven, secondly to the earth,
thirdly to the pre-^idini^ spirit, and lastly the several conncilors,
each ot" whom took a whitl'. Tnese lormalities were observL-d with
as close exactness as state eticpiett© in civilized courts.

The dwellings of the Indians were of the 6inij>lest and riidest
cliaracter. On some pleasant B|K>t by the bank of a river, or near
an over-runninj; Rj)ring, they raise<l their groups of wigwams, con-
structed of the bark of trees, and easily taken dt»wn and reniovetl
to another spot. The dwelling-places of the chiefs were sometimes
more spacious, and ct)nstructed with greater care, but of tliu same
materials. Skins taken in the chase served them for repose.
Though principally de|>ondent u|)on hunting and fishing, the
uncertain supply from those sources led them to cultivate small
j>atches of cc»rn. Kvery family did everything necessary within
it-^elf, commerce, or an interchange of articles, being almost unknown
to them. In cases of dispute and dissension, each Indian relied
upon himself f )r retaliation. UUhh\ for IiIockI was tlie rule, and
the relatives of the slain man were )x)und to obtain bloody revenge
for his death. This jirinciple gave rise, as a matter of course, to
innumenibleand bitter feu«ls, and wars of extermination where such
were j)ossibU-. War, indce<l, nither than i)cacc, was the In Man's
gh)ry and delight, — war, not conductM as civilization, but war
where individual skill, endurance, gallantry an«l cruelty were prime
reipiisites. For such a |»ur|H»ge as rev<«nge the Indian would make
great sacrifices, and «lisplay a patience ainl j)erscverancc trulv heroic;
but when the excitement was over, he sank back into a listless, un-
occupietl, well-nigh useless savage. During the intervals of his
more exciting pursuits, the Indian employe*! his time in dec4>rating
his i>erson with all the refinement of paint and feathers, and in the
manufacture of his arms and of canoes. These were wjustructed of
bark, and so liglit that they could easily Ik; airried on the shoulder
from stream to stream. II is amusements were the war-dance^ ath-
letic games, the narration of iiis exploits, and listening to the ora-
tory of the cliiefs; but during long |)eriods of such existence lie
remained in a state of torpor, gazing listlessly upon the trees of
the forests and the clouds that sailed above them; and this vacancy

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS. 29

imprinted an habitual gravity, and even raelancholy, upon his gen-
eral deportment.

The main labor and drudgery of Indian communities fell upon
the women. The planting, tending and gathering of the crops,
making mats and baskets, carrying burdens, — in fact, all things of
the kind were performed by them, thus making their condition but
little better than that of slaves. Marriage was merely a matter of
bargain and sale, the husband giving presents to the lather of the
bride. In general they had but few children. They were sub-
jected to many and severe attacks of sickness, and at times famine
and pestilence swept away whole tribes.

SINGLE-HANDED COMBAT WITH INDIANS.

The most desperate single-handed combat with Indians ever
fought on the soil of Illinois was that of Tom Iliggins, August 21,
1814. Iliggins was 25 years old, of a muscular and compact
build, not tall, but strong and active. In danger he possessed a
(juick and discerning judgment, and was without fear. He was a
member of Journey's rangers, consisting of eleven men, stationed
at Hill's Fort, eight miles southwest of the present Greenville, Put-
nam county. Discovering Indian signs near the fort, the company,
early the following morning, started on the trail. They had not
gone far before they were in an ambuscade of a larger party. At
the first fire their commander. Journey, and three men fell, and
six retreated to the fort; but Higgins stopped to "have another
pull at the red-skins,'' and, taking deliberate aim at a straggling
savaere, shot him down. Hio:£:ins' hoi'se had been wounded at the
first fire, as he supposed, mortally. Coming to, he was about to
effect his escape, when the familiar voice of Burgess hailed him
from the long grass, "Tom, don't leave me." Iliggins told him to
come along, but Burgess replied that his leg was smashed. Ilig-
gins attempted to raise him on his horse, but the animal took fright
and ran away. Iliggins then directed Burgess to limp off as well
as he could; and by crawling through the grass he reached the fort
while the former loaded his gun and remained behind to protect
him against the pursuing enemy. "When Burgess was well out of
the way, Higgins took another route, which led by a small thicket,
to throw any wandering enemy off the trail. Here he was con-
fronted by three savages approaching. He ran to a little ravine
near for shelter, but in the efiort discovered tor the first time that

30 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

lie WcOS badlj wouiicied in the leg. He was closely pressed by the
largest, a powerful Indian, who lodged a ball in his thigh. He Jell,
but instantly rose again, only, lu)wever, to draw the fire of the other
two, and again tell wounded. The Indians now advanced upon him
with their tomahawks and sciilping knives; but as he presented his
gun first at one, then at another, from iiis place in the ravine, each
wavered in his purpose. Neither j)arty had time to load, and the
large Indian, suj)posinglinally that Higgins' gun was empty, rushed
forward with uplifted tonuihawk and a yell; but as he came near
enough, was shot down. At this the others raised the war-whoop,
and rushed upon the wounded Higgins, and now a hand-to-hand
conflict ensued. They darted at him with their knives time and
again, intlicting many ghastly flesh-wounds, which bled profusely.
One of the assailants threw his tomahawk at him with such pre-
cision as to sever his ear and lav bare his skull, knockinir him down.
Tluy Mow rushed in on him, but he kicked them ofl', and grasping
one of their spears thrust at him, wjis raised up by it. Hecpiickly
seized his gun, and by a powerful blow crushed in the skull of one,
but broke his ritle. His rejuaining antagonist still kept U]> the con-
test, making thrusts with his knife at the bleotling and exhausted
Higgins, which he j»arried with his broken gun as well as he could.
Most of this desperate engagement was in plain view of the f«»rt;
but the rangers, having been in one amluitciide. saw in this fight
(•nly a ruse to draw out the balance of the garrison. IJut a Mrs.
I'ursely, residing at the fort, no longer able to see so brave a man
contend for his life unaided, seized a gun, mounted a horse, and
started to his rescue. At this the men took cc)urage and hastened
along. The Indian, seeing aid coming, fled. Higgins. Injing near-
ly hacked to j»ieces, fainted fn)m loss of blood. He was carried to
the fort. There being no surgeon, his c<jmrades cut two balls from
his flesh; others remained in. For days his life was despaired of;
but by tender nursing he ultimately regaintMl his health, although
badly crippled. He resided in Fayette county for many years after,
and died in 1S29.

HISTORY OK ILLINOIS. 31

EARLY DISCOVERIES

NICHOLAS PERROT.

The first white man who ever set foot on the soil embraced within
the boundary of the present populous State of Illinois was Nich-
olas Perrot, a Frenchman, lie was sent to Chicago in the year 1671
by M. Talon, Intendant of Canada, for the purpose of invitinf]^ the
"Western Indians to a great peace convention to be held at Green
Bav. This convention had for its chief object the promulgation of
a plan for the discovery of the Mississippi river. This great river
had been discovered by De Soto, the Spanish explorer, nearly one
hundred and fifty years previouslj', but his nation left the country
a wilderness, without further exploration or settlement within its
borders, in which condition it remained until the river was dis-
covered by Joliet and Marquette in 1673. It was deemed a wise
policy to secure, as far as possible, the friendship and co-operation
of the Indians, far and near, before venturing upon an enterprise
which their hostility might render disastrous. Thus the great con-
vention was called.

JOLIET AND MARQUETTE.

Although Perrot was the first European to visit Illinois, he was
not the first to make any important discoveries. This was left for
Joliet and Marquette, which they accomplished two years thereafter.
The former, Louis Joliet, was born at Quebec in 164:5. He was
educated for the clerical profession, but he abandoned it to
engage in the fur trade. His companion. Father Jacques Mar-
quette, was a native of France, born in 1637. He was a Jesuit
priest by education, and a man of simple faith and great zeal and
devotion in extending the Roman Catholic religion among the In-
dians. He was sent to America in 1666 as a missionary. To con-
vert the Indians he penetrated the wilderness a thousand miles
in advance of civilization, and by his kind attention in their aftlic-
tions he won their affections and made them his lasting friends.
There were others, however, who visited Illinois even prior to the
famous exploration of Joliet and Marquette. In 1672 the Jesuit

32 mSToKY OF ILLINOIS.

inisBionaries, P'sitliers Claiule Allonez and Claude Dablon, hore the
standard of tlie Cross from their mission at Green Vmy throu^li
western Wisconsin and northern Illinois.

According to the pre-arranged )>lan referred to alx>ve, at the Jes-
uit mission on the Strait of Mackinaw, Joliet joine<l Manjuetto,
and with live other Fronchmon and a simple outfit the daring ex-
])lorers on the 17th of May, 1(J73, set out on their perilous voyage
to discover the Mississippi, Coasting along the northern shore of
Lake Michigan, they entered (ireen Hay, and passed thence up F«'X
river and Lake Winnebago t«) a village of the Muscatines and
Miamis, where great interest was taken in the ex|)e(lition by the
natives. With guides they proceedeil down the river. Arriving
at the portage, they soon wirried their light canoes and sauity bag-
gage to the Wi6C*>nsin, about three miles distjint. Tlu-ir guides
now refused to aci'oinpany them further, and endeavored, by re-
citing the dangers incident to the voyage, to induce them to return.
They stated that huge dem«»ns dwelt in the great river, whose voices
could be heard a long distance, and who engulfe<l in the raging
waters all who came within their reach. They also representetl that
if anv of them should escajK) the dangers of the river, tierce tril>es of
Indians dwtlt ujkju its banks ready t«j complete the work of de-
struction. They proceeded! on their journey, however, and on the
17th of June pushed their trail barks on the Imsom of the stately
Mississippi, down which they smoothly glide<) for nearly a hundred
imIK-. Here Joliet and Manpiette, leaving their can(»cs in charge
of their men, went on the western shore, where they discovere<l an
Indian village, and were kindly treate<l. They journeye<l on down
the unknown river, pa.ssing the mouth of the Illinois, then run-
ning into the current of the mud<ly Missouri, and afterwaid the
waters of the Ohio joined with them on their journey s«>uthward.
Near the mouth of the ArkansaH they discovered Indians who
showed signs of hostility; but when Marquette's mission of peace
was made known to them, they were kindly receive*!. After pro-
ceeding up the Arkansas a short disUmcc, at the advice of the
natives they turned their faces northward to retrace their steps. Af-
ter several weeks of hard t<.il they reached the Illinois, up which
stream they proceeded to Lake Michigan. F'ollowing the western
shore of the lake, they entered Green Hay the latter part of Sep-
tember, having traveled a distance of 2,000 miles.

IIISTUKY OK ILLINOIS. 33

On his way up the Illinois, Marquette visited the Kaskaskias,
near what is now Utica, in LaSalle county. The following year
he returned and establislied among them the mission of the Im-
maculate Virgin Mary. This was tiie last act of his life. He died
in Michigan, May 18, 1675.

lasalle's explorations.
The tirst French occupation of Illinois was effecteil by LaSalle,
m 1680. Having constructed a vessel, the "Griffin," above the
falls of Niagara, he sailed to Green Bay, and passed thence in
canoe to the mouth of the St. Joseph river, by which and the Kan-
kakee he reached the Illinois in January, 1680; and on the 3d he
entered the expansion of the river now called Peoria lake. Here,
at the lower end of the lake, on its eastern bank, now in Tazewell
county, he erected Fort Crevecoeur, The place where this ancient
fort stood may still be seen just below the outlet of Peoria lake. It
had, however, but a temporary existence. From this point LaSalle
determined, at that time, to descend the Mississippi to its mouth.
This he did not do, however, until two years later. Returning to
Fort Frontenac for the purpose of getting material with which to
rig his vessel, he left the fort at Peoria in charge of his lieutenant,
Henri Tonti, an Italian, who had lost one of his hands by the
explosion of a grenade in the Sicilian wars. Tonti had with him
fifteen men, most of whom disliked LaSalle, and were ripe for a
revolt the first opportunity. Two men who had, previous to LaSalle's
departure, been sent to look for the " Griffin " now returned and
reported that the vessel was lost and that Fort Frontenac was in
the hands of LaSalle's creditors. This disheartening intelligence
had the effect to enkindle a spirit of mutiny among the garrison.
Tonti had no sooner left the fort, with a few men, to fortify what
was afterward known as Starved Rock, than the garrison at the
fort refused longer to submit to authority. They destroyed the
fort, seized the ammunition, provisions, and other portables of value,
and fled. Only two of their number remained true. These hast-
ened to apprise Tonti of what had occurred. He thereupon sent
four of the men with him to inform LaSalle. Thus was Tonti in
the midst of treacherous savages, with only five men, two of whom
were the friars Ribourde and Membre. With these he immediately
returned to the fort, collected what tools had not been destroyed,
and conveyed them to the great town of the Illinois Indians.

34 HISTOIiV <•! ILLINOIS.

By tills voluntary display of confidence he hoped to remove the
jealousy created in the minds of the Illinois by the enemies of La-
Salle. Here he awaited, uinnulested, the return of LaSalle.

GREAT BATTI.K OF THE ILLINOIS.

Neither Tonti nor his wild associates suspected tliat honles of Iro-
quois were Leathering preparatory to rushing down upon their
country and reducing it to an uninhabited waste. Already these
hell-hounds of the wiKlerness hat! destroyed the Ilurons, Eries, and
other natives on the lakes, and were now directing their attention
to the Illinois for new victims. Five hundred Iroquois warnore
Bet out for the home of the Illinois. All was fancied security and
idle repose in the great town ol this tril)e, ti» the enemy stealthily
ap])roa('hetl. Suddenly as a clap <»f thunder from a cloudless sky
the listless inhabitants were awakene»l from their lethargy. A
Shawnee Indian, on his return home after a visit to the Illinois,
first discovered the invaders. To save his friends from * the im-
pending dangt»r, he hurrietlly returned and apprised them of the
coming enemy. This intelligence spread with lightning rapidity
over the town, and each wigwam disgt»rged its boistenms and as-
tounded inmates. Women snatchc<l their children, and in a delirium
of f.ight wandered aimleasly alxuit, rending the air with their
Bcix'ams. The men, more self-jKissessed, seized their arms readj
for the coming fniy. T<»nti, long an ol»ject of suspicion, was soon
8urrounde«l by an angry crowd of warriors, who accused him of l>c-
injr an emissary of the enemv. His inabilitv to defend himself
})ruj)erly, in conse<juence of not fully iinderstunding their language
left them still inclined to believe him guilty, and they seized his
effects from the fort and threw them into the river. The women
and children were sent down the river for safety, and the warriors,
not exceeding four hundred, as most of their young men were off
hunting, returned to the village. Along the shores of the river
they kindled huge bonfires, and spent the entire night in greasing
their bodies, painting their faces, and j)erforming the war-dance,
to j^ropare for the approaching enemy. At early dawn the scout«
who had been sent out returned, closely followe<l by the Iroquois.
The sootits had seen a chief arrayed in French costume, and re-
ported their suspicions that LaSalle was in the camp of the eneujy,
and Tonti again became an object of jealousy. A concourse of
wildly gesticulating savages immediately gathered about him, de-

IIISTOKY OF ILLINOIS. 35

manding his life, and nothing saved him from their uplifted weap-
ons but a promise that he and his men would go with them to meet
the enemy. With their suspicions partly lulled, they hurriedly
crossed the river and met the foe, when both commenced tiring.
Tonti, seeing that the Illinois were outnumbered and likely to
be defeated, determined, at the imminent risk of his life, to stay
the fight by an attempt at mediation. Presuming on the treaty of
peace then existing between the French and Iroquois, he exchanged
his gun for a belt of wampum and advanced to meet the savage
multitude, attended by three companions, who, being unnecessarily
exposed to danger, were dismissed, and he proceeded alone. A
short walk brought him iu the midst of a pack of yelping devils,
writhing and distorted with fiendish rage, and impatient to shed
his blood. As the result of his swarthy Italian complexion and
half-savage costume, he was at first taken for an Indian, and before
the mistake was discovered a young warrior approached and stabbed
at his heart. Fortunately the blade was turned aside by coming
in contact with a rib, yet a large flesh wound was inflicted, which
bled profusely. At this juncture a chief discovered his true char-
acter, and he was led to the rear and efforts were made to staunch
his wound. When sufiiciently recovered, he declared the Illinois
were under the protection of the French, and demanded, in consid-
eration of the treaty between the latter and the Iroquois, that they
should be suffered to remain without further mo-lestation, Durinjr
this conference a young warrior snatched Tonti's hat, and, fleeing
with it to the front, held it aloft on the end of his gun in view of
the Illinois. The latter, judging that Tonti had been killed,
renewed the fis^ht with great vigor. Simultaneouslv, intelliorence
was brought to the Iroquois that Frenchmen were assisting their
enemies in the fight, when the contest over Tonti was renewed
with redoubled fury. Some declared that he should be immediately
put to death, while others, friendly to LaSalle, with equal earnest-
ness demanded that he should be set at libertv. Durinir their
clamorous debate, his hair was several times lifted by a huge sav-
age who stood at his back with a scalping knife ready for execution.
Tonti at length turned the current of the angry controversy in his
favor, by stating that the Illinois were 1,200 strong, and that there
were 60 Frenchmen at the village ready to assist them. This state-
ment obtained at least a partial credence, and his tormentors now

3C HlblOKY (iK ILLINOIS.

determined to use liim as an instrument to delude the Illinois with a
pretended truce. The old warriors, therefore, advanced to the front
and ordered the firing to ceaoe, while Tonti, dizzy from the losd ot
blood, was furnished with an emblem of peace and sent staggering
across the plain to rejoin the Illinois. The two friars who had just
returned from a distant hut, whither they had rcjiaired for prayer
and meditation, were the first to meet him and bless (tod for what
they regarded as a miraculous deliverance. With tlie ansurance
brought by Tonti, the Illinois re-crossetl the river tt) their lodges,
followed by the enemy as far as the opjwsite bank. Not K»ng after,
large numbers of the latter, under the pretext of hunting, als<tcros6e<l
the river and hung in threatening grou|»B about the town. These
hostile indiciitions.and the well-known disregard which the Iroquois
had always evinced for their ple<lges, Boon convinced the Illinois
that their only safety wa« in flight. With this conviction they set
tire to their village, and while the vast volume of flames and smoko
diverted the attention of the cyiemy, they (piictly drop|x;d down tlio
river t<»join tlieir women and chiMren. As soon lis the flames would
permit, the Inxpjois entrenched themselves on tlie site of the vil-
lage. Tonti ami his men were ordered by the suspicious savages
to leave their hut and tjike up their abode in the fort.

At first the Inujuois were much elated at the discomflture of the
Illinois, but when two days afterward they discovered them recon-
noitering their iutrenchtncnts, their courage greatly subsided.
With fear they recallcxi the exaggerations of Tonti respecting their
numbers, and concludetl to send him with a hostage to make over-
tures of peace. He aiul his liostago were received with dilight by
the Illinois, who readily assented to the pro*j>osal which iiebnmght,
and ir> turn sent back with him a hostage to the Irm^uois. On his
return to the fort his life was again jdaced in jeopardv, and tlie
treaty was with great difficulty ratifieil. The young and inexpe-
rienced Illinois hostage betrayed to his crafty interviewers the nu-
merical weakness of his trilK', and the savages immediately rushed
uponTonti,and charged him with having deprived them of the spoils
and honors of victory. It now recjuired all the tact of which he was
master to escape. At'tcr much difficulty however, the treatv was con-
cluded, but the savages, to show their contempt for it, iramediatelv
commenced constructing canoes in which to descend the river and
attack the Illinois.

■^OiiUSS^

AN IROQUOIS CIIIKK.

UI8TOKV OF ILLINOIS. 39

FRENCHMEN DRIVEN AWAY.

Tonti managed to apprise the latter of their designs, and he and
Meinbre were soon after summoned to attend a council of the Iro-
quois, who still labored under a wholesome fear of Count Frontenac,
and disliking to attack the Illinois in the presence of the French,
they thought to try to induce them to leave the country. At the
assembling of the council, six packages of beaver skins were intro-
duced, and the savage orator, presenting them separately to Tonti,
explained the nature of each. "The first two," said he, " were to de-
clare that the children of Count Frontenac, that is, the Illinois,
should not be eaten; the next was a plaster to heal the wounds of
Tonti; the next was oil wherewith to anoint him and Membre,
that they might not be fatigued in traveling; the next proclaimed
that the sun was bright; and the sixth and last required them to
decamp and go home."

At the mention of going home, Tonti demanded of them when
they intended to set the example by leaving the Illinois in the
peaceable possession of their country, which they had so unjustly in-
vaded. The council grew boisterous and angry at the idea that
they should be demanded to do what they required of the French,
and some of its members, forgetting their previous pledge, declared
that they would "eat Illinois flesh before they departed." Tonti, in
imitation of the Indians' manner of expressing scorn, indignantly
kicked away the presents of fur, saying, since they intended to de-
vour the children of Frontenac with cannibal ferocity, he would not
accept their gifts. This stern rebuke resulted in the expulsion of
Tonti and his companion from the council, and the next day the
chiefs ordered them to leave the country.

Tonti had now, at the great peril of his life, tried every expedient
to prevent the slaughter of the Illinois. There was little to be ac-
complished by longer remaining in the country, and as longer delay
mio-ht imperil the lives of his own men, he determined to depart, not
knowinn' where or when he would be able to rejoin LaSalle. With
this object in view, the party, consisting of six persons, embarked in
canoes, which soon proved leaky, and they were compelled to land
for the purpose of making repairs. While thus employed, Father Ri-
bourde, attracted by the beauty of the surrounding landscape, wan-
dered forth among the groves for meditation and prayer. Not return-
ing in due time, Tonti became alarmed, and started witlia compan-

40 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

ion to ascertain the cause of the long delay. They soon discovered
tracks of Indians, by whom it was supposed he had been seized, and
guns were tired to direct his return, in case he was alive. Seeing
nothing of him during the day, at night tiiey built tires along the
bank of the river and retired to the opposite side, to see who might
approach them. Near midnight a number of Indians were seen
flitting about the light, by whom, no doubt, had been made the tracks
seen the ])reviou8 day. It wa.s afterward learnetl that they were a
band of Kickapoos, who had for several days Ijeen liovering about
the camp of tlie Iro([Uois in quest of sailps. They had fell in
with the inoffensive old friar and scalped him. Thus, in tlie Ootii
year of his age, the only heir to a wealthy Burgundian house per-
ished under the war-club of the savages for whoso salvation he had
renounced ease and attiiience.

I.NMLM.V.V lirTCUKKV.

During this tragedy a far more revolting one was l>eing enacted
in the great town of Illinois. The Iroijuois were tearing open the
graves of tiie dead, and wreaking their vengeance upon the bodies
maile hideous by putrefaction. At this desecration, it is said, they
even ate portions of the dead bodies, while subjecting them to every
indii'iiitv that brutal imto could inllict. Still unsated bv their hell-
ish brutalities, and now unrestrained by the presence of the French,
they started in pursuit of the retreating Illinois. I)jiy after day
they and the oppo.sing forces moved in cdinpact array <h>wn the
river, neither being able to i'ain anv advanta;je over the other. At
length tlie Inxpiois obtained by fal.sehtlt>d that which number and
prowess denied them. They gave out that their object was to pos-
sess tlie country, not by destroying, but by driving out its present
inhabitants. Deceive*! by this false statement, the Illinois separa-
ted, some descending the Mississippi and others crossing to the
western shore. The Tamaroas, more credulous tlian the rest, re-
mained near the mouth of the Illinois, and were suddenly attacked
by an overwhelming force of the enemy. The men tied in dismay,
and the women and children, to tlie number of 700, fell into the
hands of the ferocious enemy. Then f )llowed the tortures, !)ntch-
eriesand burnings which only the infuriated and imbruted Iroquois
could perpetrate. LuSalle on liis return discovered the half-charred
bodies of women and children still bound to tlie stakes where they
had suffered all the torments hellish hate could devise. In addition

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS. 41

to those wlio had been burnt, the mangled bodies of women and
children thickly covered the ground, many of which bore marks of
brutality too horrid for record.

After the ravenous horde had sufficiently glutted their greed for
carnage, they retired from the country. The Illinois returned and
rebuilt their town.

TONTI SAFE AT GREEN BAY.

After the death of Ribourde, Tonti and his men again resumed
their journey. Soon again their craft became disabled, when they
abandoned it and started on foot for Lake Michigan. Their
supply of provisions soon became exhausted, and they were
compelled to subsist in a great measure on roots and herbs.
One of their companions wandered off in search of game, and lost
his way, and several days elapsed before lie rejoined them. In his
absence he was without flints and bullets, yet contrived to shoot
some turkeys by using slugs cut from a pewter porringer and a lire-
brand to discharge his gun. Tonti fell sick of a fever and greatly
retarded the progress of the march. Nearing Green Bay, the cold
increased and the means of subsistence decreased and the party would
have perished had they not found a few ears of corn and some froz-
en squashes in the fields of a deserted village. Near the close of
November they had reached the Pottawatoraies, who warmly greet-
ed them. Their chief was an ardent admirer of the French, and
was accustomed to say: " Tliere were but three great captains in the
world, — himself, Tonti and LaSalle." For the above account of
Tonti's encounter with the Iroquois, we are indebted to Davidson
and Stuve's History of Illinois.

lasalle's return.

LaSalle returned to Peoria only to meet the hideous picture of
devastation. Tonti had escaped, but LaSalle knew not whither. Pass-
ing down the lake in search of him and his men, LaSalle discov-
ered that the fort had been destroyed ; but the vessel which he had
partly constructed was still on the stocks, and but slightly injured.
After further fruitless search he fastened to a tree a painting repre-
senting himself and party sitting in a canoe and bearing a pipe of
peace, and to the painting attached a letter addressed to Tonti.

LaSalle was born in France in 1643, of wealthy parentage, and edu-
cated in a college of the Jesuits, from which he separated and came
to Canada, a poor man, in 1G66. lie was a man of daring genius,

42 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

:ind outstripped all his competitors in exploits of travel and com-
merce with the Indians. He was granted a large tract of land at
LaChine, where he established himself in the fur trade. In l(;r.9
he visited the head(juarters of the great Iroquois confederacy, at
Onondaga, New York, and, obtaining guides, explore<l the Ohio
river to the falls at Louisville. For many years previous, it mutst
be remembered, missionaries and traders wereoblige<l to maki* tlieir
way to the Northwest through Caiuida on account of the fierce
hostility of the Iroijuois along the lower lakes and Niagara river,
which entirely closed this latter route to the tipper lakes. They
carried on their commerce chiefly by canoes, paddling them through
Ottawa river to Lake Nipissing, airrying them across the jM)rtage
to Frt'iK-h river, and descending that to Lake Huron. This being
the route by which they reached the Northwest, we have an explana-
tion of the fact that all the earliest Jesuit missions were established
in the neighborhood of tlie u|>per lakes. LaSallo conceived the
grand idea of oj>cning tlie route by Niagara river and the lower
lakes to Canada commerce by sail vessels, connecting it with the
navigation of the Mit^sissippi, and thus o|>ening a magnificent water
communication from tlie(iulf of St. Lawrence to the (Julf of Mex-
ico. This truly grand and comprehensive purpose seems to have
aninuite*] him in his wonderful achievements, and the matchless
difticulties and hanlships lie surmountc<l. As the first step in the
acc4^>mplishment of this object he establishc<l himself on Lake
Ontario, and built and g»irrisone<i Fort Frontenac, the site of the
present city of Kingston, Caiuula. Here ho obtained a grant of
land from the French crown, and a body of troops, by which he
repulsed the IriKpiois and ojMined passage to Niagara Falls. Hav-
ing by this mjusterly stroke inmlo it safe to attempt a hitherto
untried ex|>edition, his next step, as we have seen, was to build a
ship with which to sail the lakes. He was successful in this under-
taking, though his ultimate purjwse was defeated by a strange com-
bination of unt<»ward circumstances. The Jesuits evidently hated
LaSalle and plotteil against him, l)ecause he had abandoned them
and united with a rival order. The fur traders were also jealous of
his success in opening new channels of commerce. While they were
plodding with their bark canoes through the Ottawa, he was con-
structing sailing vessels to ccunman<l the trade of the lakes and the
Missis8ipi)i. These great plans excited the jealousy and envy of

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS. 43

small traders, introduced treason and revolt into the ranks of liis
men, and finally led to the foul assassination by which his great
achievements were permanently ended.

lasalle's assassination.
Again visiting the Illinois in the year 1G82, LaSalle de-
scended the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico. lie erected a
standard upon which he inscribed the arms of France, and took
formal possession of the whole valley of this mighty river in the
name of Louis XIY., then reigning, and in honor of whom he named
the country Louisiana. LaSalle then returned to France, was
appointed Governor, and returned with a fleet of immigrants for the
purpose of planting a colony in Illinois. They arrived in due time
in the Gulf of Mexico, but failing to find the mouth of the Missis-
sippi, up which they intended to sail, his supply ship, with the
immigrants, was driven ashore and wrecked on Matagorda Bay.
With the fragments of the vessel he constructed rude huts and
stockades on the shore for the protection of his followers, calling
the post Fort St. Louis. He then made a trip into New Mexico
in search of silver mines, but, meeting with disappointment,
returned to find his colony reduced to forty souls. He then resolved
to travel on foot to Illinois. With some twenty of his men they
filed out of their fort on the 12tli of January, 1G87, and after the part-
ing, — which was one of sighs, of tears, and of embraces, all seeming
intuitively to know that they should see each other no more, — they
started on their disastrous journey. Two of the party, Du Haut
and Leotot, when on a hunting expedition in company with a
nephew of LaSalle, assassinated him while asleep. The long
absence of his nephew caused LaSalle to go in search of him. On
approaching the murderers of his nephew, they fired upon him, kill-
ing him instantly. They then despoiled the body of its clothing,
and left it to be devoured by the wild beasts of the forest. Thus,
at the age of 43, perished one whose exploits have so greatly
enriched the history of the New World. To estimate aright the
marvels of his patient fortitude, one must follow on his track
through the vast scene of his interminable journeyings, those thou-
sands of weary miles of forest, marsh and river, where, again and
again, in the bitterness of baffled striving, the untiring pilgrim
pushed onward toward the goal he never was to attain. America
owes him an enduring memory; for in this masculine figure, cas^

44 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

in iron, she sees the heroic pioneer who guided her to the poBscBsion
of her richest lieritiige.

Tonti, who had been stationed at tlio fort on the Illinois, learning
of Lii^alle's unsuccessful voyage, immediately started down the
Mississippi to his relief. Ilt'achiiig the (iulf, he found no traces of
the colony, lie then returned, leaving some of his men at the
mouth of the Arkansjis. These were discovered by the remnant of
LaSalle's followers, who guided them to the fort on the Illinois,
where they reporte<l that LaSjille was in Mexico, The little hand
left at Fort St. Louis were finally destroyed by the Indians, and the
murderers of LuSjille were shot. Thus ends the sad ciiapter of
liobert Cavalier do LaSalle's exploration.

FRENCH occcrvTioN.

FIKST 8KTTLEMKNT8.

The first mission in Illinois, as we liavo already seen, waa com-
menced by Manjuette in April, ir»75. He called the religious
society which he establishetl the "Mission of the Immaculate Con-
cej)tion," and the town Kaskabkia. The first military occuj»ation of
the country was at Fort Crcvecanir, erected in I6b0\ but there is no
evidence that a settlement was commenced there, or at Peoria, on
the lake above, at that early date. The first settlement of whicli there
is any authentic account was commenced with the building of Fort
iSt. Louis on the Illinois river in lGs2; but this was soon abatidonetl.
The oldest ])ermanent settlement, not only in Illiuijis, but in the val-
ley of the Mississippi, is at Kaskaskia, situated six miles alKtvc the
mouth of the Kaskju-kia river. This was settled in IGDO by the
removal of the mission from old Kaskaskia, or Ft. St. Louis, on the
Illinois river. Cahokia was settled about the same time. The
reason for the removal of the old Kaskaskia settlement and mission,
was prol)ably because the dangerous and difficult route by Lake
Michigan and the Chicago |)ortage had been almost abandoned, and
travelers and traders traveled down and up the Mississippi by the
Fox and Wisconsin rivers. It was removed U> the vicinity of the
Mississippi in order to be in the line of travel from Canada to
Louisiana, that is, the lower part of it, for it was all Ix)ui8iana then
south of the lakes. Illinois came into possession of the French in
1682, and was a dependency of Canada and a part of Louisiana.
During the period of French rule in Louisiana, the population

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS. 45

probably never exceeded ten thousand. To the year 1730 the fol-
lowing five distinct settlements were made in the territory of
Illinois, numbering, in population, 140 French families, about 600
"converted " Indians, and many traders; Cahokia, near the mouth
of Cahokia creek and about five miles below the present city of
St. Louis; St. Philip, about forty-five miles below Cahokia; Fort
Chartres, twelve miles above Kaskaskia; Kaskaskia, situated on the
Kaskaskia river six miles above its confluence with the Mississippi,
and Prairie du Rocher, near Fort Chartres. Fort Chartres was
built under the direction of the Mississippi Company in 1718, and
was for a time the headquarters of the military commandants of
the district of Illinois, and the most impregnable fortress in JNorth
America. It was also the center of wealth and fashion in the West.
For about eighty years the French retained peaceable possession
of Illinois. Their amiable disposition and tact of ingratiating them-
selves with the Indians enabled them to escape almost entirel}' the
broils which weakened and destroyed other colonies. Whether
exploring remote rivers or traversing huuting grounds in pursuit
of game, in the social circle or as participants in the reWgious exer-
cises of the church, the red men became their associates and were
treated with the kindness and consideration of brothers. For more
than a hundred years peace between the white man and the red was
unbroken, and when at last this reign of harmony terminated it
was not caused by the conciliatory Frenchman, but b}' the blunt
and sturdy Anglo-Saxon. During this century, or until the coun-
try was occujiied by the English, no regular court was ever held.
When, in 1765, the country passed into the hands of the English,
many of the French, rather than submit to a change in their insti-
tutions, ])referred to leave their homes and seek a new abode.
There are, however, at the present time a few remnants of the old
French stock in the State, who still retain to a great extent the
ancient habits and customs of their fathers.

THE MISSISSIPPI COMPAXr.

During the earliest period, of French occupation of this country",
M. Tonti, LaSalle's attendant, was commander-in-chief of all the
territorv embraced between Canada and the Gulf of Mexico, and
extending east and west of the Mississippi as far as his ambition or
imagination pleased to allow. He spent twenty-one years in estab-
lishing forts and organizing the first settlements of Illinois. Sep-

46 HISTORY ol- ll.l.lNt'lN.

teiiiber 14, 1712, the French g»>verinneiit gnmtod a monopoly of all
the trade and commerce of the country to M. Crozut, a wealthy
merchant of Paris, who establisiied a trading company in lilinoie,
and it was by this means tiiat the early settlements became perma-
nent and others established. Crozat surrendered his charter in
1717, and the Company of the West, better known as tlie Missis-
sippi C(jmpany, was organized, to aid and assist the banking system
of John Law, the most famous 8j)eculati»r of modern tiihes, and
perhaps at one time the wealthiest j»rivjite individual the world
has ever known; but liis treasure wjis transitory. I'nder the
Company of the West a branch was organized chilled tlie Cinnpany
of St. Philip's, for the purpose of working thericii silver mines sup-
posed to be in Illinois, and Philip Ilenault wiis apjxjinted as its
agent. In 1719 he sailed from France with two hundred miners,
laborers and mechanics. During 171'.> the Company of the West
was l>y royal order united with tiio Ri»yal (\>mpany of the Indies,
and had the intluence and supjxtrt of the crown, who waa deluded
by the belief that immense wealth would llow into the cmj>ty treas-
ury of Fratjce. This gigantic scheme, one of the most extensive
and wonderful bubbles ever blown up to astoni.sh, deceive and ruin
thousands of |>eoplo, waa sot in oj>eratio!> by the fertile brain of
Juhn Law. Law was born in Scotland in 1C71, and bo rapid had
been his career that at the age of twenty-three lio waa a " bankrupt,
an adulterer, a murderer and an exiled outlaw." Put he {Mjesessed
greiit tinancial ability, and by his agreeable and attractive manners,
and his enthusiastic advocacy of his schemes, he 8uccee<led in
intlaming the imagination of the mercurial Frenchmen, whose greed
for gain led them to ado})t any plans for obtaining wealth.

Law arrived in Paris with two and a half millions of francs,
which he had gained at the gambling t;il)le, just at the right time.
Louis XIV. hull just died and left as a legacy empty coffers and an
immense public debt. Every thing and everybody was taxed to
the last penny to pay even the interest. All tlje sources of in-
dustry were dried up; the very wind which wafted the barks of
commerce seemed to have died away under the pressure of tlie
tin^e; trade stood still; the merchant, the trader, the artificer, once
flourishing in affluence, were transformed into clamorous beggars.
The life-blood that animated the kingdom was stagnated in all
its arteries, and the danger of an awful crisis became such tliat

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS. 47

the nation was on the verge of bankruptcy. At this critical junc-
ture John Law arrived and proposed liis grand scheme of the
Mississippi Company; '200,000 shares of stock at 500 livres each were
at first issuc'l. This sold readily and great profits were realized.
More stock was issued, speculation became rife, the fever seized
everybody, and the wildest speculating frenzy pervaded the whole
nation, Illinois was thought to contain vast and rich mines of

minerals, Kaskaskia, then scarcely more than the settlement of a
few savages, was spoken of as an emporium of the most extensive
traflic, and as rivaling some of the cities of Europe in refinement,
fashion and religious culture. Law was in the zenith of his glory, and
the people in the zenith of their infatuation. The high and the low,
the rich and the poor, were at once filled with visions of nntold
wealth, and every age, set, rank and condition were buying and selling
stocks. Law issued stock again and again, and readily sold until
2,235,000,0001ivres werein circulation, equaling about $450,000,000,
While confidence lasted an impetus was given to trade never before
known. An illusory policy everywhere prevailed, and so dazzled
the eye that none could see in the horizon the dark cloud announc-
ing the approaching storm. Law at the time was the most influ-
ential man in Europe. His house was beset from morning till
night with eager applicants for stock, Dukes, marquises and
counts, with their wives and daughters, waited for hours in the
street below his door. Finding his residence too small, he changed
it for the Place Yendome, whither the crowd followed him, and the
spacious square had the appearance of a public market. The boule-
vards and public gardens were forsaken, and the Place Vendome
became the most fashionable place in Paris ;^ and he was unable to
wait upon even one-tenth part of his applicants. The bubble burst
after a few years, scattering ruin and distress in every direction.
Law, a short time previous the most popular man in Europe, fled
to Brussels, and in 1729 died in Yenice, in obscurity and poverty.

ENGLISH RULE.

As early as 1750 there could be perceived the first throes of the
revolution, which gave a new master and new institutions to Illi-
nois, France claimed the whole valley of the Mississippi, and Eng-
land the right to extend her possessions westward as far as she
might desire. Through colonial controversies the two mother

4b mSTuKV OK II.1.INUJ8.

countries were precipitated into a bloody war within the Nortli-
western Territory, Creorge Washiii<^ton lirin<^ the first '^un of the
military stru';<i:le whicli resulted in the overthrow of the French
not only in Illinois but in North America. The French evincetl a
determination to retain control of the territory borderiii;; the Ohio
and Mississippi from C'ana<la to the Gulf, and so lonjj as the En-
glish colonies were contine*! to the sea-coast there was little reason
for controversy. As the Kn^lish, however, becHmo ac(juainted
with this beautiful and fertile portion of our c«>untry, they not only
learned the value «tf the vast territory, but also rescdveil to set Uj) a
counter claim to the soil. The French establishe*! numerous mili-
tary and trading jX)sta from the frontiers of Canada to New Or-
leans, and in order to establish also their claims to jurisdiction over
the country they ciirved the lilies of France on the forest trees, or
sunk jdates of metal in the ground. These measures did not,
however, deter the Knglisli from going on with their explorati<»T)s;
and though neither j)arty resorted to arms, yet the conflict was
gathering, and it was only a question of time when the Ptorm
shouUl burst Uj>on the fn>ntier settlement. The French based
their claims upon discoveries, the Knglish on grarjts of territory
extending from ocean to ocean, but neither party paid the least
attention to the jirior claims of the Indians. From this posi-
tion of affairs, it wan evident tliat actual c^illision l)etween the
coutending parties would not much longer be deferred. The En-
glish (jovernmctit, in anticipation of a war, urgetl the (Jovernor
of Virginia t<» lose no time in building two forts, which were
e(juipj>cil by arms from England. The French anticij)ated the
English and gathered! a considerable force to defend their {Ktssessions.
The Governor determined to send a messenger to the nearest
French post and demand an explanation. This resolution of the
Governor brought into the history of our country for the first time
the man of all others whom America most loves to honor, namely,
George Washington. lie was chosen, althougli not yet twenty-one
years of age, as theoneto i)orform thisdelicatc and diflicult mission.
With five companions he set out on Nov^. 10, 1753, and after a per-
ilous journey returned Jan. 6, 1754. The struggle commenced and
continued long, and was blootly and fierce; but on the 10th of Octo-
ber, 1705, the ensign of France was replaced on the ramparts of
Fort Chartres by the flag of Great Britain. Tiiis fort was the

GEN. GEORGE ROGERS CLARK.

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS. 51

•depot of supplies and the place of rendezvous for the united forces
of the Frencli. At this time the colonies of the Atlantic seaboard
were assembled in preliminary congress at New York, dreaming of
liberty and independence for the continent; and Washington, who
led the expedition against the French for the English king, in less
than ten voars was commanding the forces opposed to the English
tyrant. Illinois, besides being constructively a part of Florida for
over one hundred years, during which time no Spaniard set foot
upon her soil or rested his eyes upon her beautiful ]>lains, for nearly
ninety years had been in the actual occupation of the French, their
puny settlements slumbering quietly in colonial dependence on the
distant waters of the Kaskaskia, Illinois and Wabash.

GEN. Clark's exploits.

The Northwest Territory was now entirely under English rule,
and on the breaking out of the Revolutionarv war the British held
every post of importance in the West. While the colonists of the
East were maintaining a fierce struggle with the armies of England,
their western frontiers were ravaged by merciless butcheries of In-
dian warfare. The jealousy of the savage was aroused to action by
tiie rapid extension of American settlement westward and the im-
pro{)er influence exerted by a number of military posts garrisoned by
Uritish troops. To prevent indiscriminate slaughters arising froin
these causes, Illinois became the theater of some of the most daring
exploits connected with American history. The hero of the achieve-
ments by which this beautiful land was snatched as a gem from
.the British Crown, was George Rogers Clark, of Virginia. He had
closely watched the movements of the British throughout the
Northwest, and understood their v.'hole plan; he also knew the
Indians were not unanimously in accord with the English, and
therefore was convinced that if the British could be defeated and
expelled from the Northwest, the natives might be easily awed into
neutrality. Having convinced hjmself that the enterprise against
the Illinois settlement might easily eucceed, he repaired to the cap-
ital of Virginia, arriving Nov. 5, 1777. While he was on his way,
fortunately, Burgoyne was defeated (Oct. 17), and the spirits of the
colonists were thereby greatly encouraged. Patrick Henry was
Governor of Virginia, and at once entered heartily into Clark's
plans. After satisfying the Virginia leaders of the feasibility of
his project, he receiv'ed two sets of instructions, — one secret, the

62 HISTORY UV ILLINOIS.

other open. The hitter authorized him to enlist seven conipaniei^
to go to Kentucky, and serve three months after tlieir arrival in
the Wt'bt. The secret order authorized liim to arm the^e troops,
to procure his powder and lead of General Hand at Pittsburg, and
to proceed at once to suhjugate the country.

UK TAKt:.S KASKASKIA.

With these instructions Col. Clark repaired to Pittsburg, choos-
iiiir rather tt> raise his men west of the mountnins, as he well knew
all were needed in the cidonies in the conllict there. He sent Col
W. P>. Smith to Ilolstein antl Caj»tains Helm and iiowman to
other localities to enlist men; but none of them succeeded in rais-
ing the recjuired numl>er. The settlers in these j»arts were afrai(J
to leave their own fnvsides exposed ti> a vigilant foe, and but few
couUl be induced to join the exjiedition. With these companies
and several private volunteers Clark commenced his descent of the
Ohio, which he mivigated as far as the falls, where he took posees-
eion of and fortified Corn Island, a small island between the present
cities of Louisville, Ky., and New Albany, Ind. Here, after having
completed liis arningcments and anuounccfl to the men their real
destination, he left a Kinall garrison; and on the 24th of June, dur-
ing a total eclij)se<»f the sun, which to them augured no good, they
floated down the river. His plan was to go by water a£ far as Fort
Massjic, and thence march direct to Kahkaskia. Here he intended to
surjtrise the garrison, and after its caj»ture go t«» Cahokia, then to
Vincennes, and la>tly to Detroit. Should he fail, he intended to
march directly to the Mississippi river ami cross it into theSj>anibh
country. Before his start he received good items of infornuition:
one that an alliance had been formed between France and the United
States, and the other that the Indians throughout the Illin«)i8
country and the inhabitants at the various frontier jwsts had Iwen led
by the British to believe that the '' L»ng Knives," or Virginians,
were the most fierce, bloodthirsty and cruel savages that ever 6calj)ed
a foe. With this impression on their minds, Clark saw that
proper management would cause them to submit at once from fear,
if surprised, and then from gratitude would become friendly, if
treated with unexpected lenity. The march to Kaskaskia was
made through a hot July sun. they arriving on tlie evening of the
4th of July, 1778. They captured the fort near tlie village and
soon after the village itself, by surprise, and without the loss of

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS. 53

a single man and without killing any of the enemy. After suffi-
ciently working on the fears of the natives, Clark told them they
were at perfect liberty to worship as they pleased, and to take
whichever side of the great conflict they would; also he would pro-
tect them against any barbarity from British or Indian foe. This
had the desired effect; and the inhabitants, so unexj>ectcdly and so
gratefully surprised by the unlooked-for turn of affaii-s, at once
swore allegiance to the American arms; and when Clark desired
to go to Cahokia on the 6th of July, they accompanied him, and
through their influence the inhaljitants of the place surrendered
and gladly placed themselves under his protection.

In the person of M. Gibault, priest of Kaskaskia, Clark found a
powerful ally and generous friend. Clark saw that, to retain pos-
session of the Northwest and treat successfully with the Indians, he
must establish a government for the colonies he had taken. St. Vin-
cent, the post next in importance to Detroit, remained yet to be
taken before the Mississi])pi valley was conquered. M. Gibault
told him that he would alone, by persuasion, lead Vincennes to
throw off its connection with England. Clark gladly accepted this
offer, and July Hth, in company with a fellow-townsman, Gibault
started on his mission of peace. On the 1st of August he returned
with the cheerful intelligence that everything was peaceably ad-
justed at Vincennes in favor of the Americans. During the inter-
val. Col. Clark established his courts, placed garrisons at Kaskaskia
and Cahokia, successfully re-enlisted his men, and sent word to
have a fort (which proved the germ of Louisville) erected at the
falls of the Ohio.

While tlie American commander was thus negotiating with the
Indians, Hamilton, the British Governor of Detroit, heard of Clark's
invasion, and was greatly incensed because the country which he
had in charge should be wrested from him by a few ragged militia.
He therefore hurriedly collected a force, marched bv way of the
Wabash, and appeared before the fort at Vincennes. The inhabi-
tants made an effort to defend the town, and when Hamilton's
forces arrived, Captain Helm and a man named Henry were the
only Americans in the fort. These men had been sent by Clark.
The latter charged a cannon and placed it in the open gateway, and
the Captain stood by it with alighted match and cried out, as Ham-
ilton came in hailing distance, "Halt!" The British oflicer, not

54 IIISTUKV OF ILLINOIS.

knowing the strengtli uf the garrison, stopped, and demanded the
surrender of tlje fort. Jlehn exclaimed, " No man shall enter here
till I know tlie terms." Hamilton res})onded, " Voii shall liave the
honors of war." The entire garrison consisted of one officer ind one
private.

VINCEXNES CAITIKED.

On taking Kaskaskia, Clark made a prisoner «>f Rochehlave,
commander of the place, and got possession of all his written
instructions for the conduct of the war. I'mm these ]>ai)er8 he
received important information res|>ecting the plans of Col. Ham-
ilton, Governor at Detroit, who was intending t<» make a vigorous
and concerted attack upon the iVontier. After arriving at Vin-
ceimes, Imwever, he gavu up his intended campaign for the winter,
and trusting to his distance from danger an»l to the difliculty of
approaching him, sentotf his Indian warriors to j>revent troops from
comingdown theOhio, and toatinoy the Americans in all ways. Thus
hesat quietly down to pass the winter with only alM>ut eighty soldiers,
but secure, as he thought, from molestation. I'ut he evidently did
not realize tljo character of the men with whom he was contending,
Clark, altiiough ho could muster only one hundred and thirty men,
determined to t^iko advantage of Hamilton's weakness and security,
and attack him as the only means of saving himself; for unless lie
cajitured Hamilton, Hamilton Would capture him. Accordingly,
ahout the l)eginiiingof I'Vhruary. 1770, hedispatched a small galley
which he had fitted out, mounted with two four-|M)unilers and fttur
swivels and manned with a company <if soldiers, and carrying stores
for his men, with oniers to force l»er way up the Wahash, to take
her station a few miles below Vincennos, and to allow no |>crson to
pass lier. He himself marched with his little band, and si>ent six-
teen days in traversing the country from Ka-«ka>kia to Vinccnnes,
passing with incretlible fatigue through woods and marshes. II.-
was five days in crossing the bottom lands of the Wabafh; and for
five miles was frequently up to the brea>t in water. After over-
coming ditlifultiLS which had l>een thought insurmountable, he
aj»i)eared before the ]»lace and completely surj)ritied it. The inhab-
itants readily submitted, Imt Hamilton at first defended l^imself in
the fort. Next day, however, he surrendered himself and his gar-
rison prisoners-of-war. By his activity in encouraging the liostili-
ties of the Indians and by the revolting enormities ]>erpetrated by

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS. Oi>

those savages, Hamilton had rendered himself so obnoxious that he
was thrown in prison and put in irons. During his command of
the British frontier posts he offered prizes to the Indians for all the
scalps of the Americans thej would bring him, and earned in con-
sequence thereof the title, "llair-Bujer General," by which he was
ever afterward known.

The services of Clark proved of essential advantage to his coun-
trymen. They disconcerted the plans of Hamilton, and not only saved
the western frontier from depredations by the savages, but also
greatly cooled the ardor of the Indians for carrying on a contest in
which they were not likely to be the gainers. Had it not been for
this small army, a union of all the tribes from Maine to Georgia
ao-ainst the colonies micrht have been effected, and the whole current
of our history changed.

ILLINOIS.

COUNTY OF ILLINOIS.

In October, 177S, after the successful campaign of Col. Clark, the
assembly of Virginia erected the conquered country, embracing all
the territory northwest of the Ohio river, into the County of Illi-
nois, which was doubtless the largest county in the world, exceeding
in its dimensions the whole of Great Britian and Ireland. To speak
more definitely, it contained the territory now embraced in the great
States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan. On the
12th of December, 1778, John Todd was appointed Lieutenant-
Commandant of this county by Patrick Henry, then Governor of
Virginia, and accordingly, also, the first of Illinois County.

NORTHWESTERN TERRITORY.

Illinois continued to form a part of Virginia until March 1, 1784,
when that State ceded all the territory north of the Ohio to the
(Jnited States. Immediately the general Government proceeded to
establish a form of government for the settlers in the territories
thus ceded. This form continued nntil the passage of tlie ordi-
nance of 1787, for the government of the Northwestern Terri-
tory. No man can study the secret history of this ordinance and
not feel that Providence was guiding with sleepless eye the des-

56 HISTURT OF ILLINOIS.

tinics of these unborn Stntes. American legislation has never
achieved anything more adiniralile, as an internal government,
than thib coniprehensive ordinance. Its jU'Dvisions concerning the
di^^tribution of property, the principles of civil and religious liberty
which it laid at the foundation of the coinnuinities since etjtablihheil,
and the elKcient and 8inj|)le i>rganization b}' which it created the
first machinery of civil society, are worthy of all the praise that has
ever been given them.

<»RDINAXCE OF 1787.

This ordinance hiuj a marvelous and interesting history. Con-
siderable controver»iy 1ms l)een indulgeil in as to who is entitled to
the credit for framing it. This lielongs, undoubtedly, to ^^athan
Dane; ami to Kufus King and Timothy Pickering belong the
credit for suggesting the proviso contained in it against slavery,
and also for aids to religion and knowledge, and for assuring for-
ever the common use, without charge, of the groat national high-
ways of the Mis.<iinsippi, the St. Lawrence and their tributaries tu
all the citizens of the Unite<l States. To Thomas Je(rers<»n is al.'^o
duo much cre<lit, as some features of this ordinance were embraced
in his onlinancc of 17>>4. Htit the part taken by each in the long,
laborious and evetitftil struggle which had so gI<»rious a consum-
mation in the ordinance, consecrating forever, by one imprescript-
ibic and unchangeable monument, the very heart of our country to
Frecthmi, Knowledge, and L'nion, will forever honor the names of
tliose illustrious statesmen.

Mr. .TetTers<»n hail vainly tried to secure a system of government
for the Northwestern Territory. He was an emancipationist and
favored the exclusion of slavery from the territory, but the South
voted him down every time lie propohcd a measure of this nature.
In l"*"', as late as July UK an organizing act without the anti-
slavery clause was pending. This concession to the S«juth was
expected to carry it. Congress was in 8e8^ion in New York. On
July 5, Rev. Manasseh Cutler, of Massachusetts, came into New
York to lobby on the Northwestern Territ«iry. Everything
seemed to fall into his hands. Events were ripe. Tlie state of the
public cretlit, the growing of Southern prejudice, the batis of his
mission, his personal character, all Cfjmbined to complete one of
those sudden and marvelous revolutions of public sentiment that

HISTOKY OF ILLINOIS. 57

once in five or ten centuries are seen to sweep over a country like
the breath of the Ahnighty.

Cutler was a graduate of Yale. He had studied and taken de-
o-rees in the three learned professions, medicine, law, and divinity.
He had published a scientific examination of the plants of New
Eno-land. As a scientist in America his name stood second only to
that of Franklin He was a courtly gentleman of the old style,
a man of commanding presence and of inviting face. The Southern
members said they had never seen such a gentleman in the North.
He came representing a Massachusetts company that desired to
purchase a tract of land, now included in Ohio, for the purpose of
planting a colony. It was a speculation. Government money was
worth eighteen cents on the dollar. This company had collected
enough to purchase 1,500,000 acres of land. Other speculators in
New York made Dr. Cutler their agent, which enabled him to
represent a demand for 5,500,000 acres. As this would reduce the
national debt, ar.d Jefferson's policy was to provide for the public
credit, it presented a good opportunity to do something.

Massachusetts then owned the territory of Maine, which she was
crowding on the market. She was opposed to opening the North-
western region. This fired the zeal of Virginia. The South caught
the inspiration, and all exalted Dr. Cutler. The entire South ral-
lied around him. Massachusetts could not vote against him, be-
cause many of the constituents of her members were interested
personally in the Western speculation. Thus Cutler, making
friends in the South, and doubtless using all the arts of the lobby,
was enabled to command the situation. True to deeper convic-
tions, he dictated one of the most compact and finished documents
of wise statesmanship that has ever adorned any human law book.
He borrowed from Jefi'erson the term "Articles of Compact," which,
preceding the federal constitution, rose into the most sacred char-
acter. He then followed very closely the constitution of Massa-
chusetts, adopted three years before. Its most prominent points
were :

1. The exclusion of slavery from the territory forever.

2. Provision for public schools, giving one township for a semi-
nary and every section numl)ered 16 in each township; that is, one
thirty-sixth of all the land for public schools.

3. A provision prohibiting the adoption of any constitution or

58 UISTOKY OF ILLINOIS.

the enactment of any law that fhouM nullif}' pre-existing contracts.
Beit forever remembered that this compact dechired that ''re-
ligion, morality, and knowledge being necessary to goud govern-
ment and the hujipiness of mankind, schools and the means of edu-
cation shall always be encouraged." Dr. Cutler j)Ianted himself
on this platform and would not yield, (iiving his unijualitied dec-
laration that it was that or nothing, — tlmt unles^s they could make
the land desirable they did not want it, — he to«tk his horse and buggy
antl startetl for the cont>titutional convention at l*hiladelj>hia. (Jn
.Inlv 13, I7s7, the bill was put uj>on its pa^sagi', and was unani-
mously adopted. Thus the great States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois,
Michigan, and Wisconsin, a vast empire, were consecrated to free-
di»m, intelligence, and morality. Thus the great heart of the nation
was pri'parecl to save the union of States, for it was this act that was
the salvation of the republic and the destruction of slavery. Soon
the South saw their great blunder aiitl tried to have the compact
repealed. In 1 803 Congress referred it to a committee, of wliich
John Iianilolj)h was chairman. He re|M>rted that this ordinanco
was a comj>act and opposed repeal. Thus it stood, a rock in the
way of the on-ru^hing sea of slavery.

SYMI'-VrilY Wmi SLAVERY.

With all this timely aid it was, however, a nn»st desjKjrate and
protracted .'•truggle to keej) the soil of Illinois sacred to freedom.
It was the natural battle-field for the irrvprcfrbible conllict. In the
Southern end of the State slavery preceded the coujpact. It ex-
isted among the old French settlers, and was hard to eradicate.
That j>orlion was also settled from the slave States, and this popu-
lation brought their laws, customs, and institutions with them. A
stream of population from the North poured into the nortliern part
.»f the State. These sections misunderstood and hated each otlier
jierfectly. The Southerners regarded the Yankees as a skinning,
tricky, ])enurious race of peddlers, tilling the country with tinware,
brass clocks, and wocnlen nutmegs. The Northerner thought of the
Southerner as a lean, l.iiik, lazy creature, burrowing in a hut, and
rioting in whisky, dirt, and ignorance. These causes aided in
making the struggle long and bitter. So strong was the sympathy
with slavery that, in spite ot the ordinance of 17^7, and in spite of
the deed of cession, it was determined to allow the old French set-
tlers to retain their slaves. Planters from tlie slave States might

GEN. ARTHUR ST. CLAIR.

UISTOKY OF ILLINOIS. 59

bring their slaves if tliey would give them an opportunity to choose
freedom or years of service and bondage for their cliildren till tl)ey
should become thirty years of age. If they chose freedom they
must leave the State within sixty days, or be sold as fu^-itives.
Servants were wliij»i)ed for offenses for which white men were fined.
Each lash paid forty cents of the fine. A negro ten miles from
home without a pass was whipped. These famous laws were im-
ported from the slave States, just as the laws for the inspection of
flax and wool were imported when there was neither in the State.

ST. CLAIR, GOVEKXOR OF NORTUWESTKRN TERRITORY.

On October 5, 17S7, Maj. Gen. Arthur St. Clair was, by Congress,
elected Governor of this vast territory. St. Clair was born in Scot-
land and emigrated to America in 1755. He served in the French
and English war, and was major general in the Revolution. In
1786 he was elected to Congress and chosen President of that body.

ILLINOIS TERRITORY.

After the division of the Northwestern Territory Illinois became
one of the counties of the Territory of Indiana, from which it was
separated by an act of Congress Feb. 3, 1S09, forming the Territory
of Illinois, witlra ])opulation estimated at 9,000, and then included
the present State of Wisconsin. It was divided, at the time, into
two counties, — St. Clair and Randolph. John Boyle, of Ken-
tucky, was appointed Governor, by the President, James Madison,
but declining, Ninian Edwards, of the same State, was then
appointed and served with distinction; and after the organization
of Illinois as a State he served in the same capacity, being its third
Governor.

WAR OF 1812. THE OUTBREAK.

For some years previous to the war between the United States
and England in 1812, considerable trouble was experienced with the
Indians. Marauding bands of savages would attack small settle-
ments and inhumanly butcher all the inhabitants, and mutilate
their dead bodies. To protect themselves, the settlers organized
companies of rangers, and erected block houses and stockades in
every settlement. The largest, strongest and best one of these was
Fort Russell, near the present village of Edwardsville. This stockade

60 HISTORY <'F II.LIMJll>,

was made the main rendezvous tor tn>op8 and military stores, and
(tov. Edwards, who during the j)erilous times ot'lslli, when Indian
iiostilities threatened oti every hand, assumed command of tiie Illi-
nois forces, established his head(|u:irters at this )>laco. The Indians
were incited to many of these depri'dations l»y Kn^lish emissaries,
who for years continue<l their djistardly work of "setting the red
merj, like do^s, uj»on the whites."

In the summer of 1811 a |)eac€ convention waii held with the
Pottawatomies at IVoria, when they promised that peace should
prevail; but their promises were S4>on broken. Tecumseh, the great
warrior, and tit successor of Pontiac, started in the spring of 1*^11,
to arouse the S«juthern Indians to war against the whites. The pur-
pose of tliis chieft^iin was well known to Gov. Harrison, of Indiana
Territory, who determininl during Tecumseh's absence to strikeand
disjK-rse the hostile forces collected at Tipj>ccanoc. Tiiis lie success-
fully di«l on Nov, 7, winning the sobriquet of " Tij>|>ocant>c," by
which he was afterwards commonly known. Several jK-aoe councils
were held, at which the Indians promised g«H»d Ijehavior, but only
to deceive the whites. Almost all the savages of the Northwest
were thoroughly stirre*! up and did not desire |)eacc. The Hritish
agentii at various {>oints, in antici))ation of a war with the United
States, souglit to enlist the favor of the savages by distributing to
them large supplies of arms, ammunition and otlier goods.

The £ngli^ll c«mtinued their insults) to our flag uikui the high
aeas,ai'.d thcirgovornmcnt refusing to reliiupiish its (dierisive course,
all ho]>es of peace and safe commercial relations were a)>andone<l,
and C<mgress, on the 19lh of June, 1812, formally <leclarcd war
against (<reat I'ritain. In Illimus the tlireatene<] Indian troubU-s
had already causi-d a more thorough orgiinization of the militia ami
greater protei't ion by the erection of forts. As intimatc«l, the In-
dians took the war- path long l)efore tl«e declaration of hostilities
Iwtween the two civilize<l nations, committing great depredations,
the most atrocious of which was the

MASSACKE AT FORT DEARBORN.

During the war of 1S12 between the United States and England,
the greatest, as well as the most revolting, massacre of whites that
ever occurred in Illinois, was j>cr|)etrated by the Pottawatoujie In-
dians, at Fort Dearlwrn. This fort was built by the Government,
in 1804, on the south side of the Chicago river, and was garrisoned

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

by 54 men under command of Capt. Nathan Heald, assisted by
Lieutenant Helm and Ensign Konan; Dr. Voorhees, surgeon. Tlie
residents at tlie post at that time were tlie wives of officers lleald
and llehn and a few of the soldiers, Mr. Kinzie and his family, and
a few Canadians. The soldiers and Mr. Kinzie were on the most
friendly terms with the Pottawatomies and Winuebagoes, the prin-
cipal tribes around them.

On the 7th of August, 1812, arrived the order from Gen. Hull, at
Detroit, to evacuate Fort Dearborn, and distribute all United States
property to the Indians. Chicago was so deep in the wilderness

OLD FORT DEARBORN.

that this was the first intimation the orarrison received of the dec-
laration of war made on the 19th of June. The Indian chief who
brought tlie dispatch advised Capt. Heald not to evacuate, and
tiiat if he should decide to do so, it be done immediately, and by
forced marches elude the concentration of the savages before the
news could be circulated among them. To this most excellent ad-
vice the Captain gave no heed, but on the 12l:h held a council with

02 11I8TOUV la- ILLINDIS.

the Indians, ap])rising them of the orders received, and oti'ering a
liheral reward lor an escort of Pottawatimues to I'ort Waviie. The
Indians, with many profesBioiis of friend^hiJ), assented to all ho
pro]>o6ed,and promised all lie reipiircd. The remainiiii; officers re-
fused to join in the council, for they had been in fetrmed that treach-
ery was designed, — that the Indians intended to murder those in
the council, and then destroy those in the fort. The port lioles were
oi)en, displaying cannons pointing directly upon the council. This
action, it is sup])osed, prevented a massacre at tliat time.

Mr Kinzie, who knew the Indians well, begged Capt. Ileald
not to confide in their promises, or distribute the arms and ammu-
nitions amojig them, for it would only put j)ower in their liands to
destroy the whites. This argument, true and e.xcellent in itself,
was now certainly inop]>ortune, and would only incense the treach-
erous foe. But thoCaj)tain resolved to follow it, and accordingly on
the nightof the i:Uh, after the distribution of the other prttperty, the
arms were itroken, and the barrels of whisky, of which there was a
largo quantity, were rolled quietly through the 8ally-j>ort, their
heads knocked in and their contents emptied into the river. On tliat
night the lurking red-skins crept near the fort and discovered the
destruction of tiie promised booty going on within. The next morn-
ing the powder was Been floating on the surface of the river, and
the Indians asserted that euch an abundance of " fire-water" had
been emptied into the river as to make it tiiste " gn»ggy." Many
of them drank of it freely.

On the 14th tlie desponding garrison wa.s somewhat cheere<l l»y
the arrival of Capt. Wells, with 15 friendly Mianiis. Capt. Wells
lieard at Fort Wayne (»f tlie onler to evacuate Tort Dearborn, and
knowing the hostile intentions ot the Indiatis, nuuie a rapid njarch
through the wilderness to j)rotect, if |x)ssible, his niece, Mrs. Ileald,
and the officers and tl»c garrison from certain destruction. But
he came too late. Every means for its defense had been destroyed
the night before, and arrangements were made for leaving the fort
on the following niorning.

The fatal morning of tlie 16th at length dawned brightly on tlic-
world. The sun shone in nncloudcd splendor upon the glassy waters
of Lake Michigan. At 9 a. m., the party moved out of the south-
ern gate of the fort, in military array. The band, feeling the soIom)-
nity of the occasion, struck up the Dead Marcli in Saul. Caj>t.

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS. 63

Wells, with his face hlackcned after the manner of the Indians, led
the advance guard at the head of liis friendly Mianiis, the garrison
with loaded arms, the baggage wagons with the sick, and the women
and children following, while the Pottawatomie Indians, about 500
in number, who had pledged their honor to escort the whites in
safety to Fort Wayne, brought up the rear. The party took the
road along the lake shore. On reaching the range of sand-hills
separating the beach from the prairie, about one mile and a half-
from the fort, the Indians dctiled to the right into the prairie, bring
ing the sand-hills between them and the whites. This divergence
was scarcely effected when Capt. Wells, who had kept in advance
with his Indians, rode furiously back and exclaimed, "They are
about to attack us. Form instantly and charge upon them!"
These .words were scarcely uttered before a volley of balls from
Indian muskets was ])oured in upon them. The troops were hastily
formed into line, and charged up the bank. One veteran of 70 fell
as they ascended. The Indians were driven back to the prairie, and
then the battle was waged by 54 soldiers, 12 civilians, and three or
four women — the cowardly ATiamis having fled at the outset —
against 500 Indian warriors. The whites behaved gallantly, and
sold their lives dearly. They fought desperately until two-thirds
of their number were slain; the remaining 27 surrendered. And
now the most sickening and heart-rending butchery of this calam-
itous day was committed by a young savage, who assailed one of
the baggage wagons containing 12 children, every one of which fell
beneath his murderous tomahawk. When Capt. Wells, who with
the others had become prisoner, beheld this scene at a distance, he
exclaimed in a tone loud enough to be heard by the savages, " If
this be your game, 1 can kill too;" and turning his horse, started
for the place where the Indians had left their squaws and children.
The Indians hotly pursued, but he avoided their deadly bullets for
a time. Soon his horse was killed and he severely wounded. With
a yell the young braves rushed to make him their prisoner and re-
serve him for torture. But an enraged warrior stabbed him in the
back, and he fell dead. His heart was afterwards taken out, cut in
pieces and distributed among the tribes. Billy Caldwell, a half-
breed Wvandot, well-known in Chicago long afterward, buried his
remains the next day. Wells street in Chicago, perpetuates his
memory.

64 iiii>ro;n' ok Illinois.

In this fearful combat women liore a conspicuous part. A wife
of one of the soldiers, who liatl Jre{|uently iieard tiiat the liulians
subjected their prisoners to tortures worse than death, resolved not
to be taken alive, and continuni lighting until she was literally cut
to pieces. Mr.-, lluultl was an excellent equestrian, anil an expert
in the use of the ritie. She fought bravely, receiving several wounds.
Though faint from loss of blood, she nnimiged to keep in her saddle.
A savage raised his tomahawk to kill her, when she looked him full
in the face, and with a sweet smile and gentle voice said, in his
own langujige, " Surely you will not kill a scjnaw." The arm of
of the savage fell, and ti>e life of this heroic wt>man was saved.
Mrs. Helm had an encounter witli a <5talwart Indian, who attempted
to tomahawk her. Springing to one sidi*, she received the glancing
blow i)n her shoulder, and at the same time she seized the savage
round the neck arul endeavored to get liis scaljung-knife which
hung in a sheath at his breast. While she was thus struggling, she
was dragge«l from liis grasp by another and an older Imlian. The
latter Iwro her, struggling and resisting, to the lake and plunged
her in. She soon jierceivcd it was not his intention to drown h«3h,
because he held her in such a |>osition as to keep iier head out of
the water. Slio rceogiiized him t«) lie a celebrated chief called
Hlack Partridge. When the liring ceased she was conducted up
the sand-bank.

SLAL'UirrER OP PRISONKBB.

The ])risoners were taken back to the Indian camp, when a new
scene of horror was enacted. The wounded not being included in
the terms of the surrender, a.s it was interpreted by the Indians,
and the British general, Proctor, having olfered a libenil bounty for
American sculps, nearly all the wounded were killed and sc:ilped,
and the price of the trophies wjis afterwards paid by the Ijritish
general. In the stipulation of surrender, Caj»t. Ileald had not
particularly mentioned the wounded. These heljiless sufferers, on
reaching the In«lian camp, were therefore regarded by tlie brutal
savages as fit subjects Uj>on which to display their cnielty and satisfy
their desire for blood. Referring to the terrible bntchery of the
prisoners, in an acc»»iint given by ^Irs. Helm, she says: "An old
equaw, infuriated by the loss of friends or excited by the sanguin-
ary scenes around her, seemed possessed of demoniac fury. She
seized a stable- fork and assaulted one miserable victim, who lav

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

groaning and writhing in the ai^onies of his wounds, aggravated by
the scorching beams of the sun. With a delicacy of feeling, scarcely
to have been expected under such circumstances, Wan-bee-nee-wan
stretched a mat across two poles, between me and this dreadful scene.
I was thus spared, in some degree, a view of its horrors, altliou<,^h I
could not entirely close my ears to the cries of the sufferer. The
following night live more of the wounded prisoners were toma-
hawked."

KINZIE FAMILY SAVED.

That evening, about sundown, a council of chiefs was held to
decide the fate of the prisoners, and it was agreed to deliver them

OLD KINZIE HOUSE,

to the British commander at Detroit. After dark, many warriors
from a distance came into camji, who were thirsting for blood, and
were determined to murder the prisoners regardless of the terms of
surrender. Black Partridge, with a few of his friends, surrounded
Kiuijie's house to protect the inmates from the tomahawks of the
bloodthirsty savages. Soon a band of hostile warriors rushed by
them into the house, and stood with tomahawks and seal ping-knives,
awaiting the signal from their chief to commence the work of death.

OG HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

Black Partridge said to Mrs. Kinzic: ""We are doing ever}'tliin<r
in our power to save you, but all is now lost; you and jour friends,
togetlier with all the j)risoners of the camp, will now be slain." At
that moment a canoe was heard approaching the sht)re, when Black
Partridire ran down to the river, trviny; in the darkness to make out
the new comers, and at the sauie time shoutetl, " ^Vho are you?''
In the Ih)W of the ap]iroaching canoe stood a tall, manly persona^,
with a rifle in his hand, lie jumj)ed ashore exclaiming, " I am
Sau-ija-nash." "Then make all speed to the house; our friends are
in dantjer, and you only can save them." It was Billy Caldwell,
the half-breed Wyandot. lie hurried forward, entered the house
with a resolute step, deliberately removed his accouterments, placed
his ritle behind the door, and saluted the Iinlians: " How now, my
friends! a good day to you. I was told there were enemies here,
but am glad to find only friends." Diverted by the coolness of his
manner, they were ashamed to avow their murderous purjv)se, and
simjily asked for some cotton goods to wraj) their dead, for burial.
And thus, by his presence of mind, Caldwell averted the murder of
the Kinzie family and the prisoners. The latter, with their wivea
and children, wei-e dis|>ersed among the Pottawatomie tribes along
the Illinois, Ilock and Wal)asli rivers, and some to Milwaukee.
The most of them were ransomed at Detroit the following 6j>riiig.
A part of them, however, remained in captivity another year.

EXPEDITION AGAINST THK INDIANS.

By the mrddle of August, through the disgraceful surrender of
Gen. Hull, at Detroit, and tlie evacuation of Port Dearborn and
massacre of its garrison, the British ami Indians were in jmssession of
the whole Northwest. The savages, emboldened by their sticcesses,
penetrated deejier into the settlements, committing great depre-
dations. The activity and success of the enemy arouse*] the people
to a realization of the great danger their homes and families were
in. (iov. Kd wards collecteii a force of 350 men at Camp Russell,
and Capt. Russell came from Vincennes with about 50 more. Being
ofHcered and cfpiipped, they proceeded about the middle of October
on horseback, carrying with them 20 davh' rations, to Peoria. Ca[>t.
Craig was sent with two boats up the Illinois, with provisions
and tools to build a fort. The little army proceeded to Peoria
Lake, where was located a Pottawatomie village. They arrived late

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS. C7

at night, within a few miles of the village, without their presence
being known to the Indians. Four men were sent out that night
to reconnoiter the position of the village. The four brave men who
volunteered for this perilous service were Thomas Carlin (after-
ward Governor), and liobert, Stephen and Davis Whiteside. Thej
proceeded to the village, and explored it and the approaches to it
thoroughly, without starting an Indian or provoking the bark of a
dog. The low lands between the Indian village and the troops were
covered with a rank growth of tall grass, eo highland dense as to
readily conceal an Indian on horseback, until within a few feet of
him. The ground had become still more yielding by recent rains,
rendering it almost impassable by mounted men. To prevent de-
tection, the soldiers had camped without lighting the usual camp-
fires. The men lay down in their cold and cheerless camp, with
many misgivings. They well remembered how the skulking sav-
ages fell upon Harrison's men at Tippecanoe during the night. To
add to their fears, a gun in the hands of a soldier was carelessly
discharged, raising great consternation in the camp.

AN INDLVN KILLED.

Through a dense fog which prevailed the following morning, the
army took up its line of march for the Indian town, Capt. Judy
with his corps of spies in advance. In the tall grass they came up
-with an Indian and his squaw, both mounted. The Indian wanted
to surrender, but Judy observed that he '"did not leave home to take
prisoners,' and instantly shot one of them. With the blood
fitreaming from his mouth and nose, and in his agony "singing the
death song," the dying Indian raised his gun, shot and mortally
wounded a Mr. Wright, and in a few minutes expired. Many guns
were immediately discharged at the other Indian, not then known
to be a squaw, all of which missed her. Badly scared, and her hus-
"band killed by her side, the agonizing wails of the squaw were
heart-rending. She was taken prisoner, and afterwards restored
to her nation.

TOWN BURNED.

On rearing the town a general charge was made, the Indians
fleeiuir to the interior wilderness. Some of their warriors made a
etand, when a sharp engagement occurred, but the Indians were
Touted. In their flight they left behind all their winter's store of

G8 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

provisions, which was taken, and tlieir town burned. Some Indian
cliildren were Ibiuul who had been left in the hurried llight, also
some disaljlt'd achilts, one ot" whom was in a etarvinjr condition and
with a voracious appetite ])artook of tlie bread ^ivcn him. lie is
said to have been killed by a cowardly troojter stra^^^liu^ l)ehiud,
after the main army had resumed its retrograde march, who wanted
to be able to boast that he had killed an Indian.

About the time Gov. Edwards started with his little baud at^ainst
the Indians, Gen. Hopkins, with 2,000 Kentucky rillemen, left
Vincennes to cross the prairies of Illinois and destroy the Indian
villages along the Illinois river. E«lwards, with Ins rangers, ex-
pected to act in c«)ncert with (Jen. Hojjkins' ritieinen. After
marching 80 or 90 miles into the enemy's country, GeiL Hopkins'
men became dissatislied. and on Oct. 20 the entire army turned
'iiui retreate<l homeward befoi*e even a foe had been met. After the
victory of the Illinois rangers they heard nothing of Gen. Hopkins
and his 2,000 mounted Kentucky riflemen; and appreliensive that a
large force of warriors w«)uld Ix) speedily collected, it was <leemed
prudent not to protract their stay, and accordingly the retrograde
march was commenced the very day of the attm-k.

PKOKIA Ul K.NKI).

'The force of Capt. Craig, in charge of the pro\4sion boats, was
not idle during this time. They proccetled to IVoria, where they
were tired on by ten Indians during the night, who immediately
tied. Capt. C'r.iig discovered, at daylight, their tracks leading up
into the French town. He iiKjuiii'd of the French their where-
abouts, who denied all knowledge of them, aj»d said they " had
heartl or seen nothing;" but he took the entire number prisoners,
burned and destroyed Peori:i, and l)ore the captured inhabitants
away on his boats to a point l>elow the present city of Alton, where
lie landed and left them in the wo<k1s, — men, women. and children, —
in the inclement month of November, without shelter, and without
food other than tlie slender stores tliey had tiiemseives gathered up
before their departure. They found their way to St. Ix)uis in an
almost starving condition. The burning of Peoria and taking its
inhabitants prisoners, on the mere suspicion that they sympathized
with the Indians, was generally regarded as a needless, if not
wanton, act of militarv i>ower.

PONTIAC. THE OTTAWA CHIEF.

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS. 71

SECOND EXPEDITION AGAINST THE INDIANS.

In the early part of 1S13, the country was put in as good defense
as the sparse popuhition admitted. In spite of the precaution taken,
numerous depredations and murders were committed by the In-
dians, which again aroused tlie whites, and another expedition was
sent against the foe, who had collected in large numbers in and
around Peoria. This army was composed of about 900 men, collect-
ed from both Illinois and Missouri, and under command of Gen.
Howard. They marched across the broad prairies of Illinois to
Peoria, where there was a small stockade in chai-ge of United States
troops. Two days previously the Indians made an attack on the
fort, but were repulsed. Being in the enemy's country, knowing
their stealthy habits, and the troops at no time observing a high de-
gree of discipline, many unnecessary night alarms occurred, yet the
enemy were far away. The army marched up the lake to Chili-
cothe, burning on its way two deserted villages. At the present
site of Peoria the troops remained in caiiip several weeks. AVhile
there they built a fort, which they named in honor of Gen. George
Rogers Clark, who with his brave Virginians wrested Illinois from
the English during the Revolutionary struggle. This fort was de-
stroyed by fire in 1818. It gave a name to Peoria which it wore tor
several years. After the building of Fort Crevecoeur, in 1680, Peo-
ria lake was verv familiar to Western travel and historv: but there
is no authentic account of a permanent European settlement there
until 1778, when Laville de Meillet, named after its founder, was
started. Owing to the quality of the water and its greater salu-
brity, the location was changed to the present site of Peoria, and by
1796 the old had been entirely abandoned for the new village.
After its destruction in 1812 it was not settled again until 1819,
and then by American pioneers, though in 1813 Fort Clark was
built there.

EXPEDITION UP THE MISSISSIPPI.

The second campaign against the Indians. at Peoria closed with-
out an engagement, or even a sight of the enemy, yet great was the
benefit derived from it. It showed to the Indians the power and
resources of his white foe. Still the calendar of the horrible deeds
of butchery of the following year is long and bloody. A joint ex-
pedition again moved against the Indians in 1814, under Gov.

t'2

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

Clark of Missouri. This time tliey went up tlio Mississipiu in
l)arges, Prairie du Cliieu heiui,' the point of detitiuatioii. There they
found a small garriuon of British troops, which, h<)wever, soon lied,
as did the inhabitants, leaving Clark in full ]»ossession. lie im-
mediately set to work and erected Fort Shelhy. The Governor
returned to St. Louis, leaving his men in peaceable possession of
the place, but a large force of British and Indians came down uj)on
them, and the entire garrison surrendered. In the mean time Gen.
Howard sent 108 men to strengthen the garrison. Of tliie number
06 were Illinois rangers, under Capts. Ilector and Kiggs, who oc-
cupied two boats. The remainder were with Lieut. Camjdiell.

A I>KS1'KK.\TK FIOMT.

At Rock Island Campbell was warnctl to turn back, as an attack
was contemplated. The other boats passed on uj) the river and
were some two miles ahead when Campl>eirs barge was struck by a
strong gale which forced it against a small island near the lUinoio
slK.re. Thinking it best to lie to till the wind abated, sentinels
were st^itioned while the men went ashore to cook breakfast. At
this time a lar:re number of Indians on the main shore under
Black Hawk commencetl an atUick. The savages in canoes passed
rapidly to the island, ami with a war-whoop rushed upon the men,
who retreated and sought refuge in the barge. A battle of bri.sk
mnsketrv now ensued between the few regulars aboard the strandtd
barge and the hordes of Indians under cover of trees on the island,
with severe htss to the former. Meanwhile Cajtt. Ilector and Biggs,
ahead with their barges, seeing the smoke <jf battle, attempte<l to
return; but in the strong gale Kiggs' boat became unmanageable
and was stranded on the raj>ids. Ilector, to avoid a similar disaster,
let go his anchor. The rangers, however, opened with good aim
and telling etfect upon the savages. The unequal combat having
raged for some time and about closing, the commander's barge,
with many wounded and several dead on board, — among the former
of whom, very badly, wa.s Campbell himself, — was discovered to l>e
on tire. Now Rector and his brave Illinois rangers, comprehending
the horrid situation, performed, witiiout delay, as cool and heroic a
deed — and did it well — as ever imperiled the life of mortal man.
In the howling gale, in full view of hundreds of infuriated savages,
and within range of their rifles, they deliberately raised anchor.

HISTOKV Uh' ILLINOIS. 73

lightened their barge by casting overboard quantities of provisions,
and guided it with the utmost labor down the swift current, to the
windward of the burning barge, and under the galling fire of the
enemy rescued all the survivors, and removed the wounded and
dying to their vessel. This was a deed of noble daring and as
heroic as any performed during the war in the West. Rector hur-
ried with his over-crowded vessel to St. Louis.

It was now feared that Riggs and his company were ca])tured
and sacrificed bv the savaijcs. IIi'"> vessel, which was struiiir and well
armed, was for a time surrounded by the Indians, but the whites
on the inside were well sheltered. The wind becoming allayed in
the evening, the boat, under cover of the night, glided safelj' down
the river without the loss of a sinMe man.

STILL ANOTHER EXPEDITION.

Notwithstanding the disastrous termination of the two expedi-
tions already sent out, during the year 1814, still another was pro-
jected. It was under Maj. Zachary Taylor, afterward President.
Rector and Whiteside, with the Illinoisan, were in command of
boats. The expedition passed Rock Island unmolested, when it
was learned the country was not only swarming with Indians, but
that the English were there in command with a detachment of regu-
lars and artillery. The advanced boats in command of Rector, White-
side and Hempstead, turned about and began to descend the rapids,
fighting with great gallantry the hordes of the enemy, who were
pouring their fire into them from the shore at every step.

Near the mouth of Rock river Maj. Taylor anchored his fleet out
in the Mississippi. During the night the English planted a battery
of six pieces down at the water's edge, to sink or disable the boats,
and filled the islands with red-skins to butcher the whites, who
might, unarmed, seek refuge there. But in this scheme they were
frustrated. In the morning Taylor ordered all the force, except 20
boatmen on each vessel, to the upper island to dislodge the enemy.
The order was executed with great gallantry, the island scoured,
manv of the savages killed, and the rest driven to the lower island.
In the meantime the British cannon told with eflfect u})on the fleet.
The men rushed back and the boats were dropped down the stream
out of range of the cannon. Capt. Rector was now ordered with
hia company to make a sortie on the lower island, which he did,

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

driving the Indians back among the willows; luit thev being re-in-
forced, in turn hurled Kector back ujion the sand-beach.

A council (tf otlicers called by Ta\ lor had l>y this time decided
that their force was too small to contend with the enemy, wh.»
outnumbered them three to one, and the boats were in full retreat
down the river. As Kector attempted to get under way his bt»at
grounded, and the savages, with demoniac yells, surrounded it,
when a most desperate hand-to-hand conllict ensueil. The gallant
ranirer. Sumurl Whiteside, ubscrvini; the imminent peril of hi.--
brave Illinois comrade, went immediately to his rescue, who l)ut for
his timely aid would inidoubtedly have been overpowered, with all
his fi»rce, and munlerud.

Thus ended the last, like the two previous expeditions up the
Mississippi iluring the war of 1S12, in defeat and disaster. Ti»o
enemy was in undisputed )io8esgi«ui of all tlie country north of the
Illinois river, and the prosj)Cct8 res|)ecting those territories boded
nothing but gloom. With the approach of winter, however, Indian
depredations ceased to be c.t)mmitte«l, and the j>eace of (Jheiit, Dec.
24, 1814, closed the war.

ILLINOIS AS A ^iATE.

S OKOANI7.ATI0N.

In January of 181*^ the Territorial Legislature forwarded to
Nathaniel Po|>e, <lelegate in Congress from Illinois, a|>etition pray-
ing for admission into the national fiiion as a State. On April
IStli of the wime year CVuigress passed the enabling act, and Dec.
3, after the State government had been organized and Gov. l*tnu\
had signed the Constitution, Congress by a resolution declared Illi-
nois to be "one of the United States of America, and admitted into
the Union on an equal footing with the original StJites in all
respects."

The t)rdinance of 1787 declared that there should iKjat least three
States carved out of the Northwestern Territory. The boumhiries
of the three, Ohid, Indiana and Illinois, were fixed by this law.
Congress reserved the power, however, of forming two other States
out of the territory which lies north of an east and west line drawn
through the southern boundary of Lake MichigJin. It was generally
conceded tliat this line would l)e the northern boundary of Illinois ;

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS. 75

but as this would ^ive the State no coast on Lake Michigan; and
rob her of the port (^f Chicago and the northern terminus of the
Illinois & Michigan canal which was then contemplated, Judge
Pope had the northern boundary moved fifty miles further north.

BOUNDARY CHANGED.

Not only is Illinois indebted to Nathaniel Pope for the port where
now enter and depart jnore vessels during the year than in any
other port in the world, for the northern terminus of the Illinois
& Michigan car.al, and for the lead mines at Galena, but the nation,
the undivided Union, is largely indebted to him for its perpetuity.
It was he, — his foresight, statesmanship and energy, — that bound
our confederated Union with bands of iron that can never be broken.
The geographical position of Illinois, with her hundreds of miles
of water-courses, is such as to make her the key to the grand arch
of Northern |ind Southern States. Extending from the great chain
of lakes on the north, with snow and ice of the arctic region, to the
cotton-fields of Tennessee ; peopled, as it is, by almost all races,
classes and conditions of the human familv : miided bv the various
and diversified political, agricultural, religious and educational
teachings common to both North and South, — Illinois can control,
and has controlled, the destinies of our united and beloved republic.
Pope seemingly foresaw that a struggle to dissolve the Union would
be made. With a prophetic eye he looked down the stream of time
for a half century and saw the great conflict between the South and
North, caused by a determination to dissolve the confederation of
States; and to preserve the Union, he gave to Illinois a lake coast.

Gov. Ford, in his History of Illinois, written in 18-17, while
speaking of this change of boundary and its influence upon our
nation, says:

"What, then, was the duty of the national Government? Illinois
was certain to be a great State, with any boundaries which that
Government could give. Its great extent of territory, ita unrivaled
fertility of soil and capacity for sustaining a dense population,
together with its commanding position, would in course of time
give the new State a very controlling influence with her sistei"
States situated upon the Western rivers, either in sustaining the
federal Union as it is, or in dissolving it and establishing new gov-
ernments. If left entirely upon the waters of these great rivers, it

HISTORY tH- ILLINOIS.

was plain that, in case of tlirejitened disruption, the interest of the
new State would be to join a Suuthern and , Western confederacy;
but if a large portion of it could be made dependent upon the com-
merce and navigation of the great northern lakes, connected as they
are with the Eastern States, a rival interest would be created to
check the wish for a Western and Southern confederacy.

" It therefore became the duty of the national (iovernincnt not
only to make Illinois strong, but to raise an interest inclining and
binding her to the Eastern ami Northern jturtions of the I'nitdL
This could be d(jne only through an intere.^t in tiie lakes. At that
time the commerce on the lakes was small, but its increase was ct)n-
fidently ixj)ecled, and, indeed, it has exceeded all anticipations,
and is yet only in its infancy. To accomj)lish this object etVectually,
it was not oidy necessary to give h> Illinois the port of Ciiiejtgt* and
a route for the canal, but a consiiifrable ctuist on Lake Michigan,
with a country back of it sufficiently extensive to contain a j)<)pu-
lation caj)able of exerting a decided intlueoce ujwnihe co«incils of
the St;ite.

"There would, therefore, l.tra large commerce of the north, west-
ern and central j)ortion of the State afloat on the lakes, f(»r it was
then foreseen that the canal would be made; and this alone would
be like turning one of the many mouths of the Mis.Nissippi into
Lake Michigan at Chiaigo. A very large commerce of the center
and south wouhl be found both upon the lakes and rivers. Asso-
ciations in business, in interest, and of friendship would be f«)rmed,
both with the North and the South. A State thus situated, having
such a decidetl interest in the commerce, and in the preservation of
the whole confederacy, um never consent to disunion; for tlie Union
cannot be dissolved without a division and disruption of the State
itself. These views, urged by Judge Pope, obtained the unquali-
fied assent of the statesmen of 1818.

"These facts and views are worthv to be recorded in histnrv as
a standing and ])erjx'tual call up(»n lUinoisans of every age to
remember the great trust which has been reposed in them, as the
peculiar champions and guardians of the Union by the great men
and patriot sages who adorned and governed this country in the
earlier and better days of the Republic."

During the dark and trving davs of the Il^'bellion, well did she
remember this sacred trust, to protect which two hundred thousand

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS. 77

of lier sons went to the bloody field of battle, crowning their arms
with the laurels of war, and keeping inviolate the solemn obliga-
tions bequeathed to them by their fathers.

FIRST CONSTITUTION.

In July and August of 18 IS a convention was held at Kaskaskia
for the purpose of drafting a constitution. This constitution was
not submitted to a vote of the people for their approval or rejection,
it being well known that they would approve it. It was about the
first organic law of any State in the Union to abolish imprisonment
for debt. The first election under the constitution was held on the
third Thursday and the two succeciding days in September, 1818.
Shadrach Bond was elected Governor, and Pierre Menard Lieuten-
ant Governor. Their term of office extended four years. At this
time che State was divided into fifteen counties, the population being
about 40,000. Of this number by far the larger portion were from
the Southern States. The salary of the Governor was $1,000, while
that of the Treasurer was $500. The Legislature re-enacted, ver-
batim, the Territorial Code, the penalties of which were unneces-
sarily severe. Whipping, stocks and pillory were used for minor
ofienses, and for arson, rape, horse-stealing, etc., death by hanging
was the penalty. These laws, howev^er, were modified in 1S21.

The Legislature first convened at Kaskaskia, the ancient seat of
empire for more than one hundred and fifty years, both for the
French and Americans. Provisions were made, however, for the
removal of the seat of government by this Legislature. A place in the
wilderness on the Kaskaskia river was selected and named Yandalia.
From Vandalia it was removed to Springfield in the year 1837.

DERIVATIOX OF TUE NAME ILLINOIS.

The name of this beautiful "Prairie State" is derived from
Illiiii, an Indian word signifying superior men. It has a French
termination, and is a symbol of the manner in which the two races,
the French and Indians, were intermixed during the early history
of the country. The appellation was no doubt well applied to the
primitive inhabitants of the soil, whose prowess in savage warfare
long withstood the combined attacks of the fierce Iroquois on the
one side, and the no less savage and relentless Sacs and Foxes on the
other. The Illinois were once a powerful confederacy, occupying
the most beautiful and fertile region in the great valley of the

78 mSTOUV ol' ILLINOIS.

Mississippi, wliicli their enemies coveted and stru^'^led lonir and
hanl to wrest from them. By the fortunes of war they were dimin-
islied in nmnl)er and tinally destroyed. "Starved Rock," on the
Illinois river, according to tradition, commemorates their last trag-
edv. where, it is said, the entire trihe starved rather than surrender.

The low co<^noinen of "Sucker," as ai)plied to Illinoisans, is said
to have had its orii^iH at the Galena lead mines. In an early dav,
when these extensive mines were heing wt)rked, men would run up
the Mississippi river in steamhoats in the spring, work the lead
mines, and in the fall return, thusestablishing, as wassuppot'cd, asim-
ilitude between their migratory habits and those of the fishy tribe
called "Suckers." For this reason the Illinoisans have ever since
been distinguished by the epithet "Suckers." Those who stayed
at the mines over winter were mostly from Wisconsin, and were
called " Badgers." One spring tiic Missourians poured into the
mines in such numl)ers that the State was j-aid to have taken a puke,
ami the otffusivo api>ellation of " Pukes" was afterward applied to
all ^fissourians.

The southern part of the State, known as " Egypt," received this
api>ellation because, being «dder, iK'tter settle*! and cultivated, grain
was hail in greater abundance than in the central ami northern por-
tion, ami the immigrants of this region, after the manner of the
children of Israel, went "thither to buy and to bring from theqco
that thev might live and not die."

irrATK BANK.

The Ix'gislature, during the latter years of territ<*rial existence,
granted charters to several banks. 'The result was that paj)er money
became very abundant, times tiush, and credit unlimited; and every-
body investe<i to the utmost limit of his credit, with confident
expectation of realizing a handsome a^lvance before the expiration
of his credit, from the throng of immigrants then pouring into the
country. By ISID it becime apparent that a day of reckoning
would apjiroach liefore their dreams of fortune could be realized.
Banks everywhere bcg:m to waver, pa|)er money became depreci-
ated, and gold and silver driven out of tlie country. The Legisla-
ture sought to bolster up the times by incorporating the " Bank
of Illinois," which, with several branches, was created by the ses-
sion of 1S21. This hank, being wholly supported by the credit of
the State, w^s to issue one, twf», three, five, ten and twenty -d«dlar

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS. 79

notes. It was the duty of the bank to advance, upon jDersonal prop-
erty, money to the amount of $100, and a hxrger amount upon real
estate. All taxes and public salaries could be paid in such bills;
and if a creditor refused to take them, he had to wait three years
longer before he could collect his debt. The people imagined that
simply because the government had issued the notes, they would
remain at par; and although this evidently could not be the case,
they were yet so infatuated with their project as actually to request
the United States government to receive them in payment for their
pnblic lands! Although there were not wanting men who, like
John AEcLean, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, fore-
saw the dangers and evils likely to arise from the creation of such
a bank, by far the greater part of the pco])le were in favor of it.
The new bank was therefore started. The new issue of bills by the
bank of course only aggravated the evil, heretofore so grievously
felt, of the absence of specie, so that the j^eople were soon com-
pelled to cut their bills in halves and quarters, in order to make
small change in trade. Finally the paper currency so rapidly depre-
ciated that three dollars in these bills were considered worth only
one in specie, and the State not only did not increase its revenue,
but lost full two-thirds of it, and expended three times the amount
required to pay the expenses of the State government.

Lafayette's visit.

In the spring of 1825 the brave and generous LaFayette visited
Illinois, accepting the earnest invitation of the General Assembly,
and an affectionately written letter of Gov. Cole's, who had formed
his personal acquaintance in France in 1817. The General in reply
said: " It has been my eager desire, and it is now my earnest inten-
tion, to visit the Western States, and particularly the State of Illi-
nois. The feelings which your distant welcome could not fail to
excite have increased that patriotic eagerness to admire on that
blessed spot the happy and rapid results of republican institutions,
public and domestic virtues. I shall, after the 22d of February
(anniversary day), leave here for a journey to the Southern States,
and from New Orleans to the Western States, so as to return to
Boston on the 14th of June, when the corner-stone of the Bunker
Ilill monument is to be laid, — a ceremony sacred to the whole Union
and in which I have been engaged to acta peculiar and honorable
part."

80 UI6TUKY I'K ILLINOIS.

General LaFayette and suite, attended by a large delegation ot
prominent citizens of Missouri, made a visit by the steamer Natcli.
ez to the ancient town of Kaskaskia. No military parade was
attempted, but a multitude of patriotic citizens made him welcome.
A reception was held, Gov. Cole delivering a glowing address of
welcome. During the progress of a grand ball held that night, a
very interesting interview took place between the honored General
and an Indian scjuaw whose father had served under him in the
lievolutionarv war. The scpiaw, learning that the great white chief
was to bo at Kaskaskia on that night, had ridden all <lay, from early
dawn till sumetime in the night, from her distant home, to see
the man whose name had been so often <>n her father's tongue, and
with which she was so familiar. In identitication of her claim to
his distinguished act|uaintance, she brought with her an old, worn
letter which the (Jeneral had written to her father, and which the
Indian chief had preserved with great care, and finally bequeathed
on hid death-bed to his daughter as the most precious legacy he had
to leave her.

By 12 o'clock at night Gen. LaFayettc returned to his boat and
started JSuuth. The boat was chartered by the State.

EARI.V GoVKltN'oKf.

In the year l'^22 the term <'i oiiiLc oi lue tirst (xorernor, Shadrach
Bond, expiied. Twt» parties sprung up at this time, — one favorable,
the other hostile, to the introduction of slavery, each proposing a
candidate of its own for Governor. Both parties worked hard to
secure the election of their resjMictive candidates; but the people at
large decided, as they ever have been at heart, in favor of a free
State. Edward Coles, an anti-slavery man, was elected, although a
majority of the Legislature were opposed to him. The sul»ject of
princii)al interest during his administration was to make Illinois a
slave State. The greatest effort was made in 1824, and the propo-
sition was defeated at thep<»lls by a majority of 1,800. The aggre-
gate vote polled was 11,^12, l>eing about 6,000 larger than at the
previous State election. Afric4\n slaves were first introduced into
Illinois in 1720 by Renault, a Frenchman.

Senator Duncan, afterward Governor, presented to the Legisla-
ture of 1824-5 a bill for the support of schools by a public ta.x; and
William S. Hamilton presented another bill requiring a tax to be

UISTOKY OF ILLINOIS. 81

used for the purpose of constructing and repairing the roads, — both
of which bills passed and became laws. But although these laws
conferred an incalculable benetit upon the public, the very name of
a tax was so odious to the people that, rather than pay a tax of the
smallest possible amount, they preferred working as they formerly
did, five days during the year on the roads, and would allow their
children to grow up without any instruction at all. Consequently
both laws were abolished in 1826.

In the year 1826 the office of Governor became again vacant.
Ninian Edwards, Adolphus F. Hubbard and Thomas C. Sloe were
candidates. Edwards, though the successful candidate, had made
himself many enemies by urging strict inquiries to be made into
the corruption of the State bank, so that had it not been for his
talents and noble personal appearance, he would most probably not
have been elected. Hubbard was a man of but little personal merit.
Of him tradition has preserved, among other curious sayings, a
speech on a bill granting a bounty on wolf-scalps. This speech,
delivered before the Legislature, is as follows: "Mr. Speaker, I rise
before the question is put on this bill, to say a word for my constit-
uents. Mr. Speaker, I have never seen a wolf. I cannot say that
I am very well acquainted with the nature and habits of wolves.
Mr. Speaker, I have said that I had never seen a wolf; but now I
remember that once on a time, as Judge Brown and I were riding
across the Bonpas prairie, we looked over the prairie about three
miles, and Judge Brown said, ' Hubbard, look! there goes a wolf; '
and I looked, and 1 looked, and I looked, and I said, ' Judge, where?'
and he said, 'There!' And I looked again, and this time in the
edge of a hazel thicket, about three miles across the prairie, I think
I saw the wolf's tail. Mr. Speaker, if I did not see a wolf that
time, I think I never saw one; but I have heard much, and read
more, about this animal. I have studied his natural historv.

"By the bye, history is divided into two parts. There is first
the history of the fabulous; and secondly, of the non -fabulous, or
unknown age. Mr. Speaker, from all these sources of information
I learn that the wolf is a very noxious animal; that he goes prowl-
ing about, seeking something to devour; that he rises up in the
dead and secret hours of night, when all nature reposes in silent
oblivion, and tlien commits the most terrible devastation upon the
rising generation of hogs and sheep.

82 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

'* Mr. Speaker, I have done; and I return my thanks to the liousft
for tlieir kind attention to my remarks."

Gov. Edwards was a hir<je and well-made man, with a noble,
princely appearance. Of him Gov. Ford says: " He never con-
descended to the common low art of electioneering. Whe|iever he
went out among the jKJople he arrayed him(H,'lf in the style of a
gentleman of the olden time, dre!?sed in tine hroadcloth, with short
breeches, long stockings, and high, fair-t«»pped l)oots; was drawn in
a fine carriage driven by a negro; and for success he relied upon his
speeches, which were delivered in great i>omp and in style of diffuse
and florid eloquence. When he was inaugunited in 1S26, he
appeared before the CJeneral Assembly wearing a goldenhiced cloak,
and with great pomp pronounced his first message to the houbcs
of the Legislature."

OKAMMAK AVn COOR ro.NTR Af^TED.

Demagogism had an early 'ic\«.iujiiiieiii. *_)iie John Grammar,
who was elected to the Territorial I>igislature in 1810, and held the
{)osition for al>out twenty ye:ir», invcnte^l the policy of opposing
every new thing, saying, "If it oucceeds, no one will ask who
voted against it: if it proves afailurc, ho could quote its record."
When first honored with a seat in the Ai^sembly, it is said that
he lackeil the apparel necessary for a member of the Legislature,
and in order to procure them lie and his sons gathered a large
quantity of hazel-nuts, which were taken to the Ohio Saline and
soUi for cloth to make a coat and pantaloons. The cloth was the
blue strouding commonly used by the Indians.

The neighboring women as-iombled to make uj) the g:irnjents; the
cloth was measured every way, — across, lengthwise, and from corner
to corner,— and still was found to l)e scant. It was at last con-
cluded to make a verv short, bob-tailed coat an«l a long j)air of leg-
gins, which l>eing finished, Mr. Grammar started for the State
capital. In sharp contrast with Grammar was the character of D.
P. Cook, in honor of wliom C«v»k county was name«l. Such was
his transparent inteirrity and remarkable ability that his will was
almost the law of the State. In Congress, a young man and from
a poor State, he was made Chairman of the Ways and Means Com-
mittee. He was pre-eminent for standing by his committee, regard-
less of consequences. Tt was his integrity tliat elected John Quincy

llIbTOKV OF ILLINOIS. S3

Adams to the Presidency. There were four candidates in 1824,
Jackson, Clay, Crawford and Adams. There being no choice by
the people, the election was thrown into the House. It was so bal-
anced that it turned on his vote, and that he cast for Adams, elect-
ing him. He then came home to face the wrath of the Jackson
party in Illinois.

Tiie first mail route in the State was established in 1S05, This
was from Vincennes to Cahokia. In lS2-i there was a direct mail
route from Vandalia to Springfield. The first route from the central
part of the State to Chicago was established in 1S32, from Shelby-
ville. The difticulties and dangers encountered by the early mail
carriers, in time of Indian troubles, were very serious. The bravery
and ingenious devices of Harry Milton are mentioned with special
commendation. When a bov, in 1812, he conveyed the mail on a
wild French pony from Shawneetown to St. Louis, over swollen
streams and through the enemy's country. So infrequent and
irregular were the communications by mail a great part of the time,
that to-day, even the remotest part of the United States is unable to
appreciate it by example.

The first newspaper published in Illinois was the IHliiois Herald^
established at Kaskaskia by Mathew Duncan. There is some va-
riance as to the exact time of its establishment. Gov. Reynolds
claimed it was started in 1809. Wm. H. Brown, afterwards its
editor, gives the date as 181-1.

In 1831 the criminal code was first adapted to penitentiary pun-
ishment, ever since which time the old system of whipping and
pillory for the punishment of criminals has been disused.

There was no legal rate of interest till 1830. Previously the rate
often reached as high as 150 per cent., but was usually 50 per cent.
Then it was reduced to 12, tlien to 10, and lastly to 8 per cent.

INDIAN TROUBLES.

WINNEBAGO WAR.

The Indians, who for some years were on peaceful terms with
the whites, became troublesome in 1827. The Winnebagoes, Sacs
and Foxes and other tribes had been at war for more than a hun-
dred 3'ears. In the summer of 1827 a war party of the "Winnebagoes
surprised a party of Chippewas and killed eight of them. Four

84 mSTOKY OF ILLINOIS.

of the munlorerf; were arrested aiul delivered to the Chippewas,
l>y wliuiii tliey wore iiiiinodiHtely shot. This wjis the tir^t irritation
of the Wiiuieba^oes. Ut«i llinl, a chief <»f tliis tril)L', in ordir tt>
avenge the execution of the four warriors of his own jjeople, attacked
tl»e Chippe was, but was defeated; and being detenu inetl t«j satisfy
his thirst for revenge by some means, surprised and killed several
white niefL Upon receiving intelligence of these murders, the
whites who were working the lead mines in tiio vicinity of Galena
formetla body of volunteers, and, re-inforced by a company of United
States troops, marched into the country of the Winnebagoes. To
save their nation from the miseries ot war, Ited Hird and six other
men of his nation voluntarily surrendere«l themselves. Some ^f
the number were executed, some of them imprisoned and tlestined,
like lied Bird, ingloriously to pine away within the narrow confines
of a jail, when ft>rmerly the vait forests had proven to4j limited for
them.

JoU.N KEYNOLDS KLECTKD UOVEUNOK.

In AuguoL, 1S3(), another gubernatorial election was held. The
candidates were William Kinney, then Lieutenant Governor, ami
John Ueyiiolds, formerly an A^sociale Justice of the Supreme Court,
both Jackson Democrats. The opposition brought forward no am-
didate, as they were in a helpless minority. lieynolds was the
successful candidate, and und**r his administration was the fatuous

BLACK ilAWK WAR.

In the year of 18U4 a tpwity was concluded between the United
Stales and the chiefs of the Sac and Fox nations. One old chief of
the Sacs, however, called Black Hawk, who had fought with great
bravery in the service of Great Britain during the war of lbl2, had
always taken exceptions to this treaty, pronouncing it void. In 1831
be established himself, with a chosen band of warriors, u|X)n the dis-
puted territory, ordering the whites to lejive the country at once. The
settlers complaining, (iov. Ileynolds dispatched (Jen. (iaines, with a
company of regulars and 1,500 volunteers, to the scene of action.
Taking the Indians by surprise, the troops burnt their villag<is and
forced them to conclude a treaty, by which they ceded all lands east
of the Mississippi, and agreed to remain on the western side of the
river. Necessity forced the proud spirit of Black Hawk into
submission, which made him more than ever determined to Ije

BLACK HAWK. THE SAC CHIEF.

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS. 87

avenged iipoi: his enemies. Having rallied around him the warlike
braves of the Sac and Fox nations, he crossed the Mississippi in the
spring of 1832. Upon hearing of the invasion, Gov. Reynolds
hastily collectP'^ a body of 1,800 volunteers, placing them under the
command oi iJiig-Gen. Samuel "Whiteside.

stillman's run.

The army marched to the Mississippi, and having reduced to
ashes the Indian village known as '-Prophet's Town," proceeded
for several miles up the river to Dixon, to join the regular forces
under Gen. Atkinson. They found at Dixon two companies of
volunteers, who, sighing for glory, were dispatched to reconnoiter
the enemy. They advanced under command of Maj. Stillman, to a
creek afterwards called "Stillman's run;" and while encami)ing
there saw a party of mounted Indians at the distance of a mile.
Several of Stillman's party mounted their horses and charged the
Indians, killing three of them; but, attacked by the main body
under Black Hawk, they were routed, and by their precipitate
flight spread such a panic through the camp that the whole company
ran oif to Dixon as fast as their les^s could carrv them. On their
arrival it was found that there had been eleven killed. The party
came straggling into camp all night long, four or five at a time,
each squad positive that all who were left behind were massacred.

It is said that a big, tall Kentuckian, with a loud voice, who
was a colonel of the militia but a private with Stillman, upon his
arrival in camp gave to Gen. "Whiteside and the wondering multi-
tude the following glowing and bombastic account of the battle:
''Sirs," said lie, "our detachment was encamped among some scat-
tering timber on the north side of Old Man's creek, with the prairie
from the north gently sloping down to our encampmont. It was
just after twilight, in the gloaming of the evening, when we dis-
covered Black Hawk's army coming down upon us in solid column;
they displayed in the form of a crescent upon the brow of the prai-
rie, and such accuracy and precision of military movements were
never witnessed ;>y man; they were equal to the best troops of
Wellington in Spain, x have said that the Indians came down in
solid columns, and displayed in the form of a crescent; and what was
most wonderful, there were large squares of cavalry resting upon
tiie points of the curve, which squares were supported again by

88 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

otlier columns fifteen deep, exteudin;^ buck thron^li the woods and
over a swaiiijt tliree-ijuarters of a iiule, which uguiii rested on the
iMJiin bodv of IJlack lluwk's annv bivouacked upon tljo banks of the
Ivishwakee. It wa* a terrible and a glorious sight to see the tawny
warriors as they rode along our Hanks atteiujiting to outllank us,
with the g.ittering inoonl>eanis glistt-ning from their polished blades
and burnished sj)ears. It was a sight well calculated to strike con-
sternation in the stoutest and boldest heart; and accordingly our
men soon bi-gan to break in small stpuids, for tall timl>er. In a
very little time the rout l)ec:ime gt'iieral, the Indians were soon
iijion our thinks and threatened the destruction of our entire det^ich-
ment. About this time Maj. Stillman, Col. Stephenson, Maj.
Perkins, Capt. Adams, Mr. Ilackelton, and myself, with some
others, threw ourselves into the rear to rally the fugitives and pro-
tect the retreat. liut in a short time all my comjtanions fell
bravily fighting hand-to-hand with the savage enemy, and I alone
was left upon the field of battle. Alniut this time I discovered not
far to the lel't a corps of hitrscincn whicli seemed to l)e in tt»lerable
order. I immediately deployed to the left, when, leaning down and
placing my ImkIv in a recuml>cnt jnisture upon the mane of my
horse so as to bring the heads of the horsemen l>etwecn my eye
and ihe horizon, I discovcrcti by the light of the moon that they
were gentlemen who did not wear hal>, by which token I knew they
were no friends of mine. I therefore made a retrogade movement
and recovered my jM>8ition, where I remained some time meditating
what I'urther I could do in the service of my country, when a ran-
dom ball came whistling by my ear and plainly whispered to me.
' Stranger, you have no further business iiere.' Upon Ijearing this I
followed the exami»le of my companions in arms, and broke for
tall timber, and tlie wav I ran was not a little.**

For a long time afterward Maj. Stillnan and his men were sub-
jects of ridicule and merriment, which was as undeserving as their
expedition was disastrous. Stillman's defeat spread cijnsternation
throughout the State and nation. The numl)er of Indians was
greatly exaggerated, and the name of Black Hawk carried with it
associations of great military talent, savage cunning and cruelty.

ASSAULT ON ATPLK RIVEK FoRT.

A regiment sent to spy out the country between Galena and Ruck
Island was surprised by a party of seventy Indians, and was on the

JIISTOKY OF ILLINOIS. 89

point of being thrown into disorder when Gen. Whiteside, then
serving as a private, shouted out that he would shoot the first man
who should turn his back to the enemy. Order being restored, the
battle began. At its vei-y outset Gen. AVliiteside shot the leader of
the Indians, who thereupon commenced a hasty retreat.

In June, 1832, Black Hawk, with a band of 150 warriors, attack-
ed the Apple Hiver Fort, near Galena, defended by 25 men. This
fort, a mere palisade of logs, was erected to afford protection to the
miners. For fifteen consecutive hours the garrison had to sustain
the assault of the savage enemy ; but knowing very well that no
quarter would be given them, they fought with such fury and des-
peration that the Indians, after losing many of their best warriors,
were compelled to retreat.

Another party of eleven Indians murdered two men near Fort
Hamilton, They were afterwards overtaken by a company of
twenty men and every one of them was killed.

KOCK RIVER EXPEDITION.

A new regiment, under the command of Gen. Atkinson, assem-
bled on tiic banks of the Illinois in the latter part of J une. Maj.
Dement, with a small party, was sent out to reconnoittr the move-
ments of a large body of Indians, whose endeavors to surruund him
made it advisable for him to retire. Upon hearing of this engage-
ment. Gen. xVtkinson sent a detachment to intercept the Indians,
while he with the main body of his army, moved north to meet the
Indians under Black Hawk. They moved sluwly and cautiously
through the country, passed through Turtle village, and marched
up along Rock river. On their arrival news was brought of the
discovery of the main trail of the Indians. Considerable search
was made, but they were unable to discover any vestige of Indians
save two who had shot two soldiers the day previous.

Hearing that Black Hawk was encamped on Rock river, at the
Manitou village, they resolved at once to advance upon the enemy;
but in the execution of their design they met with opposition from
their officers and men. The officers of Gen. Henry handed to him
a written ]irotest; but he, a man equal to any emergency, ordered
the officers to be arrested and escorted to Gen. Atkinson. Within
a few minutes after the stern order was given, the officers all collected
atound tlie General's quarters, many of them with tears in their

90 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

eyes, pledging themselves tlmt if forgiven they would return to duty
jind never do the like again. The General rescinded the order, and
they at once resumed duty.

THE BATTLE OF BAD-AXE.

Gen. Ilonry marched on the 15th of July in pursuit of the
Indians, reaching Kock river after three daye' journey, where he
learned Black Hawk was encamped further up the river. On July
10th the troops were oniered to connnence their march. Afier
havinir nuule liftv miles, thev were overtaken bv a terrible thunder-
storm which lasted all night. Nothing cooled, however, in their
courage and zwil, they marcheil again lifty miles the next day,
encamping near the ]ilacu where the Indians had encam))ed the
night l)efore. Hurrying along as fa*t a* they C4»ul<I, the inlantry
keeping up an e<puil pace with the mounted foree, the troops on the
morning of the •_'l>t erosse*! the river connecting two ot the four
lakes, by whieh the Indians hail Ixjen endeavoring to eswipe. Thev
found, on their way, the ground htrewn with kettles and articles of
baggage, which the haste of their retreat iiad obliged the Indians
to throw away. The troops, in^pi^ed with new ardor. ailvHiice<l 6o
rapidly that at noon they fell in with the rear guard of the Indians.
Those who closely pursuetl them were salute<l with a sudden
tire of mu.^ketry by a body of Indians who iuid concealed them-
selves in the high gra*s t>f the pniirie. A most desperate charge
was nuide ujxm the Indians^ who, unable to resist. retreate<l
oblitpiely, in order toout-tlank the volunteers on the right; but the
latter charge*! the Indians in their ambush, and expelled them
from their thickets at the |»ointof the bayonet, and di6per»«ed them.
Night set in and the battle ended, having cott the Indians (Js of
their bravest men, while the loss of the Illinoisans amounted to but
one killed and 8 wounded.

Soon after this battle Gens. Atkinson and Henry joine<l their
forces and pursueil the Indians. Gen. Henry struck the main trail,
left his horses liehind, formed an advance giiard of eight men,
and marched forward upon their trail. When these eight men
came within sight of the river, they were suddenly fired nj>on and
five of them killed, the remaining three maintaining their ground
till Gen. Henry came up. Then the Indians, charged upon with
the bayonet, fell back upon their main force. The battle now

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS. 91

became general; the Indians fought witli desperate valor, but were
furiously assailed by the volunteers with their bayonets, cutting
many of the Indians to pieces and driving the rest into the river.
Those who escaped from being drowned took refuge on an island. On
hearing the frequent discharge of musketry, indicating a general
engagement, Gen. Atkinson abandoned the pursuit of the twenty
Indians under Black Hawk himself, and hurried to the scene of
action, where he arrived too late to take part in the battle. lie
immediately forded the river with his trooj)S, the water reachitig
up to their necks, and landed on the island where the Indians had
secreted themselves. The soldiers rushed upon the Indians, killed
several 'of them, took others prisoner, and chased the rest into
the river, where they were either drowned or shot before reaching
the opposite shore. Thus ended the battle, the Indians losing 300
besides 50 prisoners; the whites but 17 killed and 12 wounded.

INCIDENTS OF THE BATTLE.

Many painful incidents occurred during this battle. A Sac
woman, the sister of a warrior of some notoriety, found herself in
the thickest of the fight, but at length succeeded in reaching the
river, when, keeping her infant child safe in its blankets by means
of her teeth, she plunged into the water, seized the tail of a horse
v;ith her hands whose rider was swimming the stream, and was
drawn safely across. A .young squaw during the battle was stand-
ing in the grass a short distance from the American line, holding
her child — a little girl of four years — in her arms. In this posi-
tion a ball struck the riglit arm of the child, shattering the bone,
and passed into the breast of the young mother, instantly killing
her. She fell upon the child and confined it to the ground till the
Indians were driven from that part of the field. Gen. Anderson,
of the United States army, hearing its cries, went to the spot, took
it from under the dead body and carried it to the surgeon to have
its wound dressed. The arm was amputated, and during the oper-
ation the half-starved child did not cry, but sat quietly eating a
hard piece of biscuit. It was sent to Prairie du Chien, where it
entirely recovered.

BLACK HAWK CAPTURED.

Black Hawk, with his twenty braves, retreated up the "Wisconsin,
rivtjr. The Winnebagoes, desirous of securing the friendship of

V2 HI6T0EY UF ILLI.Mils.

the white.*, went in pursuit and ciipturiMl utul delivered tlieiii to
Gen. Street, tlje United States Indiun agent. Anion<j the prisoners
were tlie Bon of lilaek lluwk and tlie prophet of the tribe. These
with lilaek Hawk were taken to Washington, D. C, and soon eon-
signed as prisoners at Fortress Monroe.

At the interview Blaek Hawk had with the rresidcnt, lie closed
liis speech delivered on the occasion in the following words: " We
did not expect to con(jUer the whites. Thev have to«j many houses,
too many men. I took up the hatchet, tor my j>art, t«> re\enge
injuries which my people couUl no longer endure. Had 1 homo
them longer without striking, my |>cop!o would have said, ' Hlack
Hawk is a woman; he is t*M) idd to l>e a chief; he is no Sac.^ These
retleetions caused mo to raise the war-who(»p. I say i»o more. It
is known to you. Keokuk once was here; you took him by the
hand, and when he wishe«l to return to his home, you were willing.
Black Hawk expects, like Keokuk, he shall be permitted to return
too."

BIOGR.VPIIICAL HKinX^II OP ItLACK UAWK.

Black Hawk, or Ma-ka-tai ine-shc-kia-kiah, was born in the |)rin-
eipal Sac village, near the junction of liock river with the Missis-
sippi, in the year 17«i7. His father's name wiw Py-e-sji. iihick
Hawk early di&tingui>hcd himself as a warrior, and at the ago of
tiftoen was {>ermitted to paint, and was ranke^l among the bnives.
AlxiUt'the year 17>3 ho went on an cxj)edition against the enemies
of his natiitn, the Osages, one of whom he killed and scalped; and
for this deed of Indian liravery he was ]>crmitted to join in the
scalp dance. Three or four years aftcrwanl he, at the head of two
hundred braves, went on another expetlition against the Osages, to
aivenge the munler of some women and children l)elonging to his
i>wn tribe. }klceting an equal numlK?r (»f Osage warriors, a fierce
battle ensued in which the latter trilx; lost one-half their number.
The Sacs lost only about nineteen warriors. He next attacked the
Cherokees for a similar cause. In a severe battle with thera near
the present city of St. IaiuIs his father was slain, and Black Hawk.
taking possession of the " Meilicine Bag," at once announce<l him-"
self chief of the Sac nation. He had now conquered the Cherokees,
and about the year 1800, at the head of five hundred Sacs and
Foxes and a hundred lowas, he waged war against the Osage

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS. 93

nation, and subdued it. For two years he battled successfully with
other Indian tribes, all of which he conquered.

The year following the treaty at St. Louis, in ISOi, the United
States Government erected a fort near the head of Des Moines
Rapids, called Fort Edwards. This seemed to enrage Black Hawk,
who at once determined to capture Fort Madison, standing on the
west side of the Mississippi, above the mouth of the Des Moines.
The fort was garrisoned by about fifty men. Here he was defeated.
The difficulties with the British Government arose about this time,
and the war of 1812 followed. That government, extending aid to
the Western Indians, induced them to remain hostile to the Ameri-
cans. In August, 1812, Black Hawk, at the head of about five
hundred braves, started to join the British forces at Detroit, passing
on his way the site of Chicago, where the famous Fort Dearborn
massacre had a few days before been perpetrated. Of his con-
nection with the British but little is known.

In the early part of 1815, the Indians west of the Mississippi
were notified that peace had been declared between the United
States and England, and nearly all hostilities had ceased. Black
Hawk did not sign any treaty, however, until May of the following
year. From the time of signing this treaty, in 1816, until the
breaking out of the Black Hawk war, he and his band passed their
time in the common pursuits of Indian life.

Ten years before the commencement of this war, the Sac and
Fox Indians were urged to move to the west of the Mississippi.
All were agreed, save the band known as the British Band, of which
Black Hawk was leader. He strongly objected to the removal, and
was induced to comply only after being threatened by the Govern-
ment. This action, and various others on the part of the white
settlers, provoked Black Hawk and his band to attempt the capture
of his native village, now occupied by the whites. The war fol-
lowed. He and his actions were undoubtedly misunderstood, and
had his wishes been complied with at the beginning of the struggle,
much bloodshed would have been prevented.

BLACK HAWK SET AT LIBERTY.

By order of the President, Black Hawk and his companions,
who were in confinement at Fortress Monroe, were set free on the
4th day of June, 1833. Before leaving the fort Black Hawk

94 IIISTOKY OF ILLINOIS.

made the ft)ll()\viii^ farewell spcecli to the coininaiuler, which Ib not
only clo<|iient but siiows that within his chcet of steel there bent a
heart keenly alive to the emotions of gnititude:

" Brother, I luive eoino on my own part, and in beiialf of my
companionB, to hid you farewell. Our great father \nis at length
been pleased to j»ermit us to return to our hunting grounds. Wo
have buried the tomahawk, and the Bound of the rillo hereafter will
only brinir death t»> the deer and the bulfalo. Brothers, v(»u have
treated the red ujan very kindly. Your ti<|uaw3 liave made tliem
presents, and you have given them jdenty to eat and drink. The
memory of your friomlshij* will remain til! the (.ireat Sj»irit bays it
is time for Black Hawk to sing liis death 8ong. Urother, your
houses are as numerous as the leaves on the trees, and yiur young
warriors like the sands U))on the bhore of the big lake that rolls
before u«. The red man has but few houses and few warriors, but
the red man luis a heart which throbs as warmly as the heart of his
white brother. The Great Sj)irit has given us «>ur hunting grounds,
and the skin of the deer which we kill there is his favorite, for its
color is white, an<l this is the cmbU*m of ]>eace. This hunting
dress and these feathers of the eagle are white. Accept them, my
brother. 1 have given one like this to the White Otter. Accept it iu»
a memorial of Blick Hawk. When he is faraway this will servo
to remind you of him. May the Great Spirit bless you and your
children. Farewell."

After their release from priw.>n they were conducted, in charge
of Major Garlanil, through some of the principal cities, that
they might witness the j>ower of the United States and loarn
their own inability to co|>e with them in war. (treat multitudes
flocked to see them wherever they were taken, and the attention
paid them rendered their progress thmugh the country a triumphal
procession, instead of the transportation of pris4jncrs by an f»fticer.
At Rock Island the prisoners were given their lilx*rty, amid grtiat
and impressive ceremony. In l^o8 Black Hawk built him a
dwellins near Dcs Moines, Iowa, and furnished it after the manner
of the whites, and engaged in agricultural pursuits and hunting and
tishing. Here, with his wife, to whom lie was greatly attached, he
passed the few remaining days of his life. To his credit, it may be
said, that Black Hawk remained true to his wife, and served her

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS. 95

with a devotion uncommon among Indians, living with her up-
ward of forty years.

BLACK hawk's DEATH AND BUTIIAL.

At all times when Black Hawk visited the whites he was
received with marked attention. He was an honored guest at the
old settlers' re-union in Lee county, Illinois, at some of their
meetings and received many tokens of esteem. In September,
1838, while on his way to Hock Island to receive his annuity from
the Government, he contracted a severe cold which resulted in a
fatal attack of bilious fever, and terminated his life October 3.
After his death, he was dressed in the uniform presented to him by
the President while in Washington. He was buried in a grave six
feet in depth, situated upon a beautiful eminence. The body was
placed in the middle of the grave, in a sitting posture upon a seat
constructed for the purpose. On his left side the cane giv^en him
by Henry Clay was placed upright, with his right hand resting
upon it. Thus, after a long, adventurous and shifting life, Black
Hawk was gathered to his fathers.

FROM 1834 TO 1842.

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.

T^o sooner was the Black Hawk war concluded than settlers
began rapidly to pour into the northern part of Illinois, now free
from Indian depredations. Chicago, from a trading post, had
grown into a commercial center, and was rapidly coming into
prominence.

At the ijeneral election in 1834 Joseph Duncan was chosen
Governor, by a handsome majority. His principal opponent was
ex-Lieutenant Governor Kinney. A reckless and uncontrollable
desire for internal public improvements seized the minds of the
people. In his message to the Legislature, in 1835, Gov. Duncan
said: " When we look abroad and see the extensive lines of inter-
communication penetrating almost every section of our sister States;
when we see the canal boat and the locomotive bearing with seem-
ing triumph the ricli productions of the interior to the rivers, lakes
and ocean, almost annihilating time, burthen and space, what
patriot bosom does not beat liigh with a laudable ambition to give
Illinois her full share of those advantages which are adorning her

9<> HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

Bister States, and which a magnificent Providence seems to invite
by a wonderful adaptation of our whole country to such improve-
ments?"

STUPENDOL'.-> SYSTEM OF IMPROVEMKNTS INACOURATED.

The Legislature responded to the ardent words of the Goveriior,
and enacted a system of internal improvements without a parallel
in the grandeur of ith conception. They ordered the construction
of 1,3<>U miles of railroad, crossing the State in all directions.
This was surpassed by the river and Ciinal improvements. There
were a few counties n»»t touched by railroad, or river or canal, and
tlic}- were t«» bo comfurte^l ami coinjtensated by the free distribution
of $"J()U,OU<> among them. To inllate this balloon In^yond credence, it
was ordered that work should commence on both ends of each of these
railroads and rivers, and at each river-crossing, all at the same time.
This provision, which has lioen called the crowning folly of tiio
entire system, was tlio result of those jealous combinations ema-
nating from the fear that advantiiges might accrue to one section
over another in the commencement and completion of the works.
'Wo C4in appreciate better, ]>erhaps, the magnitude of this grand
system by reviewing a few figures. The debt authorized for these
iinpro«ve:nents in the first instance was 1^10,23O,0fM). IJut this, a?
it wjis soon found, wa» based upon estimates at le-ist too low by
half. This, as we readily see, committed tl>e State to a liability of
over $20,000,000, cjuivalent to $20i>,0(>0.000, at the present time,
with over ten times the |>opul:ition and more than ten times the
wealth.

S««ch stujx'ndous undertakings by thotStatc naturally cngen<iered
tlie fever of speculation among individuals. That particular f<»rm
known as the town dot fever assnmed the malignant type at first in
Chiciigo, from whence it spead over tlie entire State and adjoining
States. It was an epidemic. It cut np men's farms without regard
to locality, and cnt nj) the ))nr6cs of tlie i^urcliasers without regard
to c<^nsefpiences. It was estimated that building lots eiiough were
sold in In<liana alone to accommodate every citizen then in the
United States.

Chicago, which in ls30 was a small trading-post, had within a
few years grown into a city. .This was the starting point of the
wonderful and marvelous career of that city. Improvements,

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS. 97

unsurpassed by individual efforts in the annals of the world, were
then begun and have been maintained to this day. Though visited
by the terrible fire fiend and the accumulations of years swept
away in a night, yet she has arisen, and to-day is the best built city
in the world. Keports of the rapid advance of property in Chicago
spread to the East, and thousands poured into her borders, bringing
monev, enterprise and industry. Every ship that left her port
carried with it maps of splendidly situated towns and additions,
and every vessel that returned was laden with immigrants. It was
said at the time that the staple articles of Illinois export were town
]ilots, and that there was danger of crowding the State with towns
to the exclusion of land for agriculture.

ILLINOIS AND MICUIGAN CANAL.

The Illinois and Michigan canal again received attention. This
enterprise is one of the most important in the early development
of Illinois, on account of its magnitude and cost, and forming
as it does the connecting link between the great chain of lakes and
the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. Gov. Bond, the first Governor,
recommended in his first messafre the buildinor of the canal. In
18l'1 the Legislature appropriated $10,000 for surveying the route.
This work was jierformed b}" two young men, who estimated the
cost at $600,000 or f$700,000. It cost, however, when completed,
$8,000,000. In 1825 a law was passed to incorporate the Canal
Company, but no stock was sold. In 1826, upon the solicitation of
Daniel P. Cook, Congressman from this State, Congress gave
800,000 acres of land on the line of the work. In 1828 commis-
sioners were appointed, and work commenced with a new survey
and new estimates. In 1834-5 the work was again pushed forward,
and continued until 1848, when it was completed,

PANIC — REPUDIATION ADVOCATED.

Bonds of the State were recklessly disposed of both in the East
and in Europe. Work was commenced on various lines of railroad,
but none were ever completed. On the Xorthern Cross Hailroad,
from Meredosia east eight miles, the first locomotive that ever
turned a wheel in the great valley of the Mississippi, was run.
The date of this remarkable evetit was N'ov. 8, 1838. Large sums
of money were being expended with no assurance of a revenue,

98 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

and coneeqiieiitly, in 1^40. the Legislature repealed the improve-
ment laws jtassed three vciirs previously, not, however, until the
State luid accumulated a debt uf neiirly $15,000,000. Thus fell,
after a short but eventful life, by the liands of its creator, the most
stupendous, extravagant and almost ruinous folly of a grand sys-
tem of internal improvements that any civil community, perhaps,
'ever cnf'a'n?d in. The State banks failed, 8i>ecio was scarce, an
enormous debt was accumulated, the interest of which could not
be paid, people were disappointe*! in the accumulation of wealth,
an<l real estate was worthless. All this had a tendency to create a
desire to throw otf the heavy burden of State debt by repudiation.
This was boldly advocated by some leading men. The fair fame
and name, however, of the State was not tarnished by rej)udiation.
Men, true, honest, and able, were placeil at the head of affairs; and
though the hours were dark and gloomy, and the times most try-
ing, yet our grand old State was brought through and j>rospered,
until to-day, after the exf>enditurc of millions for ]>nblic improve-
ments and for carrying t»n the late war, she has, at present, a debt
of only about |^^«X^OO0.

M.\RT\'R rOR LIBI'IRTT.

Tli<* year 1637 is memorable for the death of the first martyr for
liberty, and the abolishment of American slavery, in the State.
Elijah P. Lovejoy was shot by & mob in Alton, on the night of the
7th of November of that year. lie was at the time editor of the
Alton Ohxervcr, and adv»>aitoeen destroyed.
On the arrival of the fourth the trago<lv occurred which cost him
Ilia life. In anticipation of it« arrival a series of meetings were
held in which the friends of freedom and of slavery were represented.
The object was to cflfect a compromise, but it was one in which
liberty was to make concessions to oppression. In a 6{)ecch made
at one of these meetings, Lovejoy said: ** Mr. Chairman, what
have I to compromise? If freely to forgive those who have so greatly
injured me; if to l>ray for their temporal and eternal happiness; if
still to wish for the prosperity of your city and State, notwith-
standing the indignities I have suffered in them, — if this be the
compromise intended, then do I willingly make it. I do not admit
that it is the business of aiiv lK>dv of men to sav whether I shall

4.^

UISTOKY OF ILLINOIS. 101

or shall not publish a paper in this city. That right was given to
me by ray Creator, and is solemnly guaranteed by the Constitution
of the (Jnited States and of this State. But if by compromise is
meant that 1 shall cease from that which duty requires of me, I
cannot make it, and the reason is, that I fear God more than man.
It is also a very different question, whether 1 shall, voluntarily or
at the request of my friends, yield up my position, or whether
I shall forsake it at the hands of a mob. The former I am readv at
all times to do when circumstances require it, as I will never put
my personal wishes or interests in competition with the cause of
that Master whose minister I am. But the latter, be assnred I
never will do. You have, as lawyers say, made a false issue. There
are no two parties between whom there can be a compromise. 1
plant myself down on my unquestionable rights, and the ques-
tion to be decided is, whether I shall be protected in those rights.
You may hang me, as the mob hung the individuals at Yicksburg;
you may burn me at the stake, as they did old Mcintosh at St.
Louis; or, you may tar and feather me, or throw me into the Mis-
sissippi as you have threatened to do; but you cannot disgrace me.
I, and I. alone, can disgrace myself, and the deepest of all disgrace
would be at a time like this to deny my Maker by forsaking his
cause. He died for me, and I were most unworthy to bear his
name should I refuse, if need be, to die for Mm.'''* Not long
afterward Mr. Lovejoy was shot. His brother Owen, being })res-
ent on the occasion, kneeled down on the spot beside the corpse,
and sent up to God, in the hearing of that very mob, one of the
most eloquent prayers ever listened to by mortal ear. He was bold
enough to pray to God to take signal vengeance on the infernal
institution of slavery, and he then and there dedicated his life to
the work of overthrowing it, and hoped to see the day when slavery
existed no more in this nation. He died, March 24, 1804, nearly
three months after the Emancipation Proclamation of President
Lincoln took etfect. Thus he lived to see his most earnest and
devout prayer answered. But few men in the nation rendered bet-
ter service in overthrowing the institution of slavery than Elijah
P. and Owen Lovejoy.

CARLIN ELECTED GOVERNOR.

Thomas Carlin, Democrat, was elected Governor in 1838, over
Cvrus Edwards, Whiij. In 1842 Adam AV. Snvder was nominated

102 HISTORY l»F II.I.IXOIS.

for Governor on the Democratic' ticket, but died iK'foro election.
Tlunnas Fonl was placeil in n<Muination, and was elected, ex-Gov-
ernor Duncan bein^ his opponent.

PUAIIilK PIRATES.

The northern part ut" the State also had its mob ox|x;ncncc8, but
of an entirely diflcrfnt nature from the i»ne just recounte«l. There
has always hoven-d around the trontier of civilization bold, iK'iiper-
nte men, who pn-y upon the »inprotecte«l settlers rather than ^lin
a livelihotHl by honest toil. Theft, roblK»ry ami murder were cjir
ried on by re«^ularly or^aniztxl bands in Ogle, I^ee, NVinm-bap) and
Dflvalb counlieB. The loaders of these giuigs of cut-throatB were
among the first settlers of tliat |>orlion of the State, anns; .lohn
Hrodie and three of his siins; Samuel Aikons and three of his sons;
William K. I5ridge and Norton H. lioyce.

These were the represcntativu characters, those who planned
and controlled the movements of the combination, conceaUnl them
when danger threatened!, nursed them when sick, rcste<l them when
Worn by fatigue and forced marches, furniNhed hiding places for
their stolen l>ooty, shared in the spoils, and, under cover of darkness
and intricate and devious ways of travel, known only to themsilves
and sulHtrdinatcs, transferre<l stolen horses from station to station;
for it C4uno to Ikj known as a well-established fa<'t that they had
stations, and agiMits, and watchmen scattered throughout the coun-
try at coiivenient distances, and signals and puss-wurds to assist
anil govern them in all tlieir nefarious tmnsactions.

Ogle county, particularly, seemo<l to be a favorite and chosen
field for the «>|)erat ions of these outlaws, who could not l»e convicted
for their crimes. Uy getting Bt>mo of their numl>er on the juries,
by producing hosts of witnesses to sustain their defense by pcr-
jjired evidence, and by changing the venue from one county to
another, and l>y continuances from term Ut term, they nearly always
mansiged to be acijuitted. At last these depn*<lations became too
common for longer endurance; patience ceased to be a virtue, and
determined desperation seized the minds of honest men, and they
resolved that if there were no statute laws that c^mld protect them

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS. 103

against the ravages of thieves, robbers and counterfeiters, they
would protect themselves. It was a desperate resolve, and desper-
ately and bloodily executed.

BURNING OF OGLE COUNTY COURT-HOUSE.

At the Spring term of court, 1841, seven of the "Pirates of the
Prairie," as they were called, were confined in the Ogle county jail
to await trial. Preparatory to holding court, the judge and lawyers
assembled at Oregon in their new court-house, which had just
been completed. Near it stood the county jail in which were the
prisoners. The " Pirates '' assembled Sunday night and set the
court-house on tire, in the hope that as the prisoners would have to
be removed from the jail, they might, in the hurry and confusion
of the people in attending to the fire, make their escape. The
whole population were awakened that dark and stormy night, to
see their new court edifice enwrapped in flames. Although the
building was entirely consumed, none of the prisoners escaped.
Three of them were tried, convicted and sent to the penitentiary
for a year. They had, however, contrived to get one of their num-
ber on the jury, who would not agree to a verdict until threatened
to be lynched. The others obtained a change of venue and were
not convicted, and finally they all broke jail and escaped.

Thus it was that the law was inadequate to the protection of the
people. The best citizens held a meeting and entered into a solemn
compact with each other to rid the country of the desperadoes that
infested it. They were regularly organized and known as " Regu-
lators." They resolved to notify all suspected parties to leave the
country within a given time; if they did not comply, they would
be severely dealt with. Their first victim was a man named Hurl,
who was suspected of having stolen his neighbor's horse. He was
ordered to strip, his hands were tied, when thirty-six lashes of a
raw-hide were applied to his bare back. The next was a man
named Daggett, formerly a Baptist preacher. He was sentenced
to receive five hundred lashes on his bare back. He was stripped,
and all was ready, when his beautiful daughter rushed into the
midst of the men, begging for mercy for her father. Her appeals,
with Daggett's promise to leave the country immediately, secured
his release. That night, new crimes having been discovered, he
was taken out and whipped, after which he left the country, never
again to be heard from.

I(l4 HISTOKV OF ILLINOIS.

The friends and comrades of the men who had l>een whipped
were fearfully enragetl, and swore eternal and bloody vengeance
Eighty of them assembled one ni<:lit soon after, and laid plans U>
visit "NVliite Iloek and murder every man, woman and child in that
liamlet. They i^taitcd on this bloody mission, but were prevailed
ujMjn by one of their number to disband. Their comin«j, however,
had In-en anticipate*!, and every man and boy in the town wa»
armed to protect himself and his family.

CAMPUKLI. KILLED — TIIK Ml'KUKKERS 8IIOT.

John ("ampl>ell. Captain «»f the " Itt-^'ulators,'' received a letter
from "NVilliam Driscoll, filled with most direful threats, — not only
threatening' Campln-irs life, but the life of any one wlio should
opj>ose their murderous, thieving opemtions. Soon after the re-
ceipt of tiiis letter, two hundred of the " K«'gulators" mnrche«l tt»
DriscoU's and onlere<l him to leave the county within twenty days.
Init he refused to comply with the onler. One Sunday evening,
just arter this, Campbell was sh«»t tlown in his own door-yard by
David Driscoll. He fell in the arms of his wife, at which time
Taylor Driscoll raised his rifle and pointed it toward her, but low-
ered it without firing.

News of this terrible crime spread like wild-firo. The very air
was fitletl with threats and vengeance, and nothing but the lives of
the murder(»us gang would pay the |MM)alty. Old John Dri8C4»ll
was nrrestetl, was told to bid his family good-bye, and then with
his son went out to his death. The '* Ilegulat4»rs," numl»ering 111,
forine<l a large circle, and gave the DrirK-olls a fair liearing. They
weiv found guilty, and the *' Uegulators" tlivided into two "death
divisions," — one, con.sisting of lifty-si.\, with rifles dispatched the
father, the other flfty-flve riddled and shattered the body of the
son with baills from as many guns. The measures thus inatigu-
nitc«l to free the country from the dominion of outlaws was a last
desperate resort, and proved etre<'tual.

MOUMON WAR.

In April. 1S-K>, the " Litter- Day Saints," or Mormons, came in
large numbers to Illinois and purchased a tract of land on the east
side of the Mississippi river, alniut ten miles above Keokuk. Hero
they commenced building the city of Nauvoo. A more picturesque
or eligible site for a city could not haTC been selected.

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS. 105

The origin, rapid development and prosperity of this religious
sect are the most remarkable and instructive historical events of
the present century. That an obscure individual, without money,
education, or respectability, should persuade hundreds of thousands
of people to believe him inspired of God, and cause a book, con-
temptible as a literary production, to be received as a continuation
of the sacred revelation, appears almost incredible; yet in less than
half a century, the disciples of this obscure individual have in-
creased to hundreds of thousands; have founded a State in the dis-
tant wilderness, and compelled the Government of the United
States to practically recognize them as an independent people.

THE FOUNDER OF MORMONISM.

The founder of Mormonism was Joseph Smith, a native of Ver-
mont, who emigrated while quite young with his father's family to
western New York. Here his youth was spent in idle, vagabond
life, roaming the woods, dreaming of buried treasures, and in en-
deavoring to learn the art of tinding them by the twisting of a
forked stick in his hands, or bv lookino: throucjli enchanted stones.
Both he and his father became famous as " water wizards," always
ready to point out the spot where wells might be dug and water
found. Such was the character of the young profligate when he
made the acquaintance of Sidney Rigdon, a person of considerable
talent and information, who had conceived the design of founding
a new religion. A religious romance, written by Mr. Spaulding, a
Presbyterian preacher of Ohio, then dead, suggested the idea, and
finding in Smith the requisite duplicity and cunning to reduce it
to practice, it was agreed that he should act as prophet; and the
two devised a story that gold plates had been found buried in the
earth containing a record inscribed on them in unknown characters,
which, when deciphered by tlie power of inspiration, gave the his-
tory of the ten lost tribes of Israel.

ATTEMPT TO ARREST JOE SMITH.

After their settlement in and about Nauvoo, in Hancock county,
great depredations were committed by them on the ''Gentiles."
The Mormons had been received from Missouri with cfreat kind-
ness by the people of this State, and every possible aid granted
them. The depredations committed, however, soon made them

106 IlltJTOKY OF ILLINOIS.

odious, when the question of getting' rid of them was a<;itiited. In
the fall of 1S41, the (ioveriior of MisPouri iu;ide a deiimud on Gov.
Carliu for tlie airest and delivery of Joe Smith as a fugitive fri>m
justice. Am executive warrant issued for that purpose was placed
in the hands of an a^ont to be executed, but waa returned without
being complied with. Soon afterward the Ciovernor handed the
same writ to his agent, who this time succeeded in arresting Joo
Smith, lie was, however, discharged by Jutlgo Doughis. upon tlie
grounds that the writ upon which he iiad been arrested ha«l licen
once returned before it was executed, and was /'//;u7</* ojiio. In
\s\-2 (Jov. (-arlin again issued his writ, Joe Smith was arrested
again, and again esca|)ed. Thus it will be seen it was impossible
to reach and punish the leader of this |H5ople, who had been driven
from Missouri because of their stealing, munlering and unjust
dealing, and came to Illinois l)ut to continue their depredations.
Kntbuldened by success, tho Mormons became more arrogant and
overbearing. Many people began to l>elievo that they were about
to set up a separate government for themselves in defiance of the
laws of tho State. Owners of pro^)erty stolen in other countioe
made pursuit into Xauvo«», and were rino<l by the Mormon courts
for tlaring to seek their pro[>crty in the holy city. Hut that which
made it im^trc certain than anything else that the Mormons con-
templated a separate g<»vcrnment, was that about this time they
|>elitioneil CJongrcss to establish a territorial government for them
in Xau voo.

ORir.IN OF POI.YOAMV.

To crown the whole folly of tho Mormons, in the Spring of 1844
Joe Smith announceil himself as a candidate fur President of the
United States, and many of his followers were contident lie would
be electe<l. lie next cau8C<l himself to l>e anointed king .and
priest, and to give character to his pretensions, lie declared his
lineage in an unbroken line from Joseph, the son of Jacob, and
that of his wit'e from some other important |)ersonageof the ancient
Hebrews. To strengthen his political |>ower he also instituted a
Ixxly of police styled the " Danite band," who were sworn to pro-
tect his ]>orson and ol>ey his orders as the commands f»f (lod. A
female order previously existing in the church, called ''Spiritual
wives," was uKxiitied so as to suit the licentiousness of the prophet.
A doctrine was revealed that it was impossible for a woman to get

UISTOKV 0"F ILLINOIS. 107

to heaven except as the wife of a Mormon elder; that each elder
ini"-ht marry as many women as he could maintain, and that any
female might be sealed to eternal life by becoming- their concubine.
This licentiousness, the origin of polygamy in that church, they
endeavored to justify by an appeal to Abraham, Jacob and other
favorites of God in former ages of the world.

JOE SMITH AS A TYRANT.

Smith soon began to play the tyrant over his people. Among
the first acts of this sort was an attempt to take the wife of AVil-
liam Law, one of his most talented disciples, and make her his
spiritual wife. lie established, without authority, a recorder's
office, and an office to issue marriage licenses. lie proclaimed that
none could deal in real estate or sell liquor but himself. lie
ordered a printing office demolished, and in many ways controlled
the freedom and business of the Mormons. Not only did he stir up
some of the Mormons, but by his reckless disregard for the laws of
the land raised up opposition on every hand. It was believed that
he instructed the Danite band, which he had chosen as the ministers
of his vengeance, that no blood, except that of the church, was to
be regarded as sacred, if it contravened the accomplishment of his
object. It was asserted that he inculcated the legality of perjury
and other crimes, if committed to advance the cause of true believ-
ers; that God had given the world and all it contained to his saints,
and since they were kept out of their rightful inheritance by force,
it was no moral offense to get possession of it by stealing. It was
reported that an establishment existed in Nauvoo for the manufac-
ture of counterfeit money, and that a set of outlaws was maintained
for the purpose of putting it in circulation. Statements were cir-
culated to the effect that a reward was offered for the destruction of
the Warsaw Signal^ an anti-Mormon paper, and that Mormons dis-
persed over the country threatened all persons who offered to assist
the constable in the execution of the law, with the destruction of
their property and the murder of their families. There were rumors
also afloat that an alliance had been formed with the Western
Indians, and in case of war they would be used in murdering their
enemies. In short, if only one-half of these reports were true the
Mormons must have been the most infamous people that ever ex-
isted.

108 HI9TUBY OF ILUS0I8-

MIUTART KORCi:» A^EMBLINO.

William Law. «»ne of the pruprictor* of the printing- press
destroyed bv Smith, went to Carthage, the oouuty-seat. and
lined warrants for the arrest of Smith and the nieml)erti of the
t t\ ('..iricil, and others connected with the df*truction of the
pre**. Some of the partie* having been arrv»lod. but diK:hMrp;d
by the aatburities in Xauv<to, a convention of citizens al^e>l'ml)led at

Carthage and apr ■ * ' . tiee to wait U|>on the (fovernor for

*'♦' purpose of p;-.i..w^ »w...;ury assistance to enforce the lnw.
i..c Governor visited Carthage in {>erson. Previous to his arrival
fhr militia had been called out and annrsl f.->rrt • o-.tniTifn.-.-.! :t>^<-tn-

. i^ in Carthage and W tr^iw u> . , 5>5.

All of tliera, however. ^ . law to ctM>|»crate with tlic

(toremor in preserving order. A t e and ten men were then

sent to make tlie am-rt In the meantime. Smith declared martial
law; hia followers r j in the country wer« summoned to bis

a^si^tance; the 1 was assembled and under arms, and the

entire city was one ^reat military encampment

TlIE SMITH!* AKKK^TED.

The { Iliram. the members of the City Coun-

cil and others, surr* ^es at Carthage June 24. 1^45,

on the • of rioL Ail entered into recogtiirance U*fon* a Jus-

tice of the I\>ace to appear at oiurt, and were d A new

writ, however, was irome<Jiately issue*! and ser^eti on the two
^' ' and both were m ' 1 and ' n into prison. Tlie
< bad assembled frvim iiinci>ck. ^ ler and McDonough

c ".-med a- ' - . '•• ^J avenge t •^.. -. r..^^ |^^j j^.^^

c '^ '' • -. Great ex ...... ... j ..led at Car-

thnrf 1 at tliat place amountc*! ♦» 1.2<h» men,

R i at Warsaw. Nearly all were anxious to

. h into Nauvoo. This measure was supposed to be necessary
':i for counterfeit money and the apftaratus to make it. and
also to strike a salutary terror into the Monnon people by an exhi-
bition of the force of the State, and thereby prevent future out-
rages, murders, r e«, bnmings, and the like. Tlie 27th of
Jnnc was a —d f,jr the march; but G«»v. Ford, who at the
time was in i ' -d tn:>uble if the militia should
attempt toinv:iic l>;ii jj. a;;uaiided the troops, retaining only a
guard to the jail.

HIsTOBY OF ILLINOIS. 1«)9

JOE ESOTH A^D HIi BBOTHEB KILLED.

Gov. Ford went to Xauvoo on the 27th. The same momiog
about 2<X) men fnjm WaKaw, manj being disguised, hastened to
Carthage. Ou learning that one of the companies left as a guard
had disbanded, and the other stationed lo^J yarils fr«3m the jail while
eight men were left to guard the pris<jners, a oommunieation was
soon established between the Warsaw troops and the guard; and it
was arraneed that the guard should have their guns charged with
blank cartridges and lire at the assailants when thev attempted to
enter the jail. The conspirators came up. jumped the fence arooDd
the jail, were fired upon by the guard, which, according to arrange-
ment, was overpowered, and the assailants entered the prison, to
the door of the room where the two prisoners were confined- An
attempt was made to break open the door; but Joe Smith, being
armed with a pistol, fired several times as the door was bursted
ijpen, and three of the assailants were wounded. At the same time
several shots were fired into the room, bv some of which John
Tavlor, a friend of the Smiths, received four wounds, and Hinun
Smith was instantly killed. Joe Smith, severely wounded, attempt-
ed to escaj:»e by jumping out of a second-story window, but was so
stunned by the fall that he was unable to rise. In this position he
was dispatched by balls shot through his bidy. Thus fell Joe
Smith, the most successful imposter of modem times. Totally ignor-
ant of almost every fact in science, as well as in law, he made up in
constmctiveness and natural cunning whatever in him was want-
ing of instructioa.

COXSTEILSrATION AT QULSCT.

Great consternation prevailed among the anti-Mormoi:; &:
Carthage, after the killing of the Smiths. They expected the Mor-
mons would be so enraged on hearing of the death of their leaders
that they would come down in a body, armed and equipped, to
seek revenge upon the populace at Carthage. Messengers were
dispatched to various places for help in case of an attack. The
women and children were moved across the river tor safety. A
committee was sent to Quincy and early the following morning,
at the ringing of the bells, a large concourse of people assembled
to devise means of defense. At this meeting, it was reported that
the Mormons attempted to rescue the Smiths; that a party of Mis-
s«-varians and others had killed them to prevent their escape: that

110 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

the Governor and bis party were at Is'auvoo at the time when intel-
ligence of tlie fact was brought there; that they hud been attacked
by the Nauvou I^egion, and had retreated to a ImiLse where they
were closely besieged; tiiat the Governor bad sent out word that
he could maintain his position for two days, and would be certain
to be massacrod if assistance did not arrive by that time. It is
unnecessary to say that this entire story was fabricated. It was
put in circulation, as were many other stories, by the anti- Mormons,
to influence the public mind and create a liatred for tlni Mormons.
The ell'oct of it, however, was that by 10 o'clock on the 28th,
between two ami three hundnd men from Qiiincy. under command
of Maj. Flood, went on board a steamboat for Nauvoo, to assist iu
raising the siege, as they honestly believed.

VARIofS IH:PKK1)ATI0N8.

It was thought by many; and indeed the circumstances seem to war-
rant the conclusion, that the assassins of Smith had arranged that the
murder should occur while the Ciovernor was in Nauvoo; that the
Mormons would naturally 6uj»pose ho planned it, and in the first out-
pouring of their indignation put him to death, as a means of retalia-
tion. They Uiought that if they could have the Governor of the State
assassinated l)y Mormons, the public excitement would be greatly
increased against that ]»eojde, and would cause their extermination,
or at least their expulsion from the State. That it was a brutal and
})remeditated murder caniK;t be and is not denied at this duy; but
the desired ctfect of the murder was not attained, as the Mormons
did not evacuate Xauvoo for two years afterward. In the meantime,
the excitement and i)rejudice against this people were not allowed
to die out. Horse-stealing was quite common, and every cxise that
occurred was charged to the Mormons. That they were guilty of
such thefts cannot be denied, but a great deal of this work done at
that time was by organized bands of thieves, who knew they could
carry on their nefarious business with more safety, as long as sus-
picion could l)e ]>laccd up(jn the Mormons. In the summer and
fall of 1845 were several occurrences of a nature to increase the
irritation existing between the Mormons and their neighbors. A
suit was instituted in the United States Circuit Court against one
of the apostles, to recover a note, and a marshal sent to summons

IIISTORV OF ILLINOIS.. 113

the defendant, who refused to be served with the process. Indig-
nation niectinij^s were held by the saints, and the marshal threat-
ened for attempting to serve the writ. About this time, General
Denning, sheriff, was assaulted by an anti-Mormon, whom he killed.
Denning was friendly to the Mormons, and a great outl)urst of
passion was occasioned among the friends of the dead man.

INCENDIARISM.

It was also discovered, in trying the rights of property at Lima,
Adams county, that tlie Mormons had an institution connected
with their church to secure their effects from execution. Incensed
at this and other actions, the anti-Mormons of Lima and Green
Plains, held a meeting to devise means for the expulsion of the
Mormons from that part of the country. It was arranged that a
number of their own ])arty should fire on the building in which
they were assembled, in such a manner as not to injure anyone,
and then report that the Mormons had commenced the work of
])1 under and deafli. This plot was duly executed, and the startling
intelligence soon called together a mob, w'hich threatened the Mor-
mons with fire and sword if they did not immediately leave. The
Mormons refusing to depart, the mob. at once executed their threats
by burning 125 houses and forcing the inmates to flee for their
lives. The sheriff of Hancock county, a prominent Mormon
armed several hundred Mormons and scoured the country, in search
of the incendiaries, but they had fled to neighboring counties, and
he was unable either to bring them to battle or make any arrests.
One man, however, was killed 'M'ithout provocation; another
attempting to escajie was shot and afterwards hacked and muti-
lated; and Franklin A. Worrell, who had charge of the jail when
the Smiths were killed, was shot by some unknown ])erson con-
cealed in a thicket. The anti-Mormons committed one murder.
A party of them set fii-e to a ])ile of straw, near the barn of an old
Mormon, nearly ninety 3'ears of age, and when he appeared to ex-
tinguish the flames, he was shot and killed.

The anti Mormons left their property exposed in their liurried
retreat, after having burned the houses of the Mormons. Those
who had been burned out sallied forth from IS'auvooand plundered
the whole countrj-, taking whatever they could carry or drive
away. By order of the Governor, Gen. Hardin raised a force of
350 men, checked the Mormon ravages, and recalled the fugitive
anti-Mormons home.

]14 HIST'HJY OK IIJ.INolS.

MAKING I'KKJ'A RATION TO LEAVE.

At tliis time a convention, cont^istint^ of ilele;;ates from eiojlit of
the atljoinin«; counties, asBeinlded to concert measures; ft>r the expul-
sion of the Mormons from tiie State. The Mormons seriously c n-
temjthited cmmii;rati«>n westward, helieviti^ the times forhodud
evil for them. Acc*»rdingly, durin«^ the winter of 1S4."> '40, thr
m st fitupeiitlons ])ri'j)unitions were nuule l»y the Mormons for
removal. All the jtrincipal dwollin^i^s, and even th«' temple, were
converted into workshopu, ami iKjfore spring, 12,0«tO wapdis were
in readiness; and l»y the mi«ldl<* <)f IVhruary the leaders, with 2,00<>
of their lollower?, ha«l crossed the Mississippi on the ice.
. liefore the spring? of 1S4<) the majority of the Mormons had left
Nauvoo, hut still a lar^r numlHr remained.

inE lurrLE ok .nalvoo.

in SejtiLinbcr a writ was issued againj^t several prominent Mor-
mons, and j>lace«l in the hands of John C'arliii, of ("arthaifc, for
execution. C'arlin called out a ]m>s!«4' tt» help make the arrewt, which
brought tt>gether (juite a large fttrce in the neighlK»rh«M>d of Nauvoo.
Carlin, not l»iing u military man, placet] in e«>mnnind of the poste,
first, (ten. Singleton, and afterward Col. Hrockman. who proceeded
t<» invest the city, erecting breastworks, and taking other means for
defensive as well as otfensive o|>enitions. What was then terme<l a
battle next t<»ok jdacc, resulting in the death of one Mormon and
the wounding of sevenil t»thers, und loss to the anti-Mormons of
three killen committee of one )iundri>4l, from (^uincy, the
^Itirmons and their allies were ifiduee*! to submit to such terms as
the ]>osse choice to dictate, which were that the Mormons should
immediately give up tin ir arms to the Qiiiney committee, and re-
move from the State. The trustees of the church and live of their
clerks were permitted to remain for the sale of Mormon ]>r<»perty,
and the ]»o^^e were to march in unm<dested, and leave a sullicient
force to guarantee the ]»erf<»rmanco of their stipulations. Accord-
ingly, the constable's po8.se marched in with Urockman at their
head. It c»nsisted of about 800 arnjed men and COO or 70<»
unarmetl, who had assembled from all the country around, through
motives of curiosity, to see the once proud city of Nauvoo lium-
blfcd an<l delivered nj> to its enemies. They proceeded into the

IlISTOKV OF ILLINOIS. 117

city slowly and carefully, exaiiiiiiinof the way for fear of the explo-
sion of a mine, many of which had been made by the Mormons,
by burying kegs of powder in the ground, jrith a man stationed at
a distance to pull a string communicating with the trigger of a
percussion lock affixed to the keg. This kind of a contrivance was
called by the Mormons " hell's half-acre.'" AVhen the posse
arrived in the citv, the leaders of it erected themselves into a tri-
bunal to decide who should be forced away and who remain.
Parties were dispatched to hunt for fire-arms, and for Mormons, and
to l)ring them to judgment. When brought, they received tlieir
doom from the mouth of Brockman, who sat a grim and unawed
tyrant for the time. As a general rule, the Mormons were ordered
to leave within an hour or two; and by rare grace some of them
were allowed until next day, and in a few cases longer time was
granted.

MALTREATMENT OF NEW CITIZENS.

Nothing was said in the treaty in regard to the new citizens, who
had with the Mormons defended the city; but the posse no sooner
had obtained possession than they commenced expelling them.
Some of them were ducked in the river, and were in one or two
instances actually baptized in the name of some of the leaders
of the mob; others were forcibly driven into the ferry-boats to be
taken over the river before the bayonets of armed ruffians. Many
of these new settlers were strangers in the country from various
parts of the United States, who were attracted there by the low-
price of property; and they knew but little of previous difficulties
or the merits of the quarrel. They saw with their own eyes that
the Mormons were industriously preparing to go away, and they
knew "of their own knowledge " that any effort to expel them by
force was gratuitous and unnecessary cruelty. They had been trained,
by the States whence they came, to abhor mobs and to obey the law,
and they volunteered their services under executive authority to
defend their town and their property against mob violence, and, as
they honestly believed, from destruction ; but in this they were partly
mistaken; for although the mob leaders in the exercise of unbridle<l
power were guilty of many injuries to the persons of individuals,
although much persoiial property was stolen, yet they abstained
from materially injuring houses and buildings.

118 IlISloKV OF ILLINOIS.

THE MoKMuNS KKACII SALT LAKE.

The fugitives proceeded westward, taking; the road throui^h Mio-
80uri, l>iit were t'orcibl\*ejected from that State aii«l compelled to
move indirectly through Iowa. After innumerable liardships the
advance iruanl reached the Missouri river at Council iJlutfs, when
a United States officer presented a retjuisition for 500 men to
servo in the war with Mexico. Compliance with this order so di-
minished their numlxir of elVective men, that the expedition was
again delayed and the remainder, consisting mostly i»f old men,
women and children, hastily prepared habitations for winter.
Their rudely constructed tentri were hanlly completetl before winter
eet in with great severity, the bleak prairies being incessantly swept
by piercing winds. While here cholera, fever and other diseiuies,
aggravated by the |)revioiLs hardships, the want of comfortable
(juarters and medical treatment, hurried many of them to ])renui-
tnre graves, yet, under the intluence of religious fervor and fanati-
cism, they looked death in the face with resignation and cheerful-
ness, and even exhibited a gayety whicli manifested itself in music
and dancing during tlie saddest hours of this sad winter.

At length welcome spring made its ap)»earancc, and by April
they wery agjiin i»rgani/t'<l for tiie journey; a pioneer party, con-
sisting of Drigham Young and 140 others, was sent in advance to
locate a home for the colonists. On the 21 of July, ls47, a day
memorable in Mormon anmils, the vanguard reached the valley of
the (ircat Salt Lake, having boen directed thither, according to
their accounts, bv the hand of the Almii^htv. Here inadistatit wil-
derness, nddway K'tween the settlements of the Kiist and the Pacific,
and at that time a tliousand miles from the utmost verge of civili-
zation, they commence<l preparations for founding a colony, which
has since grown into a mighty enijtire.

MKXICAN WAR.

During the month of May, 1S46, the President called for four
regiments of volunteers from Illinois for the Mexican war. This
was no sooner known in the State than nine regiments, numbering
8,370 men, answered the call, though only four of them, amounting
t«» 3,720 men, could be taken. These regiment-^, as well as their
officers, were everywhere foremost in the American ranks, and dia-

UlSTORV OK ILLINOIS. 11 9

tinguished themselves by their matclilesa valor in the bloodiest
battles of the war. Veterans never fought more nobly and etfect-
ively than did the volunteers from Illinois. At the bloody battle of
Biiena Vista they crowned their lives — many their death — with the
laurels of war. Never did armies contend more bravelv, determined! v
and stubbornly than the American and Mexican forces at this famous
battle; and as Illinois troops were ever in the van and on the blood-
iest portions of the field, we believe a short sketch of the part they
took in the tierce contest is due them, and will be read with no lit-
tle interest.

BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA.

General Santa Anna, with his army of 20,000, poured into the
valley of Aqua Nueva early on the morning of the 22d of Februarv,
hoping to surprise our army, consisting of about 5,000 men, under
Gen. Taylor and which had retreated to the " Narrows." They
were hotly pursued by the Mexicans who, before attacking, sent
Gen. Taylor a flag of truce demanding a surrender, and assuring
him that if he refused he would be cut to pieces; but the demand
was promptly refused. At this the enemy opened fire, and the con-
flict began. In honor of the day the watchword with our soldiers
was, " The memory of Washington." An irregular fire was kept up
all day, and at night both armies bivouacked on the field, resting on
their arms. Santa Anna that night made a spirited address to his
men, and the stirring strains of his own band till late in the night
were distinctly heard by our troops; but at last silence fell over the
hosts that were to contend unto death in that narrow pass on the
morrow.

Early on the following morning the battle was resumed, and con-
tinued without intermission until nightfall. The solid columns of
the enemy were hurled against our forces all day long, but were
met and held in check by the unerring fire of our musketry and ar-
tillery. A portion of Gen. Lane's division was driven back by the
enemy under Gen. Loinbardini, who, joined by Gen. Pacheco's divis-
ion, poured upon the main plateau in so formidable numbers as
to appear irresistible.

BRAVERY OF THE SECOND ILLINOIS.

At this time the 2d Illinois, under Col. Bissell, with a squadron
of cavalry and a few pieces of artillery came handsomely into action

1-20 lUSTOUY W II.I.I.NUIS.

and gallantly received the concentrated lire of tlio enemy, wlilcli
they retnrned with deliberate aim and terrible etl'ect; every dis-
chari^e of the artillery seemed to tear a bliody path through the
heavy columns of enemy. Says a writer: "The rapid mus-
ketry of the t^allant troops from Illinois j)oured a storm of leail
into their serried ranks, which literally strewed the ground with
the dead and dving." Jiut, notwithstandin;: his losses, the enemy
Pteadilv advancetl until our jjallant regiment received tire from
three sides. Still they maintained their position for a time with
unllinching lirmncss ngainst that immense liost. At length, j)er-
ceiving the danger of being entirely surrounded, it wjw determined
to fall back to a ravine, ('ol. Hissel, witii the coolness of ordinary
drill, ordered the signal " cease tiring " to be made; lie then with
tlie same deliberation gave the command, "Face to the rear, D.it
talion, about face; forward march," which was executed with the
regularity of veterans to a point l>cyond the peril of being out-
flanked. AgJiin,in obedience to command these brave men lialted-
faced about, and under a murtlerous tempest of bullets from tlie for.
resumed their well-directed fire. The conduct of no troops could
have been more admirable; ami, too, until that day tliey had never
been utidtT lire, when, within less than half an hour eighty of theii'
Comrades dropjK'd by their sides. How different from the Arkansas
regimi'Ut, which were ordered to the plateau, but after delivering
their first volley gave way and dispersed.

8ADnt-ST EVENT OF THE BATTLE.

But now we have to relate the sa<ldest, and, for Illinois, the most
mournful, event of that battle-worn day. We take the account
from Colton's Uistorv of the battle of liuena Vista. "As the enemy
on our left was moving in retreat along the head of tiie Plateau,
our artillery was advanced until within range, and opened a lieavy
fire upon him, while Cols. Hardin, Bissell and McKee, with their
Illinois and Kentucky troops, dashed gallantly forward in hot pur-
suit. A powerful reserve of the Mexican army was then just
emerging from tlie ravine, where it had been organized, and
advanced on the j)lateau, opposite the head of the southernniusl
gorge. Those who were giving way rallie<i quickly upon it; when
the whole force, thus increased to over 12,000 men, came forward
in a perfect blaze of fire. It was a single column, composed of the
best Soldiers of the republic, having for its advanced battalions the

■f'^'

?4 ^

.TV ' ■• ■•' ■ . -T '

^(ENK ON I'.iX RI\KR.

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS. 12'S

Veteran regiments. The Kentucky and Illinois troops were soon
obliged to give grouiul before it and seek the shelter of the second
gorge. The enemy pressed on, arriv'ing opposite tlie head of the
second gorge. ^ One-lialf of the column suddenly enveloped it, while
the other half })ressed on across the plateau, having for the moment
nothing to resist them but tlie tlirce guns in their front. The por-
tion that was immediately opposed to tlie Kentucky and Illinois
troops, ran down along each side of the gorge, in whicli they liad
sought shelter, and also circled around its head, leaving no possible
way of escape for them except by its mouth, which opened
upon tlic road. Its sides, which were steej"), — at least an angle of
45 degrees, — were covered with loose pebbles and stones, and con-
verged to a point at the bottom. Down there were our poor fel-
lows, nearly three regiments of them (1st and 2d Illinois and 2d
Kentucky), with but little opportunity to load or lire a gun, being
hardly able to keep their feet. Above the whole edge of the
gorge, all the way around, was darkened by the serried masses of
the enemy, and was bristling with muskets directed on the crowd
beneath. It was no time to pause. Those who were not immedi-
ately shot down rushed on toward the road, their number growing
less and less as the>' went, Kentuckians and lUinoisans, officers and
men, all mixed up in confusion, and all pressing on over the loose
pebbles and rolling stones of those shelving, precipitous baidcs,
and having lines and lines of the enemy tiring down from each
side and rear as they went. Just then the enemy's cavalry, which
had gone to the left of the reserve, had come over the spur that
divides the mouth of the second gorge from that of the third, and
were now closing up the only door through which there was the
least shadow of a chance for their lives. Many of those ahead
endeavored to force their way out, but few succeeded. The lancers
were fully six to one, and their long weapons were already reeking
with blood. It was at tiiis time that those who were still back in
that dreadful gorge heard, above the din of the musketry and the
shouts of the enemy around them, the roar of Washington's Bat-
tery. Xo music could have been more grateful to their eai's. A
moment only, and the whole opening, where the lancers were busy,
rang with the repeated explosions of splierical-case shot. They
gave way. The gate, as it were, was clear, and out upon the road
a stream of our poor fellows issued. They ran panting down

124 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

toward the battery, and directly under tlie tl^dit of iron then pas-
sing over their heads, into tlie retreatini; cavah-y. Hardin, McKee,
Clay, Willis, Zahriskie, Houghton — but why go on? It would be
a sad task indeed to name over all who fell during this twenty
minutes' slaughter. The whole gorge, from the plateau to its
mouth, was strewed with our dead. All deadl !No wounded there
— not a man; for the infantry had rushed down the sides and com-
pleted the work with the bayonet."

VKTOUV VOK oCIt AKMV.

The artillery on the ])lateau stubbornly maintained its j)osition.
The remnants of the let and 2d Illinois reginients, after issuing
from the fated gorge, were formed and again brought into action,
the former, after the fall of the noble Hardin, under Lieut. Col.
Weatherford, the latter under Iiisfc.ell. The enemy brought forth
reinforcements and a brisk artillery duel was kept up; bwtgradually,
as tlie shades of night begjin to cover the earth, the rattle of muh
ketry slackened, and when the pall of night was thrown over that
bloody field it ceased altogether. Each army, after the fierce and
long struggle, ticcupied nuich the same position as it did in the
morning. However, early on the folK>wing morning, the glad
tidings were heralded amidst our army that the enemy had retreated,
thus again crowning the American banners witli victory

OIUKR noNolMI) NAMTS OK TUIS WAli.

Other bright names from Illinois that shine as stars in thic
war are those of Shields, IJaker, Harris and Coflee, which arc
indis^olubly conneete<l with the glorious capture of Vera Cruz
and the not less famous storming of Cerro (.Jordo. In this latter
action, when, after the valiant Crvn. Shields had been jtlaced /tore
lie combdtf the command of his force, consisting of three regiments,
devoled upon Col. Baker. This officer, witli his men, stormed with
unheard-of j)rowess the last stronghold of the Me.xiwms, sweeping
everything before them. Such indeed were tlie intre})id valor and
daring couraue exliibited by Illinois volunteers during the Mexican
war that their deeds should live in the memory of their countrymen
until those latest times when the very name of America shall liave
been forgotten.

12.5

THE WAii roil THE union.

On the fourth day of March, 1861, after the must exciting and
momentous political cam})aign known in the history of this country,
Abraliani Liucohi — America's martyred President — was inaugu-
rated Chief Magistrate of the United States. This fierce contest
was principally sectional, and as the announcement was flashed over
the telegraph wires that the Hepublican Presidential candidate had
been elected, it was hailed by the South as a justifiable ])retext for
dissolving the Union. Said Jefl^Drson Davis in a speech at Jackson,
Miss., prior to the election, "If an abolitionist be chosen Presi-
dent of the United States you will have presented to you the
question whether you will permit the government to pass into
the hands of your avowed and implacable enemies. Without
pausing for an answer, I will state my own position to be that
such a result would be a species of revolution by which the
purpose of the Government would be destroyed, and the obser-
vances of its mere forms entitled to no respect. In that event,
in such manner as should be most expedient, I should deem it
your duty to provide for your safety outside of the Union." Said
another Southern politician, when speaking on the same sub-
ject, " "\Ye shall fire the Southern heart, instruct the Southern
mind, give courage to each, and at the proper moment, by one
organized, concerted action, we can precipitate the Cotton States
into a revolution." To disrupt the Union and form a government
which recognized the absolute supremacy of the white ])opulation
and the perpetual bondage of the black was what they deemed
freedom from the galling yoke of a Republican administration.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN DID NOT SEEK THE rRESIDENCY.

Hon. R. "W. Miles, of Knox county, sat on the floor by the side
of Abraham Lincoln in the Library room of the Capitol, in Spring-
field, at the secret caucus meeting, held in January, 1S50, when
Mr. Lincoln's name was first spoken of in caucus as candidate lor
Pre>vident. When a gentleman, in making a short speech, said,
" We are going to bring Abraham Lincoln out as a candidate for
President," Mr. Lincoln at once arose to his feet, and exclaimed,
"For God's sake, let me alone! I have sutt'ered enough!" This
was soon after he had been defeated in the Legislature for United
States Senate by Stephen A. Douglas, and only those who are

126 I1I6TOKY OF ILLINOIS.

intimate with that importsint and unparalleled eonteet C4in ap})re-
ciate the full force and ineanin«; of these exju'cssive words of the
martyred President. Tlu y were s]>ontaneous, and prove beyond a
shadow of doubt that Abraham Lincoln did not seek the high ])osi-
tion of Presiilent. Nor did he use anv trickery or chicanery to
obtain it. But his expre8se<l wish was not to be complied with;
our beloved country needed a savior and a martyr, ami Fate had
decreed that he should be the victim. After Mr. J>incoln Mas
elected President, Mr. Miles sent him an eagle's (juill, with which
the chief magistrate wrote his lirst inaugural address. Tl»e letter
written by ]^lr. Miles to the President, ai:<l sent with the (piill,
which was two feet in length, is such a jewel of clocjuence and
prophecy that it should be given a ])lace in history:

I'kusikeu, Dncmlx'r 21, IWO.
Hon. a. F-incoi.n :

Ikar Str : — IMtasf iinrpt the iHjrli' (|Uill 1 ppiiiiistil v<iu, l>v th<' hnml <if our
Uipn's<ritiilivf, A. A. Smilli. 'Iln- hinl fmiii w!ii>>c win;; \\u- qiifll wiis tiikni, wiui
shot )>y .IdIiii F Dillon, in I'<T>ir«T township, Knox (;«»., IIU., in Ffl»., lK.'i7 Hay-
ing IwanI tli:it .Iiunis Uucliiinun was furnisluil u iili iiti i-aijU' (jUill to write his
Inaui^iral willi.and iM-licvin^ titut in 1M<K), a K» |ml)litan wouUl Ik- ch-cttHl to l.ikc
hiii pla<f, I iU'l«rinini-<l to nave this (|Mil! and pn-si-nt it to tin- fortunate man. wlio-
• ver lie nn>;ht Im-. Ueport.s tell us that tlie hinl which furnished Ihu hanan'> ipiill
was a ( ajitured hinl. — fli enihhin of the n>an that u.-*«*<l it ; hut the hinl fri>ni
which this «|uill wiis taken, yield«il the <|Uill oidv with his lile, — fil cinhleni of the
lu.in who i.s ex|H<ted to uw il, for true I{e|)uhlicanH iK-lieve that you would not
think life wbrili the keepinjj aOer the surrender of princiide. (Jreut dillii idlies
surround you ; traitors to thi-ir country have threaten*-*! your life ; and should
you Ik- called upon to surrenih-r it at '■ of duty, your memory will live f<jr-

evfr in tlie heart of every In-vnian . .; is a jrriiuiier mouumeut than (an Ijc

huilt uf hrick or inarhle!

•'F' ' ' • keep.

At.-

VoufH Truly,

R W. M11.E8.

STATES 6E('KI>INO.

At the time of President Lincoln's accession to power, several
members of the Union claimed they had withdrawn from it, and
styling themselves the " Confederate States of America," organ-
ized a separate government. The house was indeed divided
against itself, but it should not fall, nor should it long continue
divided, was the hearty, determined response of every loyal heart
in the nation. The accursed institution of human slavery was
the ]>rimary cause for this dissoltition of the American Union.
Doubtless other agencies served to intensify the hostile feel
ings which existed between the Northern and Southern j»ortion»

HISTORY OF ILLINt>IP. 127

of our conntrv, but their remote origin could be traced to this great
national evil. ll;id Lincoln's ]»redeces8or put forth a timely, ener-
getic effort, he might have prevented the bloody war our nation
was called to j)ass through. On the other hand every aid was given
the rebels; every advantage and all the power of the Government
was placed at their disposal, and when Illinois' honest son took the
reins of the Republic he found Buchanan had been a traitor to his
trust, and given over tit the South all available means of war.

THE FALL OF SUMTKR.

On the 12th day of April, 1S61, the rebels, who for weeks had
been erecting their batteries upon the shore, after demanding of
Major Anderson a surrender, opened fire upon Fort Sumter. For
thirtj'-four hours an incessant cannonading was continued; the fort
was being seriously injured; provisions were almost gone, and Major
Aiiderson was compelled to haul down the stars ami stripes. That
dear old tiag which had seldom been lowered to a foreign foe by
rebel hands was now trailed in the dust. The first blow of the
terrible conflict which summoned vast armies into the field, and
moistened the soil of a nation in fraternal blood and tears, had
been struck. The gauntlet thus thrown down by the attack on
Sumter by the traitors of the South was accepted — not, however,
in the spirit with which insolence meets insolence — but with a firm,
determined spirit of patriotism and love of country. Tiie duty of
t!ie President was plain under the constitution and the laws, and
above and beyond all, the peo])le from whom all political ])ower is
derived, demanded the suppression of the Rebellion, and sto "d ready
to sustain the authority of their representative and executive
oificers. Promptly did the new President issue a proclamation
eallin^r for his countrvmen to join with him to defend their homes
and their country, and vindicate her honor. This call was made
April 14, two days after Sumter was first fired upon, and was for
75,000 men. On the 15th, the same day he was notified. Gov.
Vutes issued his proclamation convening the Legislature, lie also
ordered the organization of six regiments. Trooj)S were in abund-
ance, and the call was no sooner made than filled. Patriotism
thrilled and vibrated and pulsated through every heart. The farm,
the workshop, the office, the ])ulpit, the bar, the bench, the college,
t!ie school-house, — every calling offered its best men, theii- lives and
tlieir fortunes, in defense of the Government's honor and unity.

128 mSTOKV <>K II.I.INOItJ.

Jiittor words spoken in moments «>f jxditical heat were forgotten
aiul forgiven, and joining liands in a common canse, they repeated
the oatli of Americji's soldier-statesman: " By the Great JEbernal,
the Lnion mutt and shall be y>rt'«f'/vv(/." The honor, the very
life and glory of the nation was <x>mmitted to the stern arhitrament
of the sword, and soon the tramp of armed men, the clash of
mubketry and the lieavv boom of artillery reverherated throngliout
the c«.)ntinent; rivers of blood sauldened by tears of mothers, wives,
sisters, daughters and sweethearts Howed from the lakes to the
gulf, but a nation wjis saved. The sacritice was great, but the
Union was preserved.

CAM. Koit Tltnnr-; iM:i>VI'ri V V N><\VKIJKI».

Simultaneously with the cull lor lro*»ps by tiic Trosidcnt, enlist-
ments commt-need in this Slate, and within ten days 10,000
Volunteers olfered service, ami the sum of :j» 1 ,(»(>( »,000 was ten<lered
l>y j»atri<»tic citizens. Of the volunteers wlu» otVered their services,
only si.\ regiments could be accejited under the quota of the Stat**,
l^it the time soon came vrhen there wsis a place and a musket for
every num. The si.x regiments raised were designate*! by numbers
commencing with seven, as a mark of rospoct for the six regiments
which luid served in the Mexican war. Another call WJis antici-
pated, and the Legislature authorized ton additional regiments to
be urgjinized. Over two hundri'd companies were imnujliately
raised from which were selected the recpiired numlaT. No sooner
was this done than the President made another call for troops, six
regiments were again our pro|K)rtion, although by earnest solicita-
tion the remaining fourwrre accepted. There were n large numlM-r
i»f men with a patriotic desire to enter the service who were denie<l
this j)rivilege. Many of them wept, while others joined regiments
from other States. In May, June and July seventeen regiments
t)f infantry an«l live of chivalry were raised, and in the latter month,
when the President issued his first call for 50<),00o volunteers,
Illinois tendered thirteen regiments of infantry and three of cavalrv,
and so anxious were her sons to have the llebellion crushed that
tlie number could have been increased by thousands. At the
close of ls»;i Illinois had sent to the field nearly 50,000 men, and
had 17,000 in Ci\mp awaiting marching orders, thus exceeding her
full quota by 15,0<'0.

inSTORY OF ILLINOIS. 129

A VAST ARMV RAISED IN KLEVEN DAYS.

Ill July and August of 18G2 the President called for 600,000
men — our quota of which was 52,290 — and gave until August 18 as
the limits in which the number might be raised by volunteering,
after M-hich a draft would be ordered. The State had already fur-
nished 17,000 in excess of her quota, and it was first thought this
number would be deducted from the present requisition, but that
could not be done. But thirteen days were granted to enlist tliis
vast army, which had to come from tlie farmers and mechanics.
Tiie former were in the midst of harvest, but, inspired by love of
country, over 50,000 of them left their harvests ungathered, their
tools and their benches, the ])lows in their furrows, turning their
backs on their homes, and betbre eleven days had expired the
demands of the Government were met and both quotas filled.

The war went on, and call followed call, until it began to look as
if there would not be men enough in all the Free States to crush
out and subdue the monstrous war traitors had inauijurated. But
to every call for either men or money there was a willing and ready
response. And it is a boast of the people that, had the supply of
men fallen short, there were women brave enough, daring enough,
patriotic enough, to have offered themselves as sacrifices on their
country's altar. On the 21st of December, 186-1, the last call for
troops was made. It was for 300,000. In consequence of an ini-
perfect enrollment of the men subject to military duty, it became
evident, ere this call was made, that Illinois was furnishing thous-
ands of men more than what her quota would have been, had it
been correct. So glaring had this disproportion become, that
under this call the quota of some districts exceeded the number of
able-bodied men in them.

A GENERAL SUMMARY.

Following this sketch we give a schedule of all the volunteer
troops organized from this State, from the commencement to the
close of the war. It is taken from the Adjutant General's report.
The number of the regiment, name of original Colonel, call under
which recruited, date of organization and muster into the United
States' service, place of muster, and aggregate strength of each
organization, from which we find tliat Illinois put into her one hun-
dred and eighty regiments 250,000 men, and into the United States

130 UI8TOKY Oh" ILLINOIS.

army, tlirougli other States, enough to swell the nninher to 2i>0,000.
This far exceeds all the soltliers of the Federal (Toverninent in all
the war df" the llevolutiun. Her total years of service were over
00(1,000. She enrolled men from eighteen to forty-five years of age,
when the law of Congress in ISGI — the test time — only asked for
those from twenty to fortv-five. Her enrollments were otherwise
excessive. Her people wanted to go, and did not take the pains to
correct tlie enrollment; thus the basis of fixing the quota was too
great, and the (junta itself, at least in the trying time, was far atxtve
any other State. The demand on some ct)unties, as Monroe, for
example, tocdc every able-bodied man in the county, and then did
not liave enough to fill the (piotiu Moreover, Illinois sent 20,S44
men for one huiulnd (hiys, for wlioin no credit was asked. She
gave to the country 73,0O0 years of service above all cjills. With
one-thirteenth of the j)o}>ulation of the loyal States, she sent regu-
larly one-tenth of all the soldiers, :ind in tlu? perils of the chjsing
call.'i, when patriots were few and weary, she sent one-eighth <»f all
that were c;ille<l for by lier loved and honored son in the White
House." Of the bravo Iwys lllin<»is sent to the front, there wen;
killed in action, ri.S^S; die<l of wounds, 3,032; of disease, J9,40C;
in })rison,-0<>7; lost at sea, 2<>5; aggregate, 2i*,rj8'?. As upon every
field and upon every page of the history of this war, Illinois boro
lier part of the suftering in the pri«on-j>ens of the South. More
than SOO names make up the awful column of Illinois' bravo sons
who died in the rebel prison of Andersonville. (ia. Wiio can
measure or im:igine the atnK'itics wliich would be laid liefore the
World were the ]»anorama of sulferings and terrible trials of these
gallant men but half unfolded to view? But this can never l)e
done until new words of horror arc invente«l, and new arts dis-
covered by whicli demoniacal fiendishness CJin be ]>ortrayed, and
the intenscst anjruish of the human soul in ten thousand forms be
painted.

No troops ever fought more heroically, stubbornly, and with l>et-
ter effect, than did the boys from the '' Prairie State." At Pea
Ridge, Donelson, Pittsburg Landing, luka, Corinth, Stone River,
Holly Springs, Jackson, Vicksburg, Chicamauga, Locjkout Moun-
tain, Murfreesboro, Atlanta, Franklin, Nasliville, Chattanooga, and
on everv other field where tlie clash of arms wa;j heard, lier sons
were foremost.

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS. 131

CAPTURE OF THE ST. LOUIS ARSENAL.

Illinois was almost destitute of firearms at the beginning of the
conflict, and none could be procured in the East. The traitorous
Floyd had turned over to the South 300,000 arms, leaving most
arsenals in the North empty. Gov. Yates, however, received an
order on the St. Louis arsenal for 10,000 muskets, which he put in
the bands of Captain Stokes, of Chicago. Several unsuccessful
attempts were made by the Captain to pass through the large crowd
of rebels which had gathered around the arsenal, suspecting an
attempt to move the arms would be made. He at last succeeded
in gaining admission to the arsenal, but was informed by the com-
mander that the slightest attempt to move the arms would be dis-
covered and bring an infuriated mob upon the garrison. This fear
was well founded, for tlie following day Gov. Jackson ordered 2,000
armed men from JeiFerson City down to capture the arsenal. Capt.
Stokes telegraphed to Alton for a steamer to descend the river, and
rabout midnight land opposite the arsenal, and proceeding to the
;same place with 700 men of the 7th Illinois, commenced loading
the vessel. To divert attention from his real purpose, he had 500
guns placed upon a different boat. As designed, this movement
was discovered by the rabble, and the shouts and excitement upon
their seizure drew most of the crowd from the arsenal. Capt.
Stokes not only took all the guns his requisition called for, but
emptied the arsenal. When all was ready, and the signal given to
start, it was found that the immense weight had bound the bow of
the boat to a rock, but after a few moments' delay the boat fell away
from the shore and floated into deep water.

"Which way?" said Capt. Mitchell, of the steamer. "'Straight
in the regular channel to Alton," replied Capt. Stokes. ''What if
we are attacked?" said Capt. Mitchell. " Then we will fight," was
the reply of Capt. Stokes. "What if we are overpowered?" said
Mitchell. " Run the boat to the deepest part of the river and sink
her," replied Stokes. "I'll do it," was the heroic answer of
Mitchell, and away they went past the secession battery, past the
St. Louis levee, and in the regular channel on to Alton. When
they touched the landing, Capt. Stokes, fearing pursuit, ran to the
market house and rang the fire bell. The citizens came flocking
pell-mell to the river, and soon men, women and children were
tugging^ away at that vessel load of arms, which they soon had
.deposited in freight cars and oft* to Springfield.

132 HISTORY uF ILLINOIS.

LIUERALITY AS WKLL AS PATRIOTISM.

The jieople were liberal as well as jKitriotie; aiul while the men
were busy enlisting, orgJiniziiij;; aiul e(jnii)i>iiig companies, the ladies
were no less active, and the noble, generous work performed by
thuir tender, loving bands deserves mention along with the bravery,
devotion and patriotism of their brothers upon the Southern fields
of carnage.

The continued need ol' money to obtain the comforts and neces-
saries for the sick antl wounded of our armv su;';'ested to the loval
women of the North many and various devices for the raising of
funds. Every city, town an<l village had its fair, festival, picnic,
excursion, concert, which netted more or less to the cause of
hospital relief, acconling to the populatioi: of the place and the
amount of energy and patriotism displayed on such occasions.
Especially was this characteristic of our own fair State, and scarcely
a hamlet within its bonlers which did not send stunething fr(»m its
stores to hos)>ital or battlefield, and in tlie larger towns and cities
were well-orgJinizc«l soldiers' aid societies, working systematically
and continuously from the iH'ginning of the war till its close. The
great State Fair hel.l in Chicago in May, 1n(]:>, netted ?2r)0,0(X>.
Homes for traveling soldiers were established all over the State, in
which were furnished kxlging for 0(>0.(KM> men, and meals valued
at lji2.5O0,O0(>. Foo<l. clotiiing, medicine, hospital delicacies,
reading matter, and thousands of other articles, were sent to the
bovs at the front.

MI-:>SAGKS OF LOVK A.M> ENCOfRAOKMENT.

I^ctters, messages of love and encouragement, were sent by
noble Women from many counties of the State to encourage the
brave sons and brothers in the South, lielow we give a copy of a
printed letter sent from Knox county to the "boys in Jjlue," as
showing the feelings of the women of the North. It wa> headed,
"From the Women of Knox County to Their Brothers in the
Field." It was a noble, soul-inspiring message, and kindled anew
the intensest love for home, country, and a determination to crown
the stars and stripes with victory :

" \ on have gone out from our homes, but not from our hearts.
Never for one moment are you forirotten. Through weary march
and deadly conflict «tur ]>rayers have ever followed you; your
bufierings are our snfierings, vour victories our great yty.

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS. ]o3

" If there be one of you who knows not the dear home ties, for
whom no mother prays, no sister watches, to liim especially we
speak. Let him feel that thoui^h lie may not have one mother he
has manijy he is the adopted child and brother of all our hearts.
Not one of you is beyond the reach of onr sympathies; no picket-
station so lonely that it is not enveloped in the halo of our
prayers.

" During all the long, dark months since our country called you
from us, your courage, your patient endurange, your fidelity, l^ave
awakened onr keenest interest, and we have longed to give you an
expression of tluit interest.

"By the alacrity with which you sprang to arms, by the valor
with which those arms have been wielded, you have placed our
State in the front ranks; you have made her worthy to be the home
of our noble President. For thus sustaining the honor of our
State, deai" to us as life, we thank you.

•' Of your courage we need not speak. Fort Donelson, Pea
Ridge, Shiloh, Stone River, Yicksburg, speak with blood-bathed
lips of your heroism. The Army of the Southwest fights beneath
no defeat-shadowed banner; to it, under God, the nation looks for
deliverance.

" But we, as women, have other cause for thanks. "We will not
speak of the debt we owe the defenders of our Government; that
blood-sealed bond no words can cancel. But we are your debtors
in a way not often recognized. You have aroused us from the
aimlessness into which too many of our lives had drifted, and have
infused into those lives a noble pathos. AYe could not dream our
time away while our brothers were dying for us. Even your suffer-
ings have worked together for our good, by inciting us to labor for
their alleviation, thus giving us a work worthy of our womanhood.
Everything that we have been permitted to do for your comfort
has filled our lives so much the fuller of all tlmt makes life valua-
ble. You have thus been the means of developing ia us a nobler
type of womanhood than without the example of your heroism we
could ever have attained. For this our wiiole lives, made purer
and nobler by the discipline, will thank you.

"This war will leave none of us as it found us. We cannot
buffet the raging wave and escape all trace of the salt sea's foam.
Toward better or toward worse we are hurried with feurfui

134 HISTOKV DK II.LINoIts.

haste. If we at home I'eel this, what must it he to you! Our
hearts throb witli agony when we think ot' 3'ou wounded, sullering,
dyin<;; hut tlic tliought of no physical pain touches us half so
deeply as the thou<;ht of the temptations which surround you.
We could better give you up to die on the battle-Held, true to your
God and to your country, than to have you return to us with
blasted, blackened s«)iils. When temptations assail fiercely, y(»u
must let the thoujfht that vour m<»thers are i)raviu:r for strenurth
enajilo you to overcvuie them, liut lighting for a worthy cause
worthily ennobles one; herein is our confidence that you will
return better men than y^n^ went away.

" By all that is noble in your manhood; by all that is true in
our wouumhood; by all that is grand in patriotism; by all that is
sacred iti religi«»n, we adjure y«)U to bo faithful to yourselves, to us,
to your Country, and to your (fo«l. Never were men permitted to
fight in a causo more worthy of their l>lmMl. Were y«m ti-^'hting
for mere concjuest, or glory, we coidd not give you up; but to sus-
tain n jyrintiph , the greatest to which human lips have ever given
utterance, even vour dear lives are not too cosllv a sacrifice. Let
that princij»le, the corner-stone of our independence, bo crushed,
and we arc ulf itiaves. Like the Suliotc mothers, we might will
clasp our ohildren in our arms and leap down to death.

*'To the sti-rn arbitrament of the sword is now committc<l the
honor, the very life of this nation. Vou fi^ht not for yournelves
alone; tho eyes of the wholo world arc on you; and if you fad our
Nation's death-wail will c<'lio tlirou<rh all comin^r aiws, moaniu" a
rcipiiem over tho lost ho{>es of oppressed humanity. But you will
not fail, BO sure as there is a (tod in Heaven. He never meant
this richest argosy of tho nations, freighttMl with the fWrs of all
the world's tyrants, with tho hopes of all its oppressed ones, to
flounder in darkness and death. Disasters may come, as they have
come, but thoy will only be, as they have been, ministers of^ gfjod.
Each one h:is led tho nation upward to a higher plane, fn»m whence
it has seen with a clearer eye. Success could not attend us at the
West so long as wo scorned the help of the black hand, which
alone liad ])ower to ojxjn tho gate of redemption; tho God of
battles would not vouchsafe a victory at the East till the very foot-
prints of a McClellan were washed out in blood.

"But now all things seem ready; we have accepted the aid of

mSTOKV OF ILLINOIS. 135

that liand; those footsteps are obliterated. In his own good time
we feel that God will give us the victory. Till that hour conies we
bid you fight on. Though we have not attained that heroism, or
decision, which enables us togweyou up without a struggle, which
can prevent our giving tears for 3'our hlood^ though many of us
must own our hearts desolate till you return, still we bid you stay
and fight for our coun.try, till from this fierce baptism of blood she
shall be raised complete; the dust shaken from her garments puri-
fied, a new Meninon singing in the great Godlight.''

Sherman's makcii to the ska.

On the 15th of November, 1864, after the destruction of Atlanta,
and the railroads behind him, Sherman, with his army, began his
march to the sea-coast. The almost breathless anxiety with which
his progress was watched by the loyal hearts of the nation, and the
treml)ling apprehension with which it was regarded by all who
hoped for rebel success, indicated this as one of the most remark-
able events of the war; and so it proved. Of Sherman's arm}-, 45
regiments of infantry, three companies of artillery, and one of
cavalry were from this State. Lincoln answered all rumors of
Sherman's defeat with, " It is impossible; there is a mighty sight
of fight in 100,000 Western men." Illinois soldiers brought home
300 battle flags. The first United States flag that floated over
Richmond was an Illinois flag. She sent messengers and nurses to
every field and hospital to care for her sick and wounded sons.

Illinois gave the country the great general of the war, U. S.
Grant.

CHARACTER OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

One otluT name from Illinois comes lup in all minds, embalmed
in all hearts, that must have the supreme place in this sketch of
our ;;lorv and of our nation's 'honor: that name is Abraham
Lincoln. The analysis of Mr. Lincoln's character is difficult on
account of its svmmetry. In this ai^e we look with admiration at
his uncompromising honesty; and well we may, for this saved us.
Thousands tliroughout the length and breadth of our country, who
knew him only as "Honest Old Abe," voted for him on that
account; and wisely did they choose, for no other man could have
carried us through the fearful night of war. When his plans were
too vast for our comprehension, and his faith in the cause too sub-

136 JUsToKV uK lI.LUNOlb.

lime for our participation; when it was all ni«;ht about us, and all
dread before us, and all sad and desolate behind us; when not one
ray shone upon our cause; when tniitors were haughty and exult-
ant at the South, and fierce and blasphemous at the North; when
the loyal men seemed almost in the minority; when the stoutest
heart (piailed, the bravest cheek paled; when generals were dt-feat-
in*' each other for place, and contnictois were leecliingout the very
heart's blood of the republic; when everything else had failed us,
we looke<l at this calm, patient man standing like a rock in the
storm, and said, " Mr. Lincoln is honest, and we win trust him still."
Holding to this single point with tlie energy of faith and desj)air,
wo held together, and under God he brought us through to victory.
His practical wisdom made him the wonder of all lands. With
such certainty did Mr. Lincoln follow CJiuses to their ullimatr
effects, that his foresight of contingencies sccme*! almost prophetic
He is radiant with all the great virtues, and his memory will shed
a glory upon this age that will fill the eyes of men ha they lo«»k
into history. Other men have excelle*! him in some |>ointb; but.
tiiken nt all points, he stands head and shouKlers above every other
ma!J of <»,(K>0 years. .\n administrator, he savtnl the nation in the
I)eril6 of un|)aralleled civil war; a statesman, lie justified hi^
measures 1)y their success; a philanthropit^t, he giivo lilnrty to one
race and salvation to another; a monilist, he bowo«l from the sum
mit of human jwwer t«» the foot of the cross; a mediator, he exer-
cise<l mercy un«ier the most ab.<iolntc obedience tn law; a leader,
he was no partisan; a commander, he was untainteil with bIo(Ml; a
»uler in clesperate times, he was unsullie<l with crime; a man. he
lias left no word of passion, no thought of malice, no trick of craifi.
no act of jealousy, no ptirjx>se of selfish ambition. Thus jwrfeded,
without a model and without a peer, he was dropj>ed into tiif-.-e
troubled years to a<lorn and emlK>llish all that is good and nil that
is great in t>ur humanity, and to present to all coming tiiiit- the
representative of the divine idea of free government. It is not
too much to say that awaiy down in the future, when the republic
has fallen from its niche in the wall of time; when the great war
itself shall have faded out in the distance like a mist on the
horizon; when the Anglo-Saxon shall Ikj spoken only by the tongue
of the stranger, then the generations hMiking this way shall see
the great President as the supreme figure in this vortex of history.

IIISTOKY OF ILLINOIS.

137

THE WAR ENDED — THE UNION RESTORED.

The rebellion was ended with the sun-ender of Lee and liis army,
and Johnson and his command in April, 1865. Oni' armies at the
tiirie were up to their maximum strength, never so formidable,
never so invincible; and, until recruiting ceased by order of Sec-
retary Stanton, were daily strengthening. The necessity, however,

LINCOLN MONUMENT AT SPRINGFIELD.

for SO vast and formidable numbers ceased with the disbanding of
the rebel forces, which had for more than four years disputed the
supremacy of the Government over its domain. And now the
joyful and welcome news was to be borne to the vict(U'ious legions
that their work was ended in triumph, and they were to be per-
mitted "to see homes and friends once more."

138

HISTORY OK ILLINOIS.

SciiEDULB— Showlu" statempnt <>f volunt«er troop* orRAulzed wllhiu the Slate, and •ent to thi»
field. cotnmLU<lii;{ April, 1- ■ "' .Vut :U, IrtttS, wlih iiumher of ri|{lni.Mil, nam.-

oftirlKiuiil rommniidlii!.' '•>" "'"' ">»»<''«• tn'«> I uiled States' nervlce,

place ofniUHter, mid the ii, , li oryaulzallon.

INFANTKY

•ill

.•a,

.VI
51
3BI

961

?♦*;

«ii

«2|

63i

64 I.

«6C

66!

<i. . ■: ■■■

loaar if. W iliMin. . ..
W. II. W.CuHhraan
Tho« \V. Harni»
Hnvld Sliidrt .
It

Sv . ■

Jaciih fry

.1aine<« M. Trne
Krniic'* .Mora

Col. D. n. Wllllamn .

. Daniel «'ann-n>n ....

Pnlri. k K. niirke

R,- ' V Hough....

•J'- rier

O r. Kp«-v<'«

Olhu:el (;ilbert

1..

; , 1 •»• J

M " --,-2.

. .1

.1.1
. J

•

un ••....•.

1 'nri Bntl'f. ....

" '.a. ......

...... . ..

/ i«..„

I- I
1 :-

] •
ir>iu

1*4

i:-:

ll"*!

):5i

1 .»".
irrm

1>.-J4
lfl»4
1094

low

<»40

llISTOIiY OF ILLINOIS.

139'

Schedule— Showing etatemont of volnnteor troops' or£;anizecl within the State, and sent to tho
field, coinnienciii^ April, 1H61, iind eudiug Dcct'inbLT 31, 18(i5, wUh nuinbor of rpgitnont, name
of original coinniiinding oflicor, date of organization and innwter into United States' service,
place of muster, and the aggregate strength of each organization.

INFANTRY.

8-2

8.3

9:^

Commaudiug oflBcer at organiza- Date of organization andiPlacc where mnetered

tion.

nni8ter into the United
Stales Bervice

Col. Frederick A. Starring Aug. 21, ISU-J...

Jas. F. Jaquctfs

Jason Marsh... Sept. 4. 18fi2.. .

George Hyan Sept. 2. 1862. .

Alouzo \V. .Mack Aug. 22, 1862.

David P. tirier *Sept. 3, lS6i.

\V. II. Bennison Sept. 1. 18ti2..

Lvman tiuinuip Aug. 28, 1862. .

Tiios. G. Allen Aug. 2."j, 1862...

Jae. J. Do'.llns Aug. 26, 1862..

Frederick lleckcr

AbuerC. Hunting Aug. 21, 18»i2....

Louis H. Waters Sept. 1,1862.

Roberts. Moore Aug. 27,1862

David D. Irons...
John E. Whiting,
F. T. Sherman

John Christopher.
Timothv O'Mera.

Henry M. Day . ...
Smith D. Atkins...
Holilen Putnam —

Wm. VV. Orme

Lawr'n S. Church..
Thos. E. Champion.

P. S. Rutherford

J. J. Kiiukhouser. .. ,
99 " G. W. K. Bailey ....

100 " Fred. A. Bartleson..

101 " Chas. II. Fox ,

102 " Wm. McMurtry

103 " Amos C. Babcock...

104 " Absalom B. Moore...

105 " Daniel Dustin

106 " Robert B. Latham...

10: " Thomas Sncll

lOfi '• John Warner

109 " Alex.J.Nimmo

110 '• Thos. S Casey

111 " James S. Martin

112 " T.J. Henderson

11.3 '■ Geo. B. Hoge

.114 * James W.Judy

ll.T '• Jesse H. Moore

116 •' Nathan H.Tupper...

117 •' Ridden M. Moore

llH •• John G. Fonda

119 •• Thos. J. Kenney.....
12() *■ Geor;:;c W. McKcaig.
12i .Vever organized

122 Col. John I. Kinaker

123 " James Moore

124 " Thomie J. Sloan

125 " Oscar F. Harmon. . .

126 " Jonathan Ricliniond.

127 '* John Van.Xrman

128 " Robert M.Hudley...
12'1 " George P. Smith

130 " Nathaniel Niles

131 " George W. Necley..
1-32 " Thomas O. Pickett. .

l:tt " Thad. Phillips

1V4 " W. W McCheeney...
llil " Johns. Wolfe

Sept. 22, 1802.
Aug. 27, 1H62..
*Aug 2.x l«'i ■.
Nov. 22, 1862..
Sept. 8, 1B62 .
Sept. 4,1862...
Oct. 13, 1862...
Aug. 21). 1862..
Sept. 4, I8r,2..
Sept. 6. 1862..
Sept. 8, 1862..
Sept. 3, IcOJ .,
.Vug. 26, 1862.
Aug. 30, 1862.
Sept. 2, l!<62...

Oct, 2, 1862. . .
Aug. 27, 1862.
Sept. 2, 1862.
Sept. 17, 1862.
Sept. 4,1862..
Aug. 28, 1862.
Sept. 11, 1861.

Sept. 18, 18C2
Sept. 12,1862..
Oct. 1.1862....
Sept. 18, l-«2..
Sept. 13, 1%2..
Sept. 30 lS(i_»..
Sept. 19, 1862..
Nov 29. 1S62.
Oct. 7. 1862 ..
Oct. 29, 1862...

Sept. 4,1862..
Sept. 6 1862 .
Sept. 10. 186J.
Sept. 4, 1862..

*Sept. 5. 1862.
Dec 18, 1862..
Sept. 8, 18C2..
Oct. 2.-). 1865..
Nov. 13.1862..
June 1. 1861..
May 31, 1861..

into the
service.

United Slates

Camp Douglas

Camp Butler

Rockford

Di.\on

Kankakee. ...

Peoria. .,

(iuincy...

Danville

Centralia

.Vuua

Camp Butler

Monmouth

tj,uincy

(•"eoria ,

Peoria

Sha wneetown

(.;anip Douglas

Camp Douglas

Camp Butler

Rockford. ...

Princeton and Chicago...

Rloomiugton,

Rockford

Camp Butler ^.

Centralia

Florence, Pike Co.,

Jolict

Jacksonville

Knoxville

peoria

Ottawa

Chicago

Liucoln

Camp Butler

Peoria

Anna

Sa'em

Peoria

Camp Douglas

Camp Butler

Decatur

Camp Butler

Quiucv

CampButler

June 6, 18C1.

Carlinville.., .

Mattoon

Camii Butler...

Danville

Chicago

Camp' Douglas.
Camp Butler.. .

Pontiac

Camp But'er...
Camp Massac. .

Camp Fry

Camp Butler.

Camp Fry

Mattoon

1471

908
•JWi
987
1110
10.-J1
lU-28
y74
928
llfsr
•161
128u
!J.J6
9.)^
99;l
!t94
907
1.85
958
1041
1265
1030
1091
1427
1206
1082
1078
U:Hi
921
911
998
917
977
1001
1097
944
927
967
873
994
1095
1258
990
960
952
995
1101
952
844

'934

1050

1:30

9:^3

9<«

957

866

1011

932

880

853

851

878

852

140

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

ScTiEDnLE— Showing dtatempnt of volunteer lroop« organlr.fd within the 8l»l«, and sent to the
fleld, riimmoiiclnn April, I8fil, and (Miding Dfccinhi-r 31. 186S, with inimb<T o( r(•^;lml■Ilt. name
of oriKiuul commandini; (ifflrer, date of nrKiiiii/.ntioD and miintor Into Uuitrd Stalen' hitvIco,
place of muiitcr, and the aggregate mrcnuib nf eiu-h urgauUatlou.

infantry!

ia<

1ST
138

lao

140
41

14S

I4S

144

145!

146

147

148

149

151

1B3

i:>t

105

»»,

Col

Ca|»

Fred. A. John*

John Wood

,1. W. (iooilwin

IV-liT DavldaoD

L. H. Whitney

hteiilicn BrouiHin.
|{<dlin V. Ankuet
Dudley O Smith

Cyrtm Hall..

(ietirge W. Lacker
llenrv II. 1>< "iii
llirmu K. M. K —
llwrnru II U
Wni. f. Ku. ••
(Jeorge W I.
French I
F. I) St.
Hl<-I>l>''n llr r,

(ill-
Alf-

.I.W >■
John \.

.t.,(,!i r

>iiiiiii
:ih

Date of orcaniration and
tiiiiHter into the Lulled
Sinleii ixT* ice.

Place where muotered
into the I'nltcd ^>tateN
itervlfi'.

:une 1, 1M4..

|Juiii' Ih. l-«rl
June II. l"*,!

I I . I ■,'!,! -w . 1

I .1,. '. ';-. I

JnucKl. 1864!.
Joor 15. 1W4.

ICentralla.

'(>iitiHy,..

r. ■rill

I :iiii|> Butler..

!. ,-in

I 1111)1 Uutler
M .Miiun . .
■1.. IIU...
]. Htitler..
' .■■.\i Duller. .

> '(I' ;lj^» ...

<;,..in y

I .'iiii|i'liiitler. .
Cmiiiii Duller..

t;uiii<v

I Trii'Diitler..

T zr

W.I

K«
hTH
871

K31

Hfi.'S

llVJ

KM)

|il.'>6

1(H7

t»17

»M

«.H
l«7")

wr.

llCO
W9

w»
vv\

VI
90

C.VVALRY.

1
3
S
4

CoC ThomB" A~Titar-li

Jo!

Th
Wi

Join

AltxTl <i. liloik'-tl..

Janieo A Barrel t
l^>hert(i. Ingermtll.
Arno Vo*«

II.

I'll-

Juh

•-<.l . , .. .

iBIoomlDgtou . .. .

Iiki6

faiii|i Duller . .
< :itiii> Duller,...

lH«;i

IA.'4J

-r " . ..

( Mcr

16IMI

1. JaD.,'fti..

'ler

M4H

•61

1 lor

'J9i:

•61

»- *

24t'j

* - •

I'li-'iia

Cani|> Rutler. ..

Vlil!!

1":^

21. •«!

■61, Feb.. *«a

itiTt

I* *»

Cnmji Douglu..
Peoria

IT.'iO

7, W

1 rw. «.*«ii,...

IWiS
H73

rll. '63

' 'ler....

1 46 J

> .■■!<

1^47

fllCjT UEUIMKNT— ILLINOIS LIGHT ARTILLERT.

Co Field an ' -• ' 777777777!

A I'lipl. C ' d

B, •• K

c *• i'

K " A.*'. Wati-rUuUi>e. . .

F •* John T. Cheney

O " Arthur 0"lx>ar>-

B " Axel Silveropa'rr

I " Edwnrd Hout.in

K ** A. Fnmkliii

L " John Hoiirke

M '• John D.Miller.

Kecruita

rigo

14. '.- .

as. •64..
2«. "ea .
■in. '«i..

15, '6-2
9. "B2,

«, •«J..

I i....

Cbimj.'"

Camp Butler.

Cairo

Chicago ....

A iieetown

L'.,,. ngO

|.\ugl2,'62 ICtalcago

7
168
C04
175
141
IM
15U

147
153

ir.i

H8»

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

141

ScHKDiTLE— Showing Btatcment of volunteer troopn organized within the State, and sent to the
field commencing April, IStil, and ending Dcci-mber 31. 1865, with number of repiment, name
of original commanding officer, date of organization and mucter into United States service,
place of musliT, and the aggregate strength of each organization.

LIGHT ARTILLERY.

o
p

Commanding officer at organiza-
tion.

Date of organization and
muster into the I'nited
States service.

Place whore mustered
into the I'nited States
service.

N «5

B T>

SECOND REGIMENT— ILLINOIS LIGHT ARTILLERY.

A
K
C
1>
E
P
G

K
L
M

Capt. Peter Davidson Aug. 17, lS6i Peoria

Riley Madison June 3(), 'tjl Springfield

" Caleb Hopkins Ang. .O. '61 'Cairo

Jasper M. Dresser Dec. 17. '6;

Adolph Schwartz Feb. 1, "82.

" JohnW.Powell iDec.ll,'61

" Charles J. Stolbrand Dec. 31, '61

Andrew Steinbeck i '*

" Charles W. Keith I

'• Benjamin F. Rogers "

" William H Bolton Feb. 28, '62 Chicago

" John C. Phillips June 6, '62 iChicago

Field and Stuff

Recruits

Cairo

Cape Girardeau, Mo...

Camp Butler

•|-

INDEPENDENT BATTERIES.

Board of Trade

Springfield

Mercantile

Elgin

CoggsweU'e...

Henshaw's

Bridges'

Colvm's

Bnsteed'B

Capt. James S. Stokes.

Thomas F. Vaughn

Charles G. Cooley

George W. Renwick. ..
William Cogzswell...

Ed. C Honshaw

Lyman Bridges.

John H. Colvin

July 31, 1862.
Aug. 21, •62...
Aug. 29. "ei...
Nov. 1.% '62...
Sept 2:}, '61..
Oct. 15. '62....

Jan. 1. 62

Oct. 10, '6:}. . . .

Chicago

Camp Butler. . .

Chicago

Elgin

Camp Douglas.

Ottawa

Chicago

116
127
154
117
136
190
108
115
107
108
145
100
10
1171

258
199
270
242
221
196
2?>2
91
127

RECAPITULATION.

Infantry 185.941

Cavalrv 32 082

Artillerv 7,277

DUELS.

The code of chivalry so coinraon amonor Southern occ^tlemen
and so frequently brought into use in settling personal differences
has also been called to settle the " affiiirs of honor'" in our own
State, however, but few times, and those iii the earlier davs.
Several attempts at duels have occurred; before the disputants met
in mortal combat the differences wore amicably and satisfactorily
settled; honor was maintained without the sacrifice of life. In
ISIO a law was adopted to suppress the practice of dueling. This
law held the fatal result of dueling to be murder, and, as it was
intended, had the effect of making it odious and dishonorable.
Prior to the constitution of 184S, parties would evade the law by

142 IIISTOKV <»K IIJ.I.NOIS.

^oinf]j beyond the jurisdiction of tlio 8tute to eng.igo in their con-
tests of lionor. At tiiat time tliey incorporated in the Constitution
an oath ot office, which was t^o broad as to cover the whole world.
Any person who had ever fou«ifht a duel, ever sent or accepted a
challeny;e or acted the part of second was di.slVanchised from holdiniir
office, even of minor imiM)rtance. After this went into eU'ect, no
»»ther dtiel or attempt at a duel has been-engaj^ed in within the
State of Illinois, save those fou«^ht by parties living outside of
the State, who came here to settle their personal ditierences.

TUK Fn:ST DUEL.

The first duel fou;,'ht within the boundaries of this «;reat State
was betwOen two young military officers, one of the French and
the other of the Kng.isii army, in the year I7tl5. It was at the
time the IJriti.sh tro*»ps came to take possession of Fort Chartres,
and a Woman was the wiuse of it. Tho affair occurred early
Suntlay nu)rning, near tho oM fort. They fought with swords, and
in the combat one sacrificrcd his iifi>.

HON II AM) JONKS.

1 n l^o'j the next duel occurred and war< bloodless of itself, but out
ot It grew a (|uarrel which resulted in the assassiiuition of one ol'
the (•••iilestHnl.-*. The principals were Sluulrach Bond, tho lii>t
Governor, and Uice Jones, a bright young lawy»'r, who bt-came quite
a ]»olitician and the leader of his party. A jK-rsonal ditference arose
between the two, which to settle, tho parties met for mortal combat
<»n an island in the Mississippi. The weaj»on8 selected were hair-
trigger pistols. .VftiT taking their position J«)!je«' weapon was
prematurely discharged. IJond's second, Dunlap, now claimed that
accordiu;; to the code Bond hatl the ri^rht to the next fire. But
Bond Would not take so great advantage of his oj>|)onent, and said
it was an accident and would not tire. Such noble conduct
touched the generous nature of Jones, and tho difficulty was at
once amicably settled. Dunlap, however, bore a deadly liatred for
Jones, and one da}* while he was standing in the street in Kaskaskia,
conversing with a lady, he crept up behind him and shot him dead
in his tracks. Diiii1:ij) successfully escaped to Texas.

RKCTOR AND BARTON.

in lbi'2 the bloody code a^ain brouijlit two voun;' men to the
field of honor. They were Thomas Rector, a sou of Cajjt. Stephen

. L^v

^^" - -^

IIISTORV OF ILLINOIS. 1 4r5

Rector who bore such a noble part in the war of 1812, and Joshua
Barton. The}- liad espoused the quarrel of older brothers. The
affair occurred on Bloody Island, in the Mississippi, but in tlu;
limits of Illinois. This place was frequented so often by Missou-
rians to settle personal difficulties, that it received the name of
Bloody Island. Barton fell in this conflici.

STRWART AND BENNETT.

In 1819 occurred the first duel fought after the admission of the
State into the Union. This took place in St. Glair county between
Alphonso Stewart and William Bennett. It was intended to be a
sham duel, to turn ridicule against Bennett, the challenging party-
Stewart was in the secret but Bennett was left to believe it a
realitv. Their ffuns were loaded with blank cartridses. Bennett,
suspecting a trick, put a ball into his gun without the knowledge
of his seconds. The word "fire" was given, and Stewart fell
mortally wounded. Bennett made his escape but was subsequently
captured, convicted of murder and suffered the penalty of the laAv
by hanging.

PEAKSON AND BAKER.

In 1840 a personal difference arose between two State Senators,
Judfife Pearson and E. D. Baker. The latter, sinartini; under the
epithet of ''falsehood," threatened to chastise Pearson in the public
streets, bv a '.' fist flight. " Pearson declined makintj a "blackijuard''
of himself but intimated a readiness to fight as gentlemen, accord-
ing to the code of honor. The affair, however, was carried no
further.

HARDIN AND DODGE.

The excitin<r debates in the Leccislature in 1810-'41 were often
bitter in personal " slings," and threats of combats were not
infrequent. During these debates, in one of the speeches by the
Hon. J. J. Hardin, Hon. A. R. Dodge thought he discovered a
personal insult, took exceptions, and an " affair" seemed imminent.
The controversy was referred to friends, however, and amicably
settled.

m'clernand and smith.

Jlon. John A, McClernand, a member of the House, in a fe]>eech
delivered during the same session made charges against the Whig
Judges of the Suj^renie Court. This brought a note from Judge

14G HISTOKV <>l ILLINOIS.

T. W. Sinitli, by tlie hands (»1" liis " rrieiul '* Dr. Mririjiian, to
McClernand. Tliis whs construed ae a cluilU'ii*^*, and promptly
accepted, naiinlni; the place i>t* meeting to \>e Missouri; time, early;
the weapons, ritle.-; and distatice, 40 paces. At this critical junc-
ture, the Attorney (ieneral had a warrant issued aj^ainst the .Iud«{;e,
whereupon ho Wiis arrested and placed under htuids to keep the
jH*ac«'. Tlnis endeil tM« uttcmpt to vindicate injured lioimr.

I iMOl.N AND SIIIKLDS.

During the hard times sul>se<)uent to tlie failure t)f the State and
(»tiier banks, in 1>4*J, sjHJcie became scarce while State money was
plentiful, but worthless. The Stale tdlicers tiiereujxm demanded
s})ecie payment for taxes. This was bitterly oj>j>osed, and >o fiercely
contested that the collecli«>n of tji.\es was hUsi>onded.

During the pcriotl of the greatest intligiuition toward the State
otHcials, under the notn de jtluine of " Itel)eccji," Abraliam Lincoln
had ati article j)ublished in the S'ing>iimi Journal, entitled " L<»sl
Ti»wnship." In this article, written in the form of a dialogue, the
officers of tlie State were mughly handled, and especially Auditor
Shields. The mime «»f the auth»>r was demaded from the edit<»r by
Mr. Shields, who was very indignant over the mantier in which he
was Irt'ated. The nanie <if Al»raham Lincoln was given as the
author. It is claimed by m\r\Q of his biographers, however, that
the article wjis j)repared by a lady, and that when the name of the
author was demanded, in a spirit of gjillantry, Mr. Lincoln giive
his name. In company with (Jen. Wiiiteside, (ion. Shields pur-
sued Lincoln to Tremont, Tazewell count v, where ho wa« in atterul-
ance upon the court, and immediately sent him a note "requiring
a full, )>ositive and absolute retraction of all offensive allusions"
made to him in relation to his *^pri\'ate character and standing as
a man, or an a|x>logy for the itjsult c<inveye<l." Lincoln had been
forewarned, however, for William Butler and Dr. Merriman, of
Springliold. had l>ecome ac<{uainte<l with Shields' intentions and by
riding all night arrived at Tremont ahead of Shields and informed
Lincoln what he might expect. Lincoln answered Shield.-^' note,
refusing to offer any explanation, on the grounds that Shields' note
assumeil tiie fact of his (Lincoln's) authorship of the article, and
Hot pointing out what the offensive part was, and accompanying the
same with threats as to ctMisequenccs. Mr. Shields answered this,
disavowing all intention to menace; im^uired if he was the author,

HISTORY' OF ILLINOIS. 147

asked a retraction of that portion relatinor to liis private character.
Mr. Lincohi, still technical, returned this note with the verbal
statement *' that there could be nu further negotiations until the
first note was withdrawn." At this Shields named (run. White-
side as his " friend,'' when Lincoln reported Dr. Merriinan us his
"friend." These gentlemen secretly pledged themselves to agree
upon some amicable terms, and compel their principals to accept
them. The four went to Springfield, when Lincoln left for Jack-
sonville, leaving the following instructions to guide his friend, Dr.
Merriman:

" In case "Whiteside shall signify a wish to adjust this aft'air with-
out further difficulty, let him know that if the present papers be
withdrawn and a note from Mr. Shields, asking to know if I am the
author of the articles of which he complains, and asking that I shall
make him gentlemanly satisfaction, if I am the author, an<l this
without menace or dictation as to what that satisfaction shall be, a
pledge is made that the following answer shall be given:

I did write tlie " Lost Township " letter which appeared ia the Journal of the
2d inst., but had no participation, in any form, in any other article alluding to
you. I wrote that wholly for political oflect. I had no intention of injuring
your personal or private character or standing, as a man or gentleman; an I I ilid
not then think, and do not now think, that that article could produce or has jiro-
duccd that eflfect against you; and, had I anticipated such an efTect, would have
foreborne to write it. And I will add thut your conduct toward mc, so far ms I
know, had always been gentlemanly, and that I had no personal pique against
you, and no cause for any.

" If this should be done, I leave it to you to manage what shall
and what shall not be published. If nothing like this is done, the
preliminaries of the fight are to be:

" 1st. Weapons. — Cavalry broad swords of the largest size, pre-
cisely equal in all respects, and such as are now used by the cavalry
company at Jacksonville.

" 2d. Position. — A plank ton feet long and from nine to twelve
inches broad, to be firmly ti.ved on edge, on the ground, as a line
between us which neither is to pass his foot over on forfeit of his
life. Next a line drawn on the ground on either side of said ])lank,
and parallel with it, each at the distance of the whole length of the
sword, and three feet additional from tlie plank; and the passing of
his own such line by either party during the fight, shall be deemed
a surrender of the contest.

148 III8r«)KY OF ILLINOIS.

''3d. Tiiiii'. — On Tllllr^<lay cveiiiii<j^ at 5 o'clock, if y<»ii can ^vi
it bo; l»iit in no case to he at a j^ivater ili.stance of time than Fritlay
evenini; at 5 o'clock.

"4th. Place. — Within three miles of Alton, on the ojiposite
siilo of the river, the particular spot to ho agreed on hy you.

" Any preliminary details coming within the above rules, you are
at liberty to make at your discretion, but you are in no case to
swerve from these rules, or p:iss beyond their limits."

The position of the contestants, as prescribctl by Lincoln, Beems
to have been such as both wouM have been free from comini; in
contact with the sword of the other, an«l the first impression is that
it is nothini; more than one of Lincoln's jokes. lie possessed vt-ry
Itn:^ arms, howi-ver, and couM reach his adversary at the stipulated
distance.

Not being amicably arrangeil, all parties repaired t«> the Held of
combat in Missouri. Gen. Hardin and Dr. KngliNh, ns mutual
friends of both Lincoln and Shields, arrived in the meantime, and
after much correspondence at their earnest Bolicitation tiie affair
was satisfactorily arranged, Lincoln making a stjitement similar to
the one above referred to.

SHIELDS A.ND UUTLKR.

William Hutler, one «»f Lincoln's seconds, was <lissatislied with
the bh»otlless termination of the Lincoln-Shields affair, and wrote an
account of it for the S<tngu)no Jnnriuil. This article retlected dis-
cre<litaljly upon both the principals engsigt*! in that controversy.
Shields replied by the hands of his friend (ren. Whiteside, in a
curt, menacing note, which was promptly accepte<l as a challenge
by llutler, and the inevitable I)i'. ^[erriman named as his friend,
who submitted the following as preliminaries of the light:

Thiu;. — Sunrise on the ftdlowinij morninj;.

Phice. — Col. Allen's farm (about c»ne mile north of State House.)

Wtapotii. — Rifles.

Distance. — One hundred yards.

The parties to stand with their right sides toward each other-
the ritlcs to be held in both hands horizontally and cocked, arms
extended downwards. Neither party to move his person or his
ritie after l>eing placed, before the word fire. The signal to be:
"Are you readv? Fire! one— two — three!" alx^ut a second of

HISTOUY OF ILLINOIS. 140

time intervening between each word. Neither party to fire before
the wortl '' lire," nor after the word " three."

Gen. Whiteside, in hinguage curt and abrupt, addressed a note to
Dr. Merrinian declining to accept the terms. Gen. SliieUls, how-
ever, addressed another note to Butler, exphiining the feelings of
his second, and offering to go out to a lonely place on the prairie to
fight, where there would be no danger of being interrupted; or, if
that did not suit, he would meet him on his own C(tnditions, when
and where he pleased. Butler claimed the atttiir was closed and
declined the proposition.

WniTESIDE AND MERRIMAN.

Now GeiL Whiteside and Dr. ^ferriman, who Eeveral times had
acted in the capacity of friends or seconds, were to handle the
deadly weapons as principals. While second in the Shields-Butler
fiasco, Wlutesida declined the terms proposed by Butler, in curt
and abrupt language, stating that the place of combat could not be
dictated to him, for it was as much his right as Merriman's, who,
if he was a gentleman, would recognize and concede it. To this
Merrinian replied by the hands of Capt. Lincoln. It will be
remembered that Merriman had acted in the same capacity for Lin-
coln. Whiteside then wrote to Merriman, asking to meet him at
St. Louis, when he would hear from him further. To this ]\rerri-
man replied, denying his right to name ])lace, but offered to meet
in Louisiana, Mo. This Whiteside would not agree to, but later
signified his desire to meet him there, but the affair being closed,
the doctor declined to re-open it.

PRATT AND CAMPBELL.

These two irentlemen were members of the Constitutional Con-
vention of 1847, and both from Jo Davies county. A dispute arose
which ended in a challenge to meet on the field of honor. Tliey
both repaired to St. Louis, but the authorities gaining knowledge
of their bloody intentions, had both parties arrested, which ended
this " affair."

DRESS AND MANNERS.

The dress, habits, etc., of a people throw so much light upon their
conditions and limitations that in order better to show the circum-
stances surrounding the people of the State, we will give a short

150 mSTOKY iH' ILLINOIS.

exposition o( the manner t»f lite of our Illinois people at ditierent
epochs. The Indians themselves are credited hy Charlevoi.x with
l)ein<^ "very laborious," — raiising poultry,' spinning the wool of the
hull'alo and manufacturing garments therefrom. These must have
been, however, more than usually favorable representatives of their
race.

"The working and voyaging dress of the Frencli masses," says
Keynolds, '* was sini|»le and primitive. TIk' French were like the
lilies of the valley (^the (JId llanger was not always exact in his
([jiotations), — they neither spun nor wove any of their clothing, l)ut
purchased it Irom the merchants. The white blanket coat, known
as the ciipot, was the universal and eternal coat for the winter with
the masses. A cape was m:ide of it that eoiild Ikj raised over the
head in cold weather.

" In the house, and in good weather, it hung l)ehind, a cape to
the blanket coat. The reason that I know these coats so well is,
that I have worn many in my youth, and a working man never wore
a better g.irment. Dres.scd deer-skins and blue cloth were wi»rn
commonly in the winter for pantaloons. The blue haiulkerchiet'
atid the deer-skin moccjisin.s covered the liead and feet generally of
the Frenc!(. Creoles. In ISOO, scarcely a man thought himself clothed
unless he had a belt tied around his blanket coat, and on one side
was hung the dressed skin of a p»»le-cat, tilled with ttjbacco, pipe,
tlint and steel. On the other side was fastened, under the belt, the
the butcher-knife. A Crecdo in this dress felt like Tam O'Shanter
tilled with us(juel>a»igh; jjo ctiuld face the devil. Checked calico
shirts were then common, but in winter llannel was trequcntly
worn. In the summer the laboring men and the voyagers often
took their shirts otV in hard work and hot weather, and turned out
the naked back to the air and sun."

" Among the Americans," he adds, '• home-made wool hats were
the common wear. Fur hats were not c<»mmon. and scarcelv a boot
w;is seen. The covering of the feet in winter was chietlv moccasins
made of deer-.^kins, and shoe j)acks of tanned leather. S<»me wore
shoes, but not common in very early times. In the summer the
greater portion of the youni; ]>eoi)le, male and female, and many of
tlie oUl, went barefoot. The substantial and universal outside wear
was the blue linse}' hunting-shirt. This is an excellent garment,
and I have never felt so hanpv and healthy since I laid it off. It is

HISTUKY OF ILLINOIS. 153

made of wide sleeves, open before, with ample size so as to envelop
the body almost twice around. Sometimes it had a large cape?
which answers well to save the shoulders from the rain. A belt is
mostly used to keep the garment close around the person, and,
nevertheless, there is nothing tight about it to hamper the body.
It is often fringed, and at times the fringe is cumpi^sed of red, and
other gay colors. The belt, fre(|ucntly, is sewed to the hunting-shirt.
The vest was mostly made of striped linsey. Tiie colors were made
often with alum, copperas and madder, boiled with the l)ark of trees,
in such a manner and ])roportion3as the old ladies prescribed. The
pantaloons of the masses were generally made of deer-skin and
linsey. Course blue cloth was sometimes made into pantaloons.

** Linsey, neat and fine, manufactured at home, composed generally
the outside varments of the females as well as the males. The
ladies had linsey colored and woven to suit their fancy. A bonnet,
composed of calico, or some gay goods, was worn on the head wherj
they were in the open air. Jewelry on the pioneer ladies was
uncommon; a gold ring was an ornament not often seen."

In 1S20 a change of dress began to take place, and before 1S3<>,
according to Ford, most of the pioneer costume had disappeared.
"The blue linsey hunting-shirt, with red or white fringe, had given
place to the cloth coat. [Jeans would be more like the fact.J The
raccoon cap, with the tail of the animal dangling down behind, had
been thrown aside for hats of wool or fur. Boots and shoes had
supplied the deer-skin moccasins; and the leather breeches, strapped
tight around the ankle, had disappeared before unmentionables of a
more modern material. The female sex had made still greater pro.
gress in dress. The old sort of cotton or woolen frocks, spun, woven
and made with their own fair hands, and strijjed and cross-barred
with blue dye and turkey red, had given place to gowns of silk and
calico. The feet, before in a state of nudity, n(jw charmed in shoes
of calf-skin or slippers of kid; and the head, tbrmerly unbonneted,
but covered with a cotto i handkercliief, now displayed the charms
of the female face under many forms of bonnets of straw, silk and
leghorn. The young ladies, instead of walking a mile or two to
church on Sundav, carrvin^ their shoesand stocking's in their hands
until within a hundred yards of the place of worship, as formerly,
now came forth arrayed complete in all the pride of dress, mounted
on fine horses and attended by their male admirers."

i:.4 UISTORV OF ILLINOIS.

Tlie last half century has douhtluss witnesse<i clianges quire as
great as those set f'ortli by our Illinois historian. The chronicler
of to (lav, lookini: hack to the gctKlt-n davs of 1S30 to 1S40, and
comparing them with the present, must he struck with the tendency
of an almost monotonous unitormity in dress and manners that
conies from the easy inter communication atforded by steamer, rail-
way, telegraph and newspaper. Home nianufacturert. have been
driven fnmi the household by the lower-priced fabrics of distant
mills. The Kentucky jeans, and the ciipperas-colored clothing of
home manufacture, sd familiar a few years ago, have given place tt»
the cassi meres and cloths of noted factories. The ready made-
clothiuij stores, like a touch of nature, made tiie whole world kiii-
.lud niav drape the charcoal man in a tlress-coat and a stove-pipe
hat. The prints an<l silks <»f England aiui France give a varit'ty of
choice, and an a.>.sortment of colors and shades such as the pioneer
women could hanlly have dreamed of. Godey, ami Demorest, an«l
Harper's lia/ar are found in our nuKiern farm-houses, and the latest
fashions of Paris are not uncommon.

rilVSKWl. FKATriiES OF Il.MN'olS.

In area the SUite lias 55,410 square miles of territory. It is
about 150 miles wide and 4oo miles long, stretching in latitude
from Maine to Xortii Carolina. The climate varies from Portland
to Uichmond. It favors every product of the continent, including
the tropics, with less than half a dozen e.xcej>tions. It jiroduces
vvvry great f«.KHl of the world except bananas and rice. It is hardly
t(M) much to say that it is the most productive spot known to civil-
ization. With the soil full of bread and the earth full of minerals;
with an uj>per surface of footl and an under layer of fuel; with per-
fect natural drainage, and abumlant springs, and streams, and navi-
gable rivers; half way b'.'tween the forests of the Xorth and the
fruits of the South; within a day's ride of the great dej>osits of
iron, coal, copper, lead and zinc; and containing and controlling
the great grain, cattle, pork and lumber markets of the world, it is
not strange that Illinois has the advantage of position.

There are no mountains in Illinois; in the southern as well as in
the northern jmrt of the State there are a few hills; near the banks
of the Illinois, Mississipj^i, and several other rivers, the ground is

IIISTORV OF ILLINOIS. 155

elevated, forming tljo so-called bluffs, on which at the present day
niaj' be found, uneffaced by the hand of Time, the marks and traces
left by the water which was formerly ii.uch higher; whence it raa^'
be sale to conclude that, whei-e now the fertile prairies of Illinois
extend, and the rich soil of the country yields its golden harvests,
must have been a vast sheet of water, the mud deposited l»y which
formed the soil, thus accounting lor the present great fertility of the
country,

Illinois is a garden 4*10 miles long and 150 miles wide. Its soil
18 chiefly a black, sandy loam, from G inches to 60 feet thick. About
the old French towns it has yielded corn fur a century and a half
without rest or help. She leads all other States in the number
of acres actually under plow. Iler mineral wealth is scarcely
sectxjid to her agricultural power. She has coal, iron, lead, zinc,
copper, many varieties of building stone, marble, fire clay, cuiiui
clay, common brick clay, sand of all kinds, gravel, mineral paint, —
in fact, everything needed for a high civilization.

AGRICULTUKE.

If any State of the Union is adaj)ted for agriculture, and tfie other
branches of rural economv relating thereto, such as the raisins of
cattle and the culture of fruit trees, it is pre-eminently Illinois.
Her extremely fertile prairies recompense tlie fanner at less
trouble and expense than he would be obliged to incur elsewhere, in
order to obtain the same results. Her rich soil, adapted by nature
for immediate culture, only awaits the plow and the seed in order
to mature, within a few months, a most bountiful harvest. A
review of statistics will be quite interesting to the reader, as well as
valuable, as showing the enormous quantities of the various cereals
produced in our prairie State:

In 1S76 there was raised in the State 130,000,000 of bushels of
corn, — twice as much as any other State, and one-sixth of all the corn
raised in the United States. It would take 375,000 cars to transport
this vast amount of corn lo market, which would make 15,000 trains
of 25 cars each. She harvested 2,747,000 tons of hay, nearly one-
tenth of all the hay in the Republic. It is not generally appreciated,
but it is true, that the hay crop of the country is worth more than
the otton croj). The hay of Illinois equals the cotton of Louisiana-

166

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

Go to Charleston, S. C, and see them peddling handfuls of liay or
grass, almost as a curiosity, as we regard Chinese gods or the cryo-
lite of Greenland; drink your cort'ee and condensed milk; and walk
l>ack from the coast f(»r many a league through the saiul and hurs
till you get up into the better atmos|)here of the mountains, with-
out seeing a waving meadow or a grazing lierd; then you will begin
to ai)preciate the meadows of the Prairie State.

The value of her farm iinj)lements was, in 1870, 1^211,000,000,
i.nd the value of live 8tock was oidy second t>> Xrw Vork. The
same year she had 25,000,000 liogs, and ])ackeil 2,113,s45, about
one-half of all that were packed in the United States. She marketed
$.">7,000,000 worth of slaughtered animals. — more than any other
State, and a seventh of all the States.

Illinois excels all other States in inih'S of railri»ads and in miles
of ])ostal service, and in money orders sold j)er annum, and in the
amount of lumber sold.

Illinois was ordy second in many important matters, taking the
rei)ort8 of 1S7C. This sample list comprises a few of the ntore
important: Permaneiit school fund; total income for educational
purposes; numbi-r of publishers of book-^, maps, j)apers, etc.; value
of fanii pnjvlucts an<l imj)lements, and of live stock; in tons of coal
mined.

The shipping ot Illinois was only second to New Vork. Out of
one port during the business liours of the scjison of navigation she
sent forth a vessel every nine minutes. This did n<jt include canal-
boats, which went one everv five minutes.

No wonder she was only second in numl>er of bankers or in })hy-
sicians and sur<Aions.

She was third in c»dleges, teachers and schools; also in cattle,
lead, hay, flax, sorghum and beeswax.

She was fourth in j)oj)idation, in children enrolled in public
schools, in law schools, in butter, potatoes and carriages.

She was fifth in value of real and personal property, in theologi-
cal seminaries, and colleges exclusively for women, in milk sold,
and in boots and shoes manufactured, and in lxK-)k-binding.

She was only seventh in the production of wood, while she was
the twelfth in area. Surely that was well dtnie for the Prairie State.
She then liad, in 1876, much more wood and growing timber than
she had thirty years before.

HISrOKV OK ILLINOIS. ] 57

A few leading indiistrios will jiistity eiii])hasis. She inaiiutactnred
$205,000,000 wortii of goods, which placed her well up toward
l^ow York and Pennsylvania. Tlie number of her manufacturing
establishments increased from 1800 to 1S70, 300 per cent.; capital
employed increased 350 per cent.; and the amount of product in
creased 400 per cent. She issued 5,500,000 copies of commercial
and financial newspapers, being only second to New York. She had
0,759 miles of railroad, then leading all other States, worth §030,-
458,000, using 3,245 engines, and 67,712 cars, making a train long
enouijh to cover one-tenth of the entire roads of the State. Her
stations were only five miles apart. She carried, in 1876, 15,795,-
000 passengers an average of oG^ miles, or equal to taking her
entire p )pulation twice across the State. More than two-thirds of
her land was within five miles of a railroad, and less than two per
cent, was more than fifteen miles away

Tlie State has a large financial interest in the Illinois Central
railroad. The road was incorporated in 1850, and the State gave
each alternate section for six miles on each side, and doubled the
price of the remaining land, so keeping herself good. The road
received 2,595,000 acres of laiid, and paid to the State one-seventh
of the gross receipts. The State received in 1877, $350,000, and
had received up to that year in all about $7,000,000. It was prac-
tically the people's road, and it had a most able and gentlemanly
:nanagement. Add to the above amount the annual receipts from
the canal, $111,000, and a large ]>er cent, of the State tax was pro-
vided for,.

GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS.

Shadrach Bond — Was the first Governor of Illinois. He was a
native of Maryland and born in 1773; was raised on a farm; re-
ceived a common English education, and came to Illinois in 1794
He served as a delegate in Congress from 1811 to 1815, where he
procured the right of pre-emption of public land. He was elected
Governor in 1818; was beaten for Congress in 1824 by Daniel P.
Cook He died at Ivaskaskia, April 11. 1830.

Edward Coles — Was born Dec. 15, 1786, in Virginia. His father
was a slave-holder; gave his son a collegiate education, and left to
him a large number of slaves. These he liberate<l, giving each
head of a famdy 160 acres of land and aconsideral)losnm ot inoney.

158 ur^■r^>lcv ,<y Illinois.

He was President Madison's jirivate secretary, lie eaiueto Illinois
in l^i II), was elected Governor in I>22, on tlio anti-slavery ticket;
moved to Philadelphia in 1J533, and died in IbOti.

Nlniaii Edwards. — In lb(»9, on the formation of the Territory of
Illinois, Mr. Edwards was npixunte 1 (tovenior, which position he
retained until the or«^anization of the State, when lie was sent to
the United States Senate. \ii was elected Governor in 1S'20. He
was a native of Maryland an<l horn in 1775; received a coUejriate
education; was Chief Justice of Kentucky, and a Kepublican in
j»olitic8.

John lii'i/noJds — Was born in Pennsylvania in 178'^, ami came
witli his parents to Illinois in ISOO, and in 1830 was elected Gov-
ernor on the Democratic ticket, and afterwards served three terms
in Ccmgress. lie received a classical e«lucation,yet was not polished.
He was an ultra Deinocnit; attended tiio Charleston Cmvention in
ISCO, and ui<^ed the seizure of Cnited States arsenals hy the
South. He died in lSr.5 at I'elleville, childless.

Josfph Duncan. — In ls34 Joseph Dunein was elected Governor
by the \Vhi<(S, altlu>u<;h formerly a Democrat. He had previoubly
served four terms in C»»n;'ress. He was lx>rn in Kentuckv in 17m;
had but a limited e<lucation; serve*! with dir>tinction in the war of
1812; conducted tlie campai;^n of. 1832 a^jainst J31ack Hawk. He
came to Illinois when qu'te young.

Thouxan Carlin — Was clccte<l as a Democrat in 1S3S. He liad
but a meaj^er etlucation; liehl many minor otHccs, and was active
both in the war of 1*^12 and the Rhick Hawk war. He was born in
Kentucky in 1780; ciimc to Illinois in 1SI2, and died at Carrollton,
Feb. 14. 1S52.

77iotnjf< Eord ~\Vii-> burn ill IVniisvlvania in the sxav iNOit- ^ud
brought by bis widowed mother to Missouri in 1801, and shortly
afterwanls to Illinois. He received a good education, studied law;
was elected four times Ju<lge, twice as Circuit Jn<lge, Judge of
(Chicago and Judge of Supreme Court. He was elected CJovernor
by the Democratic party in 1^42; wrote liis history of Illinois in
1817 and died in 1*^50.

Au'/tistus C. Fi'cni-h — Was liorn in New Hampshire in 1808;
was admitted to the bar in 1831, and shortly afterwanls moved U.
Illinois when in 1840 he was elected Governor. On the ado{)tion
of the Constitution of 1^48 he was again chosen, serving until 1853.
lie was H Democrat uj ]>olitic9.

II18TORY OK ILLINOIS. jytj

Joel A. Matteson — Was born in Jetiurson county, N. Y., in 1808.
His father was a fanner, and gave his son only a coniniou school
education. He first entered upon active life as a small tradesman,
but subsequently became a large contractor and manufacturer. He
was a heavy contractor in building the Canal. He was elected Gov-
ernor in 1852 upon the Democratic ticket.

Willlnn II. Bissell — Was elected by the liepublican party in
1856. He had previously served two terms in Congress; was
colonel in the Mexican war and has held minor official positions. He
was born in New York State in 1811; received a common educa-
tion; came to Illinois early in lile and engaged in the medical pro-
fession. This he changed for the law and became a noted orator,
and the standard bearer of the Republican party in Illinois. He
died in 1S60 while Governor.

Richard Yates — "The war Governor of Illinois," was born in
Warsaw, Ky., in 1818; came to Illinois in 1831: served two terms
in Congress; in 18G0 was elected Governor, and in 1865 United
States Senator. He was a college graduate, and read law under J. J,
Hardin. He rapidly rose in his chosen profession and charmed the
people with oratory. He tilled the gubernatorial chair during the
trying days of the Rebellion, and by his energy and devotion won
the title of " War Governor." He became addicted to strong drink,
ami died a drunkard.

Richard J. Ogleshy — Was born in 1824, in Kentucky; an orphan
at the age of eight, came to Illinois when only 12 years old. He
was apprenticed to learn the carpenter's trade; worked some at
farming and read law occasionally. He enlisted in the Mexican
War and was chosen First Lieutenant. After his returii he again
took up the law, but during the gold fever of 1849 went to Califor-
nia; soon returned, and, in 1852, entered upon his illustrious
political career. He raised the second regiment in the State, to
suppress the Rebellion, and for gallantry was promoted to Major
General. In 1864 he was elected Governor, and re-elected in 1872,
and resigned for a seat in the United States Senate. He is a staunch
Republican and resides at Decatur.

Shelby M. Cullom — Was born in Kentucky in 1828; studied
law, was admitted to the bar, and commenced the practice of his
profession in 1848; was elected to the State Legislature in 1850,
and again in 1860. Served on the war commission at Cairo, 1862.

160 UI8TOKV OF ILLINOIS.

and wjis a member of the 39th, 40tli and 4 1 st Congresa, in all of which
he served with credit to iiis State. U" was a^^ain elected to the
State Legislature in 1872, and re-electtnl in 1874, and was elected
Governor of IllinoiiJ in l^'^^^, which olKeo he still holds, and has
adniinisteroil with marked ahility.

LIEDTKNANT OOVEKNOR8.

Pierre Menard— ^Vm the first Lieut. Gov. of Illinois. He was
born in Quebec, Canada, in 1767. Ho came to Illinois in 17(>0
where he enga^d in the Indian trade and became wealthy. Ho
died in 1844. Metiard ccmnty was nameil in his honor.

Ailolphus F. Iliibhiird — Was elected Licut.Gov. in 1S22. Four
years later he ran for Governor aj^aitist Edwards, but was beaten.

Wdlunn Kinney — Wa.-* elected \n 18J6. Ho was a Iia|)tist
clergyman; wits born in Kiiitiicky in 1781 and came to Illinois in
170:5.

Z<idock Casey — Although on the o|)|>o6ition ticket to Governor
Reynolds, the successful Gubernatorial candidate, yet Casey was
elected Lieut. Gov. in 1S3<), He subsequently served several terms
in Congress.

AUxaiuUr M. JenkinH — Wn^ elected on ticket with Gov. Duncan
in 1S:H by a handsuine majority.

S. IJ. Awlcrson — Lieut. Gov. under Gov. Cariin, was chosen in
1838. He was a native of Tennessee.

John Moort — Was born in England in 1793; came to Illinois in
1830; was elected Lieut Gov. in 1842. He won the name of
'* Honest John Moore."

Joseph B. Wells — Was cliosen with Gov. French at his first
election \u 1810.

William Mi'Murtry. — In 1848 when Gov. French was again
chosen Governor, William MeMurtry of Knox county, was elected
Lieut. Governor.

Gustavus /*. Kocrner — Was elected in 1S52. He was born in
Germany in 1809. At the age of 22 came to Illinois. In 1872 he
was a Ciindidate for Governor on Liberal ticket, but was defeated.

John Wood — Was elected in 1856, and on the death of Gov,
Bissell became Governor.

Francis A. Iloifman — Was chosen with Gov. Yates in 1860
He was born in Prussia in 1822, and came to Illinois in 1840.

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

161

William Bross — Was born in New Jersey, came to Illinois in
1848, was elected to office in 1864.

John Dougherty — Was elected in 1868.

John L. Beveredge — Was chosen Lieut. Gov. in 1872. In 1873
Oglesby was elected to the U, S. Senate when Beveridge became
Governor.

Andrew Shuman — Was elected Nov. 7, 1876, and is the present
incumbent.

SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.

Ninian W. Edwards, 1854-50

W. H. Powell 1857-58

Newton Bateman 1859-75

Samuel M. Etter 1876

ATTORNEY GENERALS.

Daniel P. Cook. 1819

William Mears 1820

Samuel D. Lockwood 1821-22

James Turney 182B-28

George Forquer 1829-;{2

.James Semple 1883-84

Ninian E. Edwards 1834-85

Jesse B. Thomas, Jr. 1835

Walter B. Scales 1836

Asher F. Linder ia37

Geo. W. Olney 1838

WicklifTe Kitchell 1839

Josiah Lamboru 1841-42

James A. McDougall 1843-4G

David B. Campbell 1846

[Office abolished and re-created in 1867]

Robert G. Ingersoll 1867-68

Washington Bushnell 1869-72

James K. Edsall 1873-79

TREASURERS.

John Thomas 1818-19

R. K. McLaughlin 1819-22

Ebncr Field 1823-26

James Hall 1827-30

John Dement 1831-36

Charles Gregory 1836

John D. Whiteside 1837-40

M. Carpenter 1841-48

John Moore 18-18-56

James Miller 1857-60

William Butler 1861-62

Alexander Starne 1863-64

James H. Beveridge 1865-66

George W. Smith 1867-6.S

Erastus N. Bates 869-72

Edward Rutz 1873-75

Thomas S. Ridgeway 1876-77

Edward Rutz 1878-79

SECRETARIES OF STATE.

Elias K. Kane 1818-22 Thompson Campbell 1848-46

Samuel D. Lockwood 1822-23

David Blackwell 1823-24

Morris Birkbeck 1824

George Forquer 1825-28

Alexander P. Field 1829-40

Stephen A. Douglas 1840

Lyman Trumbull 1841-42

Horace S. Cooley 1846-49

David L. Gregg 1850-52

Alexander Starne 1853-56

Ozius M. Hatch 1857-60

Sharon Tyndalc 1865-6.^

Edward Rummel 1809-72

George H. Harlow 1873-79

1(52 mSTUKV ol' ILLINOIS.

AIUITOU.S.

Klijali C. Ik-rry. lblS_;}l Tlioinpson Cimiiihcl! ..IHlrt

I.T. li. Sl:i|»i) IKJl-liO Ji-ssi' Iv. Dulnti.s IHT)?- <14

UniDavi, iy;jr>-40 Orliii II. Miner IsaV^W

James Sliiclds. IS41-42 Charles K. Lip|M'n«<.ii 1SS9-7G

W. L. D. Ewin:: 1^43-45 Tlionipson B. Needles 1S77-7U

UKITKU STATKb 8KNAT0K8.

Ninidn J'Jt/toiirds. — On tlio orupaiiizatiim ol" the Stiite in islh,
Edwards, tho populiir Territorial Cittvcrnor, wiis cliogen Senatoi- tt»r
the short tt'nij,jind in 1810 re-elccteil tor fnll term.

Jti(tit' Ji. Thoiii'iH — One ot" the federal judije.s duiiiii; the entire
Territorial existeiieo was eho.sen Senator on orj;aiiization of the
Stati', and re-eleeted in ls23, and served till 1S20.

Jiiltn Mil^an — In 1824 Kdward.s resigned, and McLean was
elected to till his unexpired term. lit.' wa.s horn in North Carolina
in ITlU.and came to Illinois in 1815; served one term in (^ofigress,
and in 1821) wji.s electtnl to tho U. S. Senate, but the fallowing year
died. He is said to have l>een the most git'ted man of his ]»eriod in
llliiioi-.

KlUm Ac*«/ Ati/tc — Was elected Nov. 30, 1824, for the term be-
ginning March 4, 1825. In ls;}() he wiw re-elected, but <lic<l before
tho exj>iration of bin term. He wa? a native of New York, ami in
1814 came to Illinoi.-J lie wa» tir.xt Secretary of State, an<l after-
wards State S<'nator.

Divid Jewi'tt Jiiiker — Was a|))>ointod to till the unexpirc<l term
of John McLean, in 1830, Nov. 12, but the Ixjgislature refused to
endorse the choice. Baker was u native of Connecticut, born in
17112, and died in Alton in LSCO.

JohnM. liobinson. — Instead of Baker, the Governor's appointee,
tho Lci^islature cho.se Ilobinson, and in ls34 he was re-elected. In
1843 was elected Supreme Judge of the State, but within two
months died. He was a native of Kentucky, and came to Illinois
while (juito young.

William L. D. J'Jioinfj—Wiis elected in 1^3.>, to till the vacancy
occasioned by the death of Kane, lie was a Kentuckian.

Richard M. Young — Was elected in 1836, and held his seat
from March 4, 1837, to March 4, 1843, a full term. He was a

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS. 163

native of Kentucky; was Circuit Judge before liis election to the
Senate, and Supreme Judge in 1842. He died in an insane asylum
at AV^asliington.

Samuel McRoherts — Tlie first native lUinoisian ever elevated to
the high office of U. S. Senator from this State, was born in 17i)9,
and died in 1843 on his return home from Washington. He was
elected Circuit Judge in 1824, and March 4, 1841, took his seat in
the U. S. Senate.

Sidney Brecbe — Was elected to the IT. S. Senate, Dee. 17, 1842,
and served a full term. He was born in Oneida countv, N. Y.
He was Major in the Black Hawk war; Circuit Judge, and in 1841
was elected Su])reme Judge. He served a full term in the U. S.
Senate, beginning March 4, 1843, after which he was elected to the
Legishiture, again Circuit Judge, and, in 1857, to the Supreme
Court, which ])Osition lie held until his death in 1878.

James Semple — Was the successor of Samuel McRoberts, and
was appointed by Gov. Ford in 1843. He was afterwards elected
Judge of the Supreme Court.

Stephen A. Douglas — Was elected Dec. 14, 1846. He had pre-
viously served three terms as Congressman. He became his own
successor in 1853 and again in 1859. From his first entrance in the
Senate he was acknowledged the ])eer of Clay, Webster and Cal-
houn, with whom he served liis first term. His famous contest
with Abraham Lincoln for the Senate in 1858 is the most memor-
able in the annals of our country. It was called the battle of the
giants, and resulted in Douglas' election to the Senate, and Lincoln
to the Presidency. He was born in Brandon, Vermont, April 23,
1813, and came to Illinois in 1833, and died in 186L He was
appointed Secretary of State by Gov. Carlin in 1840, and shortly
afterward to the Supreme Bench.

James Shields — Was elected and assumed his seat in the U. S.
Senate in 1849, March 4. He was born in Ireland in 1810, came
to the United States in 1827. lie served in the Mexican army, was
elected Senator from Wisconsin, and in 1879 from Missouri for a
short term.

Lyman Tramhull — Took his seat in the [J, S. Senate March 4,
1855, and became his own successor in 1861. Ho had previously
jjerved one term in the Lower House of Congress, and served on
the Supreme Bench. He was born in Connecticut; studied law

104 HISTOKY OF ILLINOie.

and came to Illinois early in lite, where lor years he wau actively
engaged in politics. He resides in Chicago.

Orvill II. Brownhuj — Was appointed U. S. Senator in ISOl, to
lill the seat made vacant by the death of Stephen A. Douglas, until
a Senator could be regularly elected. Mr. drowning was born in
Harrison county, Kentucky; was ailmitteil to the bar in 1831, and
settled in Quincy, Hlinois, where he engaged in the practice of law,
and was instrumental, with his friend, Abraham Lincoln, in form-
ing the Kepublican party-of Illinois at the Hloomingt(»n pDnven-
tion. He entered Johnson's cabinet as Secretary of the Interior,
and in March, 1SG8, was designated by the President to jK-rform the
duties of Attorney (Jenenil. in additiui: to his own, Jis Seen-tarv of
the Intcrii)r De|»artment.

WlUi'iin A. liirlinrdson — Was elected U} the U. S. S«'rnitc in
18C3, to fill the uncxpire(J term of his friend, Steph«'n A l).>uglas.
lit- was lH)rn in Kavetto county, Kv., about 1810, studied law.
and settled itj Illinois; 6erve<l as captain in the Mexican War, aiid.
»»n the battle-field of Buena Vist^i, was pnjinoteil for brav«ry, bv a
unanimiMis vote of his regiment. IIo serveil in the Lower House
of Congress from 1847 to 1S56, conlirnnilly.

liic/ifinl Ynfi's — Was elected to the l'. S. Senate in 1865, ber\ -
ing a full term of Pix years. He died in St. Louis, Mo., Nov. 27,
1873.

John A. /.//i'«/n—W}LS elected to the V. S. Senate in 1871. He
was born in .Jackson county. 111., Feb. 9, 1826, received a common
scho(d education, a:id enlistcil as a ])rivate in the Mexiatn War,
where he n»se to the rank of Ilegimental (Quartermaster. On
returning home he studied law, and came to the bar in 185'J; was
elected in 1858 a Representative to the 36th Congress and re-elected
to the 37tl» Congress, resigning in 18ellion; served a.s Colonel and subsequently as a
Major General, and commanded, witli distinction, the armies of
the Tennessee. He was again elected \m the U. S. Senate in ls7J>
for six years.

Diir'id />rti'j«— Was elected to the U. S. Senate in 1877 for a terui
of six years. He was born in Cecil county, Md., March 9, 1815,
graduated at Kenyon C<»llege, Ohio, studied law, and removed to
Illinois in 1S35; was admitted to the bar and settled in Blooming-
ton, where he has since resided and amassed a larjre fortune. He

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS. 166

was for many years the intimate friend and associate of Abraham
Lincohi, rode the circuit with liiin each year, and after Lincohi's
election to the Presidency, was appointed by him to fill the position
of Judge of the Supreme Court of the United States.

REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS.

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS. NINETEENTH CONGRESS.

John McLean 1818 Daniel P. Cook 1825-26

SI.XTEENTU CONGRESS. TWENTIETH CONGHKSS.

Daniel P. Cook 1819-20 Joseph Duncan 1827-28

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS. TWENTY-FIRST CONGRESS.

Daniel P. Cook 1821-22 Joseph Duncan 1829-30

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS. TWENTY-SECOND CONCUIFSS.

Daniel P. Cook. . : 1823-24 Joseph Duncan 1831-32

TWENTY-THIRD CONGRESS.

Joseph Duncan 1833-34 Zadock Casey 1833-34

TWENTY-FOURTH CONGRESS.

Zadock Casey 1835-36 William L. May 1835-36

John Reynolds 1835-36

TWENTY-FIFTH CONGRESS.

Zadock Casey 1837-38 William L. May 1837-38

John Reynolds 1837-38

TWENTY-SIXTH CONGRESS.

Zndock Casey 1839-40 John T. Stuart 1839-40

John Reynolds 1839-40

TWENTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS.

Zadock Casey 1841-42 John T. Stuart 1841-42

John Reynolds 1841-42

TWENTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS.

Robert Smith 1843-44 Joseph P. Hoge 1843-44

Orlando B. Finklin 1843-44 John J. Hardin 1843-44

Stephen A. Douglas 1843-44 John AVentworth 1843-i4

John A. McClernand 1843^4

TWENTY-NINTH CONGRESS.

Robert Smith 1845-46 Joseph P. Hoge 1845-46

Stephen A. Douglas 1845^6 John A. McClernand 1815^6

Orlando B. Finklin 1845-46 John Wentworth 1845^16

John J. Hardin 1845

THIRTIETH CONGRESS.

John Wentworth 1847-48 Orlando B. Finklin 1847-48

Thomas J. Turner 1847 Robert Smitli 1847-48

Abraham Lincoln 1847-48 William A. Richardson 1847-48

John A. McClernand 1847-48

1(56 llI.-l«'i:V I'l- Il.l.l.NOl:^.

TUIKTY-KIKM' CO.S<iUK88.

John A. McCioruaii'i 1849-50 Edward D. Bakor 1849-60

John Wcutworlh IWlO-W William II. Bissdl 1849-50

Tiimilhy R. Young is49-r)0 Thomas L. Harris 1849

\Villi:nn A. Richardson 1^49-50

THIRTY-SECOND CONOUESa.

William A. Richardson 1851-52 Richard Yatca ia'51-53

Thomjjsou Campbell 1851-53 Richard S. Maloaey 1851-52

Orland.. B. Finkliii. • . \Sr>l-52 Willis 1851-53

John Wintworlh iail-53 William 11. Bisscll 1851-53

TIIIUT^-TIIIUl) C'DNOHICSS.

William II. Hissdl 1853-54 Thompson Campbell 1853-54

John I'. AlU-Ji lS.*>3-54 Janu's Knox 1853-51

Willis . "il Jtsse O. Norton. 1853-54

Elihu B. Wiuihlmrue Ki.i .")4 William A. Richardson 1803-54

Richard Yat.s 1853- 54

TUIUTV-F«l'RTII CONUUE88

Klihu B. Washburno . .1855-50 Samuel 8. Marshall 1855-50

Lyman Trumbull. . . . .1N55-50 J. L. D. Morrison 1855-50

James 11. W.KKlworlh 1S55-50 John C. Allen 1855-,'>0

Jam<-s Knox 1855-50 Jesse U. Nt)rton 1855-50

Tl;onip.««t>n Camplx-U 1855-50 William A. Richardson 1855-50

TIIIUTV KIKTII CONUHESS.

Elihu B. Washburne 1857-58 Samuel S.Marshall 1857-58

Charles n. II' ; ' ""58 Isaac N. Morris 1S57-58

William Kill. .^,.. . 58 Annm Shaw 1857-58

Thomi)son ranijdH-U 1857-58 RoU-rt Smith 1857-58

John F. Farnsworth 1857-58 Thomas L. Harris 1857-58

Owen Lovujoy ... 1857-58

T!i!!;'^v SIXTH rosr.uEsa

Elihu B. Wa9hbum<\ . . . - ' oO John F. Farnsworth 1859-00

John A. Logan... .1850-00 Philip B. Foukc 1859-00

Owen I/ivejoy "••;() Thomas L. Harris .lS'»9-00

John A. MeCleruand .- '-0 Williatu Kellogg 1859-00

Isaac X Morris l,vi < i.o James {'. Robinson 1859-00

THIRTY-SKVE.NTH OONORESS.

Elihu B. Washburne .1801-62 Isaac N. Arnold 1801-02

James C. Robinson. ..18<]l-n2 Philij) B. Foukc . . .lSGl-02

John A. Ix^gan ... lSOl-63 William Kellogg 1801-02

Owen Lovejoy 1ft01-02 Anthony L. Knapp 1801-02

John A. McClernand -31-02 William A. Richardson 1801-U3

THIKTY-EIGHTH CON0KE8S.

Elihu B. Washburne I-"." -04 William J. Allen 1803-04

Jesse O. Norton ls<;;;-r,4 Isaac X. Arnold 1803-04

lames C. Robinson 1803-04 John R. Eden 1863-04

*.>*>''■"'

Kim

iiiliilF?:

••r :f.|,

rKNTRAI. IIO^IMTAI. FOIJ TlIK INsANK, .. \' ,v -■ . > > 1 1.I.K.

ILLINOIS INDUSTRIAL UNIVERSITV. CHAMI'AKIN — KOCNDKD 15V TlIK >TATK

KNDoWKD 15Y rONOKKSS.

IIISTOIJY OF ILLI.N»)1S.

1G9

Lewis W. Ross 1803-64

John T Stuart 18G:i-64

Owen Lovejoy 18G3-(54

William R. Morrison 18G3-(i4

John C. Allen 18G3-64

John F. Farnswortb 1803-04

Charles W. Morris 1803-04

Ebon C. Ingersull 1803-^4

Antuony L. Knapp 1803-04

THIRTY-NINTH CONOUE8S.

Elihu B. Washburne 1865-00

Anthony B. Thornton 1805-00

John Wentworlh 1805-00

Abner C. Hardin. *. . . .1865-66

Eben C. Ingorsoll lS;;5-00

Barton C\ Cook 1865-00

Shelby M. CuUom 1865-00

Jonn F. Famsworth 1865-00

Jehu Baker 1805-00

Henry P. H. Broniwell 1805-00

Andrew Z, Kuykandall 1805-00

Samuel S. Marshall. 1805-06

Samuel W. Muulton 1805-00

Lewis W. Ross 1805-06

FORTIETH CONGRESS.

Elihu B. Washburne 1867-68

Abner C. Hardin 1867-68

Eben C Ingersoll 1867-08

Norman B. Judd 1807-08

Albert G. Burr 1807-68

Burton C. Cook 1867-68

Shelby M. Oulloni 1867-68

John F. Farnsworlh 1807-68

Jehu Baker 1867-68

Henry P. H. Bromwell 1867-68

John A Logan 1867-68

Samuel S. Marshall 1867-08

Green B. Raum 1807-08

Lewis W. Ross 1867-68

FORTY-FIRST CONGRESS.

Norman B. Judd 1869-70

John F. Famsworth 1869-70

H. C. Burchard 1809-70

John B. Hawley 1809-70

Eben C Ingersoll 1809-70

Shelby M. Cullom 1869-70

Thomas W. McNeely 1809-70

Albert C4. Burr " 1869-70

Samuel S. Marshall 1869-70

John B. Hay 1809-70

Burton C. Cook 1809-70 John M. Crcbs .' 1809-70

Jesse H. Moore 1809-70 John A. Logan 1809-70

FORTY-SECOND CONGRESS.

Charles B. Farwell 1871-72 James C. Robinson 1871-72

John F. Famsworth 1871-72

Horatio C. Burehard 1871-72

John B. Hawley 1871-72

Bradford N. Stevens 1871-72

Henry Snapp 1871-72

Jesse H. Moore 1871-72

Thomas W. McNeely 1871-72

Edward Y. Rice 1871-72

Samuel S. Marshall 1871-72

John B. Hay 1871-72

John M. Crebs 1871-72

John S. Beveredge 1871-72

FORTY-THIRD CONGRESS.

John B. Rice 1873-74

Jasper D. Ward 1873-74

Charles B. Farwell 1873-74

Stephen A. Hurlbut 1873-74

Horatio C. Burchard 1873-74

John B. Hawley 1873-74

Franklin Corwin 1873-74

Robert M. Knapp 1873-74

James C. Robinson 1873-74

John B. McNulta 1873-74

Joseph G. Cannon 1873-74

John R. Eden 1873-74

James S. Martin 1873-74

William R. Morrison 1873-74

170

HIbToRY of ILLINOIS.

CntiibUry L. Fori 1873-74 Isaac Clcmeots 1873-74

Samuel S. Murshull

GrauvjUf Barrere 1H73-74

William II. liiiy... 1873-74

KOHTY-h"OL'UTII COMJUKSS.

ntrnunl CJ. Caiiintkl 1875-70 Scull Wiko.

('arl< r II ll)ir.i.s<iii ... ;.'<T5-70

CharU-8 H. Farwell 1875-76

Sti-iiliin A. Ilurlbut ls7.'>-7«

Ilonilio C. lliiivliuril . 1875 70

Tiiuma-s J. IKnilirsou 1875- 76

Alcxandir CainplK-li 1875-76

1M73-74

.lS75-7(i
.1875-76
. 1875-76
76

(Jn-riihurv L. Fort.

1H75';6

William M. Sjtriugcr

Adlai E. SU'veuson .

Ji>!M-|)li (t. Ciinuon

Jobn U. Kdc-u . »-76

W. A. J. S|i«rks 1875-76

William H. .Morri»<>n 1875-76

William Harl/.n 187.5-76

William H Auilrrson i^T', 7r,

Itjch.iril H. Whiliiig 1875 76

John C. IJagby 1875-76

KOUTYKIKTU CO.MiltKm.

William Aldricb.. 1^*77-78 HolM-rt M. Ri...|.p 1H77-78

Curtir H narrls4)n 1877-78 William M Springrr l'>77-78

I/inn/.o IJniitano 1877-78 Thoiniiit F.Tipton l'<77-78

William Lalbnip 1877-78 .Ii.m pb Ct.('<uinon 1877-78

IloralioC. Hurchanl... 7 7 7'< .lobn K E»l«n. . . . .. 1K77-78

Tlioma.s.I. Henderson...

I'bilip C Ilavi-a

fJrfcnbiiry L. Fort 1877-78

Tliomiw A. lioyd 1-77 T'^

Benjamin F ^amh 1^77-78

roitTY»«ITTn n)MiItFJUL

W. A .1 Sp.irkH 1M77-78

William H. .M-.rriaon 1877-78

William Harlzell 1877-78

Uiclmrd W. Townshcnd 1877-78

William Aldrich Ih7«J 80

Georpe R. Davis 1879-W

Hiram IlarU-r

.Tnhn C SlnT« in. ..........

U. .M A Hawk ...

Tliomas J. Henderson. .
Thilip r Hayes . .
(Jrnnluiry L. Fort. . . .

Tlionias A. Hoy*'

Benjamin F. Marsh ...

87»-«0

.Iume« W. Slnjjleion 1H79->»

William M. Snrinirer 187U-HO

A i; ..1M7»-S0

.1.-. pi, ., . .mti.M, 1H7»-W

AiU rt P. For^ytbr 1879-*I0

W. A. J. RpnrkH. m79^

Willinm H. MorriM)u 1879^80

.I<.hn H T' ...m79-H0

U. W. Ti. J 1879-80

CmCAGO.

While we cannot, in the brief s^ace we have, fi^'wc more than a
inea«:»*r sketch of such a city as Chica«^^ yet we feel the history of
the State would be incomplete without speaking of its metr(.j>oIi8,
the imtst wonderful city on the glol)e.

In comparing Chicago as it was a few years since with Chicago
of to-dav, we behold a chanrfe whose veritable existence we slioiild

III3T0KY OF ILLINOIS. 171

be inclined to doubt were it not a stern, indisputable tact. Rapid
as is the customary development of places and things in the United
States, the growth of Chicago and her trade stands without a parallel.
The city is situated on the west shore of Lake Michigan at the
mouth of the Chicago river. It lies 14 feet above the lake, having
been raised to that grade entirely by the energy of its citizens, its
site having originally been on a dead level with the water of the
lake.

Tiie city extends north and south along tlie lake about ten miles,
and westward on the prairie from the lake five or six miles, embrac-
ing an area of over 40 square miles." It is divided by the river
into three distinct jiarts, known as the North, West and South
Divisions, or "Sides," by which they are popularly and commonly
known. These are connected by 33 bridges and two tunnels.

The first settlement of Chicago was made in 1804, during which
year Fort Dearborn was built. At the close of 1S30 Chicago con-
tained 12 houses, with a population of about 100. The town was
organized in 1833, and incorj)oratcd as a city in 1837. The first
frame buildins: was erected in 1832, and the first brick house in
1833. The first vessel entered the harbor June 11, 1834; and at
the first official census, taken July 1, 1837, the entire population
was found to be 4,170. In 1850 the population had increased to
2D,963; in 1860, to 112,172; in 1870, 298,077; and, according to
the customary mode of reckoning from the number of names in
tiie City Directory, the population of 1879 is over 500,000.

Nicholas Perrot, a Frenchman, was the first white man to visit
the site of Chicago. This he did in 1671, at the instigation of M.
Toulon, Governor of Canada. lie was sent to invite the Western
Indians to a convention at Green Bay. It has i)een often remarked
that the first white man who became a resident of Chicago was a
negro. Ills name was Jean Baptiste Pointe an Sable, a mulatto from
tlie West Indies. lie settled there in 1796 and built a rude cabin on
the north bank of the main river, and laid claim to a tract of lan^l
surrounding it. lie disappeared from the scene, and his claim was
"jumped" by a Frenchman named Le Mai, who commenced trad-
ing with the Indians. A few years later he sold out to John Kin-
zie, who was then an Indian trader in the country about St.
Joseph, Mich., and agent for the American Fur Company, which
had traded at Chicago with the Indians for some time; and this

172 HISTORY OK ILLINOIS.

fact had, probably more than any other, to do with, tlie determina-
tion of tljc Government to establisli a fort there. Tl»e Indians
were growing numerous in tliat region, being attracted by the
facilities for selling their wares, as Wfll as being pressed northward
bv the tide of emigration sotting in from the south. It was judged
necessary to have some force near that point to kcej) them in
check, as well as to protect the trading interests. Mr. Kinzio
moved his family there the same year Fort Dearborn was built^
and converted the Jean liaptisto cabin into a tjisteful dwelling.

For about eight years things moved along smoothly. Thr garri-
son was (piief, and the traders prosperous. Tlien the United States
l)ccame involved in tr<»ul)le with CJreat Britain. The Indians took
the warpath long before the declanition of hostilities between the
civilized nations, committing: great depredations, the ujost atro-
cious of which was the massacre of F«>rt Dearlxtrn, an account of
which mav Ik? fount! in this vrdnme under tiie heading of "The
War of iKl2."

TIIK (JRKAT FIKK.

From the year 1840 the onward march of the city of Chicago
Ut the date of the great lire is well known. To recount its marvel-
ous growtli in populatiun, wealth, internal resources and improve-
mentn and everything else that g(X» to make up a mighty city«
would consume more space than we could devote, liowever interest-
ing it might lie. Its j>rogress astonished the world, and its citizens
stood almost appal letl at the work of their own hands. She was
happy, pros|K;rou8 and great when time brought that terrible Octo-
l>er night (Oct. 9, 1871) ami with it the grcit fire, memorable as
the greatest lire ever occurring on earth. The sensation conveyed
to the s|>cctat<^>r of this unparalleled event, either through the eye,
the ear, or other senses or sympathies, cannot be adequately
descrilKjd, and any attempt to do it but shows the poverty of lan-
guage. As a spectacle it was l>eyond doubt the grandest as well as
the most appalling ever offered to mortal eyes. From any
elevated standpoint the appearance was that of a vast ocean of
flame, sweeping in mile-long billows and breakers over the doomed
city.

Added to the 6i>ectiicular elements of the conflagration — the
intense and lurid light, the sea of red and black, and the spires and
pyramids of flame shooting into the heavens — was its consUint and

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS. 173

terrible roar, drowning even the voices of tlie shrieking multitude;
and ever and anon — tor a while as often as every half-minute —
resounded far and wide the ruj)id detonations of explosions, or full-
ing walls. In short, all sights and sounds which terrify the weak
and unnerve the stronj; abounded. But they were only the accom-
paniment which the orchestra of nature were furnishing to the
terrible tragedy there being enacted.

The total area burned over, including streets, was three and a
third square miles. The number of buildings destroyed was
17,450; persons rendered homeless, 98,500; persons killed, about
200. Not including depreciation of real estate, or loss of business,
it is estimated that the total loss occasioned by the fire was
$190,000,000, of which but $44,000,000 was recovered on insur-
ance. The business of the city was interrupted but a short time;
and in a year after the fire a large part of the burned district was
rebuilt, and at present there is scarcely a trace of the terrible dis-
aster, save in the improved character of the new buildings over
those destroyed, and the general better appearance of the city —
now the finest, in an architectural sense, in the world.

One of the features of this great city worthy of mention is the
Exposition, held annually. The smouldering ruins were yet smok-
ing when the Exposition Building was erected, only ninety days
being consumed in its construction. The accompanying engrav-
ing ot the building, the main part of which is 1,000 feet long,
will give an idea of its magnitude.

COMMERCE OF CHICAGO.

The trade of Chicago is co-extensive with the world. Every-
where, in every country and in every port, the trade-marks of her
merchants are seen. Everywhere, Chicago stands prominently
identified with the commerce of the continent. A few years ago,
grain was carted to the place in wagons; now more than 10,000
miles of railroad, with thousands of trains heavily ladened with the
products of the land center there. The cash value of the produce
handled during the year 18Y8 was $220,000,000, and its aggregate
weight was 7,000,000 tons, or would make 700,000 car loads.
Divided into trains, it would make 28,000 long, heavily ladened
freight trains, wending their way from all parts of the United States
toward our great metropolis. These trains, arranged in one con-

174 IIISTuKY OF ILLINOIS.

linnoiis line, woulil stretcli rroiii Lotidoii across the broml Atlantic
to Now York ami on across our continent to Sun Francisct*.

In regard to tl»e j^rain, lumber and stock trade, Ciuca«;o has sur-
jKissed all rivals, and, indeed, not imiIv is without a peer but excels
anv throe or tour cities in the world in these branchof*. (Jf "rain,
the vast (juantity of 1;]4,851,1J';1 bushels wais receivetl durinj^ the
year Ih7S. This was al)out iwo-litths more than ever received
betbre in one year, li took 115,000 long t'lvight trains to carry it
from the fields of the Northwest to Chicajfo. Tiiis would make a
continuous train that wtiuld r»*ach across the continent from New
York to San Francisco. S|»oalsin<; more in tjotail, we have of the
various ccre;ils receiveil during ti»e year, 02,7S8,577 busholft of corn,
20,lK)I.22O bushels of wheat. 1S.2.'>1,.'>2!> bushels of oat*., 133,981.104
|>ounds of seed. The lapt item alone would fill about 7,000 frei<i;ht
cars.

The lumlier receive<l during theyear 1K78 was, 1.17l,3«»4,O00 feet,
exceeded onlv in 1R72, the vear after the givat lire. This vast
amount of luml>er woidd require 1S>5,(M0 freight cars to transport
it. It would build a fence. f.»ur boards high, four and one half
times around the gloln*.

In the stock trade for tlifi year 1878, the figures a^gumc pro|)or-
tions almost incredible. They are. however, from reliable and
trustworthy sources, and must be acccptetl as authentic. There
were received during the year, ti,:j3I»,Go»I hogs, being 2,lM»0,ooO more
than ever i-cceivetl before in one ywir. It re<juirod 12{),til0 stock
cjirs to trans|>ort this vast number of hi»gs from the farms of tfie
West and Northwest to the stock yards of Chicago. These hogs
arranged in single file, would form a connecting link between
Chicago and IVkin, China.

Of the large numl)er of hogs received, five millions of them were
slaughtered in Chicago. The aggregate amount of product manu-
fju'tured from these hogs was 0lS,O00,OO0 |H>unds. The cjipacity of
the lioases engairod in slaughtering operations in Chicago is C0.0(Xi
hogs daily. The numlKT of hands employe<l in these houses is
from 6,000 to 8.000. The numl)er of packages re(iuirc<l in which
to market the year's product is enormously large, aggregating 5oo,-
000 barrels, 800,000 tierces and 650,000 bo.xee.

There has been within the stock yards of tlio city, during the
year 1S7^, 1,036,006 cattle. These were gathered from the plains

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS. 175

of Oregon, Wyoming and Utah, and the grazing regions of Texas,
as well as from all the Southern, Western and Northwestern States
and Territories and from the East as far as Ohio. If these cattle
were driven from Chicago southward, in single file, through the
United States, Mexico, and the Central American States into South
America, the foremost could graze on the plains of Brazil, ere the
last one liad passed the limits of the great city.

Not only does Chicago attract to its great market the products of
a continent, but from it is distributed throughout the world manu-
factured goods. Every vessel and every train headed toward that
city are heavily ladened with the crude products of the form, of the
forests, or of the bowels .of the earth, and every ship that leaves her
docks and every train that flies from her limits are filled with
manufactured articles. These goods not only find their way all
over our own country but into Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa,
South America, Mexico, and the Islands of the sea; indeed, every
nook and corner of the globe, where there is a demand for her
goods, her merchants are ready to supply.

The wholesale trade for the year 1878 reached enormous figures,
aoro-rejratinir $280,000,000. Divided among the leading lines, we
find there were sold of dry goods, S95,000,000 worth. The trade in
groceries amounted to $06,000,000; hardware, $20,000,000; Ijoots
and shoes, $24,000,000; clothing, $17,000,000; carpets, $8,000,000;
millinery, 87,000,000; hats and caps, $6,000,000; leather, $8,000,-
000; drugs, $6,000,000; jewelry, $4,500,000; musical instruments,
$2,300,000. Chicago sold over $5,000,000 worth of fruit during
the year, and for the same time her fish trade amounted to $1,400,-
000, and her oyster trade $4,500,000. The candy and other con-
fectionery trade amounted to $1,534,900. This would fill all the
Christmas stockings in the United States.

In 1852, the commerce of the city reached the hopeful sum of
$20,000,000; since then, the annual sales of one firm amount to
that much. In 1870, it reached $400,000,000, and in 1878 it had
grown so rapidly that the trade of the city amounted during that
year to $650,000,000. Her manufacturing interests have likewise
grown. In 1878, her manufictories employed in the neighborhood
of 75,000 operators. The products manufactured during the year
were valued at $:i30,000,000. In reviewing the shi|>ping interests of
Chicago, we find it equally enormous. So considerable, indeed, is the

176 HI6T0RT OF ILLINOIS.

commercial navj of Cliiai^o, that in the seasons of navigation, one
vessel sails every nine minutes during the business hour^; atUl to
this the canal -boats that leave, one every live minutes during the
same time, and yuu will see somothing of the magnitude of her
shipping. More vessels arrive and depart from this port during the
season than enter or leave any other port in the world.

In 1S3I, the mail system was condensed into a half-breed, who
went on foot to NilfS, Mich., once in two weeks, and brought back
what papers and news he could lind. As hito is 1840, there was
often but one mail a week. A post-office was established in
Chicago in 1833, and the j)08tma5ter nailed up old botit loirs upon
one side of his shop to serve as bo.xes. -It has since grown to be
the larirest receiving; office in the United States.

III 1844, the (piagmiros in the streets were first pontooned by
plank roads. The wooden-block ]>avement appeare<l in 185". In
1840, water wad delivered by jKjddlers, in carts or by hand. Tiieii
a twenty-tive horse {nnver engine pushed it through hollow or bored
logs along the streets till 1^54, when it wjis introduced into the
houses by new works. The tirst tire-engine was used in ls35, and
the tirst steam lire-engine in 1851). Gas was utilized for lighting
the city in 1850. The Voung Men's Christian Association was
organized in 1858. Street cjirs commenced running in lsr>4. The
Museum was oj>ened in 1863. The alarm telegniph adopted in
1864. The opera-house built in 1865. The telephone introduced
in 1878.

One of the most thorcmghly interesting engineering exploits of
the city is the tunnels and water-works system, the grandest and
most unicpie of any in the world; and the closest analysis fails to
detect any iini>uritics in the water furnished. The tirst tunnel is
five feet two inches in diameter and two miles long, and ciin deliver
50,OUO,00U gallons per day. The seojiid tunnel is seven feet in
diameter and six miles long, running four miles under the city, and
can deliver 100,000,000 gallons per day. This water is distributed
throuirh 410 miles of water mains.

Chicago river is tunneled for the j)a.ssage of pedestrians and vehi-
cles from the South to the AVest and North divisions.

There is no grand scenery about Chicago except the two seas, one
of water, the other of prairie. Nevertheless, there is a spirit about
it, a push, a breadth, a power, that soon makes it a place never to

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IIISTOKY OF ILLINOIS. 177

be forsaken. Chicago is in the field ahnost alone, to handle the
wealth of one-fourth of the territory of this great republic. Tlie
Atlantic sea-coast divides its margins between Portland, Boston,
New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Savannah, but Chicago has
a dozen empires casting their treasures into her lap. On a bed of
coal that can run all the machinery of the world for 500 centuries;
in a carden that can feed the race by the thousand years; at the
head of the lakes that give her a temperature as a summer resort
equaled by no great city in the land; with a climate that insures
the health of her citizens; surrounded by all the great deposits of
natural wealth in mines and forests and herds, Chicago is the
wonder of to-day, and will be the city of the future.

STATES OF THE UNION.

THEIR SETTLEMENT, ORIGIN OF NAME AND MEANING, COGNOMEN, MOT-
TOES, ADMISSION INTO THE UNION, POPULATION, AREA, NUMBER OF
SOLDIERS FURNISHED DURING THE REBELLION, NUMBER OF REPRE-
SENTATIVES IN CONGRESS, PRESENT GOVERNORS, P:TC., ETC., ETC.

Alahama. — This State was first explored by LaSalle in 1GS4-, and
settled by the Frencli at Mobile in 1711, and admitted as a State in
1817. Its name is Indian, and means " Here we rest." lias no
motto. Population in 1860,904,201; in 1870,996,992. Furnished
2,570 soldiers for the Union army. Area 50,722 square miles.
Montgomery is the capital. Has 8 Representatives and 10 Presi-
dential electors. Rufus W. Cobb is Governor; salary, $3,000;
politics. Democratic. Length of term, 2 years.

Arkansas — Became a State in 1836. Population in ISOO, 435,-
450; in 1870,484,471. Area 52,198 square miles. Little Rock,
•capital. Its motto is Regnant Populi — "The people rule." It has
the Indian name of its principal river. Is called the "Bear State."
Furnished 8,289 soldiers. She is entitled to 4 members in Congress^
and electoral votes. Governor, "W". R. Miller, Democrat; salary,
$3,500; term, 2 years.

California — Has a Greek motto. Eureka^ which means " I have
found it," It derived its name from the bay forming the peninsula
of Lower California, and was first applied by Cortez. It was first
visited by the Spaniards in 1542. and by tlie celebrated EngUsh

178 IlISTOHY OF ILLINOIS.

navigator, Sir Francis Drake, in 1578. In 1846 Fremont took
possession of it, defeating tlje Mexicans, in the name of tlie United
States, and it was admitted Oij a State in 1850. Its gold mines
from 1 808 to 1878 produced over ^800,000,000. Area 188,082 s(piare
miles. PopniatioM in ISfJO, 370,094. In I S70, 500,247. She gave
to defend the Union 15,225 soldiers. Sacramento is the caj)ital.
Has 4 Ilepresentatives in Congress. Is entitled to 6 Presidential
electors. Present Governor is William Irwin, a Democrat; term,
4 years; salary, $0,000.

Colorado — Contains 100.475 6(juare miles, and luni a j>o])ulation
in 1800 of 34,277, and in ls70, a0,s04. She fnrni^hed 4,0()3
soMiers. Was admitted as a State in 1870. It has a Latin motto.
Nil sine Xuiiiine,\9\\\(i\\ means, "Notliingcan be done without
divine aid." It was named from its river. Denver is the capital.
Has 1 inemher in Congress, and 3 electors. T. W. Pitkin is Gov-
ernor; salary, !j;3,000; term, 2 years; politicp, lieptiblican.

Connecticut — Qui transtulit unstind, " lie who broiii^dit us over
sustains us," is lier motto. It was named from tiie Imlian Quon-
cJj-ta-Cut, signifying "Long River." It is calletl the *'Nutmeg
State." Area 4,074 square miles. Popnlati..n 1860,400,147; in
1870, 537.454. Gave to the Union army 55,755 soldiers. Hart-
ford is the cai»ital. Has 4 lieprcsentatives in Congress, and is
entitled to Presidential electors. Salary of Governor $2,000;
term, 2 y. ars.

DtUiioari'. — *' Liberty and Indej>endence," is the motto of this
Stiile. It was named after Lord De La Ware, an English states-
man, and is called, ''The Blue Hen," and the '* Diamond State." It
was first settled by the Sweiles in 1638. It was one of the original
thirteen States. Has an area of 2,120 square miles. Population in
1800, 112,210; in 1870, 125,015. She sent to the front to defend
the Union, 12,205 soldiers. Dover is thecapital. Has but 1 mrm-
ber in Congress; entitled to 3 Presidential electors. John W.
Hall, Democrat, is Governor; salary, $2,(iOO; term, 2 years.

Florida — Was dif.covered by Ponce de Le<^»n in 1512, on Easter
Sunday, called by the Spaniards, Pascua Florida, which, with tlie
varietv and beatitv of the flowers at this earlv sea.son caused him to
name it Florida — which means in Spanish, flowery. Its motto is,
" In God we trust." It was admitted into the Union in 1S45. It has
an area of 59,268 square miles. Population in 1860, 140.424; in

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS. 179

1870, 187,756. Its capital is Tallahassee. Has 2 members in Con-
gress, lias 4 Presidential electors. Geori,'e F. Drew, Democrat,
Governor; term, 4 years; salary, $3,500.

Georgia — Owes its name to George II., of England, who first
established a colony there in 1732. Its motto is, " Wisdom, justice
and moderation." It was one of the original States. PopiUation
in ISr.O, 1,057,280; 1870, 1,184,109. Capital, Atlanta. Area 58,-
OuO square miles. Has 9 Representatives in Congress, and 11
Presidential electors. Her Governor is A. II. Colquitt, Democrat;
term, 4 years; salary, $4,000.

Illinois — Motto, "State Sovereignty, National Union." ISTame
derived from the Indian word, Illiniy meaning, superior men. It
is called the "Prairie State," and its inhabitants, "Suckers."
Was lirst explored by the French in 1673, and admitted into the
Union in 1818. Area 55.410 square miles. Population, in 1860^
1,711,951; in 1870, 2,539,871. She sent to the front to defend the
Union, 258,162 soldiers. Capital, Springfield Has 19 members in
Congress, and 21 Presidential electors. Shelby M. CuUom, Repub.
lican, is Governor; elected for 4 years; salary, $6,000,

Indiana — Is called " Hoosier State." Was explored in 1682,
and admitted as a State in 1816. Its name was suggested by its
numerous Indian population. Area 33,809 square miles. Popu-
lation in I860, 1,, 350,428; in 1870, 1,680,637. She put into the
Federal army, 194,363 men. Cai)ital, Indianapolis. Has 13 mem-
bers in Congress, and 15 Presidential electors. J. D. Williams,
Governor, Democrat; salary, $3,000; term, 4 year.

loioa — Is an Indian name and means "This is the land." Its
motto is, '*Our liberties we prize, our rights we will maintain."
It is called the " Hawk Eye State." It was first visited by
Marquette and Joliet in 1673; settled by !New Englanders in
1833, and admitted into the Union in 1846. Des Moines is the
capital. It has an area of 55,045, and a population in 1860 of 674,913,
and in 1870 of 1,191,802. She sent to defend the Government,
75,793 soldiers. Has 9 members in Congress; 11 Presidential
electors. John H. Gear, Republican, is Governor; salary, $2,500;
term, 2years.

Kansas — Was admitted into the Union in 1861, making tlie
thirty-fourth State. Its motto is Ad astra per ai>pera^ " To the
stars through ditticulties." Its name means, " Smoky water," and

ISO illSTOKV Ol ILLl.NDl:?.

is derived from one of ht-r river*. Area 78,841 square miles.
Population in 18G0, 1«»7,20:»; in 1870 \v:is 3«»2.812. She fiirni^ljed
20,095 soldiers. Capital is Toj)eka. lias 3 llepresentatives in Con-
gress, and 5 Presidential electors. John P. 8t. John, Governor;
politics, lit'publican; salary, '$3,0U0; term, 2 years.

Kentucky — Is the Indian name for ''At the he:id of the rivers."
Its motto is, '• L'nited we stand, divided wo fall." The 6obri<|net
of "dark and bloody <;r«>und " is ajtplied to this State. It was lir.st
settled in 17«»(>, and admitted in 1792 as the lifteenth State. Ana
37,<I80. Population in ISOO, 1,155,GS4; in 1870, 1,321,0(m». She
put into the Federal army 75,*2^5 soldiers. Capital, Frankfort.
Has 10 members in Con«^res6 ; 12 Electors. J. P. McCreary,
Democrat, is Governor; Milary,$j,O0(»; tern), 4 years.

LifuUiaiia — Was culled after Jx>uis XIV., who at one time
owned that section of the country. Its motto is "Union and Con-
fidence." It is called ''The Creole Stat r." It was visited by La
Salle in 1081, and admitted into the I'niou in 1812, makin<r the
eighteenth Slate. Population in 1 800, 708.002; in 1870, 73'2,731.
Area 40,431 scjuaro miles. She put into the Fe^loral army 5,224
soldiers. Capital, New Orleans. Has (» Uepresentsitives and 8
Klectors. F. T Viohols, Governor, •Democnit; salary, $b,000;
t**rm. 4 years.

M'tine. — This Slate was called after the province of Maine in
France, in compliment of Queen Henrietta of Knt^land, who owned
that province. Its motto is JJlri'jo, meaning " I direct." It is
called "The Pine Tree State." It was settletl by the English in
1G25. It was admittetl as a State in 1820. Area 31,700 sf|uare
miles. Population in 1800, 028,279; in ls70, 020,403; 09,738 sol-
diers v.'ent tVom tliis State. Has 5 mcmlxTS in Congress, and 7
Electors. Selden Conner, Ilcpublican, (iovernor; term, 1 year;
tiulary. $2,50(->.

Mun/land — Was named afler Henrietta Maria, Queen of
Charles I. of England. It has a Latin motto, CrecUeet inuUiplica-
»«/«/, ;neaning " Increase and Multiply." It was settled in 1034,
and was one of the original thirteen States. It has an area of 1 1,-
124 6t|uare miles. Population in 1800 was 087.049; in 1870, 780,-
800. This State furnished 40,053 soldiers. Capital. Anna|K>li8.
Has Representatives, and 8 Presidential electors. J. II. Carroll,
Democrat, Governor; salary, $4,500; terra, 4 years.

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS. ISl

Massachusetts — Is the Indian for " The country around the great
hills." It is called the " Bay State," from its numerous bays. Its
motto is Ense petit i)lacidaiii sah Uhertate quietem^ " By the sword
she seeks placid rest in liberty." It was settled in 1020 at Plymouth
by Eui^lish Puritans. It was one of the original thirteen States,
and was the first to take up arras against the English during the
Revolution.- Area 7,800 square miles. Population in 1800, 1,231,-
000: in 1870, 1,457,351. She gave to the Union army 140,407 sol-
diers. Boston is the capital. Has 11 Representatives in Con-
gress, and 13 Presidential electors. Thomas Talbot, Republican, is
Governor; salar}', $5,000; term, 1 year.

Michigan — Latin motto, Luebor, and Si q^ioeris 'peninsulaiu
ainoBnam circumsjnce, ^'- 1 will defend" — " If you seek a pleasant
peninsula, look around 3'ou." The name is a contraction of two
Indian words n.eaning "Great Lake." It was early explored by
Jesuit missionaries, and in 1837 was admitted into the Union. It
is known as the " Wolverine State." It contains 50,243 square
miles. In 1800 it had a population of 749,173; in 1870, 1,184,059.
She furnished 88,111 soldiers. Capital, Lansing. Has 9 Repre-
sentatives and 11 Presidential electors. C. M. Croswell is Gov-
ernor; politics. Republican; salary, $1,000; term, 2 years.

Minnesota — Is an Indian name, meaning '' Cloudy Water." It
has a French motto, VEtoile du Nord — " The Star of the North."
It was visited in 1680 by La Salle, settled in 1840, and admitted
into the Union in 1858. It contains 83,531 square miles. In 1800
had a population of 172,023; in 1870, 439,511. She gave to the
Union army 24-,002 soldiers. St. Paul is the capital. Has 3 mem-
bers in Congress, 5 Presidential electors. Governor, J. S. Pills-
bury, Republican; salary, $3,000; term, 2 years;

Mississippi — Is an Indian name, meaning "Long River," and the
State is named from the " Father of Waters." The State was first
explored by De Sota in 1541; settled by the French at Natchez in
1710, and was admitted into the Union in 1817. It has an area of
47,150 square miles. Population in 1800, 791,305; in 1870,827,-
922. She gave to suppress the Rebellion 545 soldiers. Jackson is
the capital. Has 6 representatives in Congress, and 8 Presidential
electors. J. M. Stone is Governor, Democrat; salary, $4,000;
term, 4 years.

Missouri — Is derived from the Indian word " muddy," which

182 HI&TORY OF ILLINOIS.

inuro properly applies to the river that Hows through it. Its motto
is Sdlus pnjtnli supreuia lex esto, "Lot tho welfare of the people
be the supreme law." Tiie State was tirst settled by tho French
near Jctiersou City in 1710, aiiJ in ISill was aiimittcJ into the
Union. It has an area of C7,3SO square miles, equal to 43,123.2<)0
acres. It hail a population in ISGO of 1,1^2.012; in 1870, 1,721,-
000. She gave to defeml the ITnion 108, 1152 boldierti. Capital,
Jefferson City. Its inhabitants are knowr. by the offensive eogno-
man of •' Pukes." His \'.i representatives in Congress, and 15
Presidential elect»»rs. J. S. Phelps is Governor; politics, Demo-
cratic; salary, $."),( lOO; term, 4 years,

iV\ir(/.s/'/- Has f r its motto, " Ecjuality before the law.'' It.H
name is derived from ono of its rivurs, meaning " broad and slial-
low, or low." It was admitted into the Union in ISCT. Its capital
is Lincoln. It had a population in ISGO of 28,841, and in ISTO,
123,993, and in ISTo, 24 '.,280. It has an area of 75,995 square
miles. She furiiished to defend the Union 3,157 soldiers. Has but
1 Ileprcsentative and 3 Presidential electors. A. Nance, llcpub-
liciin, is Governor; 6idary, $2,500; term, 2 years.

Neviula — ''The Snowy LamT* derived its name from the Span-
ish. Its motto is Latin, VoLna ct jtotins, and means '* willing
and able." It was settled in 1850, and admitted into tho Union in
lbr.4. Capital, Cars«»n City. Its population in l^CO was C,'*57;
in 1870 it was 42,491. It has an areji of 112,090 square miles.
She furnished 1,(K0 soldiers to suppress the Rebellion. Has 1 Rep-
resentiitivo ami 3 Klectore. Governor,.!. H. Kinkhead, Repnldican;
Balaiy, $G,00«>; term, 4 years.

iVtfW Uitnjtshirc — Was first settled at Dover by tho English in
1023. "Was ono of the ori^riual States. Has no motto. It is
name*] from Ham[)sljiro county in England. It also bears tho
name of "Tho Old Granito State." It hasaji area of 9,280 miles,
which equals 9,239,20(> acres. It had a jx.pulation in 18G0 of 32G,-
073, and in 1870 of 318,300. Sho increased tho Union army witli
33.913 soldiers. Concord is the capital. Has 3 Representatives
and 5 Presidential electors. N. ]I«ail. Republican, Governor;
salary, $l,00ri; term, 1 year.

Xew Jersey — Was name«i in honor of the Island of Jersey in the
British channel. Its m<ttto is" Liberty and Independence." It was
first settled at Beriren by the Swedes in 1G24. It is one of the orig-

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS. IS^S

inal thirteen States. It has an area of 8,320 square miles, or 5,324,-
800 acres. Population in 1860 was 672,035; in 1870 it was 906,096.
She put into the Federal army 75,315 soldiers. Capital, Trenton.
Has 7 Representatives and 9 Presidential electors. Governor,
George B. McClelland, Democrat; salary, $5,000; term, 3 years.

New York. — The " Empire State " was named by the Duke of
York, afterward King James II. of England. It has a Latin luutto,
Excelsior, which means " Still Ilio'her." It was first settled bv the
Dutch in 1G14 at Manhattan. It has an area of 47,000 square
miles or 30,080,000 acres. The population in 1860 was 3,880,735;
in 1870 it was 4,332,759. It is one of the original thirteen States.
Capital is Albany. It gave to defend our Government 445,959
men. lias 33 members in Congress, and 35 Presielential electors.
Governor, L. Robinson, Democrat; salary, $10,000; term, 3 years.

North Carolina — Was named after Charles IX., King of France.
It is called " The Old North," or " The Turpentine State." It was
first visited in 1524 by a Florentine navigator, sent out by Francis
I.. King of France. It was settled at Albemarle in 1663. It was
one of the original thirteen States. It has an area of 50.704 sqnare
miles, equal to 32,450,560 acres. It had in 1860 a population of
992,622, and in 1870, 1,071,361. Raleigh is the capital. She
furnished 3,156 soldiers to put down the Rebellion. Has 8 mem-
bers in Congress, and is entitled to 10 Presidential electors. Z. B.
Yance, Democrat, is Governor; salary, $5,000; term, 4 years.

OJiio — Tuuk its name from the river on its Southern boundary,
and means " Beautiful." Its motto is Imperium in Iinperio — ■
■•An Empire in an Empire." It was first parmanently settled in
1783 at Marietta by New Englanders. It was admitted as a State
in 1803. Its capital is Columbus. It contains 39,964 square
miles, or 25,576,960 acres. Population in 1860,2,339,511; in 1870
it had 2.665,260. She sent to the front during the Rebellion 310,-
654 soldiers. Has 20 Representatives, and 22 Presidential electors.
Governor, R. M. Bishop, Democrat; salary, $4,000; term, 2 years.

Oregon — Owes its Indian natne to its principal river. Its motto
is Alis volat jpropriis — "She flies with her own wings." It was
first visited by the Spaniards in the sixteenth century. It was set-
tled by the English in 1813, and admitted into the Union in 1859,
Its capital is Salem. It lias an area of 95,274 square miles, equal
to 60,975,360 acres. It had in 1860 a population of 52,465; in

184 lIIsTOKV fF ILLINOIS.

1870. OU,'.>li± She liirnislied 1,810 ^uldiers. She is entitled to 1
metiibor in Congress, aiid 3 PresiUcntiiil electors. W. W. Thayer,
Republican, is Governor; salary, $1,500; terjn, 4 years.

Pcnnsijlvania. — This is the "Keystone St^ito," and means "Penn's
Woods," and was so called after William Penn, its original owner.
Its motto is, *' Virtue, liberty and indejtendence." A colony was
established bv Penn in 1<>2. The State was one of the ori<Mnal
thirteen. It has an area of 40,000 stjuare miles, equaling 20,440,-
OOO acres. It had in ISOO a population of 2,000.215; and in ISTo,
3,515,993. She gave to supjiress the Rebellion, 33s. 155. Harris-
burg is the capital. Has 27 Rojire.scntatives and 29 electors. II.
M. Iloyt, is Governor; sahiry, $10,000; politics, Rt-publican; term
of office, 3 years.

li/iodc Islitiol. — Tiiis, the smallest of the States, owes its name to
the Island of Rhodes in the Mediterranean, which domain it is said
to greatly resemble. Its motto is '• 1 1 opt," and it is familiarly
called, "Little Khody." It was settled by Pu)gvr Williams in 103G.
It was one of the original thirteen States. It has an area of 1.300
square miles, or *>3.').^I0 acres. Its population in 18«50 numbered
174.020; in 1S70, 217,350. She gave to defend the Union, 23,248.
Its capitjd^are Prt»videnee and Newjwjrt. Has 2 Representatives,
and 4 Presidential electors. C. V'anzaudt is Governor; politics,
Re|»ublican; salary, $1,00(»; term, 1 year.

South Ctiioliwt. — The Palmetto State wears the Latin name of
Charles IX., of France (('arolus). Its motto is Latin, Anhnu
opih usque jxirttti^ " Iiea«ly in will and deed." The first permanent
settlement was made at Port Roval in 1C70, wliere the French
Huguenots had failed three-quarters of a ccntur}- before to found a
settlement. It is one of the original thirteen States. Its capital is
Columbia. It has an area of 29,385 square miles, or 1S,*'06,400
acres, with a population in 1800 of 703,708; in ls70, 72s,O00.
Has 5 Representatives in Congress, and is entitled to 7 Presidential
electors. Salary of Governor, $3,500; term, 2 years.

Tennessee — Is the Indian name for the " River of the Bend," i.e,
the Mississippi, which forms its western boundary. She is called
*'The Rig Pend State.'' Her motto is, " Agriculture, Commerce.''
It wa.'^ settled in 1757, and admitted into the Union in 1790. mak-
ing the si.xteenth State, or the third admitted after the Revolution-
ary War — Vermont being the first, and Kentucky the second. It

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS. 185

has an area of 45,000 S(|iuire miles, or 29,184,000 acres. In 1860
its population numbered 1,100,801, and in 1870, 1,257,983 She
furnished 31,092 soldiers to suppress the Kebellion. Nashville is
the capital. Has 10 Representatives, and 12 Presidential electors.
Governor, A. S. Marks, Democrat; salary, $1,000; term, 2 years.

Texas — Is the American word for the Mexican name by which
all that section of the country was known before it was ceded to the
United States. It is known as " The Lone Star State." The first set-
tlement was made by LaSalle in 1G85. After the independence of
Mexico in 1822, it remained a Mexican Province until 1836, when
it fijained its independence, and in 1815 was admitted into the
Union. It has an area of 237,501 square miles, equal to 152,002,-
5G0 acres. Its population in 1800 was 601,215; in 1870, 818,579.
She gave to put down the Rebelion 1,905 soldiers. Capital, Austin.
Has 6 Representatives, and 8 Presidential electors. Governor, O.
M. Roberts, Democrat; salary, $5,000; term, 2 years.

Vermont — Bears the French name of her mountains Verde Mont,
"Green Mountains." Its motto is "Freedom and Unity." It
was settled in 1731, and admitted into the Union in 1791. Area
10.212 square miles. Population in ISGO, 315,098; in 1870, 330,551-
She gave to defend the Government, 33,272 soldiers. Capital, Mont-
pelier. Has 3 Representatives, and 5 electors. Governor, H. Fair-
banks, Republican; term, 2 years; salary, $1,000.

Virginia. — The Old Dominion, as this State is called, is the
oldest of the States. It was named in honor of Queen Elizabeth,
the "Virgin Queen," in whose reign Sir Walter Raleigh made his
first attempt to colonize that region. Its motto is Sic semper
tfjrannis, " So always with tyrants." It was first settled at James-
town, in 1607, by the English, being the first settlement in the
United States. It is one of original thirteen States, and had before
its division in 1862, 61,352 square miles, but at present contains
but 38,352 square miles, equal to 21,545,280 acres. The population
in 1860 amounted to 1,596,318, and in 1870 it was 1,224,830. Rich-
mond is the capital. Has 9 Representatives, and 11 electors. Gov-
ernor, F. W. M. Ilalliday, Democrat; salary, $5,500; term, 4 years.

West Virginia. — Motto, Montani semper liheri., " Mountaineers
are always free." This is the only State ever formed, under the
Constitution, by the division of an organized State. This was done
in 1862, and in 1863 was admitted into the Union. It has an area of

186

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

23.000 square miles, or 14,720,000 acres. The population in 1800
was 376,000; in IS70 it nunihereil 445,616. She furnislied 32,003.
CapiUil, Wheeling. Has 3 Kopresentatives in (\)ngres8, and is
entitled to 5 Pivsidential electors. TlielTovernor is II. M. Mathews,
Democrat; term, 4 years; salary, $2,700.

Wisconsin — Is an Indian name, and means " Wild-rushinjr
channel," Its motto, Clvitatas succesait barfxirum. *' The civilized
man succeeds the barbarous." It is calltHJ " The Had^'cr State."
The State was visited by the French explorers in 1665, and a settle-
ment was made in 1661) at Green Bay. It was admitted into the
Union in 1848. It has an area of 52,1*24 Bquare miles, equal to
34,511,360 acres. In l!S60 its |x>j)ulalion numbered 775,881; in
1870, 1,055,167. Madison is the capital. She furnished for the
Union army !»1.021 suMiers. Has 8 mcmlxTS in Congress, and is
entitled to lo i'residential electors. The (lovernor is W E. Smith;
politics. Republican; salary, $5,000; term, 2 years.

IIISTOKY OF ILLINOIS. 1S7

ILLINOIS INSTITUTE FOR DEAF AND DUMB.

The first class of unfortunates to attract the notice of tlie legis-
lature were the deaf mutes. The act establishing the institution for
the education of these unfortunates Avas approved by Gov. Carlin,
Feb. 23, 1S39, the asylum to be located at Jacksonville. The
original building, afterward called the south wing, was begun in
1842, and completed in 1S49, at a cost of about 825,000. A small
portion of the building was ready for occupancy in lS-46, and on
tiie 2Gth day of January, of that year, the Institution was formally
opened, with Mr. Thomas Officer as principal. The first term
opened with but four pupils, which has increased from year to year,
until the average attendance at the present time is about 250.

ILLINOIS INSTITUTE FOR THE INSANE.

In response to an appeal from the eminent philanthropist,
Miss D. L. Dix, an act establishing the Illinois Hospital
for the Insane, was approved by Gov. French, March 1, 1847.
Nine trustees were appointed, with power to select a site,
purchase land, and erect buildings to accommodate 250 jiatients.
On the 1st of May the board agreed upon a site, 1^ miles
from the court-house in Jacksonville. In 1851 two wards in
the east wing were ready fur occupancy, and the first patient
was admitted Nov. 3, 1851. In 1869 the General Assembly passed
two acts creating^ the northern asvlum for the insane, and the
southern asylum for the insane, which was approved by Gov.
Palmer, April 16, 1869. Elgin was selected as a location for the
former, and Anna for the latter. The estimated capacity of the
three asylums is 1,200 patients. In addition to the State institu-
tions for the insane, there are three other asylums for their benefit,
one in Coolv county, which will accommodate about 400 ])atients,
and two private institutions, one at Batavia, and one at Jack-
sonville.

ASYLUM FOR FEEBLE-MINDED.

The experimental school for feeble-minded children, the first
institution of its kind in the North-west, was created by an act
approved, Feb. 15, 1865. It was an outgrowth of the institution
for deaf and dumb, to which idiots are frequently sent, under a
mistaken impression on the part of parents, that their silence
results from inability to hear. The selection of a site for the

IbS . IIISTOUV OF ILLINOIS.

building was iiitnisteil to seven coniniissioners, wlio, in July, 1875,
a^'ii'od upon the town ol' Lincoln. The bnililin<; wus hcgun in
l>7r), anil conij>lete«l three years later, at a c.fst of $154,200. The
avera<re attendance in isTS was 2*24.

TiiK rnicAdo ciiAurrAnLi: i:yi; am* lak infikmaky.

The as^iociation (ov roiindini; this institution was organized in
May, 18.">S, and l*ear.»on street, Cluca«;o, selected for the erection
of the liuildinjj:. In ISri.') the legislatiirc granted the institution
a Ppei'ial charter, ami two years later male an appropnatio;! of
$55,000 a year for it.-; maintenance, and in 1>71 rec^eived'it into the
circle (»f State institutions; thereuimn the name was chanii^Hl by
the substitution of the word Illinois for Chicago. The building
was swept away by the great fire of 1S71, an<l three years later the
present building was completed, at a cost of ^42,843,

THE 60UTIIKK.S' ILLI.VOIS .\OUMAL INIVERSITV

Is located at Carbondalc. This University was opened in 1^74,
and «»ccupies one of the finest school edifices in the United Slates.
It includes, licsides a normal department proper, a ])rej'aratory
department and a model school. The nuxlel school is of an.
elementary gratle; the preparatory <h»j»artment is of the grade of a
high school, with a course of three years. The n(»rnnd cimri-o of lour
years embraces two courses, a classiail and a scientific course; both
make the study of the Knglish language and literature «juite
pronuncnt.

THK ILLI.S-M' i.NIHSTKIAL INIVKRSITV,

Located at Urbana. wiu> chartered in 1867. It has a corps of twen-
ty-five instructors, including ])rofessors, lecturers and assistants
and has an attendance of over 4o0 puj)ils. It comprises four
co'.ieg.s [l) Agriculture, (2^ Engineering, (3) Natural Science,
(4) Liteniture and Science. These colleges embrace twelve subor-
dinate schools and courses of instruction, in which are taught
domestic science and art, commerce, military science, wood engrav-
ing, printing, telegraphy, jthotographingan<l designing. This insti-
tution is endowed with the national land grant, and the amount of
its prtKluctive fund is al>out $320,000. The value of its grounds,
buildings, etc., is alK»ut $«»40,000. It is well supplied with appara-
tus, and has a library of over 10,000 volumes.

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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.

CHAPTER I.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

INTRODUCTORY.

"We now begin to chronicle the history of one of the largest and
wealthiest, as well as the oldest, counties in the great State of Illi-
nois. To say that our task is a most difficult one will only be
expressing the sentiment of all who have attempted the compilation
of local history. Only such ])ersons can fully apj^reciate the em-
barrassment arising from the multiplied perplexities that are
continually crowding around the local historian. We shall seek to
make this a record as detailed and accurate as accessible data will
permit. Of course it will be impossible to gather up all of the frag-
mentary facts of the three-score years of the county's history, of
most wiiicli no written record was ever made, and many even
important facts have slipped through the meshes of memory never
to be recalled. Doubtless when the early pilgrim reads, or has
read to him, historical items recorded in this volume, it will rekin-
dle in memory recollections of kindred facts, not given us, and that
otherwise would have been forever cast into the darkness of oblivion.
Records of these items should be made as they are brought to light,
that the future historian may have the greater abundance of material
from which to compile.

Truth and accuracy will be our motto, yet that some errors will
occur in names and dates, and even in statements, cannot be denied.
Studious care will be taken, however, to avoid as many such inac-
curacies as possible.

The face of the country of this county, save that portion b:)rdering
on the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, is mostly rich, rolling prairie,
watered by Bay, McGee, Six Mile, Honey, Pigeon and McCraney's

192 HISTORY OK I'IKK COUNTY.

creeks, with tlicir nuinerous and Kiiiall tributaries, aliuij; which are
exteiitsive l)o(ii('s of tiinl)er. The luriners have nhiiitcd* artificial
groves extcn.sively over the j»rairie, which has liad the etl'ect of
ameliorating the climate, by keening the winds of an open country
from the surface of the earth. n\ the energy and enterprise of tlie
citizens of this county, it luis been transformed from the native
wildernos into one of the nu»st attractive portions uf the State, if
not of the West. It is claimed that there is no siK)t on tlie face of
tlie earth capable of sustaining a denser population than the Mili-
tary Tract; and those lamiliar with this beautiful portion c»f our State
know that i'ike county is jmt excelled by any other within its
boundary. That thisctuinty contains as intelligent, enterprising and
thrifty agriculturists ha ]>robabIy am be found elsewliero in tljo
same breadth of territory in the United States, few will deny. Fi?io
barns, with all the modern improvements, comfortable dwellings,
hiwns, ganlens, outhoUhes, etc., are t«» be foumi i>n every hand;
towns and cities liavo sprung up as if b}' magic, and every knoll is
graced by a church edirice or scliool building.

The natural resources of Pike county, as above alluded to, for
agricultural an<l matiuf'acturin;: j)urj>ose.», and nuirketing, give to
the farmers and manufacturers of tlie county sujKjrior advantages.
The agricultural interest* of the county are well advanced. Indeed,
it may be said that I'ike is the great aifricidlural county of Illinois.
The soil is mostly rich prairie loam, and has great proiluctive (qual-
ities. It is mostly tlivitliHl int4) farms i»f medium size, from SO to
32(» acres; but few large farms are to 1x5 f«»und. The l>enetit of this
is appaivnt by the iticreasetl jH>pidation an<l a l»etter cidtivation.
The staple crops of cereals are c«>rn, wheat and i»:its, which generally
yield abundantly. This is the condiJi<tn of Pike county at jiresent.
How »lif1erent when El>cnezer Franklin, with his family, located
withirj its inirdersl Tiien these prairies were a vast wilderness
covered with a rank growth of prairie grass, and much of the land
now uiuler a high state tif cultivation was covered with heavy for-
ests. At that time the native red men roamed unmolested over tlie
flowery prairies and tlirougli dark f«>rests.

We wish to (juote in this connection tin* eloouent, ju.-^t and aj>-
pri)priate tril)Ute }>aid to Pike county by Hon. Wm. A. Grimshaw
in his "Centennial Address." It speaks in praiseworthy, yet truth-
ful, «lescriptive terms of ))4>th people and c<»unty:

''The citizens of this county have always been marked for a love
of our national Government, for participation in all SUite measures
to promote the common g<»od of Illinois. With one brief exception,
tlie period of the 'vigilance committee,* loc^l government has
always been of an orderly character. Tlie brief excitement of that
period led to more etKcient laws for the ])rotection of society, and
thus good came out of evil. No fratricidal strife, no display of
brothers in battle array with deadly cannon and all the dread habil-
iments of war, are portrayed here. The life of our citizens has
been with few exceptions that of peaceful farmers and townsmen,

HISTORY OF I'lKE COUNTY. 193

busy in the affairs of domestic life. Thus 3'our liistorian has no
startling tales to tell.

"Still as the current of your own gentle river, Illinois, with a
few swells in the stream of life, when wars waged beyond the lim-
its of the present county called off our men to war, has been the life
of your people. Industry has prevailed. Education has had its
marked intluence, and the holy gospel, taught in its beauty and
simplicity, has pervaded every walk in life. Crime has, notwith-
standing, been perpetrated, to be brought generally to condign
punishment. Such is generally the end of those who violate the
laws, human and divine.

" This county, once embracing the fairest portion of the once
Eden-like State of Illinois, yet retaining within her limits land
beautiful to look upon, desirable to inhabit, and famed for her fair
daughters, her gallant sons, prosperous farmers and mechanics, able
professional men and legislators, her present territory equal yet
almost to some of the old thirteen States, owes much, if not all, of
this to the patriotism and foresight of the Revohitionary fathers.

" Contemplate the vastness of Pike county as she was when organ-
ized by the act of the Legislature of 1821, in these words:

Section 1. — Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois represented in
the General Assembly, That all that tract of country within the following bounda-
ries, to wit : beginning at the mouth of the Illinois river and running thence up
the middle of said river to the fork of the same, thence up the south fork of said
river until it strikes the State line of Indiana, thence north with said line to the
north boundary line of this State, thence west with said line to the western bound-
ary line of this State, and thence with said line to the place of beginning, shall
constitute a separate county to be called Pike.

" To repeat the extent of the boundaries: On the south, begin at
the junction of the Illinois and Mississippi rivers, then follow the
Illinois to the fork of the same, meaning the Kankakee, thence to
the line of the State of Indiana, thence north and west embracing
the territory from Chicago, following on the line of Wisconsin to
the Mississippi river, including the famed lead mines of Galena,
and to the channel of the Mississippi, thence descending to the
place of beginning.

" First note the beautiful, still gliding river, the Illinois, then
observe the majestic Father of Waters; traverse all this territory,
great in extent, formerly the home of savage tribes of Indians, the
land marked bv the tread of the buffalo and dotted over with the
graves and mounds, the relics of extinct races, the fierce brute crea-
tion and game and fish abounding, prairies illimitable, adorned
with flowers of gorgeous hues, fruits delicious in profusion and great
variety, forests of vast size filled with gigantic trees and of many
species, rivers bounding unfettered by mati's contrivances; then no
locks and dams existed thereon, fish in myriads were the dwellers
in those rivers, — and these all existed in 1821, when Pike county
was struck off by name from the older settlements and the few
counties then existing in Illinois.

194 HI8TUKV OK riKK COINTV.

"Pike county has been the mother of States to the west of Illi-
Jiois. lliiviiig a pioneer j)o|)uhitioii of an enterjjrising turn, hir^e
nunihcrs liave einiijrated totrctlu'r to Orciron, Texas utid (/uliforiiia
and other rt'iiiote j>(»ints>, followiiii; tlie star ol" empire. Many estima-
ble farmers who once lived in Pike have gone further east in Illi-
nois and settled in the prairie counties.

•'The health of this county is almost invarial)ly good excepting
in lowlands where some malarious disease comes on at times. Lon-
gevity exists to a marked degree and children fairly swarm. Pros-
perity and tine crops are the general results of industry."

i ANTK-I'IONKKK HISTORY.

Before jiroceeding further in detailing the immediate history of
the county, we desire to mention a few important facts relative to
the earliest history of this section of the State. In 1073 the great
French explorers, Maniuette and Joliet, passeil down the Missis-
sippi and up the Illinois in their canoes, on their first famous voy-
age d«>wn the great Father of Waters. Seven years later, Jan. 3,
16S0, LaSalle, with his little band of Frenchmen, came down the
Illinois river as far as P«»oria lake, landed upon the opposite shore,
and erected a fort — Fort OeveccDur. Thisfi»rt was soon evacuated
and destroyed, yet the enterprising Frenchmen continued am«»ng
the Indians as traders. Thev exerte«i no perc«|)tible civilizing intlu-
ence, liowever, upon the red-skins: indeed, by life and inter-mar-
riago among them, they liecjimo in all resj>ects more and more like
them, until their identity was almost lost.

Year after year rolled bv until almost a centurv an<l a half had
passed since LaSalle stepped ashore from his skitf, before the abo-
rigines who occupied the territory embraced within the present
boundary of Pike county were molested by theencn>achments of the
white man. Generation after generation of natives at>peare<l upon
the wild scenes of savage life, roamed the forest and prairie, and
glided over the beautiful, placid Illinois atid Mississippi rivers in
their log and bark canoes, and passed away. Still the advance of
civilization, the steady westward tread of the Anglo-Saxon, disturlied
them not. The butfalo, deer, bear ami wolf roamed the prairie and
woodland, the Indian their only enemy. But nature had destined
better tilings for this fertile region. She had been too lavish in the
distribution of natural advantages to leave it longer in the peaceable
possession of those who had for centuries refused to develop, even
in the slightest degree, any of her great resources. She accordingly
directed hitherward the footsteps of the industrious, enterprising
pioneer; and so fertile was the soil and so beautiful the flowers, so
sparkling were the streams and shady the groves, that, in advance of
all the surrounding country, the pioneers .sought and settled the
timber land and prairie of Pike county.

Tiie thrilling scenes through which the pioneer settlers passed in
the settlement of this portion of Illinois must ever awaken emotions

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 195

of wannest regard for them. To pave the way for those who fol-
lowed after them, to make their settlement in the West a pleasure,
they bore the flood-tide wave of civilization; they endured all, suf-
fered all. But few of these spirits now survive; they have passed
away full of years and honors, leaving their children, and children's
children and strangers to succeed them and enjoy the fruits of the
toil, privations and savings of their long and eventful lives.

Life with them is o'er, their hibors all are done,
And others reap the harvest that they won.

Too great honor cannot be accorded them, and we regret that we
have not the data to speak more full}' and definitely of them, their
personal experiences, their lives and their characters.

FIRST AMERICAN SETTLEMENTS.

Cominc: on down through the years for over a century, we wish
to speak of the first American settlements in the State, as an intro-
ductory to the more immediate history of the original Pike county.

The first settlement made within the borders of the great State
of Illinois by citizens of the United States was in 1784, when a few
families from Virginia founded a small colony or settlement near
Bellefontaine, in Monroe county. The next American settlement
was made in St. Clair county, two of which were made prior to the
year 1800.

The first American settlers in Illinois were chiefly from Ken-
tucky, Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Tennessee and some
from Maryland. Some of these had served with Gen. Clark, who
conquered the country from the British in 1778. This whole people
did not number more than 12,000 in 1812, but with the aid of one
company of regular soldiers defetided themselves and their settle-
ments against the numerous and powerful nations of Kickapoos,
Sacs, Foxes, Pottavvatomies and Shawnees, and even made hostile
expeditions into the heart of their country, burning their villages
and defeatino; and driving: them from the territory.

When the State was admitted in 1818 the settlements extended
a little north of Edvvardsville and Alton; south along the Missis-
sippi to the mouth of the Ohio; east in the direction of Carlysle to
the Wabash, and down the Wabash and Ohio to the conjunction of
the Ohio and Mississippi. Such was the extent of the settlement
in Illinois when the Tenutory was clothed with State honors.

There were but 15 organized counties represented in' the conven-
tion to frame the first Constitution. These were St. Clair, Ran-
dol|)h, Madison, Gallatin, Johnson, Edwards, White, Monroe, 'Pope,
Jackson, Crawford, Bond, Union, Washington and Franklin. The
last three were the vounijcest counties, and were formed in 1818.

ORIGINAL PIKE COUNTY.

Pike county was the first or second county organized after the
State was admitted into the Union. It was erected Jan. 31, 1821,

196 HISTORY OP' riKE COUNTY.

and included nil of the territory west and north of tlie Illinois
river, and its south fork, now the Kankakee river. At the tirst
election in Pike county after its organization only 35 votes were
polled, even thouijh it did extend over the entire northern jwirt of
the State, and out (»f which more than fifty counties have since been
organized.

A *' Gazetteer of Illinois and Wisconsin,'' j>ul)lished ahout 1S22,
says that the county "included a part of the lands a])pn»priatetl by
C(tni^ress for the payment of military bounties. The lau<ls cou-
Btitutini; that tract are include<i within a peninsula of the Illinois
and the Mississippi, and extend on the meridian line (4th), passing
throui;h the nnuith of the Illinois, 102 miles north. Pike county
will no doul)t be ilivided into several counties; some of which will
become very wealthy and important. It is probable that the sec-
tion about Fort (Hark (now Peoria) will l>e the most thickly settled.
On the Mississippi river, above I^>ck river, lead ore i^ found in
al)undance. Pike county ct»ntains between TOO and 800 inhabi-
tants. It is attached to the Hrst judicial circuit, sends one mem-
ber to the House of Representatives, and, with (ireene, one to the
Senate. The county-seat is Cole's (Jrove, a jiost town. It was laid
otit in IS'JI and is sitmited in townshi|> 11 south, in rani;e 2 west
of the fourth princi|»al njeridian; very little im|)rovement has yet
been made in this place or vicinity. The situation is high and
healthy and bids fair to become a place of some importance.''

Thus the historian of three score years ago speaks of Pike county
as it was in its original magnitude and wildness. II«>w changjid
is the face of the country since liieni Who c<»uld have foretold
its future greatness with any degree of knowledge or certainty!

We deem it within the province of this work to speak of the
earliest settlement of all this vjist n-gion. Much of it was settled
prior to that ]H)rtion contained within the ]>rcsent Ixjundaries of
the count}', and as it wjw for many years a |»art <»f Pike county it
is j>roper we should refer to it, briefly, at lea.-^t.

The earliest history ami the tirst occupation of the original Pike
coutity are enshrou<le<l in almost imjM'uetrable obscurity. After
the la|)se of more than three quarters oi a century, the almost total
absence of records. at»d the fact that the whites who visited or
livcil in this region prior to 1S20 are all dea<l, render it imptjssible
now to determine with any degree of certainty the name of him
who is entitled to the honor of l>eing recorded as *' tirst settler."
Perhaps the first man who sojourne<i within the Military Tract
lived in what is n«»w Calhoun county. He went there about ISOl,
and lived for years before any other settler came, and remained
alone and unknown for a long time after the first pioneers moved
into that section. Hi? home was a cjive dug out by himself, and
was about a <|uarter of a mile from the Mississijtpi river. In 1H50
the boards of his cave tloor were dug up and the ground leveled.
Who he was or where he came from was known only to himself,
for he refused all intercourse with the settlers.

HISTORY OK ITKP: COUNTY, 197

The next settlers, i)erhaps, were French trappers and lialt-breeds
who formed quite a hirge colony on the Illinois river near the Deer
Plains Ferrv, Calhonn county. Thesis remained there until the
great hii:;h water of 1815 or l8lb, which drove them away. . Andrew
Judy lived at this j)oint at a very early day. Major Roberts settled
in Calhoun county in June, 1811. He came from Ohio. John
Shaw came into that county at a \'ery early day and was one of the
leadiui; men in the orijanization of Fike county, and for some time
was County Conunissioner. lie settled at Gilead, the site of the
original count3'-seat of I^ike county. He was the most noted and
influential man in his day of all in all this region. He carried on
farming, stock-raisino^, and conducted a stoi-e, and engaged in poli-
tics very largely. His inlluence was so great that he was able to
rule the county indirectly, which he did for many years. He was
denominated the " Black Prince," on account of his having great
sway over the community. It is said that he had control over a
large band of half-l)reeds, with which and his numerous other hench-
men he controlled the elections, and earned everv measure he de-
sired. He forged deeds, even h}' the quire, doctored poll books,
etc. So great was his influence and at the same time so injurious
to the settlers that the ])ublic issue was gotten up in its politics, of
"Shaw," or "Anti-Shaw," and not until there was a great and united
struggle that John Shaw lost his supremacy.

There was a man by the name of Davison who was found living
as a hermit a few miles above the mouth of Spoon river on its
banks by the first settlers in Fulton count}'. He was a physician
and a man of culture and refinement. How long he had resided
there l)efore discovered by the whites is not known, but evidently
for many years, as the shrubberj' and trees that he had planted
had grown (^uite large. He was selected as one of the first grand
jurors for the Circuit Court of Pike county. He refused all inter-
course with the whites, and about 1824 put his effects in a canoe,
paddled down Spoon river and up the Illinois to Starved Itock,
where he lived in obscurity until he died, which was a few years
afterward.

In 1778 the French made a settlement at the upper end of Peoria
lake. The country in the vicinity of this lake was called by the
Indians Phn-i-te-wi, that is, a place where there are many fat
beasts. Here the town of Laville de Meillet, named after its
founder, was started. Within the next twenty years, liowever, the
town was moved down to the lower end of the lake to the ])resent
site of Peoria. In 1812 the town was destroyed and the iidiabi-
tants carried away by Captain Craig. In 1813 Fort Clark was
erected there by Illinois troops engaged in the war of 1812. Five
years later it was destroyed by fire. Some American settlers, how-
ever, early came into this neighborhood. These were mostly sol-
diers of the war of 1812 who had been given bounty-land for their
services and had come to possess it. An old veteran of that war
by the name of AVm. Blanchard came to Peoria in 1819, soon

198 HISTORY OK IMKK COUNTY.

moved over the river into Tazewell county, and in 1830 moved just
over the line into Woodford, and is still livin;^ there, jierhaps the
oldest livini; settler north id" the nututh of the Illinois river.

The first jtennHiient settlement hy the whiles in all Northwestern
Illinois, of which any record or reliahle knowledi^e now remains,
existed ahout 1S20 on the hanks of the river now known as the
Galena. This river was then known as Feve, (tr Hean river. The
Indian name for the river was Mah-cau-bee, the fever that blisters,
and was mimed from the fact of the Indians having small-po.x here.
Hundreds of the natives died and they gave the names of Big
Siiiall-l*o\ river an<l Little Small-1'ox river to the streams upon
which thev lived. The tornu-r was chan^red hv the whites to the
more pleasant name of Fever river; the smaller is still known as
Small-rox creek. Galena was known as " Fever River Settle-
ment," and we find tre<juent mention of it in the old Gommis-
sioners' Court reconls. John 8. Miller, who was perhaps t!ie first
settler there, and Mk.-is .Meeker, perhaps the next, t>ften aj)plicd to
the Court at Cc)le's Grove for licenses, recommendations to the
Governor to he appointed Justice of the Peace, etc.

Fever river was als(j known in an early day hy the mime of IJean
river, from the French name, Kiviere au I'eve, given it hy the early
traders and adventurers. This section of country is referred to
in the "Gazetteer of Illinois and .Missouri," a work published in
182'J and now vitv rare, as follows:

^^ Bean river (Kiviere au Feve, Fr. ), a navigable stream of Pike
count\, emptying into the Mississippi three miles below Cat-Fish
creek, and 20 miles below Dubu<jue's mines, and alK>ut 70 abuve
liock river. Nine miles up this stream a snuill creek empties into
it from the west. The banks of this creek, and the hills which
hound its alluvium, are filled with lead ore of the best quality.
Three miles below this on the banks of Bean river is the Traders'
Village, consisting of ten or twelve houses or cabins. At this
place the ore procured from the Indians is .•<in»'lted and then sent
in boats either to Canada or New (Jrleans. The lands on this stream
are poor, and are only valuable on account of the immense quanti-
ties of minerals which they contain."

In the same work Chicago is simply mentioned as "a village of
Pike county, containing 12 (»r 15 houses and about GO or 70 inhab-
itants." Fort Dearborn had been built there in 1804, but so far
was it in the wilderness that when the massacre of the garrison in
1812 occurred many days elap.<ed before it was kn(»wn to the near-
est white settlement. There was also a fort and military garri^on
on the Mississippi river where Warsaw is now locjited. This was
known as Fort Edwards, and tlie name also occurs frequently in
the old records of Pike county. One of the main wagon-roads, and
one upon which the Commissioners e.\))eniled much time and
money, was known as the Fort Edwards road.

By 1820 to 1825 many settlements had sprung up through Central
Illinois, but scarcely before 1830 was there any considerable num-

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 199

ber of whites living north of the north line of the present bound-
ary of Pike county. It is true, prior to that Adams, Fulton and
Scliuvler counties had been organized, but they were very thinly
popuhited. By 1830 and after the close of the 13hick Hawk war in
1832 and the expulsion of the Indians the northern part of the
State settled uj> quite rapidly.

THE FIRST SETTLEMENT OF PIKE COUNTY AS IT IS AT PRESENT.

We now come to a period in the history of the settlement of this
county when we will restrict ourselves to the present boundaries of
Pike county. The few broken references to the settlement of the
Military Tract and Northern Illinois we offer as a slight historic
token to the grand old original Pike county — to Pike county as it
was in its primitive days. They are brief and scattering, but,
owing to the fact, as previously remarked, that there are no records
extant, and that tiie earliest pioneers have passed away, it is impos-
sible to give more, other than to elaborate and enlarge on the facts
already stated, which we will not do for want of space.

Prior to the coming of the first settler to Pike county there had
often been P^rench traders, hunters and travelers passing through
the native forests and crossing the wild and beautiful prairies. They
pitched their tent for the night, and amid the vast wilderness,
inhabited only by wild beasts and the native red man, rested their
weary limbs oidy to move at the early dawn. The first individual
of whom we have account, and this is traditionary, that settled in
Pike county as it is, or who made it his home for any considerable
time, was J. B. Teboe (Tibault), a Canadian Frenchman. He came
somewhere during the period between 1817 and 1819, and occupied
a cabin on the banks of the Illinois river, situated on what is now
section 33, Flint township. There is no doubt this man was in that
locality prior to 1S20. He lived as a hunter, and for a time we
think ran a ferry, but whether he is entitled to the honor of being
termed the " first settler " we very much doubt. He, it seems,
tilled no land and made no permanent abode, nor had a family. He
was killed at Milton in 1844.

FRANKLIN AND SRINN THE FIRST SETTLERS.

The man who may properly be denominated the first settler of
Pike county was Ebenezer Franklin. He came to the county in
March, 1820, and first stopped upon the northwest quarter of sec-
tion 27, half a mile east from where Atlas was afterward located
and up '-Jockey Hollow." He brought with him his family, con-
sisting of his wife, son and three daughters, besides a Mr. Israel
Waters. This gentleman afterward moved to Adams county.
When Franklin first came he found no neighbor with whom he
could stop until he had reared his cabin. He was obliged to pitch
his tent and gather his family around him in his tented mansion
provided with the meager and rude furniture lie brought with him

200 HISTORY OF I'IKK OOl'NTY.

and what he constnictod iifter his arrivnl. There is no doul»t the
familv sutlereil from tl»e chiiliiii; winds of early sprini;, hut they
were sturdy pioneers and witlistood the privations and hardships as
became true pioneers. He resided in his tent until May, when he
erected a rutle \n^ cabin.

The next settler t<» conif in atter Vranklin was Daniel 8hinn.
He Ciime from ]hita\ ia, Oliio, and arriveii ahout the last of Aj)ril,
1820. On Ids way here he 6t<)ppe<l at Kdwardsville, where ho left
most of his lar<?e family, which consisted of a wife and eiji^ht cliil-
dren: Benjamin. .lohn, Kli/.a, Hannah, Mary, Phebe, Daniel and
JSancy. John Weld), now liviuir live mih's i-ast of Pittt.tield, then
ottly bi.x years of a^e, came witli them. Mi'. Webb is now the oldest
living settler in the county by four years, that is, he came to the
county four years prior to any other nwin now living in the county.
Mr. Shinn was the tirst man who iirou;:ht a wa^i»n into I'ike county,
probably tiie first to the Military Tract. He settled near Mr.
Kranklin, and the two lived in tents until May, when they i)oth
erected cabins, aidin;j one aucjther in their laitors. Mr. Shinn witli
two of his sons cleared a piece of ground and j)lanted thrt-e acres of
corn. It took but c«»tnp:iratively little lalxir to raise ^rain, but to
have it ground or prepared for food was a hard task. At this early
day there were no mills within reach of these early }>il^rims. The
first mill tlu'V had to fj.. to was a horse-iiiill run by .lohn Shaw in
Callutun county. Mr. I'ranklin erected his cabin upon the south-
east (juartcr of section 22, Atlas township, or what is now Atlas,
three- fourths of a mile from Atlas and al>out 150 yards north of
whert' the road has since run. Many years aj^o, even, the place waa
covered with a sj)indlin;^ growth of youn^ trees.

Mr. Shinn h>catcil a.s a near neighbor to -Mr. I'ranklin. Ho
beciime a ^reat wolf-hunter, prompted by the fact of hjs bein;^ una-
b'e to raise stock, owin<; to their ravages. He lost 2<tO pij^s by
that rapacious animal, and resolve<J to make war ti|H»n them. He
finally succeeded in raising fine ho^s by shutting them uj) in a
close lo<; stable from their enrliest pighood.

The Shinn family were orifrinallv from Mew Jersey. On their
way West they stoj)ped for awhile at Cincinnati, where they fol-
lowed ^ardenin^. After a long and useful life Mr. Shinn died at a
little over 70 years of age, while on a visit to his daughter at Pitts-
field in 1852. He took an active part in the early history of the

cx)untv.

THE OOMfNO OF THK BOSSES.

In the year 1^1*0 there also came, from Pittsfield, Mass., the
Rosses: William (Col.i, Clarendon. I>eonar«l (Capt.i, and Henry J.
(Dr.V, also Samuel Davis, W^m. Sprague and Joseph Cogswell, all
settling in or near Atlas .Leonard had been Cai)tain in the war of
1812, and William obtained his title afterward by having \)een ap-
pointed Colonel of Illinois militia. Davis was a ijee-hunter, who
built t'or himself and large family a log cabin on section 16. Two

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 201

years afterward he moved into Missouri. Most of these men
brought their families to their new homes the following February,
having previously left them at Alton. Mr. Cogswell was from
Berksliire, Mass.

The Rosses in coming West had a tedious iournev. Thev came
by flat-boats down the Alleghany and Ohio rivers, and by wagons
from Shawneetown to Upper Alton, where at that time but one
house existed, occupied by Major Hunter. Here they left their
families, and coming northward, they found an Indian camp at the
mouth of the Hlinois river, where they split ])uncheons and laid
them across two canoes and thus safely carried over their w^agons.
The horses were made to swim alongside. Continuing up the Mis-
sissippi bottom they marked the trees as they went, for there were
no roads and nothing to guide them but an occasional Indian trail.
They arrived at section 27 in township 6 south and 5 west, *' at
last," whence, according to tradition, the name "Atlas." Some
wished to name the place " Charlotte," after a certain lady in the
comjiany. This beautiful land of prairie and timber charmed the
immigrants, and they at once set to work their energies and con-
structed a camp to shelter themselves while preparing quarters for
their families. They hurried up four rough log cabins, knowing
that Indians were numerous and that probably not more than five
white men were within 50 miles of them east of the Mississippi.

SEELET, m'gIFFIN AND NEWMAN.

James M. Seeley, father of Dr. Seeley, of Pittsfield, came to this
county about this time. Charles McGiffin and Levi Newman set-
tled on this side of the Mississi])pi river opposite Louisiana on a
slouirh called " McGiffin's Slough," but not known by that name
now; but they had no families. McGiffin died two years atterward
and Newman moved over into Morgan county.

.JOHN AND JEREMIAH ROSS, BROWN, WOOD AND KEYES.

In 1S21, John and Jeremiah Ross, brothers of the preceding'
Rufus Brown. John Wood (afterward State Governor) and Willard
Keyes arrived at Atlas. Here Brown kept a tavern, but he and
these two Rosses and Mr. Wood removed to Adams county. When
they first came to Pike county Wood and Keyes first settled on the
16th section just below New Canton and kept bachelor's hall on the
bank of a creek, subsequently named "Keyes " creek, after one of
these men. They had a few hogs, two yoke of oxen and a small
iron plow, by which latter they broke up a piece of ground before
building a cabin. In three or four vears thev sold out and went to
Adams county, where Wood founded the city of Quincy. He was
then a young man, vigorous and ambitious. One day he, with
William Ross, the founder of Atlas, and Ca])t. Ross, the Sheriff of
Pike countv, were traveling over the countrv north and west of this
county, but then within its borders. When nearing the Mississippi

202 HISTORY OF riKE COCNTV.

river he told his companions to foUow him and he would show them
where he whs troiiii; to build a citv. Thev went about a mile otV the
main trail when thev reached the j)rt'sent site of the city of Quincy.
TliL' view presented l»» the trio of sturdy frontiersmen was a mai^niti-
cent one. The hand of the white man had never touched the soil,
or disturbed the beautiful decorations of nature. Below them swept
the Father of Waters vet unburdi-ned bv steam iuivi<;ation. Mr.
Wood tried to show his companions the advantages the location
had, but Mr. Iloss, thoroughly interested in buihlin*^ uj) his own
town of Atlas and so sanjjuine of its future j^reatness, that the l>eau-
tiful and excellent location selected by Mr. Wood was completely
over.'^liad()Wed 1>V that ein'oved bv his village. Mr. Win. Ii4iss con-
gratulated his yount^ friend and hoped he would nuike of his town
a success, but lie despaired of it ever amounting to much, for, as he
remaiked to the Governor, " It's too near Atlas."

OTHEK SETTLERS.

In IS21 there also cauw to the county James McDomild, who
settled opposite Louisiana, (»n Sny Islantl, and kept a ferry. He
opene«l the first farm on the road betwei-ii .Atlas and Louisiana, l»ut
flootlg tlntwned liim out. He was from Wa.-hington county, N. V.,
anil his family consiste*! of himself, wife atul four daughters. The
next spring he was found dead at his ferry, 8nppo.*ed to have been
murdere<l. .losepli .Jackson afterward mairied his widow.

In the tsummer of 1821, Garrett \'an Deusen came to the county
and settled on tiie Illinois river near the old Griggsvilie Landing.
He was the first settler on the east side of the county except two
transient French families, who had located some distance below.
He erected the secondhand-mill in the county, the tirst having been
put up by Col. lii.ss, at Atlas.

THE "SICKLY SEASON."

The summer of 1S21 sorely trie*! the lioarts of the sturdy settlers
in ajid alxtut Atlas. That was a sickly season and scarcely a family
but followed some of its meml)cr8 to the newly made cemetery,
until over one-halt the entire population were numbered with the
dead. The jtrevailing cause of the visitation of such a calamity to
the settlers was the malaria emanating from the vegetable dewiy of
the newly broken {irairie ami the decomposition of immense quan-
tities of Msh in the jxuids below the town. The victims of this
dreadful malady were lai<l in cofKns made from bass-wo<Kl puncheons,
holK)Wed out and consigned to earth in a grave yard near Franklin's
first location, and about 400 yards west of Shinn's. The bones and
dust of 80 pers(»ns now lie buried there, and at pre.«ient there is not
a stone or head-boanl. or any .-igns whatever of it.s being a cemetery.
There was no physician nearer than Louisiana during this scourge,
and with this fact, and taking into consideration the poor facilities
the settlers had for providing for and nursing the sick, it remains
no wonder that so many died.

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 203

During tliis year Col. Ross built a small brick house, the first in
the county. Two years afterward he erected a much larger brick
structure adjoining it. *

FIRST PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS.

This year also the first court-house in the county was built.
Daniel Shinn took the contract for cutting and hauling the logs, at
$6, and for $26 he got out the puncheons and finished the building.
It was completed without nails or iron in any shape. It was 16 by
18 feet in dimensions, with one door and two windows, the door on
the east side, one window on the south side and another on the west
side; desks made of puncheons; chimney outside; and the clap-
boards of the roof held on with weight-poles and knees. There
were no trees around the house, but plenty of hazel-brush in the
vicinity.

This year the first school was taught in the county, by John Jay
Ross, son of Capt. Leonard Ross. It was kept in the court-house,
and the names of his pupils were, so far as remembered, Orlando,
Charlotte, Schuyler, Mary Emily and Elizabeth Ross, Benjamin,
John, Eliza and Pho3be Shinn, John Webb, Frederick and Eliza
Franklin, Jeremiah and William Tungate, James, Laura and Nancy
Sprague. James W. Whitney taught the next school, which was
also at Atlas.

A FEW MORE OF THE EARLIEST PILGRIMS.

About this time Dexter Wheelock and wife settled at Atlas, where
for a time he kept a hotel and a general store. He had been a
drummer in the war of 1812, and was an active and generous man.
He died many years ago, and his son, John G. Wheelock, has been
a prominent citizen of the county.

The spring of 1822 two brothers named Buchanan settled at "Big
Spring." A Mr. Allen (father of Lewis) came to the county this
year, and was probably the first settler in the neighborhood of IVlil-
ton. His wife was a sister of the celebrated Daniel Boone. An
old gentleman named Clemmons also settled about this time near
Milton, where his sons now reside. Joel Moore, now living two
miles north of Pittsfield, on Bay creek, was the first settler on that
stream.

This year Mr. Franklin sold out his place near Atlas, to Col.
Ross, for$30 or $40, and removed to a ])ointa little south of Pitts-
field, where Mr. Allen now lives; he sold out here again ere long
to Mr. Goodin, and located near Milton, on a prairie called after
him, " Franklin's Prairie;" and this home too he subsequentlj^ sold,
removing this time to Perry. He died in Milton in 1878.

Mr. Hoskins (father of John) came to the county soon after the
Ross family.

FIRST WHITE CHILD BORN IN THE COUNTY.

The first white person born in this county was Nancy Ross,
daughter of Col. Wm. Ross, born May 1, 1822. She died Nov. 18

204 HISTORY OK IMKE COUNTY.

of the same year at Atlas. Some say, however, that there was a
white person horn in this county some time previous to this; Ijow
true that is we cannot state antlioritatively.

TRIP TO I.OUISIA.NA.

The first settlers sutlered much from want (if provision, as well as
from the litneliness of their wiKlerness homes. Durini; the year
1822, Franklin and Shinn, <jjettiiig out of provisions, starleil to Lou-
isiana for a suppi}'. On arriving at the river they gave the cus-
tomary signal for the ferryman to coino over after them, hut could
not make liim hear. Heing strong and fearless they undiMto(»k to
swim the great river, even with their clothing on. They hutfeted
the waves well for a time, and made good progress, hut untortu-
nately Mr. Shii\n took the cramp, and cjime near drowning, and
would have drowned if it had not heen for his C4»mj)anionV pres-
ence of mind. Franklin, hy heating him, got him out of the cramp:
In urtler to make further progn*ss, however, they were compelled
to divest themselves of their clothing. After a long, hard and dan-
^rous struggle they finallv lande«l upon the Missouri shore, ah<jut
three-ijuarters of a mile ih'Iow town, hut void of clothing. They
njade tln'ir presence known, Intwever, ari<l wen* sixdi furnished with
clothing.

CRIMINAL DROWNED.

During this same yciir(1822)a man hy the name of Franklin,
not El>enezer, stole a gun from a Mr. Hume. In unikingaway with
it in his haste he was unfortunate enough to lose it while swimming
McCiee's creek. lie was juirsued, caught, ajid in a very summary
trial hefore (Jol. lioss, Justice of the I'eiice, wa> sentenced to have
25 lashes laid upon his bare back. This punishment l)eing inflicted
(and we are told he l)ore it nobly), he was given his lil)crty. He
soon Committed another crime, however, wiu* CAu;;ht, hut l>r(»ke from
custotly. The pioneers were full t;f pluck, and when they set out to
accomplish anything they generally did it, at whatever price. He
was tracked to Fort E<lwards (now Warsaw) and again captured.
They had no jail or place to confine such a cunning fellow with any
safety; so it was «letermine<l to send him to the jail at Kdwardsville.
ConsUible Farr and John Wood (e.\-Governor) to<»k charge of him
to convey him to Edwanlsville, Knowing he would take advan-
tage of every opportunity to escape, they lashed him to the hack of
a mule, by tying his feet underneath. They cjime to a creek on
their journey, and the young man thinking that an excellent oppor-
tunity to escape, plunged in, even agiiinst the threatenings of his
escort. He heeded them not, but yelled back that he would "go to
h — 1 and kick the gate open for them." The water was high and
before the mule had reached the farther shore he went down be-
neath the waves, carrying with him his rider. Both were drowned.
Franklin's lx)dy was rescued and buried upon the bank of the creek.
When Messrs. Farr and Wood returned to Atlas, Col. Ross asked

IlISTOKY OF PIKE COUNTY. 205

them where their prisoner was, Uiey had returned so quickly. " Oh,
we've drowned him," was their indifferent reply. "You have to
account for him in some way according to law, you know," said Col.
Ross. "Oh, yes," they attain replied, "we've drowned him."
Franklin's bones were some time afterward taken up and wired to-
gether by Dr. Vandeventer, and the skeleton is now in the posses-
sion of his familv at Versailles, III.

mSSKLL, HUSONG, NICIIOLA.S AND MATTHEWS.

In 1823 Alfred Bissell came to the county and located at New
Hartford, or rather, nearly a mile north of the present town. Mr.
Bissell raised the first a]iples in Pike county. He finally sold out
to a ]Vrr. Brown, some of whose family still reside upon the place.
Daniel Ilusong came to the county the same year, also an old
man by the name of Nicholas, who was the first settler near High-
land. Another gentleman, Mr. John Matthews, who was consid-
erably advanced in life, the father of B. L. Matthews, and the
grandfather of Col. Matthews, came and located north of Griggs
ville.

After this period settlers came in ra]fldly, and it is quite impos-
sible for us to note the ad\ent of each one. That will be done to a
very great extent in our township histories.

FIRST FOURTH-OF-JULY CELEBRATION.

The first Fourth-of-July celebration ever held in Pike county,
and probably in the Military Tract, was held at Atlas in 1823.
Col. Ross thus speaks of jt in a letter written at the time to a
friend in the East, which is still preserved: "July 4, 1823. — The
first celebration of the Fourth of July was held in Atlas, Pike
county. 111. Oration delivered by Nicholas Hanson, of Albany,
N. Y. The Declaration of Independence was read. There was an
audience of about fifty persons, who afterward partook of an excel-
lent dinner ])repared by Rufus Brown at his tavern. The audience
marched in procession after dinner. A jolly good time was had
drinking toasts, etc., and 'all went merry as a marriage bell;' this
being the first celebration ever held in Pike county, or in this Mil-
itary Tract."

This Rufus Brown, spoken of, subsequently removed to Quincy,
where he built a log house on the lot where the Quincy House now
stands. After living in Quincy for a time, he pulled up and moved
further West, and has since died.

FIRST JAIL AND VISIT OF THE INDIANS.

1824. — This year the first jail at Atlas was built. Daniel
Husonff hewed the lo<;s and Daniel Shinn did most of the work on
the building. The door was four inches thick. Wrought spikes
were used, and for hinges bars were employed which were as thick
as a man's arm. The only window was a hole about the size of a

206 nisTOKv OF pike count v.

pane of ^lass. The logs were a foot square and *' scotclied " down,
and tlie place for ushering in ])ri8oner8 was in the roof. It was a
ffood jail, however, — even better, s»»ino tliiiik, than the jail at
Pittsfield some years ago. The old Atlas jail huilding is still in
existence, but has been removed to near the Levee and is consider-
ably dilaj)idated.

This year oM Keokuk ami oOO of his men, on their way to light
Indians below 8t. Ltuiis, stoj)|>e<l on the 8ny near Atlas, over night,
and had a war dance. They hatl sent to the whites at Atlas a
notice in advance that they inteniled them no harm. Keokuk was
a fine-looking man, it is said, while lilaek Hawk, who also fre-
quently visited this region, was rather a small man, with one eye.

FIE8T MALK CHILD llOKN IN THK COUNTY.

Nov. 11. Is24, Marcellus Iloss was born, a son to Col. Wm.
lioss at Atlas, tlje first white male chihl boiil in Pike county. It
is stated, however, in Mr. (irimshaw's historical sketch, that a son
to Ebeiiezer Franklin was born before this, and still others say
that a son was burn before ^his date in the family of Mr. Ward. In
the proceedings of the Old Settlers' Association it is stated that
Rev. John IIo|)kins, of New Hartford, was born in Pike county
May 30, 1822; that he attended school at Atlas when there were
but five scholars, and that he bound alter the first reaper in the
county. In Jidy, 1836, Col. William Uoss ajid family removed to
Pittsfield, where he remained until his death, and where Marcellus
still resides.

•

on.. BAKNKY.

In ls26 there came to Atlas, from Berkshire, Mass., that eminent
man. Col. Benjamin Barney, who still survives, residing at Barry.
He "was a man of great physical powers, of strong natural sense,
benevolerit, patriotic, not learned in book lore, but wise in that
which made him a leader in trying times; was sober, industrious
and always at his post. His tales of early adventure are marvelous,
and yet undoubtedly true." — Grimshaw. He was born in Septem-
ber, 179"), emigrated first to Sandusky, O., and afterward was one
of the first live settlers in Seneca county in that State. In Ohio
he married Minerva Harris, who died in 1849. He was the first
blacksmith in Pike county, and probably the first in the whole
Military Tract. He made the first plow ever made in this county,
and was for a long time known as " the c^junty blacksmith." He
was induced to stop at Atlas mainly on account of his being offered
the position of Deputy Sheriff by Capt. Ross, the newly elected
Sheriff. Col. Bartiey bore a prominent part in the Black Hawk
war, and his life has all along been so identified with the history
of Pike county that his name will occur frequently in this volume.

•*^.

/^^y^

^"T^YX^i

BARRY

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 209

COT., barney's trip to CARROLLTON.

During this age of quick transit we often speak of mail " facili-
ties," but for pioneer times it would be more appropriate to say
mail '' difRciilties." It must be borne in mind that it cost 25 cents
for the early ])ilgrlms who came to this country to get a letter from
their friends in the East or South, and then the mails came only at
long intervals. Col. Barney relates a bit of experience as a mail-
carrier in early day, which is quite thrilling.

There had been no mail received at Atlas for about six weeks.
The [Uinois river was high, and filled with running ice so that it
was impossible to cross it with any degree of safety. Capt. lioss
was postmaster at Atlas, the only place in the county where there
was a postoffice, and he as well as the other settlers were exceed-
ingly anxious to get the mail from Carrollton, the point from
which the Pike county mail was brought. Carrollton is on the east
side of the river and 40 miles distant from Atlas. Postnuister
Ross had made liberal offers to induce some one to go after the
mail, but none had yet succeeded in getting it. The six dollars he
had offered was a great motiv'e, and at least three men at different
times had attempted the trip, but could get no further than the
Illinois river, and would return discouraged. At last, becoming
exceedingly anxious to hear from the outside world, Mr. Koss made
the very liberal offer of ten dollars to any one who would carry the
mail to Carrollton and return \rith the mail from that point. This
offer was made Saturday night, and Col. Barney resolved to attempt
to win the prize. It must be remembered that in those primitive
times ten dollars was considered a large amount of money; and the
Colonel said, when he returned and got his money, that he felt as
though he was rich enough to start a bank.

]\lr. Barney was up before day Sunday morning getting ready
for the trip. His wife prepared a lunch of corn-cake and venison
for him to take with him and eat upon the way; but unfortunately
he forgot it when he left home. He had traveled but a few miles
ere it began to snow. The large flakes began to fall thicker and
faster, and the wind began to blow and soon the storming elements
were raging around him with great fury. He quickened the pace
of his horse and finally arrived at the Illinois river at a point
where there had been a ferry and where he intended to cross. The
man who had conducted the terry had recently died, leaving a
family of wife and several small children. They lived in a rude
cabin upon the western bank of the river; the widowed mother
lay sick and near death's door; they were without medicine, food
or care, and suft'ering untold misery. The Colonel ]>ut his horse
in the smoke-house attached to the cabin, which was so small that
the horse could not turn around in it. He then hired a lad who
was there at this time to assist him over the river. After much
difficulty he readied the eastern bank and started oft' on his trij) to
Carrollton on foot.

210 HISTORY OF riKE COUNTY.

The Atlas iiuiil was sinull, yet he found threat difficulty in making
his way thnuigh thedeejt snow. He at last reached his destination,

{rot the mail and started homeward. iU-fore leavin«^ Carrollttui,
lowevcr, he called ujkui the doctor and reported the coM<lition
of the Woman at the ferry. The physician said he had heen
down to the river two or three times on his way to visit her but
coukl not ^t over, and had concluded that she was dead. Ilepive
the ('olojiel Some medicine for her, and the kind lady at the post-
otHce <;ave liim a lar<;e packa;;e of provisions alscj to take to the
distressed woman. This packaj^e wei<rhed ahout 1() pounds, and
with tlie mail, which was «jnite larire and consisted mostly of mili-
tary matter, he started on toot for the river. It was dusk when he
arrived in the river Intttoin. To add to the already ^reat jieril in
which he found himself, a large pack of wolves, ahout 50 in num-
l>er, ftdlowed him, s«une ot them yelping furiously. The hohh'r
ones Would appn)ach closely and gnarl at the lone footman, whoni
they were eager to imike a meal of. lie would frighten them <»tr
by slap|>ing his han«ls on the mail-bags, nuiking a loud, sharp
noise. This he did repeatedly, and perhaj»s it was the ordy way lie
Could get througli safely, as he had no lire-arms or weaj>ons of any
kind, lie n'ache<l the river only to tind difficulties nn»re compli-
cate«l: he could not get over. He hallooed, but in vain. He got
into an <»ld boat which lay fastened in the ice out from the shore,
and lay «lown. thinking he would be c<)mpelle<l to remain there
duriiii^ the night. He so<»n found himself shivering with cold,
and Would certaiidy freeze to death if he remained there longer.
He an»use<l himself, got a j^Mile and tinally worked his way over the
river, fn»m cake to cake of the tiouting ice, th«>ugh a dangerous task
it Was. He remainiKi over night at the cabin ami gave the widow
the me<licine ami provision sent her. These relieved her present
wants, but slie continued to decline, and shortly afterward dieil.

The Colonel at last reache<l Atlas, with the long-looke<l-for imiil.
He made the settlers joyous with the letters brought from their
friends an<l was himselt made happy by the receipt of ten dollars,
which he had certjiinly well wirned.

DROWNINft OK JAMES WARP

In the .spring of 1^20, James Wani, vvh<t haa kittled about four
miles south of Atlas near 8i.\- -Mile creek, and whose farm lay ])artly
on the blutl' ami partly in the bottom, made a trip to Fort Clark,
now Peoria, and other settlements in that direction in com]»any
with Col. I^iss, on an electioneering tour, or to view some land.
On arriving at Crooked creek on their return, just above a drift of
flood- wood, Mr. Ward ventured to cross, but was drowned. Mr.
Ross, thus left in a wilderness with the shades of night fast hover-
ing around him, and the gloom cast over him by the loss of his
companion, wandered on down the stream, not daring to cross and
not desiring to stop. Soon he saw a light in the diststnce and fol-
lowed on down until he came to the cabin of a lone hunter. Here

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 211

he was taken in, provided for and kept for the night. In tlie
morning the body was recovered and bnried upon the bank. The
horse had made the shore and was found fastened to a tree by liis
bridle being caught in a limb. A year or so afterward the bones
of the drowned man were taken up and re interred with Masonic
honors.

COL. ROSS' KEEL-BOAT.

In 1826 Col. Ross built a keel-boat called "The Basket," which
was hauled down to the Sny and launchetl. It would hold about 50
tons, and in this craft the Colonel shipped the produce of the
neighborhood, as beef, pork, hides, etc. He used to pack about 400
head of ^cattle every season. Dressed beef was only two and a half
cents a pound. Dealers had the hide and tallow as their reward
for killing and dressing. They sold their beef in the South, New
Orleans generally, for five dollars a barrel, tallow ten cents a pound,
dry hides five cents, andgreen hides two and a half cents a pound.
To get their boats over sand-bars they would unload th6 barrels,
roll them over the bars and then reload. On one trip it required
one whole day to get over a distance of twelve miles.

A FEW OCCURRENCES OF 1826.

Capt. Hale, a Missionary Baptist minister, came to the county in
the summer ol»1826, but at this time several other ministers were
also preaching in Pike county, as Messrs. Garrison, Medford and
Lewis Allen. Mr. Medford was a smart man, and had a circuit
extending from Rushville to some point in Calhoun county. Capt.
Hale probably organized the first Baptist Church in the county.

This year also the first store building in the county was erected,
by Col. Ross at Atlas. It was built of hewed logs, and in dimen-
sions was 3 6 feet square. The principal part of a merchant's stock
those days was whisky.

In the fall of 1826 the first whisky made in the county was man-
ufactured by Mr. Milhizcr, a Pennsylvania Dutchman, although it
is also claimed that Mr. Blair, spoken of a little further on, erected
the first distillery; but his distillery was erected in 1829 or 1830.
Mr. Milhizcr made but one barrel of whisky.

Soon after his arrival Col. Ross put up a band-mill by which he
could grind four or five bushels a day, but he soon built a larger
mill which, with four good horses, would grind from 25 to 30 bush-
els a day. Settlers from even 25 miles above Quincy used to come
to this mill. Good fine flour, however, was brought from Cincin-
nati, O., but this costly article was used only on occasion of visits
from friends, or on Sunday when the family thought they could stand
the expense of such a luxury. For most of their milling at this
period the settlers in this section went to St. Louis, Mo. There
was no Alton then.

The first coal burned in Pike county was from Pittsburg, Pa.,
and used by Benj. Barney in his blacksmith shop in 1826. During

212 HISTORY uF I'IKE COUNTY.

tlie snimncr of 1827 there was a great deal of rain, and tlie stroanis
rose lii<;lier than they ever did alterward until 1851, TheSny Carte
was naviirjihje for steam-boats at least as far up as Atlas, as Col.
Ross proved to the astonishment of many. lie had three steam-
boats in his service, and one of them in j>articuhir, the "Mechanic,"
came up to a |K)int directly o])posite Atlas. It.'^ an-ival was an-
nounced by the tiring of guns.

The tirst wiieat raised in Pike county was raised this year by Col.
Ross and Mr. Seeley, and it was also the tirst wlieat ground witlua
the limits of the county.

This year came Benjamin B. Barney, no relation of Coi. Barney.
Endeavoring to trace their relationship one day the Colonel said he
was from ^lassachusetts, wlien Benjnnnn B. rcjdied with an oath,
"Oh, if you are a Yankee you are no connection of mine." This
Benjamin B. jiarney l)ought Col. Ross' horse-mill nnd kept it a
long time, probably unlil it was W(»rn out or finally abandoned.

» 1S27.

In the vicinity of Atlas, Henry Long, from Baltimore city, settled
about the year 1827. During a residence of many years, until his
decease on his furm, he was a useful citi;;en and upright man. lie
reared a second numerous family' of intelligent and e<iucated chil-
dren. His son, Jesse I/jng, has Iwen a Supervisor of Atlas town-
ship, ami resides on the old luimestead of his father. Nathan Wat-
son, now living about five miles south of BittsHeld with his son Job,
»ime to the county in 1827. During this yejir or some time pre-
viously, there came to Atlas, James .M. Sceley, who was for 12 years
(1828 — '40) noted aj» the honest, easy Siierilf of Pike county. It
was his duty to collect revenue. If a man was not ready to pay his
tax, Seeley j)aid it and trusted him. Mr. S. had a numerfMis family,
of whom Dr. K. M. Seeley, who was a surgeon during the late war,
was i>ne; another was Dr. David Seeley, who w:i> .iti early settler
of Texas, where he died.

1828.

Among tiie many prominent citizens now living who came to the
county in 1828, was James Ross, who introduce<l and used the first
cradle in the county for cutting wheat. It was a great curiosity to
the pioneers, but a fanjiliar thing to him, as he was from Pennsyl-
vania wliere cradles were common. He eqiiijtped and ran the first
turner's lathe and cai)inet-£hop in Pike county. This shop was in
one end of the first clerk's oflice building in Atlas. His shop was
burned out here. He is now closing his long and eventtul life in
Pittstield. iLven when he was 60 years of age he was a fine dancer
and could whistle almost eijual to the flute. It has always been
interesting to hear him tell stories of pioneer times.

This year a saw and grist mill was built at It^tckport by James
McMurphy and sort, who used limestones for burrs. They also built

HISTORY OF I'IKE COUNTi'. 213

a flat-boat wliicli tliej ran to Galena in tlieir trade. At this time
tliere were but three steam-boats on the Mississij)]il river.

Tiiis vear Wm. ^[ontgonicrv Blair, a New-Lii^lit minister, came
with his family to Kinderhook. His son Montijomerv, now livin<^
at ]^)arrv, was then 19 years of a^je. The family emiirrated oriiri-
nallj from Kentucky to Ohio, then to Indiana and lastly to tliis
county. When they arrived here, however, they found that several
otlier families had preceded tliem in this part of the county, namely,
an old hermit named Peter Harper, a refugee from justice, having
come here from Indiana, He was at Kinderhook. To the north
of where Barry now stands were David Edwards and Edward
Earle, and to the south lived Samuel Gary, on section 30, then the
Jackson family and ]Mr. Howard and John Milhizer. Harper lived
at" Kinderhook uutil his death.

Mr. Blair built the first log cabin at Kinderhook, and the next
year he huilt the first mill in this part of the county, and also a dis-
tillery, which is said by some to be the first in the county. Although
this gentleman made considerable whisky, the distillery had finally
to be abandoned on account of there not bein^ gi-ain enough raised
in the country to make the business pa}'. lie sometimes made as
high as two or three barrels of whisky per day by a process known
as " steam distilling." Wheat at this time was only three "bits "
a bushel, and Mr. Blair kept a stock on hand for two or three years
waiting for a better market. Milling was so difficult to obtain that
several days were generally wasted by jiersevering parties lingering
around the mill to see that their grist was ground in its proper
turn, or in frequent visits to the mill. At this period beef and
pork were only one and a half cents a pound. A large three-year-
old steer would brinar only ten dollars.

About this period Beuj. Matthews, a lad of 18 years, settled in
the northern part of the county.

1829 AND ONWAUD.

By this time the immigrants had become sd numerous and tho
events of history so coinplicated that they cannot be very well
grouped by years either in the memories of old settlers or in writ-
ten histor}'.

The second conrt-honse was built in 1829 by Elijah Petty and
Col, Ross, contractors, at a cost of $<>50. About this time the
clerk's office building was erected in Atlas, It was a double log
building, and one end was occupied by James Ross as a cabinet
shop. This building was totally destroyed by Are one ni^ht duriii":
the winter of the big snow, as referred to further on. Many of the
earliest records were thus lost, and many others would have
been burned but for the great exertions and braver}' of Mr, James
Ross.

John Barney, now residing at Pittstield, is a brother of Col. Benj.
Barney, and came to the county in 1830. Soon after the county-
seat was removed to Pittsfield, Mr. John Barney was elected treas-

214

HISTORY OF riKK COUNTY.

urer, wliicli office lie tilled with lidellty for a luiinber ot years. All
the money raiseil aiul e.xpeiuied tor the construction of the ])re8ent
court-house and the tirst Pittstield jail passed through his hands.
It beii)^ once charged that he was a little behind with the |tul)lic
funds, an investigation was instituteti, which resulted in showing that
instead of his being in tlebt to the county, the county was owing him
over a hundred dollars.

P^iehling Hanks settled in Pike county in 1830, and was proba-
bly the tirst tanner here.

CHAPTER II.
EARLY SETTLEMENT— CONTINUED.

THE WINTER OF THE BIG SNOW.

We now come to the winter of tlie deep snow, 1830-'!. The snow
■of that winter commenced falling Nov. 10, and did not all go away
nntil the following April, yet the largest fall of snow did not begin
until the 29th of December. This was the heaviest snow that ever
fell in Illinois within the memory of the oldest settler of this part
of the State. According to the traditions of the Indians as related
to the pioneers, a snow fell from 50 to 75 years before the settle-
ment by the white people, which swept away the numerous herds of
buffalo and elk that roamed over the vast prairies at that time.
This ti-adition was verified by the large number of bones of these
animals found in different localities on the prairies when first visited
by the whites. The deej) snow is one of the landmarks of the pio-
neer. He reckons, in giving dates of early occurrences, so many
years before or so many after the deep snow. He calculates the
date of his coming, his marriage and birth of his children from it,
and well might it make a lasting im])ression upon their minds.

In the northern portion of the county the snow at first was about
three feet deep on a level, and as it settled a crust formed on the
surface. The winter was also unusually cold, and this, in connec-
tion with the snow covering the mast and other food of wild animals,
resulted in starving and freezing to death most of the game, as deer,
wild hogs and turkey. The deer, indeed, had been rendered seai'ce
by the sweeping fires of the preceding autumn which the Indians
had set out. After all this, however, thei-e was but very little suf-
feriiig among the citizens of this cou'nty. They had plenty of meat
and hulled corn, and with this sim])le fare they were content.
What wild game there was alive in the forest was easily caught, on
account of their reduced condition and the depth of the crusty snow
which impeded their ])rogress in the chase. Col. Ross chased down
two deer with a horse, and caught and killed them by hand. The
men got out of licpior, however, and this was their greatest ])riva-
tion; but their suffering on this account was probably more imagin-
ary than real. On the 18th of February two men who had engaged
to chop some wood for Col. Barney backed out of their agreement

216 HISTORY OF I'IKK COUNTY.

when they found he hud no whisky. Mr. Harney, recollecting^ that
a neiij;hl)or owed hin^ a pint of whisky on a bet made at some former
time, induced the men toijo to work by otierint;: tliem a treat. Tiiis
whisky bein^ the lai^t in the neiirhborV demiioim had somedrn<r in
it, but that "tliil not hurt the litjuor any," as it was so 8C4irce and
costly, it bein^ wortii ^1.25 a gallon. Clothintj was also a little
Bcirce, as the new comers into tlie new country had but very few
sheej). For mo.st of their substantial clothin;; the pioneers of these
times had to depend upon home-made material.

Ill the northern j>art of the county the sik)W was so deep as to
cover the ears of thcoutf-tandin<; corn ami make it very dilliciiit to
gather. Joshua AVottsiev, wiio, on account ot the two preceding
years bein^ verv favorabk', inadvertently let ids stock of corn on
uind get ijuite low, gave men three bushels a day for picking
corn; and it was surprising how much ot' the article these hardy
pioneers would gather amid such surroundings. Twenty men in
four days gathered 2.500 bu.»hels.

During the spring a treshetcame with the melting snow,and the
waters «»f the Sny uiulermined the mills at Kockp(»rt so that they
sank down. (\»1. Ross had 50 or »'»o men ait work there lu-arly ail
sjuing tilling up the places washed out.

During thi^ winter the clerk's office building at Atlas wjis burned
down. Col. Uoss first discovered fire breaking out in that end of
the structure where ".limmy" Koss had his cabinet-shop, and raised
the alarm; but the wind was blowing fiercely and nearly all was
lost. Xhis building was not more than five rods from (Jol. iiarney's
residence, and he and "Jimmy" succeeded in rei^cuing some of the
])aj)ers and records of the office, which but few of the other citizens
sejMued to care but little alxtut. Many such things grow valuable
with the lapse of time, and doubtless many more papers might have
been saved whicii would render this history more complete.

The year ls31 was also marked by a freeze in August which
nearly ruine<l the ci»rn crop before it was sufficiently mature, aiul con-
sequently the tblhiwing spring the farmers had to seiul to Kentucky
for seed ciMu. paying for it on its delivery $3 a bushel, iioatscume
up the river about (iiie a week, and their arrival was always the oc-
casion of joy or disajtpointment. The settlers, however, got all the
seed corn they wanted, those wiio were fluhh being willing to divide
with their less fortunate neiglil>ors and trust them, depemling upon
the success of their next crop for pay. Shipping on the Mi6sissi|)j)i
at this period was limited to only three steam-boats between St.
Louis and Galena, aiul whatever freighting was done by Hat and
keel boats, which were poled, rowed, sailed, cordelled and towed.

THE FIRST NEGRO SETTLERS.

"Free Frank,'' a col»»red man, arrived in Hadley townshij), this
county, in the sj^ring (»f 1^31, with his wife Lucy and three chil-
dren. They were originally from Kentucky and had spent the ]>re-

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 217

cedin<^ winter in Greene county, 111. This famil}' were the tirst
settlers in that township, and none others arrived for two years.
To conform t(» tlie custom of the aj'e the Lcijislatiirc j^ave Free
Frank the surname of McWorter, and he was ever afterward
known as Frank ^[cWorter, He was a live, enterprising man, and
laid out tiie town of New Philadel))hia. which once had great
promise of making a good town, lie had bought liis own freedom
and that uf his wife and many of his children, and left provision in
his will to buy grandchildren, which was carried out by his son,
Solomon ^IcWorter. Frank died about the year 1857, at 77 3'ear8
of age. His wife died in her 90th year in 1S71. Mr. McWorter
was born in North Carolina, his wife in Yii^^inia. They were both
members of the Baptist Church and led exemplary lives. By in-
dustry and econoniN' they left a valuable farm to their heirs. A
large and respectable settlement of their descendants now exists
around the old home.

In 1S32 or 1833 a colored man came to the southern part of the
county known by the name of "Bob," who wanted to marry a white
girl, tlie daughter of a Mr. Guernsey. This aroused the indignation
of the wliitts, and as soon as be saw tbe citizens after him he took
to his heels and ran away so fast that "50 men c»>uldn't catch him!"

NUMEROUS SETTLERS.

Before the Black Hawk war there came to this county, settling
in various parts, besides those we have mentioned and many others,
Hawkins Judd, Geo. W. Ilinman, Stephen li. Watson, Garrett
Van Deusen, Daniel Clingensmith, N. E. Quinby, M. Branson and
Horace Ilorton. Messrs. Ilinman and Judd were County Com-
missioners with Col. Barney when they bought of the United States
for S200 the quarter section of land upon which Pittsfield was
located. The}' are now dead. Mr. Van Deusen, an eccentric
Knickerbocker Dutchman, was a Justice of the Peace and likely one
of the earliest settlers east of Pittsfield on Blue river, and was the
originator of a queer device to crack corn, operated something after
the manner supposed to be in vogue in the days of Adam and Eve.
lie used the stream of Blue river at a narrow place, and by catching
and confining the water therefrom in ah'dlow tree or trough, open
at the end up stream and closed at the lower end, he worked a
swinging vessel which was suspended over a mortar to crack Indian
corn. The process was to let the trough fill with water nearly to
overriowing, when by its weight it would descend, dashing the pestle
into the mortar and crushing the corn. The pestle being adjusted
some distance from the end of the trough up stream, the water
spilled beycMid the mortar, and the machine adjusted itself for an-
other l)eat at the corn. Col. N. E. Quinby was a lawyer. Mr.
Clingensmith settled in the northern part of the county: he died
in 1835. Capt. Ilorton was a jolly tar. from Connecticut, an en-
ergetic man an<i a good settler. lie came in 1832 and located above
Rockport. Branson and Watson, the latter a tailor, settled at Atlas.

218

IIISTOKY CK I'IKK CttUNTY.

THE YKAR OF THE IILAC^K HAWK W AK.

CMiioiiolo<2;ic'ally wt- liavi* iiuw urrivnl at the ])erio(l dI tlie l^lack
Hawk war. and tlic coiiiuctiin of Pike county witli tliat ejticli will
be ^iveii in tlie cliajiter upon tliat war. Ko county } erliaps took a
more active and (Ucideil j^art in this stni<.'^]e of the ]>ionccrs with
the Indians than this county. Almost as soon as it was known tliat
soidicis wei"c wanted Pike ctiunty liad tilled her quota. In an larly
day Indians were quite numeious liere. hut we have no record of
any »le]»redations bein^ ccmmitied hy them otlier than ]ietty theft,
llw ISacs and Fo.xcs made their headcjinirteis nldiiij the Sny for
many years, where tliey were often vi^ited hy i'>hick Hawk and
Ke(»kuK. At or near Atlas the wliites often saw them in tlieir war
dances. These J ndians however ^ave tlie settlers of Pike county
very little trouble. Indeed tliev sometimi's evinced some title to
the epithet "noble." As for e.\am|ile, whi'U a njuaw wa.'> at one
time sick of a i'ever and was nursed and doctored by a white family
At Atlas until she got entirely well to the surprise of her Indian
friends, thev were very thankful and showed their 'Matitude in many
ways.

In this connection we may relate a little anecdote characteristic
of early times. John .lay Ii4»S8 and a Mr. Filer thouj^ht they
Would have some fun one day by trij^ditenin^' Mr. Voun^ and his
family who resided at Atlas, and in tin- vicinity of his house they
imitated the noise and whoop of Indian^ so perfectly that Mr. and
Mrs. Young thought they were surrounded by blood-thirsty red-
skins. They were greatly frightened and chugged their children
into a small cellar which was not large enough for themsehes to
get into, liiey ran out into the mustard patch and remained there
until the afternoon of the next day, so scared were they, before they
dared to return to the hotjse and liberate their sutt'ering children.

.lAMKS W. WHITNEY.

A very noted character in the earliest days of Pike county
was James AV. "Whitney, more generally known as "Lord Coke," on
account of his knowledge of law. He was teacher of the second
school at Atlas, but having no family or jiermatient home he can
scarcely be denominated a "settler." He was the first Circuit and
County Clerk, and held many local offices. He was a native of
Massachusetts, a man of considerable education, having some
knowledge of Latin. He came to Illinois before it was a State and
resided at w near Edwardsville. Kot much is known (»f his former
life, as he was always very taciturn when the suliject was intro-
duced. It is said that there was a hidden sorrow in Ins former life
which was a delicate matter to touch upon. He wrote a very pecu-
liar hand, which would itnlicate that he was an oddity. At first
sight one would have taken liim to be a well-preserved ])reacher or
fichoolmaster of the davs of the earlier -\damses. His dress was

HISTORY OF I'IKK COUNTY. 219

plain and even homely; his hair was s])arso and all combed to the
back of his head, and often tied with a buckskin strin*^ or old bhick
shoe-string as a cue. Pecuniarily he was not prosperous, and he
was very indifferent witli respect to liis dress. lie made his jour-
neys generally afoot and alone, putting up whei-e night found him,
with some friend, and his acipiaintance was very extensive. He
was always welcomed by the lonely pioneers, as he was a kind of
gazetteer, bringing them the news when newspapers were scarce.
He lived sometimes alone in a log cabin and sometimes he made
the city of Quincy his headipiarters.

" Lord Coke " was also known as the " Speaker of the Lobby," as
he was the leader ot that branch of the Legislature for many years.
"When theaters and shows were rare, the citizens, judges and legis-
lators at Vandalia were all agog to witness the convening of the
Lobby. It was a great event. A throng would assemble, and after
some ceremony " Lord Coke" would mount the stand and call the
house to order. He would deliver his annual message, which would
be received with cheers and laughter. Many hits and jokes were
embodied in the message. Sometimes the satire was very broad,
and at one time he hurt his standing with the Supreme Court by a
farcical account of a meeting represented to have been held by that
Court and leading members of the Bar to ''exterminate the varmints
of the State." He presided over the "Lobby" with magisterial
Bway, and when mock heroics moved the man he would be a very
important personage. The '"Lobby" was organized by appointing
8ul)ordinat(' officers and numerous committees, whose titles and
functi(jns would be of the most ludicrous chai'acter; and the mem-
bers composing the same would be in physical form, public stand-
ing and personal bearing the most o)i])osite of that position and
character. For example. Col. Thos. Mather, President of the State
Bank of Illinois, was a man short in stature but of great rotundity
of ]>erst)n, (piiet in demeanor; Judge Thomas Brown and Jesse
Thomas, jr., were tine, portly gentlemen. Such as these " Lord
Coke" would announce, and that in print, as the most suitable
members of "the committee on gymnastics and ground and lofty
tumbling." Many reports of these committees would be submitted
which would be in accord with their burlesque titles. These reports
were often written by "Lord Coke" himself, and there was a broad
personality in them rather Iludibrastic.

At the Bar " Lord Coke" was not successful, as there was a want
of practical sense in his a])plications and his law was often obsolete.
He died Dec. 13, 1860, between 83 and 85 years of age.

OTHER PROMINENT CHARACTERS.

Parvin Paullin, a native of ISew Jersey, came in mature years
to this county, served one term as a Representative in the Illinois
Legislature, and was Probate Judge, discharging always his duty
with honor and efficiency. He died many years ago.

220 HISTORY OK I'IKE COUNTY.

Epliriiiiii Cannon was jm t-arly settler of Piku county, and I'ur a
tinK' Slicritr.

Itohert nnd Joseph Goodin and Fiiiher Petty were amongst tl»o
noted men of Ili^lilaiid, Petty was a County ConnnissiontT at
Pittstield; Mr. ^Murpliy was the first County Surveyor; and .loscph
Gootlin was County Survtyor thereafter and u ^ood otlicer. Hi- was
living; a tew years a^o in Missouri. ,

John George Nicohiy, an illustrious representative of J *ike county
education, was horn in Gernumy, and cjinie to this county an olv
Bcuri* hoy; heiiii; very studious he hecanie highly self-educated;
learned the printer's trade in Pitt*tield; married Miss Pates of
that place; ho edited the /'^ree Pnss \'or a slu»rt time, and when
(). ^I. Hatch was ele<'tt'<l Secr«'tary of State Mr. N. was his clerk
for two years at Sprin^tifld; read law in Al»rahain Lincoln's tdlice,
and on the election of Mr. Lincoln to tlie Prt^idt-ncy af the United
Stiites lie hecamc one of his private secretaries; snhsequently he
was Consul ti> Paris, and is now Marshal «»f the Suprenu* Court of
the Unitf.' «si ,*,.. v.lijch is a life t»lllc4' •■ ". tenure durin«j; ^<»od
liehavior.

tlohn Hay, son of |)r. Hay, of Warsaw, and neplu-w of Milton
Hay, ne.xt mentione«l, ami for some time a nsident »»f Pitthlitdd,
was a c mpanion of Mr. Nicolny in tin* (*tudy of law in Mr. Lin-
coln's otlicr at Sj»rin^ful«l and in Ihmii^ private Rii-rt'tary (»f the
President. While in Pittstield he puhlisheil *' Pike County Bal-
lads,'* a «;ollection «»f capital piec«'s of |K»L'try, amon;; th(> most noted
of which arf " Hantv Tim," *' Little Ihitches " and * lilud^te."

Milt4»n Hay, now rankifij hi^h as h law\er at Spriiitrliehl, resided
in Pittstield in ids earlier days as an attorney at law. He has since
l>ecn in a Constitutional Convention and in the Ix';:i>lature of the
State.

Major Charles J. ScUon we can claim as a son of Pike ciMinty, his
Jmrent^ having; U-en the present wife of C«>1. 1). P.. llur-h, hy her
former husband, Uev. John Selton, an Episcopal clergyman who
once owned St. Ann's Church, New York city, and was a wealthy
man, and whose sister wa* the witc of Sir lienjamin Prodie, the
eminent Kn^lish physician. Charle» J. was hrouijht up princi-
pally in the family of Col. Bush, wa« in the Mexican war (in the
oattle of Huetia Vista t, and durinjf our late war was Major of an M

Illinois regiment; wa-^ editor of the Sprinj^tield ( 111.) t/owr/ia/; btill "

later on the Pet»ria Tnimf''rij?t. He died in 18C2.

"Aunt" Hohy Ross, still living at Parry, in her 92d year, wime
with her |>eople to Atlas She was born Sept. 27, 17^9, in Iten-
sellaer county. N. V., an«l wa-* first the wife of Cl.irendon l^»s^ and
afterward of his brotiier Capt. Leonard Ross. Clarendon Uoss was
the first man who died in the county and Captain K<iss is lon^since
dead. Aunt Koby's memory is still clear, and she relates many in-
teresting experiences an«l event.s of early times. Her house was the
stopping place lor many people; she has (e<] as many as a hundred
in a day. She wotdd arrange table* out of doors made of clapboards

HISTORY OF PIKE COITNTV. 221

placed upon sticks, supported b}' stakes driven in the ground. In
that day tliey had an abundance of meat, vegetables and sometimes
fried cakes and crab-applesauce. Mrs. Ross's son Schuyler, by her
first husband, died at the ageof 20,'in 1832, at Atlas.

Merrill E. Kattan, the iirst Postmaster at Pittsfield, long since
dead, was also Probate Judge. He kept a hotel on the same lot
where the Oregon House now stands. Wm. Watson, once a Pro-
bate Judge, is still living in Pittsfield. As a business man Mr.
Watson was ever foremost and has accumulated some pro])erty.
Kobert R. Greene and his cousin Austin Barber opened and carried
on the first large store in Pittsfield. These gentlemen are both yet
living in that town. Mrs. G. was one of the earliest and highly
respected school-teachers. ^Nlr. Barber was for a period County Clerk.

Wm. A. Grimshaw came to Pike county in 1833. For his biog-
raphy see history of Pittsfield township. John U. Grimshaw,
cousin of the former, settled near Pittsfield in 1834, and afterward
moved to town and for many years was an active merchant. He
died many years since. Jackson Grimshaw, a brother of William
A., was a resident of Pittsfield for 1-4 years, then of Quinc}^, Ills.,
where he died in December, 1875.

Bel us and Egbert Jones, brothers, were old settlers. Bel us was
never a lawyer, but a pettifogger, who hung on to " Lord Coke "( J.
W. Whitney) like a bobtail to a kite. At court time it was said,
" No court till Coke and Belus come."

Major James Tolbert, an old Virginian, was an officer in the lYth
Illinois Militia at an early day. He was an early settler of Pike
county.

Lyman Scott, an early settler, married a daughter of Leonard
Ross. He was for a time one of the owners of a former mill at
Rockport. He was a pushing business man. Many years ago he
went to Kansas and is now dead.

John Neeley, an early County Commissioner, removed to Texas
and has since died.

John Lyster, at times a Justice of the Peace, was an early settler
in the Meredith and Neeley neighborhood near the Illinois river,
now Detroit township.

David Dutton early settled in the vicinity of Pleasant Yale, once
County Commissioner, a prosperous farmer, and peculiar in his
ways. He has long since deceased.

Among the early settlers of Pike county was Mrs. Nancy M.
Heath, who taught the first school in Pittsfield in the winter of
1834. She had 14 scholars, taught in a rented house and boarded
herself. Her terms were $3 per scholar for 12 weeks. The names
of her patrons were Jonathan Pike, Col. Johnson, Wm. Watson,
Ephraim Cannon, James McNary, Wm. Grimshaw, Dr. Worthing-
ton, Mr. Davis, and John Turnbull. Her maiden name was Dun-
bar, and she was boi'u Jan. 1, 1791, the first white child born in
Cincinnati; was brought up by Gov. McArthur, of Ohio; in 1813
she married Dr. Jonathan Heath, who was born on the south bank

222 HISTORY OF I'IKK COUNTV.

of the Potoin.'U', Muretirld, lliiniv cuiiiity, \'a. She ciimo to Naples
Morgan fount v, in 1825, taugl'.t sdutol there, and came to I'ittstiehl in
1834. The school-house, which was also their d\vellin«;, was a small
hewed-log house rented of Mr. Turnhull. She has had si.x children,
five •(iris ant] one son, all dead. Mr>. IKath is still livintifiii I'itts-
iiehl, hut has had Ict'lile health for many years. Her daughter,
afterward .Mrs. A. V. Wills, also taught school with her.

Dr. llezekiah Dodge emigrated from Virginia U> Hayville, this
county, in an early (lav. In his physicjil structure he was "long,
lean and lank, and m*ivcd upon a spindle shank.''

Mr. (tray, an early settler and prominent citizen of the county,
was Sheriff ahout isr>l: was Postmaster at Harry, aiul afterward for
many years his houje has hecn in PittsHeld.

.Jo^^iua Woiisley, an early settler of lladley tt»wnship, has hcen
Slieriff, and taken quite an m*tive part in the politics of the c«»unty.
lie is still a man of great activity, living on tiie old homestead.

Among jnany other pioneei-s of i*ike countv we would mention,
Henry K. Itjimsey, Jacoh llodgen ( father ot l>r. .i(din lltxigen),
Charles T. Hrewsler, W. IJ. Cirimes, D. 15. HusIj, Elias Kent Kano
(ndphew of the celehratetl Klisha Kent Kane, the Arctic explorer),
all of whom have hoi*n more or less prominent in the history of tliis
county. A little anecdote concerning Mr. Kent, who settled
in Monte/uma townsiii)» in 183(», we uiiinot forhear to relate here.

lie went out tlwr-hunting one day, soon semiring up three larj'O
deer, which ran aroun*! him in a circle aUmt .'iOO yards distant, lie
stoixl watching them with cocketi gun in his hands. t)ot knowing
why he did not sho(»t; hut suh.-etpientlv learned from friends that
he must have had the " buck ague."

Many other names of early settlers will appear in tlie histories ot
the respective tt»wnshij).s.

Among the sons of i*iko county who have departed to other fields
of glory, are: ()/ias M. Hatch and Alexander btarne, Ixith of I'itts-
tield, then of Griggsville; l)oth have run ahout the same career in
this county, having lit'cn (Merks of the Circuit Court, meml)er8 ot
the Legislature, an«l Secretaries of State; and l>oth are nov.* resi-
dents of Springfield, in. pros|»enMis circumstances. Mr. Starne left
Philadelphia in 1830. *' with the intention of getting so far away
from honu' that he never could get hack again," and he chose the
l>eautiful section of country called Pike county for his permanent
home, lie relates many amusing stories concerrjing the olden
times, clock peddlers, abolition rioU, Dr. Dix's first land purchase
and trip to the grist-mill.

Among other numerous settlers in various ]>art8 of the county
we would nanje the following: llev. John Shinn, one of the early
preachers of the county, settled just west of Phillips' Ferry; then
came David Johnson, who bought the farm owned by him. lie
settled there in 1828. and for many years wns Survey<^»r (tf the
county. Near him was Richard Wade; the next two who came
were a Mr. Bateman and Andrew Phillips. Geo. W. Ilinraan, an

HISTORY OF PIKK COUNTY. 223

early prominent man, came in 1829. Joel Moore was the first set-
tler north of Atlas toward Griggsville. Nathan W. Jones, a resi-
dent of Grigo:sville, was a well-known early settler. Abel Shelley,
the JJradbiirys, Charles and >[artin liurrington were also promi-
nent pioneers. Boone Scholl, the fonnder of Perry, which was laid
out first as " Booncville," was an early settler.

In concluding our personal mention of early settlers, we quote the
following from Mr. Grimshaw's " Centennial Address;"

"Alfred Grubb, once called the 'Little Bay Horse,' for his
sprightliness, was a good Sheriff and a County Judge. Thomas
Orr, noted as a grand juror for many long years, was respected by
all. Thomas Hull, a good farmer and remarkable for his active
piety. These all leave numerous descendants of respectability.
The Blairs (father and several sons), all good men. were in the
vicinity of Barry before Pittsfield was laid out. William, son of
the senior, was a marked member of the Illinois Legislature, and
an upright and useful man. He is long dead. Montgomery Blair
was once a member of the Constitutional Convention of 18^7.
Harvey Blair is yet alive, and is an estimable farmer.

"It is impossible in this sketch to notice all the early settlers;
some have emigrated, others have died. At court time at an early
day in Pittsfield, Samuel Gibson, Henry Kent, George Gibson,
Sam'l Sitton; Esquire Hayden, the Tucker brothers would be seen,
and Wm. Johnson, James Johnson, Jolin and Jacob Heavener.
The latter dressed in the homeliest ofarb, with his lon^ rifle as

• •ITT C5 v^

bosom friend. James Johnson was a conspicuous man. Both of
these men were possessed of great nerve and endurance, and made
great havoc amongst the deer. Small "varmint" they despised.
Sam'l G. Sitton survives in his 75th year; and on June 29th, 1876,
he cut on his own farm an acre of wheat with a sickle and bound
it up on that day, and the next day was at Pittsfield as spry as
usual. Harvey Dunn, of Chambersburg, was an old settler, and
in 1847 was a member of the Constitutional Convention of Illinois.
He was a very una suming but intelligent, honest man; but is
long dead. Stephen It. Gray, venerable and respected in years,
yet lives. He was Sheriff about 1851. He is an earlv settler and
resided at or near Barr\', and was at o-.ie time Postmaster thereat.
Hamilton Wills is yet as ha])]>y as ever, jolly in person, comfort-
able in business, an old settler in Pittsfield, as a Justice of the
Peace in former 3'ears useful and respected. Richard Kerr, of
Pleasant Hill township, was an old farmer, a leading whig, and
represented Pike county in the Legislature for one term. He died
many years since, esteemed by all, leaving many relatives in Pike.
" Bona|)arte Greathouse, of Milton, was County Commissioner
at an early day, a man of great worth and a good farmer. He is
long dead and left surviving him a numerous family. Several of
his sons are practitioners at law. Sam'l L. Crane, now venerable
in years, was a very early settler of Morgan county, III., and has
filled acceptably with perfect integrity the office of Postmaster at

224 UI8TOKY OF riKI- nOT'NTY.

Pittsfield. He is now in private life. He is the t'atlier of that
nset'ul son, resilient of Pittstield, .hiines H. Crane, who has been
Circuit Clerk of Pike eoimtv, vet lives here, and is a I)ei)ulv ('lerk
in the office of Geo. W. Jones, our present and efficient popular
circuit clerk. Win. B. Grimes yet lives in Pittstield. He was an
able and honest County Clerk for one term, succeeding Wm.
Steers, wh<» was a ijood and worthy officer; and his successor i»
Jonathan L. Frve, who was a son of an lionest miller, Jonathan
Frye. James Me Williams, venerable for his years, influential in
his town of (irii;j;.'>viJle, has been a Representative of the county
in the Le;;islature and often a Supervisor of (iri^'^jsville township.
Daniel 1). Hicks, now the esteemed Ca>hier of the First National
liank, is an old resident of Pittstield and has honorably filled
several offices. He was once Sheritf of tlie countv. Durin;; his
ternj of (tffice a rit»t took place «>ne election day in Pittstield, when
n)anv wild bovs who had been irooil stddiers in the Mexican war
took a most active part in the riot, callini^ out, ' We are some
J)unkin^.' ]\\ aid of a pussc of tlie |)eoj)le, called by Hicks, the
riot was put d»)wn."

M«. ni.NMAN's LE'rrKK.

We c*ipy tljc following very e.\cellently jtrepared historical article
from the ( Jriir^sville Jitjltrtor of July I, LsTO. It wa> j.rcpared
by Asa Hinman, son t»f the veteran j)ioneer, George W. llinman.
It so clear^)' portrays various features of the county's history, and
knowing that it will Ik; accepted as from a reliable source, we nuike
no alteratittns in it, but j)resent it a^ from the pen of Mr. Hinnnin:

"In 1^2y. I think Oct. 14ih, my father, (Jeor^e W. llinman,
crossed the Illiimis river at Phillips' Ferry with his lamily to make
a permanent residence in Pike county. He drove ont to the foot
of the mound upon which the town of Gri<;^fiville now stands,
and stojtped with a man by the name f>f Ihiteman, who had made
a snuiU imjirovi-ment and laid claim to the 8. W. (juarter of sec.
14, T. 4. S., 3 W., which my father soon afterward bought and
occu])ied. This was on the main traveled route from Philli|)8'
Ferry to Qiiincy and Atlas, the county seats of Adams and Pike,
the two routes partini: on t«»j) of the mound in what is now called
Quincy Avenue. The first settlement on the road, which was then
known as the Atlas trail, after passing the site where Gri^f^sville
was afterward built, was seven miles out on Pay creek, wliere Joel
Moore had settle*! some two or three years before. He emi<;rated
from North Carolina, and. as 1 have understood, served in the
army of the United States for the land he lived upon. The next
settlement was Col. Seeley's, twelve miles farther and three miles
from Atlas, on the trail to Quincy. It was thirty miles to the first
house, where lived John Wii^gle, a German, who formed the
nucleus for the larfre German settlement that afterward settled in
that ]>art of Adams county.

"I believe Atlas was the only laid-out town in Pike county at

PtJC^t^

PERRY

HISTORY OF I'IKE COUNTY. 227

tliat time. At Phillips* Ferry tliere was a small settlement. I
will name those I rememl)er: I^imrod Philli])S, Dr. Bennett, first
owners of tl)e ferry, Teh(»& McWurtliy. One and a half miles up
the road lived Charles IIazelri<2;, the only blacksmith in the eastern
part of the county.

"The settlement on the road west from the ferry was David
Johnson's, who settled on the farm owned for a long time by the
Rev. John Shinn and now the property of E. S. Parker. Mr. John-
son settled there in 1828. He was surveyor in this county fur many
years. Near this j^lace on the north side of the road lived Richard
Wade. The next two settlements were Pateman, of whom 1 have
spoken, aitll Andrew Phillips, who lived just east of Marshall's
blacksmith shop. Dr. Phillijis lived one and a half miles south of
town on the farm now owned by Davis. North of town lived ^lar-
shall Kee, John j\[attliews. father of B. L. ^latthews, and "grand-
father of Col. Matthews, Abel Shelly, Wm. AVilkerson, Sam Hola-
way, Abraham Sclioll, Sam Chenowetli, and an old gentleman by
the name of Ayers. All these I have named were men of families;
and none to mv knowledtje now remain but David Johnson, who
still lives in the town of Perry, and is badly crippled with rheuma-
tism, but otherwise is in good health. Many of their children and
grandchildren yet remain in the county.

"Although the immediate descendants of these old pioneers grew
up without an opportunity to get an education, many of them are,
yes, I may say most of them, are noble, high-minded men and wo-
men, and are generally among the foremost to make a sacrifice to
secure for their children a substantial education; and while on this
subject I will say, if there was a school-house in the county I was not
aware of its location. The first school-house near Griggsville was
built in 1831. It was located a little northeast of town, a small log
cabin, stick-and-clay chimney, the floor laid from slabs split from
liiid logs, and the seats made of some material mounted on wooden
legs. For light, one log was cut out of the building, a hewn slab
put under this opening and paper pasted over it in cold weather;
then with a rousing log fire, Wel)ster's speller, the Testament,
sometimes the Life of Washington, sometimes Jack Downing, Rob-
inson Crusoe, or whatever happened to be in the library at home,
and a few copies of Daboll's or Pike's arithmetic, and a long 'gad'
or two, Master Robert Rankin used to 'teach the young idea how
to shoot.' Some of my young friends no doubt will laugh at my
description of our educational privileges in those days, but this
happened less than half a century ago and within less than half a
mile and in sight of that fine school-house that so adorns the town
and adds so much to your educational privileges. My descrijition
of this one will answer with very little variation all the first schools
in this part of the county.

"The next settlements to those already mentioned were along the
bluft'near Chainbersburg and a few in the neighborhood of Detroit.
The first settlers were poor, honest and brave, always kind to

228 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.

friends and ready to resent an insult, l)ut rarely with any weapon
only such as nature furnielied tliein with.

''The tirp>t hetth'nients were nearly entirely confined to the edg-o
of the tiniher where small tields could be cleaned aiul ])lowed with
one yoke of oxen or a span of iiorses, the prairie sod bein<j; tou^h,
rofjuirini; heavy teams to ]dow it.

'•At this lime ;;:ime was very abundant. Deer, turkeys, prairie
chickens, quail, raccoon, opossum and skunk were iiere in immense
numbers. The butfailo had disappeared, but from the amount of
horns and Ixmes that lay bleaching on the prairies they must have
been here in vast num Iters.

" At tliis time occasional l>ands of Indians would com(f in to hunt,
but the settlers wouKl form into companies, shoulder their rilles
and Miiirch out to their camps and ilrive them away.

" Now. I can in>a:;ine some of my younj; friends would like to
know h(»w these |>oor settlers lived and what kind of houses they
had, how they dressed themselves, ami many other questions. Well,
I have told you ^ame was plerjty; so was wild honey; the land ])ro-
ductive a!ul evorv man and l»oy who was lar^^e enouj^h knew how to
use the ritle Jind brin^ dt»wn the ^ame. And up to the winter of
183U-'l the winters iuid been very mild. Flax fjrew well, and cot-
ton for the first few years did well. The women had all been raised
to spin, weave and manufacture all the cl«>thin<,' that was needed in
the family; but a large pc»rtion of the men dresf^ed deer-skins and
made themselves pant« and coatu, or what they called hunting-
shirts. Some wore moccasins made of the same material, others
would buy leather and manufacture shoes for their own family, or
perhaj)s suuie neighbor would become (pjite an expert at cobl)ling,
and besides doing all the sIujC work for his own faujily, would do
also a gooil deal for his neig!ilM>r8; and I have seen women that
Could make quite a respectai)lc shr^e. The njen would fre(|Ui'ntly
manufacture caps for themselves and boys tVom the skins of foxes,
coons and muskrals. II«»ney, at that day, was almost the only
sweetening, lK5sides maple sugar, that was used. Very little tea
and cotfee were used.- Cows were cheajt and the rich and nutritious
grass caused them to produce choice milk atid butter. Everybo(ly
used milk in those days. P(»tatoes, squashes, pumpkins and the
various vegetables were securely stored for winter. The people
had n<» money; they made but very few debts and very little dealing
at the stores. What they did was mostly trade in turs, peltries and
beeswax; and some of tlie oldest settlors wmhUI h;ive a little surplus
to sell to new comers.

" It was several years Ixjfore there was any grain shipped from
this part of the country. The only means of transportation was a
keel-boat owned and run by Ira Kellogg from Naples to St. Louis.
It would make a trip once in five or six weeks. Naples was the
only trading ]>oint for all the east side of the county'. All the mills
I can think of now that were then in Pike county, were Johnson's
little grist and saw mill, two miles above Chambersburg, built in

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 229

1830 or 1831, Yan Densen's little corn-cracker on Blue river, that
would grind frura one to two bushels per hour according to the
stage of water, and Barney's horse-mill, some four or' five miles
from where Pittsfield now stands. As these mills did not accom-
modate half the settlers, hand-mills, mortars and pestles were re-
sorted to, and quantities of hominy were used during the winter
season.

"Now, for the habitations. "Well, they were all bnilt of logs
after the fashion of the school-house I described. All had fire-
places and only one room. The cooking was done in iron vessels
on and around the log fire. If the weather was cold, the family
large, or company in, which very frequently happened, the wood
was piled on so as to raise the heat and cause all hands to sit back
to give the cooks room to work. In at least two corners of the
cabin would be one-legged bedsteads, made by boring two holes at
right angles into the logs and two to correspond into a single post
to receive the outer ends of the two rails. Clapboards, being laid
across, formed quite a convenient bedstead; and besides these I
have often seen a loom and spinning-wheel in use in the same
cabin. This state of affairs would often last for years before another
room would be added.

" At the time of which I write, settlements were not very rapid.
The land was not in market. Congress had passed an act that all
actual settlers who had lived for one year uj)on the public lands
were entitled to enter or buy 160 acres at any time before the land
was offered at public sale, which was in the fall of 1830; but very
few of the settlers had any money to bu}' the land upon which they
lived. The land office for this district was at Edwardsville, at which
place a loan office was opened by Mason & Co. They would loan
$200 to a settler which would pay the Government for 160 acres of
land, the settler giving mortgage on the land and personal security
for the payment of the $200 with 35 per cent, interest,

"Soon after this, settlements became more frequent, many of
the new comers bringing some money with them. Many of the old
settlers who had borrowed money at the enormous rate of interest
referred to, sold their land and improvements, thereby enabling
them to pay the mortgage and have some money left to buy another
tract of unimproved land. The most of these early settlers were
from the Southern States. Yery few of them had ever had many
advantages of an education; and, coming into a new country, where
for several years schools were unknown, and then for several years
more the only schools we had being gotten up by the individual
eflforts of the poor settlers, we see how limited their education must
have been. We had no school fund then, no law to levy ta.x for
school purposes, and school-houses were built b}' individual etibrt,
and teachers hired in the same way. Books and papers were very
scarce. I think the nearest paper published in the State was at
Yandalia, the seat of Government at that time. Our postoffice was

230 HISTORY OK PIKE COUNTY.

at Naples, in Mnr^jati, now Scott, county, where we paid twenty-five
cents |>(»st!i<^e on ji k'ttor.

" Witl) tiiese limited advantages nearly all the children ot" that
day ^rew to he men and wtMnen with hut little eduoatittn, (»r what
is considered so at the present day. And let me say to my young
friends, when you feel disposed to hiuijh at the spet'fth, orthoj;raphy,
or <;raiuiiiar of old t'o^ifs wh«» have coiml* up from those days, just
lau^h and feel good, >ind then ri'memher them with gratitude for
the many sacrifices and nohle eftbrts they have made to secure to
you the grand eilucalional advantages you now enjoy under our
free-school system.

" In Deeemher. 1830, snow fell to the de|)th of three feet on a
level and drifted In many places to eiijht or ten feet. This was kept
up hy snowfalls until the middle t»f March. This has been known
and referred to as the winter of the deep snow. Duriiiir this win-
ter vast numl)ers of «leer, turkey and other ganu died, or were
killed by thoughtless hunters. During these early settlements
wolves were very abundant &\u\ very destructive on pigs atid sheep.
This countv had a ^jreat manv snakes, (tf whieh the rattlesnake was
the most numerou.s and «langerous. juTsons atid animals U-ing fre-
quently l>itten by them, causing the most intenoe pain and occa-
sionally producing death. The habits of these reptiles were to
gather tip late in the fall at some rockv blutf or other place where
they c<»ulil make their way underground Ijeyond the reach of frost
aiiil ninain there until warm weather in May, when they crawled
out and lay around in the sun a few days ami then dispersed for
miles over the surrouiuling country. During the time of their
coininjj out in Mav we use<l to visit their dens and kill them in
large numbers. Tliis practice, in the course of a few years, greatly
lessened their iiuml>ers, but still, in sume localities a few remain.

•* In the fall of lh30, if my recollection is right, we hiul the first
])reaching. by*a .Methodist minister named Hunter, whose cireuit or
mission ctivered all the territorv -.nth of liushville and Warsaw,
lying iK'tween the Illinois ami }k[ :pi rivers, lie went around

this circuit once in four weeks. The preaching place for a little
societv that wa.s formed in the nei':hl>orho<»d ol (Tri<;ijsville was at
my father's house, on the S. W. quarter of sec. 14. T. 4 S., K. 3 ^V.

"Asa Hinman."

MK. GAKKISon's LETTEK.

In 1S76, when F. M. Grimes was ]>reparing the history of Monte-
zuma township, he received the following very de>criptive letter
from Z. A. (larrison, of Oregon:

'* Fifty 3'ear6 ago I with my father and his family crossed the
Illinois river in a small hand ferry-boat at Meacham's Ferry, where
Montezujna now etands. We went west f(»ur miles and settled in
the timl^er. a ])rett3' country abounding with game of all kind^.
Deer, turkey and bees were very plenty. The Indians were our most
numerous neighbors, being about twenty to one white man. In the

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 231

winter of 1829 and 1S30, the deep snow fell, whicli was four feet on
a level. The siunnier followin*!: I was tendinii^ the ferry for Solo-
mon Seevers at Montezuma and saw the first steam- boat that
plouifhed the Illinois river. It was a small stern-wheeler. When
op])osite the ferrv the wheel rolled up so much grass that it could
not turn, and the men had to cut it loose and pole her through the
grass. There was but one water mill in the county and that was
on Big Blue. It was a tub-wheel and a very faithful one it was.
AVhen it got one grain cracked it would jump upon another with a
powerful vim and crack it too. The nearest store in the county was
kept by Col. Ross at Atlas. AVomen wore homespun cotton dresses,
and deer-skin moccasins. Men and boys dressed in buckskin from
head to foot, and on the head a coon or fox skin cap; ate hog and
hominy, lived sociably and enjoyed each other's company with true
friendship."

COUNTY-SEAT MOVED TO PITTSFIELD.

Bv the year 1S31 it was seen that the county-seat could not long
remain at Atlas, and a movement was started to fix its future and
permanent location. The Legislature of the following winter
authorized the appointment of three commissioners to locate the
permanent seat of justice, which commissioners were Hawkins
Judd. Geo. W. Ilinman and Benj. Barney. After thoroughly can-
vassing the situation they chose that beautiful site, centrally located
in the county, whereon the present town of Pittsfield stands. The
parties who wished to make the best of the situation had not the
necessary 8200 to enter the land with. It was difficult to borrow it
anywhere in the county except of the Ross family, and they were
interested in Atlas and opposed to Pittsfield. Of course some ill-
feelinof was engendered, and Mr. Hinman and Col. Barney got so
mad thev swore thev "would never hold office again," and the Colo-
nel has kept his word. They signed a note and obtained the money
of Col. Ross, had the ground surveyed, let the building of the
coiirt-house to a Mr. Burke, and the commissioners held court in it
in the tall of 1833, and the next spring the Circuit Court was held
there. The Commissioners favoring the location were elected by a
handsome majority at the next election, showing how the people of
the county felt on the subject.

THE BEAUTIFUL PRAIRIES.

The large prairies of the county presented a most beautiful sight
before they were settled. The following very descriptive lines on
"The Prairies of Illinois," by Capt. Basil Hall, graphically por-
trays their beauty in their wild and native state:

" The charm of prairie exists in its extension, its green, flowery
carpet, its undulating surface, and the skirt of forest whereby it is
surrounded; the latter feature being of all others the most signifi-
cant and expressive, since it characterizes the landseai^e, and defines
the form and boundary of the j)lain. If the prairie is little, its

232 HISTORY OF I'IKE CODNTY.

grentest beauty consists in the vicinity ttttlie cncompassin'; edijo of
turests, wliicli may be coni|»are<l to the shores of a lake, heinjj: inter-
8ecte*l with many deep, inwanl hoiuls, as S(» many inlets, and at in-
tervals projecting very far, not nnlike a ])rom(»ntory or protru(lin<;
arm of land. Tliese ]>rojections sometimes so closely aj)proach each
other, that the traveler passing thron^di hetwi'en them may he said
to walk in the midst ot" an alley overshadowed l»y the forest, before
he enters a^ain upon another broad j)rairie. Where the plain is ex-
tensive, the delineations of the forest in the distant back^nmnd ap-
])ear as wonld a misty »»cean beach alar off. The eye sumrtimes
surveys the ^reen prairie without discovering on the illimitable
plain a tree or bush, t>r any other object save the wilderness of
flowers and jtjrass, while on other occafiions the view isenliveneil by
the griives disperse<l like islands over the jdain, or by a solitary
tree rising above the wilderness. The resemblance Iti the sea which
some of these prairies exhibit is really most striking. In the bj»ring,
when the young gniss has just clotlieil the soil with a soddy carpet
of the most deliaite green, hut especially when the sun is rising l>e-
himi a distant elevation of the gntund ami its rays are rellectetl by
myriads of dew-tlrop.", a more pleasing and more eyi-benetitting
view cjiiinot be imagined.

**Tiie delightful aspect of liiu prairie, itj* amenities, and the ab-
sence of that ^ombre awe inspire<l by forests, contribute to forcing
away that .»entiment of loneliness which usually steals u]>on the
mind of the sojiuiry wanderer in the wilderness; for, although he
espies no habitation, and sees uo human l>eing, and knows hitnself
to be far off from everv settlement (»f man, he can scarce! v <lef«Mid
himself fron> Udieving that he is traveling through a landccape
emlH'llishe<l by human art. The Mowers are so ielicateand elegant
as apparently to Ikj distributed for mere ornament over the jjlain;
tire groves ant! grouj)s of trees seem t<) be disjKTsed over the ]»rairie
t«» eidiven the landscape, and we can scarcely get rid of the imjtres-
sion invading our imagimition, of the whole scene l>eing flung out
and created for the satisfaction of the sentiment of beauty in refined
men.

" In the summer the prairie is covered with tall grass, which is
coarse in appearance, and soon iissumes a yellow color, waving in
■the wind like a ripe crop of corn. In the early stages of its growth
it resembles yt)ung wheat, and in this state furnishes such rich and
succulejit food for cattle that the latter choose it often in preference
to wheat, it being no doubt a very congenial fodder to them, since
it is in;possible to conceive of better butter than is made while the
grass is in this stiige.

"In the early stages (tf its growth the grass is inters|>ersed with
little flowers, — the violet, the strawberry-blossom, and others of
the most delicate structure. When the gra.ss grows higher these
disappear, and taller flowers, displaying more lively colors, take
their place; and still later a series «»f still higher but less delicately
formed flowers appear on tlie surface. While the grass is green

•I

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 233

tliese beautiful plains are adorned with every imaginable variety of
color. It is impossible to conceive of a greater diversity, or dis-
cover a predominating color, save the green, whicli forn)s a beauti-
ful dead color, relieving the splendor of the others. In the summer
the ]ilants grow taller, and the colors more lively; in the autumn
another generation of flowers arises which possesses less clearness
and variety of color and less fragrancy. In the winter the prairie
presents a melancholy aspect. Often the fire, which the hunters
annually send over the prairies in order to dislodge the game, will
destroy the eiitire vegetation, giving to the soil a uniform black ap-
pearance, like that of a vast plain of charcoal; then the wind sweep-
ing over the prairie will find nothing which it might ])ut in motion,
no leaves which it might disperse, no haulms which it might shake.
No sooner does the snow commence to fall than the animals, unless
already frightened away by the fire, retire into the forests, when the
most drear}', opj^ressive solitude will reign on the burnt prairies,
which often occupy many square miles of territory."

PRAIRIE FIRES.

Fires would visit the grassy plains every autumn. The settlers
who had pushed out from the timber took great precaution to pre-
vent their crops, houses and barns from being destroyed, yet not
always did they succeed. Many incidents are related of prairie
fires." The great conflagrations were caused either accidentally, or
designedly from wantonness, or with a view of bewildering the
game. The fire often spread further than it was intended it should.
Wherever were extensive prairie lands, one-half was burned in the
spring and the other half in the autumn, in order to produce a more
rapid growth of the naturally exhuberant grass, destroying at the
same time the tall and thick weed stalks. Yiolent winds would
often arise and drive the flames with such rapidity that riders on
the fleetest steeds could scarcely escape. On the approach of a
prairie fire the farmer would immediately set about "burning back,"
— that is, burning ofi" the grass close by the fences, that the larger
fire upon arriving would become extinguished for want of aliment.
In order to be able, however, to make proper use of this measure of
safety, it was very essential that every farmer should encompass
with a ditch those of his fences adjoining the prairie. When known
that the conflagration could cause no danger, the settler, though
accustomed to them, could not refrain from gazing with admiration
upon the magnificent spectacle. Language cannot convey, words
cannot express, the faintest idea of the splendor and grandeur of
such a conflagration during the night. It was as if the pale queen
of night, disdaining to take her accustomed place in the heavens,
had dispatched myriads upon myriads of messengers to light their
torches at the altar of the setting sun until all had flashed into one
long and continuous blaze.

The following graphic description of prairie fires was written by

O -

a traveler throuj'h this retirion in 1849:

234

HISTORY OK riKE OOCNTY.

*'Soou tlic tires l)C<^)iii to kiiulle wider ami rise lii^^lier iVoiii the
long grass; the gentle bree/e increase*! to stronger currents, anil

Boon tanned the small, llickering blaze into tierce torrent iiaines,
which curled up and leaped along in resistless splendor; and likci
quickly raising the dark curtain from the luminous stage, the scenes
l)et"ore me were suddeidy changeil,as if by the magician's wand, into
one lH)uniiless amphitlieater, blazing from earth to heaven and
Bwee|)ing the hori/on ri>und, — columns of lurid llames sportively
mounting up ti» the zetiith, and dark ch»uds of crimson smoke curl-
intr awav and aloft till thev nearlv obscure«l stars and moon, while
tlie rushing, crashing sounds, like roaring cutaracts mingled with
distant thundei'S, were almost deafening; danger, death, glared all
around; it screameil for victim.-; yet. notwithstanding the immi-
nent peril of prairie tiro, .-m- i> loth, irresolute, almost unalde to
withdraw or seek refuge."

ISCIDENTS OK I'lONKKK LIFK.

The amusements of the nioneore were peculiar u> themselves.
Saturday afternoon was a holiday in which no man wiu» exjHJCted to
work. A htad of pr«Kluce might l)e taken to " town " for sale or
tratKc withtMit violence t<» custom, but no more serious labor could
be t»»Ierate<l. When on Saturday afternoon the town was r»'ached,
*Mun commencetl." Had two neighl>ors business to traubact. here
it was done. Horses were " swappe<l," ditHculties settled and free
fights intluIgtHJ in. Hlue and red riblnins wen> not worn in those
days, ami whiskv was free as water; twelve and one half cents would
buy a (juart. and ihirtytivu or forty cents would buy a gallon, and
at such prices enormous quantities were consumed. Qo to any
town in the county and tisk the tirst pioneer you meet, he will tell
you of notable Saturday-aff- i fights, either of which to-day

wtiuhi till a column of the 7'. .. Xvirs, with elaborate engravings
to match. Indee<l, tights on Saturday in the villages and settle-
ment centers were so customary that when a Saturday passed with
no tight in the neigh IwrhiKKl, it was the occasion of considerable
remark for weeks.

liough, ready to fight, as these pioneers were, their latch-string
was always out. No stranger ever stopped at their aibins without
receiving a hearty welcome.

The settler in the early days was not only hospitable but also
>hilanthro|»ic, and never neglecte«l an «»|)i)ortunity to aid a neigh-
or. lK>use-niisings were his s|)ccial delight. Let a new-comer
arrive in the neighborhootl and all were ready to help him. One
would send a bu>hel or two of potatoes, another a piece of meat,
another some other article that could In; use<l to eke out the larder;
but when the new-comer had his logs cut and all ready for the rais-
ing, then the fun cc»mmence<i. Teams, men, axes, all were on the
ground at an early hour, logs were hauled, scored, one side hewed,
it may be, and l)efbre night willing hands had erected a residence
as comfortable and commodious a& any in the settlement, and at

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 235

night was ready for the ''house-warming," where dancing was kept
up until the " wee short hours," and where all enjoyed themselves
in a manner unknown to the people of to-day. Let a neighbor get
sick in the fall, as frequentl}' occurred, and some neighbor would
inaugurate a " chopping bee " or corn-gathering, for his benefit,
when all his fall work would be done in a day, — corn gathered and
cribbed, wood chopped and hauled, and everything put in good
shape for the winter. After the day's labors were completed, song
and dance were in order, and until morning, perhaps, the younger
members of the community would keep up their hilarity.

The only amusements of the pioneers had a hospitable, kindly
core and were connected with. some helpful act for needy neighbors.
It was not onlv in amusements, but in all other acts of life that this
kindliness was manifested, as instances which living witnesses can
testify to will illustrate.

TKADE.

The earliest commercial transactions carried on in this county
were but neighborhood exchanges, in great part. True, now and
then a farmer would load a flat-boat with beeswax, honey, tallow
and peltries, with perhaps a few bushels of wheat or corn or a few
hundred clapboards, and float down the Illinois or Mississippi river
to St. Louis, or even to New Orleans, where he would exchange his
produce for substantials in the way of groceries and a little ready
money, with which he would return by some one of two or three
steam-boats then running; or if the period of the trip was before
the advent of steam-boats he would turn his load into cash and
come home on foot.

After the advent of steam-boats a new system of commerce sprang
up. Every town would contain one or two merchants who would
buy corn, wheat and dressed hogs in the fall, store them in ware-
houses on the river at some of the " landings," and when the river
opened in the spring would ship his winter's accumulations to St.
Louis, Cincinnati or ISlew Orleans for sale, and with the proceeds
visit New York and lay in six months' supply of goods. So far as
the farmer was concerned in all these transactions money was an
unknown factor. Goods were always sold on twelve months' time
and payment made with the proceeds of the farmers' crops. When
the crops were sold and the merchant satisfied the surplus was paid
out. in orders on the store to laboring men and to satisfy other
creditors. When a day's work was done by a working man his
employer would say, " Well, what store do you want your order on? "
and the order was always cheerfully accepted.

Hogs were always sold ready dressed. The farmer, if forehanded,
would call in his neighbors some bright fall or winter morning to
help ''kill hogs." Immense kettles filled with water had been
boiling since dawn. The sleds of the farmer covered with loose
plank formed a ])latform for dressing, and a cask or half hogshead,
with an old quilt thrown over the top, was prepared in which to

236 HIPTOKY OF PIKE COUNTY.

6cald. From ii crotcli of some convenient tree a projectinf; pole
was ri<'tre<l to \u)\d tlie dead animals. When evervthini^ was
arran^^ed the best shot of the neii^lilwrhood loaded his trusty rine
and the work of killing commenced. To make a " hot^ scjueal " in
6hootinf]^or '' shoulder-stick," i. e., run the point of the knife used
into the shoulder instead of the cavity (»f the breast, was a disgrace.
As each hog fell the "sticker" muuntetl him and plunge<l a long,
well-sharpened knife into his throat, and others caught Iiim by the
legs and dri'W him to the scalding tub now tilled with hot water,
into which a shovel-full of good green-Wt)od ashes had been thrown.
The cleaners now took the departed porcine, immersed him head
first into the scalding tub, drew him back and forward a time
or two, tried the hair, and if it would " slip'' easily the animal
was turned and the other end underwent the same jirocess. As
soon as taken from the water the scrapers with case-knives went to
work and soon had the animal denuded of hair, when two stout
fellows would take it up between them and a third man to manage
the "gamlirel " (which was a stt»ut stick altout two feet long, shiir|t-
ened at both ends to be inserted between the muscles of the hind
legs at or near the hock joint"), the animal would be elevated to the
pole and the entrails removed by some skillful hand.

When the work of killing was eoniplcted and tlic hugs had tiine
to cool, such as were intended lor ilumesti(* use were eut uj), the
lard tried out by the women of the household, and the surplus taken
to town to. market. In those days almost every merchant had, at
the rear end of iiis placeof l)usiness or at some convenient ni*igh-
boring building, a " pork-house," and would l)uy the ])»»rk of his cus-
tomers and of such others tig would sell to him, and "cut" it for
market. This gave employment to a large number of hands in
every village cutting pork — work which laste<l all winter; also to a
large numlu-r of team.-^ hauling to the river, and coopers making
pork barrels.

J'rices of pork then were not so high as at present. Th<»usand8
of hogs dressed for market have been sold in this c<-»unty at $1.25
to ^l.aOijier hundred j>ounds: sometimes they were sold by the dozen,
bringing from ^^12 to Sis per dozen, owing to size and ijualit}'.
When, as the county grew older and communications easier between
the seaboard and the great West, prices went u|) to $2 and $2.50 per
linndred j»ounds, the farmers thought they would always be c<-»ntent
to raise pork at such a tine price.

There was one feature in this method of buying pork that made
any town in Pike county a ])aradise for the poor man in winter.
" Spare-ribs, " " tender loins, " " jugs' heads " and " feet " were not
considered of anv value, and were «;iven freelv to all who asked. If
a barrel were taken to any pork-house and salt furnished, the l«arrel
would l)e tilled and salted down with tender loins or spare-ribs for
nothing. So great in many cjises was the quantity of spare-ribs,
etc., to be disposed of, that they would be hauled away in wagon
loads and dumped in the woods out of town.

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 237

In those da3''S if wheat l)rought half a dollar per bushel the
fanner was satisfied. A good young niilch-cow could be bought for
from $5 to^lO, and that payable in work.

Those might truly be called close times, yet the citizens of the
county were accommodating, and no case of actual suffering fi>r the
necessaries of life was known to exist before each vied with the
other to relieve it.

PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL.

The early settlers were not. entirely without preaching. Says an
old pioneer on this subject: "The ministers of the gospel of the
Savior of the world hunted us up and ])reached to what few there
were; therefore, we did not degenerate and turn heathen, as any
community will where the sound of the gospel is not heard. I shall
not give their names, though sacred in memory, fur they were not
after the fleece, but after the flock, because they had but little to
say about science and philosophy, bat spoke of purer things."

In speaking of the early preachers Col. Wra. Ross, in a letter
read before the first meeting of the Old Settlers' Association, said:
*' Among my early recollections are the faithful services rendered
by pioneer ministers of the gospel, among whom the name of
Brother Trotter is faTniliar. He rendered faithful services as a
minister of Christ, and was well received bj' all Christian denomina-
tions as a liberal-minded Christian and a nobleman. "

Rev. W. D. Trotter, the gentleman above referred to, was present
at this meeting, and reviewed the hardships and trials of the early
settlers of Pike county to the great entertainment of the audience.
He had been a missionary in this county as early as 1830. He ex-
hibited a balance sheet of his receipts and expenditures during
the year 1832-'3, in what was then called Blue River Mission. He
received from the mission 888; the conference paid him 812 in ad-
dition, making his salary 8100 for his services for the year.

Hon. Wm. A. Grinshaw delivered the oration of the occasion
and referred to this subject in the followincr language: " We all
worship Grod according to the dictates of our own conscience, and
under our vine and fig tree. When Brother Trotter, who is now
present, venerable with years and revered for piety, or old Father
Wolf, now gathered to his fathers, blessed for his good deeds, came
around to his appointment, all of every religion and no one religion
turned out to meeting in the woods or the log school-house, or at
a settler's home; we had no fine churches in those days. Mormons
puzzled the unwary by their startling pretense at new revelations.
Or, if disappointed by the regular minister, old Father Petty would
recite in prayer Belshazzar's feast in trembling tones of piety."

In early day when public gathei-ings were occasions of great ex-
citement and means of conveyance rare the people would walk a
great way to church. Girls have been known to walk six miles to
church, to " meeting " as it was termed in those days. Persons

238 HISTORY OF IMKE COUNTY.

very often woultl ride horseback, two or three on ahorse, and so ten
or tiltuen niiles in this way, brin^in^ aU)ni; their bread and cheeBe,
Until public buihlin^s were erected meetings wonkl be held in
private house:!, as they were olVered by their owners, or in groves.

EDUCATKtN.

Though struggling through the pressure of poverty and privation
the early settlers planted among them the school-house at tlie earli-
est ])ractical period. So impt»rtant an object as the education of
their children they tlid not defer until they could build more comely
and convenii'Ut houses. Tlu'V were tor a time content with such as
corresponded with their rude dwellings, but soon better buildings
and accommodations were provided. As may readily be supposed,
the accommodations of tlie earliest ficluxds were not gitod. Some-
tinies 8clu)oLs were taught in Muall log house^ erected for the pur-
pose. Stoves and such heating apparatus as are now in use were
unknown. A mud-and-stick chimney in one end of the building,
with eartlu-n hearth and tire-place wide and deej* enough t<» take
in a four-foot back-log, and Muallrr wuud to m itch, served for warm-
ing purposes in winter and a kind of conserva: try in summer. For
windoWH, part (»f a log was cutout in either de antl may be a few
lights of eight-by-ten glass set in, or just as likely as not the
ajierture wi»uld l>e covered over with greased paper. Writing
benches were made of wide planks, or likely puncheons, rrsting on

E ins or arms, driven into two-inch auger-holes bored into the logs
LMieath the windows. Seats were ma<le out of j»uncheons, and
flooring of the same material. Everything was rmle and j)lain, but
many of 'America's grt•at^*^t men have gone out trom just such
school-houses to grapple with the world and make names for them-
selves, ami have come to be an iionor to their country. Among
these we can name Altraham Lincoln, «mr martyred IVesident, one
of the noblest men evor kn<»wn to the worlil's histt»ry. Stephen A.
Douglas, one of the greatest statesmen of the age, l>egan his career
in Illinois teaching in one of these j)rinjitive sclKKd-houses.

Thitii's are chauired now. We no loijirer see the loir school-house.
Tluir places are hlletl with handsome frame or brick structures,
which, for elegance and beauty of design, rival those of older
settled countries; and in place of the "masters" who were " looked
up to " as superior beings, and were consulted on all matters of law,
physic and religion, there are teachers of liberal culture, intelligent
and progressive, many of whom have a broad an<l comjtrehensive
idea of education, and regard their labor as something more than
merely teaching in order to make a living, — more than a knowledge
of a great number t»f facts in the great universe of mind and mat-
ter. It means culture, the developing and disciplining of all the
faculties of the human mind. It is the comprehension of the entire
being of man. And the school or teacher who takes charge and care
of the young should provide the means and methods for carrying
forward the })rocess in all departments of their complex nature,
physical, mental and spiritual.

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 239

EARLY MILLING.

One of the greatest difficulties encountered by the early settlers
was in having their milling done. B}' a liberal a])plication of enter-
prise and muscle they experienced but little trouble in producing
an abundance of the cereals, but having it converted into breadstuff
was a source of much hard labor. The hand-mill introduced was a
great improvement over the mortar or tin grater, a description of
which is given elsewhere in this volume. Ihen the band-mill was
introduced.

John Shaw ran a horse-mill for a time in Calhoun count}-, where
the earliest settlers sometimes went, but it appears he soon aban-
doned it. Wm. Ross then started one at Atlas. The burrs of this
mill were limestone, and it is said that in every bushel of meal
ground in this mill there would be a peck of stone dust. Many of
the settlers had to travel long distances to mill, and then often wait
for several days before they could get their grist.

After the large mill was built at Rockport it was the great center
for milling for all this section of country.

MORMONS.

The Mormons first settled at "Mormontown," about three miles
east of Pittsfield, in 1839, and by 1845 there were 3U0 voters in that
settlement. They were quiet and harmless. On the building of
Nauvoo most of them removed to that place. They tried to work
some miracles about Pittsfield, but not with very signal success.
We heard of but one crime committed by them during their career
in this county, and that was not particularly a Mormon crime. A
man among them named Benj. Sweat was convicted of passing
counterfeit gold : was caught at Jacksonville. He was very poor
and excited the sympathies of the people, and a petition was pre-
sented for his release, which was granted.

COTTON.

In ])ioneer times a little cotton was raised in the Military Tract,
and as late as 1861 and 1862 there was cotton raised in Pikecounty.
Lindsay Dilworth, living eight miles from Pittsfield, raised 17
pounds from three rows, each 100 feet long. One-half of it was
frost-bitten : the remainder was white and fine-fibered. In 1862
Wm. Ross, jr., raised some very good cotton.

ASTATIC CHOLERA.

While this scourge wrought great devastation in some sections of
the United States in 1848-'9, Pikecounty almost escaped its ravages.
In and about Pittsfield Dr. Comstock, DeWitt St. John, David
Ober and wife, Mr. Main, Alvin Hash's wife and several strangers
died, and at Kinderhook there were 15 or 20 cases of the disease.
It seemed to have got out into the county from Louisian,a, whither
it had been brought by steamers from the lower Mississippi.

240

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.

STATE IMl'ROVEMENTS,

The celebrated internal iniprovonient svstein innuirurated bv the
State in lS3r»-'7 did not ijive Pike county any railr(ia<ls or e-anals,
or even proiiiise any; but an ajtprupriatiun of several tluiusand
dollars was made, which was economically expended in the im-
provement of hifjhways. Commissioners were appointed, men
were hired to superintend the work, and wa^on roads were niatle
evener or inijiroved from Quincy through the northeastern j>art
of the county, from Pittstield to Florence, and one from Grigi^sville
to the Illinois river. These works were completed, however, by
county and township aid.

OKIOIN OK NAMK8 OF CKKKKS.

McCraney's creek, formerly called •' McDonald's creek," by the
Government survey, wa.s named after McCraney, who was the first
settler \\\H>n its banks, lie was a man of ;;reiit endui'ance and a
skillful s|»ortsman. One day he cluised down a ^ray wolf with his
horse, when he place*! one foot upon the animal's neck an<l with
the other succeeded in breaking his let^s so that he could get some-
thiiiij with whieh to eompletoly dispatch him.

Iladley ereek was named after t'ol. Levi lladley, an early settler.

Dutch Church creek was named after a rocky blull near its bank
whieh is 6Uppose<l to resemble an old Dutch church in the city of
Albany, X. 1 . Keyes creek W}u> named after Willard Keyes.

Ambrosia ereek was named from the purity of its waters.

Two- Mile creek was named from its croMhinir the blufi' two miles
from Atlas.

Six-Mile creek is six miles below Atlas.

Bay creek was so calle<l from the bay into which it runs.

FIRST TlilNliS IN PIKE CODNTV.

The first settler in Pike county was Ebenezer F'ranklin, who
als<i cut the first tree and built tlie first log cabin, in 1820.

The first white person born in the county was Xancv, daughter
to Col. Wm. Ross, at Atlas, May 1. 1^-J2. who died Nov. Is, the
same year.

Marcellus Ross, n<»w living one mile ea^t of Pittsfield, was the
first white male child born in Pike county.

The first deatli in the countv was that of Clarendon Ross, at
Atlas.

Daniel Shinn brought the first wagon into the county in 1820.

Col. Benj. Barney was the first blacksmith in the county, erect-
ing his shop at Atlas in 1826. He also burned the first coal in the
county, it having been shipped from Pittsburg, Pa.

James Ross brought ana used the first grain cradle here, in 1828.

James Ross also e«|ui])ped and ran the first turner's lathe and
cabinet shop, at Atlas, in 1828.

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 241

Col. Win. Ross built the first brick house in tlie county, at Atlas,
in 1S21.

He also erected the first store build ini;, at Atlas, in 1826, and
also the first ^rist-niill, a band-mill, at Atlas, about the same time.

Fieldiui,' liaiikswas the first to follow tanniui,' in Pike county.

The first Circuit Court was held at Coles' Grove, Oct. 1, 1821.

The first Court at Atlas was held " the first Thursday after the
fourth Monday in April," which would be May 1, 1823.

The first court-house within the present limits of Pike county
was built at Atlas in 182-1.

The firijt jail was erected at Atlas in 1824. *

The first school was taught at Atlas by John Jay Ross in 1822.

The tirst Church was organized in the Ross family at Atlas prior
to 1830. It was Congregational.

The first church building in Pittsfield was the Congregational,^
and built by Col. Ross.

Capt. Hale, a Ba])tist minister, probably organized the first Baptist
church in Pike county.

The tirst library was founded at Atlas, about 1833-'4.

The first Fourth-of-July celebration was held at Atlas in 1823.

The first political meeting was held in Montezuma township in
1834, when Col. Ross, who was running for the Legislature, made
a speech. About 50 voters were present, besides boys. No nomi-
natioTis or appointments were made.

The first whisky distilled in the county was manufactured by Mr.
Milhizer in 1826.

The first wheat was raised by Col. Ross and Mr. Seeley near
Atlas, which was also the first ground in Pike county and made
into biscuit. The flour was bolted through book muslin.

The tirst apples were raised by Alfred Bissell, near New Hartfoid,
and the first at Pittsfield by Col. Wm. Ross.

The first man hung in the Militar}'^ Tract was a Mr. Cunning-
ham, at Quincy.

The first man executed in Pike county was Bartholomew Barnes,
at Pittsfield. Dec. 29, 1872.

The first State Senator elected from Pike county was Col. Wm.
Ross.

The first County Commissioners were Capt. Leonard Ross, John
Shaw and "VVm. Ward.

The first County Treasurer was Nathaniel Shaw, appointed in
1821.

The first County and Circuit Clerk was James W. Whitney.

T. L. Hall, of Detroit tp., taught tlie first singing school, at Atlas.

The first Justices of the Peace were Ebenezer Smith and Stephen
Dewev, appointed in 1821.

The first Constable was Belus Jones, appointed in 1821.

The first Masonic lodge was held up-stairs, at the house of Col.
Ross, in Atlas, between 1830 and 1834. The desk used on the
occasion is still in the possession of Marcellus Ross. It is a plain

242 HISTOKY OF PIKE COUNTY.

box, strongly Imilt, fifteen iiiclies 8(ju:irt' and two ami oiie-liall feet
hiifli, and cuntains two shelves. In one side is a door swung on
hinges.

WHAT THE PIONEEUS HAVE DONE.

Pike eounty is a grand e*)unty, in many respects second to none
in the State, and in almost everything that goes to make a live,
prosi)erous community, not far hohind the best. Beneath its fertile
soil is coal eriough to siij>|dy the State for generations; its harvests
are i»ountiful; it enjoys a metlium clin)ate and many other things
that make them a contented, j)rosj)erous and haj)jiy j)e«i|»le; hut the

1)eoj)lo owe much to those who opened up these avenues that have
ed to their present comlition an«l happy surroundings. Unr^'init-
ting toil and lal)or have drivi-n «itr the sickly miasmas that hroodt-d
over ^wampy juairirij. Knergy ami per^everanee have j»e«»j>leil every
section of the wild lands, and changed them from wastvs and deserts
to gardens of beauty and i»rofit. When but a few years ago the
barking widvos madtt the night hideous with their wild shrieKsand
howls, now is heard oiily the lowing and bleating of domestic ani-
mals. Only a iuilf century ago the wild whoop of the Indian rent
the air where nc»w are heard the engine ami rumbling trains of ears,
bearing away to markets the prodm-ts of the ^oil and the labor of
its people. Then the savage built his rude huts on the spot where
now rise the dwellings and school houses and church spires <»f civil-
ized life. IIow great the transformation! This change has been
brought about by the incessant t(»il and aggregated labor of thou-
sands of tiretl hands and anxious hearts, and the nol)le asj)ir:itions
of such men and women as make any country irreat. \\ hat will
another half century accomplish f

There are few, very few, of these <dd |)ioneers yet lingering on the
shores of tinje as connecting links of the pant with the present.
AVhat must their thoughth Ik.* as with their dim eyes they view the
scenes that surround them? We often hear people talk about the
old-fogy ideas and fogy ways, and want of enterprise on the part of
the (dd men wh«» have gone through the ex|»eriences nf j>ioneer life.
Sometimes, j»erhaps, such remarks are just, but, considering the
experiences, educ^tiois and entire life of such men, such remarks are
better unsai«l. They have luul their trials, misfortunes, hardships
and adventures, and shall we now, as they are jtas.xing far down the
western declivity of life, and many of them gone, jxiint to them the
finger of derision and laugh and sneer at the simi»licity of their
ways? Let us rather cheer them up, revere and respect them, for
beneath those nuigh exteriors beat hearts as noble as ever throbbed
in the human breast. These veterans have l)een comj>elled to live
for weeks ui)on homir.y and, if bread at all, it was bread made from
corn ground in hand-mills, or pounded up with mortars. 'Iheir
children have been destitute of siioes during the winter ; their
families had no clothing excej)t what was carded, s])un, wove and
made into garments by their own hands; schools they had none;

^^'t^. (/V^/Z/^-^vy/ :^/^w

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 245

churches thej' had none; afflicted with sickness incident to all new
countries, sometimes the entire family at once; luxuries of lite they
had none; the auxiliaries, improvements, inventions and labor-sav-
ing machinery of to-day they had not; and what they possessed they
obtained by the hardest of labor and individual exertions; yet they
bore these hardshi])s and privations without murmuring, hoping for
better times to come, and often, too, with but little prospects of
realization.

As before mentioned, the changes written on every hand are most
wonderful. It has been but three-score years since the white man
began to exercise dominion over this region, erst the home of the
red man, yet the visitor of to-da}', ignorant of the past of the connty,
could scarcely be made to realize that within these years there has
grown up a population of 50,000 people, who in all the accomplish-
ments of life are as far advanced as are inhabitants of the counties of
older States. Schools, churches, colleges, palatial dwellings, beauti-
ful grounds, large, well-cultivated and productive farms, as well as
cities, towns and busy manufactories, have grown up, and occupy
the hunting grounds and camping places of the Indians, and in
every direction there are evidences of wealth, comfort and luxury.
There is but little left of the old landmarks. Advanced civilization
and the progressive demands of revolving years have obliterated
all traces of Indian occupancy, until they are only remembered in
name.

In closing this chapter we again would impress upon the minds
of our readers the fact that they owe a debt of gratitude to those
who pioneered Pike county, which can be but partially repaid.
Never grow unmindful of the peril and adventure, fortitude, self-
sacrifice and heroic devotion so prominently displayed in their lives.
As time sweeps on its ceaseless flight, may the cherished memories
of them lose none of their greenness, but may the future genera-
tions alike cherish and perpetuate them with a just devotion to
gratitude.

^ 16

CHAPTER III.
ORGANIC UISTORY.

TUE MILITARY TRACT.

At the close of tlie war between the United States and Eiifrland
in 1812 our G«)verninent laiil oil" a tract of land in Illinois for the
soldiers who iiarticipated in that war. The land thus appropriated
was einhraeol in the re;;ion Ix'twecn the Mississij)pi and the Illinois
rivers, and south of the north line of MerciT county. Its northern
boundary, therefore, ran ea.st to Peru on the Illinois river, and a
little south of the middle of Bureau and Henry counties. To it the
name '* Military Tract" was ^iven, and by that name this section is
still known. Within this Ixmndary is emltraced one of the most
fertile re;^ions of the ijlol>e. Scurcely had Con^re^s ma«]e the proper
provisions to enable the s^ildiers to secure their land ere a few of the
most darin»j and resolute started to p«:)sse88 it. There were only a
few, however, wh(» at first regarded their ** <juarter-secti<m " of suf-
ficient value to induce them to endure the hardships of the pioneer
in its settlement and imj)rovement. Many of them sold their patent
to a tine " prairie quarter " in this county for one hundred dollars,
others for less, while some tra<led theirs for a horse, a cow, or a
watch, regarding theinselves as just so much ahead. It is said that
an old shoemaker, of New York city, bought several as fine quarters
of lantl as are in Pike county with a j)air of shoes. He would make
a pair of shoes for which the sohlier woiild deed him his "patent
quarter" of land. This was a source of no little trouble t(» the
actual settlers, for they couM not always tell which quarter of land
belonged to a soldier, or which was " Congress land and could be
pre-empted. Even when a settler found a suitaljlo location known
to be '' patent land." with a desire to purchase, he experienced great
difficulty in finding the owner, and often did not find him until he had
put hundreds of dollars' worth of improvements on it, when the
patentee was sure to turn up. Many of the early settlers presumed
that the owner never would be known; but in many instances, after
a patent quarter-section was made valuable by improvement, the
original patent would be brought on by some one, who would
oust the occupant and take possession, sometimes paying him some-
thing for his improvements and sometimes not Many holders of

HISTORY OF riKE COUNTY. 247

patents had no pity. This condition of affairs presented a tempta-
tion tu merciless ''land-sharks," who would come into this section
and work uj) cases, ostensihly tor the original patentees, but really
for their own pockets. The most notorious of these was one Tvdiver
Craig, who actually made it a business to forge patents and deeds.
This he cari-ied on extensively from 184:7 to 1854, especially in
Knox and Fulton counties, and to some extent in Pike. He had
forty bogus tleeds put on record in one day at Knoxville. He was
arrested in New York State, in 1854, by O. M. Boggess, of Mon-
mouth, and taken to the jail at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he attempted
suicide by arsenic; but at the end of the year he was released on
bail.

PIKE COUNTY.

As a part of the Territory of Illinois in 1790 all of that j^ortion
of Illinois south of what is now Peoria was made a county and
named St. Clair, in honor of Gen. St. Clair, Governor of the
Northwestern Territory. Cohokia was the county-seat of this
county. In 1S12 that part of Illinois Territory above St. Louis
was created into a county called Madison, with Edwardsville as
the county-seat. Illinois was admitted as a State in 1818, and in
1821 all that part of Madison county between the Mississippi and
Illinois rivers was organized into a county and named Pike. Its
name was chosen in honor of Gen. Pike, of the war of 1812. The
tract of country now known as Pike county was surve^'ed by the
Government in the years 1817-'9, and soon afterward attracted at-
tention on account of its natural advantages for commerce, fertility
of soil and abundance of water. It is the oldest county in the
Military Tract, and one of the largest, containing 510,7(54 acres, or
800 square miles, in 23 townships. The following is a copy of the
act organizing the county :

An act to porm a new county on the bounty lands. Appro\i:d Jan. 31, 18-21.

Section 1. Be it enacted, etc., that ull that traet of couutrj' within the follow-
ing boundaries, to wit: Beginning at the mouth of the Illinois river and running
thence up the middle of said river to the fork of the same, thence up the south
fork of said river until it strikes the State line of Indiana, thence north with said
line to the north boundary line of this State, thence we.><t with said line to the west
boundary line of this State, and thence with said line to the place of beginning,
shall constitute a separate count}- to be called Pike.

Sec. 2. Be it further enacted that there shall be appointed the following per-
8on.s, towit: Levi Roberts, John Shaw and Nicholas Hanson, to meet at the
house of Levi Roberts, in said county, on or before tlie first day of March next, to
fix the temporary' .seat of ju.stice of said county, the said seat of justice to be south
of the base line of said county.

Sec. :{. Be it furtlier enacted, etc., that the citizens of Pike county be hereby
declared entitled in all respects to the same rights and privileges that are allowed
in general to other counties in the State.

Sec. 4. Be it further enacted, etc., that said county of Pike be and form a part
of the first judicial circuit.

This act to take effect and be in force from and after its passage.

248 HISTOEV OF PIKE COUNTY.

COUNTY-SEAT LOCATED.

The fullowini^ act was j)a6sed at the next session of the Legisla-
ture :

An act DsriMKo rae boi'moabieb ur'I'iKB oodnti, and roB otukr ruuroasB. Ai'rnuvBU

Dec. »>. I8i;.

8k»tiun 1 . Hf it cnacU'd by the jH'oplf of the Htnlv of Illinois represi-nteil lu
OeiitTiil Asscinlily, tliiil tlir cnunty of I'ikc sluill Ik- hoiiiKicd us fctlluws, to wit :
On tin- noriii liy tin- bji-^e lim*; on the rattt l»v iIh' Illinoi> rivrr; ontlirwisi l)y
thi' Mi--i^si()|)i ; imd nil the rest and re«iifue of tlie territory, <-oin|)osing the
county <>r I'lkc hcfon- the piissaire of this a«t, nliall he attaehed to, and he apart of,
said county until oiherwiv^' di«pi>s4'dof by the (ieneral A-'.senibly ol lhi> Stale.

Sac. 'J. Ue it furtluT enael«tl. etc .. for the purpov <>f fixing the pernianctit
Boat of justice of said county, the followini; jmtxuis in- und the sanu- are hiril)y
appoinl4-d Coinmis^ioiiin*. to wit : (Jarrett \ aiiDuHen, ()s>iun M . Hoss, .lolm M.
Binith, Daniel K«inl and Daniel Shinu, wlio, after being duly sworn by Minie judge
or juMice of the peace of this State, faithfully and imparthilly to discharge the
duties imposed upon them by this act. shall meet at the houv of .lulm Shaw, in
ttaid county, on or b«'t<ir'- the llrst day of Manli next, and prineitl to de(<-rmineon
the permarn Ml ; e of !^ii»l couniy, and li > the Hanie, takini? into

consideration lii i and convenieme of th' . , . th<: future population

of the county, and the health and eligibility ot the place; and they are hereby
authorizwl to n-ceive aa a donation for tin- us«' of said <"ounty any (|uanlily of
land that may lie determined on by them, from any proprietor that may i Iioohc to
offer «ii ■ ■ • A 1, plitce. idetirmin<d u|M)n, the said

Comuji- thi'ir l> dn. and return th<' same to

next Commiivsiiinen* of Court in said c<»unty, which «ball caUM- an entry there-
of to be maile Upon their IkmjRs of reconl .

8hc. 8. lie it further enactwl.clc., ibal the said Commissioners shall re<-eive,
as a comiM-naaliou for their M-r ' • sum of two dollars per tlay for each day

by them neceanarily sjM-nt in d .ig the clutics im|K>iied upon them liy this

ait, to l>e allowe4.1 by the Commitmiuiteni of tlie Court, and paid out of the county
trca-uiy.

I'ursiiaiit to that portion <»!' the ali<»ve act as rohitin;; to h)cating
the county seat, the l'<Mninissioners made thrir re|M)rt tf Court. I>i.'3, aiui j)resented
the Court with a deed fn>m William Iloss and Kufus IJrown for an
acre of land u])on section 27, Atltuj township.

COCNTIKS CUT FROM I'lKE.

When Pike county was orp^nizod it embraced all of that country
between tlie Illinois and Missi.-sippi riyers,and exten<le<I east along
the line of the main fork of the Illinois, the Kankakee river, to. the
Indiana State line and on to the nortltern boundarv of the State, in-
cludiiii; the country where Rock Island, (4alrna, Peoria and L\i\-
cago now are. It was indeed a large county, and embraced what is
now the wealthiest and most populous portion of the Great West.
The extensive lead mines of Galena had not yet been disc«jvered, and
Chicago was only a tradingjand military post. The Commissioners of
Pike county, as will be noticed in the following chajjter. exercised
full autliority, so far as the duties of their resj)ective offices were
concerned, over all this vast region.

Settlers soon beoran to locate nere p.nd there in the Military Tract.
Two years had scarcely passed ere tlie few settlers east of the fourth

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 249

principal meridian and north of the base line desired a county, and
appealed to the Legislature for power to organize one. Ossian M.
Ross, the founder of Lewistown, Fulton county, and one of the
prime movers in the organization of that county, was at that time
a member of the County Commissioners' Court of Pike county.
The following is an abstract of the act referred to:

An act approved Jan. 28, 1823, forming the county of Fulton out
of all the attached part of Pike, beginning where the fourth ])rinci-
pal meridian intersects the Illinois river, thence up the middle of said
river to where the line between ranges five and six east strikes the
said river, thence north with the said line between ranges five and
six east, to the township line between townships nine and ten north,
then west with said line to the fourth principal meridian, then south
to the place of beginning; and all the rest and residue of the at-
tached part of the county of Pike east of the fourth principal merid-
ian shall be attached to Fulton county.

Jan. 13, 1825, Schuyler county was cutoff from Pike and Fulton,
and included all that country within the following boundaries:
" Commencing at a place where the township line between town-
ships two and three south touches the Illinois river, thence west on
said line to the range line between ranges four and five west, thence
north from said line to the northwest corner of township three
north, range one west, thence east on said township line to the Illi-
nois river, thence down the said river to the place of beginning."

The same year an act was passed forming new counties. Those
formed were Adams, Hancock, McDonough, Warren, Mercer, Henry,
Putnam and Knox. Their boundaries were fixed by the act of Jan.
30, 1825. Calhoun county was cut off from Pike county and organ-
ized in 1825.

GENERAL REVIEW.

No whites settled north of Alton for agricultural purposes prior
to 1819. During that year and the next there was a sufiicient num-
ber of settlers to organize a county. Accordingly the Legislature
of 1820-'l, as above seen, organized the county of Pike, which then
included all of the State of Illinois between the Illinois and Missis-
sippi rivers. The county-seat was first fixed at Coles' Grove, ad-
joining the locality of Gilead, afterward the county-seat of Calhoun
county. This place was named after Edward Coles, Governor of
Illinois.

We copy the following topographical sketch of Pike county from
"Peck's Illinois Gazetteer," published in 1834, as giving an idea of
the county at that early date:

" Pike county is the oldest county in the Military Tract, and was
erected from Madison and other counties in 1821. It then em-
braced the whole county northwest of the Illinois river, but by sub-
sequent formation of new counties it is now reduced to ordinary
size, containing twenty-two townships, or about 800 square miles.
It is bounded north by Adams, east by Schuyler and the Illinois

250 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.

river, south by that river and Calhoun, and west by the Mississippi.
Besides tiie Mississip])i and lUinctis rivers, wliieh wasli two sides,
it has the Sny Carte slough, running tlu' whole length of its west-
ern border, whicii tloats steam-boats to Atlas at a tiill stage of water.
Pike county is watered b}' the Pigeon, Iladley, Keyes, Plack,
Dutch Churcli. Six-Mile and Bay creeks, which tlow into the Mis-
6issij)])i; ami liig and Little Ulue, and the North and West Iu>rka
of AicGee's creek, which enter into the Illinois. GihkI mill-sites
are furnished by these streams.

"Tiie land is various. The section of country, or rather island,
between the Sny Carte slough and the Mississij>])i, is a sandy soil,
l)Ut mostly inundated land at the spring llo«i<l. It turn i.-< lies a great
summer and winter ranc^ for stock, atfonling consideral)le open
jtrairie. with skirts of heavy bottom timber near the stieams.
AloUi; the blutfs and for two or threi' miles back the land is chieliy
timbered, but cut up with ravines jiml (|uite rolling. Far in the in-
terior ami toward Schuyler county excellent prairie and timber
lands are found, especially abi>ut the lilue rivers and McGee's
creek. This must eventually be a rich and j»opnlous county.

*' In Pleasant Vale, on Keyes creek, is a salt spring twenty feet
in diameter, which lK)ils fnjin the earth and tlirows (»lf a stream of
some size, and forms a salt pond in its vicinity. Salt has been made
here, though not in great ijuantities.

" In the County are seven water saw-mills, four grist-mills, one
carding-machiiu', five stores, luid a horse ferry-boat across the Mis-
8issij)pi to Ivouisiana."

HANSON AND SHAW.

The State Coiistitntion, adopted on the admission of Illinois into
the Union in 181S, prohibited slavery in this State. Owing to this
fact many of the early immigrants coming West.'who were from
the slave States (»f N'irginia and Kentucky, passed right through
this garden of Eden into Missouri. An etiort w}u> made, tlieretore,
to so amend the Constitution as to iMjrmit slavery in tliis State that
it might Ik) more attractive to settlers, and the sequel showed that
Illinois had a narrow escjipe from the dreadful (;vils of slavery.
When the necessary preliminary resolution wjis offered in the Sen-
ate it was ascertained that the re<{uisite two-thirds vote to pass the
resolution for the call of a convention to amend the Constitution
Could be obtained and to spare; but in the House they needed «)ne
vote. At first it was strenuouslv arj'ued that the two-thirds vote
meant two-thinls of the two Houses in joint convention; but the
op])onents were too powerful in their argument ui)on this point.
The majority, liowever. was not to be foiled in their purpose. An-
other mode ]>resented itself: all that was required was courage to
perpetrate a gross outrage on a recalcitrant member. There had
been a contested election case from Pike county. The sitting mem-
ber decided by the House to be entitled to the seat was ^sicholas
Hanson, and the contestant, John Shaw, the " Black Prince." Han-

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 251

son's vote liad been obtained for the re-election of Jesse I>. Thomas,
strongly pro-shvvery, to the United States Senate; but further than
this he would not ^o. Shaw, who favored the convention j)roject,
was now discovered to be entitled to the seat. A motion was there-
upon made to reconsider the admission of Hanson, which prevailed.
It was next further moved to strike out the name of Ilanson and
insert that of Shaw. Durini^ the pendency of the resolution a
tumultuous crowd assembled in the eveninor at the State House,
and after the delivery of a number of incendiary speeches, inflam-
ing the minds of the ])eople against Hanson, they proceeded
througli the town (Vandalia) with his efligy in a bhize. accompa-
nied with the beating of drums, the sound of bugles, and shouts of
" Convention or death." A motion to expel Hanson and admit
Shaw was adopted, and t])e latter awarded the majority by voting
for the convention resolution, which thus barely passed. The night
following, a number of members of both Houses entered their sol-
emn protest against this glaring outrage of unseating Hanson, both
with the object intended and the manner of perpetrating it. Many
reflecting men, earnest in their support of the convention question,
condemned it, and it proved a powerful lever before the people in
the defeat of tlie slavery scheme. The passage of the convention
resolution was regarded as tantamount to ils carriage at the polls.

The pro-slavery party celebrated their triumph by an illumina-
tion of the town, and the procession, accompanied by all the horrid
paraphernalia and discordant music of a charivari, marched to the
residence of Governor Coles, and the quarters of the chief oppo-
nents of the measure, where they performed with their demoniac
music to annoy and insult them.

The convention resolution was finally defeated by 1,800 majority
at the polls.

It is thus seen how Pike county gave the casting vote on the
slavery question in this State in 1820.

MARQUETTE COUNTY.

The counties now bounding Pike on the north are Adams and
Brown ; but in 1841 there was a county struck off from the east
side of Adams and called Marquette. Columbus, being more cen-
trally located in Adams county, became ambitious for the county-
seat, but as Quincy was too powerful against this project, the eastern
portion of Adams county was struck off by an act of the Legis-
lature in order that the ambition of Columbus might be satisfied
and become a county-seat. No attempt was made to organize the
county until 1846, when Quincy again proved too powerful for
them, and the following Legislature repealed the act defining the
boundaries of the county.

COUNTY-SEAT CONTEST.

In 1842-'3 an effort was made to divide the county, the new
county-seat to be at Barry. Dr. Thomas "Worthington was a mem-

252 HISTORY OF I'IKE COUNTY.

ber of tlie State Senate, ami Win. Hlair of the House, each repre-
senting: the interests »>f his section of the Cduntv. The hill introduced
by Mr. P>lair prt»posed to divide the ooiiiity by a line runninn:
north and south throu<;h its extent; but, after the presentation
of many petitions and remonstrances, and a period of consider-
able excitement, the bill failed to pass the House. In 1850 the
county was divided into 19 townships, and or^.iiiizcd under the town-
shij) or<^anization law of the Constitutit)n of 1S4>S. Tmler this
mode the county is at present conducted. And that wiu» the end
of this little tight. The countv remains, therefore, to the present
dav as it was outlined bv the Lej^islature of 1^25. In the fall of
1840 the ctlbrt was renewed. Meetings were held in various j)art8
of the county, and speeches were nuide on hoth sides of the ques-
tion; but ])ublic interest soon died down.

CHAPTER IV.

IMPORTANT LABORS OF THE COUNTY COMMIS-
SIONERS' COURT.

FIRST MEETING.

The first meeting of the County Commissioners' Court of Pike
county was held April 24, 1821. There were present Leonard Ross,
John Shaw, and William "Ward, the three Commissioners. After
the Court was organized, Stephen Dewey was appointed Clerk 'pro
tern, in the absence of James "VV. Whitney, the Clerk. The records
give but little information in regard to the organization of the
county. They begin with unqualified statements, and record the
acts of the honored Court with greatest simplicity.

The first business before the Court was an application for a li-
cense to sell spirituous liquors made by Belus and Egbert Jones.
The license was granted upon the payment of $3 into the newly
made treasury by the Joneses.

Belus Jones was then appointed Constable for the county of
Pike. The liquor trafiic evidently was not great enough to em-
ploy the entire time of the two gentlemen, and as the newly organ-
ized county needed a Constable, Mr. Jones' services were solicited
in that capacity.

The county must needs have a Treasurer; accordingly Nathaniel
Shaw was appointed to this important oflice. The Court then ad-
journed to meet at 7 o'clock a. m., April 25.

According to adjournment the Commissioners assembled upon
the morning of the 25th. The first business presented to the con-
sideration of the Court was an application for license to sell
liquors presented by Thomas Ferguson. The Court seemed to pos-
sess a willingness to encourage the liquor business within the newly
made county, as the}' granted Mr. Ferguson license for $2.50.
Why they should grant him a license for 50 cents less than they
charged the Joneses, we can not tell. Perhaps an increase of busi-
ness and flattering prospects enabled them to reduce the "tax."

Ebenezer Smith and Stephen Dewey were then recommended
" as fit and suitable persons for the Governor to commission Jus-
tices of the Peace." The Court then adjourned until June.

254

HISTt)KY OF PIKE COUNTY.

SECOND MEKTINO.

Monday, June 4, 1S21, the date set for the corivenini^ of the
Court, John Shaw appeared and opened Court, hut there not being
a (juoruni present the Court was kept open until 4 o'ck)ck in the
afternoon, when all of the ('otninissioners apjteared and took their
seats. Upon the followiti«^ day James W. \\ hitney, w1k» had heen
aj)pointed Clerk of the Court, although we fnul no record of his
aj)j)ointnient, "upj»eared in open Court and took the several oaths
rcijuired by law, and ^ive bond in the penal sum of $1,000, and
tendered Levi Roberts and llij^^don C. teuton his securities, who
were a(!cej)tetl and aj>provc'<l by the Court."

TAVERN LICENSE.

At the June term, l.'*21, Nathaniel Ilincksley was granted
license " to keejt a tavern. "

A tavern in those days was u combimition of an inn and a
Baloon. The propriet4)r, however, did not expect to derive any great
revenue from the hotel, but looked to his lirjuors for an income.
Alany of these *' tavrrns " were the smallest of log cjibins. Here
and there all over the country, sometimes miles from any other
cabin, they might be found. Some of them were indicated to be
such by signs nailed to a post, tree, or to the side of the cabin.
These wore of the rudest make and design. Some simply had the
word "entertainment" scrawled u}K»n them, while others, more ex-
plicit, read "entcrtainmeni for man and beast." 8«»me were still
more delinite and said simply '* whisky and oat«. " The storms of
a half century, the advancement of civilization, the culture of the
age, have all e4>njbined to transform these rudest of signs, scrib-
bled by an uncultured pioneer u|»on hewn boards, into gilded and
glittering letters artisticjilly traced u|M»n French-j)late ghws.

The name by which the place was known where licjuor was vended
was shortly after this change<l tVoin " tavern " to " grocery " or
*'groggery, "and subsequently lissumwi the apj)ellation of'" saloon; "
and tinaliy, that coming into disrepute, many have ado])ted the
more modern title of ** sample room," "hall," " garden," etc.

The following schedule of "tavern rates" wad then established
to govern Ilincksley :

Victuals, per meal, 25 cents

Horse keeping, per night, iH'ij "

L<xlping, per niirht li'i "

Whisky, per half pint \2}4 "

Kum iind pin, |)er htilf pint, 2.5 "

French Brandy, per half i)int, ."K) "

Wine, per half pint, 37i^ "

JOHN KINZIE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE FOR I'IKE COUNTY.

Upon motion of Abraham Heck, Esq., John Kinzie was recom-
mended to the Governor of Illinois as a fit and suitable person for

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 255

Justice of the Peace for Pike county. This gentleman was the
well-known lirst settler of Chicago, and at that time resided there,
it then being in this county. It must be remembered that Pike
county at that time spread over a vast territory, and embraced all
of the northern part of the State. Yes, though unlearned in law
and unacquainted with science and literature, the Commissioners
held jurisdiction over a large district; and that they conducted the
public aft'airs rightly, and built a lirm and solid foundation upon
which the future prosperity and greatness of this portion of our
beloved State should rest, can not be gainsaid. This is plainly
evident from the unparalleled strides made in agricultural and me-
chanical progress; from the hundreds of thousands of busy inhabi-
tants now dwelling within this territory; and from the vast stores
of wealth accumulated solely from resources within it. Those
great and unconcealed wonders reflect honor and credit each day
upon their founders; and as days and years multiply, when the
same territory over which they presided shall be teeming with
millions of earnest and energetic people, thfen will great honors and
more exultant praise and adoration be expressed for the brave,
sturdy pioneers who explored and opened up a region so proliiic,
and founded a community that for genius, enterprise and wealth
will in the near future out-rank many older settled countries, and
indeed will vie with many kingdoms of the earth. Then these vast
prairies will be cultivated as a garden. Every forest tree and
woodland will be utilized, and populous cities with numerous fac-
tories and vast stores of commerce may be numbered by the score.
Then will the modes of travel be superior to the remarkable rail-
road facilities of to-day, and transport the increased products with
greater facility. Indeed, everything will then be as different and
as superior to what they are at present as the things of to-day are
as compared with those of fifty years ago. Our readers may re-
gard this as wild and unreasonable speculation, as wholly visiou-
arv;buttliev are onlv the conclusions deduced from a careful study
of history, of a comparison of what has been accomplished, with
certain advantaires, with the results that the superior advantages
now enjoyed will as certainly accomplish,

THE POOK.

One of the first acts of the noble-hearted Commissioners was to
make provisions for their poor. The pioneers were generous and
liberal to a fault when it came to provide the necessities of life to
those more unfortunate in their midst. June 5, 1821, Baxter
Bradwell and Joel Bacon were appointed overseers of the poor.

RECORD BOOK.

A record book was then ordered to be purchased, for which $3.00
was given. This is a common paper-covered blank book of about
200 pages, and at the present time the price would be considered
high if the book were sold at half that amount.

256 HI8TORY OF PIKE COUNTY.

LAYING OUT KOADS.

For many years the petitions for iDads uccn])iecl a very lar^e pro-
portion of the Court's time and attention, and consumed more spaco
to record tlian all other proceedings. They are simihir in construc-
tion, and it wouhi l»e usek'ss, and worse, to speak A them as often
as they occur. We will only give a sj>ecimen of these applications
and the mode of dealing with them. Tlie records read as follows:
"A petition of sundry inhabitants of this county was presented
praying that a road may he laid out from McDonald's Ferry on the
Missi.>«fei|»j»i river, the nearest and l•e^t course to the Illinois river to
meet a road that may he laid out from thence to V'andalia." The
prayer wa^j granted, and Daniel Shinn, CMaremhui lloss and Eben-
ezer Franklin w«rr appointed a committee to vitw and ascertain
where said road should he located.

Upon the 3d of July of the same year the committee reported
and their re|>ort was: "Accept as far ah the north line of section 27
of townshij» (> south, in range 5 we^t [Athih township], that heing
as far as said Commissionerh were ahle to proceed, owing to the ex-
cessive growth of vegetation; and it is furthn ordered that the time
for viewing and laying out the renniinder of said road shall be ex-
tended until after the vegetation shall l)e dchtroyed by frost."

Five thiys' work upon this r«»ad was require*! of each .man who
lived witliin two and »»ne half miles of it. This rule also ajtplied
to other ruads laid out in those primitive times. One dollar was
allowed for cjich day a man labored more than that.

A ])etition was also presciite«i for a ruad fn»m Ferguson's Ferry
on the Illinois river, to Fort Kdwards, upon the Mississij)pi river.
Again we find "a',>etition presented by sundry citizens, Oct. 4,
1821, for a road from Fort (Mark (now reoria) to the mouth <tf the
Illinois river." Acconlingly .lames Ni.xon, John Shaw and El>en-
ezer Smith were app«»inted a committee to view the road from the
house of Ebenezer Smith to Fort Clark.

FKRKY I.ICKNSE.

June 6, 1821, a license was grante<l James McDonald "to keep
a ferry upon the east bank of the Mis8issi])pi river, opposite to the
town of Louisianaville, on condition of his paying a tax of one dol-
lar, besides C'lerk's fee, and on his entering into bonds according
to law, and that the following rates of ferriage be established, to
wit : "

For a single person 2.5 cents

For a sinirle horst' 2.5 "

Every head of cattle over one year old, 2.'> "

Kvery hojr. sheep or L'<»at, 61-4 "

Every four-wlio<k-d tarriajro 1 00

Ever)- liundnd weipht nf dead lumber (i^^ "

Every two wheeled carriage, 75 "

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 257

MILITIA PRECINCTS.

Among the pioneers "training" or " muster day" was one
wliicli was looked forward to with feelings of pleasure. It was nec-
essary to have a well organized militia to repel any invasions of
the Indians which at that time were numerous thi'ough this sec-
tion of the country. The Commissioners' Court, in itsofHcial capac-
ity, took note of this, and accordingly, June 6, they "ordered that the
militia of this county be organized into a regiment, and all that ]iart
of the county lying south of the township line between townships
8 and 9 compose the lirst company district; and all north of that
line to the base line compose the second company district ; and all
north of the base line be and compose the third com])any district.
Baxter Broadwell, Wm. Metz and Rigdon C. Fenton were ap-
pointed Judges of election in the first company district; Wm.
Keyes, Peter D. Moyer and Clarendon Kosswere appointed judges
of election in the second company district; Ossian M. Ross, Dr.
Davison and Amos Eveland, as judges of election in the third com-
pany district. An election was then called for June 30, 1821, to
select officers for the various companies. The baseline, which runs
east and west upon a parallel with Beardstown, was made the divid-
ing line between the two militia battalions of the regiment of Pike
county. The battalion south of the base line was the first, and the
one north the second, battalion.

INDIAN TRAILS.

A sum not to exceed ten dollars was appropriated " to defray the
expenses of opening and clearing out the old trace from the head
or upper end of Salt Prairie to the lower end of Sni Carte Prairie,
and five dollars for opening and cleaning out the old trace from the
lower end of Sni Carte Prairie to Ross settlement." Further on in
the records we fitid^these orders rescinded, and at the same time
Joel Bacon and James Levin were ordered credited with the amount
of their road tax for having opened the said " trace." These traces
were old Indian trails, but having been deserted for newer ones
were unfit for travel.

SUNDRY ACTS.

John Shaw was paid $5.00 for his services as an interpreter at the
October term of the Circuit Court during the trial of two Indians
for murder. These 'were Shouwennekek and Pemesan, who are
spoken of in connection with this trial more fully in the chapter
upon the criminal record.

Ossian M. Ross was then recommended to the Governor as a suit-
able person for Justice of the Peace in Pike county. Mr. Ross at
this time lived where Lewistown, Fulton county, now stands. lie
was with one exception the first settler of that county, and was the
founder of Lewistown.

268 HISTORY OK PIKE COCNTY.

There was no jail in tlie county at tljis time, and at tlie October
term, 18'Jl, "Nathan Sliaw wan <^ivt'M $22.00 tor ^^uartling Indian
pri8oner8." These, we preeunie, were the two Indians referred to
above, and who were on trial tor murder. The same amount, and
for the same |»ur|)osi', was ;jiven to Christoj»her Loni,'.

Jan. 10, 1822, " AbiuT Eads, of IVoria, made uj>plication for
license to keen a Uivern in the house where he now resides,'which
is granted (»n him ]>ayin^ $1.50.''

Jan. 12, 1S22, the SheritV was j>ai<l $50 for hie sahiry for'the
year. Mr. AVhitiu'V was ^ivt-n $30 tor ius services as Circuit
Clerk, and $30 im Clerk of the Ct)mmissioner8' ('ourt, and $50 for
his sahiry as Jud^ of Probate. HW

Jan. 12, 1S22, J«»hn Shaw was paid $*> for locating tlio county-
seat, ft!iil Levi Ii4»lK.'rts $4 for like stTvicos.

Abraham Utck, .1 udge of Probate, dit'ti, and Jan. 12, 1822, tl>o
administrator of his estate was paid $10.60 as salary while he was
Jjidgc.

FlItST INglBBT.

The official i>aj'ti> of thr iiitjiH'st held over the lK)dy of James
^IchotuiUl were orderLHJ tiled. McDonald ran a ferry across the
Mi^^issinpi river at Louisiana. It is supi>osed ho was murdered at
his landing durinj^ the winter. He was tuund lyin;;<lead upon'the
ice one day by tw(» men on their wa> to Lt>uisiana. They went to
Ins ferry, i»ut fouml him dead, and evidences of a long and severe
scuttle all around him, a^ if he hail been struggling for life in a
hand-to-hand combat. The tracks of two men led from this place
across U> Louisiana, and it wa^ generally supposed they were the
men who kiUed McDomild, although nothing in a legal way was
ever done with them.

TKKASIKKk's FIU8T KKl-ttKT.

The tirst rejKirt made by a County Treai»urer of Pike county was
made March 5, 1822. We gi%'e it in full:

Ca.'ih rt-coi vf<| into llic Tn-asury f 765

Casli paid out iintlcr order uf Court $701 .28J^

Trt'H«urtr'8 t-omiM-UHation 88.25

$739,531^

Balance in Treagur}- $25.47

EOSS' TAVKRN.

Ossian M. Ross wjvs then granted a license to keep a tavern at
his house. Ue lived where the city of Ixjwistown now is. The same
schedule which regulated other " Public Inns" or "Tavern-Keep-
ers" were adopted to regulate him.

David W. Barnes, O. ^I. Ross and Daniel Sweetland were ap-
pointed trustees of the school section, tp. 5 north, R. 3 east, which

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 259

is Lewistown tp., Fulton Co. These gentlemen lived in Lewis-
town, and were its first settlers.

ELECTION PRECINCTS.

June 5, 1822, the comity was divided into three election precincts.
All that part of the county lying north of the township lines, between
towns 4 and 5 south and west of the Illinois bluffs, and all north of
the base line, was the first precinct. Election was ordered in this
precinct at the house of O. M. Ross, and that gentleman was ap-
pointed judge of election. All that part of the county lying north
of township lines between towns 9 and 10 south, and west of Illi-
nois bluffs and north of the 'base line, was made another precinct,
and the " polls ordered opened at the house of Rufus Brown and
Daniel Whipple, Leonard Ross and Wm. Ross, judges." '' The re-
mainder of the county was made another precinct, and election held
at county-seat, and John Shaw, Stephen Dewey and Amos Ban-
croft, judges."

Davenport's tavern.

June 6, 1822, it was ordered that a license to keep a tavern at or
near Fort Armstrong, he granted to George Davenport for $3.00.
This place was on the lower end of Rock Island. Mr. Davenport
was the man who kept the trading post at Fort Armstrong, and in
honor of him Davenport, Iowa, was named. The generous Com-
missioners permitted Davenport to charge higher rates for " enter-
tainment " than they did those nearer to the borders of civilization.

NEW COMMISSIONERS.

An election was held in August, 1822, for selecting three new
Commissioners. Those chosen were David Dutton, James M. Seeley
and Ossian M. Ross. Much trouble appears to have grown out of
this election, as we find the election of the three honorable gentle-
men was contested, and evidently very strongly, too. The con-
testants were Ebenezer Smith, James Nixon and William Metz.
The case was appealed to the Circuit Court, Judge John Reynolds
presiding. He decided in favor of the contestants. We cannot
tell upon what grounds they contested the rights of Dutton, Seeley
and Ross to take their seats as Commissioners, but from what we
can glean from the indefinite records they did not comply with
the law in taking the oath of office, as the contestants claimed.
These were merely technical grounds, but the law must be com-
plied with to the letter. Smith, Nixon and Metz held a term of
Court Sept. 3 and 4, 1822, but transacted no business of import-
ance. The other gentlemen called Court for Oct. 10, but no quorum
was present. Another session was held Oct. 24. Commissioners
Dutton and Seeley being present. We find recorded upon the fol-
lowing day " a certificate of the Hon. John Reynolds setting forth

260 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.

the result of the contested election." This decision was the result
of a second liearin<; of tiie ciisu by the Jr.dge, anil is as follows:

"State of Illinois, ss: — Upon a second and full examination of
the documents transmitted to me in relation to the contested elec-
tion of the Shcritl', Coronerand County Commissioners for the county
of Pike; and l)L'in>i; satistioil that the certiticates hert't<»fore •^ivon by
me of the election of Riirdon C Kenton as Sheriti', Joel Bacon jisCyoro-
ner and Ebenezer Smith, William Mrtz and James Nixon as County
Commissioners, was ^^iven without sutiicient ct>:isid*'ration, I do
hereby revi)ke the said certiticates. and do tiow certify that Leonard
Iloss was duly elected Sheriff, Daniel Whi|>j)le, Ct»roner, and James
M. Seeley, David Dutttin and Ossian M. Ross County Commis-
sioners for Pike coutjtv in said State.

"(tiven under my hand and seal this 4th day of September, 1822.

" J«<n.N Kky.noi.os,
"Justice of the Supremo Court of said State, and presiding' in the
tirst Judicial (circuit."

Thus, after a Ion;; and hotlv contested trial, the Judtre reversed
his former decihion ami rein^tilted Seelev, Dutton ami lloss, as
well atj tlje Sheritt* and Coroner, wliom he lia<l decided were not
le;;ally ami rightfully entitled to hold tlie positions to wliicli they
claimed they had l>een clectc<i.

OLRRK'r OFriCK.

We find tlie followiuif (|uaint item on rec<:)rd, which ig in refer-
ence to rentinjf an otfioe for tlie County and Circuit clerks . "John
Shaw, haviu'j pr«»posed to lease the coimty the buildinjr in Coles*
Grove, adjuinini^ the one n(»w occupie<i bv Ri^don ('. Kenton, for
the term of <»ne year, to be occupied ha a Clerk's office, for the .-um
of C)^ cents, and to Ik; rejmired ))y the county, under the direction
of said Shaw, and to suit his convenience."

COUNTI'-SEAT MOVED TO ATLAS.

Evidently a little rivalry had sprunp up between the settlements
at Atlas and Coles' Grove, the latter of which had been the county-
seat up to this time (^1S23V Atlas wa.s the most im|)ortant town
in the county, and it became ambitious to have the county build-
ings located there, which it finally secured. Pursuant to an act of
the Legislature, aj>pn»ved Dec. 30. 1>>22, "to fix upon and locate the
permanent seat of justice for Pike county," the c^>mmi88ion ap-
pointed made their re|>ort at the March term of the Commissioners'
Court. 1823, and jiresented a deed from William Il«jss and Rufus
Brown for one acre of land, which was given as an inducement for
the county to locate its seat of justice there. The report reads as
follows :

*' The Commissioners appointed to fix upon and locate the per-
manent seat of justice of Pike county have attended to the services
assigned them, and do report that they have fixed the permanent

^v"^

GRI6GSVILLE

M^yf^-i^

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 263

fieat of justice of said county upon section 27, town 6 south, ransje
5 west, and have taken a deed of the proprietor of one acre of land
on which to erect the public liuildini^s, which is particularly de-
scribed in said deed, and that they have named tlie seat of justice
Atlas.

" John M. Smith,
" Danikl Moore,
" Daniel Shinn. ■'

NEW commissioner.

An election was held March IS, 1S23, to select a County Com-
missioner to till vacancy occasioned by O. M. Ross, resii^ning. The
county of Fulton, where Mr. Ross lived, having just been formed,
and he chosen Slierift", Amos Bancroft was elected to till the va-
cancv.

DIFFICULTY IN SELECTING COUNTY-SEAT.

It appears that some dissatisfaction arose from the selection
made by the Commissioners for a county-seat. We presume that
the feelinor was then as now in this and all other counties. More
than one place, settlement or town, think it is the most suitable
and proper place for the county-seat. In relation to the difficulty
at this time we find the followinf' statement on record : "Nicholas
Hanson and Leonard Ross presented a report of certain persons
appointed by an act of the Legislature as Commissioners to locate
the permanent seat of justice for Pike county, and moved to have
said report tiled and recorded, which said motion for the reasons
following : 1st, The authority given by the act aforesaid was a
special joint authority and should liave been strictly pursued ; 2d,
It happens that but three out of five Commissioners acted in the
location of the county-seat, when the law gave no power to a ma-
jority to act ; 3d, That said Commissioners did not return and
present their report at or before the time presci'ibed by law for the
return of said report ; 4th, Th-it the legal and qualified County
Commissioners were in session at the time prescribed by law for
the return of said report. And for the reasons aforesaid this Court
does adjudge and decide that the proceedings of said Commission-
ers to locate the permanent county-seat of Pike county are void,
and that the temporary seat of justice of said county still remains
at Coles' Grove."

This decision was finally reversed, as seen from the following or-
der made at the June term of the Court in 1S24: " The doings of
this Court at a special term held on 2(», 27 and 2S of January last,
and also doings of this Court at last March term be, and the same
are hereby, confirmed and established, except a contract entered
into with John Shaw for the purpose of leasing a house, the rent of
which was 6^ cents, in Coles' Grove, which contract is by mutual
consent released and dissolved; and also an order of adjudication
respecting the county-seat, which order is revoked and rescinded."

204 HISTORY OF riKK COrNTl.

Thus, accuriliij«; to the selection imide by tlie coinmiseion ap-
j)ointed tor that jmrpose, tlie county-Beat whb moved Ironi Coles*
Grove, now in Calhoun county, to Atlas,

COUNTY DIVIDKD INTO TOWNSIIIl'S.

Upon the 28th of January, 1S24, the county of Pike was divided
into three townships hy the Court, as follows: That part coinnieuc-
in^ at the mouth of the Illinois river, thence up the said river to
the north line of the lir>t tier of sections above the north line of
town 8 south, thence running on said line west to the Mibsissijtpi
river, thence down said river to ))laco of bet;innin^, constituted
Coles' Grove lowtiship. That part embraced within the boumhiry
be^finnin;? at the northeast corner of section 3(5 oj township 7 south,

le norineasi corner oi seeiion c5() t»i lownsnip < souiii,
on rani;f line bi-tween ramies 4 and T* west^ thence alon^ said

ran<^e line north to the north lino of the county, thence west to the
Mississippi river, thence down said river to a |K>int directly west of
the place of bei^innin;;, thence to the place of be^inninj;. which
comp»)sed AtUb town^hip. That part o! the county within the fol-
lowin«; limits was known ius Franklin township: Commencint; on
the Illinois river one mile north of the north line of township 8
south, thence up the said river to the base line, thence alonj^ said
line to tiie ranjije line l»etween ranges 4 and 5 webt, thence south
ruuninjj on the said ranije line to the northwest corner of sec-
tion 31,' of town 7 south, and rau;^> 4 west, thence alon^ the
north line of said 31, and said first tier of sections north of

town S south, to lii« jM.i.e of be^innin;;. together with all of the
atlacii'd part of I'ikc County lyiiij; north of the a^ore^aid bounda-
ries.

Thus it will be seen that these wereexcee«lin|;ly lar«^ townships.
They embraced several counties, and extended over «»ne (»f the fair-
est portions of this jjreat State. These divisions were nuide for tiie
convenience of the settlers in voting, niakini^ roads, etc., 3'ct from
tlie extended size of each townshi|> we can see that many of the
early voters had to travel many miles to cast his ballot.

KKAKI.ES6 COMMISSION KK8.

During the year the Commissioners ]tursued the even tenor of
their way, gmntinij }»etitions for roads, ferries, tavern licenses and
election precincts; ap|K>inting and removinij <»fficer6 with an in-
flexilulity of purpose that is really amusing. When they investi-
gated a matter there were no palliating circumfitances to screen the
delinquent, but the judicial guillotine cut off olKeial heads with a
refre>hing impartiality. Negligent officers feared the power of the
*' triple C" more than Damocles feared the hair-suspended sword.
They sim]>ly and j»Iainlv said "(io," and the official hesitated not
but went at once, and that was the end of it.

In reference to this subject we tind the following quaint docu-
ment on record under date of July 29, 1824:

HISTORY OF I'lKK COUNTY. 265

"It appearing to tliis Court that the Clerk for some time past has
not resided at the county-seat, nor kept the records and papers be-
loncrinir to the county at this i>hice: and the Court liavino: consid-
ered the facts and the law arising u})on the case, does adjudge and
determine that the said office of Clerk is now vacant, and that for
the aforesaid cause James W. Whitney, the Clerk, be and is hereby
removed from office."

We suppose that Whitney remained at Coles' Grove after the
county-seat had been removed to Atlas, and the inconveniences of
having the county offices and officials scattered over the country in
that wise would not be endured longer by the strict, law-abiding
Court.

The Court assembled upon the following day, and not yet having
selected a clerk, appointed Mr. Whitney Clerk pro tern. It appears
that the Commissioners had nothing personally against Mr. Whit-
ney, for the very next act of the Court was to recommend him to the
Governor as a fit and proper person to be appointed County Sur-
veyor, to fill the vacancy having occurred by the removal of Stephen
Dewey out of the county. This man Dewey, the first Surveyor of
Pike county, laid out the town of Lewistown, Fulton county, where
he shortly afterward removed and served for many years as Circuit
and County Clerk, and did efficient work in the organization and
establishment of that county.

It appears that the Court could find no suitable person to take
charge of the Clerk's office, for upon July 30, two days after Mr.
Whitney was so summarily' removed from office, he was i-e-instated.
Perhaps a compromise was made between the Court and Mr. AVhit-
ney. It is more than likely that he was compelled to move to the
county-seat in order to receive again the patronage of the Court.
He served until April 27, 1825, when he resigned and George W.
Britton was a))pointed in his stead. Whitney was indicted for mal-
feasance in office, and the suit was withdrawn on condition he
would resign.

NEW JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

At the September term, 1824, in compliance with a petition from
the citizens on and near Fever river (now Galena) and the lead
mines, John Connelly, Moses Meeker and John S. Miller were
recommended as proper persons for the Governor to commission Jus-
tices of the Peace of Pike county. These men M'ere the very earli-
est settlers in northern Illinois, and of whom we speak more fully
in a former chapter. April 27 of the following year Chas. D. St.
Traine was recommended for the same office.

COURT-HOUSE.

The little temporary log court-house first built in Atlas soon be-
came too small to accommodate the Court and county officers, so the

2(50 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.

buildiiii; of u new CDurt-honse was dibcussed uiui determined upon
hv tlie iKMiorahle Court, us is evinced hv the followini; order :

" Nolito is luTclty j;iven that on thf 2-'»th day «>f Jiiiu- iii»tant, iii ilie t-mirt Imiis*'
ill AtluM, IMke county. Illinoig, »i 2 o'clock, r. M.. will he lei to the I«)wc8t hiihlcr
the hiiildini; of it cimrt hou-ic so fur as in hcreinttfl'-r fX|irf-^c(l : To be 4()x:U) IVii
on the tloor uml '2i» t'l-d liii:li, twn Hlorieg; lo In- hnili nf hrick, the two side wiiils
below to he oi!' half briik thi« k, i' to he one brick thick.

TIm" outside to lied complete with '. i>W>; the lower tliNir to

b<- liti<l with biick or tile, lire pincea and partitiont, except the pitrlition of the
j^rand jury room, to be done with a plain wimhIiu cornice. The ('omnii!««ionrrs
reserve one bill fur the county. IMaoM to lie iihown and further parlicularH made
known lit t

•• N. H - ^>-n t«» <indertaken< on intent<t until paid. It in

pr<>|*o<«4-d to iriM- thi- jiili •>! pr<M ii: ^tone auil Hiortitr fur building; Mpitrate

from the other part or iwrij*. all oi > . . in lo be* coiupleUd bv tin (ir^t duy of
January, A.. D. 18.i7. ^ultlcicnt HcnurliieH will be it?<|ulred."

The Contract for fiirnibhin<; Bttnie nnd mortar was blrutk otf lo
Daniel Shinn and Joseph Petty for ^200. The main contract was
given to LconurtI and William ItosA at ij«l,'J(>0.

It ajtpear^, however, that tho htiihling of this fine htriicliire was
never cjirried to completion. The linildini; rose in it« ma^jnificeiit
propurtions oidy in the visions of the honorable ('oinmiKhioners. It
was evidently too fine and extensive for the times. They rented
an office for the l.'oiinty and Circuit Clerks, which in the winter of
183<» '.">! hiirmd down.

Nothiii^f further was done, accoriliiii; to the records, toward the
huildin*^ of a new ciMirt-honsc until April 7, 182J>, when the huh-
ject was atjain U'fore the ('ouri for its considenition. The (^•tlrt
then onh-reti the contraet for the erection of a hiiilding of the fol-
lowing; dimensions and «lehcrii)tion to l>e let: "Said htttise to be 30
feet long by 18 feet wide, to be two j»tt»rie8 high, — the lower one
niue feet and the upper one eight feet high. To Ihj covered and
enclosfd in a goo«l. workmanlike manner. To leave and e!i.se two
iiuti^ide dotirs in the lower story, and abo si.x windows in the same,
and six windows in the up|>er story. To put in joists and sleepers
for the nnper and lower rt<K»rs, putting them down loose 6o as to
serve a> lioors. To bo underpinne<J with si.x j)illars, to l>e substan-
tially made of stone, placing one at each corner of the hotise and
one under each siile in the middle; all to be <lone in a good, w »rk-
manlike manner. The undertaker to give Ixnid with good and
sutlieient security in double the sum at which the same shall l>e
stricken off for prompt atid faithful performance of his contract.
The contractor shall receive his pay out of the first mon» y.-; wliidi
shall come into the treasijry not otherwise appropriated.''

The records continue as follows: "The court next proccethxl to
sell the building of said courthouse to the lowest bid<ler. ami after
sutfieient notice Wiis given thereof, and the same for a loiiij time
exposed, it was stricken oti* to James Rice for the sum of $493,
that being the lowest sum bid therefor."

James Rice failed to furnish the required security for tlie faithful

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 267

performance of his contract, and accordingly June 1, 1829, the
Sheriff was ordered to again " put up at public auction and sell the
building of the same to the lowest bidder, with the addition to the
former })lan of six feet in lengtii and six feet in breadth." They
further altered the plans upon the Gth of June, upon which day
they met for the purpose of letting the contract ft)r building it.
They made the following alterations: "There shall be ten stone
pillars, 18 inches al)ove the surface of the ground, six windows in
the lower story with IG lights in each window, S by 10, and 8 win-
dows in upper story with VI lights in each window, 8 by 10."

The contract was "struck off" to Elisha Petty for $600. Wil-
liam Ross went upon his bond for $1,200. Mr, Petty was sub(»e-
cjuently allowed §42.28 for extra work.

The court-house was accepted by the Court Sept. 7, 1829.

COUNTY-SEAT RE-LOCATED,

It appears that the location of the county-seat at Atlas was not en-
tirely satisfactory to every person, as we hud an election was held in
March, 1827, to select commissioners to re-locate the county-seat,
David Dutton, Joel Meacham and William Meredith were chosen
for this work. That any definite move was made by these gentlemen
toward selectinor another site for the countv-seat we are not aware;
the records are silent as to anything done by these gentlemen. By
the year 1832 the subject of changing the county-seat from Atlas,
however, was freely discussed. It was desired to have it more cen-
trally located. The Legislature of lS32-'3 appointed a commis-
sion to re-locate the county-seat, Tiiese gentlemen made their
report in April 13, 1833, which is as follows:

"We, the undersigned, having been appointed commissioners to change and re-
locate the seat of justice of the county of Pii<.e b}* the Legishiture of the State of
Illinois, by an act approved Feb. 22, 1833, beg leave to report to your honorable
body now in session, that after being duly sworn in conformity with said act, did,
on the 0th day of A])ril, 1833, enter upon the duties assi>i;ned us by said act, by ex-
amination of said county of Pike, having a due regard to the present as well as
the future settlement and prospective growth of said county, have selected and lo-
cated the southeast quarter of section 24, in township ") south, and range 4 west of
the fourth principal meridian, as the count) -seat of the county of Pike, said coun-
ty-seat to be known and designated by the name of Pittsfield.
"April 17, 1833.

"SAMUEL ALEXANDER.
"EAUL PEIPvCE
".lOIIN W. STERNE."

Each of these gentlemen was paid $3G for his services.
The town was platted and a sale of lots held April 15, 1833. The
records proceed as follows: "The amount of notes and cash, after
paying Win, Ross, Esq., $200 borrowed of him to enter the quar-
ter section on which the town of Pittsfield is located; the exj")ense8
to Alexander Peirce and Sterne >^I08, for locating said seat of jus-
tice; also, for advertising sale of lots, paying for the survey of the
same, making plat and all the expenses of the Commissioners'

268 HISTORY OF I'IKE COUNTY.

Court, which have accrucHl in ami about the h)Ciitiou, sale of lots,
laying otr the town, etc., leaves the amount of iJ^IXU .Ss, which sum
is delivered over to the Treasurer as a special fund for the purpose
of erectin<^ public huildinirs." Thus it will l>e seen that thecouiity
purchased the land upoti which the business and much of the resi-
dence portion of the t(twn of I*ittstield now stands for the sum of
$200. Tiio new town havin<; l)een surveyed, larfjje hard- wood stakes
were driven, desi«^natin<; the corner of each lot, and bein^ also the
only ^ui(h' to the location of streets,

April 15 was the day appointinl f«»r the first sale of lots at public
auction. The settlers assembled from all parts t»f the county upon
the site of the proposed village, each an.xious to become the owner
of a town lot. This atid suitsecpH'nt salrs were held, and lots seem
to have met with a ready sale at fair prices, which is the best evi-
dence that the pioneers were not only enthusiastic in sentiment in
relation to the bri;:;lit prosj>ects and future j;reatness of the town
they were buildinij, but were also williijij to lend all the material
aid in their power to the «•« iisummation of the <lesirrd cml.

Another sale of lots was held Oct. 2S, \>',i:\, from which the
county realized )J^1. !;')(). 74 cash. a»jd notes to the anuujntof $s76.73.
Anothrr sale was held .lune 4, \>'M, when 3S lots were sold, real-
izitji; $I,otJ<) cash, after deductin«; >5«;7 as exi»ensi's, and ^li^-i worth
of notes. An«»ther sale was had Monday, Nlay 2, l'^^*?, when l'i2
lot« were 'sold for $l>,3r.4.5o. An«»ther,'()ct. 6, 1837, when 28 lots
brought $4,110.

TilK ri.KKK RESIONa

The tollowing document apj>ears upon pages 121 and 122 of 2d
volume of County Commissioners' C<Mirt records. It is tiie resig-
nation of William Ross, as Clerk. lie had served the cnunty in
that capacity faithfully and ably for a decntle, ami now as he is al>out
to leave he writes his old associates the following resiL'mition:

Aii.Af*. ."^'I't. i, l?.i4
To thf Il'^n. Prnj Il-trn't. Gf^. W Hir,m'tn and Andrrie I*/iilliji», County Corn-
for Ifii ' '<■ iif J'li.inin :

• . . ■< —The J III which it will Ijocoiuc my duty to

resipn to you the nttU-v I tiohl on thi- apiHiintmcnt of your Court, on account of my
having iM'on cU-ctuI a uicuiIht of the nixl (Jencnil .Vswmbly of this Stat*-. To
holtl l)oth oltlcfs is inconipHtililt' nith the Connlitution of our State and contrary
to my wish«*s. 1 will th< i " ' f ;:ivin;; the Court i<nu* to b»1c<1

my suirevs<ir, projMise lo i, i n of the oHice of Clerk ofyour

Omrt, to take etfect on the '.i.'jth day oi Novemlxr, 1h:{4.

In doing thi.s. I Ix-g of you to »lo me the justice to Ik* assureiiler;ilions which 1 conceive Mnd a dutiful ( itizen to his rf)Uiitry. I
have Ix-eii inlluenced Ity no aml>:' itives or selfairprandizemcnt ; but my

solo object has been to restore an ii the ditrn tV of our country.

Permit me here to rem irk that it isa source of <rn*at pleasure to me that during
Rperioil of al)out ten years which I have had the honor to serve this county in flcv-
end importJint oIlic«'s, I have U-en >o fortunate as to discharge those duties to the
sa'irfaetion of my i" '■ "v

Rely ini: upon tli' • = which controls the destinies of man, I

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 269

liope andftrust that I may be be permitted to retain that continuation of confidence
which lias bren so recently manifested toward nic until my latest breath.
\Vllh sentiments of great personal consideration,

I remain, yours sincerely,

W.* Ross, C. C C. C. P. C.

AD QUOD DAMNUM.

This was a process to secure a mill site. In those early times
tlie millinii^ of the country was of no little importance. ^Fills were
of t^iicli i^roat public necessity that they were })ermitted to he located
upon any person's land, if the miller thoui^^ht the site desirable.
Sites along the streams were selected for water-power. A person
looking for a mill-site would follow up and down the stream for
tlie desired location, and when found he would go before tlie Com-
missioners' Court and secure a writ of ad quod darnmnn. This
would enable the miller to liave the adjoining land officially exam-
ined and the amount of damage for making the dam was secured.

The old records contained numerous a])])lications for these"writs.
We quote one only as a specimen of others:

" On application of Wm. Ross, and previous notice having been given of his in-
tention, by publication on the door of the court-house for four weeks preceding
the sitting of the Court, it is ordered that a writ oi ad quod damnum issue, directed
to the Sherift of the county, commanding him to summon twelve good and liw-
ful men of his county to meet on the southeast quarter of section 18, in township
6 south, and range 5 west, to locate and set apart by metes and bounds so much
of the said (quarter section, not exceeding three acres, as they shall think neces-

ary for the purpose of erecting a dam across the Sny Carte for a water grist and

aw-mill."

FIRST COURT-IIOUSE AT PITTSFIELD.

The county-seat having been re-located, a town laid out, lots
sold, business houses and dwellings being erected, it became the
duty of the Court to have a court-house built in the new town.
Accordingly, Tuesday, Jun'e 4, 1833, the contract for building a
court-house at Pittsfield was let to Israel N. Burtt, he afrreeins: to
erect the structure for 81,01)5. This he speedily did, and the old
huilding still stands upon the street at the corner of the alley,
facing and just north of the Pu!)lic Square. It is a frame build-
ing, in a good state of j)reservation, and is occupied by Mr. Ileck
as a bakery and grocery.

PRESENT COURT-HOUSE.

Two years had scarcely rolled by ere the building of a new court-
house was liegun to be agitated. Some of the more aristocratic
thought the count}' should have a finer court edifice, one more in
keeping with the wealth and progress of the county. It is true the
county had grown ra})idly in population and wealth. Notice,
therefore, was given by the Court that ]iliins for a new building
would be received. Upon the 5th day of February, 1830, the (-ourt
accepted the plans tluit were ])resented by Benjamin L. Osborne,
and gave him a premium of $20 for the plans.

270 HISTORY OF I'IKE COl'NTY.

The county not owiiiii<^ desiralile «^roiiml,n6 it was tlioijo;lit, iij>on
which to Kjcate the coiitnnohited striu'turo, the Court a|tj)uiiited
JaiiH'S Jolmson, Jainc8 J). Morrison and AVilliani Wats(»n a;,'t'r>tt»
to procure l»y jturclia>e «»r excliany;e a euitalile |»iece ol" ;;rttunii.
Tliis committee accordin«;lv ])rocured of Daniel IJ. liush a part ot
h)t G, hk)ck 5, being the whole front of eaid lot upon the I'uhlic
S<|U:irf, running hack 10(» feet, f»»r wliich they pive ^Ir. Ihish a
]>art of lot h, block 5. This location wim not satistactury to all par-
ties, and <|uite a bitter war arose as to where the court-hoiiso should
stand. It was at last decided that it should be located upon the
center of the Public Spiare.

At the September term, 1S30, AVm. Uoss, Uriah Ihown and
James Johnsi>n were appointed a^'ents upon the part of the county
to contract for the erection of a courthouse, "said buibling to be
T>lace<l in the center of the Public Sjuarc, and not to cost over
!|^ir>. (>(»(»." These gentlemen entered into c«»ntract with iSenjamin
T. ( )sbornc, (it'orge I). Foot and Jud^on (Memcnt for llu- "n-ction
of the court-house for the sum of $15,0(tO. Daniel 1 >. White,
Henry Caswell and Lyman lieeman were ajipointed a comuuttco
to superintend its erection.

The construction of the court-liouse was pushe«l rapidly on, and
Dec, 8, lS3vS, it was delivcretl over to the Sherirt', tli«>u<;h in an un-
finished conditioji. It was used for court purposes in tiiis way for
a time before completion. I!y June, 1M51», it was complete*!, and
Foot, Clement and Ooborne were ]»ai<l the balance due them in
county orders, upon wliich the ci»unty paid 1*J per cent, interest.

This structure still stands and is in use today. It is located in
the center of a small s<|uare, which is set with many large and
beautiful trees. The main upi»er ro<»m is used for circuit court
purposes. I'esides this ro<»m tliere are two other smaller ones, one
of which is occupied bv the State's Attorney, the other a jury room.
l'|H>n the main lh>ur tliere is a hall-way running through the build-
ing from north to south. Fpon either side of this are ofhces for
the ctuinty otlicials. I'pon the west bi«Ie are the Coimty .Iiidges,
Sheriff's and School Su|>erintendent's offices, and upon the <)pj>o-
site side are the offices of the County Treasurer and Surveyor.

This building when erected was among the linest and largest
court-houses in the ^Ve^t, and for many years it stood foremost
among the public buildings of Illinois, and was pointed to with
pride, not only by the citizens of I'ike county, but by those through-
out Central Illinois. It stood as a monument <»f the enterprise of
the pioneers of this section, and was one of the grandest evidences
of the })rosi>erity of the newly settled State. It stands to-day as
solid as when first built. Every stone and brick is in its ]>lace,
and every timber has stood the storms of nearly lialf a century un-
shaken. Around this old building cluster pleasant recollections of
the long-ago. Within its storm-l»eaten walls have lieen heard pleas
as rich in eloo'sence as were ever presented to judge or jury.
AVithin those old walls, made sacred by time and the memories of

HISTOKY OF PIKE COUNTY. 271

some of the e^randest characters and most gifted men known in tlie
history of Illinois, many a scene full of historic interest has oc-
curred, which, could we accurately picture, would be read more as a
romance than prosaic history. What numbers of trembling and
downcast prisoners have stood before the learned tribunal within
the old upper room, to ]ilead "Guilt}'," or " Not Guilty ! " Then
the long, hotly-contested trial came; witnesses examined and cruss-
exanlined; the wrangle and wordy wars between the lawyers; the
appeal to the jury and addresses, which for logic, eloquence, touch-
ing, sympathetic eloquence, have not been excelled in all the broad
land. How many times have the twelve jurors, sworn to be im-
partial, liled into their little secret room, to consult and decide the
iate of the prisoner at the bar! Then how often have the joyous
words come forth, "Not Guilty!'' But, again, how very many
have stood before the Judge to hear in measured tones their sen-
tence! Sometimes it was thought Justice was outraged; that the
Judge,. jury and Prosecuting Attorne}' had prostituted their high
positions, violated their sworn duty, and made easy the escape for
culprits; yet, taking it ail in all, the goddess of justice has shed no
more tears over insults to her holy and righteous charge here than
she has at any other judgment-bar in the State. Law and justice
have almost always been vindicated, and the <.»ftender punished.

Could these old walls speak and tell us of the eloquent an<l effect-
ive pleadings of Linctjln, Baker, Ilichardson, McDougal, Browning,
Bushnell, Manning, Walker and others, or of the learned decisions
of Douglas, Young, Thomas and Walker, that the}' have listened to,
how eagerly we would seel: them ! We do not forget that at the pres-
ent time justice is as swiftly vindicated as ever before; that the Bike
county Bar is at its maximum in point of legal ability. It takes
the mazes of time to add the luster of fame to the laborsand char-
acter of most men. That which is of the past, or of the future, we
are wont to believe possesses more merit than that which we have
with us. Thus it is with the legal liMits of to-day.

Just west of the court-house and within the Court Square stands
the "tire-proof." This building contains the offices of the Circuit
and County Clei'ks, and was erected in ISS-t. It was first ordered
built uj)on the northwest corner of the Square, but that order was
rescinded and it was decided to erect it " near the west gate of the
Public Square, upon the south side of the walk, the south side
ranging N>ith the south side of the court-house, the west end 24
feet from the fence of the Public Square."

FENCE AROUND THE SQUARE.

Speaking of the fence around the Public Square calls to mind
an order of the Court of June, 1S45, giving the President and
Trustees of Pittslield ]>ermissiun to fence the Public S(|uare and
plant within the enclosure ornamental or shade trees. Heretofore,
we presume, there was neither fence nor shrubbery in the vicinity
of the court-house, save the hazel-brush that stood in its native

"272 MISTOKY OK IMKK CODMV.

growth witliiii the Square. Here, wo are told that Win. K. Peters
often t't'd his cattle.

We liiul in the records of tlie Board of Snnervisors that in April,
1854, that body appropriated $200, on condition that the town of
Pittstield shttuld apj)ropriate a like amount, tohuild a fence around
tlie I'uhlie S(|u;u-e, **ton feet inside of present fence, and put hitch-
ing post- wilt-re the fencf .-tood."

FIRST JAIL AT PITTSKIKLn.

Necessarily, as faiithful historians, wo aro compelled to mar the
pleasant proirress of this chapter by reference to j»rison bars. It
poems as the cminty advanoetl in wealth and population the evil
principle kept pace with it; and as immaculate and good as the
pioneer fathers niuhuihtedly were, even among them there were
wicked and vicious characters. The old log jail at Atlas never was
a very strong or secure one, and prisoners were continually escap-
ing. When the county-seat was moved tt) Pittstield. it was deter-
mined to build a g»»od, gubstantial jail. Accordingly the contract
for building a jail was let to M. K. Rittan, .March 5, 1835, for a
prison to cost $.S,sS9. The buihling was to be 2Sx30 in size, two
stories high, and tt» be ma»le of stone. It appears that considerable
time was employe*! in its erection, for we find it was not received
by the county until June, 1831>, when Mr. iUttan was allowed J^IJOO
for tlie cx^ra work performed.

A NKW ICKCIMR I.S CHOOSING COMMISfilONKKS.

IIeret«»fore the terms of office of all three of the ('ominifisioners
had expiretl at the same time, being electeti for two years; but in
1838 a new rule was adopted, in compliance with an act of the Leg-
islature. Now they were to bo elected fi»r three years and one re-
tire every year, thus leaving two experience<i men in office. For
the first terms, howi-ver, one of them should serve only one year,
aiu»ther two, and the thinl three years. On convening at the fall
term <»f this year they drew lots to decide the term each should
serve. Three jiieees of paper, upon which were written "one year,''
"two years," ,*• three years," respectively, were thrown t(»gether,
and each Commissioner drew one. John W, Burch drew " one
year," Alfred Grubb, *' two years," and John Neeley '' three
years."

POOR FARM.

At the December term, 1843, the Court provided a farm for the
poor of the county, and instead of " letting out" or " selling" the
paupers as heretofore, they were obliged to go to tliat farm. The
first pauj)er of whom we find mention on the records was Joseph
Moore. He died in June, 1830. Green Street was the next one
mentioned.

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.

273

LAST MEETINGS.

The Commissioners' Court continued to manao;e the affairs of
tlie county until 18-tO, when tlie new Constitution of the State
went into elTect, wliich abolished this tin\e-honored Court. Before
adjourning finally, however, it ordered a vote to be taken for or
against township organization, and then adjourned till "court in
course," but never re-assembled.

( llAITKi: V.
GEOLCKiY*

A liir:;e |>roj>ortion «»f tlie uplaiul of Pike county was ori^irmlly
heavily tiiiibered, but there are several Hinall jtrairies in the cen-
tral and northern }>«»rlionj<. It n a well-watered connty, and the
valley of the Mis8issippi is from 8 to 12 miles wide, most of it
lying on the Illinois side. More than one-tiftii of the area of the
County lies in this vallfv. The iftMieral level of the u]dands may
be ehtiinated at from 'JUO to 300 ieet above the great watercourses,
with no very well-detined water-shed. The soil on the timbered
land."* is generally a chocolate-coloreiJ clay loam, becoming lighter
in color on the banks of the streams and in tl>e vicinitv of the
river blutl's.

The geological structure of this county is somewhat j>eculiar,
and the strata cx|>oseil within its limits comprise the upper part of
tlie Niagara limestone, the whole series of I^ower Carboniferous
limestoneri e,\cej»t the Chester group, and a limited tiiirknes.s of
Coal Measures, with the usual surface derxtsit.'. of Loess and Drift.
The most northerly outcrop of Devonian l>eds is in (.'alhoun county.
The Loess and Drift measure 40 to 100 feet in thickness in Pike
ct>unty. the Coal Measures L'o tt» 00, St. Louis limestone one to 30,
Keokuk group lOo to 1l>5. l>iirlir»gton limestone 15o to 'JoO, Kin-
derhook lOO to 120, and the Niagara limestone one to 50.

The Niagara limestone is found only in the soutliwest part of
the county, where its ntain outcrop is at the base of the bluffs
between liockport and the south line of the county and for a short
distance up Six-Mile creek. It contnins a few fossils at the out-
crop near Pleasant Hill, among which are Trilobites and a few
shells. At Mr. Well.-,' place, N. W. J sec, 17, Pleasant Hill town-
ship, the buff-colored magnesia beds of this group are exposed
about 10 feet in thick nes.-., and the rock has been quarried for
building-stone. On the S. E. | sec. 8 there is an exposure of about
22 feet of this limestone, the lower 10 feet Ijeing a gray, even-
bedded limestone, and the uj»|>er 12 feet a buff-colored niagucsian

•Abstracted from State (Jcoiogical K«*port by Prof. \. ll. WorlLcn.

HISTORY OF PIKF. COUNTY. 275

rock, closely resembling the rock from the Grafton quarries. It
is the prevailinf^ rock at Pleasant Hill, where it forms a limestone
bench about 30 feet high, above the road, at the base of the bluffs.
Two miles north of Pleasant Hill, on a branch of Six-Mile creek,
the upper ])art of this limestone is exposed in the bed of the creek.

KINDERHOOK GROUP.

One of the best exposures of this group in this county is just
above Kinderhook: whence the name. It is at the point of the
bluff, and comprises 2C feet of Loess, 15 of Burlington liniestone, 6
of thin-bedded, fine-grained limestone, 36 of thin-bedded sandstone
and sandy shales, and 40 feet of clay and sandy shales, partly
hidden. Fossil shells are found in the sandstone. This group is
also well exposed at Rockport and two miles below Atlas, and
somewhat exposed at the base of the Illinois river bluffs. Almost
everywhere in the county the Burlington limestone overlies the
group, which determines the topograpiiical features of the region
also underlaid by the shales and gritstones of the group.

BURLINGTON LIMESTONE.

This limestone forms the bed rock over fully one-half the up-
lands. It is from 50 to 100 feet in thickness, and its best expo-
sures are among the river bluffs. It is a rather coarse-grained,
gray stone, interspersed with brown layers, and is largely com-
posed of the fossilized remains of crinoids and moUusks. In the
Mississippi bluff, near the north line of the county, 40 feet or more
of the lower portion of this limestone is exposed, forming the upper
escarpment of the bluff, and consistingof alternate beds of gray and
brown limestone, usually in regular and tolerably thick beds. It
has fossils, and has been extensively quarried on Big Jilue creek
for building purposes. On the eastern side of the county the most
northerly outcrop of this limestone is near Griggsville Landing,
where the cherty beds of the upper division of this rock are exposed
at the l)ase of the bluff'. The outcrop here is about 50 feet thick.
It appears about the same at Montezuma, and is seen exposed at
points all along these bluffs. It is well exposed on Bay creek,
forming the main portion of the bluffs along this stream from near
Pittsfield to the southeast corner of the county. It is the most im-
portant of all the limestones exposed in this county, both as regards
extent of exposure and its economical value. As a building stone
it is not equal to the magnesiau beds of the IMiagara group, as
found near Pleasant Hill, but is nevertheless very durable. It can
be found over half the county.

KEOKUK GROUP.

This group lies just above the Burlington limestone, and out-
crops over a large ]K)rtion of the northern and northeastern parts
of the county, where it is frecpiently found immediately beneath

270 UI8TOKY OF riKK COUNTY.

the Coal Measures. The St. Louis f^roiip, whieli slionld proj)crly
intervene, was worn away before the coal epoch. It eoiititsts of
li^^ht ":rav and hhiisli ijrav chert v liinet^tones at the base, which
closely reseinhle the upper bedsof tiie nurlin<(ton limestone. Some
ot" the limestone strata are as crinoiihil in their structure as the
Jiurlin<;ton, hut they are usually more Muisii gray in color.
Tiicre is usually a series of cherty beds, 10 to 30 feet in thickness,
separatin*; the ujain limestones of the two groups, which nniy
pro|)erly be regarded as tratisitioiuil. Tiic ujiper division consists
oflime-chiy shales and thin bedded limestones, containing geodes
lined with crystallized «juartz, chalcedony, calcite, dolomite, crystals
of zinc blende an<i iron pyrites. The pyrites is usually in minute
crystals imi)lanted on quartz.

This division may be seen a mileanda half southeast of Griggsville,
and where it fir>t appears beneath the ('oal Measures the getujes are
imbedded in a ferruginous sandstone, which perhaps represents
the conglomerate usually lying at the base of the Coal Measures.
This indicates that before or during the fornnition of this con<d(»m-
crate the shales originally inclo>ing the get»des were swe|>t away,
and the geodes were tiieu enclosed in sand which subse(juently
harileiu'd. These geode-bearing limestones are exposed near Perry
Springs, where the waters clerive their mineral ingredients from
these beds. At Chamber^burg, the limestones of this group form
the betl of Mc( tee's creek. Other prominent exjmsurert of these
limestiuics are at (iriggsville Landing, on Iladley's creek, near
Huntley's coal bunk, etc. From this stratum much good building
stone has been <jiuirried.

ST. LoriS OBOL'I*.

On the Icinks (»f Mc(iee's creek only are itulications of the pres-
ence of this group. The l)eds exposed here consist of brown mag-
nesian limestone and shale-i, 20 to 30 feet thick. A mile and a half
northweet of Perry «juarries have been opened in these beds, and
about three miles north <»f Perry Springs they are again expose<i,
overlaid by shale, the whole being about 20 feet in thickness.

COM. MEASURES.

The coal formation occupies but a limited area in tlie central
and northern )»ortions of this county, underlying the whole of New
Salem township, and a ]>ortion only of the four surrounding town-
ships. The thickness does not probably exceed CO feet. The fol-
lowing are the j)rincipal ]>oiut8 where coal has been dug in Pike
county:

Huntley's, N.W. | sec. lo, Hadley township; coal IG to 24 inches
thick, overlaid by about 6 inches of black shale.

Huntley's new bank, N.AV. ^ sec. 10, Hadley township; bed
feet thick, with a ])arting of clay shale in the middle, about 2 inches
in thickness. The coal in the upper ]>art of this seam is rather
soft, and contains considerable iron bisulphide. The lower division

HISTORY or PIKE COUNTY. 27T

affords a harder and l)etter coal and rests upon a gray fire clay 2
feet or more in thickness.

Three miles east of Barrv coal has been dus' on a small branch
south of the Piiiladeli)hia road; and a mile further south tliere is a
blue chi}' shale 25 to 30 feet thick exposed along the creek which
intersects the river bluffs near New Canton. It contains sej)taria
and tuten-mergel, and closely resembles the shale over the coal at
Huntley's mine.

From this point the western boundary of the Coal Measures
trends sontheastwardly to llouseworth's coal bank, two miles and a
half northwest of Pittsiield, on N.W. ^ sec. 16, Pittslield township.
Coal about IS inches thick, overlaid by about three feet of dark blue
shale, passing upward into sandy shale 10 feet more.

Four miles west of Griggsville, coal is found on Mr. Dunham's
place. It is 14 to 20 inches thick, overlaid by about two feet of
fossilif'erous black shale. This seam of coal outcrops on S. E. J sec.
11, same township, and in the ravines between Griggsville and
Philadelphia, via Kew Salem.

A hall' mile south of Griggsville coal has also been worked, the
seam being 18 to 21 inches thick.

On Lazarus Poss' place, a mile and a half northwest of Perry
Springs, some indications of coal may be seen in the bluffs of the
middle fork of McGce's creek.

QUATERNARY SYSTEM.

Abroad belt of alluvial bottom lands, 6 to 12 miles wide, skirts
the whole western border of Pike county. The deposit consists of
alternations of clay, sand and loam, in quite regular strata, but of
variable thickness. The soil is exceedingly fei'tile, and where they
are above high water, they constitute the most productive and val-
uable lauds in the county. A large proportion of this land was
originally prairie, but now there are many belts of heavy timber
skirtiny; the small streams intersect in"' these bottoms.

On the east side of the county there is very little bottom land
from the south line of the county to the north line of Flint town-
ship, where it begins to widen, and thence to the north line of the
county the Illinois bottoms are 2 to 5 miles wide; but they are too
low and wet for cultivation. A portion of them are heavily tim-
bered with Cottonwood, sycamore, soft maple, elm, ash, hackberry,
honey locust, linden, black walnut, water oak, hickory, etc.

LOESS.

The river bluffs on both sides of the county are cajiped with this
formation, which ranges from 10 to 60 feet or more. It alwa^^s
overlies the Drift, where both are present, and lience is of more
recent origin. It generally consists of buff or brown marly clays
or sands, usually stratified, and often so coherent as to remain in
vertical walls 20 or 30 feet hijjrh when cut throuij;h. From 75 to

278 HISTORY OK PIKK OOrXTV.

SO per cent, of it is silica, 10 to 15 per cent, iihiniiiiii and iron per-
oxide, 3 to 4 i)er cent. lini«% untl 1 to 2 p«'r ceiit. uia^iiesia. In tiio
vicinity of ('harnl)ersl)nr<; the I^oesi* is 00 to 70 feet tliick. Ever}*-
wliero it fnrnislies a lijjlit, porous sub-soil, which is adnurably
a(hij)ted to the growth of fruit trees, vines and small fruits. In
some i)Iaces it contains a variety of fos.^il shells which present the
usual bleached and water- worn apprarance of the dead shells of our
ponds and bayous. It also atf(U*<ls a variety of chalky lumps and
masses which assum<» many imitative forms, as of potatoes ami the
disks cjdle<l *' clay-slones " in Nt'W Eii;;land. It also <;ivcs origin
to the bald knobs so fntpiently mrt with along the river blutVs, and
is often rounded into natural moumls which have been very gener-
ally usotl by the Indians as burial places. The bones of extinct
animals are ofti-rj ftiuiid in the marly beds of this formation, along
with land and frebh-watcr shells.

vniVT.

This deposit c»)nsists of variously colond clays C(»ntainini; gravfl
and boulders. It underlies the Loess, ami hence is not visible along
the bluffs. In the interior of the c«)unty it is often ]>cnetratcd by
well-di^jiers. It thins out toward the Itlulfs. At tlio base of the
Drift near I'.arry there is a l>eil of clean, yell(»w flint gravel, ]»ar-
tiallv cemented bv iron o.xidu into a ferruginous C'>iiL'I'»iiierate.

i iONOMICAL OKOI.OOT.

Tike county has an abundance of building stone. The Niagara
liniestone near Pleasant llill furnishes a butf magnesian rock, in
very regular beds, tully e<[ual in «juality to that of (Irafton and
Joliet, Part <»f the stone in tlie public-school Imilding at Pittstiehl
was brought from Joliet, while stone ju.st as good and l>eautiful was
outcrojiping within ten miles of that town. "A want of the knowl-
edge of this fact,'' says Mr. Worthen, "has probubly cost the citi-
zens i»f Pike county far more than their prop«»rtion of the entire
cost of tlie geological survey (»f Illinois."

The Purlington limestone, which outcrops over a wide area in
this county, will t'urni.-h an uidimited supply of excellent bmhling
stone. It is probably not less than 150 feet thick. The nutretlinty
portions are the Ijest material ft»r macadamizing roads. Near
Montezuma is a 10-foot bed of excellent dimension stone. Sijuilar
beds are exposed on I>ig IJlue creek four miles southeast of Pitts-
Held, where they are 40 feet thick, containing tnasses two to four
feet in thickness. On the west side of the countv it forms an
almost continuous outcrop, 10 to 40 feet thick, along the river
bluti's; and on the east side of the county it also forms a continuous
outcrop in the blutls from Griggsville Lan<ling south.

The lower portion <»f the Keokuk limestone is fully as u?eful as
the preceding. Excellent qiuirrics are worked two miles north ot
Griggsville on the south forlv of McGee's creek. The stone is com-

.m-

ertiJU/y ei\l^'^

DEPRY TP

HISTORY OF I'IKK COUNTY. 281

posed almost entirely of the joints and plates of crinoids, cemented
together by a calcareous paste.

The St. Louis group, althougii limited in extent, furnishes some
good building stone, mostly found in Perry township and vicinity,
as already described.

The coal dej)Osits in this county are all, except at Huntley's
place, too thin fur profitable working. Where surface " 6trij)ping,"
however, can be done, it j>aYS to mine the thinner deposits. Hunt-
ley's is })robably a local deposit, a " pocket," which will soon be
exhausted.

No mineral ore, except a little iron, has been found in Pike
county.

The Burlington and Keokuk grouj^s furnish the best of material
for quick-lime. The St. Louis group, which is generally preferred,
is very limited.

Good hydraulic limestone for cement can be obtained from the
Kinderhook group.

F'ire clay, which usually underlies the coal, can be mined witli
the coal to advantage. The brown clays of the Drift and the Loess
fui-nish superior material for brick.

For marble the bed of oolitic conglomerate of the Kinderhook
group at Hockport furnishes a stone capable of a line polish and
makes a beautiful variegated marble ; but the bed, so far as ex-
amined, is rather thin for profitable working. Some of the sub-
crystalline beds of the Purlington limestone also receive a high
])olish and make a fine ornamental stone.

The Perry mineral springs, three in number, issue from the up-
per ])art of the Keokuk limestone which underlies the valley and
outcrops along the bluffs. The princi])al ingredients of the water
liere are the bi-carbonates of lime and magnesia, the silicate of
potash and soda and the carbonate of potash. For further account
of these springs see history of Perry township in this volume.

There are a few small caves in Pike count)', two near Barry, into
one of which one can enter a distance of 550 feet and the other 400
feet. In early day panthers were known to inhabit these caves. In
Pearl townshij), on land owned by Judge Atkinson, the railroad
employees of the Chicago & Alton comjjany were blasting rock in
1871 or 1ST2, when they discovered a small cave in which were
found lime carbonate drippings in the form of stalagmites and sta-
lactites. Many of these are of imitative forms and can be imag-
ined to be petrified human beings or animals. An exaggerated
account of this cave was ])ublished in the Pittsfield ])a])ers at the
time, which led many people to believe something wonderful was
found at the place.

CIIAITKK VI.
Z()()L()(i^ .

<ilAI»Ki:PKI>8.

or the (^[>eiMeis <it nuiivc Htiimuls that once roamt'd tho flowery
prairies imd wild t'ureots «)t' I'ike »"ouiitv, hut few of the em:iller
reiiuiiii, mid none of the lar^T. Of the latter we cannot even find
a spOvtiinen prei^erved in taxitierujy. The hiitl'iht which «xrazed
U|Kin tlu» verdujit pr.iiries has been driven westward. With or he-
tore it w«'iit thf Ik'uvct. elk, h:»d>;er, pH!itlu*r, hiack wolf and hiack
hear. S mie atlilnal^ that were quite ninnerouei have hecoine very
rare, i^tich a» the ^ray fox, the catamount, otter, lynx, and the Iwau-
tiful Viri^inVu deer.

There still remain many of the different ppocie.-?, mostly inhahjt-
in;; the country adjacent to the Illinois and .Sli-si-hippi rivers and
a few of the other I irger 8treaui8. These are, however, fast disaj»-
pearin«;, and ere Ion;; will l>e known only in hi.story, as are the
deer, the heaver, and the hison. Amon<; th(»se still to he found
iiero are the i^ray wolf, which is numerous in §ome parts, the opos-
sum, raccoon, mink, mu>ikrat, the common weasel, tlie small hrown
weasel, skunk, woodclinck, or Maryland martnot, prairie mole, com-
mon shrew mole, meadow and <leer nuMise, an<l the ^ray ralthit
Of squirrels there are the ^ray timher squirrel, the fox, chip-
munk, the lar;;e gray prairie K(juirrel, the striped and the spotted
prairie scjuirrel, and the huiutiful flying squirrel. The dark-brown
and the reddish l»at ar«' common. Other small anim ils have been
found here which have strayed from otiier lowilities.

KIKDS.

(^f the 5,00) existing species of birds many have sojourned in
this countv, some temporarilv and others for a considerable time.
Many migratory species come otdy at long intervals, and therefore
but little is known of them.

There is not a more fascinating study than that afforded by our
feathered friends. Their 0*cc movements through seemingly bound-
less space, the joyous songs of many, atid the characteristic ttmes of
all. tlieir brilliant color.-, their livelv nianiior>. and tlioir wonderful

IIISTOKY UF nKK COIN'JV. 283

instincts, liave tVom earliest aoes made a strung impression on tlie
minds of men, and in tiie infancy of intellect gave rise to many
peouiiar and mysterious associations. Hence the flight of birds
was made the foundation of a })ecnliar art of divination. Ileligion
borrowed many symbols from them, and poetry many of its orna-
ments. Birds avail themselves ot their powers of wing to seek sit-
uations ada])ted for them in res])ect to temperature and supply of
f.»od. The arrival of summer birds is always a welcome sign of
advancing sjiring, and is associated with all that is cheerful and
delightful. Some birds come almost at the same date annually;
others are more influenced by the character of the season, as mild
or severe.

Pike county is highly favored, compared with any county north
of it, as the Virginia red-bird and cedar-bird remain here during
the winter, and the indigo-bird is here in its season. Parroquets
also used to abound in this region.

The" following list is as nearly correct as can be compiled from
the available information upon the subject:

PcrcJierfi. — This order of birds is by far the most numerous, and
includes nearly all those which are attractive either in plumage or
in song. The ruby-throated humming-bird, with its exquisite
plumage and almost ethereal existence, is at the head of the list.
This is the hummino:-bird which is alwavs the delight of the chil-
dren, and is the only one found in Illinois. The chimney swallow,
easily known from other swallows by its very long wings and forked
tail, and which is a true swift, is quite numerous. Of the whip-
poorwill family there are two representatives. — the whippoorwill
prt)pcr, whose note enlivens the forest at night, and the night-hawk.
The Ijelted kingfisher, so well known to the school-boy, is the only
member of its family in this region. At the head of the fly-
catchers is the king-bird, the crested fly-catcher and the wood
pewee.

Sub-order of -S'iVjy^A? — Thrush f<(mih/. — Of this family are the
robin, the wood thrush, AVilson's thrush, the blue-bird, the ruby-
crowned and the golden-crested wren, tit-lark, the black and the
white creeper, blue yellow-backed warbler, yellow-breasted chat,
worm-eatingr warbler, blue-winrred vellow- warbler. Tennessee war-
bier, and golden-crowned thrush. Shrike family. — This family is
represented by the great northern shrike, red-eyed fly-catcher,
white-eyed fly-catcher, the blue-headed and the yellow-throated fly-
catci'.er. Swallow fain ihj. — This family of birds are very numerous
in Pike county. Among them are the l)arn swallow, white-bellied
swallow, bank swallow, clifl" swallow, and purple martin. Wax-
wing fainily. — The cedar-bird is the representative of the wax-wing
in America. Mocking -lArd famih/. — The genera of this family
are the cat-bird, brown thrusli.thc house and winter wren. F'inch
and Sparrow family. — The snow bunting and Smith's bunting /
ap]>ear only in winter. The purple finch, the yellow-bird and the
lark finch inhabit this county. Of the passerine genus of this^

2S4 HISTORY OF riKE COl'NTY.

fuiiiily iire the Siivaiinali sparrow, the fieM and the chipping S]>ar-
ruw. the hhu'k siiow-hird. the tire 8|>arro\v. the 8011;^ spurrow, the
8vvaiiip and the lux coloretl sparrow, the Maek-thro iied hiijitiii;^, the
rose -breasted ;;ros-heak and the jjroiind rohiii. 1 itmonxe fomily
i« represented hy tl»e chickadee and the tnf'ted titmouse. Ciiuper
f«imtli/. — Thrrv are two specimens (»f this family, — the white -hellied
niil-hatcii untl the Am»'rican creeper. tS/ti/fa/k f<iinUy — 'J'his
iiiclodi«>iii« family is represented liere hy only the common skylark
• d'tlie prairie, BUick-h'inl fatnlly. — The ruhty hlack-hird, the crow
hiai'k-liird, the cow-hird, the red-win«;e<l hiack-hird, the meadow
lau'k, the orchard and tin* JJaltim<»re orioles <»f this family, an- the
most heanliftil and hrilliant of l>irds that iidiahit this re^^ion.
Crowftintily. — The blue-jay und the common crow comprise the
specit's of this tamily.

Birdttof Pi'ty. — Thi- order of birds comprises all those, with
few exceptions, which pursue and capture birds and other animals
for ft>od. They are mostly of lurjje size, the females are laru^er than
tho mide», they live in pairs, and choose their mates for liti*. Most
raptorial birds have disajtpearcd. Amon^ them are the jjoldcn
eui^le, which wais always rare but now no Ion<^*r seen here; the bald
ca;^K', or )»roperly the white-headed ca;jle, once qtiite common, now
sciircc. Some well-preserved specimens of this ^'eiius are in the
County. T'is iMtrU. enjoys the honor of standing as (»ur national
<3ml)lem. li uiamin Frauklin lumente*! the 8el<.'cti<»n of this bird
as enibleinaticnl of the Uiiioii, for its j^reat cowardice. It has the
ability of ascendin>; in circular sweeps without ui:y ajtparent mo-
tioi» i»f the win<;s or the tail, ami it often rises in this njanner tmtil
it disappears from view; when at an immense hei<;ht. and as if ob-
servinir an object on the ;fr«»und, it sometimes closes its win^s and
jflides t«»wnrd the earth with such vel«»city that the eye can scarcely
ftdlow it, C4insin<r h Joud rustlini; sound liki* a violent ;;nst of wind
among the branches of the forest. The JI<iirk ftiiully\\\\f, ei;^ht *»r
nine species, some but seldom seen, others c«immoti. The turkey-
buzzard has almost, if not rjtiite, disappeared. Of the owl genera
are several species, though all are but seldom scfii because of their
nocturnal habits. Among them are the barn owl, the screech owl,
the long and the short eared owl, the barre<l owl, and the snowy
(»wl, the latter being the rarest.

Climbers. — liut tew of this order remain in the county, the most
common of wliich are the wood|K>ckers. Of the various kinds are
the golden-winged, the pileated, tlie hairy, the downy, the yellow-
bellied, re<l-l>ellied and the red-headed. At an early day the Car-
olina parrot, generally cidled the " parrokeet," was often seen, but
he has now entirely deserted this section. The yellow and black-
billed cuckoos are occasionally seen.

Scrntchers. — This order contains but few genera in this county.
The wild turkey, the choicest of game, has almost entirely disap-
]>eared, and was the only one of its family that ever sojourned here.
I 1 an early day they were in abundance. Groiise family. — The

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 2"-^5

chiefest among this fUiuily is the prairie chicken, which, if not
carefully ])rotected, must ere long follow the wild turkey, never to
return. The ruliied grouse, wrongfully called " pheasant," has of
late made its ajipeai'ance. It is quite fond of cultivated fields, and,
if properly protected and encouraged until it becomes fairly settled,
will make a line addition to the game, and till the place of the
prairie chicken. Partridge family. — The fate of that excellent bird,
the quail, is only a question of a short time. 'The Dove familij. —
The wild ])igeons continue to make their semi-annual visits, but
not in such vast numbers as vears aofo. Acres of forest were so
often iilled at niijht with these birds that the l)reaking of bouirhs
and the flying <if pigeons made a noise that could be heard for
miles, and the shot of a sportsman's gun could not i)e heard at a
distance often feet. Highly interesting is the description by Audu-
bon of the enormous flights which he observed on the Ohio in the
fall of 1S13; the}- obscured tlic daylight and lasted three days with-
out interruption. According to a very moderate estimate of his,
each flight coutained the stupendous number of one billion, one
hundred and flfteen thousand million, one hundred and thirty-six
thousand ]>igeons. These flights caused a general comnn^tion
among the entire rural population. Desirous of booty and anxious
lest their cro])S should be spoiled, the farmers, arming themselves
with rifles, clubs, poles, torches and iron pots fllled with suljjhur,
proceed to the resting places of the birds. The work of slaughtei-
being accomplished everybody sat down among mountains of dead
pigeons, plucking and salting the birds which they selected, aban-
doning the rest to the foxes, wolves, raccoons, opossums and hogs,
wliole herds of which were driven to the battle-field. The ])laintive
notes of the Carolina dove, commonly known as the turtle-dove,
are still heard.

Swimmers. — This order of birds, wiiich formerly frequented this
county in large numbers, have almost disappeared. They are mi-
gratory, and in their usual season would appear coming from the
north or south, as winter passes into summer or summer into winter.
Diver fam'd[j. — The great northern diver, or loon, sometimes visits
this section, but inhabits the frigid zone. Gull family. — Of this
family are Wilson's tern and silvery gull. Pelican family. — The
rough-billed pelican was the only genus of this family that ever
stopped in Pike count}', and it has now altogether ceased to make
its visits here. Cormorant family. — The double-crested cormo-
rant, or sea raven, has been seen here. Duck family. — This family
of migratoi'y birds visited the ponds and streams of this county in
large numbers before it became so thickly settled, both on their
northern and southern passage, but now mostly conflne themselves
to the Illinois and Mississip])i, where large numbers are found.
This family furnishes most game for sportsmen and for the table.
There are the wood-duck, the big black-headed duck, the ring-
necked duck, the red-head, the canvas-back, the dipper, the shell-
drake or goosander, the tish-duck, the red-breasted, and the hooded

286 lUSTOKV i,v I'lKK (oDNTV.

nieri^anser, the inalliird and tlie pintail, the <;reen- winded and the
bhiL'-win^od tt-al. the sjMM»iihill and the {^adwall, tlie h:ild|)ate, the
American swan, the trunjjieter swan and the white-tVonted ^uoee.

Wiidcrf<. — Probably less is known of this i>rder of birds than of
auy other, because of tlieir shyness and solitary habits. They fre-
(juenti'd the marshes, but cultivation has drained their favorite
liaunts. Craut J'ainihj. — The wh(><»|»in^ crane, always rare, is now
never seen. The sand-hill cranes stop on their journeys north and
south. Ill ronfamili/. — The ^reat blue heron or crane, least bittern,
the ;;reen heron, niijht heron and the Ainfiican bittern, compose
those of this family visitin<r this re<;it)n. Ihix fatmlt/. — The "j^lossy
ibis has bt^en seen here. J'luvirj'amify. — TUv «;oIdcn ph»ver. the
killdecr and the kin;; plover comprise this family known liere.
Phdia rope yamily. — Tlie Wilson's and the retl phalari»pe have fre-
(juented the swamps of this county. SnijH' J'liinilij. — N'arious birds
of this family have been common in and around the ^wamps of this
county. Amon^ them were Wilson's snipe, grey or re<l-breasted
snipe, the leaot and the semi-palmated san<lpi]>er, the willet, the
tell-tale, the yclluw-lc^j, the solitary hanilpij>er, the spotted sand-
j)iper, the field plover, lon;;-billed curfew, rhi- comm<in rail, the
clapper rail or mud hen, an<i the coot.

I!>ptilet<. — All of the speciesof this class that ever iidiabited this
re^jioij are .-till to be foun<l here except the p<»i.-onous snakes. The
rattk>nake, gfthe ;;enus Oolalus, is t)f a yellowish-brown color,
and has a seriis of httrny joints at the end of the tail, which make
a rattling; sound. Tla>e were the most venomous of all snakes
found here, and were numenuis in the early settlement. There are
two kinds, the bandy, or striped, and the ]»rairie rattlesnake, the
latter being still occasionally found. The copperhead was always
rare. Among the harmless snakes are the water-snake, the garter-
snake, the bull-snake, the milk snake, the black-snake, and the blue
racer.

Many reptiles found iiere are erroneously called lizards, but are
salamanders and other like innocent creatures. Lizards are never
fouiul in tliiscountv. Amon^f the tortoises or turtles are found the
niaj) turtle, the sna]>ping and the st»ft-shellod turtle. Of the batra-
chian, or naketi reptiles, there are a few, and, though loathsome to
sigiit ami touch, are harmless. Ti»e toad, the bull-frog, the leop-
ard-fiog, the tree-toad, with some tailc<l batrachia, comprise the
most of this onler. The Illinois river bull-frog is as large as a
man's head, often much larger, and his deep bellowing can be heard
for a mile or more.

KISUES.

Although fishes are the lowest class of vcrtebiates, their varied
forms and colors, which often rival those of precious stones and
liurnished gold, the wonderful power and velocity of some, the
wholesome food furnithod by many, and the exciting sport of their
t -ipture, combine to render fishes subjects of great interest to the

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTl. 287

casual observer, as well as to tlie amateur and professional natural-
ist. The nuniljer of known s])ecies of fishes is about ten tlujusand.
The waters of this county are quite prolific of the finny tribe. The
coninierce in fish has become cjuite extensive alouii; tlie Illinois and
Mississippi. Slckle-hackcd family. — This family furnishes the
orame fish, and are never cauij^iit larijer than four pounds in weight.
The varous orenera found here are tlie black bass, lioggle-eye, the
cr(_»ppy, ur big black sun-fish, and the two common sun-fish. Pike
family. — There are but two species of this family, — the pickerel,
weighing from five to twenty-five pounds, and the gar ])ike. Sucker
family. — Ot' this tribe are the butlalo, red-horse, white-sucker, two
species of black-suckers, mullet ranick. Fish of this family are
found in all the streams of the county. They abound wlierever
there is water. Cat-fish family. — Of this voracious family the
channel cat-fish, the mud cat-fish and two species of the small cat-
fish inhabit the waters of this countv, and are caui^ht ranijinu: in
weight from one to thirty pounds.

The shovel-fish is yet abundant, and its flesh, as well as its gen-
eral appearance, resembles that of the cat-fish.

Besides these varieties there are the chuV), silver-sides, and fresh-
water herring, and large numbers of other species denominated
minnows, which are found in the smallest spring branches, as well
as the laro^er streams.

I'lIAPTKl: VII.
I'.oTAXV.

Persons coinini^ t«} the We^t for the Hr»t time in their lives are
deeply iiiipressetl with the lii^h ami rollinj^ churueter of our
pniirie:^, wliich they ha<l hi-tore iilwjiys iimi«;iiie<l low imtl k'Vfl;
iiiitl this t'cuture ot' the pniirir, combined in early days with its
beautiful, dreamy covering «»f ll<jwerin{^ plants and i^rasKy venlure
in spring and summer, inspired one to sing:

A billowy ocean wuh ^rcvn rurjM't Kpn-ud,
Which M>eins iiliuiMtt too lu-iit lor muii to irvatl!
With glittcriiiK stars of nii)arylll>> while.
With vioh-tA liliii* iiiul roM-H nil iitid hrieht,

W . ^ ,

^ AtiU ioiic hut (hftTtiil iiiriuiow larks to -
ThJH KraB>.y «.•» apncarcil in "-■■i;"!" ' ^pri;.^
In siiiniuer rainc tlic Hlntely plant.

Ah if ■ ' •■ ' t

Thill ^v»»n»

t)'fr»|<rfini tin- vulrx ill J

Thus natun-, chul in vi-»t _ ; ^-^ »'.

Brought uutunin In and closed Uiv lioral M-ene.

Also the beautiful, clean-cut hills of our forests present a tiicte-
ful view scarcely ever witnessed in the East. IJtit at the present
day both our prairie and our timlR-r are tinder either cultivation
or pasttira<;e, ami bltie i^rass. white clover ai.d a large number of
introduci'd weeds from the Ea>t have taken llii' jdace of the origi-
nal tiora. Indu^trially this ctiltivijtion is a gain, but poetically it
is a loss. Only in the most retired situations can many interest-
ing plants be fotind which tise<l to Ikj abutxlant. Several species
of j)rairie clover, false wild imligt), rosin-weed, mountain mint,
loosestrife, etc., have almost di6aj»j>eared with the <»riginal prairie,
while a few of the modest strawl)errv, star-tjruss and bhie-eved
grans remain with us as sweet reminiscences of the past.

Nearly all the j)lants growing Pj)')rjtancously in ctiltivatcd f»r
waste grounds are " introduced ;" that is, thfy have been'br(Mi;,dit
here by white settlers, — unintentionally, »»f course, with reference
to most of the weeds. In the timl)ere<l sections no particular
weed is on the increase in the present decade, but in the prairie
section, the garden parsnip, common thistle, rich weed (in artiticial

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 289

groves), toad flax, wiid lettuce, and oxybaplius (a four-o'clock plant)
are increasing rapidly; and along the railroads several sand plants
are making good headway, as s^and-bur, polanisia, ox-ej'e daisy, etc.

Before settlement by tiie whites the prairie was mostly covered
by two or three kinds of grass. Several other kinds grew in
patches here and there, notably the Indian grass and blue joint»
which grew very tall. In wet places grew "slough" grass and
many sedges, and along the channeled sloughs abounded several
species of golden-rod, aster and wild sunflower, which in the lat-
ter part of summer and in autumn formed waving yellow stripes
across the ])rairie, and were peculiarly charming. They seemed
to have a sedative etlect upon the feelings.

About 2,300 species of plants are found within the United
States, 1,600 of which can be found in Illinois, and about 950 in
Pike county. We now give a list of all the common plants grow-
ing s])ontaneously in Pike county, and some of the most interest-
ing rare ones, excepting mosses, mushrooms, etc.; and we name
all the trees and shrubs, rare as well as common. We give the
English names, following Gray's Manual, fifth edition, mainly, in
respect to names, and altogether with respect to the order in which
the families rani^^e. Pv the wav, we make a few corrections of
popular errors as to riames. Some names, even in the books, are
applied to two or more different plants, as sycamore, button sn^dvc-
root, black snakeroot, goose-grass, hair-grass, loosestrife, etc. AIsd,
every plant has several names, — communities differing widely in
this regard. We endeavor to select the most common name as we
can judge from Gray's Botan}'.

Crowfoots. — Common virgin's bower, a vine, and Pitcher's vir-
gin's bower, a half vine, are occasionally found : the leather-flower,
a cultivated vine bearing large, blue flowers, is of the same genus.
The Pennsylvanian, Virginian and wood anemones occur here and
there. Liver-!eaf ("liver-wort") is common on forest hillsides.
Rue anemone, and the early, the purplish and the tall meadow-rues
are common in the woods. The true buttercu|)S of the East are
not found here, but the most common flower corresponding to them
is the creeping crowfoot. The small-flowered, the hooked, the
bristly and the early crowfoots also occur. Isopyrum grows in
moist, shady places. Marsh marigold is common in eai-ly spring,
growing in mud supplied with fresh water : in the East they are
called " cowslips "and sonietimes used for greens. Water plantain
spearwort, growing in mud, and yellow water crowfoot, growing in
water and with the submersed leaves finely divided, are seen occa-
sionally. ^Vild columbine, so easilj' recognized by its resemblance
to the cultivated species, abounds in the margins of the woods ; so
also two species of wild larkspur. Yellow ]»uccoon is very scarce.
White baneberry is occasionally seen in the deep woods.

Custard-Apple I<\iinili/. — The papaw is common ali»iig the Illi-
nois river. It fruits better in Calhoun county than Pike, being
of a more modern growth here. This is a frai;ile bush, with larije:

"29l) HIStTOBV or PIKE Cy>CXTY.

« veed e%'crTwtiei>r : lU M.'<eU-pod i^ tr v hat i;

»nd c .of our e ■
■ j>rr /■ a, a tctid j- ', is o.-m

ii:-:. "n ?saf. 'IteDding nii-n^j Uic ritiiroads wherv

i« abundant, Uic other kind:^
more rmre, arruw-Ieaved, larkspur, bird. foot.

d«' -CAM !• ' -.

;. ^ *. . / -» wetu j.. — . ' -.. - . >oiI, And pin-

veed on drr g

St. JoAn'$itor(4. -Two or throe ran? -e found in t

ooontr.

«aod« _ ed art

here mud there. Common chickweed and three species of mouse-
ear chickweed and U.- . bet are more comi Carpet weed

leave*, be.trin^ Iru^t ; ' of short, th:

."— "-- • " To " lean I

.tr H|»Hrt.

M' an m*.H>n8eed is abundant in the ^

woods. It ;i, l\*i • the i; .with

a bea'f ■•'■■'. 1 .iv r , v , .. . . . . . i

is sot: - • .' 1. ; _

i>-^frry }-\tmkiy. — Mayappie is abundant and blue cohosh

T' . '..'.! r xrK'r. water lt!v ii tbtindant in
lar_ and t. v water, or

fr . JT. sta^ant water, is scarce^ as is also

th. t.

" ^T.--? -.^> :< the onlr repre-
se: -.ry.

/t 1 l)iitchroan's breeches is the

r ot lilt* (juuily tu uur wi»»l- l>>-t>ding heart is of the

FtmiJ*;. Marsh creM is cotntn •!! . lake cress, grow -
ing in water. i» : and honie ranliiih flourishes beyond

iU t?arly-tloweringj>lant, i*
c .: ;. '■ -ing cress are T-.

:• ' ■ .i-i aro ;t.«. > ' •

ifd is tlie xu
tnat grows on caitirated and waste gmunds. Tansy mustard is
rare. BlacV
«*ated ""'

HI5TOBT OF PIKE OOCXTT. 2dl

is common on the aand ; it grows in the form of a boDcfaj iamp-
Tnat.

Furdane Family. — Akin to the beaurifal portnlaea is omr luii-
rersal purslane, often called ~ parsley/' Spring beaatj b^ongs to
this £unilv. It is one of our earliest spring floTers, and mar be
distinguished } ~ ''■ -.lant's having but two leaves, lon^ and nar-
row and some-.^^ : „.:hr. The flower is a light r(»e oolor. wiih

deeper veins.

MalVyte^ Fara'dy. — Common, or low mallows aiid velvet-leaf, or
Indian mallows are verv abundant. The latter is a ti -

weed about our fields, with seed-vessels resembling- . .. j-^- ..-.
Sida and bladder ketmia, or flower of an hour, are common. To
tliis onier beloncr the boUjhoek and okra. in cultivation.

L'lTid-zTi F " . — Bass-^xd. known as lin among Southern j^c--^
ple. is t}je o:.. • / '- ' *:.:5 far:" ~ growing ' --

Ger-iulum F - _ — -icran-:- is ©<>n- ;: early spring,

having a s-jlitarr, rose-eolored flower on the summit. Carolina

crane's-bill is rather rare. Spotted and pale touch-me-nots are e>:»m-

'- - . ing in dense patches. The rjtal-

- - : - .- .-..„e genus. Yellow wood-s<>rrei is

everywhere, ere the violet wood-sorrel prevails to

some extent- This is err rly called ~ sheep-sorreL^ Sheep, 'i^

reM K»rrel grows on sandy ...r z: . - i, has lance-shapfi and

V -iaLed leaves. ^-^'v" — ^-t - -.i:e pie-plant or ^-" "^-

<j.«ck. while wo - - :-Iay s-i'il. has three ' "^

like clover, showy flowers. £ Ti»A. Thie two aorreis bc-

loD;? to diflierent orders, but have a s; Tiste.

Rni FiTTiilq. — Th-? = ■ ■ :: shrub in our

W'X.^i but ffrowin^ sc-: ^ :_= ri .. e, are the only

members of this family in Pike county. - . s of the same

order, or family.

CiiJuic Family. — In America inis would seem to :'e ritLer the
sumac family. The sm<»ih sair.i:- '- • : ■ • : :n evervwLere. fr^^zranr
sumac abundant in sandy irround. - a ivy is cc-mnioi. aion^

fences — some places al undanL T:.e .a::er is a coarse, wo«:«dy vise
with innumerable rootlets, and has three leaflets to each leaf, with
these leaf - ;•--•—; -^ — -_ .jividei. When the plant is young

it can be - _.:._. _ x-eider by the latter having a white

*• bloc»m *' on the stem; and at all times it can be distinguished
from Virginia creeper \ American ivy. an innocent plant > by the
l:-.t:er h^v': y f t^ leaflets to each leaf, and the whole leaf in shape
ii-cr :„a: .: :.ucx:cye.

n.t Family, that is, the grape-vine &mily. — Virginia creeper,
just described, is as abundant as any weed. The winto-, or frost
grape is c»jmraon, bot the s . ipe, a delicious fruit, is very

HSiroe, if indeed it can be fou..^^ ^: a.. " *■ "- ----- T:u=€d:.. i.«e

abundant, but the vines hare been . : less ffrar>e

i^i. rrers.

Hu'sltJiTn F'j'TtUy. — The noted red- root, or Xew Jersev tea, a

•Jl>2 HlSToKV <>K I'lKK rdU.NTV.

shrub ill the margin of prairies jiiul to smne e.\tt»nt in all otiier t>it-
\i!ititiiig, is tilt' only roprosi'iitjitive of this fjiinily litTo, iiml it is he-
rnmiii";; nircr hy the cMcroiichiiU'tits of (••.iitivntioii :ui<l jiii.sfiir.iL'''.
Tiie leaves make very ^o(k1 tea.

Stt/jf'-tret' F'linily. — The climl>in<^ bittersweet ami waaiio') arc
all tlu-re are »»f this I'amily in (»ur limits. The former is a stuooth.
Woody vine, common in the wooils, climbing by simply twining,
and bearin<j «»ran<^e colored berries in clusters, often calle<l wax-
work and usctl in «»rnanicntation. This vine is often called simply
bittersweet, l»iit the true medical bitterswci-t is a very ilillVreiit
plant, scarcely a vine at all, ami not ^rowini^ wild iti this county,
i'lic waahoo, or burnini^bnsh, is a real bubh of about the si/.e and
proj>ortions of »i plum-tree; its twiijs have four white linos, and its
crimson fruit in autumn after the leaves have fallen are verv 8h(»w\ .
The flowers are dark purple.

^Soaphtn'ij Onhr includes the Maple, Itladdernutand Soapberry
(propir) families. Of the maples the niostcoininon are the eupiranu
tne white. The latter is one of the ii«»ft maples, the red niaj»Ie «»f «)lher
sections of the I'nited States beinij the tither. The red does not
;;row in this countv. H«>x-elder is sometimes calletl ash-leaved
maple, anil l>elonp« to this family. Tho American bladdernut is a
tree like shrub about |0 feet hijfh, produein;; lar^e three-hd»ed, in-
Hated see^l )>ods. The Ohio buck-eye is common in the river hot-
lon)s.

M ilkworts. — Scnoca Biiakeru«>t and two other species of milkwort
are found in this region.

Ptthf I'tituihj. — This larpe family is characterized Ity havinj^
wtnls in pods likebeans and |K»as, whi<di are menjl»ers of the tamily.
The first in the list, acconling t(» the b«K»ks, are the clovers, — re»l
aiul white. Twooiher species of this jjenus occur, in<lecd,buiare too
rare to etiumeratehere. Then the white sweet clover, more recxjiitly
esc.'ipi'd fnun cidtivatioii; the?» two hpeeies of prairie clover, almost
extinct, (ioat's rue, false iiulip> (Amondui) and lead jdaiit abound
on dry, sandy loam in river Imttoms. The common locust was in-
troduce«l here, but thi.>« is too far north for it to Ikj hardy enough to
withstand our wimU and the borer. A honey-locust occurs here
and there. One milk vetch is fre«|uent. Six species of tick trefoil
aUxind. Thesi' are thos*> plants in the woi>ds bearing " pods" of
triangular, flat burs. Two s|H»cies of bush clover are found here.
One vetch (^tare) and one marsh vetchling, gnmn<l-nut, kidnev bean,
false indigo (Haptisia) and wild senna are found here and there.
Ilog ])canut, called wild pea or beatj by some, aboun<ls everywhere
in the woods. Ii«d-bud is an ugly little tree except in the spring
before the leaves ai>j>(ar, when the wh<de top is of a beautiful
purj>lishred from the blossoms. Partridge pea is abundant "in
spots,*' grows like a weed in low places, 20 inches tt» 2 feet high,
has leaves like a locust, and bears a very large yellow flower.
The sensitive plant may be found within the bounds of this county^

uisrt)i;v (»K riKE cou^'Tv. 293

but if so, it is very scarce. Kentucky coftee-tree is rare. It is
fatnoiis tor its beautiful coiiijiound lea\'es and i^'loss}' beans.

Jiose Fiimly. — Most of our fruits come iVoni this family, as the
apple, peach, plum, cherry, strawben-y, etc. The wild plum (yellow
or red) is becomino: very scarce. The wild Ijlack cherry is abun-
dant; the ch(jke-cherry is a shrub found occasionally. JSIine-bark,
common meadow-sweet and oroat's-beard are s])ecies of sjjira'a fre-
quently found. Ai;ri:7iony is a coarse lierb occasionally found,
havini^ leaves resem hi in <^ those of the strawberry and bearinor a kind
of drooping bur; plant al)out two feet hij^h. One species of avens
is very common ; three other s])ecies are found. Common cinque-
foil, or livc-tinger, resembles the strawberry verj' closely, and aljounds
in dry soil. Norwcij^ian cincjuefoil has similar leaves, but the ])lant
is coarse and grows three feet high; not common. Another species
is also found. (3ne species of wild strawberry abounds in retired
v-iituations; it was common over the original ]>rairie. The blackherry
and the raspberry prevail here as elsewhere, but their sylvan terri-
tory is narrowed to close limits by the encroachments of man. Of
the roses ])roper the dwarf wild rose is the most common, but its
territory is also very lin)ited now-a-days. The early wild rose occurs.
Three sj)ecies of red haw (hawthorn) occur, and two varieties of one
species. Tiie black, or pear, thorn is the luost common, with two
varieties, then the scai-let-fruited tiiorn, and lastly the cockspur
thoi'n. The craba]')ple is well known.

Stxif rages. — Two or three S])ecies of gooseberry are common;
swamp saxifrage and a species of alum-root are sometimes met
with.

Orpine FaTn'dij. — Ditcli stonecrop is common during wet seasons.

Evening Primrose Family. — Common evening pi-imrose, en-
ciianter's nightshade, and one species of willow-herb, are common;
seed-box, water-purslane, sun-drops and two other species of false
loosestrife occur occasionally.

Loosestrife Family. — One species not infrequent.

Gourd Family. — Tiie wild balsam-apjile is a vigorous, herba-
ceous vine, bearing bui'-like fruit, about cultivated grounds, and
the one-seeded star cucumber flourishes in the shaded river bottoms.

Parsley F.unily. — Thi^; family is cliaracterized by having their
seed-bearing tops like those of ])arsnips. Most of the poisonous
plants growing in this country belong to this family. Two species
of black snakeroot prevail in this county. Parsnij^ itself is
becoming a common weed in open but protected places; and there
may be found here and there the cow parsnip, cowbane, meadow
pHrsnip, spotted cowbane, rattlesnake master, two species of water
parsnip, honewort, chervil, two species of sweet cicely, poison hem-
lock. Of the whole family the most poisonous are tlie spotted
cowbane and poison hemlock.

Ginseng Family. — Ginseng, on account of its popular medical
qualities, has been pretty well thinned out. The true wild sar-

294 HISTORY OF PIKE OOUNTV.

ti;ipiirillH (^ii plant of tlie appearance of a larj;e ^insenj;) is sorae-
tinics found, ami spik'irinl is common in the forest ravines.

J)t><jtr,>oi/«. -The nio-^t common (l"«;wood is the whitr-herried, or
panicled cornel; next the roiigh-leaved, the alternate-leaved, the
flowcriiiir, the silky, an«l lastly the red-osier.

Iloiuijuuckle Fiiinlh/.' Common elder is becomini; too abun-
dant. Yellow honeysuckle is common. Horse ijentiati, or I'ever-
wi>rt, is a foreet weetl bearing 5 to 10 yellow berries in a circle
around the stem at everv place where the two i»pposite leaves are
:iltache<l. The true black haw is scjirce, but slieepberry, which is
generally called black haw, i^ common.

A/titi(/cr J'\ii)iily. Two species of the snmll bed-otraw are
abundant, and the sweet-scented is common, while occasionally
nuiy l>e found cleavers, or jfoose-jjrass. Wild liijuorici' <tccurs
rarely. These herbs are all of a thi.\-like appearance, having sev-
eral iH'autit'ul little leaves in a whorl at each joint. l>utton bush
is common in wet ^'round.

Comjyositeti. — This onler is by far tin* lar;;eht of all. Its fl<iwers
arc compound, that is, there are several, s«»metimes many, small
th»wers crowded close together in a hea^l, as sunflower, lettuce,
dandelion, aster, chrysanthemuin. May-weed, etc. Their time of
flowering is penerally late in the season.

Iron-weed is common on flat gn»und: its summit in August is
a l»eautifiil ri»yal purple. Fi»ur species of button snakeroot (one
chilled also blazing star) are abundant on protected origimil prairie,
and occur nowhere else. Five sjKJcies of thoroughwort grow here,
that I'alled b«»neset being abunilant. The species ciilled trumpet, or
Joe-Pve wcc'il,is a tall, intercbting weed, with 3 to leaves in each
whorl, that is, at each joint. Kuhnia is not rare; it resembles
Injneset. Mist-fl4>wer grows in our limits. Of the asters tliere are
about 30 species growing within this county, alK>ut half of them
very com num. The flowers have a starry appearajice: hence the
name. The most remarkable of them is the New Kngland aster,
a large purple fl«)wer along the rojulsides in Sej»tenjber. Five
specie** «»f tteabane, similar to the a.sters in ap]>carance, are com-
m«»n. namely, horse weed, which is abundant on waste and cnlti-
vate«l grounds. Kubin's plantain, commcm fleabane. and two daisy
fleabanes, one of them called also sweet scabious. About 18
species of golden -rod can be found in this county, only half of them
common, however. The most abundant is the iS»Iidago Canaden-
sis. Fr(»m these much honey is made by bees in Scjttember. Four
species of rosin-wee»l used to prevail on the original prairie, but
tiieir territory is very limite<l at the present day. The most noted
of them has divided leaves, and is also called compass plant, or
j)olar plant, the leaves having (mce been thought to j)oint north
and south. Thdy do indeed stand with their faces somewhat paral-
lel, but they are just as apt to have their edges toward other points
of the compass. One species of rosin-weed has undivided leaves,
large and rough, and is called prairie dock. This and the compass

Illf-TOKV OK I'lKE 'JOL'NTV. 1^95^

plant flourish on flat prairie soil whicii is not pastured. The species
called cup-plant i^rows along the banks of channeled sloughs. The
leaves join together at the base so as to form a cup. It is a very
large weed. Partheniuin, a similar plant, is not rare, liagweed
is the most common weed we have along the roadsides: called also
hogwced, Roman wormwood, etc. Great ragweed is the largest
weed that grows in this country. Common along fences. (Jockle-
bur is on the increase. We have a State law •' providing " for their
destruction. Ox-eye, Lepachys and six species of cone-flower are
almost common. Six species of wild sunflower flourish along fences-
in unfro(]Ucnted situations. They are tall weeds, but not trouble-
some. One kind has tuberous roots and is really an artichoke.
Three species of tickseed occur in this county. The true Spanish
needle does not grow here, but three species of its genus abound
here, especially during wet seasons, namely, common and swamp
beggar-ticks and the larger bur-marigold. The smaller bur-marigold
is found in shallow running water. Fetid marigold is abundant in
dry situations along tiie wagon roads. When struck, even lightly,
ityields a rank aromatic odor: called also false dog-fennel. Sneeze-
weed, which looks somewhat like a S})anish needle, is abundant
during wet seasons and exceedingly scarce at other times. May-
weed, or dog-fennel, everv one is familiar with. So with varrow.
The ox-eye daisy, or white-weed, a vexatious weed in the East, is
just beginning to creep in along the railroads. Biennial worm-
wood is a common but harmless weed in waste places. Common
and ])lantain-leaved everlasting are common. Fire-weed abundant.
Golden rag- wort here and there in the spring. The famous Canada
thistle is seldom seen: the common thistle abounds more and more.
Two other species are common, growing very tall. ])urdock is a
Composite. Dandelion belongs in this connection. Wild lettuce
and talse or blue lettuce are common milky weeds, growing very
tall. Two species of sow-thistle, comparatively harmless, are mod-
estly on the increase.

Lohelias. — The celebrated medical lobelia, or Indian tobacco,
flourishes along our garden fences. The great lobelia, or blue car-
dinal flower, is abundant in moist ground. The cardinal flower is
the most showy, dazzling-red flower we have growing wild: found
in wet ground and on tiie banks of sloughs. A small and slender
species of lobelia is common in protected situations.

Campanula, or Belljlower JP'amily. — The tall bellflower is com-
mon. Venus's looking-glass is found here and there. "Blue-
bells" do not belong here: thev are the smooth lungwort, belonirins'
to tlie Borage family.

Ebony Family. — Persimmoji, or date plum; rather scarce, but
more abundant farther south.

Plantain Family. — The common ])lantain of our door-yarde.
Four other species of this family may occur in this county, but
they are exceedingly rare.

2i>r» HISruKY OF riKK COUNTY.

Primrose J^amily. — Two species of loosest rile (liVsimacliia)
occur.

FiijiDint Fam'dy. — Mullein, tojul-flax ('' butter-aiul-egge "), tig-
wort, iK^ard-tonguo, two species ot" Gerardia, two species of louse-
w<»rt and eowwlieiit, are comtnon, while monkey-flower, hedge
hys-iip, falsi' pirnin'iiiel, jMirr^laiie and corn speedwell are sonietimes
«>een. T<»ad ll;ix has per»i&tent r<t(»is like witch-gra^s and threatens
to heeoine a jiest. Tlie srjap drag.»n <»f our gardens is a rtg-wort.

Vi:rra\n». -Verheiuis belong to this order. The most abundant
jilant beldUging t.i this family, and growing wild, is the Imary ver-
vain; next are tin- braetrd ( prttstnite). the white, or nettle-leaved,
and the blue. They all prefer dry, waste grourjds, and are much
inelined to hybriiHze. Fog-fruit ig abnntlant in sandy gmund
along the river*.

Mint f'ltnihj. — Coinin«»n are wood sage-, or Ameriean ger-
mantler, wild mint, btigle-weed, Americjin j)ennyroyal, and hedge
nettle, two sj>eeies. Motherwort, catnip, iieal-all, and wild mint
are abundant. Here and there are water horehound, mountain
mint, hortie-mint, blephilia (twt» n|>eeies), giant hvhSop (two hj»e-
eieii). false dragon-head, or lionV-heart, mad-<log ukulleap and one
other species of skullcap. (ir«>und ivy, or gill-over-the-grtiund, is
abundant about dwellingH. What is generally called "horse-mint"
in the West is " wild brr:;amot" accrording to the book^, while wild
mint is ofjen taken for peppi-rmint. True pe))permint, spearmint,
and horehound are scarce within our limit;*. South of the Illinois
river horehound t^ikes the place of catnip along the fences and road-
sides. Salvia, sage and Mexican sage are cultivated plants belong-
ing to this order.

lioragf Family. — Hairy and h»»ary pucc<x)n, smooth lungwort,
stick-seed, beggar's lice and common hotuurstongue arc cotnmon;
all other species rare. Comfrey i)elongs to this family. Smooth
lungwort is often called '' blue-bellh." It iscomm m in early spring
about door-yartls and ah*ng fences near dwellings. (ominon
hound's-tonguc flourishes along the roads; flowers a dull |)urple,
appearing in early summer. IJeggar'slice is a species of houtidje-
tongue.

Wuter haf Family. — Ellisia ap|>c>ars iti cool, shady places, and
resembles snndl tomatoes in leaf an«l fruit.

PnhmoniumA^ or Phloxes — Greek valerian, paniculate, hairy
utid divaricate j)hlox are frequent. The true wild sweet-William is
\erv rare.

Convolvulus, or M<>rningglory Family. — The most common
plant of this order growing spontaneously l)eyond the bounds of
cultivation is hedge bisidweed.or Kutland lK.'auty. Eight s]»eciesof
dodderC* love-vine'') may be found, all rare excejit one. It aj»pears
like orange colored thread growing on the tops of weeds.

Nightshade Family. — To this family belong Irish p<jtatoes, to-
matoes, egg-plant, bitter-sweet, tobacco and Jerusalem cherry. The
most common weeds of this familv are jim^ijn-weed, horse-nettle

;

:iLIhM^^^.

PITTSFIELO T'

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 299

("bull nettles"), common or black nightshade and two species of
gronnd-cheri'}'. The white-flowered jimson-weed (Datura Stramo-
nium) is called common stramonium or thornapple by Dr. Gray,
while the purple-flowered he calls purple tiiorna])ple.

Gentians. — One beautiful species of American centaury, Ameri-
can Coiumbo and several species of gentian are found within our
limits, but all of them are scarce. "Horse gentian " belongs to the
Honeysuckle family.

Dogbanes. — Spreading dogbane in the borders of thickets and
Indian hemp (Amsonia) on the river banka are common.

Milkweeds. — Common milkweed, or silkvvecd, is common; has
large, boat-shaped pods of glistening cotton. Swamp milkweed is
also common. Butterfly weed, or pleurisy-root, whoi-led milkweed
and two species of green milkweed occur not rarely.

Olive Family. — It would seem more natural to us Westerners
to call this the Ash family, as we liave no members of this order
about us except the five species of ash, — white, black, blue, red and
green, the white being the most common. Some of these kinds are
difficult for the beginner to distinguish.

Birthworts. — Wild ginger is common in deep, wooded ravines.
The leaf is kidney-shaped, plant but tew inches high, and the root
tastes like ginger.

Four-o\-l()ck Family. — Oxybaphus is rapidly increasing along
the railroads, and in low, sandy places.

Poheioeeds. — The common poke with its purple-juiced clusters
of berries is well known.

Goosefoots. — Lamb's-quarters, or pigweed, a common weed in
our gardens, is the type of this order. Beet and spinach belong
liere. Next in abundance to lamb's-quarters are oak-leaved goose-
foot, mai)le-leaved goosefoot, Jerusalem oak and Mexican tea.
Wormseed is a fetid plant belonging to the genus goosefoot.
Orache is becoming abundant in the towns and cities.

Amnrnntli^. — The cultivated coxcomb, globe amaranth and
prince's feather (red, chaffy spikes) illustrate the characters of this
family. Pigweed is one of the most common weeds in cultivated
ground. The pigweed of the last paragraph siiould be called goose-
foot only, or laml)'s-quarters. AVhite ])igweed, generally known in
the We.->t as "tumble-weed," is abundant in someflelds. Amaran-
tns blitoides has recently become very abundant in our towns. At
a little distance it resembles common purslane. Acnida and Froe-
licliia are common in sandy soil near the rivers.

Buckwheat Family or Knotweeds. — Goose-grass is the most
nbifpiitous member of this order, forming a car])et in every door-
yard. A taller variety with wider leaves also abounds under the
shade trees about the ])remises. Two species of smart-weed, mild
water-pe])per, water Persicaria and two other species of knotwecd
are all common. Out of 14 sj)ecies of what a])pears to be smart-
weed, only two are biting to the taste. Arrow-leaved tear-thumb,
black bindweed and climbinfj false buckwheat are common vines.

800 HISIXUCY <>K I'lKK rOtNTY.

Pie-plant, "yellow dock" Jitid sheep-sorrel represent another di-
visiidi of the kiiotwccd family. The most coiiuiion nu'inhtT of this
divibion in I'ike coiuitv is curled, or "vellow" dock; then folli>w
sheep-sorrel (ulxiinMiinw in (Jimdy soil), pale, water, swamp and
bitter docks,

L/inrcl Familij. S:i>>;ilra.> is connnon aiming the Mull's and bot-
toms of the rivers. Spice buhh is alsi» found in I'ike cuunty.

S'luiltilwooil J^'tiiiti/y. — Bastard toad-liax rather sairce.

ISptir'jes. — Spotte«l spiirj^c, an lierh ^rowin«; in«»re prostrate tlnin
all others, on cultivHti'*! ground; milky; no visible thtwers. Three
other species of spurge are ahnoft common. Three-seeded Mer-
cury, known in former years to inhahit only the dark fore.nt. has
followed io our city residences where it can tii»d a similar situation.
Croton is common near the rivers; an insigniticant little herb.

Nettle ^>n/t'r.-()f the Klin family are the white and the >li|ipery
elm and the luK-kU-rry, -the tir^t mentioned aljundant, the other
two Rcarco. Of tlio Bread-friiit and Fig family is the red mul-
berry, which is scarce. Uf the Nettle family prt»per are the true
nettle (rare), wo«m| riettle (enmm»»n\ richwrrd. jiellitory, hemp and
hop. Uichweed, or clear»vee«l, like the Mercury «tf the lat«t para-
graph, has followed man to his artificial groveu and is very ahun-
(lant on flat ground under heavy shade-tree8, in some places. It is
rennirkable that b^^tani^ts have placed in this order the Osage
orange trett. of our hedges, the brea<l-fruit tree of the far-olf I'acitic
isles, the tig and the hanyan, antl the |M>ison upas of the Eji^t
Indies.

Pitiue- Tree t'ltndy. — " SycjimoVe,'' or button-w«KMl,or American
plane. The true sycamore (»f Ktirope is a difl'erent tree.

W'lilnxd K'liHily. — lilack ar d white walnut (butternut) are well
known. Three species of shell-bark and two of sino<ith-bark, be-
sides (>ecan in the river Utttoms, are common in this country. The
list comprise-* the shag-bark, the we^tern shell-bark, the mocker-
nut or white-heart, the pi<;-nut or bri»om, bitter-nut or swamp
hickories, and the }>ecan. The latter used to l>e abundant in the
river bt»ttoms, but the larger trees having In-'en cut out for both
the timber and the fruit, most of the jjecan gn»wth n<»w is too
young to priKluce much fruit.

Oak Family. — This family comprises not only the oaks but also
the chestnut, lK?ech. hazel-nut and iron-wood. Some of the oaks
hvl»ridize so much that it is <iifficult to keep track of the species
and varieties. White oak, of course, tJikes the load here as else-
where, but the blackjack is alnint as abundant. The latter is
usually the ".second grt»wth," and is as good as hickory for tire-
wo<»d. Bur-oak, sairlet oak and black oak (yellow-barked, or
quercitron) arc Common. Laurel or shingle oak, yellow chesfnut
oak and red oak are occusionall}' met with. Laurel oak is so called
on account of the shape of its leaves, and is also called shingle oak,
on account of its iKjing so good in pioneer times for clapi>oards.
Two species of iron-wood flourish here. They belong to different

* IIISTUKY OF PIKE COUNTY. 301

fjeiiera, one liavin<r seeds in clusters of involucres resemblini^ hops:
hence it is called ho]> hoi-nbeam. The other iron-wood or horn-
beam is also calletl blue or water l)eech.

Birch Family. — The red, or river birch is sometimes found
alone; tlie rivers and creeks.

Willoivs. — The most common willow, as well as the largest, is
the black; then the ])rarie, glaucous, heart-leaved, shining and
long-leaved. The black and the shining willows have tough twigs
which are very brittle at the base. Several other species of willow
occur, but are rare. The quaking asp, or American aspen, the
cotton-wood, balm-of-Gilead, Loinbardy ]>oplar and silver-leaf, or
white ])oplar, are well known.

Arum Family. — Indian turnip (Jack-in-the pulpit) abundant;
skunk cabl)agc common in wet places sup])lied by spring-water;
sweet flat? and green dragon verv rare.

Duckweeds. — One species common on the surface of ponds. It
does not take root in the earth.

Oat-tails. — Common cat-tail (a kind of flag) and a species of bur
reed occur in wet ]tlaces.

Pondwecds. — Several Sjiecies grow throughout this coutitry.
They grow in or under water.

Water- Plcintain Family. — Arrowhead (two species, with several
variations) is abundant. Has large, arrow-shaped leaves and white
flowers in threes, and grows along the sloughs. Water plantain is
sometimes found : grows in same situation as last.

Amaryllis Family. — The star-grass is common. It is a modest
little grass-like plant, ])utting forth its conspicuous, yellow, 3-petal-
ed fl.iwers in June.

Iris Family. — The larger blue flag is becoming rare. The blue-
eyed grass looks like the star-grass just mentioned, except that the
flowers ai-e white or pale blue.

Yam Family. — Wild yam-root is a green vine sometimes seen
in the woods.

Smilax Family. — Common green-brier, Smilax hispida and
carrion flower are all not very rare.

Lily Family. — Purple trillium, or three-leaved nightshade, is
abundant: flowers in May. One otlier species of trillium some-
times occurs. Bellwort is an early flower in the woods.
Smaller Solomon's seal and false s))ikenard are common. Wild
orange-red lily is common in the margins of prairies which are not
pastured and have never been broken. White dog's-tootli violet
and great Solomon's seal are re])orted hero. It is another early-
flowering plant of a similar appearance to the last and in similar
situations. Squill (eastern quamash, or wild hyacinth) is said
also to be found in this county. Wild garlic, having tups like our
garden top-onions, and wild leek are common in low places not pas-
tured.

Rvish Family. — The bog-rush is a very common, yellowish,
grass- like herb along roads and paths, especially those leading

302 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTV.

tlii-DU^li tlie forest ; but it is aUo fouiul to some extent in ull (jther
situutinns.

rickerel-weed family. — Water 6tar-«;ras8, growing luultr i iiii-
iiini;^ water in the forest brooks, is coiinnon.

Spi'lerworts. — Coininoii 8|>i<ler\vort is common.

Sedges.— '^\\vn* are three or>four dozen species i»f sed^jc i^ntwijiij
within the limits tit" any one county, hut they are all uiiim|»tntant
j)lants. They have a gra*s-like aopearance, hut cjin readily he dis-
tini^uished fr.»m the grasses hv tlieir having triangular stems and
hur-iikc to|)S(>ei'd clustc'r^). while the grasses have round or roiind*-
ish stems. What is generally wille<l lake grass along the rivers is
a true sedge, and its English name is great bulrush. It is by far
the largest of the sedges. The river club-rush is next in size.

Oi'iiKKen. - \\\\\Q grass takes the lead for prevalence an«l utility.
Next, two species of fox-lail. liesides these the juost common
grassrs are while grass, rice cut grass, Indian rice or water oats,
timothy, rush grass (two species), bent grass, woo<l reed -grass,
drup>ti'd (two genera); reed l)ent-grass, blue joint gnuss, porcupine
gras-, freoh-water (Mnl-grass, Koeleria, Katonia (two sj»ecie8\ melic
grass, fowl meadow gniss luid its congener, (Jlyceria tluilans, low
siKjar-gmss, reii t«»p, Kragroslis (tliroo species), fescue (two species),
cliebs, Uromjis ciliatus, rood (a tall, liroom-corn-like grass growing
in di'use fiflds in the swamps of the river bottom), hordenm pra-
tense la kinj <»f wild barley ), two species of ly me grass or wild rye,
)M>ttle-brusli grass, re<'d canary grass, I'aspalum, wire grass, eight
s|>ecies of panic-grass, among them tw«> kinds of tickle-grass and
one oMwitch grass, crab-<;r«ss ant) barn-yard gntss, sand-brr (in
sand) and two species of beard-gra">s, AIkmU tw<» dozen other
kind-* i»f irrass can Ijo found in the c«>uiitv. but thev are all very
rare

llor^ Sc«»uring rush an<l common horse-tail (es|>ceially

aloiii; Til... lis) are common : tw<» other species scarce.

Fenin. — Maiilen-hair, brake, a sjileenwort, a shield fern, a blad-
-ler-fern and the sensitive fern arecuminonin the order here name<l,
while t»ne sjiecies of llowering fern aiid two «»r tliree other ferns
mav be found.

CHAPTER VIII.
ARCILEOLOGY.

Perhaps no district of country in the West contains more traces
of that pre-liistoric people known to us only as the '" ]\[ound-I>nild-
ers" than the district between the Illinois and the ]\Iississipj)i riv-
ers. Tiiere is scarceh* a township of land in this section which
does not contain more or less of these traces, and in some of them
are works which in extent and character will compare with anj in
the West.

Tlie mounds in this county are evidently of three classes : sacred
mounds, which were used fur the sacrificial lires; burial mounds,
which were erected over the last remains of important pei'sonat^es;
and mounds which were used for domestic habitations. These were
probably residences similar to those of some tribes of our present
Indians. First, poles or logs set up in a circle, then covered with
brush or iJ^rass, and the whole with earth to a considerable extent.
The sacrificial moun<ls always contained burnt earth, burnt bones,
and frequently, too, the charred bones of human beings. In the
burial mounds only the bones of a few persons are found, ])robably
of some chief and his immediate family, and usually near them are
uten>ils of tlie kitchen, arrows, pottery, and such articles as were
most prized in life by the departed.

In some localities immense shell-heaps exist, while it is not un-
common to iind in the mounds shells from the sea, notably the
conch-siiell and sea-periwinkles, the latter very ct)inmon. Imple-
ments of both hardened copper and copper in a soft state are often
found, and a metal resembling iron in texture and color, but hard
enough to cut glass and which resists the action of almost all the
acids.

Tiiat these mounds were not erected by the same race as our
present Indians is at once apparent from the bones of the latter
being of a reddish hue, while those of the Mound-Builders are of
a different shade and much larger.

It is our opinion that the Mound-Builders were a pastoral peo-
])le, who had made considerable progress in civilization. In the
winter, doubtless, they drove their flocks and herds to the bluffs
and rich, slieltered l)ottonis where they could obtain shelter, and

304

IIISTOIJY OK I'IKK COUNTY.

in the summer they drove them to the jirairies for pjisturaf^e.
I)oiil>tlesti, like the ('hiiiese of to-day, they esteemed their native
hills sacred and sought to he hurled there, no matter where the
iron iiand of Death overtook them: and their friends, respecting
this desire, were in the hahit of hringing the bones of each family
or tril)e to these sacred hurial places, after they had heen stripj)ed
ot their th'sh, for permanent hurial.

l*erhai)s some future archajolo«'ist will delve among these ruins
and tind a key to the mystery ot the Builders, of whom we to-day
know next t«» nothing; and unless some means are taken hy the
Government or societies organized for the purpose, and these meas-
ures ut no distant day, they will have become so far obliterated by
the plow and by unskilled diggers that the slight clues they contain
will be buried in oblivion greater than now enslirouds the history
of their builders.

A few years ago some of the prominent gentlemen of I*ike
county interested themselves in organizing an " Archa'sological
Society," but of late the interest seems to have aliated very per-
ceptibly, ami the Stjciety so enthusiastically organizetl can now
scarcely be said to be in existence.

The genlletnen proposing to organize an " Anti«juarian Society "
met at the court-house in I*ittstield, May 24. 1S73. when Dr. T.
Worthington was called to the chair and li. II. Criswell aj)pointed
secretary. They organize*! tlie " Pike County Anti(juarian Soci-
ety," and the ])ermanent ofHcers elected at this meeting were, Pres-
ident — Wm. A. (iriMjshaw ; A'ice Presidents - Win. Mc.\dams,
Escp, Dr. E. S. Hull, of Madison county, Cai.t. W. 11. Keed, of
Calhoim county, I^r. T. Worthington, of Pike, Dr. A. .Mittower, ot
Pike, liichanrperry, of Pike. II. .1. Harris, ot Pike, C. L. Obst, of
Pittstield, Archaeologist Artist; Dr. Thos. Aiton, Secretary; Wni. U.
Archer, Trea^urer.

W. IJ. (Jrimes. Dr. Mittower and C'. L. (>i»st were apjtointed a
committee to solicit contributions t«> the wibinct of the Society, and
invite the exhibition of such relics as owners are unwilling to part
with, the object being to obtain j)ossession of evidences and traces
of the j)eople of antiijuitv, their iinplements and usages as far as
})racticable.

A letter was read before tiie Society from Mr. Mc Adams, of Wa-
terville, Jersey county. May 18, 1873, as follows:

" I see in the papers a call for a meeting in Pittsfield on the 24th
in&l., lo oryfaniz'- a society with a view of further investi;;ation and
more perfect knowledge of relics and ancient remains near the Il-
linois and Mississippi rivers. I have for the last 15 years, during
my leisure hours, been making some investigations of the moimds
and tumuli cjf Jersey and Calhoun counties. There is not perhaps
in all the West a section richer or more interesting in its great
numi)ers of relics of an almost unknown race of people who once
inhabited this countrv. No thoroUi;h investiiration lias been made.
Alreadv many of them have been destroyed by the cultivation of

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 305

new fields. Before inativ years the inaioritv of them will be ob-
literated, or so defaced that the ori<ri:ial ])lan of constnielioii will
be lost. There should be a society like the one yon propose to or-
ganize, not only for the purpose of investi<^ation but also for the
purpose of inakini;; some record of their woi-k. Comparatively little
is known of the mounds of Jersey and Calhoun, although I have
visited many of them and collected quite a number of interesting
relics. Yours truly,

"Wm. MoAdams."

The second week in June, 1873, the Society made an excursion
to the southern part of the county and spent several days among
the numerous mounds in that locality, where they found many
relics of the aborij^^ines, anionic: which were arrow heads, fish-S]')ears,
stone knives and liatchets, earthen vessels of various kinds, coj)per
kettles, stone pipes, shell and cop])er beads, silver ear-rings, silver
buckles, etc. Nearly all these articles were fo«nd imbedded in the
mounds with human bones, pieces of pottery, etc., genei'ally at a
depth of about three feet below the surface. In some cases stone
vaults containing bones and other relics were discovered a few feet
beneath the surface. The members of the Society who went on
that excursion say they had a most enjoyable trip and consider
themselves well repaid for their tr(Mibl(\

In the summer of 1873, Col. J). \>. Bush presented to the Society
for its museum Indian trappings of great value. Thos. James, of
Martinsburg. i>resented a large lot of beautiful beads and amulets
from the Big ^Nlound of Saci'amento valley, Cal.; also, moss, peat,
cinnal)ar and Chinese corn, etc. — all from California. Col. S. S.
Thomas presented a rare and beautiful specimen of coquine and
concrete shells from St. Augustine, Florida. In Septeml)er of the
same year. Col. A. C. Matthews eontril)uted to the museum one
beaked saw-lish {Pristis) from Matagorda Island, Texas; auto-
graj)h letter of Henry Clay, dated Oct. 5, 1829, Ashland, Ky.;
pass of Lieut. Gen. S. B. Buckner, C. S. A.; one copy of army cor-
respondence; also coin and fossils. Geo. H. French presented a
stone mortar from Pilot Blufl", Illinois river; E. JS. French, s])eci-
mens of columnar limestone; Hon. J. M. Bush presiMited one copy
of the Massachusetts Centennial, published at Boston, Sept. 5,
1789, about four months after the inauguration of President Wash-
ington; Hon. W. A. Grimshaw ]^resented books as follows: Amer-
ican Volume, Ancient Armeca; Lines of Humboldt; two volumes
of Smithsonian Institute Re})orts, 1865-'6; two volumes of History
of Wisconsin; stone and flint implements, bone needle and speci-
mens of ])otterv. Patrick Ilalpin presented specimens of Ameri-
can and Italian marble.

In December, Mr. R. Perry contributed s])ecimens of silicious
and ferruginous conglomerate; Dr. A. McFarland, a very nice
human skeleton, five bottles containing in alcohol si)eciniens of
ophidian, all indigenous to Pike county, and also one containing

30C HISTORY »»K I'lKK COUNTY.

ttetiiii; Tlios, Williiiiiu-, seven l»eaiitil"ul lliiit impleiiuMits; aixl N.
W. Kil>ler, a very hiri^e tootli of a paeliydenii.

Feb. 21, 1S74. C4eo. Bell. Thos. lj|o«»iner, Uiniiii llurton jind (t.
S. Peiuiiii^^toii found reiiiaiiiK of tive huniaii skeletons in tlie Mis-
siissipiii Idiitrs oil the farm of Mr:*. L. li. Lyoji at the month of
Diiteh creek hollow. One bknll measured *J<I inches from the toj»
of the cranium around under the lower jaw. Indeed, many
more skeleton:* are in these bluH's. Several wa^on-Ioads of
rock hiid l»een thrown over these remains. The heads a|)j)eared to
be laid towanl a common center of ahont three feet space. One
skull containe<l a rt.»ck whicli had doubtless heen thrown there when
the remains were huried. The bones were very brittle and dilllcult
to seciir*' in their integrity fr<>m amonn; the roots. There are st-ven
of these muunds in Mr. Ilorton's liehl, in a semi-circle, all C(jntain-
in«^ human remaiiiB. AUo a epecies <»f pottery has heen found
tliere.

In the soiitheast part of I'earl township ahout a mile from the
Illinois river tw«> opper vessels were once fouiul, one smalK-r than
the other, under bome Hat stones which had been plowed up, and a
little lower down stone cotfins were f«)und in a field where they had
been plowing; but ihcj-e "remains" were probably left tliere by
early French e.xplorers.

Mr. C L. Obst, photographer in Fittsliehl, who id a fine archffi-
ologist and the virtual foumler of the '* I'ike County Anticpiarian
Society," hasH splendid collection; namely, 100 varieties of Hint
implements, four varieties of stone hatchets, four of wedges, varie-
ties of stone disks of various materials, as iron <»re, sandstone, gran-
ite and greenstone, four varieties of plummets, mostly iron ore,
two of hammers, pestles, round stone for clubs, eight kinds of
pipes, iron ore and gn-eii^totie chisels, plowshares and hoes, a large
variety «»f pottery, drills and mortars, bone of the pre historic bison,
sinkers, weights, etc., etc. Mr. Obst has also a g<»o<l collection of
geological specimens.

The museum of the S«»ciety is in the Public LiWrary room over
the postoflice in I'ittslield, but the association is not active at pres-
ent and their collection of relics seems neglected.

(CHAPTER IX.
IMPORTANT LABORS OF TIIP] BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

COUNTY COUKT.

In 1847 a State election was held for members of the Constitu-
tional Ooiiventiou, which Convention prepared and submitted to the
people a new Constitution, which was adopted by a large majority.
By this Constitution, in place of the Commissioners' Court a County
Court was organized in each county. This Court consisted of a
County Judge, and, if the Legislature saw proper to so order it, two
Associate Justices. This the Legislature favorably acted uj)on.
The last meeting of the County Commissioners' Court was held
November, 1849. After the transaction of such business as prop-
erly came before them, they adjourned until court in course, but
never re-assembled.

On the tirst Monday of December of the same year the first regu-
lar term of the County Court was held. The duties' of the Court
in a legislative capacity were precisely the same as those of the
County Commissioners' Court. In addition to the legislative power
the members of this Court were permitted to exercise judicial
authority, having all the rights and privileges of Justices of the
Peace, together with all probate business. This C'ourt consisted of
a County Judge and two Associate Justices. The Judge and As-
sociate Justices acted together for the transaction of all county busi-
ness, but none other. The Justices had an equal vote with the
Judge, and received the same salary while holding Court, which was
$2 per day. Two of the three constituted a (juoruni.

The Countv Judije who served under this rci^ime was James
Ward. The Associate Justices were Joshua Woosley and William
P. Ilarpole.

TOWNSHIl' ORGANIZATION.

The Constitution of 1847 provide*^ for township organization
in those counties desiring it. (lions. Wm. II. Archer and Wm.
A. Grimshaw, both of this county, were members of the Conven-
tion framing this dmstitution.) The (piestion of organizing
according to this j)rovision soon began, of course, to agitate the

308 IIISTUKY OF I'IKE COUNTV.

}>eoj)le (»t" Pike County, and the controversy •;re\v bitter, — the bit-
terest indeed that this more than usually peaceful coniinunity ever
indiiliri'd in. Iinnit;jrants from the Kast were familiar with the
workiii«;s of town-hip le:,'islation and matiai^iMUcnt, and desired to
perpetuate their home iri>titutiun in the Wi-pI; l)Ut the other citi-
zens of the county were afraid that the introduction of the measure
would necessitate an incivase of office holders, useless expenses and
manv unforeseen vexations. The Jud^/es in otfioe w»'re all opixtsed
to the innovation, — st> much so indeed* that they continued to hold
Court even after the j^reat victory of the innovators in carry in«!j the
county by 1,563 votes agjiinst 317, and the election of new meni-
bers. For a short time the eoiiiitv had two le«;iplatures at once.
The vote w.is taken at the j^eneral election jf November (j, 1>4'.>, at
which election IV'ter V. Siiankland was elected County Clerk on
this hotly contested issue, and Stephen It. Gray Sheritl". I'oth these
gentlemen were Di'inocrate, in favor of township or;^anizati(»n. In-
deed, as a matter <d* curiosity, but of no political si;;niticance, we
mav state that the tiiflit on ln»th sides was nearly all done bv the
l)emt»crats, the Whi;;s Uikinjj but little part.

An election was held in Novfml>er, 1^40, to vote " for " or
"a<rainst " township ori^miz ition. wliich resultetl in favor of tlie
measnr<'. This was met with bitter opposition however, and an ap-
jHjal was tikon to the Circuit Court by Samuel L. Crane. The law
was decided to \)c constitutional, and the election a fair one.

The Hoard wf Supervisors of Pike county first assembled April
8, 18.">0, this buin;; one of the first <•.. unties in tin' Stutf to organize
under the township ino«le.

There were present at this meeting the fo|h»win;; members :
Moiitj^omrrv HIair. Parry; Ila/en Pn-ssy. Washin^rton; Archibald
Prooks, (/liaml)ersburi;; Uavid Preljle, Salem; Wilson Adams,
llarilin; Win. Koss, Newburj;; Thos. Hull, Kinderln»ok; A. \V.
Jiemis, Martinsburj^; li. C. Kobertson, Milton; Janus M. Seeley,
Atlas, and John McTucker. Iladlev. Stipervipor Plair was elected
temporary Chairman and Col.Iluss chosen Chairnjan. The Poard
then adjourned to re-assemble April 23. Ib'iO. There were j)resent
at this the second niettin^ the following gentlemen: Wm. Iloss;
Archibald Pr«M»ks; Darius Dexter, Perry; Amos Hill, (iriggsville;
David Preble; John McTucker; Montgomery Plair; Jesse Seniff,
Detroit; Th««mas Hull; A, W. Pemip; J. M. Seeley; J. T. Hyde,
Pittsfield; H. C. Uoljertson; Wilson Adams; Iliucen Pressy; and
Jann'S Talbot, Pleasant Vale.

The County Court, when in session in 1*^40. appointed a com-
mittee to divide the county into townships. This committee made
their report to the Board of Supervisors, which is as follows :

** We. the undersigned, CoHimissioncrs appointed by the horutr-
able the County Court at the December term. l'^49, to divide Pike
cotinly into towns or townships pursuantto the declared wish of the
citizens of said county, decided by a majority of votes given for
and against townshij* organization at an election held on Tuesday

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 309

after the first Mundiiy in Xovoinber, 184:9, under und by antliority
of an act to provide for townsbij) and county ori^unization, and may
organize whenever a majority of votes of said county at any gen-
eral election shall so determine, res))ectfnlly report that, after ma-
ture delil)eration and liearing tlie views and ci»nsultiiig ihe wishes
of the people through delegations apjxn'nted by the (litfei'cnt j)re-
cincts, they have unanimously agi-eed .upon the following division
boundaries and names, and report the same as organized :

" JouN Lystku,
" S. K. Gi>AY,
" John K.Clkveland.
''Commencing at the northeastern corner of the county and
making fractional townshij^s 3 s., 1 and 2 w., a town by the name
of Chambersburg; Congressional township 3 s., 3 w., Perrj'; 3 s.,
4 w., Fairmount; 4 s.. 7 w., and fractional of 4 s. and 8 w., Kin-
derhook; 4 s., 6 w., Barry; 4 s., 5 w., lladley; 4 s., 4 w., New
Salem; 4 s., 3 w., Griggrsville; fractional township 4 s., 2 w., Flint;
fractional township 5 s., 2 w., Detroit; Congressional township 5 s.,
2 w., Newburg; 5 s., 4 w., Pittslield; 5 s., 5 w., Washington; 5 s.,
6 w., and the fractional townships 5 s., 7 w., and 5 s,, 8 w., and 6
6., 7 w., Pleasant \^ale; 6 s., 5 w., 6 s., 6 w., 7 s., 5 w. and 7 s., 8
w., Atlas; s., 4 w., Martinsburg; 6 s., 3 w., Hardin; s., 2 w.,
Milton; fractional township 7 s., 2 w., Pearl; 7 s., 3 w., Spring
Creek; and 7 s., 4 w., Pleasant Hill."

Subsequently the Board of Supervisors were notified by the
State Auditor that the names of Washington and Milton must be
changed, owing to other townships in the State bearing those
names. On motion of Suj)ervisor Pobertsou the name of Milton
was changed to Montezuma; and on motion of Supervisor Pressly
that of Washington to Derry.

In 1S7G the fractional ]iart of township 4 s., 8 w., and heretofore
a part of Kinderhook township was organized into a separate town-
ship and named Levee. In 1879 that part of Atlas township in
town 7 s., 5 w., was organized into a separate township and named
Ross.

JAIL.

At the April meeting, 1863, the Board of Supervisors resolved
to build a new jail, llie costof whi'3h should not exceed §15,000. Su-
pervisors Gray, Dimmitt, Smitherman, Roberts, Dennis, Adams
and Shields were ajipointed a committee to carry out the decisions
of the Board, and they authorized a sub-committee to visit jails of
other counties and procure i)lans and specifications for consideration
and adoption by the above committee; and also with full ])ower to
appoint, if they see proper, a sub-committee as acting superintend-
ents of the erection of said building; and also the said committee
was given power to dispose of the old part of the present jail, to-
gether with the lot, and to purchase a more suitable lot whereon to
erect the new buildingr.

310

mSTOKY OF riKK COUNTY,

At a mcctiii;^ held Tiu'sdsiv, Sept. IG, 1SG.'>, Supervisor Dennis
oft'ered a ret^ulution ti> increase the apj)nt|)riatioii i'or the biiildin<j^
of the jail and SlierifPs residence from $15,000 to $'2r>,000. Su-
pervisor Ilollis moved that the appropriation he $20,000. His
motidii was htst, and Mr. Denni.s' was achipted.

The jail Imililin^', vi' which we <j:ive a cut in this vuhune, was com-
pleted in due time, and now stands an honor to the county.

SUPER VI SO US.

Below we ^ive a full list of all the Supervisors from the time the
county was organized umler the townshij) law till the j)rescnt time,
by years, to:,M»ther with the name of the chairman and the township
each member is from:

1850.

William Hoi'm, Newlairp. CA/i«r/«rt/j.

Arcliihiilil I?ro()k-;, ('liaiul>vrsliiirg.
Darius Dt xtir, IVrn*.
AiUDS Hill, GriirK^'^'^iIlt'-
Davit! I'rclilc. Nrw SuKin
Jt)lin Ml Tucktr. Iladltv.
M<iiit;;(>iinTy Blair, Harry
Jfss«- SinilV" |)i troit.
Thnnias Mull. Kiiidcrliook.
A. W. IJtiiii.-, .Marliusbiirg.
J. MSlcIiv. Allil.

.1 V Hy.lr. I'itlsll.-ld
It.C. KoIriIm)!). Milton (Montezuma).
Wilson Aduiii'<, Hardin,
llii/in Pri'-oy, Washington, Dcrry.
Jam -s Tiilhot, I*l<'ii-iaiil Vale.
William Tiirnl.uU. I'Miiit.
Williaiii MorriMtti. rairinoiint.
Thorn 18 liarloti, I'U-asant ilill.
J. I'. Sliirk, Spring Creik.

1851.

Williiun Roes,
Amos Hill, (triepsvilk-.
ThnniM.- Odioriir. .Vlliw.
Ha/( n l'n>sy. Di-rry.
William .Morrison. Falrinount.
William Tiirnliull Flint.
Thomas Barton. PU-isant Hill.
William (Jnimiuar, Hadlcy.
John Lysii-r. Drtroil.
Wordin Willis, rioa.sant Vule.
Moutgouury Blair, Barry.

Nfwbiiri;, Chuirumn-

DariuH DcxttT. I'crrv

D H. t;ilm.r, ruts'tield.

H. ('. KobtrtHon, .Montc/.uma.

William .Vdaiiis, Hardin.

Harvi-y W. .McClintock, Maitinnburg.

David Pri-bli', Nfw Salcin.

.1 I' .Star*, Spring C'rofk.

'rii<iiii:is Hull. Kiiidirliouk.

Consiantine Smith, I'rarl.

Pflt-r Karges, Chambfrsburg.

1852.

II. H. Ramsay,
James Brown, rii:imlK.'r9burg.
Darius Dixtir. IVrry.
David Pn-blo, Now Salem.
John E. .\yrfs, Fairmount.
M. B. ("hurehill, Kiuderhook.
S. K. Tavlor. Derrv.
D. H. Gilmer, Pitlstield
M. .1. Xoye.H.
Amos Hill, Grigsville.
John Lystor, Detroit.

Atla.s, (.'hainnnn.
William Tiimbull. Flint.
H. W. .Ml ("lintrHk, .Martinsburg.
K. V Thurman, Plea.sant Hill.
William (Jrammar, Hadley.
IJ F. Brownell, Barrv.
S. Grigslu-. Plca<ant Vale.
Hieliard UoherlM'ii, .Montezuma.
A. Main. Hardin.
. nbn P Siark. Spring Creek.

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTV.

311

1853.

William

James Browo, Chambcrsburg.
William Dustiii, Atlas.
Daniel Fisher, New Salem.
Thomas Hull, Kiiulerhook.
Harlow Hiiiitlev, lladley.
Tyre Jennings, Barry.
B. L. Matthews Perry.
H. T. Mudil, Pittsrteld.
Constantine biuith. Pearl.

J. S. Roberts.

James Rrown, Chambersburg.
Calvin (Jreenleaf, Flint.
Jonathan Frye, Detroit.
Dennis Leary, Montezuma.
Constantine Smith, Pearl.
B. L. Matthews, Perry.
James Winn, Griijgsville.
B. F. Westlake, Xewburg.
John Heavener, Hardin.
Wm. E. Smith, Spring Creek.

Turubull, Cliairman.

William E. Smith, Spring Creek.
Cornelius Sullivan, Martiusburg.
Jonatlian Frye, Detroit.
Dennis Leary, Monlezuma.
William Kinman, <trigi;sville.
Samuel G. Sittou, Harilin.
William C. Crawford, Fairmount.
L. H.Stone, Pleasant Hill.
F. A. Landrum, Derry.

.1854.

Martinsburg, Chairman.

Daniel F'isher, New Salem.

Henry T. Mu<ld, Pitlstield.

L. H." Stone, Pleas.int Hill.

Wm. (xrammar, lladley.

Jethro Petty, Derry.

Wm. Dustin. Atlas.

Tyre Jenning.s, Barry.

Charles T. Brewster, "Pleasant Vale.

S. B. Gaiue.s, Kinilerliook.

Wm. C. Crawford, Fairmount.

B. F. Westlake,

John Loer, Chambersburg.
Wm. Thaekwray, Flint.
D. Leary, Montezuma.
Const-inline Smith, Pearl.
B. L. Matthews, Perry.
James Winn, Griggsvilie.
Wilson Adams, Hardin.
Wm. C. Smith, Spring Creek.
Wm. C. Crawford, Fairmount.
Daniel Fisiier, New Salem.
H. T. Mudd, Pittsfield.

1855.

Newburg, Chairman.

John S. Roberts. Martinsburg.

John liay, Pleasant Hill.

Joseph P. Smith, lladley.

J. 8. Vertrees, IVriy.

Simon K. Taylor, Derry.

Tyre Jennings, Barry.

Thos. Odiorne, Atlas.

Charles T. Brewster, Plea.sant Vale.

S. B. Gaines, Kinderhook.

R. C. Allen, Detroit.

Nicholas Hobbes, Fairmount.

1856.

J. S. Roberts,

John Loer, Chambensburg.
Jonathan Frye, Detroit.
Wm. Wheeler, Pearl.
O. M. Hatch, Grigirsville.
Joseph G. Colvin, Hardin.
Wm. H Love, Fairmount.
Daniel I). Hieks, Pitt.sfield.
Ale.x. Hemi»hill, Pleasant Hill.
Josiali LonLT, .Vtlas.
Daniel Pyle, Flint.

Martiusburg, Chairman.

Edwin Wooley, Montezuma.
John L. Gaine, Perry.
B. F. Westlake, Xewburg.
Wm. E. Smith, Spring Creek.
Wm. F. Hoi)i)er, New Salem.
Richard Hayes, Hadky.
Jame^ Wallace, Pleasant Vale.
A. Landrum, Derry.
John P. (Jrubb, Barry.

1857.

John W

B. B. Metz, Chambersburg.
.losepli (i. Pvle, Flint.
Spencer Huilson, Montezuma.
Constanliue Smith, Pearl.

Allen, Detroit, Chairman.

Wm. F. Hooker, New Salem.
D.iniel I). Hicks, Pitlstield.
Jitshua Butl(;r. .>Lirtinsburg.
Alex. IIemi)hill, Pleasant Hill.

312

UI6TOKY OF IMKH COUNTY,

Thos. 1{( ynolds, Pi-rry.
AllVfd (tonlon, tJrisr^rsvillc.
B. F. Wcstlakr. Nfwburj,'.
J. (}. C'olviii, llur.liii.
Jolin IF. Hnw«T, Fairmouiil.
Wm K Sinilh, Sprintr Crtt-k.

Hichiird Miivis. Iliuilcy.
.lolin I,. I'lidrrwood, Di-rry.
.K'ssf I.oiiir, Alius.
J. U WilliiiiuH. Harry.
.laincH Walliirr, PIcasHiit Vnle.
M. H. Churcliill. KiiKl«rh<K)k.

1858.

Wm. Tiirnbull, Flint, Chainmin.

Ilarviy Dunn, (lianiUTslmrj;.
Jiinatli.ui Fry*', l)tir<>it.
K. N Fniufi. .Montr/iiroa.
Hiram H<»s. IVarl.
Tlios Hcvnoliis, IVrry.
James W'inn. Jiriirir-'villr.
H. F Wollakc, N'l wlinri;.
Atlam l'iit<Tliaiit;li, Ilarilin
Wm. K Smitli, Spring C'n-ck.
John n. BrewtT. Fainnouiit.

Thos. (iray. New Sali-m.
Ausiin HarluT, l'ilih(i< M.
JottlitiH Mini) r. .Martinsliiir;;.
John Ci. Silton, lM<asaut Hill.
Wm. (fianuniir, 1 1 adit y
Jnhn I.. rnd<rwoi>d, Derry.
Shi-rman Brown, .Vilan.
Jaini-H B. W illiams. Barry.
Jiitnrti Wallucf. I'hasant Vale.
A. T. Ixjvo, Kimlfrh(K)k.

1859.

John S. HoltcrtM, Martiiinbtirii;, C%iir«n/i.

Wilson S. DvnniH. ('hamlHrrMbnt)?.

Jam. s L Tl. Flint.

Joiittiinn Fr;. it.

Ihuui- .S. Brown. .Mond/utna.

IXinHlimtim* Smitli. I'carl.

B. L. Matthiws, IVrry

James Winn ' - ille,

lU-nj F We ..wbiirf;.

Wii.soti .Vdaiii- llaidin.

Wm V. Smuli ^prin.' ("nek.

John Vuil Fainnount.

JamcxC (Vmkriu'lil, New Salem.
Isaiu- W. Jone-. Piltsfleltl.
Thos. Barney, Pleavml Hill.
Wm. (jrammar. lladlcy.
Binion K. Taylor, IK-rry.
Hherman Brown, Atlux.
Uiehard St. John, Barry,
.lainch Wallarc, I'|e)i'..int Vale
Jolin <; Wlieihxk, Kinderhook.

John 8. l{<>b«TlH,
James n. I)ermi^. Chaml enibur^f.
Ja& I., riiompson. Flint
John W Allen. Delro.t.
E. (.'. ('lenunon>«, Monte/uma
Hiram He^vs, Pearl.
James ,Ii.liiis, p. rr\ .
T. 11. niiniiiilt. (;r'ii:(r8ville.
B. F. Westlake. Newburg.
J. C. C'olvin, ardin.
Wm. E Smith. Spring Cnek

18«<).

Martinitbur);. Ctutirman.
John Vnil, Fairmonnt.
Ja*. C" Conkriitht. New Salem.
David A. Stanton, Pitt.stieUI.
Alex. Parker. Pleasjint Hill.
Wm. Cirammur. iladley
.' ■' ■ "iim, Derry.

I .1, .\ilas.

Ia'wIh I> White, Barry.
Harriflon Bn)wn. P'eiwant Hill.
John O. Wheel'K-k, Kinderhook.

18G1.

John S. Roberts, Martinsbur;:. Chiirnmn.

J. 11. Dennis. Chamlx-rsburg.
Geo. H. Sanfonl. Flint.
John W. .\llen. Detroit.
Wm. B. (Jrimes, Monte/uma.
Andn-w N. Hess, Pearl.
Geo. W. Baldwin. Perrv.
Thos. H. Dimmiit. (tripirsville.
B. F. Westlake. Newburir.
Jos. G. Colvin, Harrlin.
Wm. E. Smith. Spring Creek.

John Vail. Fairmonnt.
A.J. McWilliams. New Salem.
D. A. Stanton. Pittsfield.
A. J. ly^vell, Ple.-isant Hill.
Wm. Grammar, Hadley.
Isaac Prycif, Perry.
J. (;. .Vdams, Alias.
John McTiicker, Barry.
Perry H. Davis, Pleasant Vale.
John Aron. Kinderhook.

HISTORY OF PIKK COUNTY.

313

John 8. Roberts,

James II. Dennis, Cliambersburg.

Geo. II. Sanfonl, Flint.

Jonathan Frye, Detroit.

Geo. Underwood, Montezuma.

Andrew X. Hess, Pearl,

James W. Brown, Perry.

T. H. Dimniiit, Griiri^sville.

B. F. Westlake. Xewl)urg.

J. G. Colvin, Hardin.

Wm. E. Smith, Spring Creek.

John S. Roberts,

James H. Dennis, Chambersburg.
Wm.Tliackwray, Flint.
L. J. Sniithermau, Detroit.
J. O. Bolin, ]SIon(ezuma.

A. N. Hess, Pearl.
Augustus Akin, Perry.

T. ri. Diniiniit, (Triggsville.
Strolher (4riLrsbv, Newburg.

B. F. We.sthike, Newburg.
J. G. Colvin, Hardin.

D. Hollis, Spring Creek.

1862.

Martinsburg, Chairmaa.

Wm. ^lorrison, Fairmount.

A. J. McWilliams, New Salem.

D. A. Stanton, Piltstield,

L. II. Stone, Pleasant Hill.

Win. (Jraiunuir, Hadley.

J. B. Landrum, Derry.

J. G. Adams, Atlas.

Henry Wallace, Barry.

P. H. Davis, Pleasant Vale.

John Aron, Kinderhook.

1863.

Martinsburg, Chairnian.

Wm. Morrison, Fairmount.

A. J. :Mc\Villiams, Xew Salem.

S. R. Gray, Piitslield.

A. Hemphill, Pleasant Ilill.

Wm. Grammar, Hadley.

Thos. Harris, Derry.

J. G. Adams, Atlas.

AVm. P. Siiields, Barry.

J. H. Thomas, Pleasant Vale.

John x\ron, Kinderhook.

James H. Dennis,

Wm. Thackwray, Flint.
L. J. Smitherman, Detroit.
E. N. French, Montezuma.

A. N. Hess, Pearl.
Harvey Dunn, Jr., Perry.
Thos. H. Dimmitt, Griggsville.
Nathan Kelley, Newburg.

B. C. Lindsay, Hardin.
David Hollis, Spring Creek.
John Vail, Fairmount.

1864.

Chambersburg, Chair man.
John Preble, New Salem.
N. A. Wells, Pitlsfield.
J. S. Roberts, Martinsburg.
Alex. Hemphill, Pleasant Hill.
Wm. Grammar, Hadley.
Thos. S. Harris, Derry.
J. G. Adams, Atlas.
Wm. P. Shields, Barry.
James Wallace, Pleasant Vale.
John G. Wheelock, Kinderhook.

1865.

P. H. Davis,

Jas. 11. Dennis, Chambersburg.

Wm. Turnbull. Flint.

L. J. Smitherman, Detroit.

Robert E. Gilliland, Montezuma.

A. N. Hess, Pearl.

John E.Morton, Perry.

T. H. Dimmitt, Griggsville.

Wm. J Ross, Jr., Newburg.

Samuel Heavener, Hardin,

David Hollis, Spring Creek.

Pleasant Vale, Chairman.

John Vail, Fairmount.
Asahel Iliuman, New Salem.
J. M. Bush, Pittsfield.
David Roberts, Martinsbura:.
Ale.x. Hemphill, Pleasant Hill.
Wm. Grammar, Hadley.
Albert Landrum, Derry.
Wm Dust in, Atlas.
Wm. P. Shields, Barry.
•John G. Wheelock, Kinderhook.

1866.

James H. Dennis, Chambersburg, Chairman.
William Turnbull, Flint. James M. Ferry, Pittsfield.

L. J. Smitherman, Detroit. R. A. McClintock, Martins])urg,

George Marks, Montezuma. A. F. Hemphill, Pleasant Hill.

314

IIISTORV OF IMKK COUNTV.

Joshua lltiMA.H, I'l-arl.
John E. M Hon. I*rrr)'.
T II Diminil". (Jiimr^villo.
Strotlitr (jrii,'.sl)y. N'L-wburj;;;.
Divid HolliH, Spriit;^ Creek.
Joliu Vail, Kairmoiint.
John I*ri-bk', Nrw SHlrin

William rJrHinmar. Hadley.
Alhcrt Laii'lruiu, Dcrry.
J. (i. AtlaiuH, Atlas.
William M. P. Shi«l<l9, Harry.
James Wallaci", PU-asaiit Vale.
U. M. Murray, Kinderhook

1S67.

James II. I)< (ini« riiambcrHbiirg, rA/iiri«rt/i.

James L. Thompimn. Flint.
L.J. S:niil.. Colvin, llanlin.
David llolli*, .Sjirin;; Oeok.
John N'ail. I'airtnonnt.

.John Preble, New Salem.

(fi-..r,'.- W .|m!i, ,, Piit.slield

Wiliiiiii M .M<( liniiK-k, M-irtinsburg.

A K. llempiiill, Pleasant Hill.

William (irammar, Hadley.

Albert Landrtim, I)erry.

J (J. Adams. Alias

.M. Ulair. Marry.

IVrr.v II Davis. Pl.asanl Vale

Tho!i»as Ml lii'ln-. Kiuderliook .

Jam> s II DenniiiL, Chambersburg, CA^iirm/i/i.

V/illiam Anderson, FliM John Pn-ble. New Sab m

John \y Allen. Detroit (Jeorije W. Jones, Pillatleld

Jaims A Brown. Montezuma. Jolin .M<-llon .M«rtin«biiri;.

Jii>.hua llank«. Piarl. William (irHinmar, Hadley.

llarvev Thornburx . P< rry. Albert Landrum. Derry.

T. II. biiuiii II (.Jriitcsville. Montu'omery Hlair, Harry.

Slrother' Newburg P. il. Davi"«, Peasant Vale.

John ('. hiM^m-re, IlanUn. A.J. Kovfll, Plea.sant Hill.

F.J. Hal lord. Sprini; Creek. J <t Adams. Atlas

John Vail, Fttirmoiint. It M Murray, Kinderh<x>k.

18G9.

(Jeorge W Jones,

Jaiiio II. Dniiii!.. I hamlwnsburg

William .VnibT'Oii. Flint.

John Lyst4T. Diiroii,

James \. Brown, Moii'-/itma.

David Hess, Pearl.

B. L. Matthews, IVrrv

Noah Diviltii.ss, Perr>'

T. H. Diuimilt •• ' lie.

B F We^il ik. . N .

H. C. Lindsay. Hardin.

Frank J. HalTord, Spring Creek.

Pitlstield, Chair iiinn.

T .M f'o"", Fairmount.
John I'nbb , New Salein.
Jc»H«-ph Turnbauirli. M irlinsburg.
J B Harl. Pb-.i-ant Hill.
William (Irammar, Hadley.
MalM-rry Kvans, Derry.
A. SimjikinH, Alias.
M Barry.

Pi: >iit Hill.

John Aron, Kinderh<K)k.

(ieorjif W

Lewis Ham. ChamlM'rsburg.

William .Vndi-rson. Flint

aamuel Havden. Detroit.

James A. Brown. Montezuma.

George W. RoIm rts. Pearl

B. L Matthews. Perry.

T. H. Dimmitt. (tritfL'sville.

Thompson J. Piilliam. Newbur.;.

Alvin Petty. Hnnlin.

F. J. Halford, Sprini: Creek

1870.

Jones. Pittsrteld, f

Taylor M. ' i lirmount.

John Preble, New Salem.
John BriitJtin. Martinsburg.
A.J. Lovell, Pleasant Hill.
J. W. Burk<-. Derry.
William Dustin. .Ula-s.
.M Hlair, B.trr>-.
P. H. Davis, Pleasant Vale.
John Clutrh. Kinderhook.

■»»'■

^^Y^/y/^^^

DERf?Y Tf

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.

317

1871.

George W. Jones,
Lewis Ilam, Chambersburg.
William Anderson, Flint.
B. AV. Fiynn, Detroit.
James A. Brown, Montezuma.
George W. Roberts, Pearl.
Thomas RL-ynoUls, Perry.
James McWilliams. Griggsville.
T. G. Pulliam, Newburg.
Francis Frve, Hardin.
T. J. Halford, Spring Creek.

George W. Jones,

Lewis Ham, Chambersburg.
B. W. Flynn. Detroit.
William T. Du^dell, Montezuma.
G. W. Roberts,>earl.
Thomas Reynolds, Perry.
James McWilliams, Griggsville.
Strother Grigsby, Newburg.
Francis Frye, Hardin.
David Hollis, Spring Creek.
William Corey, Fairmount.

Pittsfield, Chairman.
William Morrison, Fairmount.
John Preble, New Salem.
Hardin Goodin, Martinsburg.
A.J. Lovell, Pleasant Hill.
William Grammar, Hadley.
William Dustiu, Atlas.
James W. Burke, Derry.
Calvin Davis, Barry.
M. D. Massie, Pleasaut Vale.
John Clutch, Kinderhook.

1872.

Pittsfield, Chairman.

John Preble. New Salem.
William Fowler, Martinsburg.
A. J. Lovell, Pleasant Hill.
William Grammar, Hadley.
J. W. Burke, Derry.
William Dustin, Atlas.
Calvin Davis, Barry.
M. D. Massie, Pleasant Vale.
John Clutch, Kinderhook.

Lewis Ham,

David Pyle, Flint
B. W. Flynn, Detroit.
Milton Grimes, Montezuma.
George W. R >berts, Pearl.
Thomas Reynolds, Perry.
James McWilliams, Griggsville.
P. H. Coo]ier, Newburg.
Wright Hicks, Hardin.
F. J. Halford, Spring Creek.
William Corey, Fairmount.

1873.

Pittsfield, Chiirman.

Addison Cadwell, New Salem.
Lewis Dutton, Pittsfield.
William Fowler, Martinsburg.
A. J. Lovell, Pleasant Hill.
William Grammar, Hadley.
Thomas II. Coley, Derry.
Josiah Long, Atlas.
John P. Grubl), Barry.
John Horn, Pleasant Vale.
John Clutch, Kinderhook.

1874.

William TurnbuU, Flint.
William Dou^la.s, Detroit.
A. J. WorcesliT, Montezuma.
Andrew N. Hess, Pearl.
Thomas Reynolds, Perry.
James McWilliams, Griggsville
Nathan Kelley, Newburg.
Wriglit Hicks, Hardin.
C. C. Melton, Spring Creek.
William Corey, Fairmount.

James H. Dennis, Chambersburg, Chairman.

Addison Cadwell, New Salem.
Lewis Dutton, Pittsfield.
Francis Fowler, Martinsburg.
A. J. Lovell, Pleasant Hill.
William Grammar, Hadley.
Maberry Evans, Derry.
J. G. Adams, Atlas.
Calvin Davis, B irry.
John B. Horn, Pleasant Vale.
John Clutch, Kinderhook.

1875.

William B. Grimes, Pittsfield, Chairman.

J. L. Metz, Chambersburg. Addison Cadwell, New Salem.

Austin Wade, Flint. Thomas Aiton, Martinsburg.

Henry Moler, Detroit. A. J. Lovell, Pleasant Hill

•V. J. Worcester, Montezuma. William Grammar, Hadley,

31b

HISIUKY OK riKK ("OUNTV.

D. W. Milltr, Pfiirl.
Thom:u>* Ueyiiokls, IV-rry
James MtWiHiiiins, GriK^'Hville.
J. II. Karrtiit;li>ii, II:triliti
('. V. M<lt.)ii, Sitniig Circk.
U H McL'iughlin, Fniriuoutit.

Mttherry Kvans, Derry.

J. (f. Adttins, Atlas.

Alex. VVIiile. Barry.

M I) .Miissic, I'leasMiit Vale.

Williitin lio.-is, Ncwlturg.

U M Murrav, Kinderliook.

IhTG.

A .1. \V<>rc-e«lcr, Moiitt-zuina. Chairman,

Ml,..

■ irs.'.
>j>riiij; ('re«'k.

.1 I.. Mitz, CliHtnlH-niliurg.

JoH)-pli Wilwm, Klinl

lleiirv Mojtr, Detroit.

(}. W' HolMTlH, Pearl.

Z. Wad. . I'.rrv

(teoru'e 1*1

V I*. ('Ii.i|.

K U i'.ill<Mk.

K It Mcl.titighliii, K.iiriuount.

AtMU'Mi Cud well. N«'W Salem.

Wiu. B. tirimes, I'ittiirteld.

J W.
(toorpe llaiu, Cliainljeniburg.
Jdsepli WiUoii. Flint.
David Sioiicr, Drtr )it.
Ctiurles K. B'diii .Moiitezuiua
AN !I.•*^ IVarl.
Z. Wii.lr, I'erry
IJcoriTv I 'rat I, ' lie.

(' I*. ('Ii!i|>in:iii. > iirR.
Wri;;lit lliekii, llartlin.
W. U WiU.n. Si.ri ''- , k
U B. Mil.iughlin II. I

'riioiiiHs Aiton, .Miirtitisliurg.
A J. Lovell. I'leusam Hill.
William (irammar, Iladley.
.Maberry Kvans, Derry.J
Sumiirl Tiivlor, Atlasu
W. K Willi. Bury.
It M Miiii:i\, l\>nderli(Mtk.
.loliii W Braiiiiiu-ll. I'leasanl Vale.
J. 11. Karriiigton. Ilurdin.
F. A. Douglas, I.,«vfe.

1877.

Uiirke, Derry. i ifiiriit,ii>.

Addisnii ('a»l\vell. New Salem.
I.rwis Dutloii, l'ilt^n<-ld.
Willium Fowler, .Marlinshiirp;.
.lolin S l/K-kwoiHl, I'ltiiBanl Vale.
William (irammar Iladley.
Samuel TavUir. Atla..«
W. F While. Birry.
F. L. Z.ralKrg. I'leasiinl Hill.
R. y\. .Murray, Kinderhuok.
M;inU"> IIar«T\', L<vee

1878.

Calvin Davis.

(tcorfre Ilani. Clinmbentburg.

.liweph Wilson. Flini.

W. T. Smilli. D.tmit.

('. K Boliii. Moiitc/.uma.

U W. lUdurt-N IVarl.

J. W. CJrim.-s. Perry.

Ikfirge Pratt, <; 'Me

O P Chapmaii irg.

.1. II. lirittit). Il.trdiu

M. W. lto;;art. Spring Creek.

I>ele Eldtr. Fairmount.

Barry, Chairman.
.loliii Preble. New Salem.
I^-win Dutlon. Pillxfleld.
P. II. Sulli\aii, Martinshurg.
A. L. (Jallowav. I'l<a>ant Mill.
H. h. lladM-ll.'lIadley.
T. H. C«»ley, Derry.
Samuel Taylor, .\tlas
.1 .S, l.<H-kwo<Ml. PleHAant Vale.
Saiir 'lifMik.

.Mar. :. .

1879.

J. C. Newton, Chainbersburg.
David Pvle. Flint.

B. W. Fiynn. Detroit.

N. 1) M Kvans. Montezuma.

O. W. UoIktH. IVarl.

Z. Wade. Perry.

(.Jeorge Pratt. "Grisgsville.

C. P Chapman. .Newburg.
Georco Main. Hardin.

C. C. .Melton, Spring Creek.
Dele Elder, Fairmount.

Abel Dunham, New Salem.

H S. M.*(l. Pitt.Hfield.

P. II Sullivan, .Martinsburg

A. L. Galloway. Plea.sant Hil

(Jrrin Caiupl>ell, Iladley.

T. H. O.ley. Derry.

C. B. Dustin. Athis.

E. A. Crandull, Perrv.

M. D. .Mas.sie. Pleasant Vale.

John Clutcii, Kindefliook.

Marcus Hardy, Levee.

CHAPTER X.
J3LACK HAWK WAR.

In November, 1830, 50 or 60 of the Sac and Fox tribes of Indians
came down on a hnntint^ .excursion and camped on Bay creek.
These tribes at that time were living on Rock river in tlie northern
jiHi't of the State, and wished oucemore^to visit tlie scenes of their
former hunting-ground. Some little trouble occurred between
these Indians and the whites on account of the disappearance ot
hogs in the neighborhood. The settlers turned out and caught
some of the red men, tied them up and administered to them severe
flagellations with withes, and they immediately left the country,
neVer, with one or two exceptions, to return in a body to Pike
county. This episode comes as near to anything of a warlike na-
ture, especially a hostilg collision with the Indians, as any that we
have any record of occuring in Pike county.

In the fall of 1831 Black Ilawk and liis tribes appeared on Rock
river, where they committed several petty depredations. The set-
tlers of Kock River and vicinity ]»etitioned (lov. Reynolds for aid,
stating that '* Last fall the J>lack Hawk band of Indians almost de-
stroyed all of our crops, and made several attacks on the owners
when they attem])ted to ])revent their depredations, and wounded
one man by actually stabbing liim in several ])laces. This spring
they acted in a more outrageous and menacing manner." This })e-
tition rej)resented that thei-e were 600 or 700 Indians among them:
it was signed by 35 or 40 persons. Another petition sets forth that
" The Indians pasture their horses in our wheat-flelds, shoot our
cows and cattle and threaten to burn our houses over our heads if
we do not leave." Other statements place the Indians at not more
than 300.

According to these petitions, Gov. Reynolds in May. 1831, called
for 700 mounted men. Beardstown v/as the designated ])lace of
rendezvous, ;ind such were the svmriathv and coura<re of the settlers
that the numberofterino' themselves was nearly three times the nurn-
her called out. Thev left Rushville for Rock Island June 15, 1831 ;
and on the 3<»th of the same month, in a council held for the ])ur-
pose. Black Hawk and 27 chiefs and warriors on one part, and (icn.
Edmund P. Gaines, of the U. S. army, and John Reynolds, Gov-

320 HIST(tRV «iK riKK COUNTY.

eniMi- ot" llliiioit;, on the DtlicT j»:irt, si^iK'il n treaty of |>eaee and
frienclt?hi|>. This capitiihitiori Itouml thi' IiKliaiiis to ;jo and renjain
wefit of the Missit^sippi river.

In Aj)ril, ls;32, in tlirect vii»lati()n of tiie treaty aliove referred to,
lihiek Ilawk, witii ©unie o(M) followers, appeared a^'ain njtt>n the i^eene
of action, a?id fear and exeitenient t^jireail throii<;h the len^^th and
breadth of the State, To a;jain drive iheni from the State, Gov.
Reynold.-^ called on the Militia April 10, 1832.

TK001*S RAISED IN riKKCOUNTV.

No sooner had viduntecrs been called for than every comity and
settlement throu<;hont this portion of the State promptly re8j»onded.
Nowhere, however, was such alacrity shown in answerin;^ the
call as in I*ike conntv. The hearts of the stnrtlv pioneers were
easily touched l»y the stories of depredations by the Indians. Thche
stories were doubtless greatly e.xa^j^erated, yet the frontiersmen
who knew tl»e subtlety and treacliery of the red men well knew
ihoy Could not l>e trusted; and almost any crime was e.\|)ected of
them.

Col. Wm. lioss, then Captain of the Pike County Militia Com-
pany, received word from the Governor on Friday, the 2()th, and
he immediately issued tlie following :

" Company Okdkiim. — Tlie vi>luntoer comp»ny of Piko rounty will mwt at Atliw,
on MoikIjiv. tlif •.*;{<! iii-t , n-mly ti> tuke up tlicir luiin h l>y sunriHr, except >ui li
p«rt of tin- t iiiiipiuiy a- .in- livinjj <>ii tlir vm-l >\'\r <>{' ^i\i\ cminly. wliicli null will
iiU'tt iJio rompiinv lit tin- house of Willitiin Hriiiiiaii.NlKtut f<»ur iniicH this side of
I'liillip's Firrv, on the Hume «liiy, nil witli h >;«mkI h<>nie, and rifle, powderhorn,
half |>oun(l ol' powder, and one liiindred hallH, with tiiree days' proviHions. Tiir
coiiunandini: olllrtr of Hitid compuiiy liattcn> hiuiHelf that every man will )h-
prompt lo hi- duly.

(Sij;nc<l.] W IloR8, Cnpt. Ut Rifles, Pike Co.

"Ai.ril I'si-J-'

riie Captain then called ui)on iJenj. Jiarney at his Idacksmitli
shop an<l told him of the nature of the order he ha«l received, and
for him to forthwith mount a horse an<l htart out to notify the set-
tlers to assemble immediately. Mr. IJarney was engaged at iii?
forge at the time, making a plow; but he straightway laid down
hammer .iml tongs, untied his leathern apron, left his tire to
snu'Ider and die, and started immediately upon his missittn. lie
first went to a man ut tlie mouth of I'lue creek ; from thence he
made a circuit of the county, a|>pealing to all to assemble at Atlas
without delay. He tells us that almost all of them left their work
and startt'd immediately.

The* men having assembled at Atlas, the martial band began to
discourse lively music to stir the |>atriotism of the militia-men
to a liigh pitch so that they would enli.-t for the service. The
music did not seem to "enthuse '* them with as great a desire to
enlist as their leaders iiad anticipated. Something more potent
must be had; so two buckets of whisky were summoned to their

HIpTOKV <'K IMKK C<"l'.NTY. 321

aid; tlie men were tonned in two lines facinii: cacli (itlier, and wide
enoui^h apart to admit of two men walking; up and down the line
between them, Capt. Ross and Lieut. Seele.y started down the line,
each with a bucket of liquor; two boys followed with water,»and
then came tlie music. It was understood that those who would
fall in after the music would enlist for service. By tJie time the
third round was made 100 men were in line, whicli was even more
than the quota of this county under that call. AVm. Ross was
elected ('a])tain and Benj. Barney, 1st Lieutenant. The CMmjjany
adjourned to meet at Griggsville on the followin<jj day at 10 o'clock
A. M. The men went to their liomes in various ])arts of the county
to notity their families of their enlistment and to make sli^^l^t
preparations for their joui-ney. "We are told that with four or five
exceptions, and those lived along the Illinois river, every man was
at (xriggsville by sunrise on the day a]>pointed.

The company then started for Beardstown, the place of rend* z-
vous for the troops in this part of the State. The Illinois river
was very high and much ditiiculty was experienced in crossing it.
The ferry would carry but six horses at a time; and while waiting
for transportation the horses stood in mud up to their knees. It
was a gloomy titne and they had no liquor with which to cheer u])
the new volunteers. Ca))t. Ross was among the first to cross over,
while Lieut. Barney remained with the men upon the western bank.
Great dissatisfaction was being manifested by the men under Lieut.
Barney, who were waiting in the mud and water to cross the river,
all of whom did not get over until 11 o'clock that night. Lieut.
Barney sent word to Capt. Ross to forward him a jug of whisky.
This was done ; a fire was built, striking it by the Hint locks of
their guns: the whisky was distributed, and once more the troops
were in good spirits and ready for any hardship.

The Pike county troops arrived at Beardstown the next day, be-
ing the first compau}'' to reach that point. The Governor and some
of the leading officers were already there. It was found that the
Pike county company was too large; it accordingly was divided
and formed into two companies. Lieut. Barney was chosen Cap-
tain of one of these, and Josepli Petty, Captain of the other.
James Ross was elected 1st Lieutenant of Capt. Petty's comj)any,
and a Mr. Allen, of Capt. Barney's company. Capt. Koss was
chosen Colonel and aid of tlie commanding General. It was he
who appointed Abraham Lincoln, our martyr President, to the
Ca])taincy of one of the Sangamon county companies in this war.

The troops marched from Beardstown to Rock Island, where
they were mustered into the United States service by (i-en. Zachary
Taylor. At P^ort Armstrong, which was at that point, there were
then only about 50 United States troops. The Pike county volun-
teers, with others, then marched up toward Dixon on Rock river,
the course the Indians had taken. They followed them for some
days, but di<l not ovei'take them or encounter them in any engage-
ment. During the entire campaign the Pike county trooj's di<l

322 IlIBTORY OF PIKK COl'NTY.

iu>t iiit'C't the foe in Icitile aniiv; not a leaden hall was shot at any
o\' thet^o men diirin;; the 50 davs they were out. Dnriii;; this tinjc
they nil: short ot provisions, and sent to Chica«jo, hut in that pres-
ent ^reat city, where niillionb uf ho<;s are 8lau;;htere<l annually ami
the irreatest ;;rain market in the worhl exists, they could not ^'et a
itarrel id" pork or id lluur. The Pike county volunteer^ then went
to Ottawa amd shared with some troops at tliat point. They oi)
tidneil rations encm^h there to last them about three (hiys, when
they manhod on down the river to the raj>i<ls, where there was a
hoat lilled with I'niled States jirovisioiis. There they «lrew rations
for their h(»meward march, ("apt. Harney drew seven days' rations
fv»r his ujen, hut Capt. Petty thou;;ht tiu'V wouhi ^et home in three
or four days, so oidy dn-w four days' rations, much to the retire t of
the hunijry stomachs of his men. as it t«»ok them lonjj;er to ^et
home than he had anticipateil. The privates of tins call received
$S a month, and were paid cdt' that tail by United States ap^Mite,
wiio came to Atlus.

TMK STAMl'KDK.

•

While ill tiie northern j>art of the State four regiments of troops
camped to;,'ether, union;? whom were the men from this county.
They forme<l a hollow s«juare, uj)on the inside of which wore the
otlicers' tents. The horses, about l,Oi'0 in number, were guarded
in a corral outside of the S(juare. In the dead hour of ni^ht, when
not a li^ht reitiained burning, and the slow tread of the faithful
sentinel was the onlv sound lli:it l»roke the silence, the horses
be<'ame frii^hleiied ami stam|H'iled. In the wildest ra;;e they dashed
forward, whither they knew not ; they headed toward the camp of
slumU'rin;; soldiers, and in all the mad fury of fri;;htened brutes
they thished forward (»ver cannon, tents and men, wounding several
of the latter <iuiti« severely. The troops heard their coining and
supp(«sed each wild steed was ridden by a wilder and less humane
redskin ; the treacherous and subtle toe was iiumientarily expected
and the frightened men thoUi,'ht tiiey were now c(»min^ tlown nj)on
them. They had all heard of the ni^ht attack u)>on the ran^^-rs at
the famous battle of Tippecanoe, and feared a rcpetitio'.i td" that
nii;ht's bloody wt»rk. Capt. liarney, with ijiiickness of thought and
military skill, in a loud vtdce gave orders for his men to form at
the rear of their tents, lie hallooed lustily, and when he went up
and tluwn the line feeling his way he found every man in his jdaee.
The commanding «»fHcers hearing the Captain's orders and knowing
there wtuild be safety with his company if anywhere, ran to him.
Fortunately the hort-es were riderless, which was soon <liscovered,
and then the frightened men began joking. Col. iJe AVitt joked
Capt. IJarney considerably about his halloi»ing so loud, when Gen.
Taylor spoke up and said he was glad the Captain was so ))roinpt
to give orders for his men totVrm, as it showed a soldierly disjiosi-
tion ; besides, it let him know where he might go for safety.

A third company subsequently went from Pike county under

HISTORY OF PIKE CODNTY. 323

Capt. Hale ami Lieut. David Seeley : about 50 men coiujjosed this
company of mounted riliemen. Tliej enlisted for three months
and partiei])ated in the iamous battle of Bad-Ax.

The jteojile of this county were not disturbed by the Indians at
this time, but so timid were they tliat tliey were easily fri<Thtened.
The following incident is related bv Samuel Clark, of Kinder-
hook township. In 1832, durin(]f the Black Hawk war, a man
while passing a neighbor's house heard the cries of a child who was
in the house. He su]>])Osed the Indians were within committing
their Ibul deeds, and accordingly raised the alarm that the Indians
were there murdering all tlie members of the family, and every-
body who came that way. This created the greatest consternation
in the settlement, for the people liad heard of the l)loody deeds
committed upon the settlers in the northern part of the State.
The settlers fled for safety. Some went to the fort, others ran
hither and thither they knew not where. One very large flesliy
woman mounted a horse and rode in the direction of the fort at full
speed. She came to a ditch about ten feet wide and as many feet
deep; the horse halted, but she urged him to jump, which he did
at great peril, but fo)'tunately landed safely on the opposite side.
After the people had become quite exhausted with running they
learned that no Indians were near, l)ut that tlie yells came from the
child because his father was chastising it.

(MIAITKU \I.

CKIMINAL KK(M)i:i).

INTRODl'CrroKY.

Since tlif t\Vi» Iiuliaiis, Sli(jiiwoniiekuk iiiulPeineriHii, wciv imlicted
for murder, there have l>een 41 other iinlictmeuts tor this ^ravo
eriine returned hy the ^raiid juries (•!' Pike county, many of which
included more than t>ne imlividual. This represj-nts a ion;^ ami
bjitudy calendar, a stain tlial every «^uud citizen wuujd liave l»l<ttted
out were it possihle. It has been made by the blood of many vic-
tims, dyed in crimson never to be erased, and we only record what
has occurred. Who can picture the a^ony of heart, the remorse,
the an^ui.^h ot!mind, to say luithin^ ot' the physi' al pains caused
by these bloody deeds ? Both the victim and iiis tVieiuls, its well as
the perjK'trator of the crime, have suffered untold misery.

Often has the<lea<lly weapon l)Cen bnuij^ht into use o!i the slii^lit-
est pretext. A moment after he liatl taken the life of his victim
and he had realize^! that his hands were stained with the life-blood
of a fellow man, the per|K;trator of thedeed would have ^iven everv-
thiui; he pit'Sessed or ever hope*! for, aiul in some cases life itself,
c^>uld he but recall the dee«l; but »las I it ii? done, never to l»e
uncloiie. The feeling has not bien thus in every instance where
the bloody victim fell at the feet of the man-slayer, but fretjuently
so. Sometimes the joy was great when he who sent the <leadly
messeijo^er saw its work well done.

Anion:; this lon<; catalogue of criminals only one has ever suffer-
ed the extreme penalty of the law, and most of them have had light
punishment. We be;;in with the first juTson indicted for murder,
ami ^ive every indictment duriiii; the county's existence. There
are a multitude of cases of munler or manslaughter of which we
make no mention, as no indictments were made for want of suffi-
cient evidence.

Pemesan and Shonwetm^kek.
(Two Indians.)

These Indians were indicted Oct. 2, 1821, at the very first terra
of Court held in Pike countv, for the murder of a Frenchman. The

HISTORY OF PIKE CODNTY. 325

evidence showing, liowever, tliut the eliootin*; of the deceased was
more an act of carelessness than of premeditated murder, the
next morning tlie jury returned a verdict for manshiughter on the
part of Pemesan, or " Traveler," and that Shonwennekek, or " Spice-
hn>li," was not guilty. Tiie Court had assigned Daniel P. Took
and Polemon II. Winchester as counsel for the Indians, and John
Shaw and Jean Baptist Patelle were the sworn interpreters. No
attorney for the people api)ears on record, but of course there must
have l)een sucli an officer ])resont. U ai)])rars that these Indians
were out hunting one day, and when the Frenchman suddenly ap-
peared in view in the distance they took him to he a deer or some
other animal, and Pemesan immediately tired antl killed him. No
sooiitM* was this done than they discovered their mistake, and Shon-
wennekek proposed that they run away; but Pemesan argued that
as it was an accident the whites would do them no harm. There-
upon they immediately surrendered themselves to a magistrate.
Pemesan's punishment was a tine of 25 cents and imprisonment
for 24 liours. lie accoidingly paid the tine and served out his sen-
tence in a rail pen which was guarded for the occasion.

Ch'frles Collins^ James Whitly, Alfred Miller and James

Stockton.

These parties were indicted for murder Maj', 2, 1843, but after
their case was contiiuied from term to term with hopes of arresting
them, they were never found.

Win sh ip Moreto ^i

was indicted Sept. 10, 1841, but the following April his case
was stricken from the docket.

John Bartholomew^ et al.

were indicted April 5, 1S4S, for the murder of John Crewson,
or Crnson, near the Mississippi river a few days preceding (March
29), while tiie latter was hauling a log for the rafting, lie was
shot beside his team. The others indicted with Bartholomew were
Benj. Chouls and John Stipp. The two latter took a change of
venue to Adams county, where a nolle prosequi was entered April
2, 1S40. Ijartholomew's case was continued from term to term
until Sept, 12, 1853, when it was stricken from the docket.

John McGayre

was indicted Sept. 5, 1849, for the murder of Wm. Bennett near
Phillip's Ferry, Sept. 1, preceding. That day McGuyre went to
the house of Mr. Pease where Mr. Bennett was and urged him to
go gunning, but which, Ijy the solicitation of Mr. Pease, he declined
doing. McGuyre left and returned about sun-down, when Pease and
Bennett were eating their supper, who invited him to partake ; he

32G JIISTOKY OF I'IKK COUNTY.

refused, siiyiii^, "Ci — d d -u }'»iul 1 am timl waiting tor vuii ami
am goin^ to slioot you now." He inimetliately liied a load ot'lmck-
shot, wliich struck Bennett in the face, killing hini. McGuyre
commenced reloading his gun with the didarcd intention of kill-
ing I*«a.se, hut the latter made his escape and raised the alarm.
Alc(iiiyri' lan away hut was arrested on the Gth and taken heloit'
tlie Ciruuit Court then in session, and at first pleaded giiilty ; hut
after the consequence of such a plea was explained to him, he pleaded
not ;;uiltv, and for want of time his cast- was continued to the
next.term ot" Oourt. McCiuyrc hroke jail twice: the first time lie
WHS caught at McCJee's creek, in crossing which lie canie very
near heing drowned, and the second time he got «>ut through the
wall, a stone lipviiij; hccn removed hv the ai*! of friends outside.
This was effected without awaking a family which was asleep di-
rectly ahove. He has never heen retaken, and his case was finally
stricken from the docket with leave to reinstate.

Oi'onje Keiftersoti

was indicted i<'i nmiuei March iiO, IS.M. Imt for some reason was
nevir hrou</lit to trial.

was indicted Oct. 11, Ih."»l, and he also was never tried.

Preston F. (rrores

was indicted March *23. 1853, for the murder of liohert (jut, ahout
6 mihb east of I*ittstield. l>oth tiiese parties were married men
and tre(|uentetl a house of ill repute, (irovcs was tried and ac<juit-
ted March 28, 1853.

Jonathan li'. /Intchinsftn.

"" This man was indicted N»»v, 27, 1854, tor killing Franci^ I'-
Wells in IJrown county. A change of venue had heen taken from
that County, Ids cjiso wa» trie<l at I'itt^fiL•Id, aTul after the jury was
"It several days it hniUglit in a verdict of not guilty, Sept. 18,

oil
1855

I/u(//i W. Wnn

was indicted Sept. 14, 1855, for manslaughter ; about a fortnight
afterward his hail was forfeited hy his escape and his case was
never brought to trial.

Jam eft Da nit Is

was accused of killing Newton Soules in Callioun county in a
saloon. Soules had i»nrned his hair previously. Daniels was in-
dicted in the Pike county Court Sept. 12, ls.'>»f : hut Aug. 5. Is59.
his case was discontinued.

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 327

Stephen Cole ct. al.

were, according to the record, indicted for iiuirder ]\Iarch 0, 1857«
In this suit it seems that no parties were ever brought to trial.

Robert Ellis.

This criminal was indicted April 14, 1860, for the murder of
Benj. F. AVade, Dec. 23 preceding, a little west of Detroit. Wade
broke Ellis' whisky bottle and a (piarrel ensued which resulted in
the fatal affray in the yard of i'l'ancis Phillips. Ellis stabbed
Wade with a large pocket-knife. Ellis pleaded not guilty but was
convicted of manslaughter Nov. 24, 1860, and sentenced to one year
in the penitentiary.

Edw'm C. Hendrick.

This party was indicted Aug. 10, 1860, for poisoning to death
Emeline Amanda Hendrick. lie pleaded not guilty, was tried,
and, after the jury had two days' consultation, he was acquitted.

James Likes, Simofi Likes, Lyman Likes, Philip Neal, Christo-
jpher Neal and Wm. Bothwick.

The indictment in this case, Tsov. 23, 1860, was for the murder
of Samuel Macumber, an innocent man about 65 years of age,
living in Barry townshi}>, and who was killed Oct. 23, 1860. The
parties set upon their victim in cold blood and killed him with
clubs and stones. Macumber was a Baptist minister, who had
married the mother of the Neals, and it was alleged that he mal-
treated her in some way. After trial all the indicted parties were
acquitted Dec. 8,1860, excei)t Christopher Neal, who was convicted
of manslaughter and sentenced for life, and James Likes was
acquitted tlie ne.\t term of Court.

Thomas J ()Jnison,Fieldhig Johnson, John Hopkins, Andrew J.
Winsor, Mary Pearson, Julia Bell, Anyeline Bell and Hampton
Winsor.

These parties were indicted during the spring term of Court in
1863, for the murder of Andrew J. Pearson, in Flint township.
The victim, a farmer, was found murdered by hanging, and robbed.
November IS, 1862, Pearson started tVom liis house in search of
some of his stock. Night came on and he did not return. Suspicion
was aroused, inquiries and search were made, and finally his body
was found in a ravine, a half mile from home, covered np with
leaves, brush, etc. : two hundred dollars in money had been taken
from his jierson. The robbers also went to his house, and, finding
no one at home, they entered itand took about seventy dollars more,
which they found in a bureau. They then took a good horse and
decajiiped. Of the above parties, some were directly accused i)y the

328

lllS-luKY OF I'IKK COUNTY

iiitlicttnoiit, sotno iini)lea(le<l with tliciu, uiul sovonuices were ob-
tiiiiietl. S'liiie of tlieiii were <les|»eriitloes iVuiii Missouri ; some of
the parties took a chanj^e of venue to Brown county. Tiio result
of the whole proseoution was, that Thomas Johnson mul .Fohn Hop-
kins were eonvietiMlof manshmirhtor April 27, 180:{. ami sentenced
for lite; Fiel<lin::.I<»hnson was convietetl of the same ami sentenced
for 20 years, and the rest were discharged.

During the trial the i^uilty criminals pleaded guilty of man-
slaiigliti'r. confes-'ini; as follows: They live<l in Nfissoiwi, were
rebels in I'orter'sarmv, which snbsi'tiuentlv disijanded. Thev worked
several ilays f<»r a neighbor of Pearson's iiamrd Dimmitt, an<l spent
several evenings at Mr. I*earson's house. Tiiis man and his wife.
Mary (imj)leaded abovi-t, frecpiently <juarreled. The night previous
to the murder thev had an unusuallv wicked altercation, after which
Mrs. I', went into a fit. After coming out she told the accused
that if thev would kill IVarson slie wouUlgivo them a horse. The
girls, Julia and Auirelim' Hell, lier daughters by a former huhband,
also expresseil the wish that they should kill him. The next morn-
ing they invited I*e.'irs<Mi out for a walk and told him they were
going to hang hiuK lie siid he did not blame them. Two of them
held him »ip while the ot ler adjusted the rope. He <lid not resist nor
struggle. After he was dead they took sixty dollars fnnn hisjtocket,
carried it to the house ami re|K»rted what they iiad d<>ne. All were
rejoiced and gave the prisoners tun dollars apiece, Mrs. Pearson
^ave them a liof«e, asking them not to l)etray her, and they started
or MissiMiri. The daugliters a^ked ft)r and received a lock of their
hair for mementoes, and a parting kiss.

The young men were not over twenty years of age, «iid not look
like criminals, and were said to be respectfully connected.

John M. J'urkiand Ilenrtj C. Price.

These partie.5 were indicted Apr. 1>5, lSf>4, for the murder of Peter
(.•. Staats, an <>ld settler of Hadlcy township, on the road between
New Salem and -Nfaysvillo. Staats was twice shot in the back, one
Itall coming out at the breast. The accu8e«l took a change of venue
to Adams countv and were finallv ac(iuitted.

George Crow, alias Hostile^

was indicted April lit. 1>>04, for the murder of a Mr. (iard.
Mav 21, followiiiir. he broke iail, and the shooting necessarv to his
capture June 11, in Greene county, resulted in his death the next
dav in iail.

Axiistin and Ahrahim Stevens

were, according to the records, indicted April 19, 1804, for murder,
but it appears that there was never any trial of the case.

HISTORY OF I'IKK COUNTY. 329

W/n. W. Moore and J. S. Wilson

were indicted the same day lor beiiia; accessory after the fact of the
murder. Tliey moved their case to Brown county, and from the
evidence elicited it ap]>eiirs that youui^ i\ro(jre, only sixteen years
of age, luid killed Jolm Zift', living near Pittstirld. Mr. Moore's
father and Zitt' Ifad a dispute about some wood which Moore had
been cutting on land which Ziti' claimed and which Moore liad
rented. Ziff struck Moore witli an ax, knocking him down and
then stain[)ing upon him. Tlie lad seeing his father in this condi-
tion, ran up and struck Ziti' a blow upon the top of his head with
the edjre of an ax, thus literally cleaving his head clear to his
shoulders.

S'lmuel Evans and Matthew Gllm,ei\ Gilmore^or Gilman'

These men were indicted Nov. 29, 1861, for killing Cornelius
Myers, Evans being a resident of Montezuma. They broke jail, and
after several months Evans was recaj)tured in Tennessee. lie took a
change of venue to Brown county, where he was convicted of man-
slaughter and sentenced for twelve years in the State prison. There
he became insane, and after his release he stole a horse, was ar-
rested, and while in jail his insanity became so marked that he was
finally sent to the asylum at Jacksonville.

Ch/is. Brummell or Brumhle^ etc.

This rascal, whose name was spelled half a dozen different ways,
was indicted March 15, 1860, for the murder of Edward Garrison,
of New Canton. The fatal deed was perpetrated by stabbing the
victim with a pocket-knife, Sept. 19, 186T, he was convicted of
the charge and sentenced to State prison for three years.

Name not Given.

Although not strictly within the purview of this chapter, we may
mention here, as the parties were both residents of Griggsville, this
county, that Dr. J. II. Caldwell, of that place, went to Texas in May
or June, 1868, employing a young man to accompany him, who,on
the 24th of June, ni'irdered and robbed the doctor, but was sum-
marily lynched by the infuriated people when the deed occurred.

Mc Wright Murray

was indicted for murder in 1809, but the case was ultimately
stricken from the docket.

Joseph Daiil and Anthony Scheiner.

These criminals were indicted Ai)ril 2<>, 1809, for committing
murder in Brown county, as the result of an aflfray connected with
the burning of show tents at Mount Sterling. A change of venue

330 ursniRY of i'IKi; rorMY.

was taken to Pike county, mul after a two days' trial the chapg wore
Bentenced to 15 years' Imrd labor.

Cai't. 11'///. //. Stovt.

This iiuiii was indicted April ('•. 1.^71, charfjed with the murder
of a Mr. Kiinhall. at ('ockle-hur slouch, the prewdin^j; year. W'^
cban<'e of venue his case wa^s taikeu to the Rrttwn county Court.

Sdinutl Iffliitjlas

was the h(»init'ide who heat to (h'atli .lames Sapp. June \'l, ISTI,
near IMeasant Hill. At the first heatint: he left Mr. Sajjp lyin^
prostrate, and ituluced a Mr. McKenna to accompany hitn to the
place, who trie<l to lift him up, when Douglas j^ave the poor vic-
tim several :id<litionaI Mows, from which he died a few days after-
ward. Douiila.-* and .McKenna were l»oth iirrested, hut the latter
was dismis.-.ed for want of evidence ajjainst him. Dou^j^las was held
for nuinslaiiirhter, the indictment hein^ ma<le Oct. I'i, 1S71. He
N\as convicted and sentenced Nov. •_'!», 1*^71, for six and a half years
in the penitentiary.

Joh n Shin nuh n n .

Sc[)t. 10, 1871, in Pleasant Vale t«»wnship, \Vm. Hall claimed
that Slianiiahan had said something; mean ahout him, and j>rocceded
to assault him witli a duh. The latter warded olf the l»l«»w, snatched
the cIuIj from Hall, who then started to run away; Shaniuihan,
however, soon overtook him, struck him on tin,' head with the club,
kiK'ckini; him over into ji ijidly senseless, an<i Shanruihan tumlilinjj
down with him. Hall's ankle was broken in the fall, and lie <lie«l
soon afterward. Shannahati was arrested atid committed to jail,
where he sufferetl frmu a feeble constitution and a diseased letj,
which hail to Ih' amputated. He was indicted by the ffrand jury,
Oct. lli, 1*^71, otjt he died liefore the trial t(»ok place.

Bartholomew Jinrnes.

Ti»e only e.vecution ever takin<; place in Pike county was that of
Bartholomew P>arnes, Dec. 20, 1S71, in the Pittstield jail-yard, for
the munler of John (tresham in Calhoun coutity. The suit was
first instituted in that county, and a chaiiije of venue being taken
to this county, the case was calleil at the session of the Pike
county Circuit Court Nov. 27, 1871; and after a thorough trial the
traveiso jury returned a verdict of i^uiltv of murder in the first de-
Ijree. anil that he sln>uld sutl'er death by haiiiriui^. The particulars
of the murder are well condensed in Judi^e Higbee's sentence given
Dec. r», as below. The court-house was crowded to overHowinjjr
with ladies and ijentlemen to hear the sentence (»f death pronounced
upon the younw convict. At lUi a m. he was brouijht in to re-
ceive his sentence. Death-like stillness reigned within the room.

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 331

as the Jiidi^e, in a solemn an<l iinpre::^sive manner, addressed him,
broken only by the prisoner, who, standinu^ with brazen effrontery,
gave vent occasionally to protests of innocence. The Judi^e s.iid:

" In discharging tlie unpleasant duty required of me by the law,
it seems proper that I should jilace on the tiles of this Court a brief
statement of the facts an<l j)ro(>fs which render it the duty of the
Court to pronounce a judgment which is to deprive a human being
of his life.

" By the record in this case it appears that you were indicted at
the ]\r;iy term of the Calhoun Circuit C^ourt, 1871, for the murder
of John (Tresham,.aml the case was bi'ought here on a ciiange of
venue for trial; that there is no prejudice in this county which
wt)uld iuiuriouslv affect vour rights is sufHcientlv manifest bv the
fact that the crime for which yon have been tried was committed
in another county; and of the twelve jurors selected for your trial
ever}' one has stated under oath that he never heard of the case un-
til called into the jury box.

"From the evidence it appears that somewhere about the lirst
of February last, for some cause (which is not apparent) 3'ou
became very much enraged agrainst the deceased in the town of Pleas-
ant Hill and threatened to whip him. When told by the town con-
stal)le that that would not be permitted and that he would arrest
you if you did not keep quiet, you said that you would see the de-
ceased at same other lime and tear his heart out. On the 2Tth day
of February the deceased, his son (15 years of age ) and yourself,
were in Clarksville, Mo., and crossed the river on your return in
the afternoon in the same boat, the deceased and his son within a
wagon: and after the boat landed, as they were leaving the river
for home, you asked the privilege of riding with them, to which
tlie boy objected, his father being quite drunk at the time. You
then said to them that if they would let you ride you would be
quiet and peaceable; whereupon the deceased consented, and you
got into the wagon and seated yourself on a board beside the
deceased, the boy standing up in front driving. You had gone
but a short distance when some words passed, but no blows or
attem])ts to strike ensued, and you jumped out, saying, 'You

d d old son of a bitch!' At the time you jumped out the

board on which the deceased was sitting tipped up and he fell
out on the other side on his back near the wagon and near to a fence.
You ran back to the wagon and to where the deceased lay, and
turning your back to the fence, you seized the rails with which to
steady yourself, and with the deceased still lying on his back im-
mediately in front of you, with the heel of your boot you stamjH'd
his face, head and breast until you killed him. The evidence shows
that in this brutal manner, and when the deceased was lying on
his back ])erfectly helpless, in the pi-esence of his son and another
witness who was near by, 3'ou stamped from eight to ten times,
bre;d<ing his nose, cheek-bone and jaw, and crushing out one eye,
and forced the heel of your boot through his skull into his brain

33l' niSToRY OF I'IKK COUNTY.

more than jin iticli in depth, jukI so crushed and distii^iired his face
that iteo'.ild n )t be re^j^niz.'l hy I).'. Tlionuis. wliu had lived a
near nei<^hln)r to deceased for '20 3'ears.

^r " While enj'ayred in this work of death, Mv. Ovler, who was a
short distatice idf and saw it all, hallo )ed ami started to run to you.
On seciii;; hini you jiMn|H'il over the fence and started to run. Vou
Were pursued and eaj»tured in a. few minutes, and Mood was found
all over the heel of vour hoot, with hair and whiskers still adherinir
to it. Soon afterward you dechired that vt»u had not seen deceased
on that day.

'• In answer to all tiiis proof you produced a single witness, your
hrother, who testitietl that in the fall of ISGl) deceased nnide some
threats against you, which, so far as the evi<lence shows, he never
attempted to execute, lieyond this you offer no explanation or
justification ot this dreadful crime.

*• Upon this proof the jury have found you guilty of murder, and
their verdict declares that vou shall sutler death hv hanj'in:;. You
have heen well defendetl hy able attornt-ys. fairly trit'd, and, as it
seoms to me, properly coiivicteti; and it only remains now for tiie
Court tt) pronounce the jud;^ment (»f the law, which is, to deprive
you of your life, rnplea.sant as this duty is,! am not at liberty
to shrink from it. ^ ou have deprived .John (iresham of his life b}'
A foul ami brutal murder, and the law demands yotir life as the pen-
alty. .\s the time which can be extended to ytui to prepare to
meet this dreadful puni^hment is limited by law, let me .admonish
yon not to spend it in vain cttorts to arrest y«»ur doom, but rather
dev(»te every moment of the time allotted you to prt'jtare for the
final trial wherein injustice is never done and where all must
answer for every act of liis life. It is^the order of this Court, Bar-
tholomew Barnes, that vou be taken from here to tlie countv jail of
this county atid there confii]c<] until Friday, the twenty-ninth day
of l)eceml)er, 1*^71, and that between the liours of 10 o'clock a. m.
and 3. r. .m. of said day, in said jail, and in the |»rescnce of the wit-
nesses retjuired by law, han<^ed by the neck until you are dead."

We take the following account of the execution from the Old
Fla^i (.f Jan. 4. 1^7'2:

" The dreatlful ti ay having arrived, a large crowd gathered around
the jail, which increased constantly jis the hour of execution ap-
proached. There was no disturbance, however, the anxiety of siis-
pen-e seeming to pervade the throng and keej) them (juiet, and
waiting almost with suspended breath until the tragedy was over.
The execution was delayed until afternoon in order to give the
prisoner all the time possible. Al)out half past one, or later, in
company with the j)hysicians, the jury and others, we were admitted
to the Stieriti'^s room and waited the last preparations for the linal
scene. The leave-taking of the brother and sister and relatives of
the prisoner we did not witness. At aboiit a quarter past two the
great iron door leading from the Sheriffs room into the hall of the
jail was unbarred, and thu?e in waiting entered the hall and took

-^J

PIKE COUNTY JAIL

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 335

places in front of the scaffold and waited witli unc()vered heads the
appearance of the prisoner. AVc need hardly tell our readers there
was stillness in that company and that all sound was hushed ex-
cept the loniif-drawn breathintrs of men who knew they stood in
the chamber of Death, that a livin<^ mortal man was soon to be his
victim, and that a fellow being was within a few moments of eternity
and judgment. There was the scaffold, rather a rough-looking
structure, and of larger dimensions than we had expected to see;
above it, from a pulley fastened to a beam, hung a rope apparently
about half an inch in thickness, with knot and noose on the end
of it.

"As we stood there contemplating the scene, and held our watch
to note the time, some few remarks were made in a wliisper and
several times a reporter asked us, ' What time is it now V Seven-
teen minutes past two, eighteeu minutes, nineteen minutes, each
elapsing minute increasing the anxiety of suspense and expectation;
twenty minutes, and the Sheriff and prisoner, accompanied with
deputies and ministers, appeared on the corridor and descended
one flight of stops a:;d ascended the other which led to the scaffold.
The prisoner was pale from long continement, but we could not
say that he flinched or quailed at the sight of the gallows or when
standing on the platform. AVlien his eyes first caught sight of
scaffold and rope there was an expression of surprise which was
momentary, and that was all. He was well dressed in a black suit
with a tine shirt, white stockings and slippers, and looked like a
gentleman. He was told to be seated on a seat of boards that had
been prepared, which he did. Revs. Priestly and Johnsey, Methodist
preachers, sitting on each side of him. They sat only for a moment
when deputy Landrum told him to stand up, which he did. They
both stood close to the grat-d window when the death warrant was
read to him by Mr. Landi'um distinctly, but with evident emotion,
and was heard by the prisoner attentively, but without any mani-
festations whatever. When the read iiiij; was over and Mr. Landrum
had folded the paper, ' Let us pray ' was announced, and a prayer
was ])ronouiiced by Rev. Mr. Johnsey, which to our ear was some-
what i>eculiar if not poetical, the prisoner all the while uttering
fervid ejaculations, such as, 'O Lord, have mere}- on my soul!'
On rising from his knees after the prayer he deliberately stepped
forward, and taking the rope in his right hand, passed the noose
into his left and seemed to take a careful look at it. lie was then
told, if he had any thing to say, to say it now. He hesitated a
moment as if not fully comprehending what was meant; but upon
being told a second time, he said, ' Well, I say that I believe all
my sins have been pardoned; and I thank the jailor for his kindness
to me, and I hope that no one will ever again be hung.' He was
then told to take farewell of all; and having shaken hands with the
ministers. Sheriff and attendants, he asked leave to pray once him-
self, and was told to do so, when, krieeling down with his face
toward the window in the west, he said, as we understood, ' O Lord,

336

IIISTOKV OV I'lKK (V)rNTY.

I pray tlieo to forgive my sins, to save my sunl and take me to
liOHven,' repeatiui; the jtotilion>, as we tliou:^lit, twii'o or more.
lie then arose and stepped forward <tn the trap, anil the rope was
j)ut over his head and adjusted ahout his neck, and the bhick C5ap
drawn over his face, his hands and feet havinir been previously tied,
he all the while pravinir. '() jj.»f<l, 8ii\e my soul."

"This was the most solemc and anxious moment of the exeeution,
both to the «looineii man and to the h>peetaitors. There stood a
nuin on the imniediate confines t»f two worlds, just ready to step
into eternity and know the ;^raiul secret; ojdy one moment nmre
to live in this life.

'* Tiie eap was drawn over liis face at twenty-tive minutes past two;
the ela|)sing seconds now scomed as loni; as nunntes; the Sheriff'
and an attendant were the last to ct>me down from the ste|)S. Tiie
fatal lever whieh should spring the trap wjis at the bottom, con-
cealed by a piece of carpet. * What time is it now?' said the re-
porter to us. Twenty-tive minutes and fifteen seconds ])a8t two,
and quick as a flash the man who was standing on the scall'old and
still having, ' O Lord, save my sold,' <lropped till his head hniig
m«»re tlian six inches l>elow. There wat* no noise more than the
sudden tightening of the con! with a heavyweight would occasion.
A trap door swung into a niche prepared to receive it ami renniined
there. The rope had been ]>erfectly tested and <lid not stretch the
least. The tall was more than six feet. His neck had been instantly
broken and all pain was t»ver. The victim diil n<»t struggle at all.
At the end of tlie first minute there was a slight motion of the feet
and limbs, swaying slightly, which was continued until after the
end of the second minute, and evidently caused by muscular con-
traction. At the end ot three and a half minutes there was one
violent and last cimlraction of muscle; slioulders heaved and the
whole b(»dy was lilted up, ami then relapsed and liung motionless;
at the end of twenty minutes the doctors pronounced i'arnes dead,
and at the end of twenty-tive minutes the body was cut down and
laid out, while a further examination was made by the doctors, who
pronounced his neck broken and his life to be extinct; at the end
of thirty minutes from the time of the drop and within about five
minntes of '.i o'ch)ck he was pinced in a collin and at «)nce carried
ont and delivered to his relatives to be Uiken to Pleasant Hill for
burial."

The preparations for the haniring had been very complete, and
there was not a single mistake or slightest failure in any particular;
and Sheriff McFarland deserves praise for the manner in which he
bore himself and performed his melanciioly duties.

'Barnes ma<le a "confession '' in which he insisted to the last that
he tlid not mean to kill Gresham, and claimed that he was. drunk
and did not know what he was about. The warrant was printed it
a very large plain hand b}' the pen of doctor J. J. Tojdiff, who was
Circuit Clerk at the time.

HISTORY OF ITKr, roi-NTV. 337

fMvn Barnes,

cousin of the precedint;, was indicted Nov. 29, 1871, for the murder
of McLciuijhlin, in Detroit, on the sixteenth of that month. The
name of the murdered man was ascertained only by its being
marked on his arm with India ink. Both the men had been in a
saloon drinking and had had a quarrel about a red ball. McLaugh-
lin shook his fist in Barnes' face and told him not to open his face
again about it. He turned around, and when his eyes were averted
Barnes jumped to his feet having a knife in his hand which he swung
with great force, the blade striking McLaughlin's face a?ul neck, sev-
ering the jugular vein and windpipe and completely cutting his
throat. Barnes then made a back stroke which missed McLaughlin,
who then staggered into a back room and fell dead. Barnes was
immediately arrested and committed to the Pittslield, jail where,
sometime after his indictment, he gradually wasted away with pul-
monary consumption and died.

JacJc Connor, alias Wtn. C. Walton, and Chas. Berry,

were indicted in the Pike Circuit Court Oct. 18, 1872, for man-
elaughter. April 11, 1873, Connor was acquitted and Berrj- was
convicted and sentenced for one year.

Peter B. Ford.

On the night of May 3, 1872, George DeHaven, of Barry, was
killed on a shebang boat just above Florence, by Peter B. Ford.
Two disreputable women and two or three low-lived men were on
board. " Tack," Henry Schaffner and DeHaven came on the boat,
which was owned by the Fords. After drinking awhile Tack
hauled open his coat and declared he was the best man on board, and
attacked Elisha N. Ford. At the same time DeHaven sprang at
Peter Ford with brass knuckles on one hand and a cocked revolver
in the other, pointed at Peter's breast. Peter knocked the revolver
aside and shot DeHaven, who died in about 20 minutes. Elisha
and the two women were arrested, but after examination were dis-
charged. Peter was also arrested, and indicted Oct. 21, 1872, for
murder, was convicted, and "sent up" for 18 years. A motion for
a new trial was made, but denied, and the sentence was executed.

James Ray and L. J. Hall.

At Pleasant Hill, June 22, 1872, L. J. Hall, a grocer, had a
controversy with a Mr. McGinn, when a young man named James
Ray interfered, knocking McGinn down with a beer glass and beating
him and stamping u]ion him, Hall meanwhile keeping off all who
wo\ild interfere. When the beating ceased McGinn was found
dead. Hall then gave Pay some money, telling him to make his
escape, which it seems he did most effectually. Hall wa' arrested,
and examined, but acquitted of being an accessory. McGinn left
a wife and eight children.

338

IIISTOKY OF PIKK COINTY.

MatthciC ILiri'ia and Thomas Stajdeton.

At }i [•hiceciilUMl tlic'Ciitntll", i»n tlio Siiy Levee, it> tlie.ppriii^jfof 1S73
were two lur;;*' squads of men at work. Tlieoue workiii'^lii'^lier uj> tlie
river reoeivcil^J.OU j)er tla}' to each inai) ami tliose l>elo\v received
$1.75. Alter tljose al)ove had Ctiini)leted their work, their eiiij)U)yer8
ti)ld them they eoiiM «ro and work with those helow if they were will-
iiif^to work at the same rates. They all went to work, l)Ut alter awhile
became dissatisfied with the wa<;e.>, threatened tostrike, and made a
good deal of disturhance. Their employers dischar^i^ed several of
the rinj^-leaders who still continued to make trouble. When ^)ay-
dav arrived the strikers drank a ^jjreat de:il, came to the jd:ice of
wi»rk and were determined, us they said, to t-lean out Harris, the
time-keeper, and StHj)leton, the '' walking-boss." As the two latter
were coming from the store after dinner, the mob of strikers fell
upon thi-m and Harris and Staoleton botli tii'<fd at t!ie first mm.
Tat \'.ini,'han, killin";him and slightly injuring another man. Tins
proceeding deterred the rioters from any further aggressions.
Stapleton and Harris were arrested, but to keep them safe from the
rioters they were lodg:*d in the jail at Pittslield. They were in-
dicted Aj»ril \2 lollowing, tried, ctmvicted of munler, and July 1
both were sentence*] to State prison for one year.

Awl re u' Jl'iinUton.

Near Mebo, Feb. 5. I'^T^. a number of young people assembled
at the house of Mrs. MeKtv, for the purpose of taking ]>art in a
dance. Among those present were Andrew Hamilton and Clift«)n
U. Daniels, both young men and sons of well-known farmers in
the vicinity. During the dance a quarrel arose between Hamilton
and Daniels, when the former drew a revolver and shot Daniels in
the neck at its juncture with the che.«»t. The wounded man stag-
gered against the wall and fell dead almost instantly. Hamilton
immediately fled, and, so far as appears from the records, has never
been captured.

John A. Tfiotnns

was indicted Oct. 14, 1876, for murder, but three days afterward
was acquitted.

John II Mallory.

A man named Davis got to peeping around Mallory's liouse at
night to see some girls, and Mai lor}', discovering the fact, ran out
with a gun and shot Davis as he dodged behind a cedar bush, and
killed him. This occurred at Barry. MriUory was indicted (Jcto-
ber 14, 1S70, for manslaughter. The case dragged alon": in the
Oi»urts until April 6, IS78, when the accused was acquitted.

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 339

Gecyrge HasMna.

About four miles northwest of Kiiidcrliook a quarrel took place,
March 4, 1877, between two jouno^ men, Geo. llaskins and a Mr.
Simpkins, orii:;i!iatiMi; in a controversy about a doi^ bitin:^ a sister
of Simpkins. A tussle ensued durim^ which Simpkins was stabbed
with a knife, and from the eti'ects of the wound he shortly after-
ward died, llaskins was arrested, and A]>ril 10, 1877, he was in-
dicted ^ov murder; but the trial resulted in his conviction for man-
slaughter, and Oct. 19, followini:^, he was sentenced to two years,
imprisonment at hard labor. He was only nineteen years of age
and Simpkins seventeen.

Ilenry A. Fourier.

This ruffian and a Mr. Hamilton were attending a dance near
Nebo in the spring of 1878, where they drank and quarreled until
Fowler cut Ilajnilton across the arm with a knife, and the latter
bled to death. Fowler was arrested and A])ril 6, lb78, was indicted
for murder. Before his trial he escapeil from jail, but V(duntarily
returned and delivered himself U]">. The trial resulted in his con-
viction and sentence to confinement in the State prison for two
years,

Thomas McDonald.

James A. Brown was murdered Ticar his own door in Montezuma
March 11, 1878, shortly before daylight, Jan, 25 preceding he had
been waylaid, drugged and robbed by two men in a small wood
near his home, and lay exposed all night in a stupid condition until
found the next morninj;, and was restored to consciousness with
much difiicultv. Thomas McDonald was afterwai'd iirrested and
identified as one of those two men: the other culprit remained at
large. Mr, Brown and Ids friends had feared that an effort would
be made to prevent him (Brown) from appearing at a certain trial,
and the tragedy just mentioned showed how well grounded tlieir
fears had been. For several nights preceding the murder noises
had I)een heard in the vicinity of the residence of Brown, and lie
went armed. About 4 o'clock that morning (Monday) he stepped
from his house to an out-house a few yards distant, taking his rifle
with him. On his return a few minutes later, and when within
two or three paces of the door, he was shot, the ball entering the
back of the head and coming out toward the front. Hearing the
report the family rushed out to find the victim lying where he fell,
and in a few moments he ceased to live. Excitement became so in-
tense that the SheriftMiad to obtain assistance from the State Gov-
ernment to aid in keeping the peace. The excitement was greatly
intensified by a report that the Sheriff intended to remove the pris-
oner from the Pike county jail to another county. McDonald was
tried and found innocent. A full account of his case is given in
the history of Pittsfield.

340

HISTORY OP riKh COUNTY.

Colonel WiUidins.

A iimnber of people giith(?re(l at the houso of A[onte Gant about
ten miles south of Pittstit'M, on Christmns ove, to liave a dance,
ami wer • enjoyiiii; tlnMiiselvea in the usual way, when some of the
boys askdl Andrew Main (commonly denominated "Coon Main ")
to call oil* a set. Main refusing, they said they could get along
well enough without him. He thought tliisa good time as any to
whip some of the b<»ys, ami, the quarrel ct)ntinuinir for e-ome time,
he eommiMiced striking them. Main struck Williams, knocking
him down. Williams then Citmmenced stabbing at Main with his
pocket knife. Main got hold of a long iron poker and commenced
Btrikinj; at Williams. About thin time the landlord interfered and
turm t| tluMu from the house, whetj the latter and his brother Col-
onel immediately left and were followetl by Main and two or three
others. Then Colonel Williams shot Main with a revolver, and he
and his brother immetlialelv ran awav, no etl'ort i>eing made at the
time to arrest them. The woimded man tlu n retured to the hou?e,
lav down on a betl, savin;; that Colonel Williams had shot him,
and died about five hours afterwanl. Williams has been arrested,
and is now in the Pittstleld jail awaiting trial.

BoyleSy

a lad >eventeeii \ r.-ira ct :ig-', is also in jail for l:elj»:ng his brother
to escape who had kill'- 1 a compan'on with a pucker knife.

CUAPTER XII.
PIONEER LIFE.

LOG CABINS.

We shall, in this chapter, give as clear and exact a description of
pioneer life in this county as we can find language to picture it in,
commencing with the time the sturdy settlers first arrived with
their scanty stores. They had migrated from older States, where
the prospects for even a competency were very poor, many of them
com:ng from Kentucky, for, it is supposed, they found that a good
State to emigrate from. Their entire stock of furniture, imple-
ments and family necessities were easily stored in one wagon, and
sometimes a cart was their only vehicle.

As the first thino: after thev arrived and found a suitable loca-
tion, they would set about the building of a log cabin, a description
of whicli may be interesting to the younger readers, and especially
their descendants, who may never see a structure of the kind.
Trees of uniform size were selected and cut into pieces of the de-
sired length, each end being saddled and notched so as to bring the
logs as near together as possible. The cracks were "chinked and
daubed" to prevent the wind from whistling through. This had
to be renewed ev^ery fall before cold weather set in. The usual
height was one story of about seven or eight feet. The gables were
made of logs gradu illy shortened up to the top. The roof was made
by laying small logs or stout poles reaching from gable to gable,
suitable distances apart, on which were laid the clapboards after the
manner of shin<jlino:, showins: two feet or more to the weather.
The clanboards were fastened by laying across them heavj- poles,
called "weight poles," reaching from one gable to the other, being
kept apart and in their place by laying pieces of timber between
them called "runs," or "knees." A wide chimney ])lace was cut
out of one end of the cabin, the chimney standing entirely outside,
and built of rived sticks, laid up cob-house fashion and filled with
clay, "r built of stone, often using two or three cords of stone in
building one chimney. For a window, a piece al)Out two feet long
was cut out of one of the wall logs, and the hole closed, sometimes
with glass, but oftener with greased paper pasted over it. A door-

343

III8TOKY OF IMKK COINTY.

way WHS iilfit) cut tlirou^lj one of the walls, and the door was made
ot" 8|)lired chilli toardf* and himi^ with woodi'n hin<i;es. This was
opened hy j)nllin<; a k'alher hitch-ntrini; which raised a wooden
hitch iiisidf the «ltM»r. For security at nij^ht this hitch striiii; was
puHeil in, hut for friemls and neighbors, and even strangers, the
" hitch string was always han^itii^ out," as a welcome. In the inte-
rior, upuji tine side, wjis the hui^' tire-]tlacc, hirgeeimugli to contain
a hack-hii; as hig as the str«»n«jest man couhl carry, and hold-
in<j enough wtuid to supply an ordiiiary stove a wi*ek ; on eitiier
side wore judes atid kettles, and over all a mantul on whicii was
placed the tallow dip. In tuie corner stood the larger he I for the
old folks, under this the trurnlle-hed f«»r the chihlren; in another
Corner stojid the <dd-fiu>hioned, large sj)inning-wheel, with a smaller
one hy its side ; in aiiother the pine tnhh', around which the family
gatlu-red to j»artake tif their plain fotxl ; over the door hung the
ever-triiNtful rilleand powder-horn; while around the room were scat-
tered a few »plinl-l>ottnmeard holding the tahle wan-, which cx)nsisted
of a few cups and saucers and hluueilged plate>j, standing singly
on their inlges aijain>t the hack, to make the display of tahle t'urni-
ture more conopicuous.

These simple cahins were inliahiteil hy a kind and true-liearted
people. They were strangers to mock mo<^e^ty, and the travtler,
seekini: Indginnps tor the night or desirous of spending a few days
in the community, if willing to accept the ru«le <'trering, was always
welcome, although how they were disputed of ar night the reader
may in»t easily imagine ; for, aa dcscril)ed, a single room was made
to serve the pur|M»se of kiteheti. dining room, sitting-room, hed-
roont, and ]>arl<ir. and tnany families consisted of si.x or eight mem-
bers.

"KI.FXTION <»K noMKR.

K«>r a great man; ■ n .■< luit tew thought it advirsahle to attomj»t
farming on th«? prairie. To many of them the cultivati«»n o!" tlie
prairies was an untried experiment, and it was the prevaling
opinion that the timber would s«Kin become very scarce, — a fear
80on proven to l>e without toundation. Another obstacle that was
in the way for a great many years, was that no plows suital)le for
breaking the i>rairie land could be had. The sod waa very much
totighor then than it was in after 3'ears when the stock had pastured
the prairies and kille«l out the gni^s to ecune extent. It would he
astonishing to the younger residents to see the immense crops of

f)rairie grass that grew nj»on the fields which are to-day in such a
ligh state of cultivation. It grew in places six t<» twelve feet high.
It was these immetise crops of gniss that furnished the fuel for the
terrible tires that swept over the prairies during the fall. Then,
again, there was so much of the ])rairie land that was considered
too wet to be ever suitable for cultivation. Many of the <»lder set-
tlers now living well remember when farms that are now in the

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 343

highest state of cultivation were a vast swamp. Thei'e was another
drawback in tlie settlement of the prairies, and tliat w.-is the great
labor and cost of fencing. But the principal reason for locating in
the timber was that many of their cabins were poor, half-finished
affairs, and protection from the driving storms was absolutely re-
quired. The timber also sheltered stock until such times as sheds
and out-huildings could be erected. That the time should soon
come when intelligent, enterprising farmers would see that their
interest lay in improving prairie farms, and cease clearing fields,
when there were boundless acres jtresentiug no obstacle to the most
perfect cultivation, argues nothing in the policy of sheltering for a
time in the woods. In regard to the pioneers settling along the
timl)er, we often hear remarks made as thouirh the selection of such
locations im})lied a lack of judgment. Those who are disposed to
treat it in that manner are asked to consider carefully the above
facts, when thev will conclude such selection arirued in their fav(»r.
Clearing of timber land was attended with much hard labor. The
underbrush was grubbed up, piled into heaps and burned. The large
trees were in man}' cases left standing, and deadened by girdling.
This was done by cutting through the bark into the wood, generally
through the "sap," all around the trunk.

MILLING.

No't the least of the hardships of the pioneers was the procuring
of bread. The first settlers must be supplied at least one year from
other sources than their own lands. But the first crops, however
abundant, gave only partial relief, there being no mills to grind the
grain. Hence the necessity of grinding by haiul power, and many
families were poorly provided with means for doing this. Another
way was to grate the corn. A grater was made from a piece of tin,
sometimes taken from an old, worn-out tin bucket or other vessel.
It was thickly perforated, bent into a semi-circular form, and nailed,
rough side upward, on a board. The corn was taken in the ear,
and grated before it got dry and hard. Corn, however, was eaten
in various ways.

Soon after the country became more generally settled, enterpris-
ing men were ready to eml)ark in the milling l)usiness. Sites along
the streams were selected for water-pnwer. A person looking for a
mill-site would follow up and down the stream for a desired loca-
tion, and when found he would go bef)re the County Commis-
sioners and secure a writ n^ (id quod damnum. This would enable
the miller to have the a<ljoining land t)fticially examiiied, and the
amount of damage by making a dam was named. Mills being such
a'great public necessity, they were permitted to be located upon any
person's land where the miller thought the site desirable.

The Hominy Block. — Before giving the particulars of the anec-
dote about to be related it would be well to describe the hominy
block, for there are thousands in this county, doubtless, especially
of the rising generation, who have never so much as heard of the

344

HISTORY <>K I'JKK ColTNTV.

block and bot:iirj lielpitii; Inmsolf, wlu'H tlu* liu^e nouixler ali^htiMl
upon iiiiM. l)iiriii^ tlu' rcMiiuiiKk'r of the iii^lil tlie j»oun«K'r kt'|)t

hominy block. It consisted of a hole bored or burned in the end
ot" a log or stump, basiii form, in whieh the corn was placed and
then jioundetl with an iron wed«je, block ot' wood or a rolliuij pin.
Sometimes the pounding ii]»j>aratus consi>tcd of a lon;^, heavy l»loek
of Wood attached to a sprintj-pole above, which lessoned the labor of
prejiarin^ a meal. The one wo have in qucstioti consisted of a
ourned-out place in the top of a stumjt, a licaw block or ])i»le at-
tachtil to a transverse spriti^-ivde, but was run l)y water power
instead of tlic common way. This hominy i»lock was made and
owned by Anuisa Shinn. who resided in <»r near Kinderhook ti)wn-
shij>. Mr. Shinn would fill the block with corii at nii;ht, set it in
motion, and by mornin;; it would be pulveri/.t-il and ready to be
made irito bread for breakfast. There came a time, however, when
Mr. Shinn and family preferred to fast, for at least one meal.
Sfjuirrels were quite numerous in those days -far more than they
are at present — and one evenint; after Mr. Shinn had set his mill in
motion as usual, a s«|uirred hopped U|>on the e*ige of thu block and
be^n wistfully to scrutinize the corn below. Finally he concluded
to have s<^>me; and while the hammer was n|>, jumped into the

he hu^e poi;
e nii^hl tlie
regularly descending into the block, thoroughly mashing and mix-
ing the squirrel and the corn. When .Mr. Shinn came down the
next morning for his meal ho found a conglomerate of squirrel and
meal.

Many interesting and ludicrous incidents are relato»l in reference
to going t»» mill, waiting fi»r grists, etc., many of which are
greatly overdrawn. Harrison Henry, now <lecease<l, often related
an im'idciit that, althotigh tintrue, was commendable for its witticism
ami application to the mills of pioneer days. He woul<l tell the
fltory of himself in the following language: '' I went to Mr. Kver-
itt's mill (an overshot water-mill) one day, and remained until
night for my turn. When my turti cnme Mr. Kveritt tilled
the hopper with corn, atid taking me with him to the house, retirc<l
for the night, leaving the mill V^ do the work alone. During the
night I was awakene*! b}* the l)arking of Mr. Everitt's dog. This
annoyed me not a little, but I fif>ally fell asleep again. In the early
morning when 1 awoke, I heard the almost stead}* barking of the
dog, and went down to the mill to learn what it was barkifigat. On
arriving there I found that the dog had eaten all the meal and was
barking tor more! He would wait until a littie meal would come
down, when he would ravenously lick it up, and then look up the
spout and bark tor more!" Mr. Henry would continue: "I don't
tell this incident to injure the mill, for it was a vcr}' good and faith-
ful mill; it grinds away faithfully on one grain until it finishes it,
antl tiicn jumps right on to another."

XATIVK ANIMALS.

The wild animals infesting this county at the time of its settle-

HISTOKV OV riKE CODMTY. 345

meiit were the deer, wolf, !)ear, wild cat, fox, otter, raccoon, wood-
chiick or gronnd-doiir, skunk, mink, weusel, niuskrat, opossum, rab-
bit and squirrel; and the j)rincipal feathered game wei'e the <|uail,
prairie-chicken, and wild turkey. Several of these animals furnished
meat for the early settlers; but their principal meat did not consist
long of game. Pork and ])onltry were soon raised in abundance.
The wolf was the most troublesome animal, it being the common
enemy of the sheep. It was quite difficult to protect tlie sheep from
their ravages. Sometimes pigs and calves were also victims of the
Wolf. Theij" bowlings in tlie night would t)fton keep families awake,
and set all the dogs in the neighborhood to bai-king. Their yells
were often terrific. Says one settler: " Suppose six boys, having
six dogs tied, whipped them all at the same time, and you would
hear such music as two wolves would make." To effect the destruc-
tion of these animals the county authorities ofiered a bounty for
their scalps; and, besides, big hunts were inagurated for their des-
truction, and " wolf hunts " are prominent among the memories of
the early settlers. Such events were generally turned into a holi-
day, and everybody that could ride a nag or stand the tramp on foot
joined in the deadly pursuit. A large circuit was generally made
i)y the hunters, who then closed on every side, driving the hungry
wolves into the center of the corral, where they were despatched.
The return home with the carcasses was the signal for a general turn-
out, and these '• pleasure parties " are still referred to by old citizens
as amnng the pleasantest memories of early life in Pike county.
Many a hungry M^olf has been run down on the prairies where now*
is located a town or a tine farm residence. This rare old pastime,
like much of the earl}- hunting and fishing the pioneers indulged in
here, departed at the appearance of the locomotive.

BEE-HUNTING.

During the early settlement of this part of the State, one of the
prevailing customs of the poineers was "bee-hunting." Often a
small company M-ould travel many miles into a wild, unsettled
conntr}'. in search of the sweet, flavored honey of the wild bee.
Large trees containing many gallons, and often a barrel, were fre-
quently found by bee-hunters. Th.e little, busy bees would be
carefully watched as they liew heavily laden with the richest extract
of the tlowers that were purely native and unknown to the present
generation. They always tooka "bee-line" for their homes. This
was a correct guide to the sturdy hunter, who had studied with care
the ways of the bee and by their knowledge took advantage of the
little insect. Once on the trail, good bee-hunters were almost cer-
tain to capture the'rich prize. After the bee-tree was discovered it
was no trouble to get possession of the honey. The tree was felled,
and the hunters would rush for their booty ere it was lost by run-
ning out upon the ground.

340 HISTOKY OK IMKK COUNTY.

M.VXNKK8 AND CL'BTOMff.

The pioneer was more tVeely ami heartily social with liis tVieiidg,
and Colli toward his oneinios, than we m-lmu to he at the ]>rei?i'nt
day; anil he shtnved what race he heloni^i-d to l»y his ellorts to
establit^h reli^iou;*, philanthrojdc and educational institutions. The
yoiinj^ folks, we have no dotiht, found njany ways of robbing old
rime of loneliness. It wonhl be unfair to suppose thcni, esjMJci-
allv the ladies, destitute of fashi(»nal»le aspirations, but the nieana
for ;^audy display were very nuieh circumscribed in those days.
The male attire Consisted chierty of buckskin, or homespun
cloth, — we mij^lit add h<>me-woven, tiie loom being far more com-
mon in or iiear tiieir rude huts than the piano or ori;an. They
were not, however, <lestitute of mu^ical ta.-te, and many of their
Vocal performaiu'es would compare favorably with our present
choirs. We may safely say they gang with the spirit. Most of
the ladies, "al-o, wore ht>mespun, which they manufactured from
Wool, thix, c<»tt«.n, and the bark or lint «»f the nettle, cidored with
such ingre<lient8 as nature j>rovided, without the aid of art. \ ft w
even adopted buckskin, llow many yanb of the latter artichj
were re(piired for a fashinnable dre.-- in those times, or in what
particular ^tvle it wa* cut and trimmed, we are not informed, and
mu^t leave tlie ladies to draw their own conclusions. These dresses
certainly were durable, and shieldeil the wearer in out-door exer-
ci>es ineitleift to the planting, attending and gjithcring of croj b, in
which jiursuit the ladies in all new countries ashist.

.Vrjother of the prevaiiiing fa^hi••ns wivs of that of cjirrying fire-
arms, made necessary by the presence of roving bands of Indian-,
most of whom were Oblensiblv friendly, but like Itidians in all
times, treacherous ajul unreliable. Th<'^>e trilx-s were j)rincipally
I'ottawatomies. There were also in the northern ]>art i»f the State
several trilH;8 of hostile Indians, ready at any time to make a mur-
derous, thieving raid upon the white settlers; and an Indian war
at anv time was an ae -epted j»robiibility ; a?id these old settlerij
today have vivid recollections of the Hlack Hawk and other Indian
wars. And, while target practice was much indulged in as an
amusement, it was also necessary for a j)roper self-<lefen6e, the
settlers finding it i: -y at times to carry their guns with them

when they went to i,.. i.eircorn. In some instances their gun» »j
were stackeil in the tield and the lalKjrers worke<l f<»r a certain dis-
tance aronnd them, and then moved the guns to a certain |>ositiott i|
and again proceeded with their work.

These were oidy a few of the hardships incideJit to pioneer life, ,|
wliicli was largely made up of privatiiuis, inconveniences and dan-
gers. They had lew labor-saving machines and no reliable markets.
Even communicjition by letter with their distant friends and rela-
tives was rendered difficult for want of proper mail facilities, and J
Sometimes for the want of money to pay the postage on the letter* i
sent to them, — the postage then being twenty-five cents for a single J

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 347

letter, many of wlilcli remained in tlie office for wciikd on account
of the inability of the persons addressed to ])ay the postage.

MARKKTS.

The earliest settlers of the county went to St. Louis with what
little produce they luid to sell, and the merchants bouglit all their
goods in that city. Soon, however, Louisiana became a market,
and produce was wagoned to that city and from there sent south \/
on the river. There was at that time no sale for corn, or com-
})aratively none, and wheat would bring but a small price; so that
re;dly there was no impetus given to the raising of ij^rain of an j
sort, except fur home consumption, until the advent of the railroad.
At that time improvement began. The great resources of the
county which had scarcely supplied more than home demand were
then turned to supply the wants of thousands. That (occasion, the
advent of railroads, was the commencement of agricultural develop-
ment. It was the commencement of the manufacturing institu-
tions the count}' can now boast of; it was the building of her thriv-
ing cities and towns; indeed it was the beginning of progress.

One of the earliest steam-boats in tlie Illinois river trade was the
steamer " Exchange," which plied between St. Louis and Peoria.
She was familiarly known as "the Shingle Weaver," so called from .
the fact of her carrying upon her hurricane deck a machine for cut-
ting shingles, which was operated by the machinery of the boat,
cutting whenever the boat was in motion. Shingle timber would
be obtained at the wood-3'ards along the river, and market found
for the manufactured goods at St. Louis. This boat was an especial
favorite with the people of this county, many of whom would,
when desiring to take a trip by the river, wait for her coming, and
most of the early stocks of goods for the eastern part of the county
were shipped on her; she also carried most of the county's "bees-
wax " and other products to their market.

"When the first settlers came to the wilderness" says an old set-
tler, " they all supposed that their hard struggle would be prin-
cipally over after tlie first year ; but alas! we looked for 'easier
tiines'next year ' for about ten years, and learned to bear hardships,
privation and hard living as good soldiers do. As the facilities for
making money were not great, we lived pretty well satisfied in an
atmosphere of good, social, friendly feeling, and thought ourselves
as good as those we left behind when we emigrated West."

CHILLS AND FEVER.

One of the greatest obstacles to the early settlement and prosper-
ity of this county was the "chills and fever," or " ague," or " Illinois
shakes," as it was variously styled. This disease was a terror to -y
new comers. In the fall of the year everybody was afflicted with
it. It was no resj)ecter of persons; everybody slux^k with it, and
it was in every person's system. They all looked pale and yellow as

348 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTV.

th()U»^h they were frK-tliitton. It whs not eoiitnij^ious, hut was a
kind (»t'miH8nm rtoatiiii^ Mrouiid in the iitiijosphere and alisorhcd
into thu system. It contintied to l»e ahsorhi-d from dav to dav, and
week to wl?t'k, until the whoU» body corporate became charged with
it as with electricity, and then the shock came; and the shock was
a re<;nhir shake, with :i tixcd bc<^innin«j^ and an endiiiij, comini; on
each ^\iiy^ or each alternate day, with a regularity that was surpris-
in<^. Alter the shake came the fever, and this "last estate wiis
worse thafi the first. " It was a burning, hot fever and lasted for
hours. When you had the chiJI you couldn't <;et warm, and when
you liad the fever yuu couldn't ^et cool. It was e.xeeedin^lv
awkwanl in this respect; indeed it wai«. Nor would it stop f<»r any
sort of continjijency. Not even a wedding in the family would
stoj) it. It was imperative anti tyranniail. When the appointed
time c.ime aroutid everythin;; else had to Ik* htopped t<» attend
to its demands. It di<ln't even have any Sunday or holidays.
After the fever went <lown you still didn't feel much better. ^ on
felt as though you had gone tiirough some sort of collision and
came out not killed but badly demoralized. You felt weak, as
tluiugh you had run too tar after something, atid then didn't
catch it. You felt languid, stupid and sore, and was down in
the mouth and heel and partially raveled out, so to speak. Your
back was out of fix and your appetite was in a worse condition
than your bacL, Your head ached and your eyes had more white
in them than usual, and altogetlicr you felt poor, disconso-
late and sad. You didn't think much of yourself, and didn't
believe i>ther jK'oplo did cither, and yon didn't care. You
didn't think n)uch of suicide^ but at the same time you almost made
ui> your mind that under certain circumstances it was justitiable.
^ on imagine*! that even the dogs looked at you with a kind of self-
comjducency. You thought the sun had a kind of sickly shine

alntut it. About this t- • ii came to the conclusion that 3*ou

Would not accept the \\ ^tate of Illinois a« a gift, and if you

ha<l tlie strength and means, you picked up Hannah and the baby
and y«»ur traj»s, and went back '* yandcr " to Injianny, Ohio, or old
Kaintuck.

■■ A' ' • ' ";,'

H. .

MiHXMiy within the Hiin»>hinc,

Ju^t inside my silent iliHir,
Wrtiling for ihe • apcr,' soeniinjj
Like a ' '" rf'ViTtln - -
Antl 111 lit nn III iiing

Ti :. li.c floor;

For I :i ~ I IxW

To make shadows on ihe floor —

Narj- shadow any morel"

The above is no ])ictnre of the imagination. It is simply re-
counting what occiirre<l in hundreds of instiinces. Whole families
would sometimes be sick at one time, and not one member scarcely

HISTORY OF PIKP: COUNTY. 349

able to wait upon another. One widow lady on the Illinois river
informs us that she lost nine children from this dreaded disease!

COOKING.

To witness'the various processes of cooking in those days would
alike surjirise and amuse those who have grown up since cooking
stoves and ranges came into use. Kettles were hung over the large
fire, suspended on trammels which were held by strong poles. The
long-handled frying-pan was used for cooking meat. It was held
on the fire by hand ; or, to save time, the handle was laid across
the back of a chair. This pan was also used for baking short-cake.
A better article was a cast-iron spider, which was set upon coals on
the hearth. But the best thing for baking bread was the flat-bot-
tomed bake-kettle, of greater depth, with closely fitting cast-iron
cover, and commonl}' known as the "Dutch oven." With coals
over and under it bread and buscuit would quickly and nicely bake.
Turkeys and spare-ribs were sometimes roasted before the fire, sus-
pended by a string, a dish being ])laced underneath to catch the
drippings.

IMPLEMENTS.

The agricultural implements used by the first farmers here would
in this age of improvement be great curiosities. The plow used
was called the bar-share plow. The iron point consisted of a bar of
iron about two feet long, and a broad share of iron welded to it.
At the extreme point was a coulter that passed through a beam six
or seven feet long, to which were attached handles of corresponding
length. The mold-bi)ard was a wooden one split out of winding
timber, or hewed into a winding shape in order to turn the soil
over. Sown seed was brushed in by dragging over the ground a
sapling with a bushy top. In harvesting the change is most strik-
ing. Instead of the reapers and mowers of to-day, the sickle and
cradle were used. The grain was threshed with a flail, or trodden
out by horses or oxen.

women's work.

The men were not called upon to endure alone all the hardships
and labor of frontier life. The women also had their physical labor
to perform, and much of it was quite arduous. Spinning was one
of the commun household duties. This exercise is one which few
of the present generation of girls have ever enjoyed. The wheel
nsed for spinning flax was called the '' little wheel," to distinguish
it from the " big wheel," used for spinning yarn. These stringed
instruments furnished the princijial music of the family, and were
operated by our mothers and grandmothers with great skill, attained
without pecuniary expense and with far less practice than is neces-
sary for the girls of our period to acquire a skillful use of their
costlv and elegant instruments.

350 nisroKY <»k imkk county.

Tlie l«iuin was not less necessary tli.tii the wheel. Not every
houee, however, in which sj»innin^ was done had a lonni; but there
were alwavs gome in each settlement who, besides doin^ their own
weaviii";, did some for others. Settlers, having succeeded in spite
of tlu' wolvL's in raisinij sheoj>, cimmenced tJie miinn("actiire of
wonlon cloth; wool was carded and made into ndls by hand cards,
and the rolls were spun on the " bi»; wheel." Weoccaiiionully find
now, in the houses of the old settlers, one of these bij; wheels, some-
times used for spinniii;^ and twit^titii; stockin<^ yarn. They are
turned with the hand, and with such vcK»city that it will run itself
while the nimble worker, by her backward step, draws out and
twists her threa<l nearly the whole l»ni;tli of the cabin A connnon
article woven on the loom wa> liiiM-y, alsi> called linsey-wotdscy, the
chain ))einf; linen and the tilling woolen. This doth was used for
dresses fur the girls and mothers. Nearly all the c othes worn by
the men were also home-made. Iw^irely was a farmer or his son
seen in a coat made of any other. If, occiisionally, a young man
appeared in a suit of "boughten " chuhes, he was suspected of hav-
ing gotten it for a particular occasion, which occurs in the life of
nearly every man.

N«»t until the settlers Inul supplied ihenuelve* with the more use-
ful articles of cluthing and with edibles of various kind?*, did wheat
bread bec<»me a common article of food. It is true they had it
earlier, but this wa« only served on extra occasions, as when visitors
came, or on Sumlavs; and with this luxury they would have a lit
tie " store cotfee." '* The little brown jug " found a j»lace in alnxtst
every home, and was often brought into use. No caller w:is {>cr-
mitted to leave the house without an invitation to partake of it*
contents.

PLKASUKU} OF rioNKKK LIKE.

The history of pioneer life generally presents the dark side of the
picture; but the toils and privations of the early settlers were not a
series of unmitigatetl suft'erings. No; for while the fathers and
mothers t«>ile*l hard, they w«'re not averse to a little relaxation, and
had their sea>ons of fun and eni«»yment. They contrived to do
something to break the monotony of their daily life and furnish
them a good, hearty laugh. Among the more general forms of
amusement were the " cjuilting-bee," ''corn-husking." "ap))le-par-
ing," '* log rolling '' and "house-raising." Our young readers will
doubtless be interested in a descrii)tion of these forms of amuse-
ment, when labor was made to afford fun and enjoyment to all par-
ticipating. The ''<j nil ting- bee," as its name implies, was when the
industrious qtnilities of the busy, little insect that "improves each
shining hour" were exemplified in the manufacture of quilt*? for
the houseludd. In the afternoon ladies for miles around gathered
at an a]»j>ointed place, and while their tongues would not cease to
play, their hands were as busily engaged in makiiii; the quilt; and
desire was always manifetted to get it out as (juickly as j)0S6ible,

'UXy^^X^ '/S^^c' / i^i

GRI66SVILLE

HISTORY OF PIKE OOUNTT. 353

for then the fun would ben^in. In the evening tlie gentlemen came,
and the hours would then pass swiftly by in ])Iaying games or danc-
inar. " Corn-luiskiiigs " were when both sexes united in the work.
Thev usuallv^ assembled in a large barn, which wasari-an<jed for the
occasion; and when each gentleman had selected a lady partner the
huskin<; beo^an. When a lady found a red ear she was entitled to
a kiss from every gentleman present; when a gentleman found one
he was allowed to kiss every lady present. After the corn was all
husked a good supper was served; then the "old folks" would
leave, and the remainder of the evening was spent in the dance and
in having a general good time. The recreation afforded to the
young people on the annual recurrence of these festive occasions
was as highly enjoyed, and quite as innocent, as the amusements of
the present boasted age of refinement and culture.

FURNITURE OF THE PIONEER CABINS.

The furniture of the cabin was as primitive as the occupants. In
one corner — perhaps in two or three corners — were the bedsteads.
These were your genuine "cottage bedsteads," made by boring one
hole, say four feet from one corner of the cabin, into a " house-log,"
another hole, say six feet from the same corner, on another side;
opposite these holes was set an upright post, usually a section from
the body of a peeled sapling; in this post two holes would be beared
at any desired height, aiid at right angles with each other; poles
were inserted in these holes, making in this manner a square frame;
over this frame was laid a covering of clapboards, or, as some de-
nominated them, " shakes," and on top of this platform the bed
was spread. The chairs were not exactly chairs, but three-legged
stools or puncheon benches. The cupboard was literally a cup-
board, being a puncheon supported by pins driven into holes in the
house logs at some convenient corner. The boxes which had held
the family dry goods while en route to the new country generally
furnished the table, and a trough or troughs the meat and soap bar-
rels. Hollow logs sawed into sections and provided with a pun-
cheon bottom furnished a receptacle for meal, potatoes, beans, wheat,
"and sich like truck" — to use the pioneer vernacular. The table
was bounteously supplied with "samp," "lye hominy," "corn
pone," honey, venison, pork, stewed pumj>kin, wild turkey, prairie
chicken and other game. Wheat bread, tea, coffee, and fruit — ex-
cept wild fruit — were luxuries not to be indulged in except on
special occasions, as a wedding or gala day. " Samp " was quite a
frequent dish. It was made by burning a hole into some conven-
ient stump in the shape of a mortar; this hole was filled with corn
and pounded by a large pestle hung like theold-fashioned well-sweep
pendent from a long pole, which was neai'ly balanced on an upright
fork. This pole luid a weight attached to one end and the pestle
to the other; the weight would lilt the pestle, while manual force
was expected to bring it down. When the " samp " was pounded
sufficiently, it was washed and boiled like rice.

384 III.STOKY t>F riKK COUNTY.

culled. Exclian<^ing tlioir soldiers' uiiifortne tor citizens' drees, most
of tliem fell back to tluiir old vocations. — on the farm, at the for^^e,
at the bench, in the simp, and at whatever else their hands found to
do. Brave men are honorahh' always, and no claes of citizens are
entitled to greater respect than tlie volunteer soldiery of l*ike
county, not alone hecause' they were soldiers, but because in their
associations with tht'ir fellow-nu'ii their walk is uprii^ht. and their
honesty and character without reproach.

Tlii'ir «i>untrv lir^l, tlu-ir clon,' un<l tluir priile,
I.ikiiii of tluir Ii(>|h;.», laiiti wliirt- llicir ruthcrH diod ;
Whi'ii in ihf ri;.Mit, Ilit y'll kfip their lionor brifjht;
Whi'U in tli«' wrofiiv thiy'l) ■!!" ii> set it right.

The soldiers of Pike coiintv met at the conrt-hoiise Ati;:. 23.
1^(I»'.. The mt'ctirji; wa-^ called to order by Maj. T. W. .lones, when Dr.
E. M. Set-ley was called to the chair, and James 11. Crane was aj»-
pointed Secretary. Tiie ttbjcct of the meeting was to t-ake measures
tor raising funds for the erection of a monument. Elaborate re^olu-
tions were a<loj>ted with r«'ference to the loyalty and tidelity of the
soliliery, etc., and symjiathy with the sutiering, the witiows and or-
phans etc.; and committees of soldiers, Hve in each township, were
appointeil t > solicit donations. A central c^jmmittee for the county
was also appointed, and li committee to solicit $10,(iO() from the
county tnasury. Consi<l»'rabh' enthusiasm was manifested in this
work e>f love, and a wish to hojjor the hert»ic dead, the citizen
soldiers who yieldetl their lives a sacrifice to their country, but
nothing definitely toward the final carrying out of the project was
overdone. Although no nmrble pile ri>es heavenward toeoiiMnemo-
rate the fallen hemes, yet we know that the memory <»f their valor
and heroic devotion to our country will nover fade in the minds
and hearts of the citizens, and that their love and gratitude are as
8'rong and undying as though a monumciit of stones were piled
up as high as I'.uIm 1'- tower.

CHAPTER XV.
PIKE COUNTY BAR.

PIONEER COORTS.

The records of the early Courts found in the Circuit Clerk's
office open us i'ullows:

" At ii Circuit Court beii:un and held at Cole's Grove, within and
for the county of Pike, on Monday, the first day of October, in the
year one thousand eight hundred and twenty-one. Present, Hoi).
John Reynolds, Judge.

" The Shej'iif of the county returned a panel of grand jurors,
which being called over, sixteen of them appeared and were sworn
agreeably to law, viz: Levi Roberts, foreman; Ebenezer Franklin,
Gardner H. Tullus, Joel Bacon, George Tully, Ebenezer Smith,
David Button, Amos Bancroft, James Nixon, Nathaniel Shaw,
Thomas Proctor, Richard Dilley, Stephen Dewey, "William Massey,
(Jomfort Shaw. Daniel Phillips; and the following persons were
called but made default, to wit: Leonard Ross, Henry J. Ross,
Daniel Shinn, James M. Seeley, Abraham Kuntz, Levi Newman,
Henry Loup, John Bolter and John. Jackson.

" Joseph Jervais and John Shaw, interpreters sworn to give evi-
dence to the grand jury."

The first case called was " Solomon Smith, assignee of Elias K.
Kane, vs. Wm. Frye, action of debt." The case was continued, as
the defendant was reported l)y the Sheriff not found.

The second case was a "libel for a divorce," by Salley Durham,
plaintiff, vs. John Durham, defendant. The defendant not appear
ing, the case went against him.

The fijurth case was the indictment of two Indians for murder,
an account of which is given in our chapter entitled "Criminal
Record.''

Pike county was originally in the let Judicial Circuit, then in the
5th, and is now in the llth, comprising the counties of Adams,
Hancock, McDonough, Fulton, Schuyler, Brown and Pike. By
provision of a recent State law the Circuit elects three Judijes, who
divide the work between them.

Four A])i)(jilate D.sti-icts were defined in the State in 1877, for
each of which the Supreme Court appoints three Judges, and these

356

Hl^ri>KV OF I'IKK COUMV.

alter years the H>sociatii»ns thus forineJ are never burie<l out of
iiiejiu»ry.

In j>iuiieer lilc are always incidentj* i»t' peculiar interest, not only
to the pioneers themselves, hut whicii if properly preserved, wnnid
In; of interest to posterity; and it is a matter of some rennet that
••The Old Settlers' Asaociation " was not formed years before it
was, and that more copious records were not kej>t. Such an asso-
ciation with well kept reei»rd8 of the mure important events, si:ch
as dates of arrivals, hirths, marriaj^es, deaths, removals, nativities,
etc., as any one can easily and readily eee, would he the direct
means of preserving to the literatiire of the country the history of
every community, lliitt to future i;eneraiions w<iuld l)e valuable aa
a rect>rd of reference, and a ready antl sure method of settling
important questions of controversy. Such records would possess
tacts and tii^ures that could not be iiad from any other source.
Aside from this historic iniportanco such associations serve as a
means ol ki'epin;; alive and further cementin;; old friendships and
renewing; amonjj its members associations that were necessarily
interrupted Ity the innovation of increasing population, cultivating
social intercdurse and creatinj^ a charitable fund for such of their
old members as were victims of nnsfortune and adversity.

The subject of orifani/.in^j an old settlers' society was brought tip
in the summer of 1>'" •. in the Pike Citunfy DtVKHTtit of Jn\y
29, that year, the following significant |)asgage occurs: " Tiie time
will come when the history of this ct»unty will be written. For
that history, the meeting of such society will furnish the best ma-
terial, and the parties now living attest the facts tliat will form a
large j>ortion of it." There was nothing definitely done toward
the organization of this socieiy until the summer of 1872, when
some of the lea«ling t»ld settlers interested themselves in it. The
first meeting was iield on what is called Blue creek, Aug. 21, 1872.
The meeting was called to order by Wm. Turnbull, of Flint, on
whose motion Capt. I*. F. Westlake wasaj»p<»int«'d tenjj)<»rary Chair-
man. I' poll taking the chair Ch\A. We^tlake stated in brief the
object of the nieetifig, an<l for the jMirpose of effecting on organiza-
tion he suggested the propriety of aj»p»inting acommitteeon perma-
nent organization to report to the meeting at 1 o'clock, p. m. This
committee consisted of Col. A. C. Matthews, Jas. II. Dimmittand
Wm. Turnbull. The meeting was then addressed by Ilev. Mr. Mc-
Coy, after which an adjourtimemtwas had until 1 o'clock, r. m. After
the dinner was dispatchcil the people were called together by the
clioir, discoursing most pleasant music. After singing the commit-
tee on permanent «>rganization reported the folhtwing named per-
sons as officers ^f the "Old Settlers' Association of Pike and Calhoim
Counties, 111."

For President, Col. Wm. Ross, Newhurg; 1st Vice President,
Col. Benj. Barney, Pleasant Vale; 2d Vice President, Daniel B.
Bush. Pittstield; 3d Vice President, Cant. B. F. Westlake. Ncwburg;
4th Vice President, Capt. Benj. L. Slatthews, Perry; 5th Vice

HISTORY OF I'IKK COUNTY. 357

President, Jos. Brown, Cluimborshuri;; 6tli Vice President, John
Lyster, Detroit; 7tli Vice President, jas. Grimes, Alilton; 8th Vice
President, Abel Shelley, Grigi^sville; 9th Vice President, Perry
Wells, Atlas; 10th Vice President, Sara'l G. Sitton, llardin; 11th
Vice President, Wni. Graniniar, Hadley; 12th Vice President,
Monri^.iinerv Blair, Hurry; 18th Vice President, John Brittain,
Martinsbnr<;; 14th Vice President, Thos II. Dininiitt, Gri^^sviile.
Secretary, Marcellns Ross, Wewburi^; 1st Assistant Secretary, Dr.
E. M. Seelev, Pittsfield; 2d Assistant Secretary Wni. Turnbnll,
Flint.

Col. Barney ])resided at this ineetini]^, Col. Ross being absent on
acconnt of sickness. A coininnnication was however read from tlie
President. Rev. W. D. Trotter, one of the pioneer preachers of the
connty, spoke for abont an hour, I'eviewing the early life of the
pioneers. Hon. William A. Grimshaw delivered the address of the
day. It was an ably prepared historical review of the county's liis-
tory. Indeed, so rejilete is it with interesting facts of pioneer
times that we give the entire address iu this connection:

ADDRESS OF HON. WILLIAM A. GKIMSHAW.

Mr. P res'' de lit ^ Ladles and Gentlemen : — Selected by your
committee of arrangements to bid you welcome liere to-day, I do
SO most cordially, as an old settler myself, of, sa}', the second period
of Pike county, coming here in the year 1S33 ; that being after tiie
winter (»f tlie deep snow, which was our early noted period in the
annals of this then wild, romantic, and beautiful countr3', sparsely
settled and embraced in the bounds of Pike county. That snow
with us, once, was the starting point of the date of current events,
although our records of the courts of justice do not legally recog-
nize that as a " day in law," yet we even in courts, in the simplicity
of our early language, often heard events traced by that snow as
the date point.

In the early days we all enjoyed the largest constitutional liberty;
we voted for him we liked best, as I, a Whig, did for "honest Joe
Duncan," a Dewfocrat, on a deep question in those days, tiie Illi-
nois and Miclfi^n Canal, " the deep cut ;" we also each worshipped
God according to the dictates of our own conscience and under our
vine aTid tig-tree. When Brother Trotter, who is now present,
venerable with years and revered for piety, or old Father Woolf,
now gathered to his fathers, l)lessed for his good deeds, carae
around to his appointment, all, of every religion and no one religion,
turneil out U) meeting in the woods or the log school-house or at a
settler's home. We had no line churches in those days. Mormons
puzzled the unwary by their startling pretense at new revelations.
Or, if disappointed by the regular minister, old Father Petty would
recite, in orayer, Belteshazzar's feast, in trembling tones of ])iet.y.
' Our woi-thy and venerable President (^elect but absent). Col. Wm.
Ross, who has been often honored by the people of Pike Co. by their

358 HrsTOKV <iK riKK county.

votes, electing him to lii<i:li otiiccs of ptihlic. trust, could tell you
mucli of tlu" first |K'rio«l or L'!U"lio.>t vt'ars of the settlement of your
county, as he arrived iti the county in 1820 and settled at Atlas,
which was the county-seat in its day, and was laid out hy the Ross
brothers. Atlas was yet the place at which the county records
were kept in 1S33, hut in the snriui; of the year J'ittstield was sur-
veyeil antl laid off into lots ami the sale thereof made at different
periods, the first sale of lots heinj^ in that sprin«^. A court-house
wjui huilt in the summer of 1S33 at Pittsheld ; from that event
the ^'reater prosperity of the county and an increase i»f populatiiui
bei£an.

The terror infuse<l into the puhlic mind, beyond the settlements
of Illinois, by the iJlack. Hawk war, which had retarded emigration
to our State, the Indians bein<; removeil to the West of the Missis-
sippi, the tide of emiijration be^nn to set in, and von witn'ess to-
day, in the presence here of this assembla>^e, the vast chan;;e in a
little over fitly years since the Yankees (who came before the clock-
pedtllers) set foot within the limits of Pike count}', as it now exists.
Clock peddlers were the only ^entlemeri in those days, as they rode
in the only covered carriage.-.

It is true, when you consiiler the rise and ;;rowth of ('hica«fo in
our own State, and of St. I^ouis in Missouri, rival cities, each of
nearly four hundre<l thousauil people, we don't seem to have much
to hrai; of as to our ^Towth. Consider, however, that we are almost
strictly an agricultural county, that bein^ our chief and most ]>rolit-
able pursuit, and then the ��greatest zealot for pro<fres6 nuist admit
that, tVom a U't^innin;; of a few families in 1S21, we are now a
county not t»» !»«• sneezed at. and especially when our vote at the
polls is counti'd. Kxcluditiif counties in which cities have arisen,
we are most densely |>opulated, more so than many in our beauti-
ful Illintiis, and vet we have bnt.id acres of valuable lands in a state
of nature.

Once our prairies were the home of the boundinj^ <leer in vast
herds, of the prarie wolf, the prairie fowl in <i;reat flocks, thd tim-
ber land al)ounded with the ^-quirrel, the turkey and the pigeon,
and in the hollow trees we had the beautiful but noisy par(»<iuet;
as well as in their hauntsnumenius other birds and animals. Ihese
liave in a <j;reat measure disaj»peare<l until game is a rarity. The
wild fruits once abounding have been su}>erseded by more luscions
cultivated fruits. And yet, who of the old settlers does not remem-
ber with a twinkle in his eye the old settlers' first substitute for an
apple, a big turnip; and also find a g<jod taste in the mouth when
he thinks of t|,iose nice preserved plums, crab-apples and ground
cherries, ami the pumplcin pie, and the pork mince meat. We
then think of the prairie and woodland each abounding In the sea-
son in beautiful flowers, rivaling in their colors the rainbow. These
were the holiday delights of (lame and maiden, and the husbanil
and lover were alike made glad in tlieir contemplation. The retro-
spect of nature has its beauties. The reality of the first settler's

HISTORY OF PIKK COUNTY. 359

life in a new country is often full of prose and but little poetry.
Compare the siinj)le and even ])00r furniture of otir early homes
with the elegant furniture now in use, and what a contrast ! But
with all the drawbacks of an early settler's life few rej)ine at their
lot in this beautiful land. None can who accept with reflection
and thankfulness the many mercies which crown our lives.

I am reminded by this retrosjiection, tliat yesterday, on return-
ing home, I found a written, kind notification frum your Com-
mittee, in charge of the convening of this your first Old Settlers'
meeting, that I was invited and expected to address you to-day. ,1
tlien took my pen to endeavor to bridle my tluMiglits and to bid
them serve the request of the Committee, that 1 should sj)eak as
to the "honesty, patience, industry, self-sacrifice and hospitality
of the old settlers."

Honesty was the rule, crime the exception, in early days. It
would seem as if at the first mention of the honesty of the old set-
tlers it was a sarcasm, on the idea of lawyers settling here, and as
if I had some personal experience and revelation to make. Of
course T know something and much of the facts, and will relate
them.

It was well known that because we had no locks we never locked
our houses and outbuildings; it was proverbial that the deer skin
of the door latch was never pulled in, that is the latch string was
out; then we had not much to tempt people to steal; so our things
lay about loose; our plows with their wooden mold-boards hung
on the fences with impunity; but at Christmas time, the plow or
ox skull hung upon a tree by the wayside, remiiidedthe passer-by,
on the three-year old, riding to see his girl, that a fool's head was
too soft to butt either of those pendants in the tree.

At an early day an old ax, worth fifty cents perhaps in these
days being stolen, the vile thief was ordered to leave the settle-
ment of Atlas, and did leave for his country's good. It was said
that loud porcine cries were heard upon the "Sny Island " at times,
because men would kill their neii^hbor's hoocs : that was a trifling
affair and cost only the peiuilty of going halves with the nearest
justice; thus dividing the meat — unless the head and ears were
found and those bearing some man's recorded mark; then that was
a case for the Grand Jury. Hog stealing was said to be caused by
drinking Sny water.

We have told only of the style of dishonest tricks in those days.
With more faci^s to bear us out, we can now affirm that the general
reputation of our early settlers was remarkably' good for honesty
in general, but there was a slight propensity to "hook timber'' to
make rails and to use as house logs, and some fellows in the land,
held, in fact it was "common law," that a "bee tree" even in your
pasture lot was lawful ])lunder.

As to the ])atience of our people, if that means bearing uj) with
the courage of a true man and true woman under the perils to
limb and property, the early settlers were exemplary for that; the

860 IIISTUUY OK riKK OOUNTV.

triaU i>f ail early scttlfrV lilo were U';;i<^M. His resources, so far
as siipjdies for liis fiiinily, were siiiull; his debts were a ^reat \vx-
atioii, and some, it' iittt all, had these ] ests, until the laiidi* were
entered and paid lor, the money often bein^ loaned at interest as
hi^h ais 75 per eentinn jht annum. Then if von went to mill, you
journeyed a 8ei>re, aye, threij-seore miles; t«i meeting; (»!ten as lar.
«'o ltrid;^es, and hut few rtuids existed; the saddle, or the ox eiirt,
or truck, wooden -wheeled wa^oii. and no tine carriages, was tlie
uuxle of tnivel.

Corn dt»d:;»'r, witliout salt, and pork i>r side nieat,w» re fjreat staples;
vegetah!e^ and fruits, unless wild fruits, were rarely on the table,
unh'fs when company came to spend the afternoon, or to a <iuilt-
in^. then the Ik'sI tlje house or the neiyhltorhood aflforded was
f(»rthe«»niiii;j fi»r the vibit«>r. The (juilliii«ij parties were «i;etierally
the res«.rt of youn;; and old. Mifrriap^> wrre rare in thohc days,
because bachelors were ujore plenty than belles.

As to the industry of tlie i»Id settlers, as n class, industry was to
the extent of present ability, implement^, health and e<mdition, :ind
was Hot surpassed by the toil of men of i1k« pr«>enl day. The ma-
tron and tli«* fewyotini; ladies had much toil and vixution, and that
was often more excessive on wa«hday, because of having to pick up
fuel as it could \hs gleaned, or carrying tiio clothes to and from
the wash place, whicli was a branch or spring. The clothes-line
was a grape vinwtor a fence, and the hogs and calves tresiiassed on
that to " chaw the tilings," and to keep the "creelers ofl*, old
buss and the old woman (not yet "25 years old) often luid a hard
fight lest the baby in the cradle sitting near the out door fire should
be *' up sot."

Self-sacrifice was one of the many an<l noblest virtues of the
early settler; in times of sickness you were free to call up any
neighlKtr for help. t«» sit up with the sick, to ride 25 or even more
miles for the t^octor, and that njobtly, as our di>ctors said, in the
deatl of night, to the great horror of the iloctor, who hail to saddle
up and travel, even in the dead of night, to the farthest limits of
his own or to an adjoining county.

Althoii;;!! the countv of Pike was natunillv healthv, the over
toil, the priviitioii, the imperfect j»rotcction from the inclemency of
seasons, the water used from shallow water-holes, all these tended
to multiply disease and death. This county was never, as a gen-
eral thing, vi>ited so much witii sickness and death as other coun-
ties in our State.

In the early day no iron liorse snorted and raced over our
pmiries. The steamer once i)erhaps in several weeks dragged itself
along. Twelve ilays wa^j a snort tirne for a trij) from New York
here, and that mostly by stage. Our mails arrive*! once a week,
and a letter c««t us our "last quarter." News from Euroj»e a
month old was fresh. No troublesome quotations of daily marKcts
puzzle<l or enlightenetl us. A counterfeit United States bill was
almost legal tender. Iloop-poles, staves and cord wood were equal

HISTORY (»F PIKE COUNTY. 361

at a later day to gold. Store pay was better than any of the fore-
going, but often lead to heavy mortgages and secret bills of sale.
The laws were quickly enforced. Once a client of a celebrated
lawyer was taken out of Court and the penalty ot, the law put on
his back with stripes before the motion for a new trial was over;
then the client protested against a new trial lest if convicted he
would be a second time whipped.

Now liow changed is everything around us! In the early day
there was more variety in dress, if less taste. All dressed in their
best, and sometimes (if the ladies will pardon such an o'er true
tale) a white satin bonnet, the worse for the wear, was seen over a
blue " Dolly Varden " ruffled cap. The most distinguished man
at shows, for a number of years, was an old, gaunt, straight man,
with a bell-crowned hat, in the height of the fashion when he was
young, which was nearlj' twelve inches perpendicular; horses often
carried double in those days, if girls were plenty, and about spark-
ing and wedding time. Oh how sociable! and yet all was modesty
and innocence.

Hospitality — that signifies strictly " ])ractice of entertaining
strangers," but in its true early settler's ways much more was
meant, intended, and done. On a journey almost every house was
a welcome home to the wea'.y traveler; if any charge was made
for the entertainment it was very moderate; at times the parting
word to you was, " You are welcome to such as we had, and please
call again when traveling this way."

Hospitality scarce expresses theline sensibility, the manly Chris-
tian spirit, of many of the olden time. The pioneer feels that each
and every settler of his neighborhood (and he does not criticise
much as to who is his neighbor) is entitled to such help and good
feeling as may be asked or should be extended.

I felt and still feel a large degree of sympathy, and that the most
cordial, with the old settlers. It occurs to me that as Pike county
once included Calhoun, and as some of the settlers there are co-
temporaries with our earliest settlers, we should include the Cal-
houn old settlers in our Society — in fact just this week that was
named to me in that county.

With great hopefulness as to the prosperity of this new Society,
desiring for it many happy re- unions, I offer to you the thanks of
mj'self, an old settler, for your courtesy in inviting me to address
this meeting; and may God bless our vast population, spread over
our large county, which liad when fii'st known to myself about
three thousand people, and now contains approaching forty thou-
sand, although the hive of ])eople has swarmed many times.

Farewell, my friends, one and all. Let us part with mutual
good wishes, as we never more can all meet again in this life.

At the first meeting .it was decided to invite the old settlers of
Calhoun county to join with the Pike county Old Settlers' Society.

3«»2 HI;»T«)KY OK I'lKK COUNTY.

In h:innonv with this «lecision Calvin Twichell, Smith JoiiiiinffS
ami William Wilkinson were elected Vice-I*ro8i»l«^its.

8E0ONI) MKKTINU.

The second nieetinfj of the Old Settlers' Association was lit Id ir)
September, 1873. The following letter from Jiid^e William
Thoniaa, of Jacksonville, was read:

" jACKK(»Nvn.LK, Aug. 30, 1873.

"Mit. Makcki.i.cs Ross, Secretarv:— Dear Sir. — I ha vt> received
twi) iri\ itati(»n»5 to attend the ( )ld Settlers' Meetint; in Pike f(»iintv
on Wednesday next. I regret that I cyinnot a eept either, for I
would he gla«l to meet the survivors of those with whom I became
accniaintcd forty five years a^o. I attended tin* Circnit (\»tirt in
Atlas in .lunr. I.s27, which was my tirst visit to Pike. The Court
was held by J iidijt! I,ockwoi»d, who now resides at iiatavia, in I\ane
county. The attorneys in attendance were John W. Whitney, N.
IIan8<in, a?id .f<»lm Jay Ii»tss, of Pike county, (Jen. James Turney
and .\lfred W. Cavrrly, nf (ireene e^mnty. now of ( )ttawa, and J,
W. Pii;;h, of San;,'amon euunty, Mr. Jenkins, ofC'alln»un county,
John Turney ami myself, of ^Ior^an coiinty. Capt. Leonard Itoss,
one of nature's noblemen, wasSherilf. Col. Wm. lloss was Clerk;
James .M. Seeley was an oflicer of the Court. Of all these, Jud;^
Lockwood, Mr. (Overly, and myself are the (»niy survivors. The
Court wju, in session three days, and then went to Calhoun county.
It was held in a log cabin in the prairie, near which was a log cabin
oc'cupied by the grand jury. Tlie tniverse jury luul the privilege
of the prairies.

•* In Septeml)cr afterward, returning from the Winnebago war I
left the iMiat at (^uiiu'v, where I purchase<l a liorse, saddle and
bridle for $40. From Quincy I came to Atlas, a good day's travel;
remained in Atlas one day and two nights, and thcji set <»ut for
home. Passing ('ol. Seeley 's, 1 found n<» other house until 1
reached Blue river, where Van Deusen had a small grist-mill, and
I crosseii the Illinois river on Van Deusen's ferry. That night I
reache«l E.xeter. The weather was pleasant^ the roads were dry and
smooth.

" Pike county was then a wilderness. I came as directe<I, the
nearest and best route home. I could never then have been made
to believe that I should live to see a population of 30,000 within
its boundaries.

"Capt. Moss entertained the jury and the lawyers in their double
log cabin free of charge, expressing his regret that we could not
stay longer. I was at Atlas at the Presidential election in 1S24
and voted for John Quincy Adams for President.

"Judge Lockwood. Mr. McConnell an<l myself, in attending
Coart at Atlas (the year I do not recollect), passed the present site
of Griggsville and saw the man, .Mr. Scholl, raising the first log

HISTORY OF PIKK COUNTY. 363

-cabin on tliat hill. I suppose the land had been laid out in town
lots.

" In the early settlement of the Military Tract travcliiii^ cost but
little. The old settlers were always glad ol the o])jiortiinity of
entertainiiii^ travelers, and especially the judge and lawyers, from
whom they could ohiaiii interesting accounts? in lelation to what
was going on in the world around them. Besides, we often had
to encamp in the woods and prairies because no house was within
reach at dark, and this was called "lodging at Munn's tavern," be-
cause of the large number of quarter sections of land owned by liim.
I have often fared sumptuously in the log cabins on bread made of
grated meal, venison, honey, butter and milk and stewed pumpkins,
and slept comfi)rtal)ly and soundly on the puncheon floor. * * *

" Feb. 14, 1823, Wm. Ross was elected Judge of the Court of
Probate. In 18:^3 Geo. Cadwell, then of Greene county but after-
ward included in Morgan, was elected to tlie Senate for Greene
and Pike, and Archil)ald Job, who was still living, for the House.
Cadwell's term expired in two years, and in 1824 Thos. Carlin,
afterward elected governor in 183G, was elected to the Senate.
Cadwell was an educated physician, a man of talent and stern in-
tegrity: he died in 1824 or 1825.

"At the meeting of the Legislature in 1824 Nicholas Hanson
and John Shaw both produced certificates of election to the House.
The question which was entitled to the seat was referred to the
Speaker, who decided in favor of Hanson. During the ses-
sion the question was again brought before the House, and de-
cided by a unanimous vote in favor of Hsuison. Near the close of
the session the question was reconsiderea and Shaw admitted, in
consideration of which Shaw voted for the resolution for a call
of a convention.

" For several years after I came to the State, deer, wild turkey
and wild beasts were plenty, especially on the Illinois and Missis-
sippi rivers. But for this fact many of our early settlers would
have suffered for provisions, or have been compelled to retreat for
supplies.

"In passing from Rushville to Quincy, the Judge, Mr. Caverly
and myself slept on the prairie during the night, and the next
morning, wliich was Sunday, we found a house a few miles distant
in the harrens; and we could not make the family believe it was
not Saturday. The nearest neighbor lived five miles distant. They
lived on wild game, grated corn meal and roasted ears, and lived
well. We thought at breakfast we' could not wish for better fare.

"In passing from Atlas to Gilead in Calhoun county we always
made tl)e house of an old gentleman named Munn our stopping-
place. He and his wife were always glad to see us and made
sumptuous T>rcparations for our comfort.

" If I were at the stand and questioned I could probably answer
many questions in regard to matters of interest to the present in-
habitants; but as I do not know the points on wdiich they would

304 HI8TUKT Oh I'IKK t<»rNTY.

iiue!<tion mo. and as I Imve alroiidy extondeil tliis letter, cDiisiileriii;;
tiu' hot weatlKT, U> what miy 1)0 ('«)ii-ii<lt'rc'(| :i ri'MS'MiabU' k-iii^tli, I
closo, iiopiiiif that you may have a ^o*»d day and u :;oud tiiiie.

'* liespeotfully y<»ur t'rieud, '* Wii.i.iam Th«»mas."

Thin meeliii;; uuk addres-'od hy many oKl settlers, who related
very irltere^tiIlJ^ ex|)erieiiei'is. The exorcises were interspertied
with tiiii>*ic and a jjnuid picnic dinner, etc. Letters were reaii
from Kdwin Draper an<l J^evi l*etlilKine, of LoiiiHiami. Mt>., besides
the one from .Iiid^e Thonias, altove ^iven. \Vm. A. (irimshaw
was elected IVe^idiMit, .lame^ McWilliains, of (iri;^<;Bville, Vice
I*rehi«it'nt, and (»eo, W. June-^ A^^i^<tant Secretary. The following
runolution was adopted: " liesoltK'U, That the old settlors of Pike
and Calhoun counties be retiuestetl to notify the President and
Secretary of the Old St'ttler? orpinizaticm, the names (»f all mem-
l>ers of this A>^!iociation who stiall depart this life duriii;; tlio
pre^ient year, and that the Secretary Imj instructe<l txi enter the
name U|K)n record."

Amon^ tho-ie who adiiresNed the as-ietnldv were Hon. Win. A.
Grim:*haw, John T. ilod^^en, of St, Louis. Cilvin Twichell, of
Calljoun c«»nnty, J. T. L •ui', now of Harry, ft>r many years a resi-
dofit of Adams county, Wm. Turnbull, of Flint, A. I*. Sharpe, of
(iriggsville, Alvin Wheeler, tlieoldfsl liviii;^ settler. of Pike county
(catne herein 184S), now 7. 'i years of a;;e. Col. \). U. P.iish dobcd
the line ««f history by ijivin;? a sketch of l*itt«tiold. Dr. W<»rthinj;-
ton clainuHl Fre<ierick Franklin, of Montezuma, an the oldest living
settler of I*ike county f»ow living. lie was the son of Elxjnezer
Franklin, the first settler Hi the county.

In this c.tnin'<'tiiitt \vr <nvv fiu' very interesting letter of Mr.
Draper:

'• I>ouisiANA, Mo., Sept. I, lh73.

*• li<»N. Wm. A. CiKiM>*iiAw ANr> «*TnK>u«: (Jentlemen, — Thnoigh
the piliteness of some friend of your county-seat I am indebted
for an invit^ition to attend the meeting of ohl settlers of your county
at Pitt>ficld, on the 3d inst.;for this invitation I presume I am in-
debted for the fact of Injinij nearlv ctumecteil bvmarria;re with Levi
Pettibone, Ksij., at> old settler and perhajis the oldest man in Pike
county. Mo., and perhaps with few exeeptiong the oldest man in
Missouri, he being now nearing the completion of his 93d year.
But from whatever cause, I estetMU it a compliment altogether un-
deserve<l to myself, but which nevertheless I should take the great-
est pleasure, if circumstances permitted, of meeting with the old
settlers of your Ci)unty, among whom I am proud to recognize, not
only the many distingishe<I public men, but many old and long
esteemed personal friends, some of whom have long been settlers of
Pike cnunty Id., and tiot a few of them old settlers of Pike and
Lincoln Counties, Mo., who, not content with aiding to break up the j

wilds of Missouri and bring them into the paths and fields of
civilization, have larijelv colonized Pike countv 111., wlierethev have

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTT. 365

been long enough to earn the appellation of ' old settlers,' where
they are realizing the rich fruits of their industry in land flowing
with milk and honey, and as I lament to know, many of them are
resting beneath the sods that are no respecters of persons in the
final winding up of human affairs. The memory of many of these
persons, both living and dead, carry me far back into the history of
the past, in tlie early history of Missouri, of wliose soil I have been
an occupant since the year 1815, 'oefore either your State or Mis-
souri had a State Government. Though then quite young (b\it eight
years old) I was old enough to remember everything 1 saw, and
everybody I knew, — much more so than persons and facts of later
years; but to attempt to recount or name any considerable number of
them would be to inflict a bore upon you that I dare not presume
upon; but as I presume that a part of the exercises of the occasion
would be to recur to the early history of the West, including your
State and ours, I cannot resist the temptation to jot down a few facts
and names, even at the risk of being laid upon the table as a bore.

"The date 1815 shows that the early settlers, among whom was
my father, were crowding into Missouri even before the forts were
all vacated, whither the old settlers had fled for the purpose of pro-
tection from hostile savages, who had but recently had almost
undisputed possession of a large part of our State. To get into
Missouri, then largely considered as the promised land, we had to
cross the Mississippi river, the Father of Waters. I don't know
how much of a father he was at that time, but I have been acquainted
with him since that time, and I don't know much difference in
his size between then and now, except occasionally, as in 1851, he
got into a terrible rage and had uncontrolled possession from Lou-
isiana to Atlas, and rolled on, whether vexed or unvexed, in solemn
majesty to the Gulf of Mexico.

"But to continue. He had to be 'crossed' to get into Missouri.
Tn 1815, as history shows, no steam-boats were known on our rivers,
and the only modes, or rather mode, of crossing the river at St.
Louis was by means of a small keel-boat or barge without any deck
or covering, propelled by poles; and our wagons were crossed by
placing two planks or slabs across the keel, running the wagons by
hand upon these slabs across the boats and 'scotching' the wheels
with billets of wood, flUing in the inner parts of the boat with
horses, children, etc. Yet we conquered the old gentleman and
rode across in triumph, but not, however, until after waiting two
days on the eastern bank for the wind to lie, which had so ruffled
the surface and temper of the 'father' that he could not, safely at
least, be mounted by an insignificant keel-boat until the cause of
his irritation had ceased.

"Safely on the Missouri shore, the first Tiight was passed in the
city of St. Louis, then containing about 1,200 inhabitants and very
few brick houses : I did not count them, however. No railroads
then were even thought of in the West, so far as 1 remember, but
now — well, you can tell the tale yourselves, St. Louis has now

86C HIBTOKY OF PIKE COUNTY.

450,000 iiilialdtaiite, and woiilti likely liavc a luilliun l>ut for Clii-
caiTtt and the railn»ads, which have revolutionized tlie course of
nature and the natural rights ut 8t. Louis, which depended on the
naviiijation of the ^reat rivers to work for her ; and wliile her ^reat
land- iwner slept a (juarter of a century Chicuj^o and the railroads
were suririiii; anea<l of her.

" KxcuM- this digression, wliich I could not helj» while reHecting
on the iniinense chan;;e all over the West since I first crossed the
^reat river.

" I havr alluded to the fact of your county h(Mn«j largely colon-
ized from I'ike and l^incoln e"Uniies, Jklo. It would he inipubsihle
for nie to enumerate all of them, even if I knew them all ; but
among the names I rememher well those of the Gihsons, the Sit-
tons, Huchanan, ^'<>krms, (iall<»way, Uncle Jake Willianison. the
Cannons, Collard, Welises, Kerrs, Noyes, Metz, Juhnsons, McCtm-
nells, Andersons, etc., etc., all of whom went from l*ike or Lin-
coln. All of them were good citizens, while some of them iield
high and huiu)ral>le jxihitions in public oflice. Vour former valued
Sheriff, Mphraim (\inn(»n, was ftr a while a school-mate of mine,
larger and nhUr than I, hut still a school-mate. The ordy special
recollection 1 have of our school-boys' life was that the teacher
once abked him, when nearlv time to close school, 'How hi;rh is
the sun C lie replied he had no means of njeasuring the height,
but ' trom appearance it was aUtut a rod high.'

"Join. J. Collard, Ksq., a former Clerk of one of your Courts, was
the son of an old settler of Lincoln county, datir«g before the war
of 1*^12, if my memory is not at fault. I have attendi-d y<»ur Courts
when held at the old ct>unty-seat. Atlas, and since its location at
your beautifid town l'itt^tield. The old settlers at AtlaK, as well as
of PittsfieKl, were the ICosees, most of whom 1 knew personally,
and had a slight ac<)uaintance with the ' liashaw' of Hamburg, Mr.
Shaw. Old Kather l>urnett and his b«)vs John and Frank belonjred
to both Pikes, in Illinois and Missouri. The sons wore> out their
lives in trving to sustain a ferry l>etween the two Pikes.

" liut I must forbear, fearing that I have already bored yon, a
thing I feared at the start. I could write a half quire of recollec-
tions of Pike in Missouri, and S(»me of Pike in Illinois, if there
were any market for them. Hut I must close with my best wishes
for your people, botii old and young.

" Edwin Dkai'Eb."
tuiki) heetino.

At the Old Settlers' meeting, Sept. 2, lb74, Hon. Wm. A. Grim-
sliaw delivered an address of welcome, and interesting speeches
were made by Col. I3enj. liarncy, Ilev. J. P. Dimmitt, Dr. Ilodgen,
Mr. Turnbull, Judge Grigsby and others. Dr. P. E. Parker was
elected Secretary in jdace of G. W.Jones, resigned. A motion was
adopted changing tlic time of membership from 1840 to 18.50; also
a motitm to esUiblish a portfolio and gallery of likenesses of old set-

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 307

tiers; aud members and others were invited to send pictures. A
social reception of old settlers was given in the evening' at Bush's
Hall.

' FOURTH MEETING.

. At the 4th annual meeting of the old settlers at Perr}', Aug.
19, 1S75, old-time customs were commemorated bj the erection of
a cabin complete in all its details. It looked as if a family had
been living in it for years. Cooking utensils hanging around the
wall, suspended on a string were slices of pumpkin and dried ap-
ples, corn hung from the posts, suspended by the husks, the rifle
hung on the wooden hook over the door, the spinning wheel, the
reel and the hand-cards occupied prominent positions; the mam-
moth gourd for a water bucket aud the lesser one as a dipper at-
tracted considerable attention. On the outside walls the skins of
different fur-bearing animals were stretched; climbing vines were
turned up to the roof, and the sunflower in all its magniflcence
nodded here and there close to the house, and last, but not least,
the latch-string hung on the outside. The cabin was presided over
during the early part of the day by Mr. Win. Grotts, who enter-
• tained his visitors with his "fiddle," playing Arkansas traveler,.
Money Musk, Old Rosin the Bow," etc. Mr. Grotts was born in this
State in 1802, in Madison county. His father was killed by Indians
in Bond county in 1814.

FIFTH MEETING.

During the Old Settlers' meeting at Griggsville, Aug. 30, 1876,
they formed a procession in front of the M. E. Church, headed bv
an old truck wagon drawn by oxen, containing a band, the })eople
being dressed in the Sunday attire of pioneer times, girls «nd boys
riding double on horseback without saddles, showing how they
went to church in olden times.* This was one of the most attractive
features of the procession, the young ladies especially conducting
themselves with becoming grace, and apj)eared as if they were in-
spired with the spirit of their grandmothers. An old dilapidated
wagon drawn by oxen was loaded with the old-fashioned loom,
spinning wheel, flax wheel and reel, and an old plow was followed
by most of our modern machinery in the shai)e of reapers, mowers,
harrows, etc. After these a man dressed in Indian (5ostume on his
])ony, ladies and gentlemen in modern style in buggies and carriages,
the Kre engine drawn b}' members of the base-ball clubs in uniform,
and a modern child-wagon with children was drawn by a very small
donkey.

CIIAPTKIi XIV.

TllK KKIlM.I.lON.

KIKXT INDICATIONS OF TIIK WAR.

Wlien, in 1861, tlio war was forced upon the country, the people
were quietly purt»uint; tlio even tem»r of their ways, d(»in;^ whiitover
tlioir Immls found to do, — working tlio tnine.'^, makini^ farint*, or
ciiltivatin;^ those already made, estahlishititj iioineri, founding cities
aiul town*., Imildin^ Hliops arni manufactories; in short, the coutitry
was alive with indu«try and Iiojmjs tor the future. The people were
just recovering fr<»m the depn'Hsion and losse.s incident to the tinan-
cial panic ()f l'^57. The future liMtked hriijht atid proniisin*;. and
the industrious aqd imtriotic sinis imd (laughters of the North were
buoyant with hope, looking; forwanl tt> the perfectiiijf of new plana
for comfi»rt and competence in their tleciinin;; yejirs. They little
heeded the mutteriii^jit and threatcnin:;!* wafte<l frtun the South.
Tliey never dreamed that there was one so base lis to attempt the
destruction of the Union their fathers had purchased for them with
their iife-hlood. While thus surrounded with peace and tran(|uillity
they paid hut little attention t«> the rumore<l plots and plans of those
who livetl ami grew rich from the sweat and toil, hlood and tlesh,
ofothers.

The war clouds j^rew darker an<l still darker, the thunders of
treason i;rew hmder and londer until .\pril 12, 1861, when the fear-
ful storm hurst iipon the country and convulsed a contit)ent with
its Httemlant horrors.

On that day the rebels, who for weeks had been erecting their
batteries upon the 8lK»re, after demanding of Major Anderson a
surrender, oj)ened tire upon Fort Sumter. F^•r hours an incessant
cannonading was continued; the fort was l>eing tlamaged severely;
provisions were almost gone, and Major Anderson was compelled to
haul down the stars and stripes, — that dear old flag which had
seldom been lowered to a foreign foe; by rebel hands it was n«w
trailed in the dust. How the blood (»f patriotic men of the North
boiled when on the following day the news wjis flashed along the
telegraph wires that Major Anderson ha<l been forced to surrender!
And nowhere was greater indignation manifested than in Pike
county.

PERRY

-C^

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 371

THE FIRST CALL FOR TROOPS.

Immediately upon the surrender of Fort Sumter, Abraham Lin-
coln, America's martyr President — who but a few short weeks be-
fore had taken the oath of office as the nation's chief executive —
issued a proclamation callin<i: for 75,000 volunteers for three months.
The last word of that prochimation had scarcely l)eeii taken from
the electric wires before the call was tilled, and men and money
were counted out by hundreds and thousands. The people who
loved their whole governnient could not give enough. Patriotism
thrilled and vibrated ami pulsated through every heart. The farui,
the workshop, the office, the pulpit, the bar, the bench, the college,
the school-house, — every calling offered its best men, their lives
and fortunes, in defense of the Government's honor and unity.
Bitter words spoken in moments of political heat were forgotten
and forgiven, and, joining hands in a common cause, they repeated
the oath of America's soldier statesman, ''"'Bythe Great Kternal^ the
Union must and shall he preservedy

Call the young men in the prime of their life;
Call them from mother, from sister, from wife;
Blessed if they live, revered if they fall, —
They who respond unto Liberty's cull.

Seventy-five thousand men were not enough to subdue the Rebel-
lion; nor were ten times the number. The war went on, and call
followed call, until it began to look as if there would not be men
enough in all the Free States to crush out and subdue the monstrous
war traitors had inaugurated. But to every call for either men or
money there was a willing and ready response; and it is a boast of
the people that, had the supply of men fallen short, there were
women brave enough, daring enough, patriotic enough, to ofi*er
the'mselves as a sacrifice on their country's altar. Such were the
impulses, motives and actions of the patriotic men of the North,
among whom the sons of Pike made a conspicuous and praiseworthy
ecord.

VARIOUS MEETING.^ HELD IN THE COUNTY.

The tocsin of war was sounded, meetings were held in every
township, village and city, at which stirring and spirited addresses
were made, and resolutions adopted admitting of but one interpre-
tation, — that of unconditional allegiance and undying devotion to
their country and their country's flag; that, at whatever cost of
blood or treasure, the stars and stripes, wherever floating, must be
honored; and the supremacy of the law of the National Union sus-
tained.

A Union meeting was held in Pittsfield April 20, 1861, the Chair-
men of which were David A. Stanton, Wm. R. Wills and D. D.
Hicks, and the Secretaries F. C. Brown and A. C. Matthews. The
Committee on Resolutions were Wm. A. Grimshaw, C. L. Iligbee,
J. W. Mackintosh, D. B. Bush, jr., Nathan Kellv and Wm. Steers.

372 HISTORY OF I'IKE 0OUNT\.

L. 11. Wiiturs, <»r Mj'.coiuIi, (lelivtTt'ti the priiiri|»:il sjit-cc-li, which
was a vcrv el<'i|iicMit um-, and Hun. Scott Wike, NlcBfjre;. D. II. (iil-
iner and S. M. liayos made t^hitrt speeches. A series of resolntions
were adoj>ted settin<^ forth the inau'j^nnition of the war by the tiring
on Fort Sumter ancl the necessity of rallying to the support of the
Government.

April 22 a mectin;^ was hold in thccrmrt-housc for the piirpose^of
formini^a c*)mpuny of home <jjuards. The company organized, elect-
ing S. Al. Hayes Captain. M. J. Noyes presided at this meeting.
AI)()Ut thi". time the " l*ik«.'('oMntv Union (inards" were also oriran-
ized, with John McWilliams for Cajitain. In .luly Jas. S. liarnartl
was electe<l Captain of the latter company and I*. Ct. Athey Caj)tain
of a tyivalry company of i;ii> tnen, all from I'ike county.

I>urjni: this summer also Wm. W. Taylor, a Hreckenridge Demo-
crat of I'errv, was susiK-cted of diKU»valt\ and made in an informal
manner to take the oath of allegiance bv sonie Boldiers i»f Ci»l.
Grant's regiment.

Aug. r», 18f>l. a Company called the *• llciidrrBon Home (i uanis "
was organized in Pittftield, numbering 130 men, with Daniel D.
Hick!) as Ca|>tain, each meml>er to arm an«l equip himself; it was
also called the " Henderson Tnion Guards."

U<»U.NTV.

The subject ol^bounty for soldiers was one that engaged the un-
divided attention of the law-making |M>wer of this county during
these trying times. That the reader may know what was done by
the ci»unty oliicials we give a verv full account of tiio proceedings
of the Hoard of Supervisors whenever the l>onnty subject was
being coubidered by that honorable body.

At tt sjK.'oial meeting of the Hoanl of Supervisors lield Aug. 4,
iM'J, for the purfKtso of considering the feasibility <»r pr«»priety of
olfcring bounty to s«)ldiers. Su|»ervieor Sujith moved that the ('hair
apjH>int a committee of live to draft reeolulious expressive of the
sense «»f the meeting. Thereupon the Chair appointed Messrs.
Smith, Wcstlake, Wallace, McWilliams and Adams.

Mr. Wallace j)resented a petition from the citizens of Barry,
aiskiug an appropriation by the IJoard (»f $1G,000.

The Committee on Itesolutions submitted the following re}X»rt
the next day:

WnKRKA"", Several SouUicm 8lale,s of thin Union inconvcntio" t--''!il»l«l have
absolvtnl tlu-mHclvcti by rcMilution fmm iilk'iri.inc*? lo lUe Unitinl ! .Vrncrica

ftn'l fornii'd ill ' ' ito a so-callftl '•con'" ' .." tliercby 'iiMHiiuin;.' any

ri^'lit, bfiu'fu a frotn or under ihi uilion of the United States;

and

Whrrf.as, Said confcilerocy have organized, armed ami e<iuipped hostile armies
and did (ire upon, reduce luid take into their pos»easion Port Sumter with all ita
defenses, and unl.iwfully s'.-ize and lake into possession other fort.s, arsenals and
other property Ix'lonj^ini,' to the United States, thereby bidding defiance to the
ConstiiuUon and the law6 of the same; and

JIISTORY OF I'IKE COUNTY. 373

Whereas, It still exists and iiusubdued, a .d our present army is insuflicient in
nundiers to put down the rebellion; and

Whereas, The Pnsident of the United State> has recently made a call upon the
several States of this Union to raise ;JO(),00(T men in addition to the present army;

Therefore we, the representatives of the several townships of the county of Pike
and Slate of Illinois have here assembled for the purpose of considering the i)ro.
priety of ottering encouragememt to the volunteers who will immediately enter
into the service of the United States; therefore be it

Rrxohcd, That the sum of $;3,()00 be paid to the first three companies that are
raised or organized in the county of Pike under said call, provided said companies
are organized on or before the 20th inst. ; and that the Clerk of this Court be au-
thorized to issue orders on the Treasury for the said sums of money whenever said
volunteers are accepted and mustered into service;

Resolved, That $1,000 be appropriated to the families of those who have here-
tofore vohmteered in the service of the United States, and we recommend that
e.ich township shall through their Supervisor call a meeting to provide for
the future wants of all families of volunteers; that the Supervisor of each town-
ship shall be a committee to distribute all appropriations made by the county or
town ;

Bexoicid, That the Supervisors of each township shall report at the September
meeting the number of families of volunteers in their townships, and their names.

By invitation Judge Higbee addressed tlie Board briefly, after
wliicb Cols. Ross and Busb made short addresses.

Mr. Dennis moved to amend the report by striking out " $3,000 "
and inserting "$50 to eacli volunteer private who may enlist nnder
the |)resent call." Mr. Westlake moved to amend the amendment
of Mr. Dennis by striking out "850" and inserting " $25;" which
motion was lost. The amendment offered bv Mr. Dennis was also
defeated.

Mr. Landrum ottered the following resolutions:

Resolved, That the proposition of the appropriation by the county of $0,000 to
be submitted to the people for their vote for or against levying a tax to meet said
appropriation, at an election to be held at the usual places of holding elections in
the several towns, on Tuesday, the 13th inst. ; said fund, if so voted, to be appro-
priated to aid in raising volunteers.

Resolved, That a proposition be also submitted at the same time for or against
appropriating .$2,000 as a fund for the necessitous families of volunteers as have
heretofore or'may hereafter be mustered into the service of the United States.

Mr. Wallace moved to strike out that portion of Mr. Landrum's
resolution referring to the submission to the people, and that the
Board appropriate the amount specified in said resolution; which
motion was carried.

The question recurring on Mr. Landrum's resolution as amended
it was put and lost.

Mr. Dennis moved to strike out the first resolution and amend
the second so that $4,000 be appropriated for the support of desti-
tute families of soldiers in the service.

Mr. Frye tnoved to lay all on the table without further action
until the September meeting; which motion was lost. The question
then recurring on the amendment of Mr. Dennis, it was adopted.

The substance of the resolution as passed appropriated $4,000 for
the families of destitute soldiers.

374 HISTORY OK PIKE COUNTY.

At u Special iiieoting i»f tlio IJoanl of Supervisors held June 23,
1H65, to either dUV-r a bounty for enlistiuents or to ai<l persons who
may l>e <lrMf'te<l into the service of the Unite*! States, Supervisor
luiberts oltered tlie followiri'^ resolutions:

WiiKiiKAS, The rri'siilfiil of the liiiu-d Statt-s Imsciillfd for 30<),(KtO v<»luntccn»,
iind orik-reil, in cast' tin- smno an- not made by ihe I'Hh of February next, I but a
draft »liall be made to (ill tlie ((iiota; and

WuKicKAS, Such drali will fall lieavy <>n many p<K)r persons in this coiiLty who
have lait;e t'amilics to siip|><irt; and

WiiKUK.vs, The properly of the county nncives tin- protection of the (Jovern
ment, as well us j>erM)ns, and »ijould be uiaile to bear itu just proportions of the
burdens of war; therefore

Rftolred, That our IleprciMjntatives in tlie Lcpislature now in session bo rrspect-
fuUy reouested to procure the passaije of an aet a^^ speedily na possible, autlioriz-
in^ the IJoard i>f Siipervisor-i of this county to olfcr a bounty to volunteers and to
nid in pnxuriiig substitutes for drufteil persons, and to provide such funds as will
be necessary therefor i)y issuinir binds payable within 20 years, beurinj; iutercHt
not excee<lin>: ten percent, per annum.

Rfi'lMti, Tliat in caw of the passage of such au art, the Ik)urd of Supervisors
will pay to each volunteer credited to any town in this county subject to the draft
i bn»uity ot :fr((K(, and in case of adrafl, eacli person so drafted in this county who
shall ])rocure a substitute shall receive from the county the sum of foOU to aid liim
in payin;:for such substitute.

Mr. Shields moved to postpone the resolution indefinitely.
After remarks by Supervisors Shields, Roberts, Kelley, Dunn
and others, Mr. Shields withdrew the motion, tmd in lieu thereof
nu>ved that it be |)ostpom'd to the April meetiiic^of t!ie Hoard.
This he, however, witluJrew, and Supervisor Dimmitt moved to
refer the resolution ollered by Mr. Ii4)bert8 to a committee; and
Mr. Dimmitt, from tiiis committee reported on tlie following day
this res(i!iitii>n :

JirK-U'i>l, Thill there be paid to each volunteer or drafted man in this county
under tlie call of Dec. IH, lx(M, the sum of |i4<Mt, such money to l>e raised by the
issue of county Ixmds (interest not to exceed ten percent.) payable annually in
lawful monev of the I'nitiHl Stales.

lifiiolt'il, 'riiat when (•uch bonds shall have been issued thev shall be divided
amimi; the several townships in pro|K>rlion to the amount of taxable pro|)erty
assessed in each township lor the year iNil; and it shall Ik- Ihe duly of each super-
visor to n'c«'ive .saul boiuls and pay over to each drafte(l man and volunteer the
sum of $400 when actually mustered into 8er^•ice.

Mr. Shields moved that said resolution be laid on the table until
the April mectintj; which motion was lost. Mr. Smithorman
then moved that it be submitted to the people of the county on
Jan. 28, 18(>5; and Mr. Vail moved to amend by takiiifj said vote
on the 30th; which motion was withdrawn; and Mr. Roberts
moved that whatever action tiiis Roard may take shall be sub-
mitted to the people <ui Jan. 30, 1805; which motion was
adopted. Mr. R<»bert8 tlien moved to amend the first resolution
by insertiiiij "$500" in ])lace of "$400;" which was adopted.

At a meeting of the Hoard held Jan. 31, the day after the elec-
tion, thev found after a canvass of the returns tliat 3,416 votes had

HISTORY OF I'IKE COUNTY. 375

been cast, of which 2,131 were for the tax and 1,285 aorainst it. It
was tlicii resolved l>y the Koaril to ji;ive a bounty of $500 to eacli
vohmteer to till the (piota of Pike county; and in case said (juota
shall not be tilled by volunteers, then a bounty of s500 shall be
paid to each person who shall be drafted. For this purpose $127,-
000 were raised in the county.

Kindorhook township j^ave $1,500 bounty, and j»aid $180 for
transportation.

PIKE county's soldiers.

A few statistical items will show what was done by Pike county,
and whether she was worthy the trust reposed in her. According
to the census of 1800 the county had a population of 27,182. The
war, however, continued for several years, and the county increased
in population; accordingly we will place the population in round
numbers at 30,000. There are five persons to every voter, accord-
ing to the customary basis of reckoiu ng. That would make the
number of men in the county 0,000. Pike county put in the field
3,132 men, beiuir over one-half of her voters.

The quota of the county for the calls of 1861 was 762, which
were (luieklv furnished. In 1802 the quota foi- this county was
521. For the calls of Feb. 1 and March 14, 1864, it was 780, and
for the call of 500,000, July 18, 1864, it was 617, making the large
number of 2,687 men as the quota for this county up to Dec. 31,
1864. The county not only furnished tliis number, but sent of her
brave sons 2,853, being 100 in excess of lier various (piotas. Sub-
secpient calls increased the quoti.i of Pike county to 3,221, which
the county did not fill by 89.

Pike county was largely represented in the following regiments
and com])anies. Besides those referred to, her sons were in many
other regiments, but we give only those which were largely made
up from this county.

KIGHTH REGIMENT.

Company G of this Regiment was entirely furnished by Pike
county, with James S. Barnard as Captain: afterward Elisha Jones
and Charles II, Hurt served the Company in that ]iosition. The
Ist Lieutenants in succession were Elihu Jones, AVm. P. Sitton,
Charles II. Hurt and George Sanderson. The 2d Lieutenants were
Wm. P. Sitton, Charles II. Hurt and Wm. A. Saylor.

The 8th Illinois Regiment was organized A])ril 25, 1861, Colonel
Oglesby commanding. A contest for rank and seniority arose be-
tweet: the 7th and 8tli, both beinar ortfanized on the same dav. The
contest was finally ended, giving to Col. Cook the first numher 7,
as the number of his Regiment, with the second rank of Colonel,
and Col. Oglesby the second number for his Regiment, with the
first rank as Colonel,

The first enlistment was f )r three months, duriui; wlii<-li tinicthe

37«> HISTORY OF I'IKK COUNTY.

Itt'^iment was taken to Cairo. July 25. 1861, its term ot" three
luonths having e.\j»ired, the Stli reorganized tor three years' service.
It took part in many of the most im|)orlant en<i^agementrt of the
war; wa.s in the advaMce attack on Fort noiu'l.^oii, when' it lost 57
killed, 11>1 Wounded and 10 mi^!>in^. It was aUo at Pittbbiirg
laniiing, where it lost 20 killed, 1>7 wounded and 11 missing; and
it went thn>ugh the tatigm- and dangers of tiie siege of Corinth.
Tlie Regiment rc-«jtdihlrd in lS03 and wan veteran i7A'<l March lit,
18G4; tuuk part in the cngagt'menl at Vickbhurg, Spanish Fort and
many other ijnportant engagements.

SKVKNTH UKOIMK.NT.

Company D, ot the 7lh, l>einir a new com)»any ot that old licgi-
ment, was from I'ike county. It was orga?ii/,cil Feh. 14. 1SH5,
under Capl. Samuel X. lloyt. «tf (triggsvillu, with Andrew Moore
as 1st Lieutenant and Wm..l. Ilaidinas2d Lieutenant, TheCom
pajiy served until July ;», 1805, when it was mustered out.

8IXTKKNTH Kfc:OIMKNT.

Company K, id' the ITitli Iidatitry. was largely, in<lee<l almost alto-
gether, frt»m I*ike county. They enlisted May 25. ISOI. and serve<l
until July h, ls65. The(\>mpany was organized by (Jeo. I). Stew-
art, (^aptain, who served until April 25, 1805, and John Bryant, of
Pittstield, was appointed to till tlio position. Tin* 1st Lieutenant
was James Iledger. aind f«)llowing cjime French li. W<»t>dall, John
IJryant and Franklin J. ('«K»|»er. The 2d Lieutenants were liichard
B. Iliggins, Joheph K. Haines and Ahhury Brown.

The HJlh wa» organized and mustered into wrvict- :ii (Jiiincy,
Col. Koberl A. Smith coiiiMianding. In July, l>»01,it was ren»«)ved
to Green river as railroad guard, after which the Regiment was
scattered along the line of the n»ad as guard. July 10, Col. Smith's
force was attacked at Missionary Station hy \/,(h) mounted nd»els,
but he lield his jHisition until the arrival (»f reinforcements, when
the enemy fletJ. It ])articipateil in the battle of Bird's Point, Mo.,
and New Mulrid, where it supported the siege ifuns. They cap
tured .'»,(loo jtrisoners and a large amount of artillery, small arms
and ammunition at Tiptonville, Tenn. In January, lb02, it par-
ticipatetl in the siege ot Corinth and Nashville. It was mustered
out July 8, 1805.

TWKSTV-EIOHTII REtilMK.NT COX8f>LII)ATKI>.

Pike county furnished Company B of thisTlegiment, and almost
all of Companies E and I. Company B was commanded tirst after
consolidation by C'apt. John T. Thomson, of New Hartford, who was
honorably discharged May 15. 1805, when Geo. W. Chrysup was
appidnted and .-erved iniiil March 15, 1800. The 1st Lieutenants
in succession were Robert Voung, Henry L. Iladscll, Geo. W.
Chrysup and Job Pringle. Tiie 2d Lieutenants were Geo. W.

nrsTouY OF pike countv. 377

Chrysup, Job Prin<xle ;md Thomas James. The officers of the Corn-
pan}' were James M. Gale, Iloiirj S. Stokes and Joseph A. Hanks.

CoMipanio B, E and I of the original ,(jr<;anization were from
this county. Company B was first commanded by Capt. Thomas
H. Butler, deceased, then by Capt. Geo. W. Stobie, and finally by
Capt. Joiin T. Thompson. The 1st Lieutenants were Joim T.
Thom})S()n and Robert Young: 2d Lieutenants, George Stobie,
David C. Troutner and Cyrus K. Miller. Lieutenant Troutner
soon died and Lieutenant Miller died July 8, 1863. Company E
was first commanded by Captain Thomas M. Kilpatrick, who was
promoted to Lieutenant Cohjnel and was killed in battle at Pitts-
burg Landing. John M. Griffin then commanded the Com])any.
The 1st Lieutenants were John ]\[. Griffin, Fredrick C. Beehdoldt,
who was killed July 12, 1863, and VVm. B. Griffin; the 2d Lieu-
tenant was Burrel McPherson. Company I was commanded until
consolidation of Regiment by Capt. Elishallurt; 1st Lieutenants,
Philip S. Likes and David Dixon; 2d Lieutenant, David Dixon
and Henry L. Hadsell.

The 28th Infantry was organized at Camp Butler in xVugust,
1861, by Lieut. Col. Lewis II. Waters and Maj. Charles J. Sellon,
the latter from Pike county. Aug. 28 it was ordered to Thebes,
111.; Sept. 9, to Bird's Point, Mo.; Oct. 2, to Fort Holt, Ky., where
it remained until Jan. 21, 1862, when it was assigned to Brig. Gen.
Lew Wallace's Division. Feb. 6 it took part in the capture of
Forts Henry and Heiman; Feb. 13 a detachment of 48 men and 12
officers under Col. Johnson met the enemy 500 strong at Little
Bethel Church, five miles from Fort Holt, and immediately attacked
and routed them. The Regiment also took part in the battle of
Pittsburg Landing; was assigned to the left line in a peach orchard,
where it was immediately attacked by the enemy, but who were
repulsed. On the morning ot the 7th it held a position on the
right line and was hotly engaged until the battle closed and the
victory won. During these two long, trying, bloody days the
Regiment behaved nobly and was never broken or driven back by
the enemy, though often most heavily pressed. It sustained a loss
of 239 killed and wounded. In May, 1862, it was engaged in the
siege of Corinth: Oct. 5 engaged in the battle of Metamora, losing
97 killed and wounded; engaged in the siege of Vicksburg from
June 11 to July 4, 1863; on the 12th of July, 1863, near Jackson,
Miss., the 41st, 53d and 28th Illinois and 3d Iowa, not exceeding
800 men, were ordered to charge across an open field some 600
yards and carrv a stroiiir line of the enemy's works, mounting 12
guns and manned by at least 2,000 men. The Brigade swept gal-
lantly forward under a destructive fire of grape, canister and minie
bullets. The enemy appeared upon both flanks as it reached the
ditch; it was compelled to fall back with a loss of more than half
of their rank and file killed or wounded. The eight Companies of
this Regiment, in line, numbering 128 men, lost 73 killed and
wounded and 16 taken prisoners.

378 U18TORY OF riKK OOUNTY.

.Jan., 1864, the Iic<^iiiient re-iiilisted as veterans, took part in the
advance upon Sj>anisli Fort, and were mustered out March 10, 1806

TMIKTV-THIKD RKOIMKNT.

Coni{):iiiy 1 ol" the 33rd was maclu up in Pike county. The orig-
inal ('!ij)tain was Wui. H. Lawton, who resifjned June 8, 1803,
and Wni. T. Lyon received the commission. The Ist Lieutenants
were Wni. T. Lvon, (^harles T. Kiniu'V and Nathaniel W. liev-
noKls ; the 2nd Lieutenants were E<lwartl A. F. Allen, Chark'K T.
Kinney, Nathiinitl W. Rcynohls and David F. Jenkins. The
Company was wholly fntm the nortliern part of the county.

The 33rd was or^'anized at Camp liutler Sept., 186I,l»yC(d.
Charles K. Ilovi-y ; Nov. ii<», it reinovrd to Irontoti, .Mo., heyond
St. Ix)uis, whert' it remained durin'^ the winter. In .March, 1862,
it removed to Arkatisas, en^a;i^infj in many expeditions through
that State. In 1863 it returned to Pilot Knoh; was engaged in the
battles of l\>rt (tihson. Champion Mills, lilack Hiver Bridge, the
assault and siegt- of \'icksburg, and the siege of Jaeksoti; in .\ngiist,
1863, moved to New Orleans and engaged in tlie campaign nj» the
Hayou Teche, an<i returned to Now Orleans in Novemlwr; thence
orderiMl to lirownsville, Tex., hut before landinir was ordered tit
Arkansa.^ Pass. The Regiment re-enlisttnl Jati. 1, I8r»4, took j»:irt
in the engagement at Spanisii Fort, Mobile, and A}>ril 14. 1865.
moved to Vieksburg, and in November ordered to Camj* Jiutler,
111., for final paymerjt and discharge.

SIXTY-EIOIIT kKOIMK.NT.

Company H of this Regiment, which was organized for three
months* service in Jnne, 1862, was fnun this county, mostly from
the northern |»art. Capl. Daniel F. Coffey served the Comjiany
as C*>tnmander. 1st Lieutenant, Juds»n J. F. Gillespie: 2nd Lieu-
tenant. Will l'(vni<ld».

SKVKNTY-THIKI" KE<iIMK.ST.

Company II of the 73rd Illinois Infantry, commanded by Capt.
James L I>avids«.»n, who subsequently was promoted to Lieut. (Col-
onel, was from Pike county. After Capt. Davidson's promotion
Joseph L. Morgan was apjiointed tt> the Captaincy. The ]^t Lieu-
tenants were Samuel Purcell, who resigned April 28, 1863, Joseph
L. Morgan and James (t. Wolgemath. The 2nd Lieutenants were
Clement L. Shinn and De Witt C. Simmons.

This Regiment was organized at Camp liutler, in August, 1862,
and immediately became a part of Gen. BuelTs army. It oartici-
}»ated in every engagement fought by the Army of the Cunu»erUnd
from Oct.. rs62, until the rout of (ien. Hood's army at Nashville
and the winding up of the whole matter. The dead of this Regi-
ment are found on the battle-fields of Perryville, Murfreesboro,

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 379

Cliickamauga, Missionary Ilidge, through East Tennessee and the
succession of battles from Chattanooga to the fall of Atlanta. It
had two Majors and two Adjutants killed, and nearly every
oflBcerof the Regiment wounded at some one time : several of them
many times. It was mustered out June 10, 18G5.

NINETY-NINTH REGIMENT.

The 99th was, strictly s]ieaking, a Pike county IJegiment. It
was organized in Pike county in August, 1862, b}' Col. George W.
K. Bailey, and was mustered in at Florence, Aug. 23, 1802, by
Col. J. 11. Rathbone. Upon the same day it removed to St. Louis,
going into Benton Barracks, and was the lirst Regiment out of the
State under the call of 1862. Sept. 8, ordered to Rolla; served in
that department to the spring of 1863; was assigned to the Brigade
of Brig. Gen. Fitz Henry Warren; engaged in the skirmish at Bear
creek, losing one killed and four wounded and one taken prisoner,
and in the battle of liartsville. Mo., losing 35 killed and wounded;
went into camp at Houston; Jan. 27, moved to West Plains, Mo.,
reporting to Brig. Gen. Davidson; March 3, removed to Pilot Knob,
thence to St. Genevieve, arriving the 12th; and March 15, 1863,
embarked for Milliken's Bend, La., arriving the 26th, and was
assigned to the 1st Brigade, Brig. Gen. W. P. Benton command-
ing; 14th Division, Brig. Gen. E. A. Carr commanding ; 13th
Army Corps. Moved from Milliken's Bend April 11, arriving at
New Carthage the 12th; was at Grand Gulf April 29; crossed the
river, and May 1 was engaged in the battle near Port (ijbson,
called Magnolia Hills, losing 37 men killed and wounded; marched
with the army toward Jackson, and returned by Champion Hills
and Black River Bridge; May 19, was at the defenses of Vicks-
burg; on the 22d the Regiment took a prominent part in the assault,
losing 103 killed and wounded, out of 300 men. The Colonel and
Major were wounded early in the day, leaving Capt. A. C. Matthews
in command. Its line durintj the dav was close to the enemv's
works, and its colors planted on their breastworks. This ])08ition
was held until 4 p. m., when it was relieved by another Regiment
and moved back 150 yards to where its knapsacks had been left.
While callino^ the roll the line which had relieved the Retjiment wa&
driven back in great ct)ufusion. The 99th advanced and opened a
lieavy fire, drove] the enemy back into his works and held him
there, ])robably saving the whole Division from stamjjede. Was
engaged during the siege in Gen. Benton's Brigade — Sth and 18th
Indiana, and 33d and 99tli Illinois. The9!^>th lost during the entire
cam})aign and siege 253 killed, wounded aiul missing. July 5 the
9th, 13th and 15th Corps, Maj. Gen. Sherman commanding, moved
after Johnson's army to Jackson; returned to Vicksburg July 24;
Aug. 21 removed to New Orleans, and on the 26th went into camp
at Brashear City. Oct. 3, 1863, the campaign of the Teclie was
commenced. The Regiment was in several skirmishes, and a de-

380 niST<UtY OF J'IKK COl'NTY.

tjiclmient of the Re^iinuiit, Csipt. A. C. Muttliews coininandiuf;,
was cn<;:i<;e, emhiiiked for
Texa.'i, landing on the 25tli at Mustan<j Island; marched up to Mat-
ft<;or<la Island and cofuinenced the attack on Fort Esperanza, which
was soon surrenderetl.

The OOth n'lnained in Texas durin<r the spriui; of l.S(">4. June
16 of thisy<'ar itev.acuati'd the i.^^land and reptirti'd to(Jen. Ilevnohls,
at Algiers. J,a. Tlie Ilegimcnt pertVmed garrison duty on the
Mississippi during the entire summer, in the First Hrigade, Hrig.
(ten. Slack; 1st Divihion, (ieii. Dennis; I'Jth ('or|»s, (ien. Reynolds.
Tiie JJDth wa& hrij^aded with the *JUt Iowa. 'JlHh Wisconsin and
47th Indiana.

Ill .November, 18(»4, removed to Memphis, wiiere tlio Regiment
was con8olidate<l into a Hattalion of live Companies, and Lieut. Co\.
A. C. Matthi'ws assigned t»» the command, (\il. Hailey and the other
bUiM'rnumerarv ollioors hring mustered tMit.

Moved to Gormantown and went on duty guarding railroad;
Dec. 2.'>, three men of llu" Battalion were captured n\u\ murdered by
guerrillas; moved to Memphis Dec. 28; Jan. 1, lHr»r», emiiarked
for New Orleans, arriving oti the 9tl>. Feb. 1 embarked for Dau-
phino Ishmd, Ala. ; was assigned to the 1st Brigade. Ist Div., 13th
(Jirps, witli 21st Iowa, 47tii Indiana an«l 21>th Wisc.«)n»in, (ien.
Slack commanding Hrigade, Brig. (ren. Veatch commanding Di-
vi^itui.

March 17, moved to Fort Morgan; on the 26th, arrived at Fish
river; tt>ok part in the siege of Spanish Fort until iIjc 30th. when
tlie Division was sent to (tencral Steele's army, and April 1 went
into |n>sition at Fort Blakely. Tlie IMUh assisted in the investment
and c^ipture, and on the liith eritored Mobile.

In Jutie,* isj).'), the Division was ordered to Red river to receive
the surreiulerof Kirl»y Smith, and it procee<led to Shreve!»ort, La.;
from this place Col Matthews was detailed to proceed witli a body-
guard of the 6th Mi■«^<>u^i Cavalry to the Indian Territory and
receive the surrender of Brig. Gens. Cooper and Standwaite, and to
form temporary treaties of peace witli the Indian trilies. The Col.
f«>rmed treaties with ten tril)cs, including the Choctaws, Cherokees,
Chickasaws and Usages, and returned (^having traveled a tliousand
miles'^ on tlie 3d of July. •

Julv 19, ordered to Baton Rouge, and Julv 31 was mustered out
by Capt. E. S. Ilowk, A. C. M.

Arrived at Springtield, 111., Aug. 6, received final payment and
discharge Aug. 9, 1S65.

The Regiment was commanded by Col, Bailc}' until Dec. 16,
18f>4. when he was mustered out. The Lieut. Colonels were Lem-
uel Parke and Asa C. Matthews ; the Majors at various times were
Edwin A. Crandall, Asa C. Matthews and John F. Richards; Ad-
jutants, Marcellus Ross, Harvey D.Johnson and Joseph R. Furrey;
Quartermasters, Isaac G. Ilodgen, Jr-shua K. Sitton and James F.

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 381

Greathouse ; Siirf^eons, Josepli II. Ledlie uiid Edwin May ; 1st
Asst. Surgeon, Archibald E. McNeal and John F. Curtis ; 'id Asst.
Snr<^eon, Abner T. Sj^encer ; Chaplains, Oliver A. Toplift' and
Wni. M. Evans.

Company A. — Captains— Geo. T. E<lwards and Isaac G. Ilodgen ;
1st Lieutenant — Jaines K. Smith ; -id Lieutenants — James F. Sto-
bie, Thus. A. Hubbard. Jolin W. Saylor. (Hul)bard died Feb. 15,
1863.)

Company B. — Captains— Benj. L. Matthews and James W. Fee;
1st Lieutenants — James W. Fee, James A. Elledge and Harvey
Thornbury ; 2d Lieutenants — James A. Elledge, llarvey Thorn -
bury and Milton L, Tiell.

Company C. — Captains — Asa C. Matthews and John A. Bal-
lard ; 1st Lieutenants — Joshua K. Sitton, Lucien "W. Shaw, John
A. Ballard, Wm. B. Sitton (died July 10, 186i), N. Henry Kinne ;
2d Lieutenants — Lucien W. Shaw and Wm. B. Sitton.

Company !>.— Captains — John F. Richards and Wm, B. Clandy ;
1st Lieutenants— Francis M. Dabney, Wm. B. Clandy and John
Bowsman ; 2d Lieutenants — Wm. T. Mitchell, Win. B. Clandy
and John Bowsman.

Comjyany E.—Q-A\>tii\n& — John C. Dinsmore, Allen D. Rich-
ards ; 1st Lieutenants — Joseph G. Colvin, Allen D. Richards and
Ilobert II. GritRn ; 2d Lieutenant— Allen D. Richards.

Company F. — Captains — Eli R. Smith. Daniel McDonald.
Captain Smith was killed in battle May 22, 1863. 1st Lieutenants
— Leonard Greatt)n, Jacob E. Stauffer ; 2d Lieutenants — Daniel
McDonald and Jesse Parke.

Company G. — Captains — Henry D. Hull and Henry B. Atkin-
son ; 1st Lieutenants — James 11. Crane and Henry B. Atkinson ;
2d Lieutenant — Lewis Duttou.

Company II. — Captains — Lewis Hull and Melville D. Massie;
1st Lieuteiumts — Melville D. Massie, Benj. L. Blades and Daniel
Kiley; 2d Lieutet ants — Gottfried Wenzel and Benj. L. Blades.

Company I. — Captain — Joseph G. Johnson; 1st Lieutenants —
John G. Sever and George S. Marks; 2d Lieutenant — Robert E.
Gilliland.

Company K. — Captains — Isaiah Cooper and John G. Ser\'er; let
Lieutenants — Wm. Grav (died Mav 30, 18G3, of wounds received
in battle May 22. 1SG3)', Augustus'ilubbard and Zebulon ?>. Stod-
dard; 2d Lieutenants — Thos. J. Kinman (killed in battle May 22,
1863) and John Andrew.

NINKTY-NINTH RP:GIMKNT AS CONSOLIDATED.

April 2, 1863, according to orders from the War Department, the
90th was consolidated into a Battaliun of fiveCompanies, — A, B, C,
D and E, officered as follows:

Colonel, Asa C. Matthews; Adjutant, Jose])li R. Furrey; Quar-
termaster, James F. Greathouse; Surgeon, Edwin May; Ist Asst.
Surgeon, John F. Curtis; Chaplain, Wm. M. Evans.

SS'2 HISTORY ftr 11 KK (uUNTY.

Comp'iuy A. — ('apt.. .Foh?i !•'. Itielmrds; Ist Lieut., Win. H.
(^laiidv; '2(1 Lieut., .I<»liii l><»\\>iii:iii.

Coinjxmy B. — ^Cujit., .LiMits W. Fee; Ut Lieut., Jucolt K. Sliiul-
fer; 2u Lieut., Joseph Du^jdell.

Company C. — Capt.. Melville I). Mas^ie; let Lieut., llenrv B.
Atkilistiii; 'id Lieut., Win. L. Ciirter.

(%)inj)'iny JK — ("Hjtt., Isaac (i. Il(td<;t'ii; L-'l Lieut., James K.
Smith; 'Jd Lieut , Silvester Durall.

Company E. — Capt., .John A. I'allard, Ist Lieut., N. Ilenrv
Kinne; 2d Lieut., Clayton I'.. !I<»o|ht.

ONK llt'NUKKI) A.NU TIIIKTY-8KVKNTH RKUIMKNT.

Coni))aiiy F of this liet^iniunt \va« or^ini/.e<i by Itobert I». It<d)in-
Kon, of Harry, this county; Company Ci, by Orville C. Ilolcomh, of
Miltttn, and Compaiiy L by Ix.'vi HurUiur, of Pitt^field. These three
Companies of this Kr^inient were nuid«' uj) troni IMke county. The
iBt Lii'Utenant of ('oinpany F was I )e Witt C. Simmon^, of (iri^^s-
%'ille, and the 2d Lieutenant David I). Kidwell, of liarry. The l8t
Lieuteiuitit of Company (i was J«»hn M. J«>hnKon, and the 2d Lieu-
ttMiant, .losenji S. Latimer. The Iht Lieutenant of ('Mmj>any I was
llenson S. \ an'>tventer and the 'Jd Lieutnuiiit, Wm. A. Hubbard.

This Ke;;imeiit wa« organized at Camp Wood, Quincy, by Col.
John W«»od, and wa*» inu6tere<l in Juno 5, Isfi4, tor !(»(» days. June
1*. the Kefjimont left Quiney and pr<»et^'de.l ti> Memjthis, Tenn.,
where it wa^ assii^tjetl t«» the4th Hrigade, Distriet of Memphis, Col.
E. L. haltwiek, of Wisc4>n(»in, eommaindin|'. On July !< it was as-
signed to the 3d lirigade. Col. John Wood eommanding, and was
8tatio»ieil on the Hernando road, on picket duty. The llegiinent
WHS mustered out of tli»- V S. ^erviee at Springfield, HI., Sept. 4,
ls(;4.

8»X)NI) CAVALRY.

Of this regiment C<»inpany K and parts of other Conifuinies were
from Pike county. It wa> orgatjize<l .July 30, 1861. with IVessly G.
Athey a^Captain.who resigned Jan. 27, 18C2, when Thos. W.Jones,
1st Lieutenant, was prom<>t«Ml Captain. He was subse<ju«'ntly pro-
moted tt» the positiiin of .Major. Daniel I>. Hush, jr., was at lirst
Major, and was subse4|uently promotetl to the rank of Lieutenant
Colonel and finally Colonel. In 18«'>5 Mcmtgomcry Demmons was

>romote«l to the (\iptaincy. The 1st Lieutenants were Thos. W.

"ones, Henj. F. Garrett and Wm. R. Soull.and the 2d Lieutenants,
I'enj. F. Garrett, Franklin Kinman, L. Mitchell, Montgomery
Dennnons and David C. Hock.

Besides the Regiments and Companies noticed above, I*ikec<junty
gave niajiy men to numerous other Cotnpanies. Her sons fought
upi'ii every battle field of that great war, and upon the field of
every great buttle during that long, hard struggle ft)r the supremacy
of the I'nion the life-blood of some of her sons was shed. They
were fcnind in the foremost of the fight : indeed, they were found

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 383

wherever duty called them. It is an easy matter to be a patriot
" in the piping times of peace, in the sunny hours of prosperity,"
but when war, discord and rebellion present their horrid forms to
strike the liberty of a hundred years, it is then tiie patriot sliines
in his devotion to his country. "When tlie painful duty presented
itself to the ])atriots of this county to send thousands of her citi-
zens into danger, and many of them to certain death, there was no
hesitation. Men enrolled their names with a steady hand, bade wife
and little ones, fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters farewell, and
went boldly to the front and saved this glorious blood- bought
Union.

lee's surrender. — Lincoln's assassination.

Our armies bravely contended until finall}^ after four long years
of bloodshed and carnage, the news was flashed over the wires that
Lee had surrendered. This joyful news reached this county Mon-
day, April 10, 1865, being within two days of four years from the
time the batteries were opened on Fort Sumter. On receiving the
news of the fall of Richmond the people were very jubilant over
the success of the Union forces. They assembled in all parts of
the county and had grand jubilees. The streets of the cities were
brilliantly illuminated; bonfires, rockets and music were seen on
every hand; it was indeed a season of rejoicing; and well might it
be, for what had been endured, what had been sufi^ered.

Scarcely had the downfall of the Southern Confederacy been re-
ceived ere the sad news of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln
was flashed over the wires. On that beautiful April morning, five
days after the announcement of Lee's surrender, the people, joyful
over tlie near approach of the return of their loved ones from the
South, the sorrowino: news of the President's death was announced.
Mr. Lincoln was bound to the people of this county with stronger
cords than simply being a good ruler. He had spent manj- days
here, had many warm personal friends, and it was like the loss of a
brother. They felt the loss keenly; the tolling bells, the sym-
pathetic dirges, interpreted not merely the grief of the people at the
loss of a President, but the sorrow of a community at the death of
brother, a son, one who was closely akin to all. Meetings were
held and appropriate resolutions passed. Dwellings, stores, churches
and public buildings were draped, and the flags which had been sent
up in moments of rejoicing were taken down, draped, and sent up
at half-mast.

THE CLOSE.

The war ended and peace restored, the Union preserved in its in-
tegrity, the sons of Pike, who had volunteered their lives in de-
fense of their Government, and who were spared to see the army of
the Union victorious, returned to their homes to receive grand
ovations and tributes of honor from friends and neighbors who had
eagerly and zealously followed them wherever the fortunes of war

384 HISTORY OV I'IKE COUNTY.

called. E.\cli:iMi;iii;r their M>ldiers' uiiit'urins lor citizens' dross, most
of them fell Imek to tli»;ir old vocations, — on the farm, at the fori^e,
at the bench, in the shop, and at whatever else their hands fonnd to
do. Brave men are lion(»ral>h' alwavs, and no claes of citizens are
entitled to greater respect than the volunteer soldiery of Pike
county, not alone hecAiise' they were soldiers, but because in their
associations with their fellow-nien their walk is upright, and their
Ijonesty and character without reproach.

Their countrv Hrsi, tlu-ir elory ami tlu-ir pride,
I. ami of tlirir ll(^|H.•^, laiul wliiTr lln-ir fill hers died ;
Wliiii in the ri;;lil, lluy'll l4e«|i their honor bri^'ht;
When in the wrong, they'll die to set it right.

The soldiers of Pike county met at the court-house An^'. 2.i,
18G(». The meeting was called to order by Maj, T. W. Jones, when I )r.
E. M. Seeley was called to tlie chair, atid James II. Crane was ap-
pointed Secretary. The object of the meeting was to take measures
tor raising funds for the erection of a monument. Klaborate reM»lu-
tions were ado|>ted with reference to the loyalty and tidelity of the
soldiery, etc., and sympathy with the suffering, the widows and or
phans etc.; and committees of soldiers, live in each townshiji, were
appointed t » solicit donations. A central c«tmmittee for the county
was alsi> app«unte«l, and a c«»mmittce to solicit !i>10,t)U<) from the
county treasury. Considerable enthusiasm was manifested in this
work of love,an<l a wish to honor the heroic dead, the citizen
Soldiers who yitldfd their lives a sacrifice to their cotmtry, but
nothing tletinitely toward llie final carrying out «»f the pittject was
ever done. Although no marble pile rises heavenward tt) commemo-
rate the fallen her«»es, yet we know that the memory of their valor
and heroic devotion to our country will never farle in the minds
and hearts ot" the citizens, and that their love and gratitude are as
strong and undying as though a monnment of stones were pileJ
up as liigh as BalHiPs tower.

CHAPTER XV.

PIKE cou:nty bar.

PIONEER COCTRTS.

Tlie records of the early Courts found in the Circuit Clerk'e
office open as follows:

"At a Circuit Court begun and held at Cole's Grove, within and
for the county of Pike, on Monday, thelirst day of October, in the
year one thousand eight hundred and twenty-one. Present, Hon.
John Reynolds, Judge.

" The Shei'ilf of the county returned a panel of grand jurors,
which being called over, sixteen of them appeared and were sworn
agreeably to law, viz: Levi Roberts, foreman; Ebenezer Franklin,
Gardner H. Tullus, Joel Racon, George Tully, Ebenezer Smith,
David Dutton, Amos Bancroft, James Nixon, Nathaniel Shaw,
Thomas Proctor, Richard Dilley, Stephen Dewey, William Massey,
Comfort Shaw. Daniel Phillips; and the following persons were
called but made default, to wit: Leonard Ross, Henry J. Ross,
Daniel Shinn, James M. Seeley, Abraiiam Kuntz, Levi Newman,
Henry Loup, John Bolter and John. Jackson.

'' Joseph Jervais and John Shaw, interpreters sworn to give evi-
dence to the grand jury."

The lirst case called was " Solomon Smith, assignee of Elias K.
Kane, vs. Wm. Frye, action of debt." The case was continued, as
the defendant was reported by the Sheriff not found.

The second case was a "libel for a divorce," by Salley Durham,
plaintiff, vs. John Durham, defendant. The defendant not appear-
ing, the case went against him.

The fourth case was the indictment of two Indians for murder,
an account of which is given in our chapter entitled "Criminal
Record."

Pike county was originally in tlie 1st Judicial Circuit, then in the
5th, and is now in the lltli, comprising the counties of Adams,
Hancock, McDonougli, Fulton, Schuyler, Brown and Pike. By
])rovislon of a recent State law the Circuit elects three Judges, who
divide the work between them.

Four A])pellate Districts were defined in the State in 1877, for
each of which the Supreme Court appoints three Judges, and these

386 HISTORY <»F PIKR COUNTY.

Judi^es elect one of their own iiuinhor the presidini; Jud«^e. Kach
District elects its own Clerk, ami these olficers are all chosen for six
' years. The sessions of the Court ar»' heUl the 'M Tuesday of May
and November each year. Pike connty is in the 3d Appellate
District, and the ('onrt is held at Sprin^'tield.

CIRCLIT JIIX.KS.

We ni>w proceed to pive a short sketch of all the .Iud<;es and
attorneys who have l>een or are now connected with the Bar of Pike
connty.

I/on. John Reynolds was a native of Pennsylvania, of Irish
descent, and was reared amid i)ionrer associations and inihihed the
characteristics, manners ami custom^ of the piont-ers. lledislikotl
|K>lish, condemned fashion, and was addicted to inordinate pro-
i'anity. These, jjarnished by )iis varie«l rea<lin^, a luitivu shrewd-
ness and a womk-rfnl fatMilty of garrulity, tnakt* him, eoiisiderin<^ the
hitfh «»fHces he held, one of the public o«idities of Illinois. He
wa.s one of the Justices of the Supremo (^onrt when he held Court
at Atlas.

Hon. John Y. S'lwf/t-r. — ]i\ the (\>nstitutii»n the terms otOtficeof
the Supreme J uii^^es were to expire with the dose «»f the year lS'24.
The Legislature re-t)r^anizetl the judiciary by creatin;^ ln»th Circuit
and Supremo Courts. The State was divided into five judicial
circuit^*, prc»vidin;^ t\ro terms of Court annually in each county.
The salaries of the (circuit .Indices were lixe00. Judge
Sawyer was the first Circuit Jinl^ to hold Court in this county.
Ho was chosen for the First Circuit.

/{on. liichard J/! Voitn/j was appointed Jud^e of this Circuit in
iS'J'^, and reinaineil in the «»tru'e till January, ls;i7, when he resi^ne<i
to accept a seat in the I'nited States Senate. Jud^e Voung was a
native of Keiitueky, and was one of the first settlers of Northern
Illinois. He rankiil iiigh in iiis profession, and his counsels did
mucit to shajK* the policy «»f the State. In his manners he was
gentle, courteous and entertaining, which qualities rendered him
attractive and p<>pular. He was generous in iiis feelings and lib-
eral in his views; |M>s»e8sed lilieral endowment of intellectual abil-
ity and literary and legal ac»juirements, and these, with his other
QUailillcations, a<lmiral»ly fitte«I him for the post he was called to
fall. He died from insanity.

lion. Janu8 U. Ralston, a native of Kentucky, was elected by the
Legislattire in 1837, ami in August of the same year he resigne<l on
account of his health, with a view of going U) Texas, whither he
went, but soon returne«l to Quincy. In 1S40 he was elected State
Senator. In 1846 President Polk appointed iiim Assistant Quar-
termaster of the U. S. army. Having discharged his duties faith-
fully during the war with Mexico, he returned home and soon after
eniiirrated to California.

lion. Peter Lott^ a native of New York, was elected the successor

iy//(J. , (^//-.^/'^/^£)

GRieeSVILLC

HISTORY OF PIKE COUJSTY. 389

of James Kalston, and continued iu the office until January, 1841.
He was subsequently appointed Clerk of the Circuit Court of Ad-
ams county, and served until 1852; he theti went to California and
was appointed Superintendent of the U. S. Mint in San Francisco
by President Pierce, and was removed iu 1857 by President
Buchanan, and afterward moved to Kansas and lived in humble
life.

Hon. Stephen A. Douglas was elected Jud^^e by the Legislature
in 1841. The life and career of this great man is so well and widely
known as to render any extended notice of him useless. It is suf-
ficient to say that the circumstances under which he entered upon
the duties of his office were such as to thoroughly try the scope of
his ability. The Circuit was large; the previous incumbent of the
office had left the "docket" loaded with unfinished " cases," but he
was more than equal to the task. He "cleaned out the docket "
with that dispatch and ability which distinguished his subsequent
course; and so profound was the impression he made upon the
people that, in the first Congressional election which occurred after
he was established in his character as Judge, he received nomination
as a member of Congress, and was elected.

Hon. Jesse B. Thomas was appointed in August, 1843, and con-
tinued to hold the position until 1845, when he resigned. Judge
Thomas possessed high legal abilities and acquirements, and dis-
charjjed the duties of his office with honor to himself and to the
satisfaction of the people. After his resignation he was appointed
to another Circuit, and soon after died. He was a delegate to
Congress from Indiana as early as 1808. His district was what
are now the States of Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan.
He was one of the first U. S. Senators of Illinois.

Hon. Nortnan H. Purple was the next incumbent of the office.
He was elected in 1845 and served till May, 1849, when he resigned.
The probable cause for this was the insulBciency of salary. The
people of this district were anxious to retain him as Judge, and
probably would, but for the cause stated. He was distinguished
for high legal abilities and executive talents, and the office was ren-
dered the more honorable for his having occupied it.

Hon. Willvim A. Minshall was elected in May, 1849, and con-
tinued to hold the office till his death, in October, 1851, although in
1850 his district was changed. Judge M. was a native of
Teimessee, and came early into the State. He was an active and
successful lawyer, and attained distinction in his profession. Pre-
vious to his election as Judge he had been a men)ber of the Con-
stitutional Convention, and also a member of the State Legislature.

Hon. 0. C . Skinyier succeeded Judge Minshall and occupied the
office from JNLay, 1851, to May, 1853, when he was elected to the
Su])reme Bench, and remained there till 1858, when he resigned.
He was a sound, able lawyer, and popular as a Judge, and gained
eminence in his position as a Judge of the Supreme Court.

Hon. Pinkney H. Walker served until his appointment, in 1858,

390 niSTOUY OK I'iKi; (ointy.

to till ii vficaiicy on the Supreme I^onoli. Ii» ls.'>l« lie w.is elected to
the Supreme Court tor nine y<^ft»'!*. which poeition he now holdn.
tTudi^e Widker is a native of Kentucky, and came into the State
with his father anR)n<; the llr>t settlers, anil located in McDonoUirh
county. lie had only eucli a<lvantat;es for obtaining his literary
acquirements as a newl}- seltletl country afforded, but a strong
determination, adde<l t<t high intellectual abilities and good healtli,
carried him over all of the educatituial wants of the times, and
gave him a fair })osition as a scholar. 'I'he same (jualilications
rendered him thorough as a student of law. and gave him superi-
oritv as a ccMinselor. His present residence is at Uushville.

J/on. John S. lidiUy wai^ tin* succeeding incumbent «)f the office
Rjul served tor three years. I'reviou^ t«) his appointment he was
State's Attorney for this district. He was consiilered a sound
lawyer, and made an impartial Judge. lie now resides at Ma-
comb, jind yet toll<»w« his chosen profession.

Jlon. C/uiuncey L. IHybee, of Tike county, was tirst elected in
1861, and was re electe<i twice, each time for six years. Ills repii-
tation as an able lawyer is un(|uestionctl, and fewer Jippeals were
made from his decisions than from any other. fudije in the State.
Ill' w.is elected to the Apjiellate Court in 1^77, when the present
incumbent, Judge Shope, of Lewihtown, was <d»osen.

//"n. S. P. Shi^p^. — Judge Shope, of Lewistown, was born in
Mi.-hissippi but reared- in Ohio, In the spring of l^.SO he came to
Illinois, read law with .Judges Purple and Powell in Peoria, and
was admitted to the liar .lune 11, HiritJ. He tir^t opened an »»tficc
in Metatnora, 111, but in a short tin»c removed to I^ewistown, where
he still resides. He has had a large practice as a lawyer, not only
in his own Judicial District, but also in Logjui. Mason and Csiss
counties. In August, ls77, he was electe»l Judge of this I)ihtrict
without op|M>sition. His thorough knowleilge of law, quick com-

i>rehenhiou and well-known impartiality, render him a j>opular
udge.

PROSECCTIKCi ATTORNEYS.

Uiiring tlie earliest period of tlie county's liistory tlie Attorney
General of the State acted as Prosecuting Attorney in (Circuit Dis-
tricts. After the exjnration of Atti»rncv (Jeneral Forqner's term
the Circuit was ijiven a State's Atti»rnev. This mode remained in
vogue, although, of course, the districts were often changed and cut
down, until 1S72, wlien the county was given a Prosecuting At-
toriiev, who is known both as State's Attorney and County At-
tornev. This otiicial is not now. as formerly, called out of the
cojinty to prosecute for tlie peojile.

The Prosecuting Attorneys serving this county are as follows:
n<'n. Thrtmas Ford served for several years previous to 1835.
lie was ]>oppesse<l of high and noble qtialities of manliood, a thor-
ough student, a keen, energetic, untiring lawyer, of strict integrity

msTOKY OP' I'iKi-: coui<Tv. 391

and laiulable aspirations, ami was universally esteemed and re-
spected, lie afterward became Judge of the northern district, and
when he liad heeonie known over tlie State, was chosen Governor
by A spr>ntaneoiis movement of tlie people. Mr. Ford i'ailed to
appear at the Courts of this county very mucli, and in his phice in
1832 Hon. J. U. Ralston served, and in 1833 Gen. John J. llardin.

Ilo/i. Willinin A. Richard^on^ who served till 1837. Mr. Rich-
ardson's jjersonal merits and characteristics are too well known t(»
require any delineation, llis predominating traits were courage,
nnyielding perseverance and unvarying adherence to the cause to
which he was committed. He had command of a regiment of Hli-
nois volunteers during the ]\[exican war, and in the battle of Bueiia
Vista his cap was carried from his head by a musket ball. He re-
turned liome and was elected to Congress, and re-elected five
times. He was also a])pointed Governor ot Nebraska by Buchanan.

Hon. Henry L. Bryant, of Lewistown, succeeded !Mr. Richardson,
and served until 1839. He is characterized as a gentleman of fine
qualities and as an able lawyer.

Hon. William Elliott served from January, 1839, till Januar}'.
1848. He was esteemed as a worthy man. a warm friend and a
good lawyer. He served in tlie Black Hawk war, and was wounded
in a hand-to-hand conflict with a single Indian, whom he killed.
He was Quartermaster in the 4th Regiment during the Mexican
war, and served through. He returned to Lewistown and continued
his practice until about 1850, when he moved upon a farm in Peoria
county, near Farmington, where he died in February, 1871.

Flon. liohert S. Blackwell was the successor of Mr. Elliott, and
served from 1848 till 1852. Mr. Blackwell was one of the most
distinguished lawvers in the State, and is the author of "Blackwell
on Tax Titles."

Harmon G. Reynolds. — From 1852 to 1854, Hon. Harmon G.
Reynolds, of Knoxville, held the office. Mr. Reynolds was an at-
tornev-at-law of (jreat abilitv, and an active man in all beneficent
enterprises. He came from Rock Island to Knoxville some time
about 1851, where he practiced law, was State's Attorney and post-
master, and held prominent positions in the Masonic order. He
moved from Knoxville to Springfield, where he served as Grand
Secretary of the order. He now resides in Kansas.

William C. Goudy. — Hon. William C. Goudv, of Lewistown,
succeeded Mr. Reynolds. Mr. Goudy was a shrewd Democratic
politician in earlier days, as well as a faithful servant of the people
as a delegate to convejitions, as a member of the State Senate, etc.
As a lawyer he is accounted one of the ablest that ever practiced
at the Bar. He has accumulated large wealth and now resides in
Chicago, where he moved in 1859.

Calvin A. Warren followed Mr. Blackwell in the office. Mr.
Warren served from May, 1852, until August, 1853. This gentleman
was a popular, fluent speaker and successful lawyer.

3'JJ mSToltV OF ITKK COUNTY.

//"/<. Ji>hn S. lidlley^ of McI)oiiuij<^h comity, tilled the office
until St'ptcmlKT. 1S5S. when he resiuiuHJ for ft seht upon the Heiich.

Ihniifl If. ^//7//<fr scrviMJ iis State's A ttorncv j[>;v' tein in 18<)(>,
as ;ilso did ThoiM.is K. Morgan in istlii, and \\ ni. K. Archer.

Hi>n. L. II. )Vat>r8 was apjMiijited hv the Governor to fill the
une.xpired term <»f Mr. Hailey. lie was fnnn Maeoinl), and served
nntil th«' fall <»f 18<;0. A year later he etitired the army as Lieu-
tenant-Colonel of the 2Sth Illinois Inljintry. lie.'^ii^nin^, he was
commissione<l tt> raise another re;^iment, which he siieceetled in
doiiit; and receive<l the appointment of Culoiiel. Ihis was the 84th
Illinois Infantry and did e.xcellejit service under his efficient coni-
nnind. At the close of the w:ir he returned to Macoml) and prac-
ticed law, and ul»onl four years later moved to Missouri. He nt»w
resides at Jetlerson City that State.

Thom'18 K. M**r<j(in was the next incumlHMit. Mr. .Mor^^an was
a lawyer of tine alnlity and raJiked at the head of the Bar iti this
part of the State. He .lied July 22. 18«;7.

L. W. Jame»y of Lewistown, was the next incumbent. Mr. James
i« a lawyer of more than onlinary talent, and was one of the best
prosecutors in the district, and is sai<l to be one of the most brilliant
youn;X nun in the Slate. He now r«'sides at I'eoria.

Jeff Orr. — When each county throughout the (/ircuit was given
a Prtisecutin<j Att«)rney JefF Orr was chosen for Pike county, and
sinee has served with niark^nl abilitv. He is a vtuin;; member of

the Bar, »*tid<iwed with ijreat .-..•,...? .jifu-d with sujierior ruitive

talent. lie has resi»ied in I' • 18/3.

TMK BAK.

The liar of Tike ct)Utity has ever sUiod i.i. most of all in this
preat State. Souie of tli»' best le;;al miiuls, and fairest lo<ricians
and finest orators of the a^ liave practiced at this Bar.

In reviewini* the Bar of tlie county our readers must bear in
mind that as ihe prosperity and wcll-bcin;; of every community
depends upon the wi^e interpreUition, \\» well as upi»n the judi-
ci<»us framin;;, of its laws, it must follow lliat a record of the mem-
bers of the Bar. to whom tliese matters are penerall}' relcpited,
must form no unimportant cliapter in tlie county's history. Up<»n
a few principles of natural justice is erect<*d the whole 8U|>erstruc-
ture of civil law tending to relieve tlie wants and meet the desires
of all alike. But where so many interests and counter interests
are to be pri»tected and adjusted, to the judiciary is presented many
interesting and complex prol>loms. But change is everywhere im-
minent. The laws of yest»'rday do not compass the wants and
necessities of the people of to-day. The old relations do not exist.
New and satisfactor}- ones must Ik? established. The discoveries in
the arts and sciences, the invention of new contrivances for labor,
the cidargement of industrial pursuits, and the increase and devel-
opment of commerce are without precedence, and the science of

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 393

the law must keep pace witli them all; nay, it must even forecast
events and so frame its laws as will most ade(niately subserve the
wants and jirovide fur the necessities of the new conditions. Hence
the lawyer is a man of the day. The exii^encies he must meet are
those of his own time. His capital is his ability and individuality.
He can not bequeath to his successors the characteristics that dis-
tiiii^niished him, and at his goini^ the very evidences of his work
disa})pear. And in compilini^ this short sketcii one is astonished
at the paucity of material for a memoir of those who have been so
intimately connected with, and who exerted such an inliuence upon,
the county's welfare and progress. The peculiarities and the per-
sonalities, which form so pleasing and interesting a part of the lives
of the members of the Bar, and which indeed constitute the charm
of local history, are altogether wanting. Unlike the fair plaintiff
in Bardell vs. Pickw.ick, we have no pains-taking sergeant to relate
"the facts and circumstances" of the case. The Court records
give us the facts, but the circumstances surrounding and giving
an interest to the events are wanting.

The great prominence in history occupied by the Bar of the Mili-
tary Tract is well known, and ranking witli and a part of this is
the Pike county Bar. High as stood the local standard of its at-
tainment and repute, whenever its chieftains were called to combat
on other arenas, they left no lost lanrels there. Here were taught,
needed, developed, the stalwart qualities that attach to and betoken
the most complete fruition of legal excellence, as attained in the
recognition, study, comprehension and application of tlie abstruse
and limitless principles and history of that noblest portion of juris-
prudence, land law.

It is no such difficult task to become what the world calls a
lawyer, but with hope to tread the higher paths of the profession,
easy effort, varnished knowledge, common mind muscle, need not ap-
ply. There are grades to which any may attain, but there are also
summits to which few can aspire. Education, industry, and per-
sistency may rightly demand and ensure success and even eminence
in the settlement of commercial collisions, or in the adjustment of
the thousand ordinary interests that constantly appeal to a lawyer's
guidance. The babbling charlatan may, equally with the profound
jurist, claim a fictitious standing as a criminal advocate; but such
will always stumble among the rugged paths of " land law " prac-
tice, where rests the settlement of the earth's ownership and where
true learning, combined with most grasping mental strength, can
only be at home.

On this broad field, years since, inviting and fast filling with ad-
venturous immigration, where existed land titles of every shade,
affected by conflicting legislation varying as the years, was gained
the rare traininj^ and reputation of theleujal athletes, an arena such
as was found in no other section of the State; and in addition to
these advantageous themes of practice, the professional necessities

394 mSTOKY OF riKE cointv.

of the Bar vastly aided its ineinhers in their inlvaiice to sell'-reliant
supremacy. The reasons tor this are novel, but conclusive.

Law in those j)asl-«»ft' days denjaiided of its votaries different
(juaiities t'rom now. It exacted tlie iii>tiMets of the smarter n>en, of
^eiiiu> and nerve and novelty. It was the intellectual over the ed-
ucated who chietly led tlie van. Of hooks there were few. Author-
ities and precedents slunihered rmt in the ^real handy lil»raries.
The entire resources «>f the Bounty Tract couKl hnrdly till out the
shelves of one t»rdinary lawyer's library to-d.iy. Hence alike,
whether en;^a;reil in counsel or in liti;;ati<iii, native resource, re-
nienilirance of past readin<;, but tnainly the readiness and aptitude
with which Icuul pr iiciples dr.iwn tVoiu ru<linie!ital rcatlm;; or
educed by intuition couM bt- applied t<» any interest or exi;^encein
" the infinite vanity of human concerns," were the armories whence
were «lrawn their welded weapons of assured success.

lie wn« a luckle>s lawyer who had tettle a
suddenly controverted point, or answer a bewildered client's (juery;
anil he wan a liccuoed champion, who, theorizin*; from bis iubtored
le^il lore, or instinctive acumen, knew on tlie instant where best to
pi»int his thrust and wa-eijually ready with every form of parry and
J, .''■•"-.. The offhand action iiud advice of such men, nerved by
U' V an<l skilloil bv contest, became of Course to be re^jarded

almost like leaves of law.

One can thus somewhat realize what keen, pliant, incisive' re-
source was attained l»y such careers, how inspirin;^ and attractive
Wen* their collisions, lu>w refined and subtle and sharpened their
ititellecls must have lH?c<ime.

It should not be.sU[»p.»seil tliat loosene>s, lack <if accuracy or Ic^al
formula, marketl the rulin^^sof the Bench «»r B.ir. There was friend-
ship and familiarity, it is true, becaust^" everylxKly knew everybody ;
the court-houses were shaniblin;;^reat log shantius, their furniture,
chairs ami desks, split-bottuir.ed and unplaned, would have set a
modern lawyer's *' -m ed;^e, but the Bench was alwavs filled

with «'haracter, kt. .. .„'e and di:;nity (in fact, the second Jinl^^e
who held Court in Pike county, Jidin Y<»rk Sawyer, weighed 386
]>ounds, and if that Bench was not full of judicial di;;nity where
will tlie proper amoutit of avtjirtJupyis be found ?), and forensic rulinj;
and requirement was governed by as much judicial precision and
professional deference as would mark the records of the most pre-
tentious tribunals in the land.

The Bar in those days was a sort of fa.nilv to itself. Tliere was
a mutual actjuaiutance. All traveled the Circuit, went to every
county on Court week, came fr«)m all tjmirters. Egypt and (ialena
had their represenUitives. Some went there because they had busi-
ness: some because they wanted to get business, and all that thej'
nii<rht learn.

In ("ourt, by practice and observation, was ac(^uired much of
knowledge that the ])aucity of books denied the student and young
practitioner. Out of Court their association was like that of a de-

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 395

bating society or law school. They iniiiglod in cuiiiin<.ii. ate, drank,
6nK)ked, j<->ked, disputed together. The Judge had at the tavern the
spare room, if such a room there was, and the lawyers bunked
cosily, dozens together, in the '•omnibus," as tlie big, many-bedded
room was called, and there they had it. "Whatever of law ]>oint
. ])ast, pending, or ])i-obable could be raised, they ''went for," dis-
cussed, dissected, worried, fought over it until, whether convinced
or not, all knew more than when they commenced; and thus, strug-
gling over these mude-up issues of debate, became sharpened, by
mutual attrition, the legal faculties that were ]»anting lor future
and more serious contests.

These lawyers were on exhibition, too, and the}' knew it. Every
man iu the county came to town Court week if he could. There
were Imt few people in the country then, and Court Aveek was the
natural periodical time for the farmers to meet, swap stories, make
trades, learn the news, hear the speeches and form their own opin-
ions as to which of these " tonguey fellers it is safest to give business
to or vote for for the Legislater."

A pretty good idea how universal was the gathering of necessity
at the county-seats in those primitive days may be gleaned from the
fact that often Sheriff, Capt. Ross and Deputy Sherifi"" Jimmy " Ross
liad to go on the jury to make up the number. They could not find
enough men in reach to sit as jurors. They had jolly old times,
those limbs of the law — ^jt'Hy, indeed. Most of them .were young.
All were instinct with the very cream of zeal, enterprise and origin-
ality that inheres to a new community, and among them jibe and
jest and fun and yarn and repartee and sell were tossed about like
meteoric showers.

An amusing incident is told in which figured an eminent surviv-
ing member of the Bar, of the Military Tract. lie, the Judge, and
the Prosecuting Attorney, traveling over the prairie, while lighting
their pipes, either thoughtlessly or accidentally set the grass on
fire. It spread, swept toward the timber, destroyed a settler's fences
and improvements, and some luckless wight was indicted for the
oflense. The lawyer above was engaged as counsel for the culprit.

The Prosecuting Attorney of course had his duty to perform to
the furtherance of the ends of justice; the Judge had the outraged
interests of law to protect under the solemnity of his position and
oath; but it required all the earnest efiort of the gifted counsel, all
the generous ruling of the Judge, all the blundering action of the
Prosecuting Attorney, the united sympathies, in fact, of this secretly
sinning legal trinity to prevent the jury from finding a verdicl
against the innocent accused. Countless are the racy legends of Illi-
nois life and law, unrecor<led and fast fading away as the memories
that hold them pass from existence, but time and sj>ace give now
Do warrant for their recital.

BAR OF THE PAST.

Of those attorneys who resided in the county at one time, or

39(5 HISTORY OF PIKK OOUNTl'.

practicotl horc, and are now either dejul, have (jiiit the ])rnctice or
inovcfl away, we will sj)oak Hr^t :

Gen. E. D. Bahr, whoee father was an A<liiiinil in tlio Kri«;libh
navy, anti whost? brother, Dr. Alfred ('. Hakrr, now residt's at Harry,
was an eminent lawyer, a line rhettirician and orator, a man of
great intellect, ami a leader in the halls of leijislation. After many
years' practice in Illinois he went to California, which State soon
sent hiiM to (/oni^ress as Senatt)r. hut he was finally slain hv treach-
ery at I'all's I'.liitr in \'ir;rinia.

Jlon. (>. II Browning^ of Quincy, tot> well known to (K'scribe
here, has practiced at this liar.

Col. D. 11. liusfi, of Pittstiehl, is the oldest man in tlu' county
who ha-s been a m»MnlMr '"f flir I'.ar at this Court Il<' \va> admit-
ted to practice in ISI !.

Hon. ./. -J/. Bu*/t. the present editor of the Democi'dt, luis prac-
ticeti l.iw here with commemlal)le succt'ss.

Nelieiniah liu^hnell, a partner o\' Mr. l»rownini;'s at (Quincy,
has also practiced law in the I'ike county Circuit C<»urt. lie was
an easy, (Hiiet and thorough lawyer, ainl \\ superior man in the U.
S. Court. He dird in IST'J.

Ah'it'd W. C'lralri/ was a smooth, |>retty talker. He moved to
Ottawa and died there a vear or two airo at a very a<lvancetl ivjc.

George W. Croir, of Harry, was a young num but not much <d'a
lawyer. He werit t<» Kansas. *

Ste/>I(tn A. !>ougUts practiced at tin- Pike county liar in lurly
days.

Ditniil JI. (iilnur was a young but able lawyer, thorough-going,
learned, careful and popidar. For a time ho was a partner of Archi-
bald William*, and was subsequently a C(donel in the army, suc-
ceeding C«il. Carlin : he was killed at Stone river. His daughter
Lizzie is now Postmistress at Pittsfield.

Jatkson Grimi*fnixo, younger brother <»f Hon, Wm. A. Grimsliaw,
was leader «d'the liar in his day. He resided at Pitt.-field fourteen
years, then went to Quincy, where he died in December, 1^75.

The following high eulogy was paid tt) the memory of Mr. (irim-
ehaw by Hon. I. N. Morris before the liar of Quificy, at the time
of his decease : " I rise to second the motion to place on the
records «»f this (^«Mirt the resolutions adoj»ted by the members of
the liar of Quincy, as a slight testimonial to the memory of Jack-
son (irimshaw. It is but little we can do, at l)efit, to keej> the
defacing march of time from obliterating every sensitive memory
of our departed frieiuls. but we can «lo something toward it and
le^ us do that little in this instance. Jackson Grimshaw deserves a
living place in our minds and in our hearts. Yet he was mortal.
He, like other men, had his faults and his virtues. His faults
belotiged to himself. His virtues! to all. When the melancholy
news came out froin his residence, at 11 o'clock yesterday, that he
was dead, its echo went over the city like the sound f»f a funeral
bell, and *• poor Grimshaw'' was the general wail amid the heart-

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 397

felt sorrow of all. Ilis genius was of no ordinary kind; his energy
was tireless, and lie was true to his profession, his client and his
honor. I challenge any man to say if he ever heard either
impeached, even by a suspicion. If there was any thing the
deceased hated more than any other, it was an illiberal, tricky,
unmanly, dishonorable act, inside or outside of the ])r(>fession, more
especially inside of it. He had no patience with anything low or
mean. These words grate on the ear, but I know of none more
api^ropriate or expressive. His impulses flowed from a pure and
nul)le inspiration, and were guided by a cultivated mind. I repeat
it with pride, Jackson Grimshaw was an honest man. He bowed
to no expediency, nor to sordid motive. He was easily excited,
and the blood would mount to his cheeks instantly at a wrong or
indignity, and he would rebuke it on the spot. All will concede
there was not a particle of deceit or hypocrisy al)out him. What
he was he was, and we all understood him. He did not ask a favctr
in a smiling, cunning, obsequious way, but he trod the world as a
man, and he looked with pity and disdain upon the servile who
crawl upon their belly. In short, I say from a long and intimate
acquaintance, notwithstanding his (piick resentment and hasty
words, he was superior in all the better qualities of the head and
heart, for he never meant or planned a wrong: never coollj' devised
an evil, or gave the least countenance to it in another. I do not
speak the languageofromaTice or eulogy, but the simple, unadorned
language of truth, and by that standard let him be judged. He
would not prostitute his profession to plunder the widow or the
orphan, or, in other words, he did not study or practice it merely
as a means of gain, but for the higher and nobler purpose of estab-
lishinir iustice amoiif; men, and not dei^radinj; the court-house
into a place of tricks, technicalities and legal legerdemain. His
sense of right was exalted, and he was not a spawn of nature, but
was cast in the best mold. I repeat it, he was in the broadest
sense of the term an lionest and honorable lawyer and man.

It is no disparagement to others to say that in- his profession he
was the peer of any of them. He Was a close student, but what
was better, he was a close thinker. The principles beai'ing on his
case shone through his mind as the face in the mirror, and they
were unfolded to the Court and the Jnrv in lauijuaore clear, forcible
and convincing. His plain law, his impressment of facts, hiseluci-
dation, his power of analysis, his clear, forcible language and
delivery, j^laced him justly in the front rank at the Bar.

Zachariah N. Garhutt was born in Wheatland, N. Y., about
the year 1813; graduated at the University of Vermont; studied
law in Washington city in the office of Matthew St. Clair Clark;
he directly emigrated to Jacksonville, 111., where he finished his
legal course; he catne to Pike county about the year 1839, returned
East for a year, and then came back to Pittstield, where he estab-
lished the Free Press in 1846, and from which pajier he retired in
1849; he also practiced law some, was Justice of the Peace and

3i)8

HISTORY OF PIKK roiNTV.

Mut^tiT in Chancery, lie whs a 8tron«^ aiitislaverv Wlii;^ and a
ItMupLTJiiife iulvtioute, aiul in tliu Moriii.»n war, as Mr. (4 riiiisliaw
gay.", ** llu earned laurels l)y pilini; up lti<; bweet jiettatueb lor the
troojjs of the anti-Murnions." Earnest and somewhat ori<i;iiuil in
his opinions, very independent in the expression of his thou:;ht6, he
M'HS an upright, jovial Mjan, and soinelhin;; of a ^e?uus. Finally,
while traveling lor a lirni in St. L>uis on conunercial husiness, lie
was attacked with varioloid in Memphis, Tenn,, where he died in
1855. In IMl he married Phimelia H. Scott, a native of New
York State, and wln) hii*. since married Mr. Purkitt, and still re-
side.> in I*itt^liel^l.

Alj'ftul Gntbh was first Sherilf, then a meml)er t>f the Le^isla
ture, then County Jud;^', and then admitt^-d to the Har, and prac-
ticed in the Courts, lie had considerahle lejjal knowledge, and
was wi'll versed in the rules of pnictice, but his natural al»ility was
Comparatively deficient.

Gun. John J. //iiniin, who had descended from a stock of
soldiers and lawyers, wiu a fine attorney. He used to practice con-
eideraltly at the Har in this ci»unty. and often slop here on his way
to Calh(»un and return. For a period he wai Stale's Attorney on
this ('ircuit. II«,' was killinl at the hatlle of Huena Vjsta.

Mdton Haijy formerly «»f the firm of I lay A: Haker, now ranks
iii^lj as a lawyer at Spr!' i. III., la-in:; a njemlajr of the firm of

Hay, (ireene A: Lilt'-- is accumulated a fortune. He luts

been a memb«>r of tl ' •nstitutional Convention and of the

State I.,<'^islature.

Mr. Jl'iritt prat'tu-ed here a while, and went to Iowa.

Ca<tt. Jmejth A'lfin, of Hurry, was admitted to the Har, but
never practiced in the Circuit; was a partner i»f J. L. L'nderwood
tin til lSt)9. He had conhidemble ability. He was once a steam-
boat captain, and came from St. Louis to this county.

Jitsl'ih L'ltnhorn, a laim' man, t»nce Attorney (ieneral of the
Stiite, resideti at .Jacksonville, and afterward at Springfield. He
had a great doil of talent, but was a corrupt man.

Abraham Lincoln practicetl at the Pike county Bar in early
days.

Sumttt'l 1). LorkiPood, who resided at .Jjicksonville, was a very
superior mati as a lawyer and as a gentleman. He was once Attorney
General of the State, Judge of the old Fifth Circuit, and was the
auth«»r of the original criminal code of Illinois. He resigried the
office on account of ill health, and went up to or near Aurora,
where he died a ^hort time a;jo. He was also <»ne of the oriirinal
trustees of the Asylum for the Hlin«l at Jacksonvilh-.

Gen. Jlaewfll, of Uushville, has ap|K'ared l»efore the Har in this
County. His favorite song wa'*, "The big black bull went roaring
down the mea«low." At one time he was a partner of Wm. A.
Minshall. and at another of Wm. A. Richardson.

Isipic N. Morris, of Quincy, but recently deceased, has practiced
law in Pike county.

HISTOliY OF I'lKK COUNTV. 3\)9

Murray (9' CcmncZ^, of Jucksoiivillc, practiced here considerably.
He was a rough-speaking man, but of great wit. During Buchan-
an's administration he was 5th Auditor of the Treasury. lie was
mui-dered at the a<i:e of seventy.

Ji'hn G. Pettlngill, School Su])erinteiident for a number of
years, was also a lawyer in this county, but is now living in Mis-
sou i-i.

iV. E. Quinhy, another Pike county lawyer, is now deceased.

James II. Ralston., formerly of Quincy, used to practice here
and was for a time Circuit Judge. He was finally killed and de-
voured by wolves in California.

Hon. Wm. A. Richardson^ State's Attorney for a long time, used
to practice here, but of late years he has visited the county more
in the role of a politician.

John Jay Ross, son of Capt. Leonard Ross, was a lawyer of Pike
county, but his practice was mostly confined to Atlas. He is now
dead.

David A. Smith, once of Jacksonville, practiced here a great
deal. He was a ]mrtner of Gen. Hardin at the time the latter died.

Thomas Stafford, a Barrj' lawyer, had not much ability. He
soon removed from Barry to j>arts not now remembered.

Mr. Stm^r practiced at Coles' Grove in very early day : he after-
ward went to Cincinnati.

John T. Stewart, of the firm of Stewart, Edwards & Brown,
Springfield, is a shrewd lawyer of the Scotch kind. He was the
first antagonist of Stephen A. Douglas in the Congressional race
that the latter made in 1S3S, and was beaten by eighty-odd votes.
The noted " Ijlack Prince" turned the election. This district then
extended to Galena and Chicago.

E. G. Tingle, Barrj-, whose father was a Judge in Maryland, was
a well-read lawyer, but he did not stay in Barry long.

lion. Lyman Trumhull, ex-U. S. Senator and now practicing
law in Chicago, has appeared as attorney in the Pike county Court,

Jani'^s Ward was a native of Ohio, and in this county was Jus-
tice of the Peace and Probate Judge. He died, leaving a family at
Griij^gsville and numerous relatives.

Calvin A. Warren, of Quincy, but now dead, has visited here
some as a lawyer, and was State's Attorney for a time.

Charles Warren, for a time partner of Milton Hay in Pittsfield,
was counsel of the c<»mmission appointed to ascertain the damages
incurred by the damming of Copperas creek.

Alpheus Wheeler, an eccentric preacher and lawyer, came from
old Virginia to Pike county at the close of the Black Hawk war,
residing for some time at Highland. In 183S and 1840 he was
elected to the Legislature of Illinois where he made his peculiar
speeches and encctuntered the wit and humor of another remarkable
man. l)ut of a more elevated type of manhood and education,
namely, Usher F. Linder, who died recently at Chicago. On one
occasion Mr. Wheeler addressed the Chair, saying, "Mr. Speaker, I

400 nisTOuv UK I'iKi: ( ointy.

liHve ft-ro6C — ** *• l>i>cs tlio i^eiitk'inuTi koiji atiowor ijarden?" iiitt-r-
ni|>ttMl the Sj»('aktr. Mr. W. juactii't'*! law in I'lttt^tii'ld and «»1).
taiiied ivmsitU'raMo l»Uhim'ss. lIi- took ^^n-at pridt^ in his oratorical
t'llorts and iiiadr some lofty tliglits in sju'I'i'Im'o t<t tlic jury. On oiio
occn6i(»n wlun D. M. Woodson, State's Attorney, sultniitted a eune
witliiMit argument for the |)nrj)oge of preventini; Wheeh'r from
sjieakin:,', the hitter replieti: " (ientk'iiu'n. I admire the State's At-
torney; he has shown the most snhlime i'hi(jnfnee, as t"ri>m sc»me
men it com>istg in mo^t profunnd silence." lie used to sa}' of
W<>od8«»n," His ehM|ueneo is like tlie tall thunder amon«rst the hdty
oaks, comin;; down for to split thitii^s." This remark at one time
exeiti'd some i*ne who had a ready ham! at a rouj;h pencil sketch to
draw a picture (da man's heat! with a hi<^ nose elevated in a tree-
top, U|M)n the west wall id' the e«>urt-room at l*ittstield, and it re-
mained there for many years, until the house was whitened up on
the inside. That lti;r no.>.e was a caricature of Wheeler's. In ac4ise
for killing a cow, when < >. II. Hr<iwnini; made s«»me j>oint6 tor the
ilefendant, .Mr. Wheeler replied: "The |>entleman tells you. •gentle-
men of the iurv, that the plaintiff, mv client, cannot recover in this
sjiit hecanse the cow warn't n<» cow Im-chum* she nevi-r had a calf,
hut that she war a heifer, (tenllemen, that are n«»t the iioti«ni of a
Bouml and legal lawyer but the n«»tion of a musharoon." This al-
mt>st convulsed the court-houso with laughter. Another (d»jection
of Hrowning's in this case was thus replied to hy Mr. Wheeler:
" (ii'ntletiH'n of the jury. Mr. I'rowning hays that our c<>w warn't
Worth a cent. Now, g»?ntlenien. where were there over a cow that
warn't worth acent? That c<iw were worth something for her meat,
if she warn't wi»rth nothiii'' for a milk cow. She war worth some-
thing for her hi»rns; she war worth something for her hide, if nut
for lier meat or milk; and gentlemen, she war worth something be-
cause the tail goes with the liide," The cause of Browning's j>oint
was, that Wheeler ha»I failed to prove by witnesses the worth of tlie
cow.

A suit hrougiit by AVhceler for one IIar)Mde against his brother
was for damage done to hogs by cutting tlie toenails off the hogs
So as to prevent them from climliing. Wheeler, in describing the
injury done to the hogs, insisted that the hogs luul a right to toe-
nails and a right to climb, and that, although they had done dam-
age, yet it was laid down. '* root hog or die.''

One Zumwalt was indicted for destroying a mill-dam of Dr.
Ilczekiah Dodge's. Wheeler in tliis ca.se aspailed the (diaractcr of
Dr. Dodi;(.', who was a respectable man and whom the jury did l)e-
lieve. Zumwalt wa^ convicted U|>on evidence that he had said
at his son-in-law's, on the night of the destruction of the dam of
Dotli^'e's, ".Iu>t now the musr<i(s are workinir on old Dodjre's dam."
Wheehr said of D.»dge on the trial, " Dr. Dodge are a njan so de-
void of truth that when he speaks tlie truth he are griped."

During another of the l.»fty tlights of our hero, a wag, John J.
Ross, a lawyer and a man who made and enjoyed a joke. Uughed

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 401

80 at one of Mr. Wheeler's speeches that he becatne excited, and,
turning upon Ross in a very contemptuous way, with a majestic
sweep oHiis lon<^ arm briuiglit down at Ross, said: •' I wish i had
a tater: I'd throw it down your throat." Wheeler did not close his
speech that evening, and the next morning early, when he was
again addressing the jur}' and Ross at the Bar table, by some hand
several large potatoes were put down in sight of Wheeler's eye.
lie fired up and let out a torrent of invective upon Ross, every one,
Judge and all, in a loud roar of laugliter.

In u tine frenzy at one time, Mr.W, parodied Shakspeare thus:

" Who steals my purse steals trash ;
Robs me of that which not enriches him but makes me poor, —

all to injure my client."

Wheeler went to Bates county. Mo., since which time he has
been lost sight of l)y people of this county. It is reported that he
is not now living.

James W. IF/^/^/i^y was denominated " Lord Coke " on account
of his knowledge of law. For a sketch of him see chapter on the
early settlemetit of this county.

Archih.ild Willl'rms, formerly of Quincy but later of Kansas and
U. S. Circuit Judge, has been an eminent practitioner at the Bar
of Pike.

Jo/m H. Williams,^ now of Quincy and a Circuit Judge, is a son
of Archibald AVilliams, a man of good sense, and has been an able
pleader at the Bar of Pike county. He is one of three Judges of
this Circuit, but seldom holds Court in Pike county.

David M. Woodson was a State's Attorney of the old 1st District,
which then included Pike county; afterward was Circuit Judge
for IS years, then was member of the Legislature. His partner in
the law was Charles D. Hodges, late Circuit Judge of Greene
county.

Gov. Richard Yates delivered his " maiden" speech as an at-
torney here in Pittsfield.

THE PRESENT BAR.

We have endeavored to mention the names and give what facts
we could learn of every attorney who has ever practiced in the
courts of Pike count}'. We will now speak of those who compose
the Bar at present. No name will intentionally be omitted. The
list we give was furnished by some of the leading attorneys of the
county, and we believe fnll and complete.

Hon. W;n. i?. ^rcA^^Ms a native of New York city, where lie
read law and was admitted to the Bar in 183S, and shortly after-
ward moved to this county, where he has ever since resided, ever
active to forward any movement for the progress and prosperity of
the county.

402

IIISTHRY OV PIKK fOUNIT.

ft. .)/. Atk'inmn was u'linitteil to the H:ir in I8«>S; \va» electe<l
County .lutl^o in 1S6.5 an<l served two terms.

Quitindu. /ir'>wn is i'ni;:ii;(>«l in the pruetioe of liiw at Milton.

A. G. i'rairfoi'il. — Mr. ('rawforcl is a native son of Pike; stuiiied
law at Pittstield, and ifraduiUed from the Cluca;^o hiw school. lie
received his non pnd'esgional e<hieation in the schools of this
county and at P.hieklmrn rniversity at Carlinville.

Jos<j>/{ L. Dobbin. — This t^entleman, who re.'^idcs at Pittsfiekl,
has het'ti tjnininsj a tV»ot-hoJd in this countv as an attornev of hi'^h
rank.

Kihriinl J)(>ucj, Ciri;r;:>ville, is a ji^radinite ot illin»ii8 Colle;4e at
.laeksoiivilie, ami was admitted lt> the liar in lf>74. Lie was horn
in (fri;;«^bville in ISal, and ]U) a lawy<'r lie now has a succtssful
practice.

iHiinrJ. />y<rr, Time, was reared in JaekrM»n\ ille; had hut limited
literary »'<lucatioii; rceeiveil his professional education at the hiw
schoid of Washington I'niversity at St. 1a»uis, and was admitted to
the Har in 1873. lie served in the late war and was disahled for
life by woiunis in the lefl arm.

Jame/i F. (irfithmme, f>f Pitt^tield, is a .son of one of the early
pioneers of Pike ct»uiity. lie was reared in Montezuma township
and has thus far continued to rt^side in the county. He served \\\&
countrv durinj; the trvin;f davs <»f tlie Uelxdlion.

l)th>» (r'rvjsby, son wf .Tud^- (trigshy, iuie recently hcen admitted
to the Par.

Hon. Wut. A. Grintsfiaw, the <ddest practicing attc»rney of the
county, ranks as one of the leading lawyers of the Slate; was ad-
mitteil to the Par in Philadelphia at the age of 19; in ls33 he aim e
to Pike county, since which time he luis l»een actively identified
with almost every puhlic interest of the county.

Samuel V. Ilayden is engaged in the practice (d' law at Milton.

Ilarnj Ili^jbce, Si»n of Judge llighee, an<l partner of Messrs.
Wike iV Matthews, attended Culumhia l^iw School, New York
ritv. Hiid tlio (^hicago Liiw Scho..!. .nnd wns udniittrd ti> the Par in

Geo. W. Jlinman is engageti in the practice of law at Perry.

JatntH S. Inriii was a college class-mate of the noted J<din C.
Preekinridge, who was once Vice President <d the United States and
afterward a leader in the Southern Confederacy. Mr. Irwin is one
of the leading lawyers of the State.

//t ///'// C. Johnston^ of Pittstield. Mr. Johnston has resided in
Pitt.-titld for some time, engaged in the practice of law.

J. W. Johnsin was admilie<l to t!ie Par in 1869, came to Pike
county the following year, taught scho«jl for two years and then
li»cated at Pittstield. He is at the present engaged in the practice
of law in company with J. S. Irwin.

W. I. KUin, who graduated at Ann Ail>)r. is practicing
law at Parry at the present time.

A. C. Lang is also practicing at Barry.

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 403

Hon. A. C. Matthews is a native of this count}', liis father being
one of the sturdy pioneers. lie served in the late war witli dis-
tinction as Colonel of the 99th, and subsequently was Collector of
Internal Hevenue for several years in the 9th District, then Super-
visor of Internal Revenue.

Jefferson Orr. J\[r. Orr is at present the State's Attorney. As
a lawyer and as a man of integrity and ability he ranks high.

Peter T. Staats, Griggsville. While engaged in the practice of
law Mr. Staats also teaches school occasionally.

J. Z, . Underwood, oi' Jiixrry^ WAS horn in New York city May
10, 1826, the son of Robert L. and Martha Underwood; emigrated
first to Adams county, and in 1837 to Pike county, settling at
Eldara; read law here and was admitted to the ]>ar in 1865, but
had been practicinsr law four years before that time. Although
living at Eldara his office for many 3'ears was at 13arry, to which
place he has more recently moved.

II 071. Scott Wike studied law at Harvard University, and was
admitted to the Bar in 1858: the following vear he located at
Pittslield and began the practice of his chosen profession. He is
one of the leading lawyers of the Circuit.

Thos. Worthington, jr., son of Dr. Thos. Worthington, was born
in Tennessee while his mother was there on a visit during the
holidays. But he is, strictly speaking, mi lUinoisan. lie read law
with Judge Atkinson and in the law school at Chicago, and was
admitted to the Bar in 1877. lie is now in the office with Judge
Atkinson at Pittsfield. '^-^'>

Ed. Yates, a partner of Jeff Orr, the State's Attorney, at Pitts-
field, ranks among the leading attorneys at this Bar, and unrivaled
in his ability to relate anecdotes.

IiI!i!J-;:'C'^::T^

TOWNSlIir IlISTOKIKS.

CH.VMUEIISIUMUJ TOWNSHIIV

This township lioi* in the extretno ijorthoastern part of tlio
county. It is houmltil upon the north by VtTi^Jiilh's tp., Hrown
CO., on the \ve«t l)y IVrry tp., on the south hy Flint. un<l on the east
by the lUinoii* river. Ah»n<j the river iii niueh l)ott<Mn hin»l, whole
Bections of which are entirely uselet^s for it^ricultunil purposes.
Both the north ami soutli forks of MeGeo's creek tnivcrhC this town-
ship: tliey join on section 27, iin«l empty into the Illinois river
al>out a mile al)ove Niipli's, which is on the opjHisile shore, in Scott
county.

The first pioneers who came to this township were James Wells,
Siimuel Atehijion, a Mr. lirewster siud a Mr. Van Woy. They
Clime in l&'iii. The tirst named loeate«l on seeti<»n 20, and Mr.
Atchison erected his cabin on section 17. The first sermon
preaclied in the t«>wnship was at the ho)isc of liachel lirown, in
1>^27, by Itev. John Me«lfonl, a Methodist i>reachcr. The first
chureli edifiee wjuh erected on section 31. Tlu' first school was
taught in ls:U) in an old lo;; house which stood Jicar where Joseph
lirtiwn lives, by John Lyster. The first Sunday-school in the town-
ship was or;.janize<l by the Methodists in the town of Chambersbur^.
The first weildiiii; in the town.-hip was in 1n2»», the contracting
parties bein;; Janu*s Metiforil ami Kliza lirown. The wedding
occurretl at the residence of the bride's mother, and the ceremony
was |)erfi»rmed by Ks(iuire Wells. The first jKjrson overtaken by
death in the t<»wnshij) was Michael Brown, who died in ls2C.
lie came to the t«^»wnship in the fall of the same year.

Joseph Brown is the oldest pioneer living in the townshij).
James Pool is the next oldest. Iiarvtv Dunn was an early settler
here. He was a mcml)er of the convention which framed the Con-
stitution of 1S47. He was an uujissuminjj, intelligent and honest
man, and died many years aj^o.

The privations of the pioneer families in this township were in
some r> - very ^reat, cut off as they were from almost all

social, n .i-...iis. educiitional and commercial advant;i«^.'s. Of cfMirse
tiiey enjoyed these in a limited degree. The first settlers were people
who valued greatly such privileges, and though they were for many

c_x^^^<^/^^^ ~y^/t^<^<^e>^^^i

'a^^

PERRY

UISTOKY OF PIKE COUNTY. 407

years without school-liouses and churches, easily found the facilities
for enjoviiii^ themselves, both socially and reliiijiously . The great-
est privations arose from the want of the moans of communication
with the outside world. The absence of railroads, or oven good
wagon roads, rendered the locality almost inaccessible to postal and
commercial facilities, and traveling for other than business pur-
poses was out of the question. Most of the original ])ioneers are
represented here by descendants, but they, with few exce})tions,
have passed to a country that is always new, where, however, the
trials of pioneer life are unknown.

The tirst settlers were all farmers, after a fashion now unknown.
They raised a little corn and a few vegetables, and, like their red
neighbors, depended largel}' u])on their rifle for subsistence. Their
houses were but little superior to those of the Indians, being
merely little cabins erected only with the help of the ax and per-
haps an auger. No locks, nails or any other article of iron entered
into their construction, but such devices as could be wrought out
on the ground by the use of the tools named and of such materials as
the locality afforded. The only boards used for any purpose were
such as could be hewed out of logs.

CHAMBEESBURG.

The town of Chambersburg is located on the north fork of Mc
Gee's creek, on section 8. It was surveyed and laid out May 7,
1833, by Seabourn Gilmore and B. B. Metz. Mcintosh and
Givens were the first settlers of the town. They owned a distillery
and store here before the town was laid out. There are several
good stores, churches, a school-house, shops, etc., in the town; and
for an inland village it transacts a very good trade,

PERSONAL SKETCHES,

James Barry is a native of Morgan county, O,, and was born in
1834; he is a son of Wilson and Rosanna Barry, the former a native
of Pennsylvania and the latter of Vermont; he was brought to this
county at the age of nin^j years; Feb. 1, 1855, he married Eleanor
E. Kurfniijin, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1S38. Everything
was in its native wiUlness when Mr. B. came to this county, and as
his father soon died, he began life for himself at an early age, work-
ing for $13 a month; he had many obstacles to overcome, but his
enterprising, persevering disposition overcame all of them. lie
prospered for a time here and removed to Rockport, with the
intention of going to Missouri the following spring, but the out-
break of the war prevented him. He bought land again in this
county, mot with disasters, but has again established himself, now
owning 190 acres of land. Mr. B. is a member of the U. Baj)ti8t
Church. P. O., Chambersburg.

Joah Brooks ; P. O., Chambersburg. Mr B. was born in Pike
county in 1832, and is a son of A. II. and Lucy Br(joks, natives of
Tennessee. In 1863 he married the widow Brooks, whose maiden

408

nrPTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.

name was Elizalteth IIiudc. She wat^ l>oni in 1833. Six children
have blessed this union. Mr. li. is on<;a<;ed in farniini; (»n see. 9,
but tbrnifrlv t'oljitwed lilarksniithini;. iMeniliers of M. K. Cliiirc}j.

Josepli Bi'ncii, farnu'r, sec. 17; 1*. O., Chainber.sbur«^; isa native
of the CJreen Mountain State, where he was born in ISKl; his
father, Michael Brown, is a native of Ireland, wiio came to this
country when IS years of ai^e: his mother, the d.ini^hter of Joseph
Greir, was born near I'liiladelphia, I'a. Mr. 15. came with his
parents t » Illinois in 1820 and located near Shawneetowii, 111., and
in the fall of 1824 was brou«j;ht to this county, and luis lived on tlio
same farm since tin* sprinj^ of lS2o, and has been en«fa<;ed in farm-
inir and ninninir llat and steam-b»>ats »»n the river. In lsr)S ho
married Mrs. Catharinr .lo!if.->, a native (»f Coshocton C-o., i). Three
ehii«lren have been born to Uieni, two of whom are dead. Mr.
lirown is an old pioneer, comin«j here when the wolves were thick
as sijuirn-Is ami couhl be heard in all directions, and turkey an<i
deer st-en in lar;^e numlKTs, He is the oldest j»ioneer now living
in the township. His wife is a meinlKT of the Methttdist Churdi.

Nnn<'y JifU'r^UDS, widow (d" the late Kobert(i. Iiurr<»ws, wjis
born in Kast Tenn. Dec. 18. I*^2.'», and is a <l»n^diter <d' William
Ueviney, deceased. She was married to Mr. I'urrows , I line 5,
1S50. They had 8 children, of wh«)m 3 are livin;;, — Ada K., wife
of David M. iieynolds,(»f Pike county; Klla F. an«i Launi A. Mrs.
IJ's brother, (!apt. I*.- Deviney, wh<» spent most of his life (»n the
Waiters, now resides in St. Louis, where she also has a si^ter resid-
ini^, and one sister iii California, whom she has n<)t seen for 21)
years. Mr. liurrowg, her husband, was born in New York city,
May 2, 1H11»; by prot'ession he was a civil en;jineer, but desirinj; a
more active life he went upon the waters; he was mate of the (.'al-
houn on the Illinois river fn»m the time she was launched until his
death, which occurred Jan. 13, 1879. Ho was a man of culture
and education, widely known and hi«;hly resj>ected, and a W(»rthy
member of the M. K. Churcli.

Jamt'jt W. Cittuoicetit was born in 1S47 in l*ike county, and is a
son of Win. and Sarah Chenoweth; he Hrst married Mary Ervin<f
in 1S74. One child waa lx»rn to ihern. Mrs C. died the same year,
and ill 1*^78 Mr. (•. marrieij Miss Ma;;j;i«' Krving, who was borrj in
1>.">7. Mr, C. c<immenced buying and sliippin^ stock ei<^ht years
a>^o, aJid in this business has succee<led very well.

Miles B, Chenciceth\ V. O, Chamberslmrp; was lK»rn in 1827 in
Barth«)lomew Co., Ind. His parents. Abraham and R-Jchel Cheno-
weth, were lK)th natives of Kentucky; they moved to (Clinton Co.,
Ind., in the tall of 1S32, and in 1S3*» to Pike county, III., where our
subject ijrew to manhood ami embarke<l in farminir; in 1848 he was
united in marriage to Miss Anna K. Allen, a native of Ma<lison Co.,
X. Y.. Itorn April 7. 1830, and they are the parents of 4 children.
Tney have been members of the Christian Church for 'i't year.-, and
in all public enterprises Mr. C is very liberal.

Jl. D. Cooper was l>orn in 1^12 in Sumner Co., Tenn., and was
the son of George and Elizibetli Cooper, the former of N. C, and

HISTOKY OK riKli COUNTY. 409

his motlier of Teiiii. With his parents our subject moved to Ky,,
and in 1S2!.> came to Illinois, and worked at the carpenter's trade in
Pittslield. In 1843 he married Miss Veturia Ilobbs, who was born
in Ky., in 1818. Mr. C. ^followed farming up to 1857, and tlien
embarked in the grocerv business: lie went West, and in 1860 came
back to Illinois, and again engaged in the grocery business until
1805, then embarked in the milling business, which he concinued
two years; farmed for a year; engaged in the milling business in
Versailles, 111., for about a year and a half; returned to the farm,
where he lived for 7 years; tlien sold out and bought the Chambers-
burg Mills, which he has been running since. In connection with
the tlouring-mill, which he has put in excellent repair, he has a
saw-mill.

J. H. Dennis^ Chambersburg, is one of the leading citizens of
the township, indeed of the county. Mr. D. has served nu\ny terms
as a member of the Board of Supervisors, and as Chairman of that
body.

Thomas /)o?'ma;i, farmer, sec. 4; P. O. Chambersburg. Mr. D.
is a son of Lewis and Eliza J. Uorman; born in 1851 in Brown Co.,
111.; his father is a native of Ohio and his mother a native ot Brown
Co.. 111., where Thttmas was i-aised until the-^ige of 15; he then en-
gaged in engineering, and for 3 years followed blacksmithing, at
Hersman Station, then went to Jaques' Mills, where he worked two
years. He was married to Miss x\merica Berry in 1872; she was
born in Ohio in 1850. Of the 3 children born to them one is dead.
Mr. and Mrs. D. are members of the Christian Church.

George U. Dunn was born in Morgan Co., 111., Feb. 28, 1838.
His parents, Il^rvey and Angeline Dunn, were born in N. Y. and
Mass., respectively. Mr. D. was brought to this county by his
arents in 1839, and up to the year 1850 lived in the town of Cham-
)ersburg, and then moved on a farm on sec. 5, where he lived until ,
the death of his father in Dec, 1869. He shortly afterward returned
to Chambersljurg and has since lived in retired life. In A])ril, 1864,
he married Miss Susan M. Dennis. Mr. D. is a brother of Dr.
Dunn, of Perry. lie is a member of the Blue Lodge, also the
Chapter of Knight Templars of the Masonic fraternity.

Thomas Grayham^ farmer sec. 17; P. O. Chambersburg. Mr. G.
was born in 1833 in Kentucky; at the age of 22 he came to this
county and followed carpentering and boat-building. His parents
were John and Susan Grayham. Our subject was married to Miss
Siretta J. Rushing, who was born in Nashville, Tenn. To them
have been born 10 children, 6 of whom are living. ]\Ir. G. has
been very successful as a farmer. Mrs. G. is a member of the
Methodist Church.

Joel Ham^ farmer, sec. 20; P. O. Chambersburg. In Rutherford
Co., Tenn., \\\ 1829, there was born to Jsimes and Mary Ham the
subject of this sketch; they moved to this county when their son
was one year old; here he grew to manhood, and May 9, 1850, was
married to IMiss Sarah A. Wells, who was born in this townshij)

i:.

410 llISToRV OK PIKK COUNTT.

April 29, 1^;V;. Jiviiic- A., ()i-uii, Sai-iili 11., Dennett I), and
Charlt's an? the naiue> of the cliildren horn to them. Mrs. II. died,
and Se|»t. s, 1S.">1), Mr. II. married Miss Alalvina Lee, wlio was horn
May 24, IS'M'i, at Orleaijs, Ind. Ten ehildreii have heen horn to
thiin, — Benj. F., Anixetiettia, Lucretia, I )avid L., Enoch, Walter S.,
ll;irvey, Anna K., Dullie I*., Frederick A. The lollowin:; of his
former chi Mr en are dead: tiames A., Orson and Cliarlie; and of
tho hitter, Benjamin, Lueretia and Dtdlie. Mr. II. he«ran life very
])oor, hnt now ywns 400 aere.-^ of hind. lie well rememlters ahont
the early settlers ponntlin^ corn with an iron wed^e in the top of a
stump hnrned out fc-r the purpose, and when it tot»k two days for
his father to go U» mill with the ^rist in a sack thrown over the
horse's hack. All tho snijar they used was from the maple trees
standiiii; in the forest. Mrs. II. is a memlKr of the ('hristian
Church.

JrtAii II. II till, farmer, sec. 20 ; P. O. Chamhersbur^ ; is the son
of Lewis and Julia A. II im, and was horn itj this cownty in 1S55 ;
his mother died in l)eceml)er. 1S7S. In 1S74 Mr. II. took unto
himself a wife in the person of Miss Alice (^miner : she was horn
in Pike county in 1S54 : only one of tho two children born to them
is living. Mrs. II. ig a member of the Christian Church.

Jam6» L. ILim, one of tho lar;^est farmers in this county, was
horn June lo, ISi2, iu this liiwn>hip ; his parents came here in
Is.'.o fnim Uutherford county, Tenn.; their names were James and
Mary (I{r«)iles) Ham, one a native of S. C. and the otiier of Tenn.,
and of (lerman descent, — h.ith very old families in those States,
and took part in the Revolu'iomiry war, their great-grandfather.
Gen. Williams, serving under Washington. James Ham, the
father of our subject, during his life-time wjis a very large and
successful farmer, owning ami working 1,500 acres of land in this
town^hi|) at the time of his death, which «>ccurred in ISCS. He
began life in 1830 with a team and 3.> centB. lie raised a large
family of eight children, seven of whom lived to be grown, — four
now living in this county and <»ne in Stark county. James L. was
married Sent. 25, 1.S53, to Julia A. Wells. <laughter of James
Wells, the oldest settler in this township. He had a famil}' of four
children, — John U., who is married and lives on sec. 20, Henry A.,
Marshall A. and Ueuben L. Mr. Ham lias served the township for
several years as Supervisor, and was(/hairman of that body : he is
now actiii:.' as Justice of the Peace. Ue has been a member of the
Christian Ciiurch for many years. He is also a member of the
Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities, and lias been prominently
Connected with the Pike County Agricultural Society, being Pres-
ident, Vice-President or Director for the last fifteen years, and is
now Vice-Presitlent.

Willinn ILiwk, farmer, sec. 4 ; P. O. Chambersburg ; was born
Aug. 3, ls42, and is a son of James and Rachel Hawk. He came
with his parents to limwn county. 111., when nine years of age, and
in 1S54 located in Pike county. Mr. U. served three years in Co.

HI6T0KY OK PIKE COUNTY, 411

G, 09tli 111. Vol. Inf.; WHS in the siege of Vicks-lMii-ir, then trans-
ferred to the Army of the Gulf; was in the battle of Fort Bhikely,
then returned to New Orleans, then to Me!n]>his, then to Mohile, —
was tliere when that place was captured, then to Shreveport and
Baton Ttonee. Tie returned home and engaged in farming.

ILnry llendr'icl^s^ farmer, see. IG ; P. O. Chambersbur^. Mr.
H. is a son of Tiiomas and Elizabeth Hendricks, the former a native
of Kentucky and tlie latter of Vermont. They were married in
Jennings county, ().. where in 183(5 the subjeet of this sketch wms
born ; in lS-i9 ]\Ir. II. came with his parents to Brown county. 111.,
where he livctl until he became of age and married Miss Klmina
Hume, who was born in 1837. To them have been born seven
children. Mr. II. luis held some township offices ever since lie
came to this county in 1861. Mrs. U. is a member of tiie Christian
Church.

D. J. Ilolhs, of tlie tirm ot Smith »& Ilobbs, was born in 1848
in Pike county. 111., and is the son of Ilenson and Jane Hobbs ;
hie father was born in Kentucky and his mother in tliis countv ;
in 1857 he moved with liis parents to Missouri, and returned to
Pike county in 1861. He 'worked two years in a woolen mill at
Perry, this county. In 1868 he married Miss Bettie Kwn Wilkins,
who was born in Ohio Dec. 22, 1848. Four children have been
born to them. !Mr. II. embarked in the wagon business in 1870,
turning out good wagons and buggies and meeting with fair suc-
cess. I3oth Mr. and Mrs. H. are members of the Christian Church.

Geo. T. Hume, merchant, Chambersburg, was born in Pike
county in 1855, and is a son of Thos. and Elmina Hume, father a
native of Pike county and mother of Brown county, Illinois. Mr.
H. grew to manhood in this immediate vicinity, receiving a liberal
education, and embarked in the mercantile business; he carries a
large stock of dry goods, hats, caps, boots, shoes, notions, etc., and
transacts a large business. He married ISIiss Vieniui McPherson
in 1877; she was born in DeWitt county, Illinois, in 1858.

W. A. Hume, merchant, Chambersburg, was born in 1837 in this
county, and is a son of W. A. and Margaret Hume, both natives of
Kentucky. They came to this State in 1828 (where both of them
died) when the subject of this sketch was bound out; in 1864 he
married Miss Caroline Pool, who was born in Pike county in 1846.
Two of the four children born to them are living. Mrs. II. died in
1873, and Mr. II. married again in 1874 Miss Mary Winegar. Miss
W. was born in this county in 1850. Of this union two children
have been born. Mr. II. has held the offices of Collector, Treasurer
and Town Clerk. He embarked in the dry-goods business in 1865
and met with good success. He owns a farm of 230 acres.

Joliii G. Irving was l)orn in 1852 in Pike county and is a son of
Christo]»her and Mary Irving, the former a native of Scotland and
the latter of England; they came to America and were married in
Massachusetts and emigrated to Tlliiu)is in earl}' days. In 1878
Mr. I. married Miss Ida M. ]N'ewton, who was born in Morgan

i\-2

HISTORY OF PIKK COUNTY,

C(»uiity, Illinttie, in 1859; they have one child. .Mr. I. lias hecn
eii«^a«;e<l in farming since he was of age. Mrs. I. is a nienihor of
tlif Cliristian ('hurcli.

A*. JT. Innnif, fariiu'r and t*toek dealer, was hi)rn Sept. 25, 1848,
in Pike Co., 111., and is the son of ('hristopher and ^lary Irving;
at the ago of 15 \i. M. eonunenccd doing hiisiness for himself, en-
gaging in fanning untl Hnally heconiing a stock-shipper. When he
uns tln-v Korrowed
$2<rt> and bought calves, and from the start kv\tX increasing their
numher until now he is shipping about 200 head a year. He and
his brother own a tine farm of 280 acres.

K. C. Jdcktion was barn in Indiana in i'^io; ne is liie sou oi'
Samuel arid Harriet (Twichell) Jackson, natives of New York
State. He is a farmer an«l owns 100 acres of land. He was edu-
cated in a seminary in Orlaiul Town, Irul. At the present time he
i.- running a '* lev eeing '' machine, throwing up embankments along
streams of water, so a» to make bottom lands tillable, it has proved
a success. This macliine will throw a cubic yard of dirt in a
minute, and the expense is only 5 cQuts per yard. It takes 12
horses and 3 men to do the work. Over loO acres of wheat was
raised in 187l> on lands that had U'en jionds of water before; the ma-
chine had been usetl for grading romis, \>ut Mr. Jackson has im-
proveil it till he can dt» all kinds of work with it. In IhTO, he
married the daughter <'»f Mr. Gardner, one of the early settlers of
this c< unity.

A. W. Jam€s^ farmer, sec. 32 ; was born in 1818, Uutherfor<l
county, Tenn., son of Casey and Martha James, natives of Vir-
ginia. In 1S3*< he marrie*! Matihla (Mardy, who was born in He<l-
lord county, Tenn., and died in S"pt., \^\\. March 11*, 1X48, he
married Elizabeth Sartain, who wa*» born in 1S27, in Tenn.. ami
they had fi children. Mr. J. came t> .Adams county in 1852, and
in ls62 to this count}', where lie ha* since resided. He has Iield
the offices (if Constable, School Director and K<»ad Commissioner.

John M. Kflitc';f was Ihtrn in this county in 1852, son of Samuel
and Annie E. Kelsey, the former b«»rn Nov. 18, 1S27, and the lat-
ter Aj>ril 2«;, 1834. In 1875 he married Matilda Smith, who was
born in this county in 1859, and they haii 3 children. Mr. K. is a
farmer and also foltl)Ws grain threshing with the Spence machine.
He is a member of the Christian Church. His father was in the
late war, belonging to Co. H., 99th Ilog. 111. Inft., and died at Mem-
phis. Tenn., while in service.

Andt'iw Kl- hilt in was l>orn in Germany in 1820, and is a son of
Peter and Martha Kleiidein. At the age of 33 he crossed the ocean
ami landed in Paltimore, Md., and followed butchering for 10
months, then worke<l in an engine liouse 2 years for the Great
Western R. R. Co., and in 1858 came to this county an<i com-
menced farming. In 1856 he married Miss Caroline Berceka, who
was born in 1833 in Hamburg and came across the ocean in 1855.
Of their 9 children 7 are living, 2 of whom are married. Mr. and

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 413

Mrs. K. liave been lueinbers of the Germiin Lutheran Church, and
lie owns 140 acres of good land.

John Lea]n\ son of Joseph and Anna M. Leahr, was born in
Germany in 1840. lie came to New York when but 15 years ohl,
thence to Pike county, whei'e he commenced farmiui^, and in 1807
lie married Miss Emma Smith, who was born in 1847, in ()iii(.>.
They had 7 children, of whom 5 are living. Mr. L. has been School
Director and is a member of the Christian Church.

Ddold E. Loer^ farmer, sec. 5 ; P. O., Chaml)ersburg; son of
Henry and ]\[atilda Loer; was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, in
1832. His father died in 1847 and his mother in 1879. He moved
to Indiana with his ])arents wiien quite young; in 1852 he married
Miss Sarah Leisur, who was born in Rush county, Ind., in 1833, and
died in 1867, in Grant county, Ind. They had 3 ciiildren, 2 of
whom are living. In 1868 he married Mrs. Maria Glassgow, a
widow having 3 children, and who was born in Ohio in 1836. Mr.
and Mrs. L. have 3 livino: children and are members of the Chris-
tian Church.

John Loer was born Aug. 22, 1814, in Colrain tp., Hamilton
Co., Ohio. His father, Thomas Loer, was a native of Virginia, and
son of Henry Loer, a native of Germany, who emigrated to Amer-
ica with his parents before the Revolutionary war, being then 8
years of aire. He served under Washington during the war, for
which he received a pension until his death. After the war he
married Sarah Barkus and settled in Virginia; thence they removed
to Ohio about 1795; he died in Hamilton in 1841. Thomas Loer,
the father of our subject, died in Henry county. Ind., in 1873, aged
^Q. John's mother, Sarah {nee Patterson ) was the daughter of
George Patterson, a native of Scotland, who came to America before
the Revolution, settling in Grant county, Ky., where he resided
until his death. John Loer married Martha Hickman in 1835, in
Ohio, and moved to this county in 1839, locating in this township.
He was a cooper by trade and Ijrought 5 coopers with him, intend-
ing to conduct tlip.t business here; he built a frame cooper shop 20
X 40, bought timber and opened up business, which he followed 2
years with success; then went into the pork speculation, buying
pork at $1.50 per cwt., or $5.00 per barrel, shipping to New Orleans,
some of which brought only 75 cents per barrel. Mr. L. lost
heavily by this venture, and returned to coopering, which he fol-
lowed with varying success until 1849. At one time during the
wild-cat-money period he took a cargo of barrels to Alton and was
obliged io sell them for 50 cents, when they had cost him 62^ cents
to have them made, besides the freight, which was 25 cents each. He
took Shawneetown money for pay and was advised to hurry home
and disjiose of it, as it was liable to become worthless any day.
Mrs. Loer died in 1847, leaving 5 children. In 1849 Mr. L. mar-
ried Mary, daughter of John and Hannah Hall Reese, of Ky , and
they had children, 2 living. In 1849 he invested in a saw-mill
on McGee's creek, which he carried on until 1862, then traded for a

414 HISTORY KF riKK OOUNTV.

farm on boc. Ifi and carric<i on tariiiiiii; until 1877; sokl the farm
in 1870 and houii^lit a tkdirini; will in lMianil)ersl)nrf; which he now
operates Mr. L. lias nerved as Supervisor tor several }'ears : also
as lioad Conunissioner, C'ollect<>r and School Director. The pres-
ent tine school huiidintij was huilt under the administration ot* Mr.
Loer while he waii Director. Mr. and Mrs. L. are nienihers of the
Chri.>tian CMiurch, and Mr. I., lu-lon^s to the Masonic fraternitv.

J* rank M<ir<itn is one of the leadin«^ ami enterprising citizens of
i*ike c(»untv. Rt-sidence, Chainhershnrg.

Mark M<'GinnU waa born in Kast Tennessee in l.s23. His
father, David, was a native of Tennessee, and his nH»ther, Sarah, a
native of \'ir:.;inia. When he was *J <jr 10 years <>f utre he moved
with his parents to Indiana, livin^r tlierc six years; then came to
Morgan county, 111 , and then to Pike in 1844 and located at
ChamU'rsluirg. lie followed coojM'ring 10 years, and in IS42
married Mary iiushtield, wlm was horn in 1828 in Kentucky.
They had 7 children, otdv one <if whom is living, Thomas 1>. Mr.
Mc(t. is now farming and has C4>nsiilerahle property. Mr. and Mrs.
Mi(f. are memhers of the (Miristian Church.

llent'xj Metz was horn in this cnunty in lS4li; his father, I'enj.
H., was horn in Maryland in 1 **•'»;. utni his m<»ther, .lane Met/., was
h«>rn in Ohio in 1S12. In 1*^71 Henry married Alvini Morrisoti,
who was horn in this county in ls[)5; <tf their 4 chihiren 3 are
living. Mr. M. is a IJirmer. his land lying a<lj<»ining the town <»f
Chamlicr.-luirg. Mr. M. ^erved 4 years in the late war, lirsi in ('o.
L., then transferrt«d to (3o. I, lOtlj III. Cav.; wa* mustered out in
!>• r» at San Antonio, Texas. In 18<{4 he was taken prisoner by
Josepli Shelhy; was hehl t'<>r 14 days and then j>aroled, atid was ex-
changed in tl months. Mrs. M. is w Metho<list.

James L. Metz, son of Henj. B. Met/, was Inirn in this county
Jan. 27, IS.'U. 1 1 is father nu»ve«i from Marvhuul to Virginia,
where he married .Miss Jane Lawsou. They cjiine to Pike county
in 1S33, anil hecjimc one of the tirst and mosf influential settlers of
ChamlHTshurg township. He died April 0, ls7<>. James L. married
Emily M(»rris. daughter of John and Family Morris, of Pikecounty.

Dr. John W. Murphy, son of John, a native of V'^erinont, and of
Nancy, a native of (Jhit), was l)orn in Highland county, ()., in 1S44.
His father died .Ian. 10, 1845, in (>lii< ; in 1S.')0 his mother removed
to Indiana and then hack to Ohio. During the late war he enlisted
in Co. H. :'J*th (). V. I.; was in the liattle of Corinth, was in the
siege of Vickshurg, then at Chattanooga anliington, and was
mustered out at Louisville, Ky.; tiien came home and learned the
cooper's trade and milling business. The Doctor came to Pike
county in 18<»0; commenced the study of medicine in 1871. and
attended the American Collegeat St. Loui.s, Mo.; in 1874 he located
in Chamhershurg and commenced the practice of medicine; in
1877-'8 attended medical college and returned home, continuing
his profeesion. In 187fJ he married Annie Ix)ckerbie Thompson,

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 415

who was horn in 1S51 in Cincinnati. ()., and wlio was a teacher.
She is a member of the M. E. Church.

Augustus Myers was born in 1819 in Baden, Germany. His
parents were Andone and Catlicrine Myers, both natives of Ger-
many. He emii^rated to America in 1846, worked in Cincinnati
8 vears by the montli, then in this county to 1858, wlien lie married
Louise Carterman, who was born in 1829, in Lippe Detmold, Ger-
many, wlio came to tliis country in 1857. Of their 8 chihiren 7
are liviiiir. Mr. M. has been very successful in t'armin*^, now liav-
in<x 300 acres of nice land, sec, 19. He and his wife are meinl)er8
of tiie Lutheran Church at Perry. P. O., Chambersburg.

Thomas J. Smithy of the firm of Smith & Ilobbs, wagon and
carriage manufacturers, was born in 1835 in Clarke county. Lid.,
a son of Nicholas W. and Susan E. Smith, the former b rn in
Kentucky, the latter in Vermont. Li 1852 he married Margaret
T. Montgomery, who was born in 1837, also in Clarke county, Ind.
Of their 10 children only 5 are living. Mr. S. studied and practised
medicine 4 3'ears in Luliana, and since 1871 he has practiced med-
icine and been connected with the carriage manufactory at Chriin-
bersburg. From 1863 to 1863" he served in Co. I, 40th Lid. Vet.
Vol. Lit'.; fought in the battles of Pulaski, Columbia, Spring Hill,
Fi-anklin, Tenn. (where he was wounded), Kasliville, and in the
whole campaign after Gen. Hood. Mr. and Mrs. S. are Methodists,
and he is an Odd Fellow.

Valentine Smith was born in 1819 in Baden, Germany, near
the river Rhine; his parents, Vincent and Mary, were also natives
of Baden. He crossed the sea in a sail vessel, landinir at New
Orleans: then went to Cincinnati, and in 1855 he came to this
county, where he has lived ever since, a prosperous farmer, owning
373 acres of good bluff land. In 1848 Mr. S. married Martha
Thrasher, who was born in 1830 in Hamilton county, Ohio, and of
their twelve children nine are living. Mr. and Mrs. S. are mem-
bers of the Christian Church, reside on sec. 30, and their postoffice
is Chambersburo:.

George L. Thompson^ blacksmith, Chambersburg, was born in
Woodford county. Ky.. son of William and Elizabeth Thompsi>n,
the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Scotland; in
1833 he emigrated to Indianapolis with his grand-parents, and the
next year with his parents, to Perry township, in this county; in
the spring of 1835 he left his parents, returning to Indianapolis,
where he learned his trade; in the fall of 1855 he settled at
Chambersburg, where he has since followed his trade. In 1845 he
married Hannah S. O'Harrow, who was born June 20, 1829, in
Hamilton county, Ohio, and they have had six children. Being an
early comer to this wild West, Mr. T. has often seen large
packs of wolves and killed many a deer. One day when well
on his way home with a deer on horseback, the wolves attacked
him, and he was compelled to abandon his booty and seek safety.
The wolves devoured the deer with chara, teristic greed. Mr.

410

HIdTORY OK IMKK 0'»LMT.

Tlioinpson used to go to the town of Perry to Imy such thiuj^s as
were kept tor sale in an <>lil lo<;liiit 12 t'eot tijimre, kept l)y Joseph
Kin;^. who was an oM l»aehejttr. ;in(l e<>oke(i, ate and sold ^^oods in
the same room. His wife is a Methodist.

yninkUn Todd wni horn in 1825 in Hoiirbon conuty, Ky.; his
father, John P., was horn in \'ennont, and Ids niotlier, Mary, in
PennMlvaida; his father died in lS27,aiid in 1S32 he aceoinpaiued
Ids mother to their new home in ( "liamht-rshur:;, wIumi there were
but two cabins there, occupie<l by Jaiues and .I«)hn Kike, hi 1843
Mr. Todd married Lucretia Draper, wiio was b<»rn in Seott county,
111., in 1Hl'5, the «laui;hter of Samufj and lliddah Draper, her
fathrr a native of Miissacliusi'tts, and her motlier, of Oluo. Mr.
and Mrs. T. have had II children, 7 of wlniU) ar«' living. From
1840 to 1855 Mr. T. followed cooperinj^ in ('haml>ersbnrt;, part of
the time when there were |(> eot»pers at work. Sinee that time he
has been a sueeesstul farmer. an«l iu»w owns 1(>0 acres of iand.
Twelve years a«;o he was $4,'>'»<> in debt, but has now j)aid it all. He
has been Schoul Director and Koad ('ommisBioner. lie amd his
wife are members of the Christian (/hurch,and are |)ublic-6pirited,
wttrthy citizi'jjs.

liohert Told was born in Bourbon county, Ky., in 18I1>, sou of
.lohn and .Mary Totld, natives of Maryla»id and S<M»th C'arolina,
respectively. His father died in 1 828, and in ls32 he came with
his mother to this county. In 184:{ he married Margaret Kdwards.
who was l>orn in 1>24 in Greenup county, Ky.; they have had 3
chiUlrrn. Mr. T. now owns 120 acres of good land on sec. 5,
besides « ther valuable property; he has been Constable, Tax Col-
lector, School Trustee and Director, and was in the Mormon war.
In his early day here Indian trails were sometimes his only guide
in traveling over the country, and for two years St. Louis was his
trailing post. P. ()., ChamlK'rsburg.

Eli J). Tucker wa.s born in 1857 at Stitton. Worceftler C<j., Mjiss.,
son of K!)enezer ancl Elizabeth T., the ft»rmer a native «d' Uiiode
Islaml, and the latter of Massachusetts; both his j)arent6 dying
while he was very y«»ung, he was biuind out at the age of 7, but
at the age of fourteen, being maltreated, he ran otf to West Warren,
Mass., where he w<»rke(l at $10 a month on a farm; cornmt'ncing
in 1^71, he Worked two years in a rubber manufactory; in ls74 he
came to Illinois, worked on a farm and repairing telegraph wires
on the O, & M. U. R.; in 1877 he became an employee at the
Perry Mineral Sprin.:-; Nov. s. 1878, he began to learn the black-
smith's traile under Frank Marden, of this place, and is doing well.

James T. Varner was l»orn in 1830 in Morgan count}', III., son
of John and Sarah (Wood) Varner, natives of Kentucky, and of
(Terman ancestry. He came to this county in 184'.» and now owns
1*0 acres on sec. G, ami is a farmer ami cooper. In 1850 he mar-
rieti Xancy Hanks, and they have one son and three daugiiters
living. Mr. V. has been Ii<jad Commissioner and is a Democrat
P. ()., Chambersburg.

HISTORY OK PIKE COUNTY. 417

W771. W. Wijiegar WAS horn in this place (Chambersburg) in
1844, son of John and Freeh)ve ^Vine<^^aI•, his father a native of
Massacliusetts and his mother of Ohio; he served three years in
the army, in Co. F, 90th 111. Inf., beinor in the siege of Vicksburg,
etc.; transferred to the Army of the Gulf; was wounded at Fort
Gibson. In 1866 he married Mary E. ]>reden, and they had one
child, which died in infancy; Mrs. \V. died in 1867, and in 1874
Mr. W. married Clarinda Jones, who was born in Brown county,
111., in 1851, and they have had one son. Since 1865 Mr. Winegar
has followed blacksmithing, with fair success.. He and his wife
are meml)ers of the Christian Church.

Br. Henri/ 12. ' Walling was born March 28, 1836, in Orange
county, Ind., son of James and Catherine Walling, the former a
native of Tennessee, and the latter of Orange county, Ind. In 1S52
the sul)ject of this sketch came with his parents to Coles county,
111,, and in February, 1854, they moved to this county. Sept. 12,
1863, Henry R. was married by T. M. Hess, at Homer 111., to Miss
S. S. Gaston, who was born x\ug. 18, 1840, in Lawrence county,
111. Her migrations were: at the age of three months she was
taken to Cinncinnati, in 1850 to Paducah, in 1861 to Douglas
county, 111., and in 1863 to Homer, Campaign Co., 111. After
their marriage Mr. and Mrs. W. tirst settled at Areola, Douglas Co.,
where he fallowed preaching for a while; p3ut he took to the
study of medicine, which he pursued with zeal while working his
way at manual labor; in 1866 he attended medical college in Ohio,
and then went to Mt. Vernon, 111., where he clerked in a drug
store; he then went to Bridgeport, where he had a driving practice;
but health failiu'j:, he went to vEtna, 111., where also he had a large
practice, and in 1870 he settled at Perry in this county, where he
again preached the gospel as well as practiced medicine. He now
lias a nice piece of property in Perry.

In 1877 he moved to Louisiana, Mo., where he again followed
preaching (for the Christian denomination), and the next year back
to this place(Chambersburg), where, Sept. 2, he opened an office and
commenced business; he also has a drug store. His wife is an
intellectual woman and a good painter of pictures. In this family
there have been born 5 children, only 2 of whom are living. The
Doctor is a Republican.

FLINT TOWNSHIP.

This is the smallest township in the county and was the first one
settled, [n 1817 a Canadian Frenchman by the name of Teboe,
located on section 33 in this township. He was the tirst resident
of Pike county, as mentioned in the first chapter in this book.
Mr. Teboe's residence, which was on the banks of the Illinois river,
was the favorite resort of hunters and trappers. He was killed at
Milton in the year 1844. Garrett Van Deusen was the ne.xt settler.
He opened a ferry across the Illinois, which is still carried on at
Valle}' City, near Griggsville Landing, and is known as Phillips'

418 BT*T> KT or rrrr rcrvrr.

Kernr. Vlr. Vikn Deuim foic to Mr.

jr - "«at work. A

tiki cUA^o* u. ervek. it

p«rpo»e of in.. -.?^w.Trw, _^,

be«ii|^ no ko«.^ .A erv <>n

■poo a kx ia the LA :»u(» prewnt at t ^

i .; :. .•T^'ii. •* A.iii-^ v». AIM I ' . r .

•••

T
•lit

tK-

to 6r«i tbe recurdtc

ir. Tb«

first
Wm.
. «bo

k Tari»

il gCi

ood

are

forwtmttoa wanl or tc

tr >r tbe cr

cl -•« aad n .

■Mtion oa ti- S. A.

•kov«d •• a rerr noe and rarr cullcccioo • had

obta' r MaBT 4mv of bard labor oo xhm :^.iiZ» tiui ;u ll€ rocks

of r ....: .-VBahir

Tbe tovB*liip .- ' thrrc tebool dutricta, and eoetaina

tkree fcbool-kooMa. kauw aa Middle and Stath Hint.

To a ttmj reteata at fir>t fti^rht, aa be

apficoaebca ft».-iii .l.^ ^r^>i, • f u^^g^j mmI deaoUte appearance ; and
aw voaM fur ^ v tose rhxt aa iFcoraBt aad ratber icdolect daat of
people !Ar from beine the < . We were

•lusbcd as tii- . rice ar ^*ble-

u c^;..gr.Tia. AltiMM^ tut sortaee of r uLt tuanrti.p ^ r»«|^
and broken, it ia « f^r.*- loealitr lor ^ervwini^ and fce di ag atock.

fltMt Jfa^mm- m^ — la tbe cootb-eaatera portioa of Flint

tovn«bip. oa tbe !atad. or ratber rock, of Wm. Rejooida, tbere ia a
bviair •pringr of wagaeaia water floviag trom a crerice in tbe rock,
aad e«T ''-^ -nto tbe B-:? ^Tr... .--r-^, Tf «oold r^qaire a Tolame
a^^^rr- stodeacr idera <^ aatare foaod in

F waabip.

SBTomr or ncE o^rrrr. 419

TALLMT cnr.

Thu little viB^e, mmd the oalj o«e ib FSmt wva^xpi. wm
londed aft Pkilfipi' fenj br Waliaee Packer is t^ j«v 1877.
The pfirtofify at Gmg^riUe LaadiK, c«e-kalf aule '
knovB ac Fliat, was t^n d M C pa t iM ed i
dwBevtaviutaldBirtfeBaaeofTalleTCitT. Tbe
oac rtore and poatoficc.

VaOsy Ciif Chnatimm T : . — "

ettaMirfied ia ti^ quria^ of

. - ~ -♦..-rT »• ik;

&r beea T€«y ifitnimfal. I --r^- - - - •: ^:t,

bj the aid of tiie citiseas ot' i^ . j ^>

feet io e' h 1^-iool etorj. at a

eoft of ^ The groa^ ■(

k ralae. O,

Mln. £ri^tt, laaiber deakr, Vallej Citr, was boca m tais eamatf
Oct. 13, 1S47. Hk €ither, Get>. Wj vai»'a ftnKr, aaatiweef Wetf
TeaaesBee. and vas a soldier hi the Mexieaa war. He va& ««e of
the iist pioaeets of Pike eomtj, and died m 1S»a. Ib 13^ ITB-
liaB named Hawniah Ikark, who dksd m 1S49, tmd Mr. B. ag^am
married in 1S71. thk tiaae BeOe Grfffin. aad th^ had 8 chiidbca,
Williaai^deeeMed, and MaP^l 1 ^.Ir. R is pvofinetfir of theow-
mill at GtigwsriDe Laadia^. iortnerij ovaed Jb^ L S. Fiff aiiiia,, and
is doini^ a isood baaaesK.

Leei JSwOer, hrmer, «c. 17; P. O. TalleT City; aae hora ia
Geaesee Gx. X. T.. Oet. 4, IS^l ; he eaaae ari^ hi^'paicais in 1S33
to this oD«ntT, wheie he ^iH readee. OeL 14:. I ^ T S. he ^atiiad
Looisa Wilfioa,aadoftharlOchiMiea9ar^ " arcia. Jainr|A,

John, Baiid, EOea. Esm. Loniae, Aml .-r't. Farnm

married Biabeth Walker, aad resides ia t

&99rfg CmmU, fmmer aad stoc^-iaiaav ^ec^ ^'- P- O.. TaZkr
Citj: vas bora Jane 35, 15*3. in Mocgaa Co, O.; hie^
Y^ % solder ia the var of ISli; his &:&av Xoeefih. a
a unlive o€ P e aatyh aaaa, aad died Jaa. IS. 1867.
Coa^able or Depatr Sbaiff li Tear& Marc^ 37, 1^^ he
ried Provideaee Wdk in Mt«su<^ O^ vh» » ban
sej C : . O^ Maich 19, 1^^; the^ ha^ ^xee childrea— J^iha J^
yiz.2T J. aad Sarah E.; the tvo ibmer are r-^— "^'

^<mU CmrM, feraaer, eec 39: P. 0> V. «^ bora ia

Mofgaa. aov iXoUe, Co., 0_ Apfu ±»?, 1 - r -^s:-^^^ C4r-

rdl, of Ais tDvaihip; he aa» ^ . -«r thit OAaatf

when bat 3 jeazs old; has parsat- '-^t

p^c^: 9 Tears has beca £u«iB^ 'rf?

Baitiect. dj^rhter of X. Bartk^
are TVUbar, Boben aad aa inf

boral[aR^4^1$3S,inTir^iab ._

vbo vas a flol£er in theaarof 1^ .- .

4-_*<>

IIISTOKV "K riKK roTNTY.

iintil liis (loath in 1853. James L. came to this county in 1857,
wliere he has giiice been fanning'. At lirst lie worked l»v the nu»nth
\intil he hiitl by enough tt» be;xin for himself. Nov. 14. 1n5S, he
marriitl Lotiisa llensell, (lani;hter of tlie late Daniel llensell, of
Gri^'^sville, and they have had 8 chiMren, of whom 5 are living —
Mary, Laura, Kddie, Albert and Frankie.

Ji'lm Clark, farmer, jiie. 7; son of the late John Clark, of
Grigg^iville; was born in Hamilton Co., ()., Sept. 14, 1830; was
bn>ught by his parents to Ogle Co., 111., in 1835; was reared on a
farm, ami came to this county in 1857. June 8, 1S52, he nnirried
S. Jain'tt Pn'Tijer, dau;rht»'r of .'^amuel Hrrjjer, of P«)lo, III., and <»f
their •! clMl.iri n .''. uic Iiviii<r llrnry, Julia E.. I.ibbi*'. Jennie and
Fri'd A.

liachel Conover wai? born in Northam)tton Co., Penn., Nov. 7,
18<)7; married, in N«w Jrr>ry, Abraham Conovcr, and had 2 chihlrt'ii
— Catht'rint', nt»w Mrs. Wallace I'arker, of N'alley Cit}', and Kaohi'l,
deceased. Mr. Conover tliod Aug. 1,1827. Mrs. C. kept h<»ust' for a
Mr. and Mrs. Moore in Pennsylvania; the former came tc> Pike
county and erecti'd a house «>n the prest-nt site of (iriggsvilic, which
is still standing; hf then rt'turned to Pennsylvania, where he died
in ls35, Mrs. Moore having previously dietl. In \f*>Z(i Mrs. C.
came with the MiKiro family and her own children, and occupied
the house that Mr. Moore had j»reviously built. She now resides
with her daiii^hter, Mrs. i'arker.

WiUi'iin Glenn, sr., 8«»c. 2'.»; P. ()., Valley City; born in .March,
1800, in Ireland; in 1830 he lande<l in Philadelphia; he remained
in Pennsylvania 5 years; is a mason by trade; came to Pike county
and entered the ian<l whereon he now resi<les in ls35; then went t<»
St. L«>nis, Mo., where he fidlowed his trade f»»r five years, and then
moved back to this county; ha« l>een a prominent farmer and stock-
raiser, b»it U'ingold, has turned the business over to his son Wil-
liam. In 1835 he marrie<i Maria Topping, and of their r» children
5 are living, — James, Thomas, Williaim, Catharine and Maria.
Their son Robert was killetl in the late war during Gen. Forest's
raid through Tiimessee.

Elizabeth Hmtlxind, S(H?. 30 ; P. O., Valley City; was born in
Co.'«hoctttn Co., O., May 1, 1834, the daiighter of George McCJune,
deceased, also a native ot Coshocton Co., ()., who was the first white
child born in that county. He removed with his family to St.
I.,oui8 Co.. Mo., in 1S35, where he resided until the fall of 1864,
wlien he came to Pike county, and die<l Dec. 18 of the same year.
He was Sheritf in St. Louis county, Missouri, County Treasurer,
Tax Collector and held other offices of trust. Mrs. Husband's
grandfather, Joseph Fuller, was a soldier under Gen. Washington.
She was married Aug. 20, 1850, to Edward Moisnier. in Rock Hill,
Mo., and had 3 children, — llenrv E., born (Jet, 6, 1853; Ida L.,
Oct. 25, 1860; and James, Feb, 19, 1862. Mr. M. died Feb. 19,
1863; in 1865 she married Jonathan Husband, who was born iu
Yorkshire, Eng., Sept. 21, 1803, and emigrated to America in
1825- J.edicd Nov. 28 1«T0

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 421

Eohcrt JIt(sh((n(I, farmer, sec. 20; was born April 11, 1842, in
this tp., the son of Jonathan llnshand, deceased, an early ])i()neer
of this county, who in conij)any with Mr. Wade and Win. Tnrnbull
owned the same coit'ee-miU. Marcli 15, 1871, Robert married
Esely Grable, and of their 3 children 2 are living, — Nellie and
Eddie ]\[r. II. was a prosi)erous farmer, but worked 2 vears in a
saw-mill in Wisconsin. .

Sylvester McKee, farmer and stock-raiser, sec. 19; P. 0.,Griggs-
ville. This man was born in Noble county, O., Feb, 22, 1850, and
is the only soil of Ezra, who now resides with him. The family
emigrated in 1864 to this county, where he still resides. Oct. 20,
1869, he married Sarah A., daughter of Wm. Orr, of Derry tp.
Of their 4 children 3 are living, — Addie C, llosie E. and Alraa.
Little Wilbert W. died Oct. 26, 1879. Sylvester's mother's
maiden name was Elizabeth Mummy, and she died Jan. 17, 1870.

Wallace Parker was born in Clinton county, N. Y., Feb. 17,
1825, and is the son of James Parker, of Griggsville; came with
his jmrents to Pike county in 1844, where he followed farming
until 21 years of age, when he became a merchant in Valley City;
has been very successful except in some grain speculation in
Chicago and St. Louis. At present he carries a stock of about $3,000
worth. In Feb., 1849, he married Catharine Conover, and of their
7 children only 4 are living, Rachel C, Hardin W., James II. and
Helen F. Mr. P. is also Express Agent, Postmaster and Justice
of the Peace, at Valley City. He has given his son James H. an
interest in the store. He also has a fine collection of Indian relics,
as battle-axes, arrowheads, pipes, frying-pans, a copper needle, the-
burnt jaw-bone of an Indian and numerous other curiosities. Some
of these he has picked up and others he has obtained by opening
Indian graves.

David Pyle, farmer, sec. 18; P. O. Griggsville. This gentle-
man was born in Harrodsburg, Ky., Feb. 4, 1817; his parents,
Ralph and Rachel Pyle, deceased, emigrated with him to New
Orleans in 1818. where he was reared and educated. In 1834 he
came with his mother to Phillips' Ferry on a visit; went to Phila-
deli)hia, Pa., then to Cincinnati, O., and then back to this county
in the fall of 1835; the next spring he bought a farm on sec. 19,
where he lived for 21 years, and which he then sold, removing to
Morgan county. 111.; in 1862 he returned to this township, pur-
chasing a farm on sec. 18, where he still resides. He was married
Aug. 2, 1838, to Martha A. Willsey, and they have had 11 chil-
dren, all living; namely, Ralph W., Joseph IL, Christopher W.,
Rachel E., Isaac N., Martha A., Carrie, David W., Morgan L.,
James C. and Emma L. All but three of these are married, and
liviiif; in this countv.

E. M. Roherts, farmer, sec. 28, was born in London, Eng., June
23, 1828; in 1836 the family emigrated to America, settliiii; in
Pike county. Feb. 19, 1867, he married Susan W. Kcm))ton, while
visiting friends in Fairhaven, Mass. They have had 5 children, of
whom 4 are living: Sarah M., E^pti M. T.ov.i.= F. ?.i;d George B

422 HISTORY OK I'lKK UOLM\.

Mr. Iiol>ert8 is a cuiiein to the popular RobertB lirotliers, puMish-
ers, W}isliiii«rt«i!j street, Hoston, Mass.

JoHtph A. liuhii is «>t" Freiifh aiieestry. During the Cutholio
persL'ciitiuu of the Prutostjiuts in Fniiiee two ol" the liuluii Jlroth-
erri, l)eiii<^ Protestants, were arresteil antl }>hiced under a guard in
a private houi*e up stairs. Tliey knew it would 1m« certain death
if they were brought to trial; jjcnce they att<'inj>te<l to hrihe the
puanlsinen to let them eRca|>e, hut in vjiin. They then askt'd the
guarilri simply to remain just outsiile tiie room and they would take
care of the rest; the guards then received the offered tees, stupjied
out of the n».in and ginirded the tloor. The Kulons then made a
roj>e of the hed-dotlu's, hy which tlu'y mad<Mhcir escaj>e thrt)Ugli
the window; and in the night found their way to the wharf where
thev lK»anie<l a hri;; Ixnunl lor America. S<iine time after landinjr
in Anjericji one of these men married, and his descendants are scat-
tered throughout the c«»untry. One of these, .leshc. was a S(ddier
in the Iwevtdutittn, participating in the i)attle of Munm«>uth, and he
was the father of Joseph C., asaihtr, v^lio in 1S32 settled on a farm
in Iiuiiana; hut after a short tiiftehe hegan tratiicking ami came to
Meredosia, ill., in 1S41). He v.*as capci/.e<l and drowned in the
Mississippi river Jan. 12, 1852, whileattempting to Iwtard a steamer
from ii small rowlKtat. He was the father of Joseph C Union,
the subject of this sketcli, who was \>orn S<'pt. 5, lS31,on the Mon-
mouth hattle grounds, oathe very spot where his grandfather fought
in the hhMtdy hattle of Monmouth in the Uevolutionary war. He
was married June »'., IS.'iC, to Mary K. Bonds, and their two child-
ren are Allxjrt K. and Floni E. The latter 18 teaching instrumental
music. Mr. K. came t4» l*ike Ci>unty in 1S7I, where ho still re-
sides, and is foreman of the niilroad hrid^'c at Phillips' Ferry.

John C. iS<:of( is a native of Scott Co., where he was liurn Dec.
22, 1823, being the first white child born in that county; was
bn»ught up on a faruj; came to this county in iS.'Jfi. in 184.'l re-
turne<45, Mary A. Hoi).
Bon, who died the next year; then Mr. S. returned to this ctJiinty,
wherein 1850, he marrie<l Martha Wilson, and of their 11 children
the following 9 are living: Charles W., James M., I>conard (}., Da-
vid W., Fnink W., Jose)>h L., Henjamin K., Margaret J. and (Jeorge
E. Mr. Scott is a farnier on sec. 7. His father, J<din Scott, waa
the first settler in Scott c<^»unty, and for him that county was
named. Having bef?n a soldier in the vcar of 1S12 he was a pen-
sioner until his death in Jan., 1856. He was a noble-hearted man.

John G- SI' ight, sr., was born in Lincolnshire, Eng., Oct. 5,
1805; in 1S27 lie married Itebecca Walker, and their 8 children
are: Betsy G., Sally G., Ann G., Walker G., Eliza G., Mary G.,
John G. and TlelKJcca G., deceased. They came to America in 1857,
6toj>ping at (iriggsville until the f(dl(twing sj)ring. when they set-
tled on sec. 6, where Mr. S. still resides. Mrs. S. died June 19,
1862, and Mr. Sleight's son-in-law, Joseph Wilson, resides with
him and conducts the farm. Mr. Wilson was born in 1838 in Griggs-

s;1

;'/

■s^'i

.!^-i

;'is>, ,

' ; ■-Sr^i ■■•■ •■•

'-*«W(g^;

Q)fvo^n~UiP Jx^^)

PERRY T?

HISTOKT OF PIKE COUNTY. 425

ville tp., and is the father of 4 cliildren, of whom but one, Elizabeth
F., is living.

Walker G. Sleight was born in Lincolnshire, Eng., Aug. 29, 1833;
came to Pike county in 1856, where he still resides, a fanner, on
sec. 7; P. O., Griggsville.

Samuel Thachwray^ farmer, sec. 32; P. O., Griggsville. He was
born March 25, 1837, in Pike county, and is a son of Wni. Thack-
wray, deceased; his muther, Hannah T., is now in her 80th year, re-
siding on the old homestead, sec. 31, with her son James. Mr.
T. is a successful farmer and stock-raiser. Xov. 9, 1865, he married
Mary A. Lynde, daughter of Henry l^ynde, of Griggsville. She
was born Nov, 10, 1843, in this county. Of their 4 children, these

3 are living: Annie, Cassie and Melva.

James L. Thompson^ farmer, sec. 18; P. ()., Griggsville. This
early settler of Pike county was born in Charlestown (now part of
Boston), Mass., Sept. 11, 1812, and is the son of Ur. Abraham R,
Thompson, a native of the same place and a college class-mate of
Daniel Webster; they were intimate friends all through life. Dr.
T. died in Charlestown in 1870. James L. was educated in Boston
in the school of Willard Parker, now a noted physician .of New
York city. He was commission merchant in the city of Boston^

4 or 5 years, when he suffered a severe loss by the crisis of 1836;
in the fall of 1837 he emigrated West and settled on sec. 18, this
tp., where he now resides, on a farm of 160 acres of well-improved
land. When but 19 years of age Mr. T. went to sea, taking a cargo
of ice from Boston to New Orleans, where he loaded his ship with
staves, cotton and coffee, which he- carried to Tarragona, Spain;
there he loaded with a cargo of wine and dried fruits, and shipped
for Buenos Ayres, S. A. ; at this place he took on a cargo of jerked
beef, which he brought to Havana, Cuba, whence he took a load of
coffee and sugar to Boston. Fifteen months were consumed in this
round trip, which was full of interest and had its frightful scenes.
In 1850 Mr. T. went overland to California, suffering untold priva-
tions on the way. En route he met with Col. Robert Anderson,
afterward of Fort Sumter notoriety, and had a conversation with
him. In California Mr. T. met with Admiral James Alden, who
procured for him a situation as Purser on tlie.U. S. Surveying
Steamer "Active." He was on the survey of the northwestern
boundar}', the report of which was accepted b}' Emperor William.
This report, requiring about a quire of foolscap, was all written by
Mr. T. It took two seasons to complete the survey. After being
absent about 5 years he returned to his family here in 1856, where
he has since resided. He has been married four times, and is the
father of seven children, — James L., J. B., Henrj', Frederick W.,
Katie, Charlie and Beiij. F.

Austin Wade, faruier, sec. 6; P. O., Griggsville. The birth of
this gentleman took place July 23, 1832, in this county; he is the
son of Josias Wade, of Griggsville; Sept. 27, 1855, he married
Mary A., daughter of Joseph Pyle, of Naples, 111., and of their 8

426

lllSTwKY UF riKK COIXTV.

children 6 are liviiicr, — "NVilliinl, Klizalu'tli, Artlitir, LiiPiiiiie, Ferber
and Homer. Mr. Wade resided 7 years in M(»r:^:iii c«)iinty, 111.,
aud t\v<» years on the l*acilie coast.

Coleman Winlc, tanner, sec. 11); P. O., Valley (Mtv; a native of
I*ike county, and was burn .Inly 7, 1>37, the son of Josias Wade,
of(Tri^^sville, and brotiier of tlie |)rece<lin^; wasetlncated in Ctri^ijs-
villc; lias been vcrv siiccessfnl in fariniii'' and slock -raisin'''. Jan.
2i>, ls.*»"J, he married lijichel, dan^^htcr ol Jo^L'|•h I'yle, of Najdes,
and they havo iiad children, t»f whom 5 are lining: Lillian, Krncst,
Ilaymond, C'litfitrd and Irene. The four youngest are attending the
Middle Flint school, where Lil'ian is engaged as assistant teacher.

.Inhn \Vadi\ farmer, sec, ;!0; I*. ()., (iriggsville; born Jan. 12,
1822, in Hlyth, Nottinghamshire, Kng., nnu is the son tjf Francis?
Wade, deceased. All the school education he lias had he reciuved
Ix'fore he wa- '^ vearn old. Tlie family emigrated to .Vmeriea in 1^34,
locating in Trenton, N. J., thence to 1'ennsylvania, and in July,
!>;'.*<, landed at Fliillips' Ferry, in this county; May IS. 1S»W;, he
inarrie<l Ann Stoner. Tli<ir 7 children ai*o: Maria, Mary J., Arthur,
I'Vancis. Fred, J(din and (teorge. Mr. W. now owns 370 acres of
land, and is a bucces»fn| farmer and stock-raiuer.

■' ♦ ♦

DETROIT TOWNSHIP.

Detroit township is situated on the Illinois river and consists for
the most of l)roken land. To Lewis Allen belongs the lionor of
being the first settler in the township. lie came in 1823 and erected
a cabin on section 31. He was a native of Warren county, Ky.,
and was born Nov. 11, 1Y94. Garrett Van Deusen, Wm. Meredith
and a Mr. Morgan, also, were very early settlers in this township.
The tirst birtli in the township was a daughter of David and Ilamiah
Mize, who died in infancy, which was also the first death to occur.
The first marriage was Robert Coo]ier to Nanc}' Rice in 1826, at
the residence of Wm. Meredith. The first sermon was preached
by Rev. Elijah Garrison, a Christian minister, at the house of David
Mize in 1S26. The earlj' pioneers were industrious people and
were not neglectful of the education of tiieir children; for as early
as 1827. David Mize, Ezekiel Clemmons, Wm. Meredith, Joseph
Neeley and others banded together and erected a school-house on
section 10. and employed a teacher, placing their children in their
charge for instruction and intellectual improvement. The first
teacher was Abraham Jones.

The next great question which occupied the minds of these noble
fatliers and mothers was the preparations for public worship. They
accordingly organized themselves into a body, or rather each person
Considered himself one of the building committee, and as early as
1834 there was a church building erected by the Baptists at Blue
river graveyard. Previous to this meetings were held in school-
liouses and ]^rivate dwellings.

Garrett A'an Deusen was the first Justice of the Peace, and Isaac
Teniff the first Supervisor. Tlie township received its name from
the postoflice which had been established several years previously,
and named by Col. Daniel Bush at Pittsfield and Wm. Johnson,
the first postmaster at Detroit.

The ])ioneors had many encounters with wild animals during the
earh' settlement of the county, two or three of wliich, related by
Mrs. Dinsmore, wlio is still residing in this townslii]>, we will place
on record in this connection. On one occasion, while she and her
liusljand were |)assing through the woods, a huge lynx came bound-
ing up behind her and grabbed her dix'ss with his claws. She
liastily called the dogs and they quickly came to her side. The wild

428 HISTORY <»F I'lKK COUNTV.

aniiiKil lt»<).-cuo(l his liold and ^iized upon tlie d<>^t». Tliuy were
greatly tri^liteuetl aiul did not attempt an attack upon the lynx,
but ran to tiio lioutjo. The lynx, too, concluded to leave and took
to tlie forest.

This name lady tells of another time when she was attacked or
about t«» be attacked by one of these fierce creatures. She was en-
pa^«'d in the woods making sugar, with her C4imp lire near a large
log. She heard a noise npvin the opj)<»site side, which was made uy
thf lynx just in the act ol" preparing to make a leap, as she sup-
p<i.-«d. She set the dog upon it, and as it sprang over the log he
alighted upon a large, ixjwerful lynx. The tiorce contest that ensued
was a short one, for the <l«»g was completely overpowered; an<l as
Boon >is he could relejuse himself fnun the clutches oi his antagonist
he " run houie a-h»)wlin' with his tail between his legs. :iiid run
under the house,'' whore he remained for some time.

We will give Mrs, Dinsmore's panther story in her own language
as nearly a-s we can, " One «lay wheii 1 wjisa-comin' thro' the wocjds
I seen a large painter come out I'f the brush and begin U> drink out
of a pudtile of water in the path; and I shooed at him, and he paid
no attention to me, and I toi)k otl' my bonnet and shooed and shooed
at him; Imt he woiddn'l sho»»; he jist staid there and lapped away
till he got iloijf and then went otV.'

Mrs. Dinsmore also relates that she was once standing in the door
when she saw her father stab and kill an Indian.

JJifj Blue Hollow. — This is quite an historiwd locality. In ISIJ
it ranked as the second place in the coutity in the amount ot Imsi-
ness transacted. There were then three Jlouring mills, a saw-mill,
and a store in this mountainous-looking region; these mills were
known by the name of Providence Mills, atid wore owned by
Jonathan Frye. In 1S3.'S he crc(!te<l there a two-story frame house
and sided it with shaved cla|ibuards; this house is still stainiing
there, with the old siding upon it, and is occupied by Mr. Wm.
Ileynolds and family.

FLOKENCR.

This is the oldest town in Detroit t«»wnship, and was founded
in lS3r» by the Florence Company; this company was composed
p.-incipally of Pittstield business men, among whom were Austin
Barber, Itol>ert 11. Greene, Wm. Iloss, Thos. Worthington and
James Davis. The town is located on the Illinois river, and was
intended fv»r river trans^xjrtation f<»r the town of I'ittsfield, and a
gravel road wjis constructed from Pittstield to this place. The land
was first settled by John liol>erts. Col. Wm. Ross and Stephen Ga}'
kept the first store in the place. A saw-mill was erected herein
l!>3G, by the Florence Company, which was c<jnverted into a steam
flouring mill in l5>42. During the early pioneer days Florence was
known by the name of Auj^usta.

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 429

DETROIT.

This livel}' little business village was founded in 1837 by Peter
H. Lucas, and named by hira after the postofRce which had been
established at this point some years previous. Soon after Henry
Neeley added to the town plat what is known as Neeley's addition,
and consists of all that part of town north of Main street.

Detroit cont^iins 2 general stores, 1 drugstore, 2 blacksmith shops,
1 wagon manufactory, 1 shoemaker's shop, a millinery store, and a
broom factory. Three physicians reside in the place. There are in
the town 3 church edifices and 4 church organizations. The citi-
zens have erected a fine two-story brick school -house and employ
two teachers.

CHURCHES.

Detroit Christian Church. — This church was organized Feb. 25,
1S76, by Elders Rufus Moss and J. W. Miller, with a membership
of 33. The first deacons were Nathaniel Smith and John Turner.
C. L. Hall was appointed Elder and afterward elected to that oflice,
in company with his brothei*, W. C. Hall. The present Deacons are
Albert Field and John Turner. The congregation sustains a large
and interesting Sunday-school, which was organized the first Lord's
day in 1876, with 25 members. It now has an attendance of about
85, with W. C. Hall as superintendent. The congregation at pres-
ent worship in the house belongiug to the Predestinarian Baptists.
The present membership is 140. Elder Thomas Weaver is Pastor.

Detroit M. E. Churchy South. — This society was organized in
1861, and consisted of parties who left the Methodist Episcopal
Church on account of the political excitement that then pervaded
all of the Churches. They erected a meeting-house in 1870, and
sustain a Sabbath-school : membership 30. Services are held each
alternate Sabbath morning and evening by Rev. J. Metcalf, Pastor.

Detroit M. E. Church. — The Methodi-sts had an organization in
this township at an early day. As early as 1828 this people held a
camp-meeting on the Meredith farm, sec. 16. The exact date, how-
ever, of the first organization of this society is not certainly known.
The congregation erected a brick house, 36 by 48 feet in size, in
the town" of Detroit, in 1857, at a cost of $1,500. The Church now
.sustains a good Sunday-school, has preaching each Sunday evening
and each alternate Sunday morning, by Rev. James A. Wills, Pas-
tor. The number of communicants at present is 75.

Detroit Predestinarian Baptist Church. — h\ the year 1828
the Baptists began holding services in the Blue River school-
house, and in 1834 they erected a church edifice. Soon after this
the (piCi^tion of missions divided them, and the Missionary Baptists
retained this house, and in 1840 the Predestinarians formed another
organization. The former society is now extinct, and the latter,
by the help of others, in 1857 erected ar house of worship in De-
troit. They have no regular services, the society being very weak.

430 HISTORY uF PIKE COUNTY.

PERSONAL SKETCHES.

Below are personal sketches of many of the old settlers and lead-
ing citizens of this township.

W/n. Anthony, a native of this county, was horn Dec. 9, 1833.
His father, Martin Antlmny, came to this county alxmt the vcar
1831. Williiim \V!ii reared on a farm and iiad limituil school advan-
tai^s. He attended school a mile and a half from homo, in an old
log cabin with no ceiling, and a fire-place across one end of the
house. His Ixioks consisted of a testament and spelling-hook.
July 17, l.s»;7, he married Orle A., daughter of the late Lcander
Jellers, of the vicinity of Hannihal, Mo. Mrt*. Aiith«>ny was ln)rn
Aug. 22, 1847, in Cincinnati, (). They have had six children, of
whom three are living,— Ida, Mattie and Nellie. Mr. A is engaged
in general farming oti sec. fJ, this township. P. O., (J riggsville.

IJ. J. AUlrich waj» horn in Worcester county, Mass., Oi-t. 3.
1802, and is the son of Jesse Aldrich, deceiuse<l. Ho was educated
in the academy at Uxhridge, and after leaving school engaged in
teaching at ^s.T)!) per month in winter, an<l woi Red on a farm hy
the month in summer, receiving if4o per m<»nth. For two and a
half years he traveled throughout the Midtlle and Western States,
a distance of 13,000 miles, visiting many |)oint>« of interust. In
1S25 he visited .\nn .\rl»or, Mich., and whi.e there entered 1«)0
acres of l.md eight milus north, in l)exter townshij). May >, l.s;'.7,
he nnirried Kliza A. Taft and they had two children, — Ailaline,
deceased, ajid Augusta. Mr. A. came t<j l*ike county in 1838 and
settle<I on sec. 1^, this township Mrs. Aldrich died April 3o,
1871. She was a woman of fine education and a worthv memher
of the M. K. Church.

S'li'iih Allen was horn in Yorkshire, Eng., Jan. 21, 1828, and is
the daughter of John liurlend, decejised. who brought his family to
America in 1>31, and, like all pioneers, endured many hardships.
He die<l April 4, 1871, age<l ss ywirs. Mrs. Allen was married
May 4. IS.'»2, to Fnuicis Allen, and they had 4 chihiren, — Charlotte
M., John W.; deceased, Francis E. and David Franklin. Charlotte is
married to Sylvester Thompson, and t ' near Pittsfield. Mr.
Allen wa> a fanner oti sec. 1«» until hi. .;..:;i. which occurre«l July
23, 1874. He belonged to the Episcopal Church, and was a pr<»mi-
nent and worthy citizen.

George P. liechdoUlt was Ujrn in (.iernjaTiy Marcii 2n, I?>2^, the
son of Jac«»b 1*.. who came to America with his family in 1837,
and settled in Little York, l*a., where he remained until 1839,
when he removed tx» Calhoun county, III., and die<l the same year,
leaving a wid«»w and 8 chihlren, who had to endure many hardships
and privations. Two of the children had married and remained
in the East. Geo. P. is the 9th of II children; his educjiti<»n was
principally in (ierman, before he came to America. April 10,
1851, he married Frances S. Price, daughter of Rolx^rt Price, well
known in the early settlement of Scott and McDonough counties.

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 431

She was born May 29, 1S34, in McDonou^h Co., 111. They liave
had 11 children, of whom 9 are living — Julia, Helen, Theodore,
Maria, Anna, Esther, Ettie, Edith and Frederick. Mr. B. is a
prominent farmer and stock-raiser on the north iV of S. E. ^ of see.
32. P. O., Milton.

Dr. W?/i. Cohel was born in Middle Tennessee May 30, 1826, the
son of Geo. A. and Mary Cobel, who emigrated with their family
to Hendricks county, Ind., in 1833. The doctor is a graduate of hotii
the Keokuk (regular) Medical College and of the Eclectic Medical
College, of Cincinnati, O., and began })ractice in 1859. He has
lost but one case out of 300 in the last 12 months, and that was a
chronic case of heart-disease. He settled in the town of Detroit,
tliis county, in 1873; in 1878 he met with an accident, dislocating
his hip joint, but he still continues to ride day and night. Nov.
21, 1851, he married Elizabeth J. McClure, and of their 5 children
only 2 are living, Wm. M. and Fannie A. Mrs. Cobel died Nov.
12, 1878, aftering a lingering illness of 22 years' standing. She
was a member of the M. E. Church, and a faithful and respected
worker in the moral interests of society. Wm. M. Cobel is now
teaching school near Detroit.

John L. Crat^ens was born Jan. 1, 184'1, in Jefferson Co., Ind.,
the son of John C. Cravens, of the same State; was educated at
Hanover College, Ind.; he chose the profession of teaching, enter-
ing upon this work in 1866; he taught three terms in Boone
county. Mo., when he went to college until 1870, and then to Wa-
pello Co., Iowa, where he raised a crop, and in September he
returned to Boone county, Mo.; taught school until 1875, when he
came to Pike Co., and now has charge of the Toil-Gate school, dis-
trict 4, in this township. In the late war he served 4 months in
Co. K, 137th 111. Vol. Inf., and was honorably discharged. In 1873
he married Elizabeth D. Snyder, of I>oone county, Mo., and their
two children are Lillian B. and W. Guy.

Thomas Dalhy^ farmer and stock-raiser, sec. 5, was born in
England in 1853, the son of David and Sarah Dal by, deceased. His
brother James was in the 73d Keg., I. \. I., under Capt. Davidson,
of Griggsville; was taken prisoner and confined in the pen at An-
dersonville, where he died from starvation. He lost another brother,
Joseph, who died from a wound received by a saw-log rolling off a
wao:on and catchino'him; so that Mr. D. now has no brother in Amer-
ica. Aug. 27,1849, Mr. D. married Hannah Burland, who was burn
in Yorkshire, Eng., in 1853. Mr. Dalby is the owner of 400 acres
of land.

James ^V. Dempsey was born in Chillicothe, O., Aug. 20, 1834,
the son of Coleman Dempsey, v.dio emigrated to Missouri in 1854.
After spending two years in Texas, erecting telegraph wire from
Galveston to Houston, and thence to Shreveport on Red river,
James W. returned to Missouri. By pi-ofession he is a ei\il engi-
neer, and by trade a gunsmith. He is a "natural genius.'' He
came to Pike county in 1856, where he followed engineering mostly

432 HISTORY »)F PIKK CODNTT.

for 11 years. In 187«> lie be^au tnuliii<; in j;ums, umiuunition, etc.,
in Detroit, and aUu dealt in 6|)ortin«;good!«, cit^ars, toi>acco andc4>n-
tectionery: he n<t\v has a lull supply of dry ^oo«ls, jjroccriea,
hardware and CiMit'ectinnory, the stock hein^ ahont $8, (>(»() in value.
His trade is increasing. Aui;. 22, ls5»;, he married Minerva, dau<^h-
ter of Jesse Sintf, decea.'ied.td" Detroit. They inul f<nir children, of
whom Ijut one, Harry, is living, wlio was horn Dec 11. ISGs.
Mrs. D. «iied May 2<>, lS7l>, tnourned hy all who knew her.

A/i-in I'irtjinit' /h'n-Kmort\ teacher, was horn Dec. '2i), lH53,*in
Hardin t«>wnshi|». Her father, Jtdin C'. Dinsinore, deceased, was Cap-
tain of Co. K, 90th I. V. I., in the Iiehelli(»n, and was also an of-
ti<'er in the Me.xican war, participntin<>: in the hattle^ i»f Huemi
Vista. (\'rro (iordi* and others, and saw Col. Hardin fall. He tlied
in Kehruary, 1^74, on the oKl homestead near Time, tliis county.
J^Iiss Dinsinore has Ik-cii a teacher for 7 years, and now has chargo
of the prinmry de]»artmont of the Detroit scIumjIs, She is well liked
as'an instructor and disciplinarian.

Willi iin Jfoiitjiig was horn .March 1>, l?^17, in New Galloway,
Kirkcudhri^htihire, Scothnui, where ho receive<l A cx>minon-Be)iool
e<lueation, and came to America in lSd6, stoppin;; in the Kast for
several years. Dec. 13, 1S41, he marrie<l Permelia, daughter of
EdmiMni Strawn, who came to thiscotinty in ls3'>,just in time to suf-
fer the privations of theiHJvere winter of the deep snow. Mrs. Doug-
las was lH)rn in (tuilford Co., X. C, Aug. 25, 1S23. Mr. and Mrs.
D. have had 12 chihiren, of whom 7 are living, — An«lrt?w, Mary,
hMmund, Jcdm T., Churchwell, William W. and James S. The 4
ehlest are marriiil. Mr. Douglas is a mechanic hy trade, in which
capacity he wrought during tlie earlier portion of his life, but is
now a prominent farmer ami stock-raiser on sec. 33. He spent one
vear in Canada aiul o vears in Missouri. He helpe<l erect the State
University in the latter State, and al&o assist.d in the erection of
the first n'lill in PittsHeld in \y>VJ.

John W. Dunniicau wa.s Iwirn in (tallatin county, Ky., Jan. 17,
1>^34, the Son of David and Annie (Crow) Dunniway. They came
to l*ike county in ls;irt, settlingon sec. 18, enduring the usual liard-
ship-s of that tlay, their houses consisting of little log cabins, etc.
They came by boat, having sent their teams through by laml, and
when the teams arrived the hair was all worn off the horses' legs,
So terrible were the roads and swamj)s through which they passed.
Mr. D. died March 5, 1>00, at the age of 09 years, and Mrs. D. re-
sides with her son on the old home place, at the age of 77. She
wa- born in Clark county, Ky. John W. was married Nov. 29.
1S55. to Julia A., daughter of David Rupart. wlio came to Pike
county in 1S40. Tiiey have 4 ciiildren, viz: Mary E., William A.,
David F. and Frederick A. .Mr. D. is a farmer and stock-raiser.

Jai/ies W. Ellin, a native of this tp., was born Oct. 10, l.^.'i"<. and
is the son of Thomas FHis. deceased, and brother of John and T. B.
Ellis. He 'received his education in a log cabin known as "mud
college," raised a farmer, and knows all about heavy work in pio-

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 433

neer times. Dec. 28, 1869, he married Miss C. J. Phillips, daughter
of James Phillips, of this tp., and they have had 2 children, Charlie,
deceased, and Lillian. Mr. Ellis is a farmer on sec. 16.

John B E'lis was born Oct. 17, 183-i, in Lockport, N. Y., the
son of Thomas Ellis, deceased, who brought his family to this county
in 1836. John B's mother, Elizabeth Ellis, still resides on the old
liomestead, at the age of 74. Nov. 6, 1862, Mr. E, married Ellen
Croft, daughter of Georga Croft, of Montezuma tp., and their 7
children are. Ellen E., Thomas G., John W., Peter J., David C,
Annie S. and Mary E. Mr. Ellis is a farmer and stock- raiser on
sec. 16.

Thomas Ellis^ deceased, was born in the village of Milton, Oxford-
shire, Eng., Dec. 18, 1808; educated in the village school, and March
16, 1832, married Elizabeth Brooks, and they have had 7 children:
Thomas B., John B., Peter, James W., Elizabeth A., Harriott and
Ellen J., deceased. Mrs Ellis was born July 15, 1804, in Shipton, Ox-
fordshire, Eng.; they came to America in 1832, locating at Lock-
port, N. Y., where they remained until 1835, when they removed
to this county; resided on a rented farm one year; then purchased
80 acres at a sale of school land in Detroit tp., where Mrs. Ellis
still resides. Mr. E. died March 21, 1868.

Thomas B. Ellis was born in Lockport, N. Y., Kov. 8, 1832, son
of the preceding; is a farmer on sec. 15. Oct. 9, 1873, he married
Fannie Allen, daughter of J. W. Allen, of Milton. Their 4 chil-
dren are Thomas II., John A., Charles I. and Elizabeth, Mr. Ellis
served 3 years in the late war in Co. C, 99th L V. I., participating
in the siege of Yicksburg and in other engagements; he was taken
prisoner while on a scouting expedition in Texas near Victoria; he
was held in camp in Camp Ford, Texas, for 6 months and then ex-
changed. He was discharged in 1865.

Bernard W. Flinn^ farmer, sec. 5, and the present County Treas-
urer, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., March 29, 1814, the son of
John Flinn, deceased, who was a native of Ireland; he was brought
by his parents to Morgan county, O., in 1819, where they remained
until 1826, and then were in Zanesville, O., until 1839; a portion of
this time he engaijed in wholesale drv sroods, and afterward in the
mercantile business in Coshocton Co., O. In 1841 he moved to
Cincinnati. O., and became proprietor of the St. Charles House; in
1852 he removed to St. Louis, Mo., and to Pike county in October,
1856, settling on sec. 5, this tp., where he still resides, owning 3S5
acres of land. In February, 1841, he married Sarah Brownell, and
they have had 8 children, of whom 5 are living, namely: James, who
married Charlotte Stephens and resides at Pana, 111.; Esley, now
Mrs. James Dimmitt, of Detroit tp. ; Cornelia, Lewis H. and Charles.
Mr. Flinn was elected Treasurer at the November election in 1879
by a majority of 323 votes.

Norton Foreman, farmer and stock-raiser, sec. 31; was born
Aug. 2, 1843, in ISewburg township, this county, and is the son of
James Foreman, who came to this county in early day; was edu-

434 HISTORY OK PIKK i^OlNTV.

cuited ill Detroit ami reared on a farm, Dec. 17, 18G3, he married
Sarah E., daiiirlitor of James Hond, of I*iatt county, 111. Tiit-ir 5
chiMmi art' William, ilames F., Aiini*.', Nt'llie and Edwin.

Townstiid J'ontftan, farmer, was i»orn .Inly 28, 1S45, in New-
liiiri; tt)., this county, the eon of James W. and Jane Foreman;
WK8 raised on a farm ami received a coininon-school education;
May 15, iSfJT. he married Mary J. Cioldman. lie was a merehant
in l)etr(»it 4 or .'» year^, then a farmer until 1874. when he moved
to Eewivtown, Fulton county, 111., where he again en<jaged in mer-
chatidifeinij "2 years; he sold out and entere<l the livery husiness in
that jtlaee; he then returned to Detroit, where he is engaged in
larining. He is also proprietor <»f an '* Eelipse " thresher, wliicli he
(»per;ites eaeh season to the entire satibfaetion of his many patrons.

,/arnts K. French was born Oct. 25, 1832, in Indiana, and is the
si»n of Jacoh Freneh, decease*!, who came to this county in 1834.
settling in (Jriggsville t«»wnship; received his e<iucntion in an old
log eahin, in a subtcripliim school at a di^tance of 4 or U miles
from Imme. Nov. lo, 1850, he married Caroline C. Madden,
daughter of ]^»nham A. Madden, an early settler (»f the Illinois
river valley. Mrs. French was horn Feh. 10, 1833, in Indiana.
Their 4 children are (ieorge N., wh«» married Frances Thackston,
and resides in (ireene c«»unty. III.; llonrv C, who married Mari-
etta .MeEvers, and resides near Montezuma; M. E. and William .\.
Mr. Freneh is a farmer atid stoek-rai-^er on see. 32.

/''/»</ 7*. /'/y/i<7j, P.O., Florence, was iM.rn Sej.temher 20, 1832,
in Harrison county, In<l.. and was hrought tct this county hy his
parents al>out 1842; wh.s reure<l on a farm and is now engage«l
in farming, and alt-o lias a half interest in the Florence horse
ferry. Dec. 20, 185.'?, he married Mary E., daughter of Edward
Farthing, dewa^eii, and of their y children only 4 are living, namely:
Wm. P., Nancy J., Eilwartl and Annie. ^Mr. French traded in live
stock and tollowed general inerchaixlising in Florence for several
years, l)Ut his health failing, he had to chantje hiisines?.

Klizabtth (ii'li/man, widow of the late Ijenjamin (f<»ldman, was
born in Clark county Ky., Dec 29. 1S3(», the daughter of David
and Anna Dtinniway, who brought their family of 5 children to
this county in l83(>, settling on sec. 7, this township, where; Mrs.
r)unniway still resides, at the age of 77. Mr. and Mrs. (ioldman
were marrie<l Nov, 26, 1848, in this township, and of tlicir 4 chil-
dren 3 are living, Mary J., Julia C. and Elizal>eth D. Julia mar-
ried Taylor Foreman, who is managing the farm of his mother-in-
law. .\Ir. Cioldman was born Dee. 24, ls24, in Clark county, Ky.,
and is the son of AI»raham and Susannah (loldmaii, deceased, who
brought hira to Pike county in early day, where he was brought up
on a farm amid all the privations of pioneer times. He was a
Class Leader in the M. E. Church for many years. An eminent
Chrir-tian and a wnrthv head of the family. His death occurred
October 20. 1874.

Elizahfth A. (roldi/uin was born in this count v Januarv 31,

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 435

1841, and is the daughter of Thomas Ellis, deceased, and a sister
of John and Thomas li. Ellis, of this township, elsewhere noticed.
Jan. 2, 1852, she married Josiah Goldman, and S of their 9 chil-
dren arc living, viz: John, Millicent, Fannie, Ilettie, Thomas, Jane,
Ellen and James Monroe. John is superintending the farm.

Wm. C. Hall was born May 29, 1844, in this county, and is the
son of T. L. Hall, of early day here, who came in 1828, when he
had to go to Atlas, a distance of 26 miles, to mill. He taught the
first sin<rin<i:-school in Atlas, said to be the first in the countv. In
1840 he built a saw-mill on Little Blue creek, lie was brought
up a Presbyterian, but during the latter part of his life was a mem-
ber of the Christian Church. His death occurred January 5, 1872,
Wm. C. was reared on a farm in early day, having all the usual
experiences ot clearing \\oo<\. land. October 9, 1866, he married
Xellie, daughter of John S. Shmn, of Griggsville, and they have
one little boy, Willy. Mr. Hall is a farmer and stock-raiser on
sec. 16.

Jaines D. Ileavner, farmer and stock-raiser, sec. 32; I*. O. ^Ill-
ton; was born Jan. 7, 1835, in this county, and is the son of Jacob
Ileavner, who emigrated with his family to Sangamon county in
1827, and to this county in 18-8; he was a soldier in the Black Hawk
war. under Abraham Lincoln. He died in 1867. James D. was
married Nov. 4, 1858, to Matilda, daughter of Manley Thomas, an
early settler. Of their 7 children the following 6 are living: Clara,
Lizzie, Maggie, Nannie, Dovie and Mattie.

Samuel Lightle was brought to this county when a boy by his
parents in 1835; educated in the old-fashioned subscription school;
married, Dec. 31, 1858, Martha, daughter of Coleman Dempsey, of
Pike county. Mo. Of their 10 children these 8 are living: Mary
A., Isaac S., Clara II., John W., Annettie J., Charlotte M., Nellie
E. and James W. Mr. L. is a farmer on sec. 8. P. O., Detroit.

Stewart Lindsey, farmer and stock-raiser, sec. 31, owning 200
acres of land, was born Oct. 1," 1808, in Scott count}', Ky., and is
the son of Robert Lindsey, who emigrated with his parents from
Virginia to Kentucky in 17SS. Stewart's grandfather, Aaron Rey-
nolds, was one of Daniel Boone's associates as an earlv settler of
Kentucky. His mother was born in a fort called Craig's Station,
in Woodford county, Ky. He was educated in a log cabin with a
triangular fire-place across one end of the room, with a window ten
feet in lenorth and one litrht hio:h. The text books consisted of a
Webster's speller, Testament and Guthrie's Arithmetic. The seats
consisted of split logs with legs fastened in them. Jan. 27, 1835,
he married Mary Hays, and they had 10 children, of whom 9 are
living,— Falissa A.., John W., Newton J., James, Oscar, Mary,
Robert, Charles and Frank. The name of the deceased was Samuel.
Four of his sons were in the late war; Samuel was a j)risoner at
Andersonville, where he contracted a disease that caused his death.
The others were honorably discharged.

Aaron Loveless was born in Medina county, O., Dec. 7, 1883,

436 UISldKV '"F riKK ((trNTY.

and is the son of Win. Loveless, of Detroit tp., wlio brought his
family to this county in 1830. Oct. 1:1, 1858, lie was married to
Kcbtvca Yelliott. daui^hter of Luke Velliott. She is a native of
England, and was born in 184U. Mr. Lovt'lcss is a fanner and
resides on sec. 7; ho is also proprietor of a portable saw-mill, which
he has successfully operated for two years, and which is now situ-
ated on Cieero Scobv's farm, betwetMi Pittstirld and (Triggsville.
Mr. and Mr."<. Loveless have had ."» cliiMren, of whom 4 are living,
— Addie, Alliert. Wesley and Clayton.

Wrn. LoveUss was born in Monmouth county, N. J., Oct. 20,
181»>; was brought by hi.s parriits to Mt-tlir.a county, ()., in l^'.'JO,
where he remaiiiid until he attained hi^< majority, when lif marritd
Hebocra Siivder, Feb. *_'2, ls;5S. Tlu-v emi'Mati-d to this county in
ls31>. -Mr. I..ovelc8s is a niechanie, and worketi in various places in
this county for several years. Alumt 1848 he purchased a farm on
sec. IS, Detroit tp., but has resided in this tp. all the time. They
resided in Koekp<>rt,this c^«unty, t'.ir about :'• years, and in Wiscon-
sin for 5i years, where ho pursued his profes8i«»n. .Mr. and Mrs.
I.iOveless have 3 chihireii-, — Aaron, Wilson and Kmily. Aaron
married lii-becca Velliott, of this tp.; WiUoii nuirried Nellie Ole-
8on, and resides in Oak county. Wis.; ami Kmily niMni.d James
Shriver, and resi<les in the itouso with her parents.

Samutl S. JfcAt^e was born near IJaltimore, Md...Iuly 'Jli, 1*^55.
and is the son of Samuel I. McAtee, of Shelby county. Mo. He
Was edueated in the coimnon schools of Missouri, where his parents
took him in ls;>7, and in ls72 canu' to Pike Co., and to Detroit in
IST.*). where he engago«l in the manufacture of wag<»ns. iti which he
ha-s been successful. Dec. 24, 1877, he married OIlie Samlerson,
<lauirhter of Keubi*n Santierson, of Detroit.

H m. J/</(»/v WHS born in Detroit, Pike Co.. III., Dec. 21>, 1S.')3,
and is llie son of Wni. Moore, of Detroit tp. lie was reare«I on a
farm, and at the age o( 21 was appronticeil to A. F. Reinika, a
blacksmith of Detroit, and in Is78 he began business for himself,
and has a goiwl tnide. lie .ilso m.imi fact tin s wultods in ccdiij'any
with Mr. McAtee.

George J/. AV. Ay. P. ()., Detroit, a native of this county, was
born March 1, 1>3'.». where Detroit tiow stands. His father, Ilenry
Neelev, was a resilient of liorse-Shoe Iieiid,on the Sangannjn river,
before Illinois was a State. In 1-821 he went up in a keel-boat to a
French trading post on tlic L'^pper .Mississippi. lie emigrated with
his father, Joseph Xitdey, from Xorth Carolina to Tennessee, where
they remained several years, when Joseph Ne<ley emigrated to
Illinois, and soon after was followed by his son. Henry, who came
to Pike Co. in 1831 and settled on sec. IS, Detroit tp. Henry saw
the first house erected in Pittslield. and states that the parties erect-
ting it began at the top of the rafters to lay on the roof. Mr. Neeley
died Aug. 1, 1S»'>9, at the place where he first settie*l in Pike Co.
Geo. M. was married April 4, 1861, to Lizzie Mclver, by whom he
had 2 children, Alfred and Emma. He again married Sept. 10,

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 437

1874, Lizzie Stephens, claii(2;liter of Elijah Stephens, of Jasper
county, Mo. They have 2 children, — Lillie and (iiior'^a Arthur.
Mr. Is'eeley is a farmer; also proprietor of the Detroit House in
Detroit; he spent about IS years of his life in Texas, Mexico and
the Southern States, and while there served three years in the Con-
federate army. He is now Justice of the Peace for Detroit tp.

Henry Perry ^ farmer and st(jck- raiser, was born in Manchester,
Enor., Dec. 10, 184i», and is the son of John Perry, deceased. He
came to America in 1856 and settled in Detroit t[)., where he still
resides. July 14, 1859, he married Sarah H., daughter of Amos
Taylor, a pioneer of this Co. They have had 9 ciiildren: 8 are
livinj^, — Maria, Laura A., John H., Rosa M., Elizabeth II., Wm. M.,
Mattie M. and Lillie M. The name of the deceased was Robt. H.: he
accidentally shot himself with a gun while climbing a fence in the
fall of 1878. Mr. Perry served in the late war in Co. I, 99th Reg.
L V. L and ])articipated in the battle of Ilartsville. Mo., where he
received a slight wound, and iu the campaign of Vicksburg. He
was discharged in 1865.

James 1 hillips was born in Cherry Valley, Otsego county, N. Y.,
March 12, 1812, and is the son of Bjirnabas Phillips, dec. He came
to this county in the fall of 1837jand settled in the town of Griggs-
ville. His tatlier was a soldier iu the war of 1812. He worked in
a flouring mill at intervals for about 10 years, then settled on sec.
21, Detroit tp., wli'ere he still resides a prominent farmer. Dec.
29, 1842, he married Armina Hughes: they have had 9 children, 8
of whom are living, — Clarissa J., Edward D., Francis M., Martha E.,
Lucinda C, Mary C.,Owen R. and James M. Mr. Phillips is a very
worthy citizen.

A. F. lieinika, blacksmith, was born in Germany, Sept. 15,
1848, and is the son of Simon Reinika. of Pittsfield; was reared on
a farm until 17 years of age; was then apprenticed to August Sit-
ler, a shoemaker of Detroit, but the trade not being pleasant to
him he went back to farming, which he pursued 2 years, when he
engaged upon a saw-mill for 9 months ; he then apprenticed
himself to Conrad Winant, a blacksmith of Pittsfield, with whom
he worked 18 months; then went back to the farm again for one
season, then went to work for Geo. Carrier, a blacksmith of Pitts-
field. In Oct. 1872, he began business for himself in Detroit,
where he still remains, deling a large business. Nov. 27, 1871, he
married Mary E. Ayers, and their 4 children are Allie M., Harry
O., Lurie and Wm. A.

Wm. Reynolds was born in Gallia county, O., Oct., 1825, and
came to Pike Co. in 1840; was raised on a farm; served 21
months in the Mexican war, then returned to Ohio and married
Susan Fry, by whom he had 12 children, of these 10 are living, —
Geo. W., Wm. L., Stephen A., Frances J., p]mily, Maud, Ilenr}'
and JSlarv. Mr. R. returned to Illinois in 1850, and now resides
on sec. 4, Detroit tp., in the Big Blue valley, and is engaged in
farming. He was 2d Lieutenant in Co. B. 68th Reg. I. V. I., in

438 HISTORY OF riKK CtiUXTY.

the hito war. About 1854 or 1855 he eii^a<;e(l in hiiek-hiyin^
and iissistt'd in hivini; the hriek in nil the principal imildin^s in
Pittstield, (iri^^i^svillii. Perry and New Salem, np to about 1870.

Joseph lih'nles, tanner, sec. 6, was l)orn in Yorkshire, En^., Jan.
8, 1824; learned the business of ii W(»ol-stapler under Mi-. Atkin
Son; then worke«l as ioiirneviMan until 18-tS. when he came to
Arnerieii and worked with one Greenijanks, ot" New Kn<;laiul, until
185<), and then came to Pike county and settled uptin his farm.
Although farmini; was entirely new to liiin he lias l)y ^ood sense,
Imrd Work and econoinv nuide for himself a nice farm of 100 acres.
He is a proniinent tanner in this tp. ami makes wheat raising a
speciality. In 1844 he married Martha, dan;;hter of .lames Wli it-
Held, a iiind for Arthur Ileywood, a larrje land-owner in Euij^land.
Their Ochildrofi are William. Henry, Charles, Albert E., Manuletta,
Daniel E., Sarah J. and Mary .1. (twins\ and Julia A. Mrs.
lihodes also is a native of Yorkshire and was born July 10, 1823.

]|'///<V//« *5<i«</«' /•*(>;* was b«»rn Dec. 2S, 1826, in Highland Co,
O., and is the son of Goor^ Sanderson, dec; was reared on a tarm.
receiveti a common school education, came to Pike county in lsr>5,
where he still resitles, on sec. 3n, this tp. In Nov., 1848, he mar-
rie<i Sarah Paris, and their children arc .Mva 0. and Uufiis A.
Mrs. Sanderson died in 1852. Sept. 17, 1857, Mr S. married Jane,
dauifhter of .lohrj A. Williams, dec, who whs a native of North
Carolina ami settled in this* County in the fall of ls;^0, jn>t in time
to help wado through the " d«'ep snow." Mr. and Mrs. Saiulerson
have 5 children: (iillH-rt C, Linnie L., Orin U., Willy A. and Clara
B. Mr. Sanderson's father wjw a soMier in the war of 1812. His
widow draws a pension and resides amotip her children.

Joshtii A". St((<>n\ P. (>., Detroit; was Ixrn N«»v. 25, ls24, in
Lincoln Co., Mo., the son of Jesse Sitton, who broiij^ht his family
iiere in 1S'J8, and died in the fall of 1832, a Baptist minister. He
preache<l all over Pike county an<i in the counties of Mori^an and
Sangamon. He was a soldier in the war of 1^12, and was in the
battle «»f New Orlean.** under (ieii. Jackson. Oct. 6. 1847, Joshua
K. was married to Mary A. Heavner, dau<jhter of Jacoi> lieavner,
dec, an early settler in this State. They have had 6 children, of
whom only 3 are livinj^, namely, Jes.^e, Mary E. and Annettie. Mr.
Sitton is a farmer and stock -miser on eec. 20. In 1S49 he went
overland to California and returned in 1851. He served 18 months
in the late war, in Co. C, 90th I. V. I., and particij»ated in the bat-
tles of Ma';nolia Hill, Black River, Raymond, Wilson Creek, siege
of Vicksburij and (tthers. He was wounded at Vicksbur^, in con-
sequence of which he was discharjred in 180)4. He was a commis-
sioned officer all the time he served in the army. He went out as
First Lieutenant and was dischari^cd as Quartermaster.

JIartj J. Sinith was born in Cumberlan<l Co., Ky., Feb. 4, 1828,
and is the danorhter of Samuel Baker, who broup;ht his family to this
county in 1834, settling on sec. 33. on what is now known as the
" Douglas farm.'' He died in March, 1837. Marv J. was married

HISTORY OF PIKE COCNTV. 43li

Sept. 1, 18J:6, to Richard R. Smith. :i native of Clark Co., Ky., who
was horn July 19, 1821 and washrouf^ht to Morgan, now Scott (vo.,
in., in 182S, settling in Winchester, lie was raised on the farm,
and in 1848 came to Pike county, settling on sec 33, Detroit tp.,
where he resided a farmer and stock-raiser until his death, which
occurred Oct. 19, 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Smith had 7 children,—
Harriet A., now Mrs. Wm. H. Ihitler; Sarah J, now the wife of Mr.
A. Armstrong; Judith Y., now the wid<jw of Mr. A. Landers;
Mary II., dec; Martha C, now Mrs. Henry T. Bagby; Wm. S. and
Richard D.

Mrs. Nancy Smith. This lady's father, Samuel Blake, brought
liis family to this county in 1S33; the next year he died, leaving a
widow and 7 small children. The subject of this sketch has there-
fore seen hard times, — times when wolves made the night hideous,
when young live-stock had to be kept in pens, when a hewed-log
house was consitlered almost an exti'avagant luxury, and when mill-
ing was almost impossible; she has worked in the field at picking
brush, rolling logs, building fence, gathering corn, etc. She built
traps and caught turkeys, and her sister Margaret at one time waded
into the Little Blue creek, waist deep in the water with an ax and
killed a deer, which the dogs were trying to drag down; several
times Mrs. Smith went 5 miles to mill takinof a sack of corn horse-
back. The first steam-boat that she saw on the Illinois river she
remembers was the " Raccoon." Feb. 9, 184:2, she married (reorge
V. Stackpole, a native of Thomaston, Maine, who died Sej)t. 3, 1871 .
He was Capt. of various boats on the Illinois river; filled every
position on boats from deck-hand to projirietor. Our subject was
again married Nov. 3, 1878, this time to Nathaniel I*. Smith, who
was born in Ohio, Oct. 16, 1823; he was raised a farmer's l)oy;
taught school most of the time for about 14 years; came to this
county in 1873, and now resides on sec. 28, this tp.

Wiliiam K. Smith is a native of Scott C(junty, Ky., born Ajn'il
4, 18u4; can)e to M(jrgan county, 111., in 1839, where he followed
farming until 1851, when he came and settled on sec. 33, this
township, where he has since resided; but he has placed the fai'iii
in charge of his son-in-law, John F. Kingman. In July, 1825, Mr.
Smith married Lucinda Kendrick, and they have had one child,
James W,, now living in Montezuma tp. Mrs. Smith died Oct. 13,
1841, a member of the Cumberland Pi'esbyterian Church, and Mr.
S., in Oct., 1843, married Elizabeth Kendrick, a sister of his former
wife, and they have had 4 children, of whom 2 are living, — Susan
J. (now Mrs. J. F. Kinman) and Joanna I. Mrs. Smith died Oct.
3, 1875, a worthy meml^er of the M. E. Church.

Juines Stoner was born in Yorkshire, Eng., Nov. 21, 1827, the
son of Thomas Stoner, who brought his family to America in 1844,
settling in this townshi]), whei-e James still resides, a farmer on
sec. 17. In 1856 he married Mary A., daughter of George Croft,
of Moiitezuma tp. They have 2 children, Ellen and Fi-ederick.
Mrs. S. died in 1865, and in 1866 Mr. S. married Harriet, daughter

440 HirroKV OF I'IKE COUNTY

otMrs. Klizjiltftli Ellis, of this towiisliijt; tliriri' c-liiMrt-ii an- Kaii-
nie Hiul .lainop.

Creed Stratrn wad Ikitm Sept. 9, 1S33, in tliia county, iiiul i»J tlie
8o?i (»t' KdiimiK) Stniwii.drceapiiMl, who came to thiseoiiiity in IMJO;
July 12, 1S.')7. Mr. Ci»«d Strawii married Ilt'U'n, (lau^htor of Zach-
ariali ()vvul»y. Her ^raiulmolher relates this iutert'istiii^ itu-ideiit:
All Itidiiiii ehief entered the hout»o one day, and, looking at the
baliy ( M In. Strawn'ii uncle) which wa« lyin;^ in the cradle, ^aid:
'* I'ntty pale lace, how ti\\aj>; Ciive j»ony to l»oot." This hahy is
now TiuMna> Ownhy. "t' l'"i-l •! I Wr nml \tis, Slniwu ha\r had
2 chiMren, hoth dea«l

L. Ji. Taylor, farnjor, »ec 21», was born Feb. lo. 1840, in this
County, the son of AniosTaylor, wlu» wa* lM»rn ni-ar Hartford. Cnuii.,
and who dieil Oct :il, \>>M. Au^'. 15, isr.ii, L. 1{. married
Hannah, daughter of iK'reiniah Walker, dec»*ai<iM|, and their children
are Alon/.o, .lolin H., Kdward, KoU-rt, (.Mara, Ktnnia, Alva (). and
Inu Mr. Tavlor gervtHJ thret? venn» in the late war in Co. I, U9tli
I. V, I., ami wan in the battles «>f Mu^uttlia Hill, HIack Kiver, sie^c
of Vickhburj;, »tc., ami was ilisehar^eil .Itilv ,'{•', lh<;.'i.

Wiilitirn I). Tlttnnjtgon, who has resided in this State since 1817.
was lK>rn in Horrulei* I'oMoin, Mo., March 13, 1813. His t'ather
was ,Iames, deceasi**!. a native of \'ir;;inia, and a pi«>nerr in Mi.-
souri 'IVrritory, who settled in \Vashiii^tt>n ctMinty. 111., in IhlT.
He was in the Indian war of ITIM, and wiut at St. Clair's defeat,
where he wiw woumK-<l in the ri^ht lej^, which ren»lere<l him a
crij>ple for life. March 17, 1844. Wm. 15. marrietl Mary A. I?r<M.ks.
Their children are Itenjamin l'\, .Sylvi-hter W., Susan .1., ,Ianies S. ,
Sarah K. an<l William 1>. Mr. T. is a farmer on sec. '.V2.

Tfiovuif ir«it/^, farmer, see. 10. A native of this etmnty, was
lK»rn April 7, 1^42, and is the si>n of Henry 15. Wade, who was a
piom-er i>f Pike c*>unty, having l>een brouj^ht lu-re by his parents
when but Ti yoars ohi. There were but \\\ families in the county
when lie settled there. Thomas Wade was raise*! on a farm threr
miles south i)f (i ille. Sept. S.*), 1857, he married Kllen,

daughter of Mrs. Lii£ai>eth Ellis, a widow lady of I)etroit township.
They had 3 children, -Thomas, Albertie and James. In Sept.,
1875, Mrs. Wade died, and in Anril, 187C, he njarrie<l Frances
Lindville, and they have one little Doy, Harvey. Mr. Wade owns
a half interest in tlu- Florence horse ferry. He ser\«*«l in the late
war in Co. H., 73d Reijiment, I. V. I., and participate*! in the battle
of Stone river.

Jiirrel ^'alk, farmer, sec. 35; I*. O., Milton; M'as lH>rn Dec. 14,
1832, near Lexington. N. C; was brought by liie parents to this
county in ls3r». and settled near Milton. His father, Teler Walk,
Worked very hard and endured many privations in preparing for fu-
ture prosperity. He died in the winter of 1839-40. Our subject was
raiseo on a farm and knows all about prubbijij;, picking; biish,
rollinjr loir>, driving c».xen, etc., etc. Jan. 3, 18*^1, he married
Eliza J. lu'huid. and flieir cliildreii arc Hardin W.. Cordelia J.,

XI-

fl^r?i^-i

J/c

c(/n7<^^yi^

PTTTSFltLO Tr

HISTORY OF pIkE COUNTY. 443

Ilulburt C, Sarah A.., Cora B. and Lincoln Teter. In 1852 Mr.
"Walk went overland to California and returned in 1856.

Jasper Walk^ fanner, sec. 36, was horn in tiiis township Aug.
17, 1839. His motlier, Mahala "Walk, came to this county in 1836,
and still resides with her son at the age of TO years. She was born
in Davidson county, X. C. Iler father owned the Horshoe Neck on
the Yadkin river. Our subject lives in a house made of hewed
logs 39 years ago, built by Thomas Clemons, the original settler on
section 36. March 28, 1860, he married Rachel Anthony, and they
have had 7 children, 5 of whom are living, namely, Ella Bell,
Alice A., Harvey C, Charlotte A. and Jasper C. ^Ir, "Walk was
a soldier in the late war, in Co. I, 99th Reg. I. V. I., and partici-
pated in the battles of Port Gibson, siege of Vicksburg, Black
River and others. At the siege of Vicksburg he was under fire for
47 days; was wounded at the battle of Black River, and was dis-
charged July 30, 1865, at Baton Rouge.

Augustus F. White^ farmer, sec. 35, was born in Cornwall, Con-
necticut, May 6, 1832, and is the son of Comfort "White, deceased.
He received a common-school education, and attended the great
Barrington Academy, of Berkshire count}-, Mass.; he also attended
the Stockbridge Academy of the same county. He tanght school
most of the time for 22 years. April 9, 1858, he married Harriet
"Watts, and they are the parents of 3 children — Charles A., Mary
A. and John E., deceased. In 1852 Mr. "W. went to California by
ship, crossing the isthmus of Panama by way of Lake Nicaragua,
and returned by the Panama route the next year. His ancestors
came across the ocean in the Mayflower, and he is a descendant
of the same family of which Perigrine White was a member, the
lirst white child born in America.

Elijah Williains was born in Clinton county, O., Aug 6, 1844,
and is the son of Joseph "Williams, deceased, also a native of Ohio.
He received a common-school education, and in 1867 came to Illi-
nois and located in Sangamon Co., and in 1872 to Brown Co.,
where he engaged in various occupations for one year, and then
became salesman in a whi^desale tin and hardware store for F. H.
Hudson, of Versailles, 111. In December, 1877, he engaged with J.
"W. Wright & Co., of the same place, in retailing dry goods and
notions through various parts of the country; in the spring of 1878,
he was elected to the office of Assessor. The June following: he
opened a restaurant, and in March, 1879, he removed to Florence and
went into the mercantile business, where he now has a thi-iving
trade. In December, 1869, he married Ida Campbell. Their 4
children are Charles H., Effie M., Joseph F. and an infant girl.
Mr. W. served 3 vears in the late war in Co. D, 79thRe2r. O. V. 1.,
and was in the battles of Resaca, Peach-Tree Creek, Atlanta, Stone
River, Savannah, Charleston and others. He was taken prisoner
by a company of Hood's cavalry, while out foraging, and placed in
Libby prison, but was released in 21 days.

Harvey D. Williams^ Principal of Detroit Schools, was born in

444 HISTORY OF riKE OoUNTV.

Carroll Co., Va., Nov. 10, 1847, and is the son of Nicliolas Wil-
liaiMS, wlu) came to Hancock county alK>ut the year 1S52. The
Professor was eilucated in (^uincy College, 111., and l)e<^an his
chosen profession in 1868, in Hancock county, and in 1870 came to
Pike county, where he luis since tani;ht. and is now teachin<; his
sixth year in Detroit. He ^ives j^eneral patisfaction as an instructor
and (liHciplinarian. Au^. 22, lN7ii, he was married to Cammie,
dauj^hter of David Williams, of tliis township.

Samuel M. Wdliauis^ lawyer, was born in Salisbury, N. C, Feb.
9. 1^20, and is the son of .lohn A. NVilliams, a jiionoer of this
county, who brought his family here in 1n34, and endured all the
privations of pioneer life. He was Deacon in the Baptist Church
in Detroit 25 years, and died March 2G, 187»), in Pettis county,
Mo., where he had re.«iide«l four years. May 1, 1SC4, Samuel M.
married Kunice, daui^hter of Kde Hatch, ileceased, who resided in
thi^ township until within two years of his death, which occurred
in Newbnrj^ township. May 15, 1842. lie was a worthy citizen and
a memlu-r of the Paotist Church. Mr. and Mrs, Williams have
three children, viz: rrances, (Maiborne and Samuel, Mrs, Wil-
liams had previously Irmmi married and liad three children, Henry,
Henrietta and Harlow Hosfonl, deceased. Mr. Williams has ]>rac-
ticed law 2') years.

liuUi A. Wils'm was b"jti .Jan. lii, 182^, ami was brou«;ht to this
county by her parents in, ls33, j>.rnl lias seen many hardships and
troubles; iiaa done all kinds of heavy farm work, pulled, hackled,
8pun and wove t1a.\, and hauled many a load of woo<i. She was
unusually kind, benev»»lent and <'haritable, and wherever there was
sickness and suffering Mrs. Wilson wus found ; yet when she was
left a wi«low, sick with rheumatism, and a little speechless lK»y, she
was placed in a |M)or-liouse. Sept. 2<), lbGl,8he married J«»hn Hol-
iday, who wa> drowned in the Minpissippi river at St. Louis, Sept,
PI, I8()3. They hail one son, John II. .Ian. 13, 1^70, she married
Charles Wilson, a native of Sweden.

/.mXv Ydliiitty P.O. Detroit, was born in Doncaster, V«»rk6hire,
Eng., about l8<>y, and is the son of Luke Velliott, sr. In 1842 he
came to Pike county and settled on the farm he now owns, and
where he resides. He was marrie<l in ^'ork«*hire, Kng., Feb. 10,
1840 (just one week after the marriage of Queen Victoria), to
Mary, daughter of John and Ilebccca f»urland, who came to this
C4Minty in 1S31, einluring many of the hanlshijts of pioneer life.
Mrs. I'urland used k»cust thorns tor pins, such was the scarcity of
hou.sehold articles. They both died in the house of Mr. Velliott,
aged 87 and 77 years, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Velliott have
had nine children, of whom seven are living. ll<.l»ecca and Sarah
(twins), John and Annette (twins), Luke, Edward B.. and Mary A.

MONTEZUMA TOWNSHIP.

This townsliip borders on the Illinois river and lies between
Detroit on the north and Pearl on the sonth. It was one of the
first townslii]is in this early settled count}- to receive the pioneer.
A very complete and interesting historical sketch of this township
was prepared by Mr. F. M. Grimes, editor of the Milton Beacon^
in 1876, and we make no apology for quoting much of this sketch.
The people of Montezuma and neighboring townships had a grand
centennial celebration at Milton, July 4, 1S76, and Mr. Grimes was
appointed to the pleasant yet arduous and difficult task of prepar-
ing an historical sketch of this township as a Centennial History.
After his introductory, he begins the sketch of the settlement as
follows :

SETTLEMENT.

One hundred years ago the sound of the white man's ax had not
been heard in our forests. The ringing of the anvil, the rattle of
the reaper, the hum of the thresher, and whistle of the engine
would have been strange music to the ear of the wild Indian, whose
song and warhoop were the only sounds indicative of human exis-
tence. The soul-stirrino' music of the band, the melodious tones of
the organ and the still sweeter voices of the choir, would have been
in strange contrast with the howl of the wolf or the scream of the
panther as they roamed fearlessly o'er the spot where we n(iw
stand. The bark canoe and the majestic steamer; the rude wig-
wam and the stately mansion; the Indian pony and the iron horse;
the slow footman and the lightning telegraph, — but faintly illustrate
the vast diiference between the savage of then and the civilized of
1;o-day.

But little is known of the history of ^Montezuma township prior
to the year 1819, at which time Ebenezer Franklin settled upon the
lands now owned by his son Frederick Franklin, our townsman.
Other settlements were afterwards made by Chai-les Adams, James
Daniels, David Daniel?, David Hoover, Daniel Hoover, Joel Meach-
am, Thomas Davis (182G), Elijah Garrison (1S26\ Solomon Far-
rington(1827), John F. Long (1828), Fielden Hanks (1829), William
Morton, Frederic Franklin (came with his father), E. C. Clemmons,
James Cheatham (1834), Josiah Hoover (came with his father in
1826), George Hoover (came with his father), Daniel Hoover (1S2).6
The last eight are still residents. ■ Z. A. Garrison, John Batter-

440 I1ISI\>KV OK riKK COLNTT.

shell (1832), now a rcpident of S|>rin^ Creek town.^hij), Ezokiel
ClcmiUDiiti, Hoone Allen, Jidjii M<»rton, (TO(»r<i^e Morton, IVter
DilK>n, .loliii (iiirrihoii, JoM-ph (iarri><>n, .John Lottji, Nii'lioUm
Jones, .lulm Jonrs, Wni. McDriilf, Sniith Aiines, Joshua Davis,

Jusiiih Siinnis, William Konncy ^^1826), Solomon Seevers, Itoark,

James Cirimes (1S36), John iUcut>, Job Wilkir son, H. Greathousi',
J<.thn (rreathoiise, L<»iji8 Allen, Klipih (iarrison.

Like all Sfttlers of new c^^nuitries they suHered many hunlshijts
aixl inconveniences. The nearest mill f()r the tirpt few years was
Kdwartlsville, bO miles ilisUmt. Mr. Franklin informs us that there
were then al>out 2<iU InJians in the nei<;lil>orluuKl. « ♦ ♦ ♦

In the year 182i> a hiirse-mill wiw huilt l>y Freenijui Tucker on
the lot now occupied hy Mr. i'lanklin. The neari-ht tra<liM<^ points
were at Alhuiantl IJritlj^ej>ort, op|H>site Bedford. The tirst rt»i;ularly
laid out road nin from MiMite/.unni to Atlii8, and was aniontr, if not
the lirst, in the county. Houston was the ]»hy>ician. I'olly havis
tHUglit the tirst t-ch<>ul in a Muall caliin on the land now owiu'd hy
Josiah Hoover. In addition to hor lalmrH a8 teacher she had the
care of eight children.

The inliahitants were pre-eminently religious. Slioutiiii; was
very coinnjou and the "jerks" had not cejised toatllict the religious
fanatic. I'reaehing ami pmyer mootingH were held at jirivate
houses until l>etter accuinmodationH could Ik* had. The ('hri^tian
Oluirch prevaile<l at that time, and an organization was ellected
prior to In28. There were tivo resident ministers; four of the
Christian and one of the Haptist faith. The present Christian
Church has been iK.'r|>eluated since the year 1833.

The cjill for volunteers for the Black Hawk war creafo«l no little
Consternation among the |>eople. A meeting was chilled at Flor-
ence and John Batterdiell, Jo.seph (iaie, William Ivenney, Joshua
Davis, Smith Aimcs, Josiah Simnis and K<lward Irons etdiste<J.
The first two are still living. There were others from the adjoin-
iyg towns or counties who afterwards l>ecame residents, as Jesse
Lester, then a resident of Detroit, now re^iding here, James Grimes,
resident of (Trecne county, and others whose names we cannot give.

About the year 1830, by virtue of a law allowing slaveholders
the privilege of pai*>ing through this Statu with slaves, slavery ex-
isted in the township foraperit>d limite<l by the law to 30 days. Jacob
livisel brought a negro woman here, and not wishing to remove
for the time, kept her until the expiration of the 30 days and took
her to Missouri for a few days, and brought her back again, and so
continueil to do, thus evading the law for nearly a year.

The tirst marriage so farjis we can learn was that of Joseph Gale
and Elizal>eth (yarrison, about the 3'ear lh30. John F. Long is
now the oldest resident voter in the townsliin, having been a legal
voter 47 ycjirs, and has not missed to exceed three genenil electi"tis.
The oldest native-b<jrn resident is Daniel (t. Hoover, son of Daniel
and Rebecca Hoover. Calvin Greathouse, son of John and Catlie-

HISTOKY OF PIKE COUNTY. 447

rine Greathouse, was the first native-born. He is now a resident
of Texas.

EDUCATIOXAL.

Even in the earlier da3^s the settlers regarded the education of
their children as their first duty. In many instances the tuition
was paid bv the father's labor with the maul and wedge, or the
raotliei-'s work at the wheel and loom. The first board of school
trustees now on record was composed of the following names:
Nathan Tucker, II C. Robertson, Jacob Wagner, John F. Long and
Solomon Fai-ringti")n, who met at Milton July 15, 1840, and appor-
tioned the funds then on hand, $83. OG, upon the schedules of W.
M. Porter and Charles Daniels.

A subsequent meeting is recorded as follows:

June 5th, 1841.
Trustees of schools met at ^Vlilton and ordered :

1st. That the debtors to the school fund bereciuired punctually to pay the inter-
est when due, and annually to pay ten per cent, of the principal.

2d. That 65 days be considered one quarter of a year, and that each school
teaclier teach 8 hours in each day.

.3d. That the trustees receive for their services 50 cts. per day, and the treasurer
receive $1.00 per day.

Mathew Baker,
Walter W. Tucker,
James Grimes,
FiELDEN Hanks,
John S. Bacus,

Trustees.

At a meeting held at Thomas Davis' house in November of the
same year, the township was laid off in districts, Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Lots No. 4, 14 and 15 of the 16th section were ordered to be sold on
the 24th of December on 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years' time. From 1840
to 1850 we find the name of B. Greathouse as Treasurer most of the
time. Tlie names of a ])ortion of the teachers are as follows: T.
M. Johnson, Louisa Greene, W. W. Tucker, A. Meacham, A. D.
Robertson, W. Porter, G. Lester. Joseph M. Jones (now resident
of Oregon), N. W. Saxton, J. J. Meacham, A. Jones, H. D. Bennett,
C. L. Easley, T. P. Hoit, Noble Shaw, Martha Greathouse, B. F.
Tur])in, Matthew Morton, Sidney Coflfey, James Brook, Nancy L.
Reed, John Porter, Sherman Goss, Edwin Woolley, Jo.'^eph Colvin
(now living in Time), W. F. Anderson, Addison S. Smith, John W.
Allen (now residing near Milton), R. R. Clark. James M. Grimes,
Adam Acott, Mary A. Clcmmon.^, CarolineE. Davis, Harmon J.Kim-
ball, Wm. B. Grimes, Edwin P. Simmons. John S. Woolley, Emeline
S])encei-, Robert Owen and Samuel Heaton. From 1850 to the
p^resent we can onl)' mention a few of the names: Hampton, PXn"
lin. Hurley, Roberts, Walden. LTnderwood, Eakins, Harris, Ewing,
N. C. P.oren, P. A. Long, J. H. Long, W. M. Landcss, N. J. Colvin,
Fannie Allen, Jane Allen, A. F. AVhite, AV. N. Barney, Sarah B.
Stuart, N. D. Mc. Evers, G. W. Manlev, J. L. Harris, Lucinda K.

448 /IISTOKV OF riKK oocntv.

Smith, G. B. Ciarrifion, W. Z. (iarrison, Aiuaiula Boren and J. M.
Fariri. The teachers durii)ir the hist vcar were Ji»hn Kiiiir. Miss
Cromwell, Mrs. A. Hiiiuo, L. L>. Ki^^^s, (ifo. A. Iluh-omb, (\ K.
Thurman, J, G. Webster, J. L. Craven, W. F. Colvin, and the
writer. Sevenil of the above named jHjrsona have <levoted the
•greater portion of their lives to the |irofe(Siiion. Duriiii^the jiast 20
ytar» ^lr. I". M.'Jrimes tuii^^ht 1*J successive terms in this town-
6hi|>.

Montezuma has always been ]>roud of her schools, and according
to her j)ojiulation she sUmds second to m»ne in tin- county, ]>»Mhaj)8
in the Stale. Liberal wa^jes have Ik'ch paid, an<l there seems to bo
a determination on the part of the patrons to sp.ire no ]>ains in
giving to their children the greatest of blcssine^, a liberal educa-
tion. As evidence that our schools have la'en all that we claim for
them, we point to the business and professional men who received
their education in t»ur scln»ols, vi/: J. F, Greathoiise, who now
ranks among tjje best lawyers of the county, F. M. (Jreathouse, his
brother, now present Stale's Attorney of Calhoun, and stands at the
head of the l.ur in that county; W. H. (irimes, rx-County Clerk,
and V. A. (irimes, i)resent Ueputy; W. 11. Thomas, attorney, now
in California; J. 11. Nic4day, who held a {xisition in the IJ. S.
Treasury at Washington; JohnG. Xic4»lay, present Marshal of the
Supreme Court of the I'. S., held his n ' " hero tor several
vears prior to enterini' '""-n his appreiii. ...p as a printer in
Pitlstifld, and what eih. . he received in the common schools,

was ubtaincd in the schools in this township.

AORICULTl'UE.

For many years the tillers of the soil were, of necessity, com-
pelled to use such implements as C4ime within their reach. The
plow with w«HMlen mold-lMiard is within the recollection of many
wh(» were rais<'d in «nir midst. The sickle and the scythe wer* suf-
ficient for the amount of small grain raiceil, but as the acreage
increase*!, the demand for something more exj>editious was supplied
by the introduction of the reaper. Mr. R. 11. Uobert-on was the
first t«> lead in this progressive movement, anrl in alxmt the year
1845, bought and cut his grain with a .N[cCormick reaper. Xe.xt
year Mr. E. C. Clemmons followed the example. A. IJoren and
John F. Ijong soon after introduced one in the south part of the
tt»wnship. Flailing and trann>inir with horses so<iii gave way to
the ** l»eater," which wjis run hy Wm. Stults. This was quite a
re'.ief to the Inn's who rode the horses from day to day, and bare-
back at that, on a t ran) ping floor not more than 3<» feet in diameter.
Our recollections on this jK»int are very vivid indeed. The *' beater "
soon gave way to the injj»roved thresher and cleaner; the wooden
fork was not adequate to the task of taking care of the straw; the
wooden plows were laid in the shade and the Stebbin.^ and Modie
plows took their places; the wooden harrow was not in keeping
with the times, and the material from which it was made served

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 449

for other purposes. That tlie soil from which our crops is produced
is of the best and most enduralile (juality, is demonstrated beyond
a doubt bv the manner in which it has from year to year been tilled.
Until late years the clover crop was as rare as the flax crop is at
the present. Year after year have our lands yielded bountiful
crops, without rest or nourishment in return, and wliy should we
wonder that it should show some signs of diminished productive-
ness? The improved methods of culture, deep plowing, clovering
and pasturing, have made much of our land better than i